A group of YGA members visit Javier in Talolinga January 2013
Brief stop at the Masaya Volcano National Park
YGA delegates and PGL in country director Aaron Banas pose in front of steaming volcano Masaya on the drive from Managua airport to the city of Leon. (l. to r.): Aaron Banas, Beth Johnson, Carla Snyder, Mike College, Ben Wenk, Mark Clowney, Catherine Lara and Katie Epstein)
Steaming Masaya crater
Nicaragua is often called the land of volcanoes and lakes, both of which texture the landscape.
Volcanoes Momotombo and Momotombito at the shores of Lake Managua
Continuing north on the drive to Leon, Momotombo and it's smaller side kick jut out of the flat surroundings. The highway connecting Managua and Leon is one of few asphalted roads we traveled while in Nicaragua.
Visit to El Najo
Javier has participated in several training opportunities with the non-profit Nuevas Esperanzas. During our stay, he was taking part in an apiary training with Erica, the organizations apiarist, in the village of El Najo.
Javier putting on his bee suit
Following the training series with apiarist Erica, Javier begins caring for his own 3 colonies in Talolinga. Honey bees in Nicaragua are all Africanized, therefore full suits and calm nerves are a must when checking hives. Certain beekeeping techniques also differ from those in the north, due to differences in this honey bees' life-cycle and behavior.
Livestock and poultry are a common sight
Dairy cows look distinctively different, with their large floppy ears and slender build. Although their milk production is comparatively low, they are able to withstand the dry season and limited access to grazing during those months. These El Najo cows are feeding on sugar cane stalks after the sweet juice has been expelled and is boiled down into sugar.
View into valley
Travel to El Najo is best down by foot. It's the start of their dry season and pastures are turning a dry dusty tan. Still the view of the valley is gorgeous.
Tour of Talolinga
About 80 families live in the village of Talolinga in the mountains of Leon district. Javier showed the group important community landmarks such as the primary school, health center, church, store and public wells. Homes are constructed of brick with clay shingle roofs. Just recently the community was connected to the power grid.
We stop by the community's church...
And peek inside.
School grounds
This school yard is now the site of a school garden project lead by Javier in collaboration with students and teachers.
Health Center
A doctor and nurse staff this health center several days each week, although if there is an emergency, an individual must make the 1 hour trek down to the town of Santa Rosa for more extensive care.
Angela cooking dinner
Corn tortillas are a staple in the Nicaraguan diet, as are rice and beans. Angela cooks our delicious meals over a wood fired stove.
Evening game of "Spoons" or "Cucharas" with Javier
Socializing with and getting to know Javier and the various community members is very important on the first day. After some time relaxing together, we meet with the community garden group members and Javier to discuss the project.
Meeting with Javier and the Community Garden Group
The ladies working with Javier on a community garden share their experiences and ideas for the future of the project. They've had some real successes but also continue to face challenges with the growing conditions available.
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