October 6, 2013

We are at the three month mark from our wedding. It is hard to believe! Someone here said that Nicaraguan years are like dog years…In Nicaragua, one year feels like seven years. 🙂

 

I am titling this blog “Have You Wondered…” Hopefully this gives you some insight into us and the country we live.

 

• Have you wondered about the price of items in Nicaragua? Yesterday we bought a table for $16, we pay $5 for a box of cereal, $.20 for a bus ride into town or $2.50 for a taxi ride, we can get an iced Americano for a little over a dollar, and with a gulp I paid $5 for a can of small shaving cream and $12 for a very basic doormat.

 

• Have you wondered how people get water in the barrio? First let me say that many of the improvements in this country have been completed by others countries. I have yet to hear what the motivation is, but an example of this would be that Japan has redone the water system in Granada, therefore water from the tap is drinkable. In the barrio, there are spigots on most blocks where people can bring buckets and take water back to their homes. The water goes out periodically (It has been out in the whole town all day today.), so people will keep open troughs of water on their property. You can see the need for water purification.

 

• Have you wondered how church services are conducted in Nicaragua? We are by no means the experts in this area, but these words come from our experience at three different churches. The services are held either outside or often in rough cinderblock buildings. The music is very lively and usually involves clapping and sometimes dancing. The great thing is that you don’t all have to clap together; for those who can’t keep a rhythm, it doesn’t matter. We have not found the song words to be posted, so not everyone sings along-especially not us, since we are not adept with Spanish yet. The speakers tend to be more boisterous and last longer than American services. Every service we have attended has included a time for extensive greeting. At the last serve we attended, a young girl ran into my arms and gave me a big hug. I had smiled at her earlier in the service. Any guess on what the “Quadangular” denomination is?

 

• Have you wondered where the clothes from the Goodwill go if they are not purchased in the US? I can safely say that Nicaragua is one of the countries that gets these shipments. There are many second hand clothing stores, and I have seem the well-known Goodwill tags. Items cost less here than at the Goodwill- come on down for an unforgettable shopping trip! 🙂

 

• Have you wondered about the medical system here? Everyone can go to the hospital if they need to go, the draw back is that you are on their schedule. We have heard stories of common things needing many visits. Additionally, there are multi-levels of medical care for those who can pay for more. We have been told that there is a very good hospital in Managua that we should go to if needed. For smaller things, you can get in and visit a doctor. The costs are in the $20-25 per a visit. The first line of defense though is the pharmacy. Both Stephen and I have tested this. We have gone in to tell the pharmacy what is wrong and they make the judgment of what it could be, and then they sell you some remedy. Instead of a box the medicine, they sell it by the pill or dosage. I bought five fiber capsules are about 10 cordoba ($.30)- I am feeling better!

 

Until next time, look for the blessings before you! Natalie