Nandaime, Nicaragua (afuera de Granada)

For over two months I've traveled from McAllen, Texas in the north to Panama City in the south. I spent many weeks in Panama City as it's a comfortable metropolis, easy to move by foot and attractive with its spiking high rise towers, ocean, bay, and tropical rain forests. Now I'm heading north again and have returned to the Granada, Nicaragua region. Probably the most photogenic of any of the places I've been to on this widespread journey. These images are from today's day trip 20 kilometers southwest of Granada town. They are from much smaller Nandaime; its peaceful town center and surrounding countryside.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Tegucigalpa is a mountain city and has an old historic, thriving downtown with narrow streets. I was warned often of dangerous blocks and did not stay out late as it wasn't recommended. Too bad, as it has a good character for a city and the various urban zones seem well integrated with each other and easy to get from one to another. The above landscape near the market reminded me of El Greco's "Toledo".

Granada, Nicaragua

Granada is supposed to be the oldest colonial city in the Americas. I assume that means continously populated. It is very easy to photograph. Primarily because it feels relatively safe compared to other locations I've been to in Central America. It's a tourist town and perhaps the residents realize they have to put up with foreign photographers. I was able to walk the market without much fear of being assaulted and left my camera outside of my bag, where I kept it hidden in more dangerous settings. Granada feels quite similar to Antigua in Guatemala and also to San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, Mexico. All three are famous tourist towns.

\

Pictures of San Salvador, capital of El Salvador

I went up to the volcano on one side of San Salvador to hike, "el boqueron," the big mouth in english. I walked a long time through coffee cultivations and finally interesected with the main road. It started raining heavily and of course my shoes got soaked which is the worst part of rain. On the way down i discovered a garden around an electrical transfer tower and took the nature shots.

When I returned to downtown San Salvador I walked around and took the urban shots. The downtown area is packed with street stalls and has a bustling character. The surrounding suburbs are more upscale and packed with modern malls. Presumably, the downtown area is the most dangerous.

Interior of Abastos Market, Oaxaca. Escenas del interior del Mercado Abastos

 

Normally live animals are sold outside on Saturdays. Maybe small fowl is an exception.

Sunlight passes through fabric and plastics of various colors creating a festive, ornamental atmosphere.  The seated women are selling tlayudas, big flat tortillas. A Oaxacan staple.

Dos machos y un chamaco en El Mercado Abastos, Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Chamaco means child or boy child in spanish.

Cargadores en El Mercado de Los Abastos

Oaxaca Abastos Market. Stalls on the surrounding streets.

The vast market, "Mercado de los Asbastos" has multiple warehouses, and beyond those the activity spills onto the surrounding streets. These images are from spaces on the streets.

Fresh chiles

Scenes from Mercado de Abastos, Oaxaca

The Mercado de Abastos is the biggest market complex in Oaxaca city and the state of Oaxaca. It's an exiciting place to be with an enormous variety of goods.

The market complex is bordered on one side by the Rio Atoyac, Oaxaca's river, although it now appears more of a creek.

In the mornings men wait for work on the east side of the complex.

Mercado Sonora, supplies for witchcraft, magic and the cult of Santa Muerte (associated with narcotrafficers)