El fin en Nicaragua

There is just not enough time in the day to express every thought that comes my way. I have returned back from a youthful weekend in Leon. I felt like a backpacker the whole weekend and a free bird. Jumping from hostel to hostel and bus to bus. It was a feeling of such bliss walking around town with a big backup and no care in the world. I was proud of my touristy look as if it was a statement that I was an explorer in an unknown world. The first hostel was in the center of all the hustle and bustle of the city life. We made our way to a university dance/ concert event for a little bit of spontinaty. I attempted this dancing thing people speak of, but gravitated towards Spanish practice by conversing with people instead. Saturday we spent the day relaxing and seeing the city. We visited the markets and saw the cathedral. Amanda does tours for her job as well, so I got a personalized tour. Muy tranquila. Sunday was more adventurous. We decided to go to a hostel on the beach for some sun and relaxation. We made a reservation, but had no idea that the hostel was on an island! We take a 30 minute taxi ride outside of the city (5 dollars only, not lying). Then he drops us off at a bar and says the boats are in the back to ride to the island. This was news to us. Oh the joys of traveling and a small reminder that nothing goes as planned. When we get to the island we had a 10 minute walk through the forest with arrows painted on the trees to our destination. It was an amazing location! For only 12 dollars a night. (Pics below). UNREAL. 12 dollars for a piece of paradise with a secluded beach with turtles and a surfing vibe. 12 dollars would pay for a bar of soap back home (tad dramatic :]). Plenty of people to socialize with a nice finale to the weekend. 

I depart back to home today, unfortunately. But I started to think. I started to think how lucky I am that I am even able to travel in the first place, let alone drive around the states. It is a luxury that I don't always recognize. I have had some good conversations with some Nicaraguans and we talked about the differences. A lot of them talked about how they will probably never be able to travel anywhere and they have accepted it. We talked about the history of Nicaraguan like the contra war and the effect that had on the people. Cultures truly fascinate me. The differences in all these cultures are really special. The thing I have learned the most while being here is the vast amount of inequality amongst the world and how that relates to racism, power, and ignorance. Closing our eyes from the truth is what got our world in this predicament in the first place.

It is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit here... And I am going home to -6 degree Fahrenheit with snow today. I really hope my body hasn't adapted to this heat... Wish me luck! Until next time :). 

¡Buen Viaje!

Our hostel: 

Pineapple farm: (I don't like pineapple in the states, but I really enjoy fresh pineapple here... Yes shocking)

At the Mariposa School: 

The bakery project: we helped cook churros and other pastries. 

Leon: 

Farewell: my teacher and another intern that I became friends with

Beautifully Ignorant

I have discovered while being here that innocence is bliss. It is sometimes better to not know what people are saying or if there are bugs all around me. Sometimes the curiousity of what someone is saying is all the more fun than actually knowing. They could be saying "I hate your shirt", but it sounds so nice that it is worth a smile in response. Knowing nothing is better than knowing it all. This can relate to my life as well. I have an ignorance in life because of my age and I don't hate it. The idea that I need it all figured out is not an expectation and a freeing feeling as if the world is in my hands for exploring/ learning. So knowing all the facts is overrated and ignorance can be beautiful. Plain and simple.

With that being said I am far more intrigued by things due to my ignorance. There are no grocery stores here, but rather stands containing the necessities. Locals made this their business hence why I only go to local vendors to support their family. Yesterday I just pointed out every fruit, candy, or whatever saying, "what is that?". Everything on the table was intriguing to me. Even the cotton balls in plastic bags intrigued me. The concept of selling things here is completely different. Selling in bulk... Psh what is that? There are no boxes full of one item. Just a fascinating culture.

On a more exciting note. I played soccer with the Nicaraguan locals the last 2 days. I scored the first 3 goals of the game and I think from there I was accepted. We had backpacks for goal posts. The field was different levels, one minute I am in a dirt ditch, the next minute I am on an inclined grass area. Oh and there was a baseball game going on, so one time I am battling for the ball near the pitcher while runners are running to their bases. No one cared that 2 different sports were taking place at the same location. School kids were casually walking through the field as we have to dodge them as well. The entire environment was a beautiful chaos. Occasionally we stepped in horse poop, fell on massive rocks, or sometimes just slipped on the grass. It was an awesome soccer experience. The guys weren't shy to pass to me and one guy in particular tried to pass me the ball everytime he received it. I can't explain the hospitality I felt during the game. It was just another reminder that soccer unites cultures. 

