New Perspective

This guy just wanted his picture taken.

Our first week in Nicaragua brought adventure and information overload, but perhaps the greatest gift this week was a new perspective. The word perspective conjures images of drawings at the correct height, width, and position in relation to one another when viewed from a particular reference point. This week our reference point changed drastically. Suddenly, in our drawing, all of our trees, pathways, and buildings were the wrong height and width and in the wrong spot. In a nutshell, living in Nicaragua forces you to shift your paradigm.

A typical fruit stand in Nicaragua.

Let's start with the basics: Shoppping.
Here, we have no Wal-Mart Super Centers or one-stop shopping (unless money is no object). To get the best deal on produce, shopping at a fruit stand like the one in the photo to the left or at the market is the key. If paper products and non-perishable items are on the list, Price Smart is the place to go. There is much debate on which grocery store chain is cheaper (La Colonia or La Union) for items such as meat and dairy. For bread, the best deal and quality is at the bakery, and all medical items from rubbing alcohol to antibiotics must be purchased at the Farmacia. Oh, and Farmacias carriy vastly different items and charge different prices for them. Stores such as Closeout and Mega Boutique are a thrift store scavenger's dream, while Pali and Maxi Pali offer a "Dollar General Store" atmosphere--but be careful, some items here are more expensive than at other places. Are you overwhelmed? Then let's move on to the real adventure-driving!

Window washing for money

Street vendors and furniture delivery.

Jeremy explains driving in Nicaragua as a multi-sensory, common sense experience. First, sharing the road with oxcarts, horses, pedestrians, "chicken buses," chickens, goats, and aggressive drivers heightens your awareness. Never cross a solid white line to turn, stay in your own lane in rotundas, and use your horn frequently to notify others of your intentions. Here, you can get your license taken by an officer if you change lanes too quickly after a turn. At traffic lights, you are almost always greeted by vendors selling snacks, candies, nuts, beverages in a baggie, and window washing services.

 A word about our window washer friends: If you don't want your windows washed, you should turn on your wipers, because they won't take no for an answer. On the flip side, they do a fairly decent job!

We have been using the school's van since we arrived, and we are on the hunt for our own vehicle. Used vehicles in Nicaragua are very expensive, relatively speaking. Yesterday, we looked at two vehicles along with another "gringo family" and a Nica mechanic. Unfortunately, it seems as if we are getting the "gringo sale price" (which is much higher than the "Nicaraguan sale price") for them. We will keep looking and adjusting our strategy.

In Nicaragua, if you venture out and accomplish even one item on your list, you have had a productive day. This is vastly different from the list of tasks you can accomplish in the states in a few hours. Further, you can ask five people the same question and get five different responses. We then take the information, sort through it, and come up with our own perspective. In the drawing of life, the Kane family is in the process of moving trees, pathways, and buildings to redesign our perspective.

T Minus 3 Days

Three more days in the United States. Three weeks ago we said our goodbyes in the Centennial State only to arrive in the Hoosier state (and that neighboring southern state that often bleeds blue) to say more goodbyes. When we arrived in Indiana after being removed by over 1300 miles and four states, we had a "bucket list" of things to complete during our time here. You see, out West, we have no Tumbleweed, Cheddar's, Papeno's Pizza, or White Castle. Although Elitch Gardens prevails in Denver, it pales in comparison to amusement parks in the Midwest. These are some of the most phenomenal on the planet. With Jeremy and myself being avid thrill-seekers, we simply could not pass up the opportunity to visit King's Island and Holiday World to re-experience some of these adrenaline pumping contraptions with our friends last week.

However, nothing can compare to the mix of emotions we are experiencing on this day. In just three days, we embark on an entirely new adventure prepared especially for us by God Himself. Yes, we've completed most items on our bucket list; I have eaten the Monte Cristo at Cheddar's, Jeremy experienced the White Chili at Tumbleweed, and we have all over indulged in White Castle hamburgers. Physically, we have dotted all of the "i's" and crossed all of the "t's" in preparation for this journey, but only God can prepare us emotionally and spiritually. We are ecstatic and terrified, eager and apprehensive.

Today, we say our final goodbyes to most of our family and friends to venture into the unknown. I suppose these feelings can be likened to experiencing a thrill ride at an amusement park. Once we finally board it, we have feelings of excitement, apprehension, and inklings of prayers that you will get through it safely. Then, we hold on tightly or hold our hands up to experience more "air time." The Kane family is ready for the ride!