Jesus Christo

    On one side of the San Juan Del Sur harbor there is a giant fiberglass Jesus statue which was donated by an American man who developed the first expensive gated community in the area. Yesterday we climbed up to see the view from Jesus´ perch.  In our guide book we were given two routes to make the trip, the most recommended being the road across from a suspension bridge a little while out of the center of town. We approached the bridge which slightly resembles a tiny version of the Golden Gate, and set across. About half way into our bridge crossing we realized that the entire bridge was slowly swaying over the river. Despite our dizzieness we continued to cross. The road we were supposed to take started to look shiftier and shiftier so we desided to attempt route number two. We crossed back over the suspension bridge and began our walk to the end of the harbor. The ground felt like it was moving after walking on the bridge.
    At the very end of the harbot we found some ancient, decaying cement steps (refered to in the book as a "ladder").  The steps were so narrow they could not hold an entire foot. Still we continued up. After the stairs we encountered a hilly road paved in typical Nica style, tiles of cement bricks. The road was overgrown and lined with abandoned vacation homes and empty lots left over from the real estate boom. I decided to carry a giant rock in secret fear that we would be robbed, luckily we didn´t encounter a single person let alone a thief.  Finally we reached the top and found a good look out. We caught our breaths and chugged some water and then got scared and decided to walk back down quickly. It was an amazing view though, and well worth the intimidating steps.

(s)ex-pats

Something about this town makes me nauseous and no, it is not the local water or the overabundance of cheap rum. There is an odd dynamic between the local Nicaraguans and the ever increasing ex-pat community. Other than the obvious land/market exploitation and the nonexistant desire of these wealthy americans to learn about the local culture, these American men take advantage of the local women (and girls).
A few days ago Justin told his spanish teacher about our encounter with the other hotel guest and his "lady friend". She told him that instances like that are normal occurances here. There are a few Brothels in town, often diguised as a hair salon or other sort of business. However some of these are quite obvious with girls, YOUNG girls loitering around the front steps. Other than flat out prostitution, many of the girls are driven into a less defined position (which actually is prostitution). They are forced by their families to cling onto and older, male ex-pat or tourist. The man will give her gifts, pay her bills-rent-meals in exchange for her company (not just sexual favors). He becomes her boyfriend, and eventually he may give her parents money in exchange for marriage. Its a survival mechanism for poor families that encourages the exploitation of local families. For example, There is an ex-pat man here who lives near us with his Nica girlfriend. She looks to be about 15 years old. He must be over 60. Completely normal here.
This dynamic is not out of the norm in Central America, and it is increasing in Nicaragua because of the influx in tourism and Americans moving here.  I was reading an article yesterday that mentioned a study in which 300 Nica street kids were interviewed, and 80 percent admitted to participating in prostitution. A woman who is staying at the same hotel as us, told us that there are a growing number of pedophiles moving to areas of Costa Rica and other large expat communities because their habits are seemingly welcomed by impoverished families.
I noticed today in the San Juan Del Sur paper, that the first womans shelter was opened this week in the town. There are only about three shelters in all of Nicaragua. Women dont have many rights in this country, but it seems like the issues are slowly becoming more aknowledged among communities.

OKAY, now for the more light hearted part about our trip!!

Yesteray was spent at the beach (AGAIN!) no complaints at all. The water is warm, swimming is good, sand is white. We have been eating so much good fun, with the occasional order of juice or weird french toast that tastes like Pepto Bismol. Today we may hike up to the giant fiber glass Jesus that overlooks the bay and tomorrow we are going to Hermosa Beach, where Survivor was filmed, to go surfing. Justin says he will teach me but I think I may be too scared. We are getting a bit restless in this town and cannot wait to go to Omotepe, swim with fresh water sharks, possibly go volcano boarding and sleep in a tree house.

Today I asked for a side of gallo pinto all in Spanish and felt stupidly smug afterwards. I figure as long as I can ask for food and ask where the bathroom is, I should be able to survive. Miss you all!

yo no se

The Miss Nicaragua competition was not quite as tacky as I had imagined/hoped. The best part was when a transformer exploded and sent a shower of sparks on to the thatch roofed restaurant in which the competition was held. It was interesting to see the reactions of the locals to these so called "queens of the sea".  During the swimsuit competition, all the men catcalled and shouted at the girls. We stayed until the power went out and then were much more enthralled by the fire spinning-fire breathing and coal walking that was going on down the beach.

The investigation is still underway about who took our money. No new news on that topic. Hopefully more news to come.

Today we had an interesting run in with a prostitute in our hotel. We were coming out of our room and caught one of the other guests sneaking her out. Shortly after we went to go get drinks on the beach and lo and behold the girl was at the table next to us buying drinks with money from her "boyfriend". It was delightfully awkward.

Hopefully one of these days I will have much better things to write about than robberies and prostitution.

Hasta Luego!

pig slaughtering, beauty pageants and catching a thief.

