Why I Like Nicaragua

Every once in a while I need to remind myself why I am here. Not in the sense of what is my mission, but why is it that I continue to want to live in this country and my community. I realize I can almost anywhere in the world, so why do I decide to call San Dionisio my home? It is a hard question, but at the same time fairly straight forward. I am still up in the air whether or not the Peace Corps is the best way to accomplish my goal of serving a community, but while I am here I am determined to make the best of it. I thought of this while I was talking to my parents and was getting homesick. My dad is traveling in Europe for work and I was envious that I couldn’t travel, it took me a minute; perhaps a minute too long, to realize that I am traveling. Also, I am bored at site at times, but it is really no different than the stories I hear from my sister or my friends in Brookfield.

So without further ado here is my list of why I like Nicaragua:

1. Sleeping in means 6am tops.

2. Don’t worry about setting an alarm, your neighbor will wake you up with Ranchero music or the community pigs and roosters will fill the void.

3. A machete can do anything… I cut my lawn with a machete.

4. If you ever have yard work to do, go outside and in ten minutes a horde of kids will come over to do the work for you.

5. Rain is not something that ruins your day, but is looked forward to.

6. Whenever you walk down the street everyone wants to say hi to you.

7. Groups of kids always want to walk with you.

8. You can visit any house and start a conversation.

9. Any house you visit will always offer you food or a drink.

10. People genuinely want to hear about your day.

11. I have 1hr walks to work everyday with the most beautiful views of the mountains.

12. Regardless of my experience or education I am considered an expert in everything.

13. I will make at least two embarrassing comments or actions a day.

14. I get to beat up on little kids in soccer on the basketball court.

15. I can travel to the beach any weekend.

16. I have made many great fiends.

17. Life is slower, there is always manana.

18. I am done with work at noon.

19. I have the best healthcare in the world.

20. Everything is so cheap… $1.75 liters of beer.

21. Girls call me “mi amor”.

22. Carrying a knife or machete anywhere is not only accepted, but expected.

23. There are always cows, pigs, chickens, or horses wandering the street.

24. Horses are more common than cars or motorcycles.

25. I will have my Peace Corps friends even after I get back to the States.

26. I’ve learned what is really necessary in life; I don’t need a tv or fancy toys to be happy.

28. Cold bucket showers at 6 in the morning.

29. My latrine.

30. The community cat that likes to call my house home.

31. Genuinely being appreciated by all my co-workers and friends.

32. My hammock.

33. It is socially acceptable to throw pebbles at animals.

34. Making pizza and bread with my family.

35. Having little kids come over my house to play Uno or checkers.

36. Being the most interesting person in town.

37. Rice and beans three times a day.

38. Believing that taking off your shoes or showering at night will make you sick.

39. Waiting for Claro to have promociones before I buy any more saldo for my phone.

40. Calling everybody “hombre” or using the word “tuani”.