Da na na na na na na na, Nicaraguan Night Bus! That ladies and gents needs to be the theme of ABC’s next big primetime dramedy. Starring that kooky former child-molester bus driver, the tell it like it is probably always drunk guy who seems to be a bus employee yet does nothing but lie down in different seats at random, and of course the sassy mom that thinks taking a 2ish year old on an overnight bus/breast-feeding on said bus is a quality idea. Guest starring the scared gringo who refuses to leave his seat at pit stops and strangely finds it hard to sleep while being tossed around like a rag doll and having rain constantly flying into his face. Ok, so it would probably be cancelled mid-season after failing to break out of its target audience of those 33-35 year- olds that prefer watching primetime TV under the influence of a bottle of pinot, but what a half season it would be!
No, but really, next time someone suggests that you take a night bus to Rio San Juan, don’t even answer, just walk away. Granted lugging like 3 big bags around half of Masaya than Managua beforehand didn’t exactly help matters. I made the cab driver in Managua give me his ID and then did this big show of making a fake phone call in Spanish and reading it to the fake person. Now it would have been safer to actually call someone, but who has the minutes these days! The bus from Managua to San Carlos left Managua at about 6:30PM and arrived around 3:30AM, and of course upon arrival I preceded to step in a bunch of mud, so my arrival at site wasn’t exactly glamorous. I was also too tired to really set up my mosquito net, basically I just threw it over myself and passed out. The next day though, was gorgeous, almost made taking the night bus worth it. I met my other site mate from health, Tucker, and another volunteer who lives pretty close, and we all went to this pretty lake/river lodge place to do a bit of swimming, sunning, and talking. The current was a bit strong and I got a bit paranoid of potential alligator attacks, but still a great time. Later that night we went to this “show”, but we had no idea what the “show” was. It was in their rec center thing and people were sitting there waiting so we just sat there, finally Poker Face came on and maybe 3 girls did this poor model strut (Tyra would not have been impressed) and then it was over. I’m guessing something came sometime after, but we weren’t holding our breath that it would get any better so we peaced. After that I got to know a touch of the real San Carlos night scene, the options are a touch limited by US standards, but the people love to dance!
The rest of the week was a big sloppy mess of scheduling. I tried to go to my classes Monday, and school was cancelled. Tuesday my class time had been changed and no one told me, so missed it. Wednesday, class at a different school was cancelled. Friday, my counterpart was sick. Thursday was really my only successful day. I actually attended a class and got some of my schedule worked out for this week, or so I hope. I also tried to make it really clear to all my counterparts that if there’s no school, please call me so I don’t have to take an hour bus ride for nothing. Not sure the message sunk in, but after a few more wasted bus trips and repetitions of this conversation, I’m confident progress will be made. There’s also 2 classes that are still currently scheduled for times I can’t attend, but again, progress!
The part of my week that wasn’t wasted going to classes that weren’t happening, was spent shopping in the market for essentials and just getting to know the city. Though, part of my shopping trip was for naught as the bread I bought and thought was bagged up well got attacked by swarms of ants in my prison cell that apparently also has a bug problem. Last Tuesday we had our regional meeting with all the volunteers from Rio San Juan to discuss important regional things. The meeting itself was pretty short and there aren’t actually that many volunteers in the Rio San Juan region (only the best), but it was a great chance to get to know who was in the area and to get PC to pay for part of our meal! There’s also an apparent bug swarm that comes randomly to San Carlos and other cities along the lake in the winter (this is their winter now). It’s like the plague coming in, one minute nothing, next minute thousands of these little gross flying bugs. They don’t bite or anything, but still, it’s gross. So leaving you on that pleasant note, I’m off to get ready for what I hope is class! Oh, here is my mailing address if anyone wants to send me something special (no pressure, I’m not living in poverty in a 3rd world country or anything), but just in case.
