Central Market in Leon, Nicaragua

Tulsa Rotary water well project, Nicaragua

Nicaragua's newest city, and its oldest

Greetings from sunny Nicaragua. Today we visited with the "alcalde", or mayor, of Municipio Ciudad Sandino, a very new city on the outskirts of Managua. We spent over an hour with the mayor, who is curiously named Roberto Somoza. He shared with us the new city's plans for growing their infrastructure and developing their ecomomy. Some of the environmentally sustainable initiatives sounded very progressive for such a poor area. Thanks to Luis, one of our Mangaua Tiscapa Rotary hosts, for arranging this interesting meeting.

Yesterday, we visited Granada, a colonial city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. I can understand why there is a growing American enclave there, as it is a charming place reminiscent of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. We took a boat ride to visit the famous "islitas" (little islands) in the lake. Only Naomi was brave enough to play with a monkey on one of the islands. We were hosted by perhaps every Rotarian in their small club. They were gracious and proud hosts, eager to show off the various Rotary projects recently completed in the area.

Rolando, in Managua, Nicaragua

"Monkey Island", Nicaragua

Beauty where you least expect it.....

Beauty is found in the strangest places. Naomi has the keen ability to show each of us the beauty in random things. She views things from a unique lens... and over the course of the past 10 days, she's helping us all to see things we didn't before.

I've included some pictures she's taken with my camera. I encourage each of you to find beauty in something you normally would not...

Love from Nicaragua,

Molly

Rotary Club of Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua has a very small Rotary Club, with under 20 members. But they are very visible around their town, as they have done a good job of placing the Rotary name and logo everywhere. They installed over 70 litter baskets in the downtown area, and each one adds to Rotary's visibility. The central monument in the main plaza is a 1965 statue from Rotary which honors mothers and their work. We received a warm welcome from this club, and I was especially impressed with the work done by such a commited group.

Rolando, in Granada, Nicaragua

Beauty...

Naomi is our team's artistic advisor, and sees things through a different lens than the rest of us. Luckily for the rest of us, she's always willing to share what she thinks is beautiful, or just take my camera for a few minutes to get some great shots.

I've included some of her pictures you might find interesting.

When we arrived, we drove past a cemetery, and exclaimed that we wanted to see one firsthand. Our tour guide thought we were crazy, but as we described how different they were from those in the states, he seemed to understand that we thought the colors were beautiful

The message is... there is beauty all around us. Take a moment to look around tomorrow and find beauty where you are. Pretend like Naomi is with you pointing out something unusual.....and finding the beauty that exists where you least expect it....

Molly

The Tribe

It has been such a great experience meeting new people from different countries. Everyone we come in contact with has been wonderful! This week is no exception - Molly and I are paired with a great host, the Targa family. Both Enrico and Maria Jose are Rotary members and are picture perfect examples of service and love. Today was Enrico's birthday (Happy Birthday Enrico!) and we had a small family party for him at the house. Everyone that lives in Enrico's neighborhood is related to him or to Maria Jose. They call it "Their Tribe". We have been welcomed with open arms and are truly honored to be considered part of the Tribe! Thank you Targa family!!
~ Jessica & Molly

Tuk-tuk taxi, Nicaragua

How to park at a volcano

Useful advice on how to park when visiting the edge of the active crater at Masaya Volcano National Park in Nicaragua.

But does this mean that the bus will actually WAIT for you? Of course, our gracious guide Sandra would have . Anyway, we escaped without incident.

Rolando

Colorful Ice Cream

Baptizing the Volcano

So far we have had a great time in Nicaragua. It is very hot, but it is a beautiful country. Today we went to the Volcan Masaya. It was interesting to learn about the history associated with the volcano. Before the Spanish explorers came the local tribes - the Chorotegas and the Niguiranos - believed that there was a fire God living inside the mountain. To satisfy the God's hunger young maidens were sacrificed. Once the Spaniards came they believed that the volcano was the "Entrance to Hell" and brought forth a cross to clean the mountain of demons. Thank you to Sandra for a great day!!

~ Jessica

Indigo Factory in Santa Ana

On Tuesday (17 feb 09) we visited an Las Azulinas, an Indigo factory in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The dye comes from pressing the leaves of the Añil (or Xiquilitl) tree. The white cotton is prepared by twisting and banding the fabric or garnment with thread (similar to tye-dye) prior to dipping it. The first dip, lasting about on minute, turns the fabric a shade of green. Then after the dye oxydizes, it turns a shade of blue. After twelve dips with three minute pauses in between, the garnment is finished. The gloves shown here are used to keep one´s skin clean during the process.

Naomi

Holy Cows!

