Another New Beginning: Nicaragua.

Saturday, March 28th, 2009.

Nicaragua. Honestly, when I first got here, I was pretty disappointed. I think it was mostly because I wasn’t ready to leave El Salvador. In the first few days of arriving here, we were living in the Center for Globalization house in Managua. It is in the same neighborhood as President Daniel Ortega’s home, which is painted more like a preschool, and I’m not sure what I think about that. I’m not sure what I think about him either, but there will be more to come on that.

In the first few days we did some touring around Managua, which was a bit exciting because I didn’t get to do all the touristy, sight-seeing stuff when I was here the first time. We went to Volcan Masaya which was beautiful. The crater of the volcano was enormous (but I was a little disgusted to find that during the armed struggles in the 70’s, political opponents were thrown into the mouth of the volcano). We also went to the Masaya markert, which I visited last year. It was a little strange to return, but it felt good at the same time. We went to the polluted Lake Managua, and stood by the huge iron statue of Sandino (where he was assassinated), overlooking the stadium, the new part of the city, the old part of the city, and the garbage dump where people live and work.

We saw a movie at the theater in Spanish: Rudo y Cursi. Diego Luna y Gael Garcia Bernal were in it, so I really enjoyed it, even though I didn’t understand every word of it.

And finally, we also went to a potter’s village called San Juan de Oriente. I would love to return there at some point in my life and learn how to make pottery with them. The process in which they do it is beautiful, and they really connect with the earth. For example, to mix the clay that they find from the earth themselves, they dance on it for hours, turning it into a celebration, rather than just a stage in the process of their work. They told us stories of their history as indigenous peoples, whose origins were in Mexico. They ask permission from Mother Nature before planting and before taking anything from the earth. It’s really refreshing to see this kind of respect for something most people take for granted.

“Oh, Mother Nature, allow me your womb to plant this seed and it will germinate.”

We were also able to use their wheels. I haven’t been on a wheel in about four years, and I was so excited to get on one! Except there was one major difference…these wheels were not electronic, and all the spinning was done with your feet. It made it much more difficult, but I was still able to make a small bowl-type thing, and I was pretty proud of it.


Okay. So during all this other fun stuff, we also started our two classes: one political science class focusing on citizen participation and sustainable development, and the other on history with a focus on women. They seem like they’ll be interesting, and the teachers are very passionate about the information they are sharing with us. One of them has lost two husbands in her life: one in a bus accident and another to a strong strain of malaria that he got last year while doing service work in Ghana. Que triste. We have already had two interesting speakers. I enjoyed one in particular, who is the president of a new political party called the Sandinista Renovation Movement. Their idea is that Sandismo is good, but the “Sandinistas” of today aren’t actually Sandinista.

In his own words, he said, “I am a Sandinista. I am not in MRS because I’m not Sandinista, but because I am. Those using the name of Sandinistas are a deformity of Sandinismo. The government of Ortega says they’re Sandinistas, but it’s really just a name.”

I don’t know if it’s me being naïve, but I feel like this man had true potential to make change in this country, which definitely needs change. And he certainly has the determination. I’m thankful to have met him and had the opportunity to hear from him.

Anyway, it is a lot of work though to have two classes and a semester’s worth of work for both, all within a period of six weeks.

It makes it especially difficult when I have my family that I’d rather spend all of my time with.

My family!!! This is what I really wanted to write about. They are more amazing than I ever could have expected. We moved in with them on Thursday afternoon at four. From four until ten at night we were talking, playing cards, eating, and just being together. It was incredible. I have two parents (thirty-two ish years old) and one sister (twelve years old, but so mature that I feel like she is my age). My dad is a very attractive man, and he’s also a well-established painter. He has had paintings at St. Xavier in Cincinnati, and he’s waiting on word of his visa for this summer because he is going to be painting a mural at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. The whole family is artistic though…my mom sews quilts, etc., and my sister paints, draws, and makes jewelry. PERFECTO!

I just love how welcome I feel here with them. On Friday night we went to a concert with my group, and my family walked us to the bus and waited until it left to make sure we were okay. (The concert was alright. I enjoyed the violin playing a lot, but other than that, eh.) When we got home at about midnight as we told them we would, my dad was waiting outside for our return.

Today, Saturday, was an incredible day. I decided not to go anywhere this weekend because today was my host mom’s birthday! But last night at dinner, my dad said that they had an announcement to make. And said that they were getting married today! I was honestly shocked to hear that, but excited at the same time. So this morning, we went to a lawyers house to have their marriage made legal and official. They introduced Rachel and I as their daughters. We sat through the ceremony, and I took some photos. It was such a unique experience, and I was so proud and excited for them. It just seemed so perfect. It was interesting though because we took the public bus to get there, and after the ceremony, we took the public bus home. After that, my mom cooked lunch for everyone, while my dad ran off to teach his art classes. It was a little different than the way weddings go in the United States…

After I ate a bit and helped my mom, I went to his art class. And that’s when I found out that I never learned how to draw, which was a little devastating considering how many art classes I’ve taken. He showed me all the tricks and all the ways to draw fruit, flowers, and people, and now I can’t stop doodling!

Dinner tonight was fantastic as well. We always eat and then talk for two hours after. Today we were telling jokes and my dad couldn’t get through one of his without laughing after every word, which in turn caused everyone else to laugh as well. It’s weird, but I just felt like we are one happy family,

I think my Spanish is getting better, and I’m much more confident with it now.

I am so thankful that I got the family that I did. I feel like this time is going to go by so quickly, so I’m trying to make the most of it while I can.

I’m going to sleep now though…if I think of more to write, I will.


There are huge ants crawling around my incredibly uncomfortable bed (only downside to this whole experience), and that’s a little disgusting.

Also, my sister made me a bead ring, and I love it.

Also, I miss Abby…I keep thinking I should just suck it up and buy a cell phone so I can talk to him on the weekends and in the evenings but it will probably just distract me from spending time with my family and take precious time away from the time I have to study and read. I just have to keep reminding myself that I’ll see him soon.

Alright.
Con amor,
Me.