Spenglish is Diacachimba

Mañana is the 14th day in a row of work in Nicaragua. I can't believe I'll have been here for two full weeks...the time has flown by. My body, voice, and exhaustion level definitely feels otherwise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've experienced so many new situations and encountered so many interesting perspectives. I've seen numerous rivers, lakes, volcanoes, farms animals, peoples and towns. Yesterday I got to experience my first "quesillo" and it was amazing. Honesty, what's not to love about a corn tortilla, massive slice of cheese, pickled onions, salt, and creamy goodness?! Google that, it was too obvious and awkward to snap a picture of me devouring it at the small stand. I already drawl enough attention to myself.

I also adventured around Leon and went to the market...which leads to an interesting perspective. I find most people here have a significant other and are married with children at a "young" age. It always takes an explanation to locals as to why I'm not married and don't have children. I have to explain that I still have so much adventure and life to live. I know a family doesn't necessarily hold you back, but I do know it changes things for sure. This adventure has reinforced to me that I'm born to wonder. I feel at home, not having a home. Living out of a backpack is perfect. Going to bed by 9:30/10pm due to pure exhaustion from adventuring all day is my definition of a perfect day. Ok, enough with life lessons...onto more about some of my daily adventures.

So, yesterday I was walking around the market with my amigo Marvin. As we were wondering, he starts laughing and tells me that the ladies just said to one another that "that boy (Marvin) is lucky because his girlfriend is a pretty American." I started laughing and clearly now call Marvin my boyfriend. I need to be clear and explain that Marvin is an extremely awesome Nicaraguan with a wife and a child and I've dubbed him "the man" and a total "badass." He basically puts up with my antics for 12-14 hours a day. We have so much fun making the best of our long work days. He teaches me Spanish and I help him pronounce words in English. We read signs, talk about life, translate music, learn about each others cultures and family...and best of all I've dubbed our language of communication "Spenglish." It's definitely 90% English and 10% Spanish. I tell Marvin daily, that without him I'd be lost, he just laughs.

 

 

Anyways, two more days of work and then I head to CocoLoco for my first days off! Beyond stoked for surfing, relaxation, yoga, yummy food, and good vibes. So much love and happiness to all!

Liz

Do What You Love Even When It Includes Feeling Squirrelly

Today's intention and constant thought: do what you love. Nicaragua has been an absolutely crazy situation from day one - I've learned that I do indeed have patience, I do believe in myself (for one of the first times I believe I'm capable of accomplishing anything my heart and soul truly desires), I can easily get lost and remove myself from stressful work situations at any moment by taking deep breathes and focusing on the beauty around me (thank you beautiful flowers, Ometepe, and random birds and nature that is constantly within eye shot), and that I truly love being in Nicaragua. I knew as soon as I heard through the great vine about a long term opportunity in Nicaragua that this was meant for me and it was my adventure for the taking. I can't fully explain where the confidence or how/why everything lined up perfectly...other than to simply say that I felt open to opportunity and the universe aligned accordingly. Although I'm not here for leisure, I do find myself laughing often, smiling constantly, and totally absorbed in the energy and beauty around me. I do love being a geologist and love the freedom to experience adventures and challenges outside, submersed in nature - all over the world. I love being able to evolve and change daily, to me, it's what life's about.

 

My awesome Machete

A bit of humor: I have this awesome driver that takes me everywhere named Sergio. He's looks and acts exactly as you would imagine a Nicaraguan named Sergio would. Basically he's badass. He wears the whitest shirts I've ever seen every single day, wears lots of cologne, and sweats profusely. He always carries a machete, tie-down straps to transport anything you could imagine possibly fitting (or not fitting) into Hilux, and a red bandana. The most important part about Sergio driving me around is that he blasts the damn AC (I am talking the highest possible setting every time to the point of giving me a brain freeze). For the past 10 days we have daily battles between me putting my window down and him rolling it up...because the AC is on. He only speaks Spanish and I only speak English, so this battle is solely based on actions. Hilarious. My coworkers can attest that the AC is a serious situation between Sergio and I. Anyways, yesterday, I accomplished the (near) impossible. Basically I asked others nonchalantly how they felt about windows (secret sabotage) and totally explained that the air is cool enough when we are moving and is clearly way better than AC. Everyone got on board and as Sergio went to roll our windows up, we rolled them back down. Power in numbers: we pretty much boycotted the AC situation. He eventually understood and we got to drive with all four windows down! SCORE!!! So moral of this story: anything is truly possible. As I re read this I realize this is probably only funny because I'm in Nicaragua and extremely exhausted...but it's the small things in life!

Also, a very important tid bit of information. So here I thought that I'd finally get away from the crazy, aggressive, over confident squirrels that live in the US. However, I was wrong. Nicaragua has squirrels of their own...and they're bigger, with raccoon-like tails (don't intrude personal space like in the US), but always win at staring contests. It's obviously a squirrelly situation.

Until next time - lots of peace, love and happiness!

