ow.
If I slept with a pillow under my knee and my calf dangling over the bed with my ankle turned a certain way, there was actually very little pain ...which also means I was not raising my leg and swelling went to my foot. Not too bad. Injuries with stitches hurt more when there are stitches in. Especially Day 2-3 when the swelling is at it's worst. Everything is just swollen, stinging, and achy pulled by those tight stitches whenever I move the skin/muscle and the bone just throbs. wah wah wah....
This morning I had beer for brunch! Go Tona (Nicaraguan beer)! The entire gang, 11 people just hung out in the pool for most of the morning and early afternoon. It was really nice to just have them around - it didn't suck so badly not being out for a surf. I just lay in the kiddie pool with my leg on the side. Kate gave me some Tegaderm patches, which are waterproof dressings. I'm saving them like they are GOLD! "Maybe..."
Ali and Kate are in their second trimester of pregnancy. They look radiant. I wasn't a great pregnant woman. I didn't glow. In retrospect, I recall it being such a primal and deep time in my life. The transition of being your own person up until pregnancy, and then being responsible for building a life inside your body and subsequently becoming a mother... HUGE TRANSITION. It amazes me women are sane sometimes and it is just expected, like it's nothing to become a mom. I'd say it is pretty huge and women don't get enough credit, even from each other sometimes.
Kate is, as mentioned, a pharmacist. She has a very calm and caring energy. I think a lot would be needed to rattle her. She's going to be a very powerful momma.
Ali is an artist. http://www.alisonhodson.com/ The work I have seen on her website has me hooked. We'll be heading up to Whistler, B.C. soon to see her work in person. I am hoping for an ocean influenced piece in the next while... hee hee! Little M loved playing with her and Ali just dove right in. She is going to be an incredibly sweet and loving mom - they both will be.
Me and hubby played Nertz afterwards and then I asked if he'd go for an early surf session so we could go watch (the bugs at sunset can be kinda crazy). Down we went the three of us. He was picking off waves like a sniper out there. Not the best conditions, but he was just carvin' it up. So great to see. Nothing better than surfing than seeing those you love catch waves. It feels like your heart is riding along with them.
Chica and Buck went out too - awww! When was the last time they surfed together? She caught a fantastic left, zipping along the face at the end of the session. Me and Little M jumped up and down cheering! Ah, the smile of someone who catches a great wave... Elation. YAHOOO!!!
A gorgeous sunset. Making "Cherry soup" on the beach with Little M. She is my magic. Jumping in to her world of play, or any preschoolers, is like being at the Mad Haters' tea party. Sometimes I have no idea what we are trying to do. I don't think she knows what she is trying to do, but anything goes. When time is short, following along can be a challenge, but it's times like this on the beach, where we have all the time in the world, where it is just funky, complete and utter spontaneous imagination. As adults, I think most of us are deficient in that. She teaches me so very much and I am thankful.
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Monday, 28 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 16 - Ouch.
Feeling a little helpless these days with regards to K and Billie. Moments throughout the day, I wonder how Billie is responding to treatments, and how K is carrying the weight of everything on her shoulders, so I send love and strength and prayers for rest and healing... (big breath)
It feels insignificant to post, but I will, because these were already written, and there is a greater cause for these posts as well. As silly as this days' post is relative to what is going on in life now, it eventually led to an inspiration that hopefully will come to fruition. So I will continue:
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After two days of avoiding the sun, I hunkered down, whited up "Herbie" and my face, and out me and Chica Boom went in the golf-cart. We were chargin' it! Yihooo!
Got to the beach, paddled out to the break. Put our wave hunter eyes on and started chasing waves. It felt so good to be back in the water - things were really positive. We jockied around for a bit, shifting with the occasional big ol' sets that came in and the more frequent inside sets.
The session started out great. There we were - good vibes, just doing our thing. Caught a good 'left'...
Then came an 'outside' set - a bigger set of waves. I went through the wave, but lost hold of my board. I was fine as I knew no one was around. I relaxed underwater, and when I came out the other side of the wave, I surfaced 'ready' to protect myself from the potential of my board coming back at me with the bigger winds. I couldn't see it beyond the backside curl of the broken wave. Then "CRACK!" my left upper shin exploded with a white cold pain that stole my breath. My board had submerged about three feet, and like a gigantic elastic band via my leash on my ankle, it shot back at me when the wave that took it passed. I took a big breath of air and breathed it out. I didn't have time to look at my leg and I didn't really want to either which is always funny when I do that - like a little kid "if I don't see it, it didn't happen!". I hopped back on my board and tried to build enough speed to get through the next on-coming wave to just get somewhere I could asses things (I couldn't accurately feel my lower leg through the searing pain), but my body was telling me I was heading the wrong way.
