Gracias!
I wanted to post a little note to say thanks for all the comments! It is important to me to relay all my experiences and thoughts throughout this stay, so hearing from all the different people checking in on me is really great. Definitely makes me feel loved so far from home! So thanks and more thanks for leaving notes for me!
I wanted to write a little on the daily sites and sounds around La Ciudad. Especially coming from a third floor apoartment on a busy intersection in Chicago, Nica life is so way different.
Sites: The parts of Nica I have been to thus far (primarily Managua area and little into Leon) has been flat with huge volcanoes jutting out on the horizon. The vegetation is either completely chapparal with some long grass, or no vegetation at all. Monkey pod trees are dominant. But the most abundant thing is polvo (dust). Hay mucho polvo! Everyday we get covered in dust, we live very dirty lives. In La Ciudad there are lots of dogs, a few cats, some guinea birds, and two spider monkeys. In Ciudad Sandino there are A LOT of street dogs.
Sounds: As of right now I am hearing some Bob Marley, guinea bird squeaking (sounds like a creaking bed), and the streets of Ciudad Sandino is littered with small carts with huge loud speakers. These carts broadcasts advertisements alll day long. At night we hear the local slaughterhouse take care of business. There have been enough nights of this, that Sarah and I have decided that from here on out we will give carne a pass when it is offered.
Smells: This really depends. Usually we don't smell much of anything, but when someone is cooking it wafts through the air. In the mercadito of Ciudad Sandino, you will smell the flavorful fruit, food and carne. Although last night there was a HORRIBLE smell wafting through the air, and I suspect this is also from the neighbor slaughterhouse. Blech.
Tastes: Everyone said we would miss spices and flavors in Nica. I have found the food to be quite excellent here! Gallopinto (red beans and rice) is excellent, and the flavor can really change with the cook and how old the beans are. Tojados (fried plaintain chips) are excellent. The fried cheese is also excellent (of course). Fruit is primarily bananas, sandia (watermelon), papaya, cantaloupe, and of course, pina.
If I have missed out on anything (that Sarah hasn't also covered) let me know! Todau we are off to Managua to possibly get a cell phone and go to that church again.
Hasta!
I wanted to write a little on the daily sites and sounds around La Ciudad. Especially coming from a third floor apoartment on a busy intersection in Chicago, Nica life is so way different.
Sites: The parts of Nica I have been to thus far (primarily Managua area and little into Leon) has been flat with huge volcanoes jutting out on the horizon. The vegetation is either completely chapparal with some long grass, or no vegetation at all. Monkey pod trees are dominant. But the most abundant thing is polvo (dust). Hay mucho polvo! Everyday we get covered in dust, we live very dirty lives. In La Ciudad there are lots of dogs, a few cats, some guinea birds, and two spider monkeys. In Ciudad Sandino there are A LOT of street dogs.
Sounds: As of right now I am hearing some Bob Marley, guinea bird squeaking (sounds like a creaking bed), and the streets of Ciudad Sandino is littered with small carts with huge loud speakers. These carts broadcasts advertisements alll day long. At night we hear the local slaughterhouse take care of business. There have been enough nights of this, that Sarah and I have decided that from here on out we will give carne a pass when it is offered.
Smells: This really depends. Usually we don't smell much of anything, but when someone is cooking it wafts through the air. In the mercadito of Ciudad Sandino, you will smell the flavorful fruit, food and carne. Although last night there was a HORRIBLE smell wafting through the air, and I suspect this is also from the neighbor slaughterhouse. Blech.
Tastes: Everyone said we would miss spices and flavors in Nica. I have found the food to be quite excellent here! Gallopinto (red beans and rice) is excellent, and the flavor can really change with the cook and how old the beans are. Tojados (fried plaintain chips) are excellent. The fried cheese is also excellent (of course). Fruit is primarily bananas, sandia (watermelon), papaya, cantaloupe, and of course, pina.
If I have missed out on anything (that Sarah hasn't also covered) let me know! Todau we are off to Managua to possibly get a cell phone and go to that church again.
Hasta!
- Alyse - 10:05 AM
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