Interactive Experience

Interacting with the city and the people is not on short supply. Although, as a result, I'm beginning to feel like a delicate piece of china; men constantly call out to me and yell "preciosa" and "chinita". They also say "adios" and I couldn't understand why they always said goodbye until a guy told me that they might actually be saying "a dios" meaning "to God" as a complement. Each complement is then followed by an incessant stare and I worry that they might crash their car or bike since their eyes follow me down the road as I walk in the opposite direction. I find this interaction all harmless and just part of the machismo attitude in the country. Overall, the people are quite charming and friendly. If I stop and ask for directions, the machismo attitude subsides and I become a real person in their eyes. Either that, or they are shocked that a Chinese looking woman can speak Spanish to them.

Surprisingly, while in Esteli, a few 14 and 15 yr old boys flattered me with a handmade beautiful beaded wooden bracelet. I ventured into a Sandinista bar thinking I might find some old cowboys discussing politics in a corner and instead found kids there and the walls covered with weaponry and old posters urging kids to join the political party. The kids and I took a photo together and soon after they shyly approached me and gave me the bracelet. I thought they wanted me to buy it and in fact they insisted that I take it as a gift from them while not wanting anything in return. They charmed me greatly with their generosity and I plan to send them the photos via email.




Nicas really love their photo taken as I found out today. I wandered into the city center of Leon in search of riots again and instead only found celebrating Nicas. The Sandinista or FSLN members all gathered together to celebrate their win although, earlier in the day, the Liberals staged an organized protest of the elections throughout the country at exactly 2pm. Unfortunately, I was stuck on a bus trying to get back to Leon and missed the protest. From Esteli, I had to wait until a minivan or microbus filled up completely before it would take me back to Leon. I therefore, waited 3 hours for it to finally leave. I didn't mind so much because I spent much of that time talking with a local woman who ended up waiting 4.5 hours for the bus to leave. We enjoyed each other's company and I enjoyed practicing my Spanish. I still find Colombians the friendliest, but Nicas are right up there as well.

When I finally arrived in Leon, everyone in the street wanted their picture taken including the riot police men. I definitely hold no shame in taking photos and so Nicaragua and I are meshing well on the photography front.