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Rojita

Rojita – a Nicaraguan favorite!!!

Gas prices in Holy Week

There was a miracle during Holy Week in Nicaragua.  Gasoline and diesel prices went down!!!!

Diesel awoke Sunday morning at C$27.79 per liter or C$105.04 per gallon.  That would be about $4.34 per gallon.

Happy driving!

Holy kiddy pools…Batman!

This year, during Holy Week, traditionally one of the hottest weeks of the year, a lot of kiddy pools were sold.  This may be attributed to a stronger lower-middle class economy here in Nicaragua.  Seriously, there were a lot more sold and seen around town this year than in any other I can recall.

These guys got a late jump…it was already Friday when they were taking this to their home, somewhere in the barrio Camilo Ortega (formerly know as Torres Molina).  “Good luck filling it…”

Another interesting fact about the Holy Week this year is that temperatures  although they started out really hot, have been really cool.  In fact, is was sprinkling tonight here in Managua…feels like December again.

Tomorrow looks like summer will rear her ugly head again…and for the month and more to come….

Views of downtown Managua

I was on top of one of the local hotels, the Seminole, owned by Daniel Ortega (so they say).  It has a history – it used to have the original Hard Rock Café in Managua, Nicaragua. Wish I would have gotten a t-shirt…I went there back in the day.  Nothing left of it now…but I was able to take these shots of a more modern Managua skyline as it slowly changes and grows…waiting for the next earthquake in Managua to shake things up a bit.

Delicious Nicaraguan sopa de queso

Tortas para sopa de queso
Tortas para sopa de queso
Sopa de queso
Cheese soup served

One of Nicaragua‘s traditional recipes is cheese soup.  Traditionally, some choose not to eat meat during Holy Week.  However, dieting is not part of the agenda and there exists a wide variety of food specialties for Nicaraguan Holy Week.  But, religious holidays aside, cheese soup is a delicious, typical meal you can have anytime…like I did last Sunday in Barrio Memorial Sandino in Managua.

There you have it!  Delicious broth with fried cheese dumplings.  I found a good recipe here. Here is a video showing you how to make it.

Enjoy!!! Click here for more Nicaraguan soup.

More cheese soup here

And here…

Sopa de queso
Cheese soup served and up close

🇪🇸 Sopa de Queso Nicaragüense: Tradición y Calor en un Plato
Un plato que reconforta el alma
Cuando se trata de comida reconfortante, pocas preparaciones pueden igualar el abrazo cálido de un plato humeante de sopa. En Nicaragua, hay una sopa que ocupa un lugar especial en el corazón de su gente: la Sopa de Queso.
La herencia culinaria de Nicaragua
La gastronomía nicaragüense es una encantadora fusión de influencias indígenas, españolas y criollas, dando como resultado platillos llenos de sabor y tradición. La Sopa de Queso es un claro ejemplo de esa herencia culinaria.
Ingredientes y variaciones
En esencia, la Sopa de Queso es un plato sencillo pero muy satisfactorio, hecho generalmente con un caldo, queso y diferentes vegetales. Como muchas recetas tradicionales, existen innumerables variaciones, cada una adaptada a los gustos del cocinero y la región.
El queso seco: el alma del sabor
Uno de los ingredientes principales de la Sopa de Queso nicaragüense es el queso seco, un queso duro y salado que aporta un sabor muy característico. También suelen añadirse papas, zanahorias, cebollas y maíz, ingredientes que le dan cuerpo y una textura abundante a la sopa.
Una tradición que une familias
Lo que realmente hace especial a la Sopa de Queso no es solo su sabor, sino la tradición y el sentido de comunidad que la rodean. En muchos hogares nicaragüenses, preparar y compartir una olla de Sopa de Queso es una costumbre muy apreciada, reservada para ocasiones especiales o reuniones familiares.
Cocinar con amor y paciencia
Preparar esta sopa es un acto lleno de cariño: desde la elección de los ingredientes más frescos hasta dejarla hervir lentamente hasta alcanzar su punto perfecto. Cada paso refleja la dedicación y el amor por las tradiciones.
Mucho más que una sopa
Mientras la sopa hierve y llena la casa con su delicioso aroma, familiares y amigos se reúnen a la mesa esperando con ganas ese primer sorbo. En ese momento no solo se disfruta el sabor, sino también las historias y los recuerdos compartidos.
El sabor de la herencia y la unión
En Nicaragua, la Sopa de Queso es mucho más que un plato: es una celebración de la herencia cultural, la unión familiar y el placer simple de disfrutar la vida. Ya sea en una noche fresca o en una fiesta especial, esta sopa siempre logra reunir a las personas y calentar el alma.
Prepárala tú mismo
Así que la próxima vez que quieras saborear algo reconfortante y lleno de tradición, atrévete a preparar una Sopa de Queso nicaragüense. Con su sabor único y su calidez, seguramente se convertirá en una de tus recetas favoritas.

