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

Volunteer & Spanish Classes

This blog is focused on the more serious issues at hand. Well, I will make my best effort to remian serious... Tal vez (maybe). One of the main purposes for me coming out to Nicaragua, besides for Amanda, is for the volunteer work. Before I begin the detailed explanation of my volunteer work here, I would like to express some thoughts. First, being here I have learned so much, more history and way of thinking. My intellect is always tested and I am thinking more globally. The thing I admire about Amanda is her strong beliefs about pressing issues and her willingness to be straight forward. She challenges my thinking like she is challenged everyday. We had a deep (truthful) conversation on global outlook, undertones of people, and the ugly truth about America. She expressed her new way of thinking from the year she has been here and explained why she doesn't want to return to the states. I could write about my findings, but I think I would rather keep the deeper issues for a face to face occurance. However, I do challenge you to research the truth about the USA's influence in Nicaragua during the contra war (you know, the history that is left out of our history books). Going along with this new way of thinking, I have learned to look at volunteering differently.

Westerners have this belief that their culture is superior, so they enter a new/ unknown culture with the outlook that it needs "fixing" or a "solution". But that is far from the truth. These cultures have a eat of life that they don't want to change. They don't need to catch up with the rest of the world, nor always want to. So this idea that westerners are here to fix things; needs to change. We are merely helpers and have to learn from how people in other cultures operate. For example: how to paint a wall. What may be the "right way" at home could be completely different from the "right way" here. With that mindset I can achieve a better understanding of the culture and how I can contribute my help. 

My projects: 

My volunteer work doesn't consist of demanding physical labor. It consists of day to day repairs or activities where I can lend an extra hand. The first day I went to a baseball field with young boys and played baseball with them. Other days I would help out with the construction project by sanding wooden chairs and posts, painting walls made of a bamboo type of structure, and paint wood. Working beside the view of the volcano/ trees/ flowers is truly torture! My project leader is close to my age and I have grown a nice friendship with him as well as someone I can joke with. Friday I contributed help to build cement ramps in schools for disabled kids. It was awesome! I shoveled dirt into buckets and put in a pile, shoveled 2 buckets of rocks to add, added a bag of cement powder, water and mixed. It was a mini science experiment! I sawed 3 tubes to put down as the base, so water can travel under. Put boards on both sides held my concrete blocks to maintain the width, added chunks of blocks over the pipes, then poured the mixed concrete. Finally, it was smoothed down. It was fun! 

Spanish Classes:

I am learning a lot! Definitely worth 4 hours a day/ for 5 days. I have a 2 hour conversational class followed by a 2 hour grammar class. All spoken in all Spanish (mostly). Thank goodness for my high school Spanish. The 4 hours of Spanish classes a day do get overwhelming, but it gets easier as I improve. I am learning... Dun dun dun. I learn about Nicaraguan life during these classes, so it's like history as well. I teach them about our culture too. I have a different teacher for both classes. My grammar teacher stays with me for a month (good thing he is pretty to look at), and my conversational teacher is different every week. I am starting to speak with proper sentence structure (amazing the improvement in a week). Now I can stop embarrassing myself with my dance like gestures and one worded responses. I usually say "sí" a lot, and if I really understand then I will say "sí, sí" or if I am feeling studious I may even pull out the "comprendo" or "yo entiendo". Meh it varies. I receive homework to keep me on top of things; you know to help me with that 'learning' thing that people speak of. My favorite phrase is "mi tipo de gente". Translation: "my type of people". Everytime we drive by people playing soccer, I yell out "mi tipo de gente". Hey a girls gotta practice her favorite phrase. Basically the Mariposa School has a really good thing going here. 

If your wondering, this is what my days look like:

6:00 am - wake up (even on weekends)

8:00-11:30 am - volunteer work

12:00-1:00 pm - lunch/ relaxation

1:00-5:00 pm - Spanish classes (with a 20 min break)

5:00-7:00 - organized activity (bar, pizza, talk, etc) 

7:30 - dinner

Whatever time left is used for Amanda I to hang out before bed. LONG DAYS. 

Next blog: home stay with pics and recent weekend activities. ¡Hasta pronto!

