To Rivas!

This past week has been a whirlwind.  On Wednesday night, I said goodbye to my host family and was off to the Embassy on Thursday.  Friday we swore in as volunteers and spent the weekend in style in Managua.  On Sunday, I headed to Rivas.  Here I am, in my new home, with my new favorite snack, peanuts with salt and lime. 

My host nephew helped me to pack on Wednesday night and as he had decided the suitcase was full enough, decided to fit himself into my luggage.  He too, was Rivas bound.  

When I showed my host dad this picture, he laughed for the first time with me.  People have laughs they use for different things.  You know for everyone you are close to that they have a genuine laugh that they only use when something is particularly hilarious to them.  For my friend Charlie, this was when I busted my ass running on a slippery floor on Saturday.  This is neither here nor there.  I'm fine.  It was a really great way to say see you later to share that with my host dad.  My host mom decided that she would get up with me the next morning to make me pancakes before I left at 6 a.m.  She is awesome. 

As you can imagine, leaving our new homes to once again embark upon the unknown and say goodbye to our Nica 61 family as we head to different parts of the country, is an experience chock full of emotions.  This experience now changes from one that is communally shared to one that is individual.  To mark this transition, Peace Corps holds an event called "swearing in" where we are no longer referred to as trainees but are now, officially, Peace Corps Volunteers.  This ceremony is two parts.  The first hour is dedicated to our truly phenomenal trainee host families.

Patricio and I's host families.  Diriamba Represent.

The second of which includes various speeches and formalities which bring us from trainees to volunteers.  We sing the Nicaraguan and United States National Anthems.  This is the very beginning.  Singing our national anthem with Americans so dedicated to what the ambassador referred to as "the best form of diplomacy we have" was truly pride inducing.  We then are lead by the ambassador to recite an oath of service.  After which time we shake the hands of our country director, assistant director, particular sector (health) staff and are adorned with a Peace Corps pin. I was then fortunate enough to give a speech thanking everyone who have become so instrumental in our experience here, from our host families to facilitators to our Nica 61 Family and laying out the expectations we have for our service.

Like a boss.

Speeches were given by both business and health sectors for both this section as well as to thank our host families.  As with any rite of passage ceremony, the close was followed immidiately by CAKE!  Delicious Dulce de Leche cake.  We then said goodbye to Peace Corps Staff and our host families. 

Diriamba with our favorite Spanish Facilitator.

Nica 61 Volunteers with our Country Director (left) and Assistant CD (right).

After this time we spent a fantastic weekend in Managua.  Very fachenta indeed.  Fachenta is one of my favorite new words.  It is used when speaking about things that are really fancy or that not everyone has access to.  We spent the night both Friday and Saturday with each other, treated ourselves to sushi Saturday afternoon, copious naps throughout the weekend, and a generally blasty blast.  Let's just say, don't tempt me with a good time.  On Saturday night, I bet my friend Pat that Don't Stop Believing was entitled as such.  From this and a previous bet that Coolio is the artist responsible for Gangsta's Paradise, he payed out in 100 Cords or about 4 dollars.  I must have dropped it because towards the end of Saturday evening, my friend Charlie asked whose 100 he had found.  Feeling as though I had received another hundred cords, I began to run towards him, the floor slippery from pool water tracked throughout the night, which caused me to immidiately eat it.  Charlie and another friend of mine literally went to sleep laughing.  Laughing so hard that they were asked to leave the room because other people were trying to sleep.

http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com/post/51429578880/when-my-friends-are-laughing-at-my-expense

The next morning, we were off to our respective sites.  Saying goodbye to the people that have become my closest friends was difficult, to say the least.  I am located in the South of Nicaragua, at least 4 hours from other volunteers in my Nica 61 family.  There are several volunteers located on the North in Chinandega and Leon as there are a wealth of NGOs and Government projects to work with in that region.  The concentration of volunteers is much heavier on the Pacific side of the country.  Though we do have volunteers in the Autonomous Region of the Atlantic Coast, they are far less than those on the Pacific side.  This difference holds true for international development organizations as well. 

