The Ordinary

After a recent blog entry a good friend from college, Lisa, asked me something like, “What about the normal stuff?” Good question. I often write about the extraordinary goings on in my life, leaving out the smaller details or the day-to-day consolations and desolations. I appreciated Lisa’s comment, not only because she’s one of the best young writers I know, but also because it’s given me reason to reflect on the everyday things of life as a volunteer in Nicaragua.

Before I get into some of the heavy things I’d like to talk about some everyday consolations. Almost every morning I have an hour commute from Managua to Ciudad Sandino. The bus leaves Managua and heads out into the countryside. The air on leaving the city is cool and I always find the ride a peaceful and quiet time to wake up or even catch a few more seconds of sleep while bouncing down the road. I also have grown fond of my work, especially the small moments with my students outside of class. I love the times we have to sit and chat or play a game of basketball after class. In the afternoons I have been tutoring high school kids in English. I have small classes of about five to ten students. I keep the class well occupied and busy with fun games and activities. A favorite was last week when I brought in a bunch of old magazines and the students cut out pictures of clothes and then taped them on the board with their English names. They loved just looking at and reading American magazines. I also have to note the culinary joys of life in Nica. For example, helados, known to many as ice cream are much different here. They are small fruit juice ices, much like popsicles, that are frozen in little bags and sold for one Cordoba a piece, or five cents. Also, I have found a true appreciation for fritanga which is mostly fried food, enchiladas, tacos, cheese, gallo pinto, or any number of grilled meats. All this is sold from a house in our neighborhood and I can get more than enough to eat for less than two dollars. We eat there every Friday night as a community. I also really appreciate the beauty of Nicaragua that has bloomed with the coming of the rainy season. New flowers are blooming that I’ve seen and everything is green and bright.

On a heavier note things here can get sad, lonely, and depressing. Some days poverty here is overwhelming. When my kids come to school every morning they are well dressed in their pressed uniforms. They may look cute and happy but I know many of them come to school hungry or come from homes where parents are fighting, fathers are worthless drunks, parents are living in the US or Costa Rica, or any number of other things that keep my students from being as happy and fulfilled as they actually look. There are also any number of things that just wear me down day-to-day. Buses are fine, but not to be romanticized. They are hot, crowded, and prime spots for pickpockets. Gracias a Dios I haven't been pick pocketed (knock on wood). Another thing that gets me down is that we always have mice in our house.They get into everything. Also occassional rat shows it's dirty rotten face in my bedroom--nothing out of the ordinary. Life in community is great but it has been challenging getting out of the house, meeting other people, and doing stuff on my own. My lack of independence can take it's toll leaving me grumpy and forelorn.

I've had a few moments over the past few months, reality checks if you will, when I stop and think back at my pre-JVC self. I think about my thoughts and dreams about being a JV and what it might be like. Life as a foreign volunteer is often very romanticized. It's not all about saving the world and changing social inequalities. It's hot, tiring, fulfilling, exciting and boring...there are ups and downs, and ultimately it is just about living life. This is my life: the extraordinary and the very ordinary.

If you have questions or good blog topics I'd love to hear them. Sometimes I struggle with what to write and so would love some feedback!