Traveling Abroad and a Merry Christmas

I am writing this having returned from Nicaragua a few days ago. My family and I went there for Christmas to see my sister working there for the Peace Corps. Becca has been in Nicaragua for a little more than six months. Seeing her was delightful, and the trips didn’t suffer any tragedies; however, with all there that we had, it was not the way I wish to spend future holidays.

Holidays, the word itself conjures up Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. Of course, having worked for a British firm, I also associate the word with what we in America call “Vacation.” Nicaragua is a lovely country just north of the Equator, which means that it was plenty warm the whole time we were in-country. With warmth come all sorts of challenges being from a wealthy developed country, to which we are not always accustomed.

For me, the challenges that we saw in Nicaragua came from my own errors in expectations and preparedness. I say that, because I love camping. When preparing for a camping trip, I know that I need to bring something to purify water, something to sanitize dishes, a way to dispose of toiletry effects and a way to guard one from mosquitoes. In packing my bags for a vacation to see my sister, I did not adequately prepare myself to my later satisfaction for the same inconveniences one would find in Nicaragua. Quite simply, traveling to a developing country, one should prepare as though they are backpacking.

In Nicaragua, there are little waste cans near each toilet. The waste cans are there for disposal of toilet paper after its use, as the plumbing and sewers in Nicaragua are not strong enough to tolerate toilet paper. Of course, that is something, were I camping, I could handle; however, on vacation, away from home, in beachside accommodations, it was not for what I had anticipated. The same, of course, could be said for the country’s substandard tap water. I think my sister has now built up a resistance to the lack of thorough sanitization in the water, but as an alien, one should not consume their water out of the tap. There are of course further accoutrements, like worrying about bugs, clean food and the cleanliness of those preparing one’s food, but all of that I was something for which I thought I had prepared.

Not to go on further disparaging Nicaragua, but being my first Latin American experience, I was looking forward to local cuisine. Local cuisine there in Nicaragua was devoid of any real flavor. The nicest restaurant we went to make a terrific upscale burger, but the kitchen was run by a Norte Americano. I did not see any of Rick Bayless’s Mexico, or any likeness, in Nicaragua.

It was an absolute ball to see my family, and to spend time with my maternal grandparents and aunts. I have to say though; there are conveniences, like running on paved roads, which were just too badly missed. The roads were in horrible disrepair. Quite simply, it all harkens to what we learn from Tiny Tim in Dickensian-fashion, which is those that exemplify the spirit of Christmas, make due with what they have and live well in spite of their challenges. If nothing else, it’s important to know for what to be thankful, and unquestionably, for me, that is family and being from the US. Being from the US, or another developed country is something that is too easily taken for granted. Access to great healthcare, cleaner food and sound infrastructure are great. All of that makes me chuckle at those running for office that are so anti-government or anti-tax. For those espouse irresponsibly doing away with taxes or a sound federal government, make a trip the developing world. More important than my political economy-rant, my Grandmother and Grandfather’s health is superb, which is gratifying on so many levels.

Being eighty-two my grandfather hiked with my father and me up the highest point in San Juan Del Sir, where we posed next to the town’s cross overlooking the Pacific. It was the highlight of my Grandpa’s trip, and he showed me how strong his health and will are. The man has a fifteen-year-old artificial heart valve and a knee replaced this last year. Grandpa is hiking up steeply inclined surfaces triumphantly. I am honored to come from stock like that. That is something for which to be most thankful – health and happiness.

If nothing else, I didn’t get as much time with my sister as I would have liked. The circumstances were not conducive to it, which ate into the purpose of my being up for heading down to Nicaragua away from Boise and the States. The positives were spending time with my family in a country to which I had not been. I can’t say I will be rushing back any time soon, as I am not so much a beach person as I am into the mountains and forests in more mountainous climates. I like cities as well, but there wasn’t anything of note from that perspective either. In short, Nicaragua is not a vacation place for Matt, nor would other developing countries in Latin America. I am more than happy to try Buenos Aires, Rio, or Santiago, but I am not so much game for Central America with its particular challenges.