Four years ago I was invited to visit the home of my dear friend, Franco, in the Central American country of Nicaragua. The typical response I got from my friends was "Why would you go there?" I couldn't give them a proper response at the time, but after my first visit and a thick album of beautiful photos, the naysayers had their answer.

Nicaragua is a country with a tragic past. From the Spaniards conquering and killing the indigenous people, to their mettling American neighbors to the north, the Nica people have suffered a great deal at the hands of others. And while Nicaraguans have had to deal with the Spanish and Americans trying to dominate or force their own political policies in this Central American country, Mother Nature has also dealt some harsh, catastrophic blows of her own. An earthquake in the late 1970s in the capital city of Mangua killed thousands and in the late 80s, Hurricane Mitch devastated much of the country.

Once in Nicaragua, visitors will realize there is a great deal of poverty. But beyond the poor, one will soon see the true riches of Nicaragua....its natural beauty. Proudly calling itself the "land of lakes and volcanoes", the Republic of Nicaragua boasts one of the largest lakes in the world, several volcanoes including Mombacho, Ometepe and Masaya as well as a hosts of lagoons and exquiste wildlife.

While Managua is larger and full of people, it is the city of Granada that most often beckons me back to this little country I now love dearly. Granada is a small colonial city that entices Americans and Europeans. With a town square located in front of the main cathedral of the city, tourists mingle with the city natives, buying goods or food from the venders that set up their trades under the shade of the trees. One of the purist pleasures of a trip to Nicaragua for me is a great bowl of gallo pinto, rice and small black beans that is served with any meal. And there is always great coffee, especially Las Flores, grown on the fertile and now dormiant Mombacho volcano.

While recent political changes hint that the people of Nicaragua may have to, yet again, deal with a possible dictator (the re-election of Daniel Ortega), I pray that the Nicas can heal their undeserving "bad boy" image among the Central American countries. Costa Rica may be called the "Europe of Central America", but Nicaragua could certainly be described as a diamond in the rough if the Nicaraguan people realize what they have. Each trip I take reveals interesting new facets of the culture and people and I've only visited four cities on the Pacific Coast! I look forward to seeing, in the future, the Carribean Coast of the country and revelling in its rich, diverse culture.

So, for anyone looking for a unique and very affordable vacation, don't count out Nicaragua. Don't judge Nicaragua by its battered cover.....open it up and read yourself into a real adventure!