Morning was spent touring Managua. I was impressed by the Palacio Nacional, which is being funded by the government of Taiwan. I was greatly inspired by two monuments: one was the grand silhouette of Augusto Sandino standing atop a mountain over the capital city; the other was a golden soldier holding a machine gun in the air and looking skyward towards Dios. It was inscribed: "Solo los obreros y los campesinos iran hasta el fin." The Bible even says that the meek shall inherit the earth.
A bumpy two- or three-hour journey to Matagalpa was spent sleeping. I was struck by the destruction of the land as a result of Hurricane Mitch. Also touched by the large numbers of people always standing by the road and seemingly lounging around.
Arrived at Las Mesas around 1 pm and was placed with a family. I felt reasonably at home. The weather was fresco and the surroundings are beautiful. There is a magnificent vista from the dirt road leading up the mountain, which is littered by coffee plantations.
Life is simple here: no electricity or bathrooms. But in many ways life seems better. No extra worries. I definitely feel more comfortable alone than with the group of gringos.
I write this now by the light of a pocket flashlight; I am about to hit the sack since despierta is at 4 am: much different than the college schedule. I'm looking forward to tomorrow; working with the land is good for the soul.
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