Managua, Nicaragua

As I write this, our small, shoddy plane is preparing for take-off. I am now leaving Nicaragua; like a two-sided coin and like almost everything in life, it is both good and bad. I got my last taste of Nicaraguan beer this morning: one Tona and two Victoria. Farewell for now. One day I shall be back . . . Now, Let the journey begin!

Managua, Nicaragua

Sunday night in Managua. A cool, pleasant breeze calmly caressing the palm trees. Seated at an outdoor patio with a group of twelve, everyone merry as the trip is all but completed. Light-hearted and jovial conversation across the table, each and every one in high spirits. The flickering of the three candles subtly created intimate shadows. To top it all off, we ate to the neoimperialistic sounds of popular American music. I must admit, though, that I enjoyed it. I surmise that it was our tour guides' intention to cushion the retro-culture shock of returning to the United States. Whether or not that is true, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I began my meal with a Margarita, then a Papaya con leche; dinner was mignon de res con dos salsas along with an utterly delicious Daiquiri. I helped finish off someone's plate of Ravioli con berenjena and completed my meal with a Torta de frutas mixtas con helado de coco: absolutely amazing, everyone had a bite and raved, surely an award for my taste buds after the past two weeks.

On my way out, I purchased a Pucho cigar, which I will probably enjoy just before leaving tomorrow morning. An observation I made at dinner was the abundance of colorful, natural murals in Nicaragua. It serves to reflect the richness and vibrance of life here, even despite being the poorest (economically speaking) country in the Western Hemisphere, after Haiti.

Earlier this afternoon, after going to the crafts market at Masaya (bought t-shirts and postcards) and the Masaya Volcano National Park, we attended a people's mass at Batahola Norte, a barrio of Managua. The priests gave their sermons and preached in front of a giant, colorful, historical mural in an outdoor, open-air auditorium. Historical figures depicted in the mural were Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, Augusto Cesar Sandino, Carlos Fonseca Amador, and Oscar Romero. Also, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu was drawn on another wall.

Before the mass, I had to speak to the church audience in order to introduce the delegation from Gettysburg. Speaking Spanish in front of over 100 people was a bit imposing, but I did fine. I was able to say what I needed and wanted to say, just not with a flowing, fluent Nicaraguan (or any other country) accent. Nevertheless, I successfully represented the group.

The service itself was excellent. Instead of the pessimistic organs normal in most churches, a choir with a xylophone, guitars, and recorders played music. The hymns were songs with a touch of liberation theology, the religion of the poor. God was portrayed as a worker, an architect, an engineer, an artisan, a carpenter, a mason: a poor campesino. Then, at one point, audience members were encouraged to make a statement as a prayer for liberation, peace, love, equality, truth . . .

Finally, as mass was ending, the priests took off their religious garb to present themselves as average Nicaraguans, at an equal level with their fellow paisanos, and all others in the audience. The subject of one of the priest's sermon was globalization! Absolutely astounding.

Well, as it is getting somewhat late, I will wrap this up. Looking forward to tomorrow, I am both regretful and happy. I am sad and regretful for not having had a better time here in Nicaragua. No doubt I made friends and created many good memories, but due to various circumstances, I did not enjoy my visit to the fullest. Number one was the feeling of being tied down and held back. I am independent and I despise being told what to do. I am fully capable of leading my life, choosing my own trails (Talolinga), and creating my own adventures.

In looking forward to tomorrow, I am happy and excited to be returning to the education and work I am interested in. Besides this, I will admit that I am eager to have fun and return to my social life at Gettysburg. It is due time to depart Nicaragua; it surely made an impression on me. I can say with fair certainty that I will return one day, perhaps on motorcycle or perhaps on plane.

So, in closing, I say "Hasta La Proxima"!!!

Managua, Nicaragua

Took one last tour of Managua. I was able to get some good photos: the Sandino silhouette, the Palacio Nacional, the old Cathedral, and a monument to the Sandinista fighter. Later, we went to an excellent Italian dinner: lasagna with meat and cheese.

Then, we went to a club: Zima. My key observation was that salsa and meringue dancing is very beautiful. I had a few Victoria's (the national beer of Nicaragua). Unfortunately, we had to leave early, around 11 pm. It was good, though, because I had a nearly 3 hour long conversation with a girl on the trip. Good bonding. It made me realize that I wish the group could have gotten together more on an informal basis, and not under the supervision of our tour guides or faculty supervisors. I wish I had gotten closer to the group. Well, after last night, I'll have at least one more familiar (and hopefully friendly) face back at school.

So, today is the last full day in Nicaragua. Today's agenda: the craft market at Masaya and then the volcano. Alright, let's get started!

Managua, Nicaragua

At a base level, it is amusing, but at a deeper level, it is both disturbing and infuriating that many people cannot handle honesty. My natural character is to be honest, even if it is blunt and hurtful. In the end, honesty brings truth, which is how life should be lived: in an atmosphere of truth, not one of illusions, blasphemy, or imaginations.

This afternoon, I made a comment to one of our beloved tour guides that she broke a promise. She responded the only way she knew how: immaturely, by calling me a "smart-ass." I replied by saying I was only pointing out a truth. She had nothing to say of course.

Well, I am now back in Managua, having toured Leon one last time this morning. After our departure from Felipe Santana, we visited a children's school to look at and purchase artwork. The beauty of this country shines brightly through the art of its children. Later, I played the rold of tourist, as I took many photos in downtown Leon.

Now, I am happily here in Casa Fiedler in Managua. One step at a time.

Las Mesas, Nicaragua

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.

Managua, Nicaragua

It has been a long day: been awake since 4:50 am after having slept only one hour last night (I had a guest sleep over). I am definitely feeling the shock of being in a foreign country without any loved ones.

I am also shocked by the conditions of this developing nation; I can only imagine what the shock is for a poor, rural peasant to visit the glamour and glitz of a wealthy, suburban/urban region of a country like the United States.

On one hand, it is sickening that the group has been brought to an obviously wealthy sector of Managua. We are staying at La Casa Fiedler in el barrio El Carmen. However, on the other hand, I can understand that our hosts are trying to cushion the culture shock. The fact that I am grateful for that sickens me. At this point, I wish I was either on my own (apart from the gringos) or back in the States with my girlfriend.

A note on Nicaragua: it is very similar to its southern neighbor Costa Rica, but C.R. is slightly more modern, westernized, and developed. Here, as in C.R., there is a large informal sector of the economy. For example, today driving from the airport to La Casa Fiedler, two young boys jumped on our van to wash the front window. Afterwards, they asked: Un peso, por favor?