I spent the day today volunteering photography for a local non-profit here in Esteli, Nicaragua, called Instituto de Formacion Permanente. Among the many things they do in the city and the region, they have a Saturday day camp for children. I joined them in the city at 8am, and we took a packed bus just...
[...] can also view my previous post of photographs of children in my volunteer work with INSFOP here in [...]
Alberto Gutierrez could be called many things: hermit, farmer, eccentric, recluse, sculptor, folk artist, walking piece of history, national treasure. I don’t know that all of these would be accurate descriptions, but I do know this: he is a talkative, friendly fellow, who loves art, loves poetry, and loves his property in Cerro Jalacate, in...
by fritzphoto
5 comments
Hi,
I work for a global education and youth leadership program based out of San Francisco. I lived in Nicaragua for a few years and continue to work down there 2-3 times a year. I just came across your photos and stories-I’ve visited alberto many times and your stories and photos are truly incredible. Thank you for capturing these images and experiences.
Best,
Eliza
No trabaja, Carlos! No puedo escribirte. Tienes un otro correo? Puedes tratar integrityhomebuyer@gmail.com para escribirme.
hola amigos, soy carlos trate de escribirte pero no pude enviar el correo me do regreso, parece que esta mal escrito o no se que paso. pero este el mi correo carl_529@yahoo.com
quizas pueden enviarme un correo saludos
Bravo Fritz! What a lovely character portrait of this talented man. Thanks for a thoughtful view of the country and one of its people.
[...] which is pretty impressive for a semi-hermit that lives in the middle of nowhere in Nicaragua. Here is another site that has much prettier pictures that I could have taken with a good description of [...]
Now, here is a man who appreciates his craft. I’ve spent a few hours in the Nica Libre cigar factory here in Esteli, getting to know the process of cigar making, and photographing it. While I don’t care for cigars myself, nonetheless, I find the process to be fascinating and the product to be beautiful. ...
by fritzphoto
6 comments
James, this isn’t a family shop–I’m not sure there are any here. There are 16 fabricas here in Esteli, and this seems to be one of the smaller ones. But they produce a lot of product, and it’s well rated in online forums.
Remind me when I return; I have a cigar with your name on it!
Well Stacee, I didn’t take you for a cigar lover, but I’ll have one for you when I return!
I want a cigar. Is that lengthy?
Fritz, thanks for sharing these images from your adventure. It’s amazing to see these craftsmen creating a product, by hand, that many of us in the more developed world may take for granted. I can almost smell the pungent air as the fermented tobacco leaves are laid flat and transformed into these beautiful little uniform works of art.
Is this a family cigar shop by any chance?
James
Meaningful or just lengthy? 
You know I could go on for pages… tee hee
I do love the first photograph you posted… seems like he’s creating his own job security by smoking his own work. 
I love looking at their hands. They work so hard… most of us have no idea, here in the States, what work like that is like.
I love that you not only take beautiful photographs, but that you stop to learn their stories. “Everyone has a story… tell me yours” is a phrase I’m trying to adopt so I’m not tempted to talk too much or make it all about me.
We miss you guys, but are so thankful you’re having a wonderful adventure together! I love that you let us “travel” with you by posting stories and photographs!
Thank you for being such an awesome role model in so many ways. (and I’m not saying that for a cigar, I really mean it!)
- Stacee
[...] interesting to note the similarities between cigar making and coffee production, both of which are major enterprises in this area. Listening to someone talk [...]
The other day, while photographing in a Nicaraguan cigar factory, I noticed in the courtyard several cages containing exotic animals. One contained a cat of some sort, perhaps a lynx or bobcat, pacing his 4-foot square cage. Another contained several parrots. And the third contained 2 capucin monkeys. Monkeys are pretty cute creatures, and strangely...
On the Road Again So I’m sitting on an American Airlines flight between Dallas and Miami, on the way to Nicaragua, reading Nexos, their Spanish-language in-flight magazine. After twenty minutes, my head is already spinning, as I try to recall the meaning of words I haven’t studied in 20 years. I made my way through...
by fritzphoto
1 comment
My God, those pictures are so beautiful! I am so happy you guys have such a wonderful opportunity to spend time there. Also, perhaps, the slightest bit jealous Can’t wait to see more.
by fritzphoto
1 comment