I apologize for not posting a picture with this entry... but thought I would share a funny story before I go to bed.

Today, we spent the day at Gran Pacifica, a resort community in Nicaragua that's currently under development. It was a "day at the beach", but was spent learning about the vacation home sales process, the land development and financial challenges facing anyone trying to build and sell property during these uncertain economic times.

Gran Pacifica has undergone a lot of hard work to ensure future residents have amenities not available in other parts of Nicaragua.... UG electricity, fiber optic cable/internet, and pressurized water systems. We were hosted by Adiak, a member of the Managua Tiscapa Rotary Club, and an employee of Gran Pacifica. He did a wonderful job of showing us the surrounding area, as well as the resort, vacation homes within, condos, and future golf course site.

When we were headed back to Managua this afternoon, I was telling the group how I emailed Kevin and told him my "cussing problem" had gotten itself under control and I was getting better about not cussing so much. The rest of the group was suprised, and said they had not noticed me using poor language a lot.

We were navigating a pretty rough road, and at one point, came close to hitting a cow that was standing on the shoulder of the road. I said, "Holy..... cow"!!!!! I was close to saying something else, but cow fit perfectly!

This is kind of a stupid thing to write about, but as we all cracked up, I realized how much we need those "silly" moments to get us through this. Nicaragua is a great country, filled with people willing to show us all kinds of things.

Jessica and I are having a great week with our host family... they're so nice and we're very comfortable here. More to come later...

Molly

Chaparrastique

So, for a little history, we toured San Miguel’s central district, which naturally includes the main Catholic church. In the center stood the figure of La Reina de la Paz (the Queen of Peace), the city’s representative virgin. The story goes that a ship wrecked in the Fonseca Gulf, and in the wreckage they found a wooden box. The people tried and tried to open the box hoping to find some kind of treasure, but no matter what they did, it wouldn’t open. The box was transported to San Miguel by a cart and burro, and when the burro could go no further, it stopped, the box fell off the cart and broke open, right at the spot where the Catholic church now stands today. Inside the box was a figure of a virgin, which became the Reina de la Paz.

Years later, when the Volcano called Chaparrastique last erupted, the city was nearly destroyed by lava. The people brought the figure of the virgin to the door of the church where the lava flow stopped and protected the city’s historic center. The plume of smoke and ash that was visible from the volcano looked like a palm frond, and so today, the figure of the virgin holds a palm made of gold.

This history is representative of the region…there are few historic buildings in part because many of them have been damaged or destroyed by hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes. We also visited the local theater yesterday, which likewise was almost torn down because it was in such disrepair. However, it was fully restored, and is a beautiful building that copies French architectural styles.

We’ve enjoyed our time here in El Salvador, and today move on to Nicaragua, so stay tuned!

Amy

Fishing Pier in La Libertad, El Salvador

Jessica and her beach boy friends

Botanical Garden, El Salvador

Hospital San Juan de Dios

Today in the morning we toured the largest hospital in El Salvador, which is in the city of Santa Ana. Hospital San Juan de Dios was founded in 1846, and currently serves a region that extends even beyond national borders. We stopped by to present a box of donated medical supplies, which we coordinated through Project CURE and the Santa Ana Rotary Club. The club is one that is proud of its 80-year history and has a number of medical professionals as members. They gave us an insiders’ tour of the hospital, and we saw everything from the ophthalmology center to the maternity ward.

I think what struck all of us was the degree to which Rotary has played a part in the operations of the hospital. Everywhere we turned it seemed there was a plaque commemorating a Rotary project of some sort.

We met with the hospital director briefly to explain the donation, but it was really in speaking with the individual doctors who see patients at the hospital every day that we understood the importance of our donation. One doctor told me that sometimes they can’t even find a clean needle for what they need. And while one small box seems like a drop in the bucket compared to the enormous volume of patients that need assistance, maybe we helped a few people to avoid and infection or allow the hospital to use their limited funds to buy a new piece of equipment. We will probably never know, but either way, we know it is needed.

Amy

"No guns"

Day 1 - volcanoes & pupusas

Wow, what a day! We have only been here in El Salvador for about 24 hours, but we have already experienced two different host families, visited two volcanoes, and eaten too many delicious pupusas.

We arrived in San Salvador around 9pm yesterday, and were whisked from the airport to beautiful homes for the night. We met this morning at Insaforp, a national workforce training center, and learned all about their programs. Then we toured a volcanic lake, hiked a bit to view two volcanoes, had a nice lunch, visited Santa Ana and its historic theater and cathedral, and tried some local food. Then on to our Santa Ana host families and then to an evening Rotary meeting. The meeting was outdoors in a lush backyard. We did our first GSE presentation here, and it went well. The meal was pupusas, those yummy Salvadorean tortilla-like cakes, filled with meat, cheese, and/or beans. This Rotary club was small, only about 20 members, and very warm and welcoming. Another very full day for us will start early tomorrow.

