NOTES ON TURBULENT NICARAGUA 



HOT 



Copyright Keystone View Company 

 THE PICTURESQUE CITY MARKET: MASAYA, NICARAGUA 



Masaya, nine miles west of Granada, is near the little Lake Masaya, at the foot of the 

 volcano of the same name. Into the crater Friar Bias, of Castile, in 1534, tradition states, 

 lowered a bucket, that he might draw up molten gold. The bucket melted as it touched the 

 lava, and the monk wrote : "One cannot behold the volcano without fear, admiration, and 

 repentance of his sins ; for it can be surpassed only by the eternal fire." 



The place is peopled mostly by Indians, about 15,000 in number. Volcanic ash forms the 

 soil of the vicinity, which is very fertile and is planted chiefly with tobacco. Its manufactures 

 were formerly noted throughout Central America, and are still of considerable importance — 

 hammocks, cordage, straw hats and other articles of Indian workmanship. 



In the market are sold the products of the orchards, fields and factories. We are most 

 interested in the luscious fruits and the announcement of the women who sell them; it is 

 translated : 



"I have oranges, papayas, jocotes, 

 Melons of water, of gold, and zapotes, 

 Will you buy?" 



