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Driving into Managua, our impression was of a fairly modern city, at least in its outer suburbs, with a decent highway system and lots of commerce. We caught sight of a couple of modern-looking shopping centers and ended up staying near and shopping and eating in one of them.

Although we spent a whole week in Managua, we really didn't do very much in the city itself. On two separate days we made excursions outside the city but as for the city itself we wandered into the downtown area one day. Another day we walked over to the new cathedral which was near to where we were staying with Franz Orschel. For the rest of the time, we tried to keep cool in Managua's sticky oppressive heat.

Palacio Nacional de la Cultura

This building was the only one in the downtown area that was attractive to look at and interesting (and open) to visit. The downtown area was deserted- looking and sad. Vast empty spaces that looked derelict and abandoned and a block away a promenade along the shore of the lake edged with seedy-looking bars and restaurants.

Decaying Review Stand

This sad structure designed to review stirring military parades, no doubt, now is a fitting symbol of the decay of the downtown area.

Apartment in Central (and poor) Managua

This apartment block provides clear evidence, if evidence one needs, of the poverty of many Nicaraguans. We should add, however, that the neighborhood we were staying in was much more attractive than this.

Earthquake damaged Old Cathedral

One of the main sites of the downtown area is the old Cathedral, damaged years ago by an earthquake. It is a handsome building, but is currently ringed with a high fence and off limits to tourists. While in Mexico we had read that Mexican engineers had been consulted about the viability of stabilizing the building, perhaps with the idea of opening it to visitors. The early signs are that it is possible, but who knows at what cost to the Nicaraguan government and its people.

New Cathedral, A Modern Concrete Building

Our bed and breakfast was just a short walk from the new Managua Cathedral so of course we walked over there to take a look. We didn't particularly like it. Perhaps we are biased against modern churches, but somehow they don't have the presence, the gravitas, of older churches. Modern churches lack the atmospherics and decorative appeal of the older churches. We should say, however, that we did like the new modern cathedral in Los Angeles.

Monument to Army??