Chairs From Around The World

Finding a good place to sit is part of traveling. Typically it involves choosing a scenic view or prime people watching spot. But the seat on which you rest your bones can also be an icon of the destination. 

The classic French bistro chair is utilitarian and stylish. These were stacked in an alley in Old Town, Nice. 

Adirondack chairs, designed for the outdoors and named for the mountain range, can be found throughout the Northeast in the USA, like the ones pictured here in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. 

The rocking chair in Nicaragua is key piece of furniture in every home. They are not a granny only affair and often bought in sets. Peering into the parlous of colonial homes you’ll see young and old lounging in them.

If you could bring home from your travels any style of chair, which would you choose?

Street Scenes: Money Changer, Nicaragua

The moneychangers in Granada, Nicaragua populate the street leading up to the municipal market. They hold large wads of US dollars and some sit on stools like the one pictured below. He is also operating as a makeshift drive through ATM. His customer sits on a motorcycle counting his cash.

But unlike most countries Granada’s moneychangers are not part of the black market. They are bank employees. Have you ever exchanged currency using black market moneychangers when traveling?

Street Scenes: Diriomo Witchcraft Capital of the Meseta

You wouldn’t know by looking at it but Diriomo, Nicaragua is known as the Witchcraft capital of the Meseta. The practices and beliefs date back to Nicaragua’s indigenous roots. Diriomo is also one of the Los Pueblos Blancos, or White Villages, of Nicaragua. Each is know for something different, such as pottery or plant nurseries.

It was the last stop after a day of village hopping before taking the local bus back to Granada. The small town was full of activity in the late afternoon. A local eatery served up a large fried chicken platter before we hit the road. There were no tourists in sight.

Nicaragua Gallery

I’ve added a Nicaragua Gallery to my Travel Photography Web site. Images include colonial cities, small villages, volcanoes, islands and the Pacific Coast.

Hope you enjoy some armchair traveling to kick start the weekend.

Masaya And A Tale of Two Markets

Masaya in Nicaragua is known for its National Artisans Market, or Mercado Artesanias, but this tourist attraction isn’t the only game in town. While it’s worth a visit to see what’s available don’t miss the Municipal Market or Mercado Municipal located adjacent to the bus station, an enormous unpaved lot of sorts.

Nicaragua is known for its hammocks, wood, leather and pottery and there is plenty to choose from at the Artisans Market. But the Municipal Market has an equally if not better - think less souvenir-ish - section of handicrafts featuring what seemed to be a wider variety as well as some peculiar items.

This is the place to buy the stuffed armadillo you’ve always coveted.

The sprawling municipal market caters to the people who live there of course and walking around it will give you a better sense of this hard working town. You could likely find everything needed here including food, furniture, clothing, household items and rows of cobblers waiting to mend your sole.

Top Photo National Artisans Market, Other Three Municipal Market

Nicaragua’s Las Isletas

It’s probably safe to assume that most people have dreamed of owning their own private island at one time or another. In Nicaragua it’s possible.

Las Isletas, an Archipelago of 365 Islands near Granada on Lake Nicaragua has many for sale. They sit in the shadow of Mombacho Volcano, which gave birth to the islands 10,000 years ago and because of rich volcanic soil are jungle clad mini tropical paradises.

Nicaraguans own only about 10%. The rest have been sold to foreigners from all over the world who have built vacation homes, some of which are decadent mansions. There are still quite a few empty islands with for sale signs. If buying isn’t in your budget there are a handful of hotels and restaurants on some of the islands.

Taking a boat ride through the Isletas is a classic thing to do while staying in Granada, Nicaragua’s colonial jewel. An hour boat ride will set you back about $10 per person.

Where U.S. School Buses Never Retire

I bet most parents in the United States don’t know that the iconic yellow school buses they send their children to school on could one day end up as public transportation in Central America.

The buses to and from Granada, Nicaragua and neighboring villages and towns didn’t speed recklessly like those in Panama City, which are known as Red Devils. But, like Panama, most were ornately repainted and often named after a Catholic saint. Some still had former school districts printed on the side like an out of date tattoo. Tweety Bird stickers are also a popular form of adornment in both countries.

Crammed into seats that once seemed large, we waited for the bus to fill up before it departed. Throughout the ride the assistant to the driver held expertly folded money between his fingers in a fan like formation to separate the different denominations while he collected fares.

Granada’s public buses are located close the central market in unpaved lots that would be easy to miss when no buses are waiting. The transportation is a cost effective and relatively easy way to travel to neighboring villages and towns. A ride about an hour out of town cost 11 cordobas, about 50 U.S. cents.

Windows from Around the World

There is nothing like a window with a good view.

The shuttered windows of Jaipur, India’s City Palace keep out the heat and provide privacy from which to peer.

The colorful colonial architecture of Granada, Nicaragua has no shortage of beautiful windows.

It would be easy to lose count of how many windows there are in this enormous housing block in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Some windows are pure art like this one in Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende.

Wishing you all a healthy, happy 2010. And may your window of opportunity for travel be wide open in 2010.

Previous Posts in this Series:

Graveyards
Beaches
Underground Metros

What Does Furniture Say About A Culture?

What does the furniture of a country say about its culture? Throughout Nicaragua you’ll see beautifully hand carved rocking chairs and colorful hammocks.

The rocking chairs are symbolic of community spirit. In the evenings people pull them outside of their homes to sit, rock and watch the world go by instead of retreating behind a closed door once the sun goes down. Peering into the drawing rooms of what are deceivingly small from the outside colonial buildings it wasn’t unusual to see anywhere from 6-12 rocking chairs in a circle instead of facing a television.

With a tropical climate hammocks are ideal for laying low during the hottest part of the day. Nicaragua is well known for the quality of its handmade hammocks.

What does the furniture of your country say about its culture?

Nicaragua: Couple In Market

It’s been longer than usual since my last post. I’m currently in the midst of shooting a New York City guidebook. It’s a joy to photograph my own city on assignment and it’s keeping me busy. There is plenty more to come in more detail on my recent travels to Tokyo, Seoul and Nicaragua.

In the meantime I leave you with this photograph of a couple in Granada’s market. Nicaragua is by far one of the friendliest countries I’ve traveled to so far. It exudes a positive energy generated by its people. Which countries have you found the people the friendliest?

Portraits: Woman With Control

This woman was spotted in Catrina one of the Los Pueblos Blanco, or white villages, a short ride from Granada, Nicaragua.

The secret to balancing goods on your head besides grace, balance and plenty of practice-a piece of cloth rolled into a coil placed underneath. Give it a try.

Nicaragua Bound

Later this week I’ll be heading to Nicaragua for 10 days. The plan for now is to spend time in Granada, Ometepe and San Juan del Sur. If any of my readers have recommendations on where to stay in Ometepe and San Juan del Sur do tell. And of course advice on eateries and things to see off the beaten track are appreciated as well.

As always I’ll have posts lined up while I’m away and plenty when I get back. I haven’t even scratched the surface on my recent trip to Tokyo and Seoul.