温暖人心的料理
说到让人感到舒心的食物,很少有比一碗热腾腾的汤更暖心的了。在尼加拉瓜,有一道特别受到人们喜爱的汤,那就是 奶酪汤(Sopa de Queso)。
美食中的文化融合
尼加拉瓜的料理融合了印第安人、西班牙以及克里奥尔文化的特色,造就了既有风味又充满传统气息的美食。奶酪汤正是这种融合的经典代表。
材料与变化
基本上,奶酪汤的做法很简单,用高汤、奶酪和一些蔬菜就能煮出一锅香气四溢的美味。不过,像许多传统菜肴一样,每个家庭都有自己的做法,体现出地方特色和个人喜好。
干奶酪:汤的灵魂
尼加拉瓜奶酪汤的关键食材之一是 干奶酪(queso seco),这是一种结实、略带咸味的奶酪,能为汤增添独特的风味。其他常见的配料包括土豆、胡萝卜、洋葱和玉米,它们让汤的口感更加丰富饱满。
一道凝聚家庭的汤
但真正让奶酪汤特别的,不只是味道,还有它背后的情感与传统。在许多尼加拉瓜家庭里,煮一锅奶酪汤是一种充满仪式感的事情,通常在节日或家人朋友团聚的时候享用。
从细节中煮出温情
从挑选新鲜的食材,到慢慢熬出香浓顺口的汤,每一步都充满耐心与爱。汤在炉子上缓缓翻滚,香气弥漫整个空间,家人和朋友围坐在餐桌旁,期待着品尝的那一刻。第一口入口时,除了美味,还有那份家的味道和温暖的回忆。
不只是美味,更是一种文化
在尼加拉瓜,奶酪汤不仅是一道美食,更是一种文化的象征,一种团聚的仪式,也是一种单纯的生活乐趣。无论是在凉爽的夜晚,还是节日聚会时,这道汤都能让人感到温暖与幸福。
在家尝试制作
下次如果你想尝点有温度的传统味道,不妨尝试煮一锅 尼加拉瓜奶酪汤。它浓郁的香气和温暖的口感,一定会让它成为你厨房里的新宠。

Nicaragua ice cream (in the past)

Most anyone who comes to Nicaragua tries, and likes, the local favorite brand: Eskimo Nicaragua ice cream.  However, it hasn’t always been the local favorite.  In the pre-revolutionary era (before the 1979 onward) Lacmiel was the thing, or so I am told.  I have tried to investigate a bit about the company. The address is still commonly referenced in Managua by taxi drivers and others giving directions.  I also read that the property where Lacmiel was, abandoned for years, was offered to the Pellas family for $2 million.  It obviously isn’t worth that but hey…if the Pella’s are buying….anyways, that’s why the reference still exists.

Walking through the San Judas barrios in Managua, I saw two of these signs, used now as a sheet metal patch on a tin sheet fence:

Much to my surprise, on the next street south I found this one:

Ahh, sweet memories of days gone bye.  Come back Lacmiel, please come back! (Although Eskimo Nicaragua ice cream is good!)

Managua’s new downtown….

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The new, up and coming downtown Managua…

I like big bugs….

I like big bugs and I cannot lie…here is a big one from Cárdenas, Nicaragua.

Take advantage of shipping costs….