As the taxi pulled away, the taxista blasted epic American ballads so that Celine Dion marked our departure.  When we got to the bus station, we (myself and another volunteer who is close to me) were weary of the mistakes we had made during our site visit.  For starters, we refused any offers to assist us in carrying our bags to our bus.  Last time, as soon as we were dropped off at the bus terminal, we were swarmed by people asking us if we were headed to San Juan del Sur, to call it a popular tourist destination would be an understatement.  When we informed these gentlemen we were headed to Rivas, they grabbed our bags to load them onto the appropriate bus.  They seemed to leave soon after.  When I asked my companero if he had paid, he told me he had.  Thinking it was odd that I didn't have to pay, we waited for the bus to fill up.  Once we had reached capacity, the cobrador came around to collect the 48 cord fee.  When he informed the cobrador he had already payed, he responded that he had not paid anyone who worked for the bus.  He was then made to pay twice, once to swindlers.  Secondly, we took the express, which heads down the panamerican Highway like a bat outta hell, which though it costs an additional 15 cords, shaves off about an hour from your journey.

Sitting in the very back of the bus, I was able to see the cobrador open the back door while the bus was still going full speed.  He held on with one hand to the ladder on the back of the bus while his other hand held fast to the luggage of a passenger about to depart.  When we had dropped the passenger off, he seemed to get a running start as the bus took off.  I asked him if he was scared once he had closed the door and I had inched away from the window, clinging onto my backpack, projecting my fears onto this man who seemed to have none.  He told me of the numerous injuries he had sustained, including two in which he fell from the top of the bus while fastening the luggage of passengers.  Despite these incidents and chronic problems with his shoulder and ankles, he continues with more tenacity than I can conceive.

When we got to Rivas, we headed through town in style, our bags loaded down in pedicabs.  As soon as I walked through the door of my new home, my service host mother greeted me with a hug, some water, and a glass of wine.  That night, I was introduced to more members of the family and the cool winter weather.  When I say winter weather, think of a Spring breeze, not an East Coast Winter.  A former volunteer who has been responsible for us as trainees, once tried explaining snow to a Host Country National and used the metaphor of a freezer.  To which the man responded, "I don't believe you.  If what you're saying is true, people are living in freezers, and nobody lives in a freezer." 

This morning I headed off to my first day of work, beginning my day with a bucket shower.  When I got to work, I met with the director of the health center, as well as both of my counterparts.  Being that I am exhausted from the weight of this transition and my feelings that despite the fact that I am completely unpacked, I still need to purchase several amenities with my settling in allowance, I was delighted to find that government employees have the day off this coming Wednesday and Thursday, the 29th and 30th.  The 29th of May marks the anniversary of the founding of Rivas while the 30th is a national holiday as it marks Mother's Day in Nicaragua.  The Centro de Salud is decked out in decorations for Mother's Day.  Though the gender roles are extremely rigid and confining here, it is heartwarming to see how much women, as mothers are respected.  Amas de Casa command a great deal of respect and are treated with the utmost respect by their children.  The way in which Mother's Day is celebrated is a great indication of that.  Having two full days out of the week off for two seperate holidays also seems to indicate a proper reverence for holidays.

With love, from Rivas, Rivas, Nicaragua.

Mead

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

Things I´m proud of:
1. My relationship with my host nephew.  Yesterday, as I was bagging my groceries, with my back facing the entrance, I noticed a small child out of the corner of my eye fast approaching.  Boop.  I felt a light tap on my butt.  As I turned around, prepared to deflect a potential pervert, there he was, about a third my size, looking up at me with a smile, as his mom walked away laughing.  A reminder to take things less seriously.

My host dad and host nephew.

2.  The relationships that I have formed in the community of Diriamba.  It is remarkable to me to think that when we left Hotel Ticomo, I was so terrified, I was nearly ready to board a plane back to the States.  Now, I have an entire network of support, a mere two hour school bus ride from my site.  A home away from home. A host family who, after preparing them a nice Texas meal, missing only a cold Shiner, has reiterated that if I ever need anything, they are here to welcome me with open arms.  My 1st Spanish facilitator, who has been there for me in every time of need, from when I got a parasite during practicum week to the panic attack that washed over me when we received our sites.  My neighbor, whose personality´s volume matches my own.  My Nica 61 Family.  Where we go one, we go all.

TX Represent.  Burgers and mashed taters.  My cooking, my host mom informed me, will undoubtedly help me find a husband.

3.  The amount that my Spanish has progressed since my study abroad in Ecuador.  I can still remember our program director getting on our case because we were literally, the worst group she had ever had in terms of the amount of English that we spoke in front of each other.  Como was every other word in the interactions with my host family.  Now, I am living, dreaming, and working in Spanish.

4.  The transformation that I have made in terms of food preferences.  I can say, without a shadow of a doubt that before coming here, rice and beans would not have entered my mouth if I was asked for foods that I generally enjoyed.  Now, eating gallo pinto, or rice and beans, for both breakfast and dinner, with a tortilla, is something that I find myself comforted by.  Drinking out of a bag has become the norm.  Further, the adjustment that my body has made to the changes in my diet is remarkable.  It just does it all on it´s own.  Bosshawg.

