After lunch we visited Mujeres Ambientalistas (Environmental Women), a paper-making cooperative in Barrio Boris Vega. The cooperative began 14 years ago when 16 women decided to clean up an area that had become a neighborhood dumping ground. They separated out the organic material and used it to start a composting business, but after awhile neighbors complained about the smell. The women then turned to paper-making, using discarded pulp products mixed with organic materials such as onion skins, banana peels, beats and tobacco leaves.

Doña Augustina showed us the paper-making process and answered questions. Before leaving we shopped for gifts and souvenirs among the wide array of items produced by these resourceful and creative women. More information about the cooperative (in Spanish) is available at http://www.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/2004/noviembre/28/regionales/.

Later that afternoon some of us went to La Casita, an open-air organic coffeehouse with pathways through wooded areas, a playground, and even a family of ducks. We relaxed and enjoyed yogurt smoothies, café con leche and homemade bread.

The next morning we headed to Tisey, a nature reserve south of Estelí that boasts over 100 species of flora and fauna. According to Nicaragua.com, the reserve is one of the few areas in Nicaragua where natural resources are co-managed by local residents and the government. We hiked down to Estanzuela, a 15 meter waterfall where we waded, skipped stones and enjoyed the scenery.

Some of us then took a more strenuous hike to La Galería Esculturas en Piedras, the outdoor “studio” of Alberto Gutierrez. Don Alberto has been living in the mountains high above Estelí for almost half a century, having had a dream at age 11 in which God told him he should spend his life making carvings on rocks. Volcanoes, Nicaraguan heroes, animals, and even a manger scene adorn the mountainside above Estelí. Don Alberto's guided tour included stories, poems and fascinating anecdotes about his life and work.

Our trip back “home” after a late lunch was interrupted briefly by a flat tire, which Jairo and Gerardo (our friendly and expert bus drivers) had it changed in less than five minutes. Very impressive!