The earlier post was really a recap of our travel day
yesterday (Friday). I have already
officially lost track of all time, as the people of Nicaragua live extremely
slow-paced lifestyles. As we were riding
this morning to Chinandega from Managua, I looked intensely out the bus
windows, taking in the different surroundings.
Mountainous terrain was in the background at every angle;
people were closing in on mopeds and inside of overcrowded buses. There are no driving rules here (which you
know, makes me want to take the wheel) and I couldn’t quite reconcile where
everyone was in a hurry to end up. I
think the locals have just gotten so used to driving like they’re starring in
Frogger that it’s more of a routine pastime than an effort to arrive anywhere
on time.
Families line the streets, sitting almost whimsically on
plastic chairs in front of their Good Humor ice cream carts. Some sell Coca-Cola, others sell hot
dogs. Well, presumably there are hot
dogs inside the carts. We didn’t stop.
The people just gather;
that is their entire day. There are no
sales goals, there are no “plans,” there are no agendas. It just is.
Often times in my life I have wondered if that’s a better
way to live. Realizing the definition of
“better” is always subjective and relative, I have stopped trying to come to
any conclusion. But without question,
different lifestyles are not only interesting, they are a necessity. We are all products (or, at times, victims)
of our environments and culture. We are
human. And we adapt.
In fact this group adapted so well today it made the leaders
proud. After an earthquake registering
6.5 prevented us from going to the ocean, we hunkered down at our hotel for the
afternoon. Our rooms are small, but
completely functional and cozy.
Once everyone unpacked, we hung out by the pool for the
afternoon. Friendly competition ensued
both in and out of the water. Mariam
made the mistake of sighing, “I would do anything
to work out right now,” so she and I did a speed pool-run ladder in the kiddie
pool. She enjoyed it so much that she
decided to let me know later via a thorough euchre butt-kicking.
I’m enjoying the process of getting to know these kids. Maddie is not only one of the smartest 15
year-olds I’ve ever met (quantum physics connoisseur AND a master hair-braider to boot), but she’s inquisitive and open to conversation. Yeah…unplugging and talking all day was worth the dry contacts and every uninvited bug
that nestled its way into my already affected heart.
The night ended with a group dinner and time of prayer. We were each asked 3 questions and asked to journal about the answers.
What did you guys notice about the culture of Nicaragua? What are the similarities and differences to the U.S.?
(As stated by Erik): "The people here have so little and treat it as so much; sometimes, we are the exact opposite back home."
Amen, kiddo. Amen.
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