Gallo Pinto and Avocado.  I die.

Raspados.  Shaved Ice drizzled with syrup.  Like snow cones but more syrupy.

5.  As we all know, I am a loud individual.  Around people that I first meet, however, it´s slow and steady.  At past jobs I´ve had, it´s taken me several months to be comfortable with myself in front of people I´ve only just met.  As soon as I stepped off the plane, you couldn´t get me to shut up even if you tried.  Being able to be this comfortable right off the bat has made this adjustment so much easier in that it has enabled me to be open and honest with everyone.  Not only that, but I´ve been able to find some pretty hilarious folks down here.  Which, let me just say, thank you sweet baby jesus for that!  I might have turned to dust by now had I been surrounded by squares.

This is our last week in Diriamba.  Thursday morning we leave for Managua for a full day at the embassy.  Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed.  If they find you with one, they force you to delete all of your photos.  Fortunately, we are going to the frickin embassy!  In the morning we´ll be getting a tour.  Then in the afternoon, we´ll be spending our time in the house at the top of the hill the embassy is located on swimming, grillin, and chillin out relaxin maxin all cool.  We stay the evening in Managua and then Friday we swear in as volunteers.  Though it´s almost too much to process, I am reminding myself that this is what I came here for, to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  On top of that, the friends that I´ve made, though they won´t be a stone´s throw away, will be my adventure companions and confidantes for the next two years.  Two members of our family are coming to watch the swearing in festivity so look forward to many fancy pictures of me and my family and new friends!  We´ll stay in Managua that evening, as well as an extra free day on Saturday to enjoy with friends before leaving to Rivas on Sunday.

Diriamba.

For my Birthday, my friend Isabel, true to form, asked me what my goals are for the coming year.  Here they are folks.
1. Prioritize my health and self care.
2. Welcome the positive.  Reject the negative.  I did a meditation class with my mom a year or so ago.  During this class, we were instructed to close our eyes and as we breathe out, envision negativity as a black cloud of smoke leaving your body, as you breathe in, envision positivity as a white cloud of smoke entering your body.  Even in my running, I´m starting to visualize positive outcomes.  Completing a mile, completing service, etc. as a medium to welcome the positive.
3.  Integrate into my community.  Though it may be more comfortable to rely upon my site mates, I will make a concerted effort to creat a Nicaraguan web of support.

A literal Carrot Cake, a Nicaraguan take on an American postre.  Courtesy of my fantastic friends, topped with the words Happy Birthday, Little Rabbit.  Featuring Monica as a ghost.

The carrots here are ginormous.  My cake was topped with this bad boy.  Cake and veggies.

I´ll be working on ways to make those goals more measurable so that they are quantifiably changeable.  Will keep you posted.  Thank you for all of the support back home.  I am so blessed to have such a phenomenal support system.

Oh yeah, Come VISIT!!!

Until next time, va pues...

Let me, let me downgrade ya...

So, as we had been amply warned, Carazo, the department where currently reside within the confines of training, is the creme de la creme of Nicaragua.  Most families here are what we could consider to be middle class and have much nicer accomodations than those living in departments outside Carazo.  Flash forward to my site visit this week. 

I was placed in Rivas, the department capitol of Rivas.  Rivas, Rivas - as my sister pointed out, much like NY, NY.  The city itself has a population of nearly 50,000 and is comfortably situated a mere 15 minutes from Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest lakes in the world and home of the island Ometepe, 45 minutes from the Costa Rican border, 30 minutes from San Juan Del Sur, a popular tourist destination where I was told I will once again feel like I am in the united states as it is consistently populated with cheles or white people, making the locals stand out, and about an hour and a half from Managua, the capital city.  Over the course of this week, it began to sink in that this will be my site for 2 years.  As I texted my PCVL that I was missing my friends and family from training, he comforted me saying "you are in one of the best, if not the best site, people will flock to visit you."  I am excited to get to know more of the city and the surrounding area.  Rivas itself has a great deal of traffic in terms of tourism as a hub to access the aforementioned sites and as such, contrasts greatly with the sleepy town of Diriamba where I have spent my first few months in site.  Having said that, it is still very relaxed or tranquilo as many people do not stay overnight in the city itself.  Furthermore, it is hotter than hell. Even sitting directly in front of the fan my landlord provided me, I was continued to sweat, sweat, sweat. 

