Working

So the new school year has kicked off and kicked me in the face.  I’m at 5 different highschools, working with 7 different professors teaching 12 different sections of the same course.  To boot, 3 of these teachers I didn’t work with last year so that has been a challenge.  So far we have covered the basic types of businesses, their functions, organizational charts and the importance of creativity.

I’m also continuing my small business advising.  I interviewed the owner of a cyber café, a seamstress and a baker about their management, production, administration and marketing.  Then I had them take a test about their business opinions.  For example “When I don’t know something, I don’t hesitate to admit it” and rank your agreement from 1-5.  This should shed light on the values that Nicaraguan business owners hold dear and how I can assist them

Random Photos 1

One of my most dedicated followers, Michelle, requested that since “I live in such a cool place, you should take more photos”.  Since she has sent me 40+ letters and multiple care packages (step up your game rest of you!), I’m obligated to abide.  So in the future, be ready for seemingly random photos to be attached to posts.  Examples!

Where the peace-spreading machine get's his peace

This is where I catch the bus.

How to buy meat in Nicaragua:
1.  Set out meat uncovered
2.  Pick your choice cut with YOUR HANDS
3.  Place in a plastic bag and enjoy!
4.  (Optional: take antibiotics as a precautionary measure)

Do you like it?

This is one of the questions I’m asked most often (and the most vague/hardest to answer).  My cookie cutter response is usually “Yes, but it’s what you make of it”.  Examples:

Instead of complaining about how boring and repetitive it is to every day eat red beans and white rice and practically zero fruits, meats and vegetables, I think to myself “Yay, I’m eating locally grown and organic!”

Instead of whining about being forbidden to drive vehicles and having to stand in the aisles on chicken buses and then walking to work, I tell myself “Good work Pete; you’re reducing your carbon footprint and getting exercise!”

In short, the bad days are awful.  I’ve had carefully planned projects fail and I’ve had sicknesses with parasites, amoebas and bacterial infections.  But when a student approaches me after graduating and tells me that she wants to be a teacher, I can honestly say I have the best job in the world.

Canyon de Somoto

Nearby Somoto (35 minutes by bus) happens to have a national landmark, the canyon.  It didn’t become a tourist destination until 2006 so it’s still very pristine and nature-y.  I went with my amigo, Jadder, and here are some photos!

Sh*t Nicas Say

In case you live in an even more remote third world country than me, the YouTube Nation has been uploading with titles “Sh*t ______ Say”.  Since I don’t have a decent video recorder/acting ability, you’ll just have to settle with reading my interpretations.

• Como amanecio? – “How did you rise?”  Customary way to start a conversation with someone new before 10am. 
• Que onda?  -- “What’s up?”  Slang greeting.  Can add “bull” or “horse” afterwards for extra street credentials. 
• Barbero!  Salvaje! – “Barbaric!  Savage!”  The most common responses to “Que onda?” 
• Que rico! – “How rich!”  Can be talking about food, the weather, anything but money really. 
• Con permiso? – “With permission?”  Used anytime you need to squeeze past someone.
• Pues…, haber…, entonces…  -- “Well…, There’s…, Then…”  Fillers what when you have no idea what to say. 
• Gracias a dios.  Si dios quiere…. – “Thanks be to God.  If God wills it.”  Used ALL the time. 
• Tranquilo – “Tranquil”  Also used ALL the time. 
• Fijese que… --  “Notice that…”  99% of time, followed by an excuse or bad news. 
• Va pues.  Que le vaya bien.  Dale pues. – “Go well.  May you go well.  Give it well.”  Common goodbyes.

Dia de San Valentin

Or the day more commonly known as Valentine’s Day does exist in Nicaragua and is quite popular.  It also goes by the Day of Love and Friendship.  How do they celebrate it?  Pretty much same as we do – cards and candies are the usual.  If the town is large enough and man has enough money, he’ll take the wife out so she doesn’t have to cook.  But infinitely more popular than any of these options is sending chain text messages.  Yes, Nicaragua apparently missed the late 90s and didn’t hear that chain mailing things is NOT cool.  I received 4 of them (all different) and 3 of those were from teachers I work with.  Professional?  You decide.

Productive Pedro

So I’ve been keeping busy.  Actually 2 great successes:

I did my first consultation with a business owner!  I’ve built trust with the owner of my favorite cyber café and got him to tell me about his business.  After interviewing him and gathering information last month, I went through a SWOT analysis with him.  It was cool to see him start thinking about the future and how he can grow his business.  I think he enjoyed it too and will hopefully be looking for advice soon.

I gave my first charla!  Not really sure what charla translates to, ‘presentation’ I guess?  Anyway, it was about the importance the teachers play in the lives of our students.  We talked about the rough situation that Nicaraguan teens face (no work opportunities, university is expensive etc.).  Long story short, I made them read a poem, list characteristics of good teachers and how I can help them.



Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

"I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it."


Then to show that we can change the youth for the better, I read the poem backwards one line at a time. Cool, huh?

One week till school!

Yes, I’m kinda excited for school to start.  Even though at least two of my teachers with experience got switched so I have to start ALL OVER in one of my schools.  But all of this didn’t stop me from having quite the weekend.

Friday I went to Esteli.  I chaperoned these two girls from my town to a leadership camp that the Peace Corps was putting on.  After I dropped them off, went to the grocery store (yogurt, M&Ms, raisins and a bottle of wine – the snacks of champions) and then went to a happy hour at a Chinese restaurant.  Then I had a lovely dinner at a Cuban eatery before going to CIGARS ZONE.  Perhaps my new favorite place on earth.  Now, I consider myself an aspiring expert of discotecas merely on the fact that I’ve visited dozens on multiple continents.  Here, in nowhereville northern Nicaragua is a warehouse sized disco which was like stepping into Miami.  The whole building was air-conditioned (there are no other buildings that size that are air-conditioned here…), multiple stages and VIP rooms.  Great night.

Sweet Home Esteli

Greg, Kelli and I ate the Cuban place

 Saturday morning we took a bus to go to the Somoto Canyon.  Only about 30 minutes from my site, I had not yet visited it.  And let me tell you, BEAUTIFUL.  We hiked down into the canyon and when we ran out of room to hike, we swam through the canyon for a couple hundred meters.

Sunday was, of course, the Superbowl!  A bar traditionally hosts a large party for PCVs in Ocotal (45 minutes north of where I live).  It was a great turnout – 50 volunteers coming from all 5 sectors.  We watched the game on a projection screen.  The only downside was that it was being broadcasted on ESPN Deportes which clearly lacks the fun American commercials.

Meeting with the superintendent and principal about school year planning, tomorrow!