Rolando, in Santa Ana, El Salvador

Breathe In, Breathe Out (repeat)

In less than 24 hours I will leaving my home in Colorado and venturing in to the unknown of Central America....

Okay, so I probably don't need to be so dramatic, especially when so many great plans have been made for us, but I can't help but feel like I am jumping into a pool with out testing the water first. The last two days I have experienced every emotion possible. I have been scared, joyful, anxious, frustrated, hopeful, nervous, overwhelmed and excited. After experiencing such a broad range of emotions in a short time I have one more feeling - exhausted! I know that once I am on the plane my nerves will settle down and I will be able to enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity. Until then, I am following the advice of my Mom... "keep breathing" :)]

~ Jessica

Snow, schedules, & warmer cultures

It's snowing and blowing in Frisco, Colorado today. I had a client here from Florida, and we went out to look at some properties this morning. Not only was the poor guy freezing, but he took one step off a footpath and ended up in snow deeper than his knees. It was a wet socks, cold feet welcome to Colorado. I held back a chuckle, and remembered that in two short days we will be in a much warmer place. Not just warmer in temperature, but in many less measurable ways too.

This week we finally received our schedules of events and meetings for our first week in Central America. The nice Rotarians in El Salvador have clearly taken our visit seriously, and they have put together an action-packed week for us. I have been pestering them for over a month to send me the details, and I was beginning to get nervous when I got no reply. Turns out that this is just an early example of the kind of cultural differences which we are about to experience. How presumptuous of us here in the USA to expect anyone else to agree that plans need to be firmed up weeks in advance. They came through, probably thinking that they actually delivered ahead of time. And then yesterday we got the schedule from the Nicaraguans, for the next week. Same deal:"in-the-nick-of-time" for us might just be extreme advance planning down there. Reading their emails and the descriptions of their plans for us, I can already feel their warmth and friendliness.

It seems almost too simple: cold climate equals uptight, and warm climate makes folks easy going. Maybe there's more to it than that, but then again, maybe not. OK, if you know me then you're wondering how a half-Cuban-raised-in-Miami-married-to-a-Mexican can claim to be a product of a cold climate. Good points. I'll have to look into that.

It's easy to put on a sweater or coat to take off the chill when it's cold outside. Over the next four weeks, we are going to be forced to learn how to slow down and take off the schedule-obsessed chill we have inside. The hard part might be relearning promptness upon our return. By the way - the dude with the cold wet socks - he was early for our appointment. And so was I. Now can someone explain why "chill" means relax?

My next post will be from El Salvador...

Rolando

Almost gone...

After a great meeting at Connie and TK's home in Boulder last Sunday, I think we're finally ready for this trip. We were lucky to be presented with Rotary Foundation Alumni pins by Steve Cantrell, which are difficult to come by. Steve shared with us how it's one of the most rare pins associated with Rotary... we are lucky to be part of a select group!

My thanks and appreciation goes out to all the people that have made this trip possible!!! From all of the RFI donors, to the coordinators (Connie and Ilona) and our hosts in District 4240... everyone has pulled together to make this trip happen. THANK YOU!

I'm excited to get my things in my suitcase.... I'll worry about what I've forgotten later!

See you soon,
Molly

Four days and counting...

Can I just say that time seems to have flown by since we first started preparing for this trip?!? We are only a couple of days away...it snowed last night in Denver, and I have a pile of skirts and summery shirts waiting to be packed away in a suitcase.

And we are going to be busy - today we received a revised agenda for our first week in El Salvador, and I'm already tired just reading it. But, by the same token, it's going to be so amazing. I've already been in touch with the club in Santa Ana (the first we will visit), and I am confident that we will get a big, warm welcome when we arrive (trust me Rolando, they are ready for us!). I reached out to the club because I am planning to carry with me a CURE Kit from Project CURE (www.projectcure.org - please check out this amazing organization!), which is a box packed with donated medical supplies. You carry the box with you as a piece of luggage to donate to a local community clinic or hospital, and I'm coordinating the donation with the Rotary club in Santa Ana. They've made sure that I'm in contact with the right people, down to the Director of the hospital that will receive the donation - and they made it happen within 24 hours!

By the way for all the Rotary folks, I learned that since 2001, Rotary clubs have donated over $24 million in medical supplies through Project CURE.

So, I still have to pack my suitcase, but with the CURE Kit going with me, I have extra incentive to pack lightly!

- Amy