We arrived to our respective sites this past Monday, we had 3 fulls days to get to know our respective counterparts, our new homes, and the area we will be living in.  In that time, I attended a variety of meetings where I was introduced to different NGOs and staff members of the health center in Rivas.  For the week, PC provided us with a small cuaderno or notebook to take notes.  Cuadernos save lives.  I met so many people over the course of this week, who had I not written their name down, I would have had to be reintroduced numerous times when I arrive as an official volunteer.  Never fear, there were still people whose names I did not catch, especially when I was being introduced to a wide variety of people at one time.  Even at night, as I got to know the two volunteers who live in my site a bit better and was introduced to their friends, I found myself frantically padding my pockets for my cuaderno.  I am the official nerd of Rivas.

My counterparts consist of an HIV/AIDS specialist, a social worker, and a specialist nurse.  Of the three, I was able to meet 2.  My main counterpart seems to be the HIV/AIDS specialist as she was the one I was with for the majority of the week.  I will be working with her and another representative from and NGO on a support group for people in the disctrict living with HIV/AIDS.  This was one of the largest projects the former health volunteer was active in.  In this same vein, I will also be working with the program coordinators of all 8 sectors of Rivas to create a sustainable youth group which is awesome.  This seems to be a very important component as it has been brought up numerous times at several different meetings.  I will also be working in the schools themselves to give health charlas as well as working with group of retirees on different health topics.  I attended one of these meetings to introduce myself and after a class of folklorico, a group member accompanied me to pick out a skirt for work.  Afterwards, she introduced me to some different members of the community as well.  Everyone seems very open, welcoming, and hospitable, which I could not be more thankful for. 

One of those individuals is a woman who runs a local comedor or diner where you can dine in style for about $1/meal.  Each meal was well balanced and was much different from the gallo pinto I was used to eating.  On my last night, as I was feeling homesick for Diriamba, she brought me a plate of gallo pinto, avocado, and maduro.  I have never been so excited to see rice and beans or so embarassed to ask for ketchup to adorn them.  This woman spoke with me in the mornings about herself, Rivas, and the other health volunteer that COSed or finished her service in April.  It was nice that even though I was there for three days, I feel that I have already established connections. 

My soon to be host mother, showed me this place.  I will be working with her as well as she is the responsable for the group of retirees.  In my house, I finally have my own bathroom.  The last time that happened was about a year and a half ago.  Despite the heat, the accomodations themselves are very nice.  Though in my house in Diriamba, not only do I shower with a shower head, but I also am one of the only volunteers with hot water.  Now, in my house in Rivas, I have been brought back to reality with daily bucket showers.  Allow me to explain.  Running water is not always accessible so when it is, we fill large plastic trashcans of water, which we are able to use for the toilet tank, toothbrushing, and showering.  When I shower, the water is cold, which is a more than welcome, after a full day in the inferno.

Now, I´m sure you´re all wondering whether or not my biggest fear has been realized.  One of my fellow aspirantes informed me that today, her last day in site, a mouse crawled out of her purse, I have been fortunate enough to have had only one, if it could even be called that, encounter with a mouse.  As I was relaxing, watching TV with my new site mate and some of her friends, she exclaimed that there was a mouse in the kitchen to which I responded by jumping from my seat and running to the doorway.  As her friends laughed at me and encouraged me to relocate myself in the seat furthest from the kitchen, I remained terrified.  Though mice, undoubtedly, are scared of people, just as we are of them, it seems to be an instinct I can´t shake, no matter what train of logic is presented to me.  The only piece of information I have been able to find solace in is that mice eat roaches.  Thank God!

 

Feels Like Home

Right after practicum week, we went to Managua so as to process our different experiences.  Small business volunteers had been spread out while the 15 health volunteers were split into two groups: one in Nueva Guinea and the other in San Ramone.  During one of our charlas in Managua we had to go around and share what was the biggest thing that was bothering us.  Many people mentioned dietary changes and different cultural adjustments.  I shared, that one of the hardest things for me was my host sister's family.  Her little one, Luis, was not a fan of me.  Since getting back, things have improved drastically.

Many families, as the sun begins to set and the world we live in, without airconditioning, is cooled by a gentle breeze that takes us into the night, will sit outside of their houses in rocking chairs as they watch nearly everyone in the city pass by.  It seems as though they know everyone as they greet everyone with "adios" which is a kinder way of saying hello without stopping to chat.  As I turn the corner from my day of Spanish class, I find my mom and dad and Luis.  He now runs to me as soon as he spots me and jumps into my arms.  Needless to say, our relationship has changed greatly.  The change in this relationship is one of the things I am most proud of to date during my service.  I made a decision to stop being terrorized by him and befriend him. 

