 This weekend, millions of New York Times Travel section readers will be treated to a full feature spread that whisks them around Nicaragua. The article, by Gregory Dicum, offers a breezy, lyrical tour of Nicaragua's main Pacific-side features, and does a great job of capturing the various moods of each destination. Dicum reports, "As recently as five years ago, almost no facilities existed for foreign visitors, yet now development is brisk. Social development projects like the tourism co-ops and a scholarship and job training program associated with Pelican Eyes, as well as many others, tie the growing sector to society more broadly, as rarely happens elsewhere in Central America. As a visitor, there is the refreshing feeling that how it all turns out is, in part, up to you."
It is encouraging that a reporter recognizes this unique trait of Nicaraguan tourism development, that is happening more organically than other places in the region, and that choices made by the tourist will impact how it continues to happen. You can read "The Rediscovery of Nicaragua," by registering with nytimes.com and you can also watch this four-minute volcano-hiking video of the writer climbing into the clouds of La Isla de Ometepe, which he calls a "fresh-water Hawaii." Dicum also does a good job encapsulating the cuisine: "Nicaraguan food has a hearty simplicity: a local fish, with tostones (medallions of fried plantains) and gallo pinto, or red beans and rice, washed down with a Toña, a classic tropical lager. Local specialties like vigorón (fried pork skin and yuca, a popular roadside meal around Granada) and nacatamales (corn tamales stuffed with meat and wrapped in banana leaves) are worth trying as well." Pick up a copy of the Times this weekend, or check it out online — then come on down to Nicaragua and see for yourself.
Update 30 December 2006: Some interesting letters to the editor in response here. |
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