Our first week in Nicaragua has almost come to an end and tomorrow we will be travelling to our communities and our new homes for the next 11 weeks.
Already there have been many obstacles to overcome, the most obvious being the language barrier between the ‘Britanicos and Nicas’. Unless you are one of the lucky few that has the ultimate skill of being bilingual, both the UK and national volunteers were definitely in the same boat. I prefer to think of the awkward smiles, nods, laughs and having absolutely no idea what the other person is talking about as a learning mechanism rather than a hindrance.
An example of this was at dinner the other night when I was mingling in the Nicaraguan volunteers, a broken conversation of English and Spanish quickly began and lets just say two very different interpretations were taken. It was a classic case of misunderstanding when they asked me if I was sleeping in one of the Nica volunteer’s grandparents’ house and I thought they were asking if I was going to spend the night with the national volunteers! You come to realise quite quickly that although speaking the same language is a very useful factor when communicating, it is not the only one. Actions, objects and of course being in the 21st century the countless apps for your smart phones become way more fundamental than some words from your mouth. This was largely taught to us through the energisers we were introduced to and played throughout our global induction week that included splitting into groups, getting to a goal, but in absolute silence. The metaphorical input driven out of these games definitely produced great value into further developing our ability to communicate with each other.
Viva Piñata
Woke up this morning to the beautiful sunshine in El Bramadero that would become our first full day in the community. Having being gently awoken by the sounds of the jungle, the pig grunts, the donkey screams, the soothing Reggaeton from down the hill calling me to the day, I sit here thinking back to conversations I’ve had with the Nicas and UK volunteers about their thoughts and feelings so far. Many describing the tranquillity of El Bram, and the beauty of the surrounding scenery, others highlighting that it is ‘really, really rural…just like Norfolk back home’.
On a personal level, for me it feels like a home away from home. All the people I’ve met so far are warm and welcoming, calling greetings to all of us in the street and inviting us into their homes for ‘café y rosquillas’.
Today I found out there isn’t a party without a piñata. After quite a formal introduction to the community from the Dons and Doñas of El Bram, the climax was a chaotic battle with a sweet stuffed cartulina man.
I already feel like I will never forget this place and look forward to the happy memories that will be made and shared with the community.
Adapting to rural life has been easier than first presumed and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone in saying that. The latrines resemble a cleaner version of Reading Festival toilets and the M25 service stations, though its still necessary to hold your breath when entering. There also is something extremely therapeutic about bucket showering outside amongst the chickens, bunnies and parrots, which sit in the mango trees above.
To sum up my initial views of El Bramadero; I honestly feel like I’ve walked onto a film set. The surroundings are beautiful yet surreal, the people are some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met and the simplistic, rural way of life is something I wouldn’t change for the world.
Written by ICS volunteer Cat Partridge
