What a difference a week can make! I feel much more adjusted, now that I have begun to actually understand what I'm supposed to be working towards at work. With clear goals, I feel like I can literally see further. Funny how that works. Managua is actually quite small, and I am becoming quite familiar with it. To be honest, not my favourite city. I mean, it has it's fair share of gaping holes in the middle of the sidewalk, Karaoke joints (thanks to the Beatles, All My Lovin' I've found my new calling!), cattle herding within city limits and horse drawn wagons... but I just wasn't falling for it.
When people asked me what I thought of Nicaragua, I would tell them that I liked it... and to be honest, I had nothing substantial to like! I'm sure that sounds awful... but really, I was just getting to know some people... and the city is kind of boring. This weekend though... we all crammed into a microbus (a.k.a. the coffin on wheels), and headed out to Diriamba. My boss lives on a farm just outside the town. And on the trip, I found out that NICARAGUA IS BEAUTIFUL!! Wow. Seriously. Many of the sites I saw are now just a blur, as they were seen from a small window in the microbus. Obviously making a picture impossible. While at my boss' farm, he showed us the land.. the banana trees, coffee trees (I think I really have a love affair for coffee...) and a bunch of other trees and plants that help the coffee out (to balance the soil and all that). What a great time! I really can't wait until I actually get to go out to do field research. I'm really looking forward to it! Keith (boss) said that he wants us to spend a few days out in a community, asking questions.. living with them.. so excited! I'm sure it will be challenging... especially to produce reports after that.. I will try to find the balance.
For now, need to get back to work. Can't wait until this office stuff is not all the time. I need more sunlight!!
3 comments:
I have to say that I had mixed feelings about Cairo when people asked the same question. Big city, lots of hassling, tons of smog, traffic...well you've been here so you know. But, a few of my roommates friends and I took the train to Alexandria last weekend and it was amazing. Coming back to Cairo was a bit of a shock even. Glad to hear to can see where you're going, I'm hoping for that next week since I'll only be getting to Aswan on Thursday.
Likewise. I feel like people are expecting me to tell them how great and exciting and beautiful and historical everything is and I don't want to disappoint but really the most striking thing about Lima is the air pollution and traffic and it's not until you leave the city that the grey clouds part a little. I missed my first chance at a field research trip last week because of the stomache bug that you so enjoyed laughing at haha, but I can't wait for the next one.
True to the title of your post though, I have to look hard and think hard about what there is to appreciate in the city. It takes some looking. I don't want to take an attitude where I focus on the discomforts and am blind to things I can be experiencing. And I already have it easy, I am sure.
Hey. I am doing well. I have settled in and am living with a good friend of mine. I have to say that your blog looks great! It is making me a little nervous that you may have the intern photo contest locked up. I am a rookie blogger and will be working hard to upgrade my blog pronto. Cuidate mucho y hablamos pronto.
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