Sunday in Matagalpa

From 3-18-2012

Sunday in Matagalpa.

Sundays are the slowest of days in most countries around the world. Especially in smaller mountain towns of a predominantly Catholic/Christian country.

At La Buena Onda I woke up to Bob. Not a bad way to wake up.

Today I have to move hostels because they are booked up in the dorms to I made my way to another hotel in town. It doesn't have Bob buy it does have a wonderful garden in the back with hammocks and wifi.

Later in the day, I run into a Peace Corps volunteer at my hostel. We went to an Italian place for dinner and talked shop. She is doing some projects similar to what EOS International does. Being able to bounce ideas off each other was great. Hopefully we can work together through EOS in the future.

On the Move

From 3-10-2012

Last Saturday I traveled to Matagalpa. It was definitely an

 experience at the bus station. Think a very large dirt lot 

with a few steel structures. It is not a place where you want 

to spend a lot time. Which is why it was so great to go straight 

from the car to the bus. 

Which was also an experience. They have these clowns that

"entertain" the passengers for the first part of the trip. 

It seemed  a bit much but I couldn't understand them.

Then some guy tried to get me to get up out of my seat so 

I would have to stand. He literally looked around, saw the 

white girl and thought, " I am going to make her stand, 

so i can sit." I just turned my head and pretended like 

I didn't  understand what was going on. What an asshole! 

I sank into my seat, hoping no one else will confront me. 

I knew it was going to be hard but for the first time yet

this trip, I almost let myself feel defeated. 

Remembering that I had felt similar to this at one point 

in time while in Georgia, I reminded myself it will get 

better. BUT not before it got worse. I had made a stupid 

decision to travel later in the day than normal and I 

ended up missing my stop. So i was freaking out that I 

was going to get in after dark. Longer story short, I 

made it before dark. Thank you group of older men who gave 

me directions and a very nice taxi driver.Lesson learned. 

Travel earlier in the day.

I stayed at La Buena Onda. Def one of the better places 

in town. The people who work there are great!  They are 

super nice and fun to be around. The younger 

Nicas for sure. Bob Marley helped with the cool status also.

Volcan de Masaya

From 3-8-2012
After having made two new friends the day before, we decided 

we were ready to get out of Managua but only for the day. 

We decide on going to the Volcano in Masaya, another 

touristy kind of town close to Granada. Initially we though 

we could bus it but after some much needed research we hire 

one of the hostel taxi drivers to take us around. This end

up being a great idea, not only because of the 15k walk up 

to the volcano but also because he is like a Nicaraguan 

history book. (Good thing the girl I had invited with us 

the day before spoke Spanish as her first language. 

We were set). We start at the visitor's center for the 

National park where the volcano and craters are located. 

I was really impressed by VC there. Every sign there had

a translation in English and there were great visual 

qualities as well.

Also included in our entrance fee, was a cave tour. 

It was really interesting.  (Not quite Carl's Bad 

Caverns but still quality). We were given flash 

lights and hard hats as we entered the cave. I wasn't 

sold at first because I could hear the bats flying 

around us. I would say we were definitely intruding. 

We only walked a third of the cave is what the guide 

said. Being that my flash light was on its let leg I 

was more worried about getting left behind with the 

bats then how far into the cave we were.

We stopped in an opening in the cave. We were told 

this is where the indigenous people used to make 

their sacrifices. Although there is little remnants 

of those times, it was still very interesting to hear 

about the cave explorations still being done today. 

Then we got to my favorite part of the tour...please 

turn off your flash lights. Hello, did anyone see that 

movie where the women to spunking and those weird cave 

craters kill them all? I say, get me out!

On on top of solid ground, we started up to the 

crater/inactive volcano. At the top, I felt like I

 was on top of the world.  It was one of the most 

amazing views of my life. It was also incredibly windy; 

we had a hard time standing up. We snapped a few pictures 

and we were out. Only to realize, we still had to walk 

up the 177 steps up to the volcano overlook. That was 

so incredible. It was really acidic though. We all had 

a hard time breathing so we be got the quick history 

from our driver, Roberto, and we left for lunch. 

After having such a long day hiking we chilled out 

at the pool for the rest of the afternoon.

New Friends, New Food

 From 3-8-2012
This morning for breakfast I had a "el tipico" to eat. That would be two eggs, gallo pinto ( beans and rice with some spices and chili), and sweet bananas, with coffee. So good. Or at least that is what i thought until today.
Toward the end of breakfast a guy at another table asks me what I ordered. I tell him and that's how conversations start. Long story short, we make two additions to our wolf pack and head out.
We were headed to the only museum in the city, which ended up being closed for Women's Day. Shouldn't they have done something different for the day? Oh well. I guess it means the women who work there get the day off. But they probably didn't get it paid. Tangent, back to food.
On the way to figuring all this out we stop at a place on the street for some food. Best food yet!!! It was so much and for such a good price! I wish this  food stand was by our hostel.
My point being, def try street food. I have heard to be cautious with beef and pork but chicken is usually good. Shoot, just thinking about it makes me hungry for more. I wish we had food like this at home.

When they forget you are different

Being in Nicaragua and being white, are the two most opposite things one could think of. Being white with lighter hair, I stand out no matter where I go.  Of course, I fully knew this going in, but what I didn't know was that it was going to be such a dividing line. 