As the rest of my family and my neighbor post up on the sidewalk, I talk with my mom about everything.  She has become my confidante.  About a week ago I had a really rough day where, after speaking with family back home, I was left feeling very homesick.  Though my sister back home was able to calm me down, I still felt as though I was about to burst.  When I told my host dad that I was going to work on a project, he held my hand very tightly to give me his love as I'm sure he could tell I was struggling.  When I got back home, my host mom was watching my favorite novela, Fina Estampa.  As I laid down with her to share what I had been struggling, she shifted instantly from a position of relaxation to one of consternation.  I told her everything and she couldn't have been more supportive.  She told me that even if it is hard for me to speak with family back home, it's nice for them to hear my voice, to know that I'm okay.  She told me how important the work I am doing here is, and how proud my family is.  We then talked about her kids and her experience as a 20something.  She is, truly, an amazing woman.  The next morning, she made me pancakes.  There seems to be a pancake trend, which I love!  Sometimes when I have a big day ahead, or she knows that I am really busy, or stressed out, she will make me pancakes for breakfast. 

My host dad, who is definitely a sports fan, is also salt of the earth.  The first time I saw him watching a baseball game, it was a Sox game.  He immidiately proclaimed his disdain for the Yankees and love for the Rangers.  It was then that I knew that we would get along perfectly.  On Jackie Robinson, we watched an ESPN special on his life, which for some reason was broadcast in English without being dubbed.  So, while the Jackie Robinson's wife recounted the first time she saw him play, I translated her words for my host dad.  Both of my host parents are now retired.

When I got back from praciticum week, if you'll remember, my neighbor invited me to a dance class that was to begin that following Monday.  This dance class is Bachata and Cumbia with a group of about 6 women, most of whom are in their 50s - 60s and one of their daughters who is about 15.  As I leave the house, around 7 for Yanina's, Luis will ask me where I'm going.  One evening, as I was running a bit late, he accompanied me.  At first he was just sitting in the corner, watching, as everyone implored him to dance.  After about 10 minutes, he began to follow along.  Had he been any bigger, he would have undoubtedly run into several people.  My neighbor remarked "mira al abuelo!" or "look at the granpa!"

In the past couple of weeks, we've had two birthday's in our training town.  This has been an excellent opportunity to catalyze the love of birthdays I have, in other people. Though not everyone is on my level, we did get a chance to celebrate both!  We went to Jinotepe last week and were able to go to a scenic overlook today for another friend's 24th. 

As my birthday looms upon us in the upcoming month, I know that she will be asking me this question of me.  So, it’s gotten me thinking about just that.  Last year, 2012, I set several goals for myself rather than creating new years resolutions.  Among them: running a marathon and visiting Buenos Aires (check, check).  This year, however, I have yet to do so.   Perhaps because I wasn’t sure what my goals could be because of the uncertainty of the territory I was going to.  For this reason, my birthday will be an excellent time to create a list of goals for myself to be completed in my first year of service.    Next week, the week of Luce’s birthday, we will be receiving notice of our to be sites.  The following week, also known internationally as the week before my birthday, we will be visiting our sites to get a taste of what our lives will be like as volunteers.  Therefore, the week of my birthday will be our last full week of training before swearing in and going off to our respective sites.  At this time, I intend to have a complete list of goals for the following year.  This, of course, can be compounded upon throughout the year.

In Nicaragua, there is a race that consists of different lengths, much like a half/full marathon but is instead calibrated in Kilometers, which I, as an North American, am still struggling to understand.  This race takes place every year and is set around a volcano and consists of 25/50/100 km.  My 1^st goal that I have is to participate in this race during my first year here.

 

Secondly, I will go volcano sledding.  The reason so many recreational activities are set around volcanoes is because Nicaragua (which literally translates to surrounded by water) is considered  la tierra de volcanes y lagos (land of volcanoes and lakes).  I am very excited to explore this country and to find out where my site will be.

What is taken into consideration, for the most part, is the work that you are interested in.  I am interested mainly in empowerment, for young girls specifically, working in the realm of domestic violence, and working with prevention and youth in general.  We will see where this takes me, whether that be to a very small pueblo of less than 1,000 people or a much larger site like Leon, only time will tell.  Though there is a great deal of anticipation around receiving this information, I am excited to know where I will be and what my specific assignment.  And of course to transition from aspirante or trainee to volunteer, which happens tomorrow.  AHHHHHH!!!!  Will keep you posted! 

Hoping all is well stateside.  Va pues.