Two Countries We Only Thought We Knew

International Living Postcards--your daily escape

Monday, Feb. 5, 2007

Nicaragua is attracting a lot of international attention right now. Last month, Daniel Ortega was sworn in as president…again. During his first tenure, back in the 1980s, the Sandinista ruler wreaked havoc on this little nation. Have the people of Nicaragua lost their minds, some are wondering aloud right now? Bringing back the man many hold responsible for some of the darkest days of this country's history?

Never afraid of the contrarian position, we welcomed Ortega's victory. No longer will the world (including would-be foreign investors and retirees) have to hold its breath wondering: What would happen to the free-market progress Nicaragua has been making if the Sandinistas were ever to retake power? Now we'll find out.

So far, so good. Our staff, friends, and contacts in the country report business as usual as we go to press. The people of this beautiful country chose to give the man a second chance…so shall we.

Meantime, we thought this a good time to take a fresh look at this country we thought we knew well. We sent Roving Euro-editor Steenie Harvey for a visit. Steenie, as you know, is generally far more comfortable on the Continent. For Steenie, "developing nation" means too hot, too dirty, too poor. Her travel tales from Nicaragua, featured in the Feb. print issue of International Living, may, therefore, surprise you (see below for a teaser).

As may Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison's report from another country in this part of the world that most travelers have at the top of their "No-Go" list. Why would anyone in his right mind travel or, worse, decide to relocate to Colombia? Lee Harrison tells print subscribers here: http://www.internationalliving.com/issues.

Non-print subscribers can whet their appetites below.

Kathleen Peddicord
Publisher, International Living

[Don't miss out. Get your free IL Postcards subscription today.]

In the Feb. 2007 print issue of International Living:

- Rocking chairs, poetry, and business opportunities in Central America's most misunderstood country. A sultry Saturday night in Granada, Nicaragua's showpiece colonial city. Fireworks shower down ruby and sapphire jewels over the Cathedral and music throbs from the dinky disco train clattering over the cobbles. Rum bottles are out, rocking chairs are rocking, and the air is hazed blue with coils of cigar smoke. Wandering toward the Internet café on Calle Real Xalteva, I pass a fruteria shop's golden harvest of pineapples and bananas. On the sidewalk is a small table and a clutch of card players. Although customers are waiting, the proprietor is in no hurry to serve them--not until he's played out his hand. [Subscribe now to read on…]

- Kidnappings, guerrillas, and drugs? Let us show you another side to this overlooked retirement haven… The modern bus slowed from the cruising speed we'd been enjoying along the Pan American highway, south of Cali. Craning to see out the window, I could just make out the four machete-bearing Colombians dragging a freshly-cut tree across the road, stopping us in our tracks, while a handful of men dressed in camouflage emerged from the bush. Most of them waited outside, while the two who had boarded indicated silently with their machine-gun barrels that we should get off. As we exited, the women were corralled into a tight group while the men were lined up against the side of the bus. "Manos arriba," our handler said quietly, and we obediently raised our arms. [Subscribe now to read on…]