Volcano y La Fiesta

I have so much to cover! My days are more than productive and I am exhausted by 9:00pm. Granted I wake up at 6:00 am every morning (amazing how quickly I have adapted). I am excited  writing this because I have sooo much to tell! Alright let's get to it...

El Volcan Mumbacho:

I have never seen a volcano, so naturally I was excited! There are 3 craters and you get to choose what hike you would like to do whether it's the long hike with a guide or the shorter hike with no guide. Well... Before I proceed, let me explain the strenuous ordeal that occurred before. Strenuous not on my brain, but rather my  muscles. The price for transportation up to the volcano was 16 dollars or you could walk up for 3 dollars. Cost friendly vs costly? Easy choice. We began the trek unaware of the path that lay before us. It is pretty much an incline straight up, which took us 2 hours to get to the top to begin the volcano hike. Great workout, lots of sweat, add a little delusion from the heat and you have yourself a quality adventure. The road was never ending! Along the way, Amanda and I were walking up and we hear rustling through the trees getting closer and closer. Our first reaction; JUMANJI!!! Then we froze in preparation for what was most likely not jumanji. It was a group of howling monkeys jumping from tree to tree as they progress over us. The baby monkeys were attempting to follow the clan, but kept missing the branches... I felt their pain in my exhaustion. Very cool moment! 

By the time we made it to the top, not only did we want to do a 'Rocky' celebration, but we decided to do the shorter hike with no guide. Amanda ended up knowing someone who worked their and he gave us a free guided hike to places tourists are not allowed. Volcano VIP's, BOOM! He brought us to the home of Tarzan. He let us swing on the Tarzan vines like in the movies. Weeee. He showed us a small pond along the volcanic rocks that provides the water for the coffee plants. Informative detour. The rest of the hike around the crater was spontaneous, exploratory, and whimsicle. Whimsicle because I honored Amanda and Andrew with my B-E-A-utiful singing voice that turned into a Spanish, Portuguese, and English mix. I know they loved it, I just know it. We met this French guy who was by himself traveling around Latin America to Volcano destinations (about 9 months now). He would video tape himself talking about that destination. A truly fascinating story and he had a mysterious duck with him. Not real (but how cool would that be), but a little rubber ducky. He explained during the 9 months he was traveling that the duck was his only gift. In Mexico there is a story about a traveling gnome or something, and this Mexican girl decided he needed one, but said the duck will surffice as his replacement gnome. Interesting story. I digress, we caught a ride back down from some workers and it was a perfect volcano experience! The volcano is not active, but it is warm to the touch if you place your hand in a hole. The day was far from over... 

La Fiesta:

After an 8 hour day of hiking/ traveling, plus exhaustion, I had to find a second wave of energy for another 6 hours of dancing at La Fiesta en la Concha. Let me just say I didn't have enough energy for the chaos of the night! The title "la fiesta" is a clear indication that it will be a night for the books. Starting with our bus ride to La Concha (van, in better terms). It was packed; a stranger sitting on my lap, some stranger stroking my hair behind me, and the van moving backwards going up hill from the mass capacity of people. You know, everyday occurances, nbd. We arrived in one piece; great success! 

I realize the fascination other cultures have for foreign girls, but man oh man I was reminded. The word to describe the attention: piranhas! At one point (not even kidding), there was a swarm of about 6 guys surrounding Amanda and I, so what do I do? Run! Serious, not a walk, a run. While pulling Amanda behind me as if we were running from lava. In my head, they would understand my gesture of running was indicative on the situation, but nope. Even through the game of who can get the "Chellaes" (gringos aka foreigners), I had a fun youthful night. Even learned the Nicaraguan dance. ¡Muy Bien!

Sunday Funday:

Baseball. Not soccer! Gasp. Baseball is huge here, so we went to the game in town at a local park and it was packed. ¡Muy popular! In the small amount of time I have been here, I have made some acquaintances/ friends with some locals. After the game people stuck around and we all drank beers while conversing in Spanish. It began to POUR rain, so we sat under the shelter in the stands for hours talking. It was worth a mention in the blog because it is the little things in life that bring the most warmth to my heart (I am laughing with the full intention of making this line as corny as possible). Add an array of fireworks and music and ta da!! Corny moment achieved. I even made my first language barrier mistake. I wanted to say: I have to pee. However, this is what I said: "yo tengo caca", which translates to "I have to shit". Everyone busted up laughing as well as myself because I discovered too late that I said the wrong word. It was a fun day nonetheless. 