Yesterday while eating our two dollar lunch in the market, Justin and I witnessed a terrifying event. While we were eating our chicken and gallo pinto, we heard a horrifically loud squeal. Another american was eating in the same area and jumped up out of her seat exclaiming " I really hope that is the worlds loudest baby!"...unfortunately it wasn´t the worlds loudest baby, but the death shreik of a pig about three feet behind me. It sqealed again and we heard the pig blood draining into a bucket. Instantly I lost my appetite. Justin was unphased.

In other news, today while in our Spanish class, a parade came marching down the street. By parade I mean 14 Miss Nicaragua contestants, a band of 7 people playing random instruments and more police than I have seen in one place since being here. Tonight on the beach we are going to watch the competition. Today we watched as the Nicas set up the stage and speakers on the beach only inches above the increasing tide. 

Also today we realized that one of the workers at the hotel we are staying at has been stealing money from the safe in our room. We estimate that over the course of our ten days here, he or she has taken close to $400.  We told the couple who owns the hotel and they swiftly began brainstorming plans to catch the thief red handed. They confiscated our lock box and are taking it to the police to have it fingerprinted and to have all the employees interrogated. CSI NICARAGUA.  We are trying our best to count this experience as a life lesson, but it´s been hard to ignore since $400 dollars could easily have sustained our travels down here  for atleast a couple weeks. More news about this later.

no hablo español...

Today was our second day of spanish classes. Justin and I each get a private teacher for four hours a day. It´s overwhelming how much information we cover. All the teachers love Justin. Who knew that he could be so suave? I guess Spanish is his language.
It´s been nice to have him around though because there have been MANY situations where I am cowering in the corning trying to remember how important it is to remember the difference between saying "I am embarrassed" - estoy avergonzado and "I am pregnant"-  estoy embarazada, while Justin is swiftly bargaining to get our bananas at a lower price.
Yesterday I found that I am allergic to my Malaria medication. Thousands of tiny bumps all over my arms, hands, feet and chest. My spanish teacher noticed me scratching during the lesson and offered to help me find a remedy at the local farmacia. The entire way (half a block) she coached me on how to ask, "Necesito una  crema contra la picazón." When I walked up to the counter he had no idea what I was saying and my teacher had to say everything for me. Someday I will conquer this language, until then Justin will have to do all the talking...although today he accidentally ran into someone and said "Buenos Noches"  at 9 am.

Five Days In

It´s hard to complain about anything that has been happening lately. Our average day goes something like this:

8:00 wake up and drink complimentary Nicaraguan coffee while playing with a spoiled, white, poodle named Bear. We eat a breakfast of eggs, gallo pinto and fresh fruit while the breeze blows in through the open windows.
10:00 walk around town for a bit, purchase some tortillas and bananas from the market around the corner. Pack a bag and head to the beach.
5:30 watch the sunset and then get home from the beach. Eat a 2 dollar dinner of fish, more gallo pinto, fried plantains and vegetables.
8:00 shower in our funny looking shower and then relax until we fall asleep.

Beers are a dollar, bottles of aged rum cost 2 dollars and 50 cents and you can sit at a cabana on the beach and eat delicious food for the price of fast food in the states.

The ONLY things that are hard to get used to are the language barrier and the fact that you can´t flush toilet paper.

life is perfect.

San Juan Del Sur

After 15 hours of traveling we finally made it to San Juan Del Sur, Nicargua. Yesterday was mostly overwhelming, but we are getting used to things today. The place we are staying is so nice. It is owned by a couple from Redding, CA. We share a bathroom with a really nice family from Switzerland and there are baby chickens that live outside our window.
It´s pretty hard to be here and not speak Spanish, but we hope to sign up for classes soon.

Also, its hot. Like really hot. 

Dealing with: The Doubters

In planning this trip Justin and I have encountered three different reactions when expressing our plans to people we love.

1) The Enthusiastic: This person usually reacts with bulging eyes and a little jump and maybe a " HOW EXCITING!" They quickly tell you the tales of their voyages, tips, tricks, life lessons and then tell you to have fun and not limit experience because of fear.

2) The Indifferent: "Oh that's cool.....So let me tell you more about the woes of my miserable life".

3) The Doubters: I've been encountering more of these lately. These people react with bulging eyes, but with much less enthusiasm. They usually tell us we are crazy and would be much better off getting real jobs and staying in California. They mean well, but bombard us with safety lectures and horrible stories about their cousin's sister's friend who was robbed at gun point.

Don't get me wrong, The Doubters mean well. They are worried and genuinely want us to have the best experience ever, but the negativity is overwhelming. I am aware that it is ALWAYS better safe than sorry and it is no good to be naive...but we have to learn somehow!

I feel like This!! says it best.

Despite the reactions of other people, Justin and I are eagerly awaiting take off. We have one accidental, expensive, UNNECESSARY vaccination (We've already made our first mistake!), we have our bug spray, swimsuits  and passports and only three days to wait.

Operation Southern Migration.

T-minus 7 days until Nicaragua!