A New Year in Nicaragua

Going home for the first time since I embarked on this new chapter and journey in my life, I was curious as to how I would handle the process of dipping my feet back into the comforts of my old life.  Would I be overwhelmed?  Would I return to Nicaragua having to readjust again to the sweaty days, crowded buses, dusty air and cold showers?  Would I be happy or sad to step back on that plane?      

For months up to Christmas I was counting down the days until I could hug my parents, sisters, my best friends and meet my nephew.  December 21^st finally came and I was very happy that the World didn't end before I could make my 8:15 am flight home! 

I couldn't have asked for a more blissfully perfect 11 days.  Seeing my dad through the window at the airport brought tears to my eyes and when I got home, I hugged my mom harder than I ever have in my life.  I never thought I could miss my parents as much as I did and the love I had for them in those initial moments was overwhelming.  To be back in their arms, there is just nothing like it in this world.  I instantly became so extremely grateful; for my upbringing, my home, my family.  I walked into the front door of my house with such an appreciation.  What a perfect home.  I had never looked at my home with as much gratitude and admiration as I did in that moment.   What blew my mind the most in my initial hours of being back in the states?  The fact that I was there, in person, because for a while I felt like I was not really in my body, the soft carpet, walking barefoot inside the house, that the walls of the house connect to the roof, shininess... everything was so shiny and dust free, having a fridge… and having it full of delicious food to eat, a spotless bathroom that I could enter barefoot, my car sitting in the drive way, the fact that I own a car! the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the smell of my house!  How blessed I am to call this adorable little house my home.  Bliss. 

Happy to hug my big sister Rachel

Meeting my nephew: Jack was born just two days after I left home to join the Peace Corps and I impatiently waited 8 months to meet him.  When we arrived at my sisters place Jack was asleep in the car.  So my big sister Rachel and I peeked into the car and I instantly fell in love with the sweetest little peaceful face I have ever seen.  I sat in the car next to him watching him sleep.  Then he opened his big blue eyes and I finally got to hold and hug my nephew for the first time.  So in love. 

Rachel introducing me to sleeping Jack

First hugs and kisses

Christmas at my sister and brother in law’s house was perfect.  My whole family was together for five days straight with nothing to do but spend time together, play with the little one and eat the most delicious food.  Hands down the best Christmas to date.  

Christmas Baby

Jack likes his new swing from Nicaragua

To end my trip home, we had a big neighborhood BBQ just like we used to, Dad cooking the most delicious food on the grill, the neighborhood Mamas bringing the most delectable side dishes and desserts, and everyone else bringing good quality beer.   Heaven!   My dearest neighborhood friends, family, high school friends and 3 of my best friends from undergrad at Florida State were all able to make it. Such a fun night.    

Family

Extended (Neighborhood) Family

Things I noticed while home:

South Florida drivers scare me more than Nicaraguan drivers.  Here they drive crazy but at least they are nice about it!  In South Florida drivers are so mean to one another!

Dad's cooking was even better than I remember.  
Starbucks wasn’t nearly as amazing as I had hyped it up to be in my head for the past 8 months.

Chipotle lived up to the hype I had created.  Chipotle was incredible. 

Most delicious Chipotle burrito.  And the best Grinch
hat Christmas present from my favorite person in China.   

Last supper.  Grilled stuffed mushrooms.  Heavenly.

 Now that I finally knew my nephew, his giggles and his personality and spent some good quality time with him and my whole family, I knew I could return to Nicaragua as a happy volunteer.  

Saying goodbye!

Sitting in the stuffy taxi on the ride from the airport to the bus terminal, I looked out the window at the busy bustling chaos of Managua's dusty streets and thought it's great to be home.  I think I returned with a new found appreciation of Nicaragua.  Yes life here is a little more challenging and a little more uncomfortable, but in that comes so many unique opportunities and beautiful experiences that you can only encounter by stepping out of your comfort zone.  Delray Beach will always be home.  But Nicaragua is my home for now and I am happy to call it that. 

Welcome home sign on my bedroom door in Nagarote.
Complements of my site mate Chelsea and my little host sister Linda.

When we rung in 2012, I knew it would be a year like no other, but I didn’t yet know in what capacity.  I spent 75% of 2012 away from my country, learning a new language, culture and adapting to a new way of life.  In 2012 I learned to like eating gallo pinto, cuajada, nacatamales, bajo and indio viejo.  I learned about Nicaraguan history and the wars and natural disasters that have tried and failed to pull this nation apart.  I learned how fun it is to eat seasonally: mangoes and avocados in the spring, momones in the summer, melons and oranges in the fall, mandarins in the winter and bananas all year long.  I learned to not be scared of cockroaches or mice.  I learned how to get on and off of a moving bus.  I learned how to shower with a bucket and hand-wash my clothes.  I learned how much I love the laid back lifestyle and warm and friendly Nicaraguan culture.  I learned to point with my mouth and get someones attention my making a weird tss tss tss sound.  I learned that once a bus is full, you can still fit about 50 more people on it and I've regularly been one of those 50 extra.  I learned about the geography of the 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions of Nicaragua.  And most importantly, I learned to embraced the awkwardness and difficulties of language and cultural barriers while living with a group of complete strangers, strangers that I now call family.  In 2012 I learned how to make Nicaragua my home.  

My host brother Randy and I on his 15th birthday

Ringing in 2013 brought a whole new type of excitement.  I will spend 2013 in its entirety working in a foreign country and foreign language.  This is the year that I will be able to make the biggest impact in my service.  I now understand the language and the culture and have been accepted into my community and have formed strong relationships with my counterparts and two wonderful host families.  I am entering the heart of my service and I know it will be challenging and rewarding with many ups and downs, but whatever 2013 brings my way I am excited.  Excited to continue to be challenged and learn new things about my community and about myself, excited to begin a new school year with my counterparts and students, excited to begin teaching entrepreneurship at the local youth center, excited to welcome the next group of small business volunteers to Nicaragua, excited to continue to search for ways to be a blessing to my community.  

2013, it's going to be a good one.