This may be a weird way thought, but I feel like a vampire from the show "The Vampire Diaries". For a good portion of you reading this you probably have; (one) never heard of it, or (two) wondering where this is going. Well a small background before I explain. In the show, the vampires can turn off their emotions with a switch in their head. (Sounds strange writing it out). If they don't want to have feelings, BOOM off. Don't worry my emotions are still very much in tact. My point is that I feel like I can turn off my Spanish whenever I feel. One day I am not understanding basic words I know and other days I understand everything. It's like a mental block. I need to wear a sign that states "sorry out of order in the Spanish department today". It's bizarre how the brain operates. I also had some encounters with bugs. So to get to the latrine (drop toilet) you need to unlock the gate and proceed on. I lift up the toilet lid and what do I see? A massive cockroach scurry into the hole. So instead of screeching in the middle of the night, I act out a screech with no volume. A person scarcely surprised on mute. You know the "I am going to dance around like a crazy person" because of an ugly, but harmless insect. To top it off, now that I am scared of the latrine, I proceed to brush my teeth. My headlight shines on a gigantic spider. I decided night trips to the bathroom aren't in my best interest. 

I am still working at the farm, learning more and more about how certain fruits/ veggies are grown. Pretty calm in all. My Spanish classes are progressing, finding that my grammar is improving for when I speak. I am learning condicional simple right now. Today I will be visiting a pineapple farm to learn about that process! Yay! Tomorrow Amanda and I will be leaving for a weekend in Leon for our own cultural exploration. We have a couple hostels in mind to stay at. Leon is known for their architecture and museums. I personally am more intrigued by the architecture, so we will visit cathedrals and whatever our hearts desire. I will try and post, but the variables are unknown. ¡Pan comido! (Similar meaning to "piece of cake").

¡Adiósssss! :]

Catarina

You know the quote that says everyone is put into your life for a reason? Even if for a little while. Well it's something like that. Well I feel a little connection to this idea as I write this. When you travel, the most important part of the journey are the encounters with other people. Right? Last week I had a conversation with one of the guests passing through who is probably in his 40's (maybe). It was an inspiring talk about the peace corp. Being in Nicaragua, my thoughts wander to future possibilities in travel for myself. I have always considered the peace corp or something like it, so having him show me pics, share stories, and encourage me to take advantage of my youth really inspired me. It just got me thinking that there is no better time to take risks. Small tangent.

Next topic: the toilets. Oh yes you read right. Here in Nicaragua there are drop toilets. Basically a stone to sit on with a hole. Sounds different I know, but I am here to admit that is quite liberating. No water needed and you get to be one with nature. Who could ask for more? So I propose we bring this concept to the states. Totally realistic right? HA! Anyways... Moving on. 

Sunday was a day for a cultural exploration. Or in simpler terms a day for Amanda and I to wander around with no deadlines or purpose. We took a couple buses (van and school bus) to Catarina. Catarina is a lookout of the crater Laguna de Apoyo. First of all when I kayaked "near the middle" the day before in the Laguna, that is a lie. A straight lie, I am a liar. After looking at the size of the Laguna form a different view, there is just no way. Just thought I would get that off my chest. Whew. Catarina was BEAUTIFUL! We sat on the bench talking for a couple hours with the wind blowing our hair looking down at the Laguna with the Volcano (Mumbacho), Granada, and Lake Nicaragua in the distance. Time felt slower. We decided to eat at the restaurant overlooking the view for some good food and conversation with the workers. A tranquilla (calm) day overall. Now it's back to classes and volunteer work! 

(Above: forgot the name, but a fruit. You take off the red and there is a clear gooey center that tastes like gummy bears, loved) 

Ladies and gentlemen... This is my best friend. Hugging the wall. You're welcome. 

Tarzannnnn

Perspective

All I kept thinking today was, "is this real life?". I feel like I am in a dream like state and I will wake up any minute. I am living a completely different life and it feels so natural. My project has been at the farm this week, so I have a 20 minute walk to and back. During my walk I was just in pure "awe" of this place. I mean seriously, sooo much green and colors! It also got me thinking! How is it possible to have such an imbalance of resources amongst countries? These homes are constructed of material in the environment (I envy this skill) and water is limited. Another thing! I truly don't get this... How can the developed countries have an unlimited supply of water, but undeveloped countries have to be resourceful? This is an unjust balance. I don't have the answer nor comprehend how this can be dispersed. Just makes you think.

