Miraflor and Esteli

To get to Miraflor just go to the terminal and ask for a bus to Miraflor, they go to La Rampa or Coyolito, so you have to know which one of them to take. Miraflor was declared a reserve in 1996 and recently became protected area. The background for the protection is for one; according to the innhabitants the use of pesticides caused many birds to die, and affected the wildlife and health of the people so much that the goverment decided to ban the use of pestecides in the area and protect it. Today everything is grown without the use of cemicals, the locals make their organic pestiside from hot red peppers. The second reason is that this area was higly dangerous during the sivil war when the Contras snuck around to cross the border to Honduras while planning to march into Managua to seize political power. A large contingent came through the mountains planning to sack Esteli. The farmers put up restistance and helped turn the Contra War toward the Sandinistas, so Ortega decided to nationalized the farmland and give the land back to the people at thhe behest of the local women. Pure girlpower where in act here to make this area the paradice it is. And the women of the area may look humble but they are surviviors, clever and resourceful, and they have made the life that they have for themselves. Always happy to live in such an incredible area in an amazing country they do the work that women still did themselves in the 40 and 50. They do not want it any other way, and are proud of living their quiet, free and simple life that they have fought for. During the war the area was very dangerous, and families had to hide and be on the move all the time to stay safe. Through the Hostel Luna it is possible to get information about homestays and places from Treehuggers. They will also arrange other low impact tours for you in the area.

                                   Zona Bajo in Miraflor

                                   Flowers from Dona Lucias garden.

I spent 4 nights in Esteli, an university city in the northen highlands of Nicaragua. The trip from Somoto to Esteli was through amazing nature with the canopy of huge trees hanging over the road in many places, reaching out for a tree on the other side, as if they try to embrace each other. In Somoto in Hotel Panamercana I met a wonderful couple from USA and they offered me a ride to Esteli. They live in Managua, so they told me a great deal about Nicaragua. We had some inspirational conversations the evening before we left and  during the ride. The last 3 days I have been in Leon. The busride there was very interesting. I met to funny Spanish girls from Mallorca and they told me a lot about Mallorca. I asked what they work with on Mallorca and they said: "protesting the political system."

                                       Harry Potter forest

                                                   Overflooded small lagoon.

This clever toilet separates urine from "caca". The urine is led by pipes to the corn field and used as fertilizer. There is also a small urinal for men hanging on the wall. This is a typical "latrina" in Miraflor where everyone has outdoor toilet facilities.