Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The National Psyche
Nicaragua has a fierce cultural streak and prides itself on home-grown literature, dance, art,
music and cuisine. This spiritual independence is a holdover not only from the revolution
and Contra War, it goes back to Spanish colonization, when indigenous nations won limited
autonomy at enormous personal cost.
Nicaragua also still suffers from a bit of post-traumatic stress disorder. Spanish-speakers
will hear plenty of stories involving tanks, explosions and aerial bombings, not to mention
'the day the family cow wandered into the minefield' stories. Former Sandinistas and Con-
tras work, play and take communion together, however, and any tensions you might expect
seem to have been addressed and worked through. Opinions differ about the Sandinista
years, but both sides will always agree to a good debate. Jump in and you'll learn more
about the political scene than you ever would by reading a newspaper or guidebook.
Of course, attitudes differ from place to place. Residents of the English- and Miskito-
speaking Atlantic coast rarely consider themselves part of Nicaragua proper, and many
would prefer to be returned to the British Empire than suffer further oppression by the
'Spaniards' on the other side of the country. The cattle ranchers of the central highlands
resist interference from the federal government, while coffee pickers in Matagalpa or stu-
dents in León are willing to walk to Managua to complain to the government if they per-
ceive that an injustice has been done.
It's not uncommon for Nica shopkeepers to engage in unbridled flattery and even declara-
tions of love when trying to sell you something, especially in markets.