On my way back from my work this little girl caught up to me to walk with me. She had this excitement glowing on her face as if walking with a 'chellae' made her day complete. With this innocent shyness she confessed she was 3 years old and I was thrilled to be speaking Spanish with someone at my level. ¡Mi tipo de gente! We walked together for 10 minutes talking about the little things and whatever my Spanish permitted to complete a conversation. For some reason it was a heartwarming moment to share her company. Maybe it was the curiousity we both shared or maybe the pure happiness that was evident on her face. Either way I couldn't stop smiling. Anyways, I am loving working at the farm and all that I am learning! It is their culture out here and they are rightfully prideful of their farming skills. The gardens are unlike anything I have seen. Omg I almost forgot! On the way to the farm I rode on the back of a motorcycle. Yeah you are probably thinking 'so what', but I had just been talking with Amanda the day before about how riding on a motorcycle once here would just be the cherry on top.  The camioneta (truck) was not back, so the boss just took me up to the farm. My life is complete. (Yeah it doesn't take much for me to be happy... Clearly). I was so excited that I was skipping towards my teacher saying "¡yo monté una motocicleta por la mañana!". He starts cracking up probably for the same reaction you have reading this. 

Anyways... Volunteering was great and I get to learn more from the people and converse. Saturday was a wondefulllll day. I could start into song it was that good. We went to Laguna de Apoyo, which is a crater lake. Many, many, many years ago the volcano blew it's top and had a hidden water pocket, which is how this lake was formed. I still cant fully wrap my head around the fact that I was swimming in a crater. We had kayaks and float tubes available to use, so I immediately grabbed a kayak and began paddling. I went as close to the middle as I could and sat in the kayak looking at my view. It was one of those moments where I was waiting for someone to pinch me to wake up. The water was a deep blue, it was calm, and all around me was an array of greens from the Forrest. I ended up just laying in the kayak in deep thought and day dream. It was amazing!! The first time this trip I had peace, quiet and solitude. I ventured back to the group and Amanda and I decided to go on a little adventure. She in the kayak, I on a tube dragging behind. Totally fair. We threw our ages out the kayak and dug up our young childhood alter egos (we have known each other since we were 7 years old, so wasnt hard to do). This sheet of rain in the distance was approaching as we felt the water pick up its intensity. We pretended we were pirates or being chased by a sea creature. At this time, I was in the kayak now and we began saying stuff like full steam ahead as I rowed towards the rain.  I pretended to be a Spanish guide on the lake and spoke Spanish to Amanda while pointing out artifacts while being rained on. All of this is irrelevant to my purpose for being here, but it was a reality check to slow life down and explore life differently. No matter how strange it was. Learning Spanish can be very overwhelming or learning any language for that matter, so a day away from it all was needed.  A change of perspective. 

(Above: about to start class, so I snuck a picture... Rebel)

(Both pictures above are from the farm I worked at, it's beautiful) 

(Haha I should probably explain the above 2 pictures. I was walking back from the farm and this is my route. On the way down these 3 oxens are coming up, so I think 'oh how cool'. As you can see the path is narrow and there is a ditch to my left. My mind was peacefully content. Then I began to wonder if these oxens are dangerous to be close to and if they were going to knock me into the ditch. So my mind flipped to 'uh oh' as I tried to remain as invisible as possible passing these oxens so they don't react. I know nothing about these animals and they could be completely harmless for all I know. My reaction was a 180 from what I was feeling and I just started laughing. Knowing I let my mind talk me into this possibility of being pushed into the ditch and being road kill. Silly.)

I brightened the last pic. All from Laguna de Apoyo. It's a crater lake. Still hasn't sunk in that this was an active volcano in the past. 

These were too funny to me to not share. We get into these laughing fits every night, it's good to be reunited. 

Mi Vida

My home stay:

(Above: blue bucket on left is shower water. Green bucket on right is drinking water. The thing with the red bucket on it is where I did my laundry) 

(Above: where dishes are washed)

(Above: living room)

Keep in mind that this is a middle class home. Water is limited and they seem happy! 

(Above: a guy just laying on the wood, on his phone, flying down the road)

(Above: a picture of a cemetery in a main city in Nicaragua called Granada)

We learned the history of the Sandinistas, coffee, how to make cigars and more. We took a nice boat ride around the small islands in Granada. All in all, It was a nice touristy day. The next morning we took a horse back ride around the farms for about 2 hours. The view was INCREDIBLE!! Pineapple farms in the distance, volcano in the distance, and nothing but green. A picture won't do it justice (unfortunately it's on my camera, so I can't share). I experienced my first laundry day, and it took me about an hour and a half because I washed everything myself one at a time. I am so proud of myself. Every resource here is used to make something out of it. For example tree branches for the fences. Nothing goes to waste. Being in this culture reminds me again of the things I closed my eyes to back home. I could indulge you with my thoughts, but I have too many to formulate the words right now. Differente día. 

Adiós for now! Xoxo