Primeros Dias in Managua, Nicaragua

In Managua, we are living in one of the city’s larger barrios, Batahola Sur.  We have a small, inviting house two bedroom, one bath house.  The cement walls are a happy peach color with maroon trimming.  So far, we have the basics for the house, beds, kitchen appliances and a major necessity, fans.  We’ve encountered a few plumbing troubles, aka a kitchen sink that is prone to leaking frequently and leaving nice puddles for us to clean.  Also, water in our barrio is temperamental.  We typically have water until four in the afternoon and then we rely on our stored bucket supply to get us through the rest of the day.  By the time we are ready to return stateside, we will be expert locksmiths.  Our house has a series of three locks in order to enter the front door, two padlocks and then the lock on the door.  I think we usually give our neighbors a good laugh as they watch us struggle for a few minutes to find the right key and then to whisper sweet-nothings to the padlocks in hopes that they will open.  So far, we’ve not yet been locked out (crosses fingers). 

 To put it tamely, Managua is like an oven right now, and from what I am gathering it is pretty much hot here all the time… even sitting, you’re sweating.  We’ve spent the past few days getting settled and this past weekend celebrated independence days here, both the independence of Nicaragua and of Central America.  On Monday we went to the big parade in downtown Managua, which featured the drumlines and dance squads of the bigger schools in Managua.  We weaseled our way through the crowd just so to have a nice view of Mr. President himself, Daniel Ortega, as he watched the event from an elevated tent.  I only add this detail because it was and will likely be the closest I ever get to a head of state.  The Sandinista revolution is definitely living history in this country and something I hope to come to understand more during my time here.  Everywhere walls are graffitied, they say “Viva Daniel!” “Viva la revolucion!” or “Viva FSLN.”  From what I can gather, Ortega is an interesting character and you either love him or you hate him.        

In terms of getting to know the community, we have been spending time with the youth at the Catholic Church in the barrio.  This week is youth week throughout the archdiocese in Managua and there are activities at the church every night.  Surprisingly, in this archdiocese, you are considered a youth until age 27, so even though we are on the older end of things we can still participate.  I anticipate this church, Reina de la Paz, being an integral part of our time here.   

I hope that I will have the good fortune of being able to post again soon (with pictures!) and share more of my journey here.  Peace and all good.

Kate