(^60) Masaya – Managua - 30 kilometres
A short 30-kilometre cycle ride led to Managua, Nicaragua’s capital, where we came
upon a somewhat disjointed city. The city had been subject to many natural
disasters; the latest being a devastating earthquake in 1972, which destroyed the
city centre. Managua was rebuilt around it with outlying shopping centres and
markets. As a result, it took cycling around before locating the “traveller’s area”
close to the old town. Sadly, the old city centre was derelict, with just the remains
of an old cathedral visible. Interestingly, the clock still showed when the earthquake
hit - at 12h35 midday.
As always, Ernest needed bike spares but couldn’t find a shop selling decent quality
spares. However, we did get an address for one selling Shimano spares, but it was
Saturday and already closed.
One of the exciting things in Managua was the Ancient Footprints of Acahualinca.
These tracks consist of fossilised human footprints in volcanic ash and mud,
solidified about 2,120 years ago. The footprints were buried four metres
underground when unearthed and are still in perfect condition. The prints indicate a
group of 15 people (men, women and children) en route to the lake. In addition to
the human footprints, there are deer and raccoon tracks.
One can’t go far in Managua without seeing a statue of Augusto Nicolás Calderón
Sandino, a Nicaraguan revolutionary and leader of a rebellion against Nicaragua’s
US military occupation between 1927 and 1933. Of course, he was labelled a bandit
by the United States government. However, his exploits made him a hero
throughout much of Latin America, where he became a symbol of resistance to the
United States’ domination.
leana
(Leana)
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