Back right in the impact zone, under I went again. Leg was not so good, the bone was just throbbing, but I could still kick my leg, which meant it probably wasn't broken. Popped up and finally took a look at it. Blood pooled out of my shin, about two inches below the head of the tibia. I could see the white of my tibia shifting around inside the gash in my leg. I swore a bit, and my heart sunk - a cut like this means stitches which means I would be out of the water the rest of the trip. I was RIGHT where the waves were breaking so it was time to move and paddle in.
Chica was a ways away, "I gotta go in" I yelled out to her. She kept paddling out encouraging me to get back out there - she didn't know what had happened. "no, I gotta go in, I cut my leg". To the beach Chica paddled with me.
We got to the beach, blood running down my leg, a round hole where you know it is cut deep enough that it's not just skin. SO choked. I don't even know for sure if it was the skeg/fin, or if it was just blunt force from the tail of my board. It moved so fast and hard, hitting my shin dead on stopped the board from moving further and bounced it back enough to surface about a foot away from me.
Chica's friends, Ali and Kate were walking the beach and saw what was going on. We got up to Chica's golf cart and headed back to the boys. Kate is a pharmacist. She is awesome. She and Chica were STOCKED with supplies! Kate supplied us with iodine to rinse and some gauze to wrap it up with. I took a shower and got ready to head to the clinic. Not amused, but it looked pretty tidy under her dressing.
Dislike that feeling of hard tugging on numb tissue, but it is a much better feeling than being stitched where the numbing meds haven't reached ...which is still easier than giving birth for the first time naturally and tearing (not to say giving birth naturally is a negative experience at all - if there were a choice, I'd do it the same again and again, but it does put "pain" in to perspective, and makes it easier to manage pain down the line).
There are about 5-7 stitches internally. Then they moved on to the skin itself. When they finished, I sat up and took a look. "Huh..." I thought. There it was, my new huge Frankenstein stitches along the ridge of my shin. ha ha! My mom's name for me growing up was "The Great Skinless Wonder", so this shin hack is just one of many, though the biggest of all I've collected. Perhaps it is like a shin-lift, and blending of all the prior scars I had. Hubby notes, I never was aspiring to be a shin model.Both Martha and Dr. Flores were so gracious and kind. They tried their best to chat with me, but thank goodness hubby has studied the Spanish he has. sigh. My knight in shining board shorts. Very grateful to Dr. Flores and Nurse Martha.
Hubby went and collected the prescriptions of antibiotics, topical anti-inflammatory, painkiller and something else while I sat alone in the room. Marta and Dr. Flores shared that they have seen many surfers here, with gashes to the face, sending them off to Rivas a few hours away, flying home on airplanes. I am fine. I can't surf or swim for the rest of our days here, and glad it wasn't at the start of the trip.
I think of what to tell my Little M when I get back because I know she is worried. "I get to play on the beach all the time now!". ...telling little ones the sunnier side is a part of being a parent. But I also can't help but feel my heart break a bit too - "suck it up buttercup. It could have been a lot worse".
I could have caught the board with my face. Oh, I already did that last week. ok. If I just had my leg over 7" maybe it'd have sat me right back on it... or gotten me somewhere else... GULP! It is what it is. [As Life has a way of putting things in check, this now means nothing more than the drive to do more]
Our friends back at the casbah kept watch of Little M. She seemed a little shy of seeing me, but we chatted about it later. She just gave me tender kisses and told me "It's ok mom, we'll have another surf trip soon!". She is my little sunshine. Plus, so many good people around it just makes stuff like this not so bad.
ouch. Power is out. I'd like put some ice on Frankie, but also can't risk warming up all of this week's groceries in the fridge. Throbbing, puffy. wah, wah... bummed.
It's just been such an odd trip. Kinda feeling like something is keeping me out of the water. I wait all year to do this - our family pays a lot (in a number of ways) to do trips such as this one. You come and chase that reprieve, that 'undoing' that vacations seem to do that brings you closer to your centre and your loved ones even. Not sure I get 'it'...
Friday, 25 May 2012
For Little Billie and My Friend, K
Taking today off of "Nicaragua" to ask for some help everyone... I write this with K's blessing.
The day before yesterday, I received a phone call from a dear friend. 'K' is the kind of friend who, when we met in 2007, we just clicked right from the start. We had so many similarities - career, beliefs, lifestyles, personal style, aspirations. She herself is a woman who spreads light, lives well, is a fighter, and an intuitive, heart-driven woman. We live about 5,000km apart, but in the big life moments since we worked together and became friends five years ago, we remain close.
