Over the past two weeks, Colin and I have been getting into the rhythm of life in a Nicaraguan home. Our homestay family is incredibly sweet. From day one, they have made us feel incredibly welcome and patiently joked and talked with us in our rudimentary Spanish. They have had over 20 previous students stay with them and are real veterans of the process, quick to offer tips on a bucket shower or help us find the best local shop to buy a refresca.
We're staying with the family of Gonzalo, one of the drivers at our Spainish school. His wife, Miriam, is a tremendous cook and Colin and I have marveled at how perfectly she executes Nicaraguan staples like gallo pinto, fried eggs, sweet plantains, and chicken soup. Miriam and Gonzalo have two daughters in the house, Valesca who is 18 and in high school, and Yadalena, who is in her mid-twenties. Yadalena's husband, Chepe, and 3 year old son Eric complete the household.
Eric provides a constant supply of smiles and entertainment. He tip-toes around the house, finger over his mouth, motioning us to shush as he sneaks up quite obviously on his relatives. Upon discovery, he winds up his arms like a cartoon character and begins to run. Though we cannot understand most of his toddler Spanish, we all have plenty of fun playing together in the evenings.
It's humbling and amusing to learn even simple tasks from scratch here. For example, my first attempt to do laundry enlisted the entire family. After gathering around the cement washboard to observe me, they told the three year old to take me to a shop for laundry detergent. Our mission was successful - he knew the route and I carried him over the mud puddle. Miriam patiently showed me the washing technique, even Gonzolo stepped him to demonstrate, but alas after watching me everyone was so worried I was going to bloody my fingers that they asked me to watch Miriam more before trying again. I consented, but next time I'll have to get in some more practice!
My first instinct here is to accept everything the way it is, to keep the role of observer. I don't seek to judge what I have not experienced. However at times it can be difficult to decide whether to comment or intervene such as when the family starts the fire with plastic bottles and then stands around the fire cooking and inhaling the fumes. I checked that they understood it was harmful to their health and accepted that was the role I could responsibly and respectfully play at this moment in time.
We've really enjoying the refresca culture. We've been savoring the holiday staple of pinolio - a beverage made from toasted corn and cacao, sugar, and water. Last weekend, the family made delectable juice from fresh pineapple and star fruit. Peeling the skins seems to be essential to the flavor. Additionally, we've become frequent patrons of the ice cream shop where we can get ice cold cacao or ginger drinks in a to-go-bag for less than fifty cents. Today we were adventurous and managed to persuade the shop to mix a beverage of half ginger and half cacao. The perfect refreshment for a blazing hot day!
Thanks for sharing photos Colin!
Eric enjoying some hot wheels we brought. I guess little boys liking cars is a safe bet here too.
Gonzolo taking a break.
Gonzolo with one of the dogs that help him guard a school for disabled children.
For all saints week, many people shaped palm fronds into crosses and had them blessed to hang over their doorways.
Gonzolo modeling his hat and machete.
Gonzolo slices off the skins.
Blender time.
Cheers!
Eric posing with the Mariposa van.
Hanging out with the family.
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