Wide Eyed at the Airport

Day One: June 26th, 2007

I can honestly say that I did not know what to expect when I landed in Managua. Let's just say that 2 hours of sleep left me wide eyed (like an energizer bunny on drugs) and very very excited. According to Patty, a man by the name of Benito was supposed to get us. There was a Benito alright, just the wrong one! Apparently, there were two Benito's who worked for organization. I think this was when I felt my first moments of panic. Here I was in a foriegn country with a different taxi driver and I could not speak a word of Spanish. But fortunately, I understood 80% of it (yay for French!!!)


As we drove through the downtown areas of Managua and headed out on to the main highway, I was struck by how much Managua remided me of some of the rural parts of India. There were few (i.e. two) traffic lights, no route markers and I saw a lot of cattle and illegal urban settlements on the sides of the roads

All I knew, was that I was loving every moment of it. Patty (being Patty) was teaching me common phrases. "Pese me mucho"- this apparently meant - " Give me lots of Kisses!!!!

Our first stop was a very famous tourist attraction called Masayah. Masayah is also known as the "city of flowers" and is the heart of Nicaraguan Handicrafts. Yup, we were stopping for some shopping!!! Patty had mentioned that Masayah was renowned for it's pottery and the best area to find it was at "mercado viejo" or the old market place.

Outside the Market Place

So, like all tourists, we ended up shopping for pottery, a few knick knacks such as wall ornaments and traditional masks . I was just amazed to find interesting things like funny looking beer bottles!!!





Need i say more?





















Following our mini expedition, we were on our way to Chinandega. But not before trying some tasty Quesailles at the local roadside joints. I know y'all must be thinking- "why would Harini eat at a roadside place?" Trust me, I had my doubts, but I felt like living a little on the edge.(secretly praying not to get diarrhea) The best way to describe a Quessaillo is- dripping cheese tortillas covered in buttermilk and onions. To top it off, this local specaility comes with tobasco sauce (apparently the only spice they use locally). Mmmm good!

Chinandega at first sight:

It was love at first sight. Not a lot of people would enjoy the rustic beauty of coastal Nicaragua but everything about this place reminds me of spending my summers in India. I love the humidity and the banana plantations. But by far, my favourite sight are the amazing volcanoes- the highest point in Central America (St. Cristobal).

Casa Blanca, our residence is an amazing two story building. It reminded me so much of our house in India! Sorrounded by coconut trees, mango trees, avacadoes and best of all my favorite "custard apples!!!" I have lost track of time. I dont really know what time zone i am in. Did I mention, I am cut off from the world. That's right no cell phone or internet access. I am only allowed to email if it is an emergency. Neat!!!Thats the beauty of Chinandega. Time is based on sun rise and sunset and everything moves at a wonderfully slow pace. I love my bunk bed. I got the top and Patty has the bottom and we are sleeping on the verandah! How neat is that! Time to relax and enjoy my first night here. The house is filled with 40 high school kids and their leaders from Atlanta, all here on the same mission, to help the local afflicted by the Hurricane.

On a funny side note- i got into the shower tonight- first shock- Freezing cold Water! Second shock- power outage while i showered and my face was covered in soap!!! Thank god for generators!

Welcome to my comfy bed, with a view of the volcanoes!

Casa Blanca

At the end of my first day in nicaragua, I feel at peace. I am happy to be sorrounded by young adults who just want to spread the message of love and hope in spite of adversities that we humans face in life. I think that everyone should visit a developing country at least once and live there for a while. It is such an eye opening experience and this is only day one. We need to start thinking outside our own wants and needs.

Tomorrow, we will head out to the orphanage for handicapped children. I have been told that many of these kids are severly challenged and it is hard to take in everything we see. Even though i cannot speak to them, I hope that through my smile and touch i will be able to give them some peace. I know Patty is looking forward to heading to Via Catalina- the housing areas for the displaced locals. Patty has not met her friends in 2 years and I can see the passion in her eyes when she talks about them. We will then head to mass, in a field! I am excited. I have only been to one before and this will be a treat. It's a liberating feeling not to wear make up! (trust me, it drips right off) and i no longer feel the pressures of the material world. All i want to know is how i can make a difference. Let's see what Day two brings me.