Frontier Goes to Nicaragua: Day 4

Half day at work today, but we doubled up on the excursions. First we went to El Coyotepe (Coyote Mountain) and went two levels down into the retired political prison. According to Nicaraguan historical record, the spot we visited was the site of an estimated 10,000 deaths, either by battle in the early 20th century or by torture and disease in the political prison itself. We stood in the very spots where people were hung, psychologically tortured, and raped. After the prison closed, it is said to have been a site for Satanic rituals. All this while in pitch blackness underground with bats swirling around above us.

After that, we drove up Masaya: one of 7 active volcanoes in Nicaragua. It erupted in 2012 and was closed to the public for months. We bribed a tour guide to bring our group within a few hundred yards of the volcano's crater. We could not stay for very long because of the sulfuric plumes coming from the crater smelled and made it difficult to breathe. There was a large but makeshift crucifix above us at the volcano's peak that is said to have been erected by Satan worshipers to mark the opening to Hell.

Tonight we divided in to different groups for a dinner plan. Here is Tim with some perspective:

After the class picked up some souvenirs from the market, the group decided to split up. Some kids went out to eat, some went back to the hostel, and the rest went to a baseball game. I was one of the few that decided to go to the game. The game was featuring the home team, the Granada Tiburons. We only stayed for 7 out of the 9 innings but it was still a site to behold. We've experienced a lot of interesting things so far on this trip, but the baseball game to me was by far the best. Since I myself am an athlete, it was intresting to see how a different culture can change the way that the game is played. The biggest difference that I noticed was the atmosphere of it all. The fans here have so much more leniency to do as they please. They are allowed to smoke in public, they can't get yelled at for making to much ruckus, and they don't even have designated seats. It's crazy to think about how much more restricted you are when your in American than when you are here. All in all it was just another amazing experience that I can now say that I have conquered. (P.S. Frank was there.) ( Extra P.S. We all love Frank.)

And of course, some highlights: