My kids teach me a thing or two

I told myself that I was NOT going to practice english with ANYONE because I am here to speak the native language and I have no experience teaching and there fore have no business claiming I can help people learn english.  I am here to teach business and speak spanish.  I also didn't want to hinder my spanish progression by speaking too much english, selfish I know.  Well turns out I have a weak spot for youth.  A teacher in my large public school approached me one day and asked if I would practice speaking english with a group of students she had formed.  These students have one main goal, which is to attend a university out side Nicaragua and preferably in the U.S.  How could I say no?  I was hesitant at first, but when I met the kids who are all around 16-18 I knew this wouldn't be our last encounter.  Then and there I made it more of a personal goal to teach these kids more about life outside Nica and make this experience more of a cultural exchange.

Tonight I walked the ten minutes from my public school with Raquel (the teacher) to her house to meet up with the 6 students and chat at a rather advanced level of english.  I could tell that the students were excited and before I could ask why they claimed they had a surprise for me.  While Raquel set up a TV  the students proclaimed that they had done a ton of research on Arizona and wanted to present to me in english what they had learned about my state.  I have to say I was very flattered they took the time to research my home state.  I watched as images of hamburgers, cardinals jerseys, and the grand canyon flashed across the screen.  I was thoroughly impressed with the work they had done.  Those of you who know Tucson also know how big Tubac is and believe me I got the whole run down of the history there.   Of course I had to explain about the whole cowboy and indian thing we got goin on.  I was trying my hardest not to laugh when super models posing in Steve Nash's jersey popped up.  It was a great opportunity to share American culture with these kids and in turn I felt like we accomplished more than just speaking english, but the cultural exchange I was aiming for.  I was told by the students that people in Arizona are the nicest people in the U.S., not sure what their source was, but I believe it!  Apparently it's just part of our culture.

I'm not exactly sure what hit me, but I was touched.  That's the first time that someone here had taken a genuine interest in knowing more about me and where I come from.  Of course tons of questions about Arizona followed along with Pizza and a huge debate about whether Real Madrid or Barcelona is the best soccer team.  I found myself having a really good time talking to the kids about their likes and dislikes about life in Nicaragua.  We discussed their personal goals and how they plan to achieve them.  I realized how much I really love working with youth in my day to day job as well.  There is something about talking to a untarnished mind with big dreams.  They look to you as though you know everything and hold the key to the rest of the world outside Nicaragua.  All I really want to do here is have a positive impact and there is no doubt in my mind that my time spent with the youth in Nicaragua will be my largest footprint.

Fall

Fall is my favorite season and October my favorite month.  This is proving to be true here in Nica as well.  I love how people start ordering their starbucks hot instead of iced and a chill works its way in to the night air the same way apple cider and all things pumpkin finagle their way in to your diet.  Although I'm picturing the leaves changing to rich autumn colors before they fall to the ground, I'm finding a whole new meaning to the word Fall, RAIN FALL!  October is the rainiest month of the rainy season.  It's been on and off tropical rain storms here in Chinandega since last Tuesday.  This is the first time that I've experienced 48 hours of constant torrential downpour in my life.  As many problems as the rain creates, it also cools this heat zone down to a breezy 75 degrees which I'm totally embracing.  Five straight days with out sweating unless provoked is a nice change.

These last two weeks have been extremely busy with work, but in a very good way!  I feel as though the past several months of working with my students and counterparts amounted to a very successful local competition between my three high schools here in Chinandega.  This last Friday the seven winning teams from my three highschools came together to compete with their business plans/products to determine who will advance to the regional level coming up in two weeks(more work for Kate).  Despite the fact that the location of my competition was revoked at 3 pm the day before the competition and a tropical rainstorm cancelled classes all week when I was supposed to be prepping the students, I'd say everything turned out just fantastic!  I got feedback from my judges(business owners in the community) and project manager that the students had amazing presentations and most importantly had a real handle on the reality of how to start a business.  This my friends is my primary goal.  I just want my students to walk away with the knowledge and enthusiasm needed to start a business and a better life for themselves, if they so chose.

My winning team and counterpart with Tea made of Noni (provides several health benefits)

My most creative group with flowers made from recycled bottles

These gals gave an amazing presentation for a Drink made from Yucca

I made a huge effort to involve my community in the competition by inviting several business owners as well as the local TV channels to cover the event.  Well my invitation led to a live interview on the Wednesday morning Channel 9 news.  I felt very out of place sitting cross legged on a green polyester couch with a microphone positioned awkwardly in my left hand.  I wasn't sure where to look, at the several cameras or my interviewer.  I had asked my interviewer to speak slowly and clearly, but when we got started she ran her mouth just like a typical news reporter, leaving me blinking wide eyed in complete shock when we started the question and answer segment.  Unfortunately I don't have this memory recorded, but I was interviewed a second time for a written piece which they did record.

My second interviewer was very nice, but the camera man was a handful.  When I asked her to speak slowly and clearly he must have taken that as an invitation to speak to me in his horrible broken english, possibly thinking I might understand him better?  He was more of a distraction and talked over me during my interview.  I have attached the file so you can see for yourself.  Nevermind that I look like a wet rat from the rain and the camera is shooting up from ant's eye view, holly chin!  The best part is the camera man had the nerve to ask me out to dinner via email after he sent over this link, ha ha, yea right!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/le46uy

One of the perks of being involved in the Small Business Project in Peace Corps Nicaragua is the fact that we throw a huge cocktail party in Managua that practically every volunteer in Nicaragua attends.  We rent out a space at the Holiday Inn and invite the U.S. Embassy as well as NGOs to raise money for our national level of the Emprendedurismo Competition.  I told my host mom and sister about the occasion and they insisted that we go dress shopping for the event!  Now here is my chance to reveal the Nica style which is oh so very distinct!  Just think taky 80s or ghetto fabulous, it really can go both ways.  Picture rhinestones, obnoxious bows, lots of spandex and bright colors and you're on your way!  Usually women strut around in jeans made out of material that is 50% spandex with their thong hanging out the back and a belly flopping over the front.  Shirts range from flowy maternity looking tops to too tight tube tops, neither of which are flattering.  Gladiator sandals and platforms are all the rage right now.  Please note that I am stereo typing and that there are women that do not dress like this, for example my host mom and sister.  But you have to imagine how the majority of the clothes following this style would lead to a challenge when dress shopping.  I haven't done any shopping here to date, but the first experience was unforgettable.  Every dress I tried on was either skin tight or frilled out!  No surprise each time I tried on a dress they wanted to observe my ass first and foremost before assessing the dress as a whole. Story of my life.  At one point I actually tried on a yellow and black frilly dress which reminded me of a bumble bee, that was my mom's favorite, of course.  You well get to see in my next post what dress I settled on.

This weekend I also had a chance to bond more with my host bro on Saturday night when we all went out Salsa dancing.  The usual group is me, my site mate Lindsey, Jose my bro, his GF when she's in town and his amigos Walter, Guillermo, and William(my cuz) who have become like brothers to me as well.  Walter is also teaching me how to play my guitar, which is a long slow process I'm finding out.  Jose likes to remind me all the time how I should be practicing just so he can make fun of how much I suck.  Tonight I learned La Bamba!  This was my absolute favorite song when I was about 5, could never get enough.  Growing up an hour from the border of Mexico may have had a slight influence.  Speaking of Mexico, I discovered a mexican restaurant where I can get Chilaquiles with salsa verde!  All is good on the food front.  I find myself craving beans and tortillas more than ever!

Surfing is still going well.  I'm in search of my own board right now.  Yoga still rocks my world daily.  I'm back in the groove of running and shooting for a 18k on November 20th.  Shout out to my girl Annie for completing the Chicago Marathon last weekend, you're amazing!

http://www.sendspace.com/file/le46uy

Vaga

I was called Vaga by my host family for the first time this last weekend.  I knew it was coming.  I think I pushed it over the top when I left a sticky note on my door to tell my family where I was.  Vaga translates to someone who is out of the house a lot.  It can be construed as negative if the person is constantly out partying, but since I work hard during the week, I'll go ahead and be proud of my vaganess.  My host mom says its part of being a youth, and since she is a partner in a construction firm, I'm gonna go ahead and say she's a smart lady!

The vaga in me started two weekends ago when my Small Business Training group met up in Leon to celebrate our buddy Ben's birthday.  The fourteen of us together after almost a 2 month hiatus was a recipe for ridiculous amounts of fun.  We danced Friday night away in the colonial city of Leon and then took the party to the beach the next day to chill, well sort of.  I knew I loved these guys, but I think I realized that weekend how well we all get along and how much I miss them!  I can't wait for more reunions!  The social event of the weekend was Ben's Pinata which was actually a reincarnation of our fellow volunteer Matt in his famous awkward kneeling position from a photo we took on our first day in Nica.  The group was in hysterics when Chalin presented his precious gift.  We proceeded to beat Matt's twin until people were practically crying from laughing so hard.

Matt and twin

BIZ 56 reunited

This past week has also been a busy one in preparing for the various business competitions coming up in my institutes.  I have mentioned in the past the course I'm working with in high schools here, but I'll do a recap.  Basically I'm teaching Entrepreneurship in three institutos where all of the high-school seniors have to write a business plan all while learning a skill set to survive in a economy where there are no corporate jobs, but ample opportunity to start your own business.  I'm really loving the job so far and the competitions have got the kids really excited about their work over the past school year.  I'm really proud of my students and the teachers I work with for all the hard work that they have put forth since I arrived.  After a long week of searching for sponsors, looking for judges, revising business plans and holding pre-liminary competitions, I had a chance to let loose.

It all started about a month ago when my site mate Lindsey and I met a group of Columbians working for an Engineering firm here in Chinandega.  After visiting their home country for a few weeks they returned with a bottle of Aguardiente, which is a typical Columbian licorice flavored alcohol.  After finishing her off we headed to Chinandega's largest discoteca Dilectus.  Much to our surprise there was also a beauty pageant being held at the club and intermingled with dancing were spirits of tacky dresses parading around on stage.  Quite the entertainment, only in Nicaragua!

Saturday was a whirl wind of a women's rights meeting at La Casa de Mujer and a community bank meeting, which was followed by a birthday celebration for a fellow volunteer Tony.  By late afternoon we were off to the beach in Leon for the sunset and bar hopping.  Then up again at 5:30 the next morning to shred some waves at Coco Loco.  If there is one thing that I don't mind getting up at the crack of dawn for, its the beach.  My friend and fellow PC Volunteer Peter joined me, my new columbian friends, and our local Nica friend Erlin on the waves of Nahualapa.  I thought to myself while chillen and waiting for my next wave, not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.

My new Columbian friends in Leon

Turns out the Columbians love to surf

 I thought I was coming home to relax on my Sunday afternoon when my host brother told me to hurry up and change because my cousin's birthday party was taking place at grandma's house. Sin shower(overrated) I sported a narly sunburn and beach hair to join 20 odd people at grandma's house around the corner.  Not 15 minutes after I sat down to a plate of carne asada, my host bro Jose started shoving shots of rum under my nose.  Well they proceeded to get me nice and liquored up and then grandma started quizzing me on how much I love Nica.  She also demanded that my family come to celebrate Christmas here in Nica, hear that mom?  Three bottles of Plata rum later and we were off to yet another dance party with my host bro, his girlfriend, my cousin, his girlfriend, Walter, Guillermo, my site mate Lindsey and one tired chela(white girl). Despite my tiredness I pulled myself together to practice my salsa moves.  And thus the creation of Vaga in my life.  But let's be honest, it's always been that way! When have I ever really sat still?  Now I just have the appropriate word to describe it! Vaga!

Coco Loco

Coco Loco to me is a little piece of heaven.  I spent last weekend, which is also my second weekend at this lovely little place, lounging and taking in the deserted beaches on Nicaragua's Northwestern pacific shores.  Not 45 minutes in a taxi from my city brings you to a paradise that will be my home away from home over the next two years.  Canadian owners Ben, Jamie, and Lindsay have become really important in my Peace Corps experience here.  Coco Loco is a surf eco-lodge with a handful of cabanas close to the beach and a real community feel.  They employ local Nicaraguans from the tiny community and also have their nonprofit arm Waves of Hope that draws volunteers mainly form the U.S. to come spend 3 or more months working in the community.  Waves of Hope teaches english to the village's youth and adults, hosts soccer leagues and organizes surf camps for those kids who are neglected and abused at home, and helps with community gardens for the locals and teaches environmental sustainability.

The for profit arm is Coco Loco where people come from all over to indulge in some of Nicaragua's best surfing and practice yoga on their huge pavilion over looking the ocean.  To reward us Peace Corps Volunteers these beautiful people have let us come and stay at their all inclusive resort for less than half the price a normal customer would pay.  They stuff us with good food and make us feel right at home.  This past weekend they gifted me a basil plant because I said I was having a hard time finding it in the market.  They realize that like them we are giving our lives over these next 2 years to selflessly help our communities and there fore they reward us with a place for some R&R at an affordable price.

It is here at Coco Loco I had my first chance to surf in Nica and it will definitley be a huge part of my life going forward.  I can't help but feel completely tranquilo when I'm surrounded by the people that make this place happen.  I love that the dogs and cats can run around freely. At night the lightning bugs come out and the lighting display over the ocean is breathtaking.  If any of you come visit me, Coco Loco is a must!

http://www.elcocolocoresort.com/

It's not uncommon to run in to Erlin right around dusk as he drives is cattle along the beach back to their pens for the night.  He always comes back to let us ride his horse along the beach and chat as the sun sets.

These beaches are literally untouched accept for the few Nicarguans that have raised their families on that beach for ages.

The view from the restaurant where we chill and eat food cooked form their garden.

Our cabana

Newest member of the Coco Loco family, ocita!

Doesn't this picture just make you want to buy a ticket to Nica right now?  Do it! I'll be waiting!

My Chinandega

I have finally found the time to take photos of my new house so you can all see where I reside here in Chinandega.  Yes, my house is purple, I hate purple, but in this case I think I can deal since the family is so incredibly awesome.

 The living room is the first room you walk in to from the front door.  Sofas are a rarity in Nica.  Most people have plastic or wooden chairs so I am feeling very lucky.  Last night I curled up in a sofa chair to drink liters of beer and watch a movie with my 24 year old host brother Jose and his friends.  The next photo is of Ralph, our six month old puppy.  He likes to steal the family's underwear/ intimates and drag them all over the house.  Last night he came running in to the living room with my bra in his mouth while all the guys just starred uncomfortably until my host brother asked if it was mine, oh Ralph.

 I absolutely love this kitchen!  My host sister Sandra and I both love to cook so we spend most of our quality time here.  Please note that there is a microwave and a wine rack, two things that signify a well equipped kitchen here in Nica.  We also have an oven, which I de-flowered after several years of no use, by cooking the family brownies.  They were a big hit!

This is the hallway that leads from the living room and kitchen to all the other bedrooms.  That light you see pouring in through the arches is straight from the good ole outdoors.  A lot of houses here are open air since it never really gets cold.  Along the right had side their are flower beds where I have my basil planted.  Sargo and Ralph are also featured.  My room is at the end of the hall where it the house breaks out in to an open air patio where we dry our clothes and I get a breeze!

That's my yogi toes matt drying behind the jeans!

My room is a mess right now, but you can see that one wall is all dark wood shelving and closet space, which is unheard of here!  I'm standing in one corner of my room which leads around a wall to my own bathroom.

I live just four blocks from the central park and Santa Ana Iglesia.  I swear I'll take pics of the inside next time.

The central park is littered with jungle gyms and brightly colored stands that sell food.  You can barely see San Cristobal Volcanoe in the distance due to the fog that sets in after the rain.

This is one of the three open air markets where I get a majority of my fruits and veggies!

Hopefully all these visuals give you a better context of what I'm writing about in my blog.  This last week was definitley more play than work as Nicaragua celebrated their independance also known as Fiestas Patrias.  Basically all my classes were cancelled for the entire we in honor of the parade that takes places featuring all the high schools in the city.  The students were too busy practicing their marching and musical instruments to learn a single thing.  As frustrated as I got with the lack of progress on our business plans, I had a great time marching and representing one of my schools in the parade.  I marched with Filemon Rivera, which is a small semi-private high school.  The Director who I am close with made me a traditional Nicaraguan shirt to wear and match the rest of the teachers.(See below).  Does the yellow church look familiar?

 Here we are marching through the central park next to the yellow church of Santa Ana.  Ahead of me are my students who are dancing a traditional Nicaraguan folklore dance in traditional dress.

Here I am with my counterpart Silvia who is actually a doll despite that look on her face.  We work closely and Monday's are our days to eat out together.  She is one of my favorite people here.  She is working towards a bachelor's degree right now on the weekends while teaching and raising two beautiful children solo.  After we marched through the hot sun for about 3 hours the director treated all of us to a grand lunch of Albondigas soup.  Albondigas translated to meatballs, but its tradition here to make a soup with meatballs made of maza and chicken while an array of veggies accompany the mmeatballs in a rich broth.  Needless to say this is one of my fav Nica meals!

Due to the lack of classes and businesses being closed I took the opportunity to take a mini vaca to the beach with several volunteers to Coco Loco and see some of my best girlfriends from my months of training in Masaya, but that's the next post.  The night of the parade is also a popular night to go out so my host brother and his friends invited myself and my site mate Lindsey to a night out of dancing and rum.  We had a great time and found ourselves at an On the Run at 3 am eating Ramen Noodles, go figure but they are a huge hit here!

All in all not too much more to report on accept that life is good, really good.  Everything has gotten 100 times better since I moved in with my new family who obsesses over my funny quirks and teaches me knew things everyday.  Just yesterday my host brother almost had a heart attack when he saw me walking around the house barefoot, heaven forbid!  Nicas just don't walk around barefoot, even in their own house, I don't have an answer so please don't ask.

Not too much else to report on accept that there is a lot of rain, everyday after hours of blazing sun, around 4 en la tarde the storm rolls in.  Please note that I have changed my Acuweather gadget on the right hand side of my blog to reflect the weather here in Chinandega.  Please also note the temperature listed under "real feel" which takes in to account how one actually feels with the ridiculously high percentage of humidity in the air.  So when it says its 85 degrees F in Chinandega with a "real feel" of 109 F you can start to feel bad for me and then send me a care package, just kidding, but not really.  Some of my shoes have started to mold and even my pillow is affected by the massive amounts of humidity in the air.  Oh the random challenges that pop up from living in a new environment, gotta love it!  I thought it was hilarious tonight watching my host bro and sis fight over the amount of bleach I should use while washing the mildew out of my pillow.  It was quite the debate and a spectacle to watch three 20 somethings try and wash a down pillow.  Later on my sis asked me if I was bored here in Nicaragua compared to the states, how could I be?!

Creativity Showcase

I wanted to dedicate a post to the local artists of Chinandega and Leon who are featured here.  I was so impressed with the talent that was present at the art show last week that I felt compelled to share more.  This display of creativity opened my eyes to the fact that even though I struggle with the idea of creativity in the business sector, there are other influences in my community that are helping change the way people view the creative realm.  Also to my surprise, these pieces of art are priced in U.S. Dollars and are not cheap!  I guess its a good thing that these artists know how valuable their work is and take pride in their originality.  I hope you like what you see! Sorry the lighting isn't so great...

I thought the colonial building of the Fundacion was worth featuring

My Favorite- Anciano con Lena

Caballos, Unicornio e Hipocampo

by Mariano Navarro

Mercado Colonial

by Dorado

Los Cocos

Villa de Nuestra Sra. Sta. Ana

Autor: Lester Artola

Metamorfosis

Autor: Mariano Navarro

New home, new family!

So I’m finally posting this blog from my new host family’s house with my new access to wi-fi! How exciting is that? I’ve had a few experiences lately that have caused me to forget that I’m in the developing country of Nicaragua. One being Jamie’s visit! Seeing a best friend from home sent me on an emotional high ha ha! It’s crazy to think I haven’t seen anyone that I knew prior to my life in Nicaragua for 4 months! It was lovely to share my city of Chinandega and the surrounding beaches with Jamie and her boyfriend Paul. Nothing like reminiscing with your best friends, even though you’re worlds apart from how things used to be. I hope that I gave them an accurate taste of the grunge, grease(food), heat, beaches, and loving people that make up this country in a short 4 days! It was great to let myself go and act like a backpacking American for a weekend too! Miss my James already!


Something else that took me by surprise was an art show at a Fundacion Coen that was held to showcase and support local artists. I was very impressed by the amount of talent that was represented in my region. I felt like I was perusing a New York City up and coming art exhibition as I took in the paintings of beautiful Nicaraguan landscapes and markets. I think this display of creativity took me off guard since this country is plagued with people who refuse to think outside the box. I was very proud to feel a bit of progress in the right direction with in my community. It gave me the satisfaction that with time there can be change in the way Nicaraguans think. Afterwards my friend Lindsey and I joined our new friend Eugenia who is the director of the nonprofit for a great meal under a traditional rancho style hut, while the table of Argentineans bought us drinks! What a treat!




My favorite painting from the show - Anciano con Lena (Old man with firewood)

Taking it back to reality though I’ve had some pretty hot days with the humidity making it hard for my clothes to dry and contributing to some rather uncomfortable bus rides ending drenched in sweat. I don’t think I’ve gone in to much detail about Nicaraguan buses, but its quite a riot. Many buses are completely pimped out as they are individually owned by their driver. The buses are typically retired American school buses that make their way down here and seem to run just fine well past their U.S. shelf life. They will pack the buses until there is literally no room to breathe or even sweat for that matter. I usually exit my usual Monday morning bus to my one of my institutes dripping. I’m reminded of how beautiful I must look when my students comment how much Profe is sweating. Never the less Monday’s are one of my favorite days as I share a nice typical Nica lunch of either marinated meat or a tasty stew with my counterpart Silvia sitting outside gazing at Volcan San Cristobal as it puffs smoke in to the blue sky. This Monday was Sopa de Mariscos with shrimp, crab and fish. These are the days I really like Nica food.

Another reminder that I’m not in the U.S. was when my iPod quit on me and there is no real solution to that problem except to wait until I come home next. What? No Apple store with people waiting to serve you? Bummer huh?

On the other hand, and much more important than an iPod is my new host family. They are awesome and everything I ever wanted from a Nicaraguan family. I have a host mom Patricia and Host sister Sandra(26) and host brother Jose(24) who are a lot of fun and very sociable. Sandra introduced me to Mondongo soup on Sunday, which is cow stomach in a vegetable stew, god bless her. Last night Jose’s friends came over and I got a guitar lesson in Spanish! We shared our favorite artists and compared music industries in the U.S. and Nica. My host mom works in management for a large construction company and Jose is just starting up his own software engineering business. Sandra is just about to finish her degree in engineering as well. Sandra is also 3 months pregnant, with no father figure in sight, which is not uncommon here. So in 6 months there will be another girl in the house! It’s so great to be able to sit down and have an educated conversation about life here in Nicaragua with my family and share some of my traditions, like brownies!

As I mentioned, I have wi-fi and the other perks, like running water through out the house and having pet dogs makes life just that much better. My family was sweet enough to paint my room before I moved in and have made me feel right at home. I also have confidence that they don’t think I’m too crazy because apparently they had a gal from Holland live with them for a year way back when.

Sunscreen and bug spray, two things I can’t live with out and seem to go through at an increasing speed! The sun is strong and the mosquitoes are plenty during the more intense months of the rainy season(Sept and Oct). I have to say that I really don’t mind the torrential downpours that sweep in and cool everything off. Heaven forbid, but I’ve actually come close to feeling a chill in the air at night.

Work is going well as I plan for my student’s business competitions at the regional and local level. Tomorrow I will visit micro loan recipients from Fundacion Leon to see how their businesses are going. Each day I reflect on what my work means here in Nicaragua. I find myself contemplating about what type of impact I want to make here and exactly how I am going to make that happen. There is still so much to learn about my community’s needs and what my skill set can offer. I came across the following quote in some reading materials I had on community development and it made me realize how much I do enjoy this life I lead, right here, right now.

Socrates believed that it is through this kind of

thinking [critical thinking, reflective thinking] that

people shape their lives.

He felt people need to think

about what they do and why they do it,

about what they believe and why they believe it.

He said that a day should never pass without such

questions and that a life without such questions

is not worth living.


— Boostrom, Robert.