Saturday, December 19, 2015

Churches of Granada


I had so much fun with my camera in Granada, Nicaragua. The streets were alive with vibrant colors, old colonial architecture and one of my favorite photographic subjects, plain old decay. We always passed this church on the beginning of our photo safaris. It was close to the indoor oasis that we called our temporary home. I say oasis, because from the street, our residence was just a dirty painted door. But once ushered inside, all of the rooms hovered over a beautiful garden. It was a mini paradise in an urban jungle. That's what Granada life is like for traveler and lucky local alike. Our shower had plants and a little mini garden in the bathroom. And it was open air!





This is San Francisco Church. It sheltered a museum and interesting stone sculptures and artifacts. It was rebuilt in the year 1600. Why? I don't know. But I enjoyed the visit.





This is one of my favorite photos. Maybe of all time. Shards of glass are adhered to stone walls as a makeshift security fence. And not just at this church. That's what travel is all about. Seeing things like this.



You can see another church in the distance. That is the church where we listened to joyous singing and exhilarating acoustics on New Year's night, 2014. We ventured inside the yellow church the day after New Years. (this day in fact) The floor was covered with ash, candles were burning everywhere and the smell of incense flooded your senses. There were Christmas shrines set up from pillar to post. An amazing travel memory.



Another church in downtown Granada.



The metal writing gives a clue to the name.



Looking skyward towards the heavens.





This is Iglesia la Merced. Tourists can climb the tower and view the beautiful tiled roofs of the city all the way to Volcan Mombachu and lake Nicaragua. (scroll down to my Life on the Streets post to enjoy the amazing view) 

And don't forget to forge good will by heading over to my creative writing blog. I've posted a subversive Christmas card rant over at The Chorus of the Crows



Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my blogging friends!



15 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

Stunning architecture! I would very much like to take my camera to Nicaragua!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

spectacular photos!
love
tweedles

Linda Hensley said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

Beautiful architecture! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

DJan said...

The beautiful churches are wonderful. I remember seeing glass shards like that in many places in Mexico. Never thought of photographing them, though. :-)

Anni said...

All so very majestically awe inspiring!!! The composition of your photos, with the shadows, the textures of the churches, [the broken glass even] and my favorite the stain glass window....

Exceptional images.

thanks, Sharon, for stopping by to visit this pre holiday weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

Have a glorious Christmas, with peace, love and family.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I really like the shards of glass photo too!

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Lovely shots, Sharon!
~

NCSue said...

Beautiful images!
Thanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/12/time-for-tune-up.html

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful spot! The gases shards are nfnitely better than the usual coils of barb wire (usual in Other countries we've visited anyway). I am off to read your rants... I'm in that kind of mood.

theartofpuro said...

Amazing pictures :) Merry Xmas :)

barbara said...

I've never been to Nicaragua... so thanks for sharing your pictures!
Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

OMG, i just noticed this post, so cool. what a great area ... i love old churches. such a fan. wonder what the point of the glass on the wall is? just there or what? it is very cool for pics but ouchy too. ( :

NCSue said...

Those glass shards do make for an interesting photo, but all are great.
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/12/little-painted-desert.html, and please have a wonderful 2016!

Rhonda Albom said...

I love places like this and your photos really captured the atmosphere. I agree on the favorite, that glass wall is really cool.