As friends, we have gone through the end of relationships, the death of a parent. I had my daughter. A year later, she had her daughter Billie (and a second daughter since). When I went through my issues this February, she was there for me. She coincidentally had a similar surgery as me in April and I hope I was there for her too. 'K' is one of those friends that is special in my heart; even though we are separated by distance and time, she is just a closer friend than many. How many times I have wished for her to be just down the street.
When the phone rang and I said "Hello", she said my name and then paused. Instead of her usual vibrant voice, when she spoke, she was quiet and deep. Those kind of moments in life make the world slow... I went to my office alone. "It is Billie..." Her voice broke and then went silent. I sat down, and tears filled my eyes, I took a breath and waited. She struggled a while, and all I could offer was "What's happened?...".
Over the next moments, as painfully as she was given the same words, she struggled to relay them back to me. Her two and a half year old daughter was diagnosed with a more rare form of leukemia. The next moments, we cried together, she told me how things had lead up, and a bit of what was to come. Before long, she had to go. She was at the hospital, about to go in to see more doctors, get more tests.
I hung up the phone and sat in my office a while, getting my own self together. I went back to my husband and daughter, my sister-in-law and two year old nephew. I watched those two kiddos and my heart just broke.
I want to understand, I want to be able to wrap my head around what she is going through so I can do whatever I can to be of help or support. ...To look at my daughter and think "what if?"... That alone takes my breath away. What a horrible nightmare K must be going through. I am so at a loss that my friend has to go through this, to see her daughter fight such an unimaginable battle so incredibly young. The helplessness she must feel, just wanting to trade places. How does a mother go through this? Why does a mother have to go through this?
At the drop of a hat, I will go if and when she needs me. I am hoping, without hounding her, that she knows I will be there for her, even if it is just to get her a cup of tea and give her a hug. I'll be there.
In the time until then, my mind and heart seem to spin. My reaction is for empathy, for sadness and even anger. But if what energy is manifested by me, does go back out there, and is perpetuated, then I need to be mindful and make a decision about what I put back out there to be of help to those who are affected or life in general.
I believe in prayers. I believe in meditations, intentions, positive thoughts. I believe fundamentally, that what we exude goes somewhere, especially our subconscious thought.
Horrible things in life happen, but we, as human beings, are made to be compassionate, to be there for those we love. There is a level of helplessness people around those who need support feel, and due to not knowing where to put their energy, people can sometimes get stuck in that. What else can you do?
I don't believe horrible things in life happen to create more pain. The horrible things are horrible enough. I believe pain is meant to instigate love and healing. I hope if horrible things happen, they will at least bring people together. If we invest our thoughts in love, love will grow. If we invest our thoughts in how unfair life is, that is what will grow.
My friend, her daughter and family are brilliant. They are gorgeous and good from the inside, out. Who knows why things like this happen, but I do know they deserve to be surrounded by love and healing energy right now.
When I see my daughter and think of Billie, my heart breaks for her and her family, but for every inkling of sadness, helplessness, fear etc., I will send out many more prayers and intentions of strength, wellness, and love.
I am writing this because I am asking you to please send thoughts of healing, wellness, love, strength and faith to their whole family and especially little Billie. If your heart as a parent is moved, please send thoughts for strength and love for K and her partner, so when maybe they feel they can't go on anymore, or aren't sure how they will have the strength to continue, they will feel that love and perhaps can rest for just a little while or find an inspiration of peace. If when you look at your little ones, or recall a fight of your own, please send positive thoughts of wellness, healing, strength and love to little Billie. It is all I can think of to do to help. If there is anything I've posted, I hope that this matters.
Just posting this video again in the hopes that it may inspire and realize the power of thoughts.
Get well little Billie!!
The day before yesterday, I received a phone call from a dear friend. 'K' is the kind of friend who, when we met in 2007, we just clicked right from the start. We had so many similarities - career, beliefs, lifestyles, personal style, aspirations. She herself is a woman who spreads light, lives well, is a fighter, and an intuitive, heart-driven woman. We live about 5,000km apart, but in the big life moments since we worked together and became friends five years ago, we remain close.
As friends, we have gone through the end of relationships, the death of a parent. I had my daughter. A year later, she had her daughter Billie (and a second daughter since). When I went through my issues this February, she was there for me. She coincidentally had a similar surgery as me in April and I hope I was there for her too. 'K' is one of those friends that is special in my heart; even though we are separated by distance and time, she is just a closer friend than many. How many times I have wished for her to be just down the street.
