huh. there was nothing like this when I went to Nica in '88.... just the pre-Catholic Daniel Ortega in power, contras with guns on the hilltops, goats in the streets, and knock-off goods like "Best" toothpaste in the markets in Managua. FYI Snifty - it's my understanding that Bluefields is also one of the few coastal villages where the Garifuna language is still spoken (an African / Carib creole), the reggae-ish pop would probably be parranda. for a great example check out the work of the late Andy Palacio, who died far too young last month of a massive stroke...
yep. bluefields is a pretty interesting place. feels like a pirate town when you're there, especially if you arrive, like most people do, by boat. the musical tastes are simple: classic country and reggae, and you can tune in to a local station and hear waylon jennings and merle haggard staggered with gregory isaacs and burning spear. corn islands is indeed an island paradise. cocaine is three dollars a gram and uncut, though i was too sick to partake when i visited. i did meet lots of wide-eyed canadians and americans who came for the fishing but stayed for the...