Diramba - the dormitory of Managua, Nicaragua

  Dirimaba is the closest city to Casares of any major size.

  It is about 37 KM from Casares - straight up the hills that surround the city.

  For those that cannot afford to live in Managua or choose not to live in the city, Diriamba is about 45 minutes south. Many people commute between the two cities for work, hence the dormitory nickname.

  It is a bedroom community - not any great sites in the city but it has be in existence for a long time. This was the stop in days past where a person could rest before  heading down to the beaches of Casares.

  In it's own way, Diriamba has unique charm. There are one major store that sells appliances, a Pali (Wal-Mart) but other than those two, stores are all owned by the locals.

  This was the Sunday after Independence Day, and the town was alive with the sounds of marching bands - a celebration after the celebration. Crowds gathered around the main church, surrounding the band members. It was so crowded, the audience was getting hit with drum sticks as the drummers raised their arms to hit their drums.






  Walking away from the crowded main park, it was a quiet Sunday afternoon in the town. Now many shops open, a marimba band practicing on the street and sidewalks sparsely populated.

  The charm of the city is in the houses, stores and abandoned buildings - colorful, drab and barren. Quite the array of buildings.

  This is a slide show of  pictures of the marching band, buildings, the street band that was practicing and a few people met along my walk.

  I hope you enjoy the pictures that are posted.

  Ciao.