Gas prices in Nicaragua are through the roof (ironically considering the close business and political ties between Venezuela‘s Hugo Chávez, his ALBA group and the government of Daniel Ortega).  A person has to take advantage of every opportunity as every drop of petroleum counts.   These guys are no strangers to the game, transporting their mattresses from the Managua area to Rivas, Nicaragua.

I passed as quickly as I could and tried to stay to the left….

How to Get a Free ‘Test Drive’ of Retirement in Nicaragua

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From Evernote:

How to Get a Free ‘Test Drive’ of Retirement in Nicaragua

Clipped from: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100519321


How to Get a Free ‘Test Drive’ of Retirement in Nicaragua

 Text Size  

 Published: Monday, 4 Mar 2013 | 3:51 PM ET

By: Cindy Perman

CNBC.com Staff Writer
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Jane Sweeney | AWL Images | Getty Images
Granada, Nicaragua
You can test drive a car, so why not retirement?
InternationalLiving.com, a magazine and website with a self-explanatory name, is holding a contest to “test drive” retirement in Nicaragua for a month – all expenses paid.That includes airfare and rent for the winner and a spouse or friend, plus $1,500 for extra spending money.
Why Nicaragua?
Nicaragua routinely makes “best places to retire overseas” lists, with its tropical climate, picturesque landscape with beaches, rainforest and volcanoes, Spanish colonial architecture and the piece de resistance – its low cost of living.
Actually, International Living describes it as a “super-low cost of living,” where you can live well on $700 a month, and real estate is “a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. for similar locations.”
“I have a bit of an embarrassing problem every time I go to Nicaragua,” Jason Holland wrote on InternationalLiving.com. “For at least half the first day, I’m constantly asking waiters to repeat the price for a beer,cocktail or meal, thinking I misheard. Could it really be that low?” He reported that a steak dinner for three in Granada, complete with wine, cost $45 — and that was the most expensive meal he had there. Mojitos and other drinks are about $1.50 around town, he reports, and Tona beer costs 75 cents.
75 cents – what year is this? Does Marty McFly know about this?
Now that your interest is piqued (at the very least, your wallet’s interest) you’re probably wondering what the “requirements” are for a retirement contest.
I mean, if this were a basketball contest, you’d win by being good at sinking baskets. What exactly is the skill set you need to get an edge in a retirement contest?!
First, applicants “must be willing to relax,” the ad on InternationalLiving.com says.
Relax? Hey, this is my kind of contest! I could be the best relaxer you’ve ever seen. (Not really but I’m a quick study.)
The full description from International Living:
“Must be willing to relax… explore a new place… shop the local farmers and craft markets… take walks… attend festivals… maybe try a Spanish class… enjoy local restaurants… make new friends. Ideal candidate is of (or close to) retirement age, hails from the U.S. or Canada, and believes that – in the right places overseas – it’s possible to live better, for less,” the ad says.
Applicants were asked to submit a three-minute video on YouTube on why they should get the free test drive.
“I am 63-years old and am living on a fixed income. I collect Social Security and I also have a military retirement,” said Roger Wollschlager, playing it straight in his YouTube video. “If I can live in Nicaragua and the cost of living is a lot cheaper, then I can stretch my retirement dollars a lot further.”
Sue and Keith Farndale from Toronto, Canada were a quaint comedic duo in their YouTube video, with Keith playing reporter and interviewing Sue on why they should win.
“We’d like to win a dream test drive test-drive retirement overseas with International Living and we’re going to tell you why!” Keith says in the intro. “First, welcome to the beach neighborhood of Toronto, Canada! It’s gray. It’s snowy. It’s below freezing. Hey, maybe that’s the reason!” He says, elbowing Sue.
Sue giggles.
“Sue, what do you look for in a retirement destination?”Keith asks.
“Nice weather and cheaper. And friendly people,” Sue said. “I like the idea of learning another language. That’s good for our brains as we age.”
Right on cue, Keith replies: Hablo espanol. Si, senora!”
More giggling.
No reporting or writing experience is necessary but the winner must be willing to share reports of their experience. If International Living uses any of the material in their magazine, website or daily postcard e-letter,they’ll offer additional compensation at the current writer’s rate.
Say, do you get paid extra if you “hablo espanol”?