Sorry for not posting for so long. We've been very busy with work, activist causes, people visiting, and Sarah visiting law schools. I wanted to share with you a blog I wrote for work about the new US ambassador in Nicaragua. In USA's typically head strong way the government appointed a man partly responsible for funding and administering the Contra War in the 80's. A war that was especially cruel as US-trained fighters were taught to attack "soft targets" such as farming cooperatives, health clinics, literacy centers, etc. The war led to tens of thousands of deaths, dismembered peoples, and forced migrants. Now a man that was involved in that atrocious war (also the Iraq war) was appointed to represent us, citizens of the USA, in Nicaragua. I felt that it was important to document what ... read more

I wanted to give you all a little background about our neighborhood before I write about a common occurrence that I've had during my time down here in Managua: We live next to and within a neighborhood where a large portion of the houses are made of rusty patched together Zinc plates and the main economic activity involves an illegal market of trucks selling gravel and dirt that is stripped from the nearby mountain. A significant portion of the community is struggling to find employment and to pay the bills, find money for food, etc. While I write this I know that it paints a desolate picture. I intend only to show the reality of the place and you should know that this can be contrasted with a significant wealthy population of the neighborhood. I would ... read more

I begin this entry with the requisite apology for not having posted in over a month. Rick and I have managed to keep ourselves quite busy, spending time in various Nicaraguan--and even Honduran--locations. We've finally made our way back to Managua, and plan to stick around, at least for the work-week. Seeing as how I haven't written since Thanksgiving, the pool of stories and happenings I have to draw from has grown almost stiflingly vast. If only I could relay all of our amazing experiences to you as they happened. Of course, the better and more feasible option is for each of you pack a bag and come experience it with us. Since November: *I spent 2 weeks at Spanish immersion school in the campo (rural countryside/farmland). *Rick had his first delegation visit with Witness for ... read more

We recently went to a Nicaraguan Professional League Baseball game here in Managua. We went with some of our neighbors and sat along the first base side in a section affectionately known as "the jail." It's closed off to the rest of the crowd and the field because it's the all you can drink section. Apparently, the partyers have been known to make a run onto the field. The night was interesting because of 2 reasons: 1) The Boer Indians (or Indios del Boer) have the same exact copied logo of the Cleveland Indians. I'm pretty sure US copyright laws don't hold much sway down here. In case you're wondering, the Boer were a native tribe that inhabited the area now known as Managua. 2) I went to a website known as bacanalnica.com that serves as ... read more

I am finding it difficult to write entries lately. Not for lack of topics to write about, but because I feel so inadequate explaining the complexity of my life down here--even things that may seem simple, like my daily routine, or my trip to Granada this weekend. I feel a burden of explanation and honesty. But the honesty I would like to portray is difficult to access from my limited perspective and without better language skills. The story is always much longer than any of us want to endure. I am going to try to write about small things, and perhaps with a collection of tiny windows into this life, you will all be able to piece together something more true that any summary I could compile. small thing #1: Hairbrush I have been meaning to ... read more