Site Report

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.