6/22/10

First off I had no idea it was the 22nd til right now and that’s pretty crazy. It seems like time has stopped since ive been down here. No one really has clocks and I use an alarm clock in the morning so I don’t have anything to carry around with me, I like it though. Im also not that sick anymore. People told me it sucks being sick down here but I never imagined it was that bad. Granted I was only sick for two days but its miserable you cant get comfortable, you don’t want to eat, its frustrating trying to explain whats wrong in Spanish and I cant just sit and do something like watch a movie because my dvd drive in my comp is not working (Ive had this computer for less than 2 months, im pissed, after this HP is getting a email.)
I haven’t posted in a while so ill explain as simply as a can what ive been doing so I don’t waste to much time blabbering. From Sunday to Wednesday I traveled to el Sauce (I find the name hilarious the sauce.) I visited Richard and Fran a wonderful couple who has a lot of years on me, they are around 60 I believe. It took me about 5 hours to get to El Sauce and it was a big adventure cause I did it alone and I think I described it before but buses and taxis here are scary, crowded, and you have no idea when its your stop. The trip was through a lot of beautiful scenery but I didn’t want to take out me camera because of fear of it being stolen. About el Sauce it has a population around 20,000 I think. It looks very similar to many of the other cities but its very hot. There house was basically everything I want in a home. It had a nice garden and plenty of space and most importantly it felt very safe. The first day we talked a bit and it was interested to hear that they are retiring and before they did they said they wanted to learn how to live simpler, that’s why they joined the Peace Corps. I thought it was so ironic because one reason im doing this is because before I enter my adult life I want to learn how to live simply, so we had some stories and ideas to share. The second day we went into the mountains ( hence the pics from last week) We were in the back of a truck literally driving into the mountains on a dirt road for 40 minutes. At some points I was terrified others in awe. Meanwhile I see people walking down and up the mountain jumping on the truck and just was amazed this was a part of some peoples lives. When we reached the top of the road we went to a little house (once again in the pics its a shot from the back and a chicken coop) They had a meeting with some coffee growers and since I knew I wasn’t going to understand I hiked the closest mountain, It was only a half hour climb. As you can see from the pics it was breathtaking and pretty inspiring to see where I was and know this is Nicaragua, my home for the next 2 years.
The next day we went to another camp out in the woods but not as mountainous. The drive was about an hour through fields and farms and it was pretty relaxing. The only problem is you cant sit down because the roads so bumpy it would hurt. They had planned a meeting with some people about solar ovens but not enough people showed so it was canceled. A regular problem here, Ive had to cancel about 3 so far. It was cool to see some Nica cowboys in the farms hats horses and all. They would be herding cows or other horses.

Relatively Interesting/funny things: I enjoy writing this section a lot I look for things I can put here so im going to rename it.

THE R.I.F.T.- I was in El Sauce walking down the street with Richard and Fran. We heard a lot noise and turned around. About 10 horses were sprinting down the road…..by themselves. I asked if that was common and they said it was the first for them. We then turned the corner and there they were in the church park eating grass.
I was on a bus to el Sauce and I didn’t have breakfast and I saw a guy get on selling chocolate donuts…………. bought 5……………………………….......they weren’t chocolate donuts……………they were hand made. ……………they had seeds.. Only god knows why.
On the bus I saw a truck driver on the side of the road taking a break by tying a hammock in between the wheels and sleeping. That man is a genius.
A lot of people buy rip off American Eagle, Abercrombie, Playboy, and Polo clothes. There not bad looking clothes but there just made in local stores with the logos replicated. Its interested because I guess people think it shows wealth, but then realistically it’s the same in the US, and probably some of those clothes are made here. it’s a strange world.
So this week is fiesta week in my pueblo (town) I am truly amazed at how much these people can find excuses for a fiesta. Half the time I ask what its for and they look at me as if it’s a weird question. This week they told me its for the saint of the town. But last time they told me it was the same thing. This also means there is not an inappropriate time for marching bands, fireworks, yelling, church singing, killing pigs, partying, and musical trucks in the streets all week. (Yes as I typed this I heard 3 of these things ill let you guess at which ones.)

May Peace Be Onto you
Peter




Pics in San Juan De Oriente. I dont know what that thing is for but there is a ceremony under it everyday. Its kinda just a place to gather and the festival is the bull penis whipping penis one I spoke about I dont know why they do it but ill post a video if I can.