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Published: September 16th 2008
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This past week I began a new challenge: Only speak Spanish. Aye! As impressive as it might sound, the reality is I don’t talk much. I can get by with the basics ok, but it’s hard to express opinions during discussions (as if I could really follow the conversation anyway). But I’ve started Spanish classes again and been studying everyday so I think I’ll make some bigger progress over the next few weeks, yo espero.
Well, two weekends ago a couple of us volunteers went to the big island of Ometepe. This is a beautiful island formed by its two volcanoes. I think it’s about 50 kilometers or so from one end to the other. In terms of activities, there are many fine places to go swimming. Or, if you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can climb either of the volcanoes. One is dormant and has a lake you can swim in at the top. The other is still sort of active, but not in any interesting way. There’s no lava or smoke coming up, only lots of sulfur and toxic gases at the top. I personally opted to go swimming, which ended up being the right choice. Most of
the others decided to try the volcano: Big Mistake. This “5-hour round-trip” turned into a 10 hour grueling hike. The entire path was slicked with mud, the view at the peak was shrouded by clouds and heavy forest, and the lake at the top was more of a marsh than anything else. But you know, building character isn’t supposed to be a pleasant experience. I, on the other hand, swam by a nice natural pool where they served ice cold beer and fried cheese. Needless to say, they didn’t appreciate my story of how the day passed.
However, my favorite part of Ometepe was the way back to the boat. The dock was on one side of the island and we were staying on the other. A taxi ride is about an hour and a half and cost 100 cordobas (5 dollars). Paul, the Scot, and I refused to pay such ridiculous prices. We were determined to find a bus to the other side for cheaper. All the other volunteers said there were no buses that ran on Sunday, but we found that hard to believe. Ometepe was such a big tourist spot, how can they not run public
transportation on the busiest day of the week? Surely they jest. Well, after the first hour and a half of hiking along the road we began to have our doubts. There was no public transportation, no cell phone service (to call a taxi) and we had two hours before the last boat left the island. On top of that we needed to prove that we could get to the port before the other volunteers and for cheaper. Well since it was only 30 kilometers more, we would either have to start running or stick out our thumbs. Although there was very little traffic, we were able to pick up three rides along the way which in turn got us all the way to the port. It took us twice as long to get there, but I think we kept our sense of pride and adventure in tact.
Now a few weeks ago I got some interesting phone calls. This guy named Fred called and he said it would be really great to meet up sometime soon to catch up on everything. I wasn’t quite sure what that was all about until I checked my email and found that my
Family Abroad
Fred Sr and Fred Jr at the sunset mother had explained this situation. My mother had a cousin who used to live in Nicaragua. He lived here for 20 years, started a family, and then moved back with them to Miami. However, the woman he married already had a son which my mother’s cousin then adopted. This son’s name was Fred Sr. He started his own family and moved back to Nicaragua with them. They had found out from one of Fred’s sisters who found out from someone on my mother’s side of the family that I was now living in Nicaragua. Did you follow of that? Ok one more time really fast: My mother’s cousin’s son found out his father’s cousin’s son was living in Nicaragua and called his father’s cousin’s son to see if he wanted to meet his mother’s cousin’s son’s family. ¿Claro? Good, glad we have all that clear.
Anyways, this past weekend I met them at their home in Managua. They are a true 100% traditional Nicaraguan family. Well, maybe not totally traditional. Their last name is Ulrich, which is not exactly the most popular name in Nicaragua. In addition, Fred Sr. speaks six languages (Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Creo), his
son and daughter both speak perfect English, and one of his grandchildren speaks French as well. Fred Sr. has studied the culinary arts in Switzerland and other European countries. He also used to live up in Alma, Wisconsin, the Mecca for all my family, when he was in elementary school. This explains why he sort of speaks with a Wisconsin accent. And now he owns a restaurant on the Pacific Ocean and a catering business as well. After spending the night at his house, he drove his whole family and me to spend some time at the beach. Mostly we spent time at some Italian friends of his. It was a really different Nicaraguan experience than what I’m used to. We were both very excited to meet each other and to see what the other end of the family is like. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet up with them again before I leave.
In other news, the project is still the place to be. Only two more houses in the project need roofs. That means that there is not that much construction going on right, which means that occasionally there are days with no work at all. Bad
news bears for me. However, we are currently in the planning stage for a community area in the project, which includes a playground. We currently have two volunteer architects working on the design and we are going to send the proposal to Angel, the owner of the NGO, for approval. Hopefully in the next couple weeks we can start work on it. But in addition, I’ve been thinking of either starting or taking over some of the classes going on. Doing classes are more consistent and perhaps more beneficial than construction at the moment. Spanish seems to still be the biggest obstacle for accomplishing this. It’s not easy to deal with six kids at once throwing their crazy fast Spanish at you. But maybe in another couple weeks I’ll be more ample at it.
I believe that’s it for the highlights. I’ll try to not be as belated next time with my writings. Oh and for those of you that don't know I do have more photos on my picasa sight but they are in three seperate albums now. Just go to www.picasaweb.google.com/pete.walton (Fixed. Thanks Jen!) and you will find all three (and future) albums. Hasta el proximo anotacion!
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Aunt Judy
non-member comment
My Cousin's Son
Dear Pete, I am thrilled that you were able to meet Fred Ulrich. In 1971 your grandparents Fred and Bertha Dierauer and I went to Switzerland and Norway for a vacation and to meet some relatives. While there we met Fred who was in the Swiss culinary school. He was a polite young man and we had a very pleasant visit. If you see him again, please let him know that I said "hello."