hello in there...

Two weeks in Nicaragua was just what we needed.

Sun, warmth, new landscapes, new adventures equals new found passions.

For me as a photographer it was bliss!

A town called Granada which was founded in 1539 by the Spanish was 

our landing point and the Colonial architecture of this place did not disappoint.

I have a thing for doors and windows and entrance ways which lead

the eye and the mind to wander and wonder.

First of all it was the colours!

The hot and spicy hues reflect the culture...

I loved this street in the late afternoon sun...could you tell me a story of this couple? 

I had a few in my mind...

The thing about Granada and Nicaragua in general, was that if you stood in one place for more than 5 minutes you would be guaranteed to see something interesting.

I was waiting on the street for Tom at one point and

 I took a picture of this beautiful blue and white doorway...

...and then this fella road by with the typical large baskets used in the markets for produce...

...and a few seconds later this lad strode by with his cleaning wares, probably heading to the same main market in town...

Another '1 door ~ three looks'...

The age of this little city is prevalent in so many ways and if some of these doors could talk.

Layers upon layers of paint and paint removal...

the wear of a door well used...

Many homes and business' have a gate in front of the door to allow for airflow

whilst keeping secure...the wooden doors are open and the
iron gate is locked for this purpose...

Some, like this liquor store Tom went to buy beer from, are more about security...two old ladies sat behind these bars, happily versed in the off sale business...

Written on the bottom there...

"Aquiesta Colacho...

Suba las gradas y sientase en la gloria"

roughly translates to
"here it is...climb the steps and feel the glory!"
On those hot humid days, cold cold beer is definitely a way to "feel the glory!"
The colour yellow is predominant on a lot of buildings here in Granada...

Look how beautifully worn these stone steps are up to one of the many churches.

How many hot, tired, hopeful feet trod here?...

Beautiful mosaic tiles, the Moorish influence...

Here we have the gateway to a market in Masaya...again, the arches reflect the Moorish influence...

 ...and here in the gateway of a lovely old hotel we stayed in...apparently these were covered
over in stucco walls until about 10 years ago
when the new owners gave this Colonial mansion a makeover...

The doors of the now defunct train station.
The rail system in Nicaragua has been shut down since 2006.
Earthquakes, flooding, lack of ridership and government funding have all been contributing factors.

...the door handle on the main entrance...

More colour!!...

 

This one was hands down one of the brightest on the block in San Juan Del Sur...

My favourite...

A few peaks into some abandoned doorways...

 

 

Decades and decades, perhaps hundreds of years in business...

 

The thing about a lot of these seemingly flat entrance ways is that many of them
 give way to an oasis of cool and calm.
Stepping from outside, you soon take comfort from the
stifling heat and sun.
Here in one of the hotels and an airbnb where we took refuge several times a day...

(by the way...the hammocks here are heavenly!)