Becoming A Nicaragüense

So if I’m going to be honest, some days are a little more discouraging than others while trying to learn a new language. I know that my Spanish must be improving but it almost feels like I’m getting worse at speaking. From talking to other aspirantes (pre-volunteers/trainees) it seems pretty unanimous and we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s probably because we realize the level we want to be at but aren’t there yet. Its exciting to think of where we will be at the end of training but right now I’m inpatient and un poco frustrated! It’s hard to get your point across in conversations when you are trying to translate the verbs with the proper conjugation and tense all at the same time. It’ll get better (I hope).

Since my last post, there have been some pretty sweet events:

1. I bought a big bag of chia seeds for 36 córdobas (roughly $1.33). Chia is native to Nicaragua and you can find it for pretty cheap. When I told my family the price that chia goes for at home, they were shocked and laughed at me [something that happens more frequently than not]. It’s popular here to make chia with tamarind; it’s also ridiculously delicious.

1. Horchata and everyone should figure out how to get some. The major difference is that pinolillo is made with corn component where horchata is made with rice. Super super good.
2. I went to the “corre de torros” or better known as a make-shift rodeo/bull riding event. It was hilarious and I could not believe that it was a family event. Minutes after we walked in, a bull escaped from the ring and we most definitely would have been trampled if we had arrived any later. I left with layer of dirt on my skin (an a little on my teeth) from all the wind. We’ll just pretend the wind only carried clean dirt from the bull pen…
3. I attended a beautiful procession this week called “Via Crucis” ("Way of the Cross"). A beautiful sculpture of Jesus carrying the cross was paraded through the streets on a big wooden platform. The procession went on for about two hours the focus of humbling ourselves to pray and remember those who have passed away. It was really amazing to see the procession be like a snowball gathering all of the people in the community together. It started around 5:00pm while it was dusk and ended under a sky full of stars. All in all, such a beautiful and peaceful time. Below is a picture of the Catholic church in my pueblo that I attend with my Tía and my primo.

1. And lastly, people just hand me their babies. It’s excellent and something that I hope continues. Like this little one who was way more excited about my camera than hanging out with me.