“Life is Full of Mysteries – this is the only one I want solved”
I flew into Managua. The first thing I noticed was that the airport was just like everywhere else. Already my warnings about going to the “third world” were dissolved. I was to meet Sarah and our driver we hired from the hostel, Victor, at 8:45pm (central time); I walked around the airport for a bit (I arrived at 7pm). The food court had hot dogs, ice cream, soda, snacks, but nothing that I couldn’t find in the states. First, my intuition tells me that my country has encroached on places everywhere. I am disappointed. But I cast aside my judgment and decide this visit is not for my thoughts on colonialism but a whole different thing all together. I decided then to set aside my intellectualizing and critique to just enjoy myself and work hard on the one thing I came here for:
MI FAMILIA!!!
A thunderstorm! I go outside to see the rain. It is the only thing I miss from the East Coast now that I’m in California – storms. And the silence after them.
Meet a boy of Fifteen named Isaia (ee-sigh-ee-uh)
Sarah’s flight delayed. Victor the driver is there. Her flight is delayed three hours. Victor and I wait.
Gas station is like QT in the states.
Hostel “Siesta”
Sleep until 10:30 (traveled from 4:30am-9pm) and wake up and lay in my bad talking with Sarah. We are both amazed at how good it feels here. How warm and simple and beautiful it all is. We are looking forward to seeing it in daylight but we are also being slow and enjoying detoxification from life in big cities.
Before I came, all my research was nil.
I knew there was Leonard Grant and he was a dentist. I knew there was a house called “I…..” and I knew the names “Anjelina” and “Maria Jose”, I knew Yanilda was now named Iani (ee-ah-nee) Duo and lived in Miami; that is all, really.
The internet gave me nothing. The searched I did for “Iani Duo” came up with old numbers that were no longer in service.
www: find “Leonard Grant”, president of the Red Cross and Dentist
Look up address of his business.
Umm, the addresses here are for the familiar. The directions were “North of the bus stop with buses to Managua” Oy. On the map it indicates the bus stop is near the town center. Sarah and I decide to go. But first, breakfast. I’m too nervous.
Granada in the daylight is like a painting of a favorite place.
Juice in morning
Kathy’s: banana pancakes; eggs with black beans, salsa, and toast; fried cheese; coffee (total: $10 for both of us)
Pace is slow
Merchants are funny
Relaxing and contemplative
Walk around central plaza and buy some earrings, enjoy taking it all in.
I understand why my grandfather wanted to be here.
It is like nowhere else.
It is full of so much love and laughter.
There are minimal distractions of superficial culture and yes, there is suffering. But somehow it is canceled out by my own joy, and by the joy I feel from this place. There is suffering where I live, too. But it seems different here. And this is not me romanticizing this place. It is an authentic feeling – even the people asking for money treat you with respect here. It is kind.
Sarah and I locate the bus stop near the center of town but it’s confusing. We think we have figured out North but we’re not sure.
More soon.... too much to say and it's late. I love you all
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