Apartado Postal #5
San Carlos, Rio San Juan
Nicaragua, Central America
You can send letters (love or other kinds), packages (kind of expensive, but…you know I´m worth it, I would suggest those big padded envelopes and make sure you value it low, like lower than 5 dollars, or I’ll have to pay for it anyways.) Things I wouldn’t mind if you feel an undeniable urge: books (used, I can even bring them back eventually), pirated tv shows or music, olive oil, skittles (ok, olive oil is ridiculous and I know nobody would it them, but I do miss it so). Seriously though, I don’t expect anyone to send anything (except you mom, your not getting off the hook), but if you did that’s how you send it. Until next time sweeties, think of me when you smell deet, it’s my constant odor these days.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Week 10/11
I’m a real volunteer! (To be said in your best Pinocchio voice) Yep, that’s right, they can’t take it back now, I’ve been sworn in as a volunteer. To get to fun times Managua week though, I had to make it through poopy hell week first. It basically went: take language test, give presentation, teach class, write paper, prepare your youth group for presentation, write another paper. Major flashback to college exam week, minus the coffee breaks, 10 packs of cigarettes, nightly waffle house trips, and dance party study breaks. Man, I miss college. Anyway, it was pretty awful, especially the class I had to give that Thursday. The location changed last minute and it went from supposedly teaching a class of 20 Nicaraguan senior year private school students, to wrangling over 50 Nicaraguan freshman year public school kids. Not only were these kids the completely wrong age for the material, but I had totally not prepared for a class that size. I ran out of materials and the class next door was so loud I had to scream like a crazy person just to be heard.
But if week 10 was like an exam week, week 11 would be the equivalent of beach week…without the actual beach…and with a whole day of AIDS lectures, who cares, it was magical. There were places in Managua with automatically flushing toilets, not many, but still, I felt like I was in a strange future world. We had our youth group competition Monday last week. Good times, I mean we lost and all, but the kids did a swell job and it was really fascinating seeing all of the finished products of each group. The competition was held at this odd mini-resort/restaurant/discoteca (I mean, why not?, right) so after the youth groups left we all got to have a few beers and go swimming. Tuesday we headed off for Managua and got to stay in a hotel for the whole week! With air conditioning! A pool! And hot showers! There was eating out! Italian! Sushi! McDonalds! God if there had only been a Bojangles. Get your asses out here, Bojangles! I basically had reverse culture shock, got a sunburn, and gained 10 pounds. It was fabulous. We visited the embassy again Thursday and actually got to meet the Ambassador this time. We had to address him as Mr. Ambassador, it gave me a weird thrill. Oh, and one of the embassy employees dropped this bit of information “Part of my job is to visit American citizens in Nicaraguan prisons, like the serial killers caught last week.” Just all casual like. None of us had heard of American serial killers loose in Nicaragua, and we were all like, say what! She went on “You would never know they were serial killers from looking at them.” Look at a picture of them right now online and tell me those people don’t look like serial killers. I mean I guess they could be covered in blood wearing a sign that says “I collect human hands” or something.
Friday was the actual swearing in ceremony at this really fancy hotel that we didn’t actually get to stay at, but trust me, it was fancy. There was this really awkward part though where they called all the families up with the trainees to give them diplomas in front of everyone. Well mine and a few other trainees families didn’t show and we had to walk up there alone while the lady in charge of training goes “Oh, I’ll be your mom.” And most of us sat at this orphan table. Just another day in the life of me. Everyone went out Friday night to do some serious dancing. Sunday was kind of a downer though, they kicked us out of the hotel and most people had to head to their sites in all different corners of Nicaragua. Me and 8 others in the lower language groups are staying behind this week for “special” attention.
Although awkward family moment #2 in one week is why I’m now actually living in Catarina. So I went back to my San Juan house Sunday and everything seemed normal, but then Monday morning I sat around 20 min waiting on my teacher to come. Finally, I called someone in the office and they basically said someone really should have told you that your not supposed to be staying there anymore, your now living and having class in Catarina. Pretty much my host mom declined to keep me an extra week and no one told me and I guess my family was too non-confrontational to kick me out Sunday. Then, I had to pack all my stuff up, which is a lot, and drag my ass to Catarina at 9 in the morning. There are more roaches in my new house, but it’s closer to ice cream and she serves me cake for dinner, so….even. Either way, it’s only for a week, cause I’m headed off to San Carlos on Saturday! I’ll probably be expressed kidnapped on my journey, but I’ll make it one way or another. At site I should theoretically have a more relaxed schedule, so posting should become regular, we shall see, since I’m also planning on re-starting my workout program, which will surely be very time consuming. What with all that sitting around thinking about working out and such. Till next time, go dance in the rain, I did it this week a bit, cures all troubles.
