We made it to Nicaragua and have been in the city of Leon for about a week. Even though we’ve been in Nicaragua for just a short time, we’ve quickly noticed how different it is from Guatemala. First of all, it’s hot. Day and night. It is even 89 degrees at 9 PM. The people here are also very friendly, and busy. Whether selling plantain chips and Hollister shirts, biking their kids to school, or demonstrating for the re-election of Daniel Ortega, the city is filled with life.
All this movement must breed a necessity for equal rest. Peeking inside the houses, I’ve noticed that almost every house has an open courtyard with at least one tree and about eight to ten wooden rocking chairs (according to our Spanish teachers they are comfy). Almost every household has rocking chairs, often framing the equally ubiquitous open courtyard. Our Spanish school even had a small courtyard, where a mango tree would drop its mangos and provide us daily snack. At sunset many people bring their chairs out to the curb to chat with their neighbors.
Speaking of food, we have also noticed a change in the food. The traditional food of Nicaragua is Gallo Pinto–whole red beans mixed with rice. There is also an increase in fruits, fresh juices, and licuados (blended fruit shakes), perhaps to counteract the intense heat.
As for school, our Spanish teachers know so much besides Spanish. They have been willing and able to tell us details about Nicaragua’s Revolution. One of our field trips included a visit to a huge mural depicting all parts of the Nicaraguan uprising. Most of us are really enjoying Leon: for a change the city feels very safe (it nearly always felt okay to walk home after dark) and there is a huge feeling of personality and friendliness from practically everyone we encounter.
One of the best things we did in Leon was volcano boarding. We drove about an hour from the city to the youngest volcano in Nicaragua called Cerro Negro. Trampling over lava and cinder, we climbed to the top of the active volcano, looking down into the smoking crater. We changed into ridiculous neon green and yellow jumpsuits along with elbow and knee pads, gloves and goggles. We then grabbed our boards, either a wooden snowboard or a plank of wood and piece of rope made into a toboggan, and slid down a 50 degree angle hill. We each flew down the mountain, reaching crazy speeds, with gray pumice-like volcanic rocks flying at our face. By the time we hit the bottom, we had cinder and rocks glued to our bodies, in our noses, ears, teeth, eyes, toes, and bellybuttons. It was also caked into our hair, but we all thankfully walked away uninjured and with big smiles on our faces.
With love from Leon,
Kaile’a