-Liz

Orange House: Hotel Casa Naranja

Mañana marks one week in Nicaragua and coincidentally I'm back at the hotel I stayed at the first night I arrived. I've stayed in 4 different "hotels" in 3 different "cities" since arriving. This adventure has been a whirlwind this far, but absolutely life changing.
Three words, "I've been wowed" (Patti - props to you for wowing people with your kickball skills and therefore introducing me to the overwhelming feeling of being "wowed"). Things I've learned in six days: nothing goes as planned, meetings and appointments are never on time, the environment and scenery is magical, the locals are helpful and most of the time smiling, the energy brings your heart and soul to life, to accomplish anything you must first back track a few steps in order to move forward, I actually don't mind doing laundry by hand in a sink every night and strategically placing my clothes around the room in areas the fan will hit them so they will dry in time to pack and move in the morning, to be extremely appreciative and always celebrate the small accomplishments (example: beyond stoked my laundry is dry!!!), and I've finally mastered how to order grilled chicken, white rice and vegetables in Spanish. Basically - I have it all figured out. Ha. Truthfully, all kidding aside, I've learned that life always works out. You just have to have self-confidence, an open heart and soul, good energy, and the motivation and belief that anything is possible. I never would have imagined even 6 months ago that I was capable of going to a different country where I don't speak the language and have enough inner confidence and happiness to enjoy fully what this situation has to offer. So my advice (and I know very little): never doubt yourself and just do it. No matter what, it's the right decision.
Side note - My current situation and life choices was recently described to me as I "hippie my way out of things." I wasn't sure how to take that until I realized it just means I'm going along with what the universe presents (thank you B-Loos). Stoked.
Also, lastly but most importantly - Happiest of Birthdays to one of the most special people in my life: Caitlin McLaren Figura so much love to you!
Until next time, lots of peace, love and happiness.
-Liz

 

Toes in the water

 

Pretty flowers

 

More pretty flowers

Moon and 3 day reflection over Lake Nicaragua

So life in Nicaragua has begun. Breath taking environment, howler monkeys, dead sloths, no Internet, meals consisting of chicken and rice (I broke down and ate a side salad - I got squirrelly and miss hearty greens REAL bad, so I settled for ice berg lettuce...HUGE mistake), animals not neutered (large balls, lots of them), dead computer (yep it died - only took 3 days in Nica), and muddy roads. AND...I LOVE IT. I've been without my luggage for 3 days, I was told to pack for a "day trip" which turned into a 3 day trip, so I'm officially crunchy. If I had the ocean to swim in I'd feel a bit sanitary and cleansed, but instead I walk around in rivers and wetlands getting poured on and then attempt to hand wash my smelly field clothes each night with bar soap in the sink. Lame effort...I need some laundry lessons from the locals (they always look so crisp, fresh and put together) I'm worthless without a washing machine, pathetic really. Anyways, it sounds negative, but in some ways I feel like a pig in the mud: beyond happy with a perm-a-smile. I feel so grateful to be where I am. I was talking with a friend today and we were discussing how Nica is one of the poorest countries. I told him I disagreed. My perspective is that Nica is one of the monetarily poorest countries and that's measured in American or international business terms. You rarely come across a Nicaraguan that isn't happy, positive, friendly, helpful, and doesn't love the beauty that their country has to offer. So in my opinion this place is rich in happiness. This country is simple and full of positive, even magical energy. So tonight, after finally getting Internet and reconnecting with those whom I cherish back in the States...I am appreciative of the moon (so bright and full over Ometepe and Lake Nicaragua) as well as the people that support my adventure and journey. Thank you for bringing happiness and fullness to my heart. Also, shout out to my newest niece whom I can't wait to meet -
Katie Isabell Guise, mom and baby are healthy and beautiful.
So much peace, love and happiness.
-Liz

 

Moon over Lake Nicaragua

 

Two volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua (Maderas and Concepción)

 

Me being a dork on the beach in San Jorge

 

Typical situation :)

Jamaican Juice and Coffee con Leche

I landed in Managua late last night and headed straight to the hotel where I was greeted with smiling faces and complimentary Jamaican Juice. Jamaican Juice is hibiscus tea and made from the hibiscus flower. It brings back found memories of my last trip to Central America (El Salvador) and the last time I was in Nicaragua which both were for a week full of surfing, yogaing and adventuring with Surf with Amigas (look them up, and DO IT!). However, this trip to Nicaragua definitely has a different feel as I am here for work. One thing is constant for sure and that is the energy. There is something incredibly special about Nicaragua and I can’t fully explain it in words, but it can easily be felt. This overwhelming energy brings a welcomed comfort as everything else around me is unfamiliar and constantly changing. I’ve been excited, stressed, happy, nervous and over all squirrelly with anticipation for this opportunity. I am finally down here and have absolutely no idea what to expect. I’ve heard bits of information concerning my work expectations such as: living on a boat in Lake Nicaragua or being Helicoptered into remote sites along the Caribbean coast, but nothing has been solidified. So, as I spend my first morning, “the calm before the storm”, enjoying Coffee con Leche with fresh fruit: bananas, papaya and pineapple, I promise myself to keep an open heart, mind and soul to happiness and adventure. I promise myself to appreciate each moment for what it has to offer and remember that life is full of endless opportunities and amazing adventures. I am thankful for where I am right now. I surrender to the universe and make the commitment to myself to live each moment fully.

Peace, Love and Happiness,

Liz J