Nicaragua – Week Two
(Originally posted July, 2009)
This week my projects are in full swing and I’m working hard to fit as much in during the time I have here in Nicaragua. I’m running several groups out of a small community center about a thirty minute walk from where I’m staying. Henry, the doctor who runs the domestic abuse project, and I are putting the final touches on our presentations. As for relaxing and vacationing, Melony and I spent the weekend in the beach town of San Juan del Sur.
Los Caracolitos is a pre-school and community space directed by Doña Sandra who lives just next door. The simple space gives the neighbors a place to meet, kids a place to play pick up soccer and baseball and an opportunity for groups to form in order to create change and empower themselves as a community. I am working with several groups during the time I’m here. With the women, we are discussing domestic violence: causes, signs of abuse, the cycle of violence and how together they can break it. Older youth are interested in sexual health and younger adolescents are mostly interested in sports. I work with two groups of kids: tutoring in the morning and English in the afternoon. I tutor kids that are struggling in school. In Nicaragua, some kids study in the morning and other go in the afternoon. English classes are mostly games so the children start learning numbers, colors, body parts and beginning phrases.
Melony and I had an excellent weekend in San Juan del Sur. We took a chicken bus from Granada to Rivas and then from Rivas to San Juan del Sur. The term chicken bus comes from that everything, including chickens, can jump on for a ride. All together the journey lasted about four hours and cost about $2. We spent the afternoon on the beach, enjoying the view, the waves, the strong sun and friendly people. One of the great part of our weekend away was the independence we’re accustomed to when choosing what to eat, when and how much. This food independence and relaxing couple of days was just what we needed. We awakened in the morning to find our bloated tummies had diminished over night after just one day without a heaping plate of gallo pinto (rice and beans that accompanies every meal). On Sunday morning we realized there was a national holiday and buses weren’t in service until Monday, maybe Tuesday (Nicaraguan time). We negotiated our way down to a cheap price on a taxi to return to Granada, this time the trip only took an hour and 15 minutes.
Everything is going well in my home stay. Vilma and I sit out in front on the front stoop in true Nicaraguan style, drink Coca Cola and watch movies from time to time. Granada is in “winter” currently which means it rains often. I try to explain my drastically different understanding of winter but remain unsuccessful at this.
A note about Nicaragua bathrooms: As in most places south of the US/Mexico border, one must place toilet paper in the trash can instead of flushing it. I’m used to this after much time in Venezuela and Mexico. Oddly enough two very challenging items to find in a Nicaragua bathroom are a well attached toilet seat and a shower head with sufficient water pressure. I wash my hair in a weak trickle from the pipe coming out of the wall. Hot water is unheard of.
I came prepared for Nicaraguan time, a very relaxed and loosely scheduled culture. It’s noon on Wednesday as I’m writing this note and finishing up our presentation. Claudia just let me know that tomorrow morning at 5 am, we’re leaving for a four or five day trip to Jinotega in the northern part of Nicaragua to present the information on domestic abuse and violence against pregnant women. Wish us luck.