I’m a real volunteer! (To be said in your best Pinocchio voice) Yep, that’s right, they can’t take it back now, I’ve been sworn in as a volunteer. To get to fun times Managua week though, I had to make it through poopy hell week first. It basically went: take language test, give presentation, teach class, write paper, prepare your youth group for presentation, write another paper. Major flashback to college exam week, minus the coffee breaks, 10 packs of cigarettes, nightly waffle house trips, and dance party study breaks. Man, I miss college. Anyway, it was pretty awful, especially the class I had to give that Thursday. The location changed last minute and it went from supposedly teaching a class of 20 Nicaraguan senior year private school students, to wrangling over 50 Nicaraguan freshman year public school kids. Not only were these kids the completely wrong age for the material, but I had totally not prepared for a class that size. I ran out of materials and the class next door was so loud I had to scream like a crazy person just to be heard.
But if week 10 was like an exam week, week 11 would be the equivalent of beach week…without the actual beach…and with a whole day of AIDS lectures, who cares, it was magical. There were places in Managua with automatically flushing toilets, not many, but still, I felt like I was in a strange future world. We had our youth group competition Monday last week. Good times, I mean we lost and all, but the kids did a swell job and it was really fascinating seeing all of the finished products of each group. The competition was held at this odd mini-resort/restaurant/discoteca (I mean, why not?, right) so after the youth groups left we all got to have a few beers and go swimming. Tuesday we headed off for Managua and got to stay in a hotel for the whole week! With air conditioning! A pool! And hot showers! There was eating out! Italian! Sushi! McDonalds! God if there had only been a Bojangles. Get your asses out here, Bojangles! I basically had reverse culture shock, got a sunburn, and gained 10 pounds. It was fabulous. We visited the embassy again Thursday and actually got to meet the Ambassador this time. We had to address him as Mr. Ambassador, it gave me a weird thrill. Oh, and one of the embassy employees dropped this bit of information “Part of my job is to visit American citizens in Nicaraguan prisons, like the serial killers caught last week.” Just all casual like. None of us had heard of American serial killers loose in Nicaragua, and we were all like, say what! She went on “You would never know they were serial killers from looking at them.” Look at a picture of them right now online and tell me those people don’t look like serial killers. I mean I guess they could be covered in blood wearing a sign that says “I collect human hands” or something.
Friday was the actual swearing in ceremony at this really fancy hotel that we didn’t actually get to stay at, but trust me, it was fancy. There was this really awkward part though where they called all the families up with the trainees to give them diplomas in front of everyone. Well mine and a few other trainees families didn’t show and we had to walk up there alone while the lady in charge of training goes “Oh, I’ll be your mom.” And most of us sat at this orphan table. Just another day in the life of me. Everyone went out Friday night to do some serious dancing. Sunday was kind of a downer though, they kicked us out of the hotel and most people had to head to their sites in all different corners of Nicaragua. Me and 8 others in the lower language groups are staying behind this week for “special” attention.
Although awkward family moment #2 in one week is why I’m now actually living in Catarina. So I went back to my San Juan house Sunday and everything seemed normal, but then Monday morning I sat around 20 min waiting on my teacher to come. Finally, I called someone in the office and they basically said someone really should have told you that your not supposed to be staying there anymore, your now living and having class in Catarina. Pretty much my host mom declined to keep me an extra week and no one told me and I guess my family was too non-confrontational to kick me out Sunday. Then, I had to pack all my stuff up, which is a lot, and drag my ass to Catarina at 9 in the morning. There are more roaches in my new house, but it’s closer to ice cream and she serves me cake for dinner, so….even. Either way, it’s only for a week, cause I’m headed off to San Carlos on Saturday! I’ll probably be expressed kidnapped on my journey, but I’ll make it one way or another. At site I should theoretically have a more relaxed schedule, so posting should become regular, we shall see, since I’m also planning on re-starting my workout program, which will surely be very time consuming. What with all that sitting around thinking about working out and such. Till next time, go dance in the rain, I did it this week a bit, cures all troubles.
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