and they saw the 100 meter pool inside the courtyard of this little blue shack, they realized all was right in the world!

We are staying in Casa Yalula. It is a classic, Central American colonial architecture home. You enter the small facade, into a large salon with a beautifully tiled floor. Then, you enter the main courtyard, and main part of the house - the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living. Along the left side of the courtyard is the swimming pool. Next to it is the kitchen - which is completely outdoors, with just a small roof to protect us from the sun. At the far end of the kitchen is a set of stairs, which leads to two bedrooms. Behind the stairs on the first floor are two additional bedrooms.

It was wonderful to see everyone's amazement when we entered the house. Patrick, Colin and Hunter ran from room to room, checking everything out. But then they quickly changed into bathing suits, for the first of what will be many, many hours of swimming and fun.

Its an interesting phenomenon in Granada right now. Foreigners are buying these old colonial properties, and fixing them to modern standards. These homes provide rather inexpensive, first class accommodations for Westerners. But the price of housing is beginning to rise as a result, making it more difficult for Nicaraguans.

We look forward to learning more about the Nicaraguan culture and economy over the coming weeks - in an amzaing house with a wonderful pool!