Nicaragua in all its charm is a wonderful place to visit and live.  Nicaragua like most other countries has some breathtaking views and attractions but there are certain things that are unique to Nicaragua.  These things are things that will make you sit back and say “Only in Nicaragua…”First Nicaragua is notoriously bad for a lack of road signs and directions.  Managua has been labeled the worst city in the world when it comes to road signs and directions.  It seems that only the major streets in the city have names and even then there no signs indicating their names.  Therefore if you stop and ask directions you are bound get directions that go something like “una cuadra al lago y dos cuadras al sur” which translates to “one block towards the lake, and two blocks to the south”.  This is great if you have a compass on you and know in what direction the lake is from where you are.  Only in Nicaragua…Directions can also be extra challenging when the direction reference points or landmarks given to you are on places that no longer exist.  One example is the famous La Vicki convenience store.  This store no longer exists but it is still used at a reference point for directions.  Other popular reference points include an old theater that hasn’t been in business in over a decade and a famous tree called “el arbolito”.  Only in Nicaragua…One thing that catches most foreigners off guard especially women visitors is Nicaraguan’s subtlety or lack there of.  Nicaraguans aren’t afraid to point out to someone’s face if they have gained weight.  They are not doing it to insult you but just to point it out.  Don’t be offended because many times they will say you have gained weight since the last time they saw you even if you haven’t gained a pound in three years.  One way they will that you have gained weight is by telling you that you are “hermoso”.  Many times it’s just their way of telling you that you look healthy.  Only in Nicaragua…Nicaraguans love to call and be called by their titles.  Whether it’s ingeniero (engineer), doctor, capitan (captain) they love being called by a title whether it’s their occupation or not.  It’s a way of expressing affection between friends and even strangers.  If you hop in a cab in Managua and call the driver “capitan” he won’t think twice about it but it is a great way of breaking the ice.  Only in Nicaragua…If you live in Nicaragua long enough chances are you are bound to have a nicely dressed stranger come by your house, church or business collecting money for the funeral of someone who died in the neighborhood.  It’s always great to help out a cause like that but many times if you try to get more information, maybe even going as far as trying to attend the wake you will realize there was no death in the community.  This isn’t always the case but it is a popular sham to use on foreigners.  Only in Nicaragua…Only in Nicaragua…Everyone is somehow related There is always room for one more on the bus The yellow line is the most egregious of traffic violations Do the emblems off your car get stolen and resold to you Do passengers clap when landing at MGA airport There is always someone who’s got a cousin who can speed you to the front of the line Political advertisement includes painting electric poles your party’s color Presidential election advertisement is only taken down when nature takes it down