For example, when I was in the Republic of Georgia I also stood out but they, as a country, got used to us, Westerners. Whether it was because of the TLG TV commercials or whatever else, it was nice to feel like I was starting to "fit in." This was especially true in my village and on the bus to and from town. At first, I was treated as a novelty, but finally I was treated like everyone else. No special treatment, no sitting in the front seat of the Marshrutka, and not being able to help with clearing and setting the table. Once all of things stopped happening, I started to feel "normal." Which is, of course, what I was wanting all along. This brings me back to Nicaragua. 

I would like to walk down the street without people stopping their conversations, go shopping in the super market without peering eyes looking at what I am buying, and I would also like to walk down the street without having every taxi driver honk at me, gesturing they are free if I need a lift. And I would like to walk down the street without men hollering and making kissing noises at me. 

I'm addressing all of the above: I walk just like everyone else, maybe a bit faster than some Nicaraguans but the commonality is still there. The food I am buying is a yogurt and an apple. Both of which seem normal here due to the large selection of each item. The way I would hail a taxi in the US is the same way I do it here. Just a wave of the arm. So stop honking; I will let you know if I need a ride.  Finally, if I wanted more from you,  guy hanging out of the car window, you would know. Subtleness is a much more attractive quality in a man.

Although this post carries some serious aspects, I am trying to make light of the fact that I am not much different than anyone else in the world. I know my skin, hair color, and language are different but I carry out the same basic functions. 

Those who travel to different countries not only wish to observe every aspect of that country, but we wish to be included. We don't travel to eat McDonald's, we travel because we want something different, and in most cases, some thing better to eat. Don't worry about the language barrier, we obviously don't. Don't look at us like aliens, you can laugh, we know our we sound like a hot mess. We are here to to learn and experience a life different than our own. We know it might not be easy but we are here because we are willing to try. 

Us vs. Them

Without trying to start a political conversation, that will inevitably spiral downhill, I write on.

Today I woke up feeling like I was ready to move on to the next city. I like Managua but I am ready to see more of this beautiful country, and maybe cooler temperatures.  The one thing I decided not to do yesterday was to see the New Church. It was finished in 1993 and structurally different than many other churches here, or in other parts of the world-think the roof tops of a Turkish bathhouse. It was fairly austere but amazing architecture. It is unlike any other church I have ever seen.

So, that was 15 minutes well spent...now what.

I decided to walk back across town to a little beach front bar area. Don't get too excited because the lake is far to polluted to swim in; what a shame, that could be a huge tourist attraction. There is this government owned restaurant and bar area that my taxi took me my first day here but we didn't stay that long. So I find my way during my hour walk across town. 

On my way I see many of the government buildings full of lush gardens and gorgeous courtyards and, I also see the other side of Nicaragua.  The side that is very much representative of Nicaragua being one of the poorest countries in the world. These two words are separated by cast iron fences and security guards.  For example, Daniel Ortega's house/office (I have heard both), is across the street from some of the worst conditions I have seen here. With trash everywhere, with children and dogs searching the rubbish for food and clothing. Good thing he has tall bushes and a small park in the way to block his view. 

I do understand that there is only so much money to go around but still... I don't think those two worlds should be so separate. Parks and gardens can be enjoyed by all people, from all walks of life. Enough of my "why can't everyone just get along" bs.  I just wanted to comment that Managua is the greatest example of the haves and have -nots.

Deciding I had had enough of the heat I stopped at a restaurant for lunch. I was served ice with my water...it hasn't hit me yet. But it tasted so nice and cold! Again, I gave up and took a taxi back to my hostel. 

Still burning up from the inside out I head to the pool. For $11 a night and a pool at my disposal,  its the perfect price.

A Day in the Sun

I will start this post by saying it is so hot here. Secondly, it is really hot here. Third, it's also super humid.

My first full day in Managua started with an early wake up. Apparently people get up early here. One because it gets too hot to sleep and two there is no safe night life here, so people go (foreigners) go to bed early. After getting myself ready, I head to the main location of my hostel (one block away).  There is a small kitchen where you can buy breakfast "meals". After eating a surprisingly good omlette and some oj, I am ready for my day to really start. 

After looking in my guide book for something to do or go see, I realize Managua doesn't have a long list of true tourist attractions. I decide on seeing Loma de Tiscapas. It is a creator in Managua.  I ask the guy at the front desk (he speaks English) what is the best way to get where I want to go. This starts a lengthy chat on things Nicaraguan and other random topics. Anyway, I decide to walk, rather than take a taxi. I, of course, get lost. But I did find my Spanish school for next week. I resolve to waving down a taxi. Super nice guy who didn't over charge.

Once atop a small hill, I am looking at a not so impressive site. Still worth the experience though. At least I wasn't the only one taking pictures.  I buy a popsicle and head down the hill. (I figure I can walk back).

I wonder into another shopping mall. It's not as nice as the one near my hostel but alas it has a food court. I decide I am not ready to search for food on the street (even though I have heard it can be very good). I switch it up by ordering some Cuban fare. I still don't know what makes it Cuban because it looked just like the other Nicaraguan eateries. Whatever, it wasn't great but the people watching was worth it.  Kids on the play structure, parents looking burnt out, moms trying to get a quick bite in while they can...somethings never change.

I start the long haul back across town. A little sunburn, a few blisters, and a stop for cold water, and I am back at my hostel. Where I decide that a little TV and relaxation with my lone fan is a good idea. I turn on the TV and I see a commercial (in English) for the show Hillbilly Hand Fishing. I laugh and think of Brad, Andy Jr, and his boys.