I know, I know, I'm a horrible blogger... As you can imagine a lot has happened since my last post, including two weeks in Nicaragua. One of those weeks being in the campo... meaning dirt floors and no indoor plumbing. I'm not sure where to begin my update... my mind is currently filled with so much it is difficult to take myself back to the campo.
I attempted to prepare myself mentally for my week in the campo, knowing I was going into a situation where I would be completely isolated from my comforts. No internet, no friends, and no plumbing. However, when I walked into the house I would call home for a week I knew right away my preparation had been inadequate. I stood face to face with a television and two stereos, as I stood on dirt floors. WHAT?! This isn't what I had prepared for. Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself, I need to share how I was placed with my new family.
Myself and five other students were brought to the local church by the pastor, slowly members of the congregation made their way to the church. Once a handful of women were present we were auctioned off, my friend Jenn was the first chosen, because she was short and her new mom really liked that... Yes, this is a factual story. I was the third chosen, the woman I assumed to be my mom was beautiful, seemed fairly young and also had a one-year-old. As we walked to the house we began chatting and I found out she was in fact only 22, just a year older than myself. We arrived at the house and then I met my "real" mom, I realized the girl that picked me up was only my sister and that she and her husband live in the same house.
Anyways, those details aren't specifically important. So my week was spent with this family, we did next to nothing, but it finished as a good week. I did not get sick, thankfully, I learned to only go to the bathroom when I had no other choice, and I learned to simply enjoy being--kinda. It was very interesting to spend what most would call quality time with strangers-- the language barrier more present than ever. Strangely, the language barrier seemed less of a problem in Nica than in Costa, I think the slow pace and having a one-year-old running around helped everything. I teased that the little girl, "come siempre," she eats ALWAYS; which was true. I was very taken aback when the child of 16 months that could walk and talk also choose which breast she would like to drink from, "una, otra" could be heard at all hours of the day.
Once I got over the hump of judging these people's lifestyle and simply tried to love them, things became a lot better and I genuinely enjoyed my time in Nica. Upon arrival I was counting down the days, but I found that as I made it to the last day there wasn't as much satisfaction crossing it off. I appreciated my Nica family and the love they shared with me.
Bendiciones para ti,
Hannah
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