Weekday Activities
included in the "learn spanish in Leon and in granada" program & the basic program
The following is an approximate list
- actual offerings may vary depending on climate, time of year, etc.
- Getting to know Leon on foot and in the locally famous "Bus Pel�n" (bus without a roof), including visits to markets, civil and governmental organizations, universities, social centers, observation of historic, artistic and political murales, etc.
- Visit to la Catedral Metropolitana de Leon, one of the oldest and largest Cathedrals in Latin America, with special limited access visits to the basements, bodegas and roof of the Cathedral from which the entire 380 degree Leon panarama is in view.
click to see photo - Exploration of Leon's most interesting Historical Sites including: Mirador "El Fortin" (Spanish fort overlooking much of suburban Leon, used by Somoza government as a jail), El Arbol Tamarind�n (400+ year old tree where a famous cacique was hanged by the Spanish), Barrio Sutiaba (barrio of Leon where indigenous Sutiabas and Maribios still conserve some of their precolumbian culture), Piscina del Calasanz (public swimming pool with a long tradition in Leon - and you can swim there!), Ruinas de Veracruz, (ruins of the first church built in Leon), and much m�s, each with an interesting history dating from pre-colonial to revolutionary times.
- Visits to Leon's Museums and Cultural Centers including: Museo Archivo Rub�n Dar�o (of the great poeta nica), Museo Arqueol�gico y Casa de Cultura Sutiaba (of indigenous precolumbian cultures), Museo Mitos y Leyendas Gral. Joaqu�n Arrechavala (a former jail during the Somoza dictatorship, full of cultural artifacts), Museo de Arte Sacro (containing the oldest artworks in Nicaragua), Museo de la Insurrecci�n Sandinista (many interesting images and artifacts of the 1979 Revolution), Centro de Arte Fundaci�n Ortiz-Gurdian (recently founded with many works old and new), Centro de Iniciativas Medioambientales de la Ciudad (botanical garden representing the four tropical-sub-tropical forest types in Nicaragua), y mucho m�s!
- Bicycle Tours around Leon to enjoy the various sights and get to know the surrounding areas. Can vary from flat to some hills near the mountains, but the experience and views are always worth the effort.
- Participation in Dance, Music, Art, Cooking, and Handicraft Classes of the Casa de Cultura de Leon.
- Visits to Leon's leading public and private Universities to understand the university life of Nicaragua's number one university city, talk with students, teachers, and university officials, and learn about the kinds of careers and methods of academic and professional preparation practiced in Nicaragua.
- Participation in local Cultural Events accompanied by LSLS profesores to enjoy and understand the significance of special local cultural events (repeated monthly throughout the year) such as: Mi�rcoles de Tertulia (fiesta with local music, theatre, dance, culinary expositions), Noche Art�stica (Spanish Nicaragua and Atlantic Coast dance in traditional costumes, plus modern latin dance), Jazz and Merengue concerts, y mucho m�s!
- Visit to Leon's Baseball Stadium to see the country’s top teams play and observe the customs of the fans.
- Participation in Local fiestas and Nightlife accompanied by fun-loving LSLS profesores, including Salsa/Merengue & Disco Dance Clubs (healthy and fun dancing/social environments for all ages), University Bar Scene (pleasant conversation with inquisitive students), Noches de Cinema (movies in Espa�ol viewed in the participative Nica way), y mucho m�s, a la latina of course!
click to see photo - Educational "Mini-Cursos" lasting 2-3 hours, mostly for intermediate and above students, imparted in espa�ol by LSLS staff and guest lecturers, with questions and answers period, covering interesting topics concerning Nicaraguan life and culture. Current offerings include:
* Education -- Historical and current. How it works and/or does not work at the primary, secondary and university levels.
* Religion and Customs -- Helpful for understanding Nicaraguan beliefs and behavior at the social and individual levels..
* Geography -- To appreciate Nicaragua's varied and dramatic topograhy.
* Environment and Natural Disasters -- To understand the important role of this primary element of a people still very conscious of their indigenous roots in the Earth.
* History y Politics -- Who's in charge in Nicaragua and why? From interventions to revolution to New World Order: How the political system really works in Nicaragua. In house and at Leon's historic video center.
* Gender and Sexuality reveals the socio-sexual dynamics sometimes unnoticable to people from other cultures. Very open discussion treated with Nicaraguan humour. - Swimming, Surfing, Boating, Horseback Excursions and more at Pacific Coastal Beaches including: Poneloya (swimming & fishing), Salinas Grande (swimming + salt extraction activity), Las Pe�itas (swimming), Paso Caballo (swimming), El Velero & Bocana,(weekend excursi�ns)..
- Visits to interesting sites outside of Leon including: Zoo-Campo Arlem Si� (with interesting native flora and fauna), Rio Dulce (horse/bike riding, bathing), Rio La Leona (bathing and fishing), Hacienda los Alpes & Rio El Tamarindo (fishing, horseback riding, observation of wildlife) Note: rental of some equipment may require an additional cost.
Visit to the San Jacinto Volcanic Hot Springs outside of Leon, where you will see volcanic geysers and boiling mud springs. The ride to the Hervidero is also very picturesque.
- Visits to ONG�s that support Disadvanged Children and Youths – Visits to organizations and projects that work to alleviate the major suffering of children who, like the majority of Nicaraguans, live in circumstances of poverty and socio-economic disadvantage, but in many cases, without adequate support from their family of origin. Students will see and feel the uncomfortable and difficult conditions in which these children live along with the efforts of some of the community to lighten their sad reality. The LSLS visit will include sharing a pi�ata with the children and sharing this moment of alegr�a with them. Organizations include:
* Ni�os del Fort�n: Organism that helps children who live by collecting garbage.
* Ni�os de la Comunidad Hervideros de San Jacinto: A rural community with many poor children.
* Ni�os Necesitados de Las T�as: Organization that helps street children and working children.
* Actividad Social para Ni�os de Edad de Oro: Organization made up of the poorest children in the outerlying barrios of Leon. - Hikes up the Volcanoes Cerro Negro (the most active volcano in Nicaragua), Cerro Casitas (in Posoltega, includes interviews with survivors of the 1998 Huricane Mitch mudslide which wiped out an entire village), and Momotombo (weekend excursi�n).
- Visits, Interviews, and Volunteer Opportunities with Community Organizations planned especially around specific interests of students.
see full comment 
