Leon, Nicaragua
Jan 14, 2020
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| The ship docked at Puerto Corinto, an hour away from Leon |
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| We were met by adults and children dressed in traditional festive outfits. Each of us was given a gift by a small child! |
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| While we could see the streets of the town, we didn't get to walk the streets. Instead, we boarded a bus and rode into Leon |
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| On the road |
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| Just after our guide finished telling us how the Police were alerted to make sure we weren't delayed, we got delayed! |
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| More volcanoes |
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| This memorial caught my eye |
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| The first stop was the Ruben Dario Registry Museum |
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| Rubèn Darìo was a poet, a diplomat to his country and a successful journalist. |
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| This poem about war is amazing |
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| This unique museum featured courtyard after courtyard with art on the walls |
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| . . . so I took photos of courtyards. |
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| I snuck a photo of this one because I didn't recognize the name and wanted to look it up. Justina was a Christian martyr who died under the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Maximian. Her tormentors surround her, stabbing her to death, while angels descend from heaven with her martyr's crown |
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| In one section was this wood carving of the Cathedral |
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| We were given time to browse the museum but we all decided we wanted to walk back up the street to the Church of St Francis |
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| This statue depicts the story of St Francis negotiating with the wolf who had been terrorizing the town of Gubbio (the wolf agreed to be friendly if the townspeople kept him fed) |
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| We tried the door and found it open! |
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| Church statues in South America and Europe frequently are clothed in carefully hand made garments |
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| St Clare with the monstrance repelled invaders who threatened to attack the convent at San Damiano |
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| The Trinity |
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| This small garden was just outside the side doors of the nave |
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| We walked a few short blocks to the Central Park of Leon. On the way, we passed by this small park dedicated to Ruben Dario |
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| The fountain forms the center of the Central Park and honors Juan Jose Quezada, a hero of the revolution |
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| These much larger than life figures are carried and manipulated from within during carnival and festival |
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| These young folks demonstrated the dances - only with much smaller costumes! |
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| The City Hall |
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| The Cathedral- Basilica of the Immaculate Conception |
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| Saint Michael, defend us in the day of battle! Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. |
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| The apostles were depicted with life sized statues - here St Bartholomew, my confirmation saint. He is depicted holding a knife indicating his martyrdom by being skinned alive. |
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| I hope these guys never get tired of holding up the bell! |
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| Theresa's patron saint - Thérèse of Lisieux - The "Little Flower" |
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| Saint Geronimo (Jerome) |
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| Saint Anne and the young girl Mary |
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| The stations of the cross |
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| The grave of Ruben Dario |
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| This statue commemorates Pope John Paul II's visit to Nicaragua. |
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| The side panel behind the Main Altar - Jesus commands the storm |
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| The mural behind the Main Altar - Jesus gives Peter the Keys to the Kingdom - left side . . . |
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| . . . and right side |
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| The other side panel behind the Main Altar - Jesus rescues St Peter when his faith fails as he is walking on water |
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| The sides of the main altar structure hold two statues of what appear to be Roman soldiers who were martyred.No one knew who they were. If you know, contact me! |
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| It was pretty hot, so we capped off the day with a little cerveza at this little pub on the corner |
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| The streets are chaotic! But it works! |
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| Imagine a "bus" like this in the US? |
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| Some art just before boarding the ship |
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| Back to the ship, two by two! |
Tomorrow - Costa Rica and a River Cruise
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