June 16, 2009
Hello Everyone!
Maria and I made it to Sabana Grande! Our plane landed safely despite a really harrowing thunderstorm near Managua. We stayed in Managua for the night at a small hotel. Well, it was seven rooms surrounding a small, open courtyard, and I think the front two rooms served as a restaurant during the week. Anyway, I couldn´t sleep at all because my stomach does not approve of adventuring. After breakfast, Don Luis drove us to the bus stop, and on the way I got to see some of Managua. Don Luis asked me what about Managua was different from Toledo, but I couldn´t even find a point of reference to compare the two. Managua itself is huge, but only the tourist resorts and the presidential palace stand more than a story. The buildings are made of wood usually, with corrugated steel roofs. There are people everywhere, and I felt more like I was in a very poor, very big neighborhood than a city. Luis spoke slowly enough that I could easily understand him, and we talked for about an hour before our bus arrived.
The bus ride was smooth, and took us up the Pan-American Highway to Sabana Grande. There, Maria and I met David and Dan and walked to our new houses. To me, the roads seem more like walking paths through the hills, and there are always cows and chickens using them as well. I live in Adelina´s house, which sits on property that has more kinds of trees than i have ever seen in one place. The grandmother, Lupe, and her sister have been trying to teach me the names of all of them, but I guess I am a slow learner of ecology because they all sound similar to me. And Lori lived with Adelina´s family for two summers, so I get to see a familiar face in the family´s photo albums 
Lori, they absolutely love you and say congratulations. The family is all women, with the two grandmothers, Adelina and her three daughters. They seem pretty shy around me, but we are getting more comfortable every day.
As for the Solar Center, it´s so much more than I expected! Yesterday, the Mujeres Solares had a very important meeting, so I got to introduce myself in front of 25 women, something that I´m not comfortable doing in English, much less Spanish. But, it was very interesting to speak to the women, since during breaks in the autoclave tests, we will be working on whatever project they decide to pursue. So, while I´m feeling a little lonely, I know that there will be plenty to keep me busy!
I´ll continue to update this blog more as I figure out exactly when we will be traveling to Ocotal, the city with internet cafes. Thank you all for the support, and I appreciate emails with news, photos or even just gossip.
Hasta,
Erin
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4 Responses to “First Adventures in Nica”
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I’m glad you arrived safely. I’m excited to hear about all your adventures! Can’t wait for your future postings.
hola! glad to hear that everything’s gone well!
jim and i are going to be heading up to sabana grande this weekend, so we’ll seeya then!
Great to hear about your safe arrival and early adventures. I hope you have a wonderful time and learn a lot.
While you are there, Suyen, a professor with el grupo fenix is here and we have had a nice time together. She is returning to Nicaragua soon and you will likely get a chance to meet her – if you need anything I am sure she will be more than happy to help. I mentioned you to her already.
If any of you projects revolve around some engineering or biology I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask.
Have fun! (I’m off to Italy to present my latest balance research…)
Hi Erin! It sounds exciting there. The plane flight sounds a little too exciting. Dave wants to know about the wildlife. The summer school class next to mine is Snakes Alive, so I’ve heard enough about snakes this summer. We’ll stay in touch. Enjoy your adventure!