Hard to believe tomorrow makes three weeks here in Nica!! It honestly feels like it's been longer. I already feel so comfortable here, with my family, my job, the MCC team. I've already started thinking about the fact that I leave in a year and it already feels like too soon.
It's hard to believe my own thoughts really, because it's not like I love it here. I was robbed my very first week here and have heard many bad stories, leaving me with a bad impression of the country and the people. Quite honestly I walk around thinking that I can trust no one and that in order to maintain any healthy level of safety I need to be in a constant state of paranoia. Also, it's unjustly hot here. I sweat all the time. It amazes me that people here can sport jeans and polo shirts and you can never see sweat marks, whereas every day I feel like I look as if I just walked through a rain shower (not to mention the humidity that leaves my hair a mountainous mess). I keep comparing Managua to Quito, wishing that Nicaragua were more like Ecuador. I miss Quito's cool climate, I miss the safety I felt there, I miss street names... YES!!! STREET NAMES!! That's what I was forgetting.
Here in Managua (and mostly all of Nica), they do not use street names. To get to my house, I would tell you the name of my barrio, and that from Raspados Loly (a store) I'm five blocks south, three blocks east, and one block north. Except that here, they use the word 'up' for east and 'down' for west (due the sunrise and sunset), and north is 'al lago' ('towards the lake'- Managua sits right on the southern edge of this huge lake) So to get to my house, go to Raspados Loly and go 3 south, 3 up, and 1 towards the lake. This is fine, once I get oriented to where the lake is from my house. Unfortunately, once I leave and try to get to my friend's house, I know longer know where the lake is. This happens to Nicaraguans all the time; they leave their homes and no longer know where the lake is. I've asked several Nicas, 'Well, why doesn't anyone use street names then? Wouldn't that help?'
They kind of laugh, shrug, and change the subject.
Needless to say, it's been a cause of confusion and frustration for me (especially since getting lost in a place where I don't feel safe is not a comforting feeling). However, things are getting better as time goes on. I'm starting to feel more comfortable getting around the city by myself.
Well, I could go on forever, but it's getting late and I have to take the bus home, so my paranoia and I have to head out. Adios!
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I wonder how a phone with GPS would work there? If there is such a thing. HMMM
ReplyDeleteahh! i can resonate with the street names thing. it was hard for me in Bolivia because there were no street names and the city was set up in rings, and i lived outside of the last ring!
ReplyDeletei miss you girl! in case you didn't know i created a new email account because i couldn't access the old one... perez.arelis.j@gmail.com. Love you girl and cant wait to read more stories and adventures!
Hey Christa! I was reading your blog and it sounds like you've been off to a bit of a rough start in Nicaragua getting robbed! I'm so sorry to hear that. In all my 13 visits to Nicaragua, I have never been robbed and I spent two whole summers there...weird. Anyhow, I'm so excited you are in Nicaragua. Managua is kinda rough and ugly but the people will grow on you--they are so warm and loving. You gotta get up to Matagalpa where it's cooler and less urban feeling. You should totally visit the Young Life camp up in the mountains of Matagalpa--it's gorgeous there! Also my parents and youngest sister live in Managua and they are often looking for housesitters so if you wanted a break from where you are, I'm sure you could chill at their house. They are always having overnight guests. In fact, I'll suggest them as friends to you on facebook! Hang in there! Nicaragua will grow on you... I promise : )
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