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!
As always I am enthralled with your mystical words and am humbled. You write this so well and it's so fun to read! I love you my daughter! Have an uplifting and motivating adventure! I look forward to all your blogs!
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