On a summer break, John Wood, a third-year university student from Boston was traveling through Central America to explore various countries on this patch of the continent. During his travel, he flew in to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. Nicaragua, now under the leadership of leftist Sandinista government, had been involved in an internal civil war with right-wing fellow Contra-s, backed by successive US governments. John would visit a few places of interest in Managua, but the capital would not impress him. The city never recovered from the destruction of a devastating earthquake from a few scores years ago. However, the local citizens were extremely friendly to John. He would not sense any bitterness of them towards him, but they would mention that similar American meddling had happened before. They would advise him to visit country’s two most interesting cities Granada and Leon. Then, while enjoying a pint in a bar listening to local jazz on his last night in town, he learned about a historic lesson.
From the early days of Nicaragua, Granada was inhabited by citizens involved in business and politics, thus giving it a conservative flavor. On the other hand, painters, authors, and musicians made Leon as their home, thus making it a town of the intellectuals. Throughout the country’s history, the citizens of these two towns fought with each other regarding the country’s future political and cultural directions.
At one point, residents of Leon made the mistake of inviting an American mercenary named William Walker to help them in this internal fight. But, he came in like an invader. First, he and his fellow mercenaries conquered Granada. Then, learning about the country’s abundant natural resources along with future business opportunities, he would plan to take over the entire country. Sensing his ulterior motive, the entire country then joined together and stood up against him. They chased him out of the country to neighboring Honduras where he was captured and ultimately killed.
From this experience, the country would learn a valuable lesson: “When in dispute, don’t invite a foreigner to solve your problem.” Subsequently, Nicaragua would decide to have Managua, equal-distant from Granada in south and Leon in north to be its capital.
From the early days of Nicaragua, Granada was inhabited by citizens involved in business and politics, thus giving it a conservative flavor. On the other hand, painters, authors, and musicians made Leon as their home, thus making it a town of the intellectuals. Throughout the country’s history, the citizens of these two towns fought with each other regarding the country’s future political and cultural directions.
At one point, residents of Leon made the mistake of inviting an American mercenary named William Walker to help them in this internal fight. But, he came in like an invader. First, he and his fellow mercenaries conquered Granada. Then, learning about the country’s abundant natural resources along with future business opportunities, he would plan to take over the entire country. Sensing his ulterior motive, the entire country then joined together and stood up against him. They chased him out of the country to neighboring Honduras where he was captured and ultimately killed.
From this experience, the country would learn a valuable lesson: “When in dispute, don’t invite a foreigner to solve your problem.” Subsequently, Nicaragua would decide to have Managua, equal-distant from Granada in south and Leon in north to be its capital.
