Class, Dogs, Hacienda: Welcome to my Nicaraguan Life

Sunset: Jinotega, Nicaragua

“I didn´t come here to just help the poor by just giving them money. I came here to learn about the culture and the history that is Nicaragua. I came to breath; to live what is this beautiful country. Although lacking financial stability, the overwhelming beauty of a country transformed by a Revolution is BREATH-TAKING.”

¿Qué onde mis amigos? That’s Spanish for what´s up friends. It´s DJM back for another blog detailing my life as a foreigner. This week has been a true Nicaraguan experience. I have just returned from Jinotega, Nicaragua as a worker on a hacienda, or a large estate (farm land) in a Latin American country. Professor Proctor would be proud to know that I am putting my classroom experiences to the test as I create living history. Before I embarked on this new experience, I attended class Monday-Wednesday. I still have NO IDEA what my history professor says in class, but I don´t feel bad because my classmates don’t either. On Wednesday, as I was walking home from class, I got chase by a DOG. Really life? Just bringing me dooooowwwwn. Anywho, as we boarded our private mini-bus for the 3 and a half hour trip to Jinotega, a million thoughts went through my head. What are we going to do? Where are we going to stay? How will the Nicaraguans feel about me? As I spent time reflecting on my time here in Nicaragua, I wrote a poem entitled,¨"A Poem from a Nicaraguan-lovin´ Gringa. I won´t publish it here right now, but keep an eye out for it in future postings. Finally, after 3 and a half hours, we arrived at La Bastilla, which is a hacienda. At first, I was rather shocked at the fact that I would spend my weekend with chickens, coffee, pigs, etc, but I was rather excited for the adventures that would await me at La Bastilla. The ride up to the mountains that we would stay was like a rollercoaster (as you can see in the photo to the upper right) but it was fun. After arriving, we had a tour of the fincas, or forms that La Bastilla has. It was beyond beautiful, and even though it was like an obstacle course designed for pro hikers, we all triumphed through the tour like champions. After a relaxing HOT (notice my excitement in saying this) shower, we gathered for dinner at the Ecolodge, where we would receive our assignments for the sectors in which we would work for the next two days. Of course, I was anxious to know where I would work and what I would do. As we finished our dinner, I learned that my first assignment would be working in the viviera, or with the coffee. I was intrigued by this selection because I didn´t know much about coffee, as a matter of a fact, I don´t even drink it. On Friday morning, I woke up at 5 AM and begin the long walk (30 minutes) to my work station. There, I was greeted by my guide, Yuvi. She is an intelligent young woman and moreso than the work, I enjoyed the conversation that we shared about her experiences and how her dream is to learn English. She told me that learning English was the only way that she could escape the harsh realities of poverty, as she could get a job if she knew English. And here I am, only wanting to learn Spanish so that I can communicate with others. After conversing and working with Yuvi, I returned to my room, exhausted from the day of work as well as the 6 hills (yes, I said six) that I had to climb to return to my room. After dinner, I went to sleep...as Saturday would provide more exhausting than Friday. On Saturday, I was assigned to work with the pigs. Little did I know what would await me as I made my way to the pig stables. After arriving, I had the pleasure of feeding 8 hungry and hostile pigs. As if I was not nervous enough, one of the pigs thought it to be funny to CHASE me around the stable.......NOT FUN. Know what else? The pig was PREGNANT. That was just GREAT. After running for my life, I returned tired to my room. We had dinner with the Nicaraguan students, which I really enjoyed. We got the opportunity to thank them for all of their hard work and help. I have a new-found respect for their dedication to the environment. As we left, I began to cry. I didn´t think that I would miss La Bastilla, but I had made new friendships, and I am forever indebted to the Nicaraguan students for their openness and willingness to share their life experiences with us. The next, and final stop of the weekend took us to San Rafael de Norte, where the Augusto C. Sandino Museum is. I had the pleasure of conversing with one of Sandino´s closest friends about his opionions about the current state of Nicaragua, as well as the past history that has shaped the Nicaragua that I have come to love. It was indeed an honor and a privilege to talk with individuals that know Nicaragua best. As we made our long journey back to Managua, I was reminded that no matter how hard or long a journey takes...it´s always worth it, and no matter how tired I am, I just keep going.

"Presumption should never make us neglect that which seems easy to us, nor despair make us lose courage at the sight of difficulties"-Benjamin Banneker

Bueno, es todo por ahora. Stay tuned for the poem....and until next time.....

Paz,

DJM