I have a million more things to talk about especially my Spanish classes and volunteer work, but I will have to fit that into the next blog. ¡Hasta luego!

(My cool pics are on my camera, so I'll try and get those up)

A day in the life of a Nicaraguan...

What is a day in the life of a Nicaraguan? Well, I am going to find out. Already, I have sat in a back of a truck speeding through the streets, ate pizza in the dark due to the lightning for no electricity, showered with only a bucket full of water, drank Nicaraguan beer (toña), almost got attacked by a chicken, and so much more! In the couple days I have been here, I have already experienced the chaos, excitement, and mystery that Nicaraguans face. I fully intend to discover this in this short month. (Yes short for what I would like to accomplish). I can sit here and tell you how amazing this is to be here (which it is #sorrynotsorry) or I can tell you the gritty truth whether beautiful or ugly. Starting with the beautiful truth...

The beautiful truth: this culture, and cultures like it, seem to capture my heart in more ways than America can sometimes. Granted, it's easy to see the beauty when you only see things from the outside. What does it look like from the outside? Good question. Repuesta (answer): besides the lush and extravagant landscape (yes lush, I said it),  the chaos of the environment brings out the vibrant way of life starting with the excessive social encounters. Meaning, people are everywhere. They aren't hiding in their homes, but rather sitting in front of their houses, corners, fields, etc. I love this vibe. So, naturally, as I always do, I become excessively social back and say "Hola" to all that care or don't care to hear my voice. Well, here in Nicaragua you don't say "Hola" to someone in passing unless you are planning to stop and have a conversation. Instead, you say "adiós" as a passing greeting, makes sense right? NO not at all, don't lie, you are as confused as I am. This seems do weird "goodbye"... Well it is to me, but I will have to accept it and move on; "asiós". Moving on... 

The ugly truth: [more beautiful truths are sure to come, don't stress]. The ugly truth if that poverty is prevalent here. I got an eye opener in the Dominican Republic, which fully prepared me for these ugly truths. The toilet paper goes in the trash, not the toilet (you are jealous I know). The spiders are the size of humans, ok that's a lie, but darn close. I didn't bring my hockey stick for my spider chaser or killer or whatever (I am doomed). I'll make friends with them. Also, when I say ugly truths it is more or less meaning the not so glamorous truths. 

My initial thoughts on arriving you ask? Um... What thoughts didn't I have?! I laid in my bed staring at the ceiling for a good 30 minutes my first night to try and process everything. Starting with the AMAZING fact that Amanda is in the next room and I get to spend an entire month with her, whom I have missed GREATLY! Secondly, that I am actually in a different country or world. Mainly... I thought about this journey I am about to embark on and thought about my journey to Brazil that I embarked on about 2-3 years ago. When I went to Brazil I was broken, lost, anxious, and had a thirst for adventure, or change if you will. I wasn't living life to it's fullest and let life knock me down. Brazil quickly revitalized me (yes I am adding the dramatics, surprised?) and showed me beauty and simplicity among other life changing lessons. My world got turned upside down in the best way possible. The point of that rant is to signify this journey with a new mindset. I didn't come to Nicaragua with a brokenness or an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, if you will, but rather all of the pieces of the jigsaw are put together. Yes, there are cracks on the jigsaw puzzle pieces as well as discoloration, but the puzzle is in one piece. Catch my drift? So I lay in bed grateful for my growth and in mystery of what new challenges will present themselves. Will this change me? Strengthen me? Motivate me? Or nothing? Who knows... For now I will live in this moment and discover these truths in time.

In this moment, however, my bed is calling my name... And the roosters and the dogs and the birds and whatever other animal I hear right now. Adiós for now.  Volcano hike, fiesta, volunteer work, my Spanish classes, etc to come! Hasta luego!