When the phone rang and I said "Hello", she said my name and then paused. Instead of her usual vibrant voice, when she spoke, she was quiet and deep. Those kind of moments in life make the world slow... I went to my office alone. "It is Billie..." Her voice broke and then went silent. I sat down, and tears filled my eyes, I took a breath and waited. She struggled a while, and all I could offer was "What's happened?...".
Over the next moments, as painfully as she was given the same words, she struggled to relay them back to me. Her two and a half year old daughter was diagnosed with a more rare form of leukemia. The next moments, we cried together, she told me how things had lead up, and a bit of what was to come. Before long, she had to go. She was at the hospital, about to go in to see more doctors, get more tests.
I hung up the phone and sat in my office a while, getting my own self together. I went back to my husband and daughter, my sister-in-law and two year old nephew. I watched those two kiddos and my heart just broke.
I want to understand, I want to be able to wrap my head around what she is going through so I can do whatever I can to be of help or support. ...To look at my daughter and think "what if?"... That alone takes my breath away. What a horrible nightmare K must be going through. I am so at a loss that my friend has to go through this, to see her daughter fight such an unimaginable battle so incredibly young. The helplessness she must feel, just wanting to trade places. How does a mother go through this? Why does a mother have to go through this?
At the drop of a hat, I will go if and when she needs me. I am hoping, without hounding her, that she knows I will be there for her, even if it is just to get her a cup of tea and give her a hug. I'll be there.
In the time until then, my mind and heart seem to spin. My reaction is for empathy, for sadness and even anger. But if what energy is manifested by me, does go back out there, and is perpetuated, then I need to be mindful and make a decision about what I put back out there to be of help to those who are affected or life in general.
I believe in prayers. I believe in meditations, intentions, positive thoughts. I believe fundamentally, that what we exude goes somewhere, especially our subconscious thought.
Horrible things in life happen, but we, as human beings, are made to be compassionate, to be there for those we love. There is a level of helplessness people around those who need support feel, and due to not knowing where to put their energy, people can sometimes get stuck in that. What else can you do?
I don't believe horrible things in life happen to create more pain. The horrible things are horrible enough. I believe pain is meant to instigate love and healing. I hope if horrible things happen, they will at least bring people together. If we invest our thoughts in love, love will grow. If we invest our thoughts in how unfair life is, that is what will grow.
My friend, her daughter and family are brilliant. They are gorgeous and good from the inside, out. Who knows why things like this happen, but I do know they deserve to be surrounded by love and healing energy right now.
When I see my daughter and think of Billie, my heart breaks for her and her family, but for every inkling of sadness, helplessness, fear etc., I will send out many more prayers and intentions of strength, wellness, and love.
I am writing this because I am asking you to please send thoughts of healing, wellness, love, strength and faith to their whole family and especially little Billie. If your heart as a parent is moved, please send thoughts for strength and love for K and her partner, so when maybe they feel they can't go on anymore, or aren't sure how they will have the strength to continue, they will feel that love and perhaps can rest for just a little while or find an inspiration of peace. If when you look at your little ones, or recall a fight of your own, please send positive thoughts of wellness, healing, strength and love to little Billie. It is all I can think of to do to help. If there is anything I've posted, I hope that this matters.
Just posting this video again in the hopes that it may inspire and realize the power of thoughts.
Get well little Billie!!
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 15
Another day out of the sun. My body is talking and I'm going to listen. Today off, then kickin' it tomorrow...
Monday, 21 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 14 Rivas
The winds were taking the trees sideways this morning. Despite that, hubby went out for his 5:15am surf. I woke up today with the worst coldsore of my life on my upper lip. Can we get more upfront than that? Never in my life have I had one like this and it hurts. It's so big I will give it a name - Herbie. *@#! - I just want to grow a moustache, an SPF 70 moustache. Maybe I can make one out of all the hair I'm molting... Like most people who are prone to them, I get an occurrence when I get too much sun or when I'm run down. Less than one week left and I feel like I'm racing the clock to get my booty out there and catch some waves, but I've overdone it. frustrated, but I gotta respect what my body is saying - it needs a sun break.
We packed up and made our once a week shopping list (yesterday's shopping trip didn't yield much and we require a lot more produce etc.). An hour or so away, to Rivas hubby, Little M and myself went.
Despite the dust, the lack of amenities, and the 35'C heat, the locals are dressed in pants and shirts, all immaculately clean and pressed, whites are WHITE - again speaking to their proud nature. The pride and sincerity intertwined with the aftermath of such tumultuous events in history makes me wonder what the people here strive for? What are they working towards? What are their hopes to succeed the history they have survived? Everyone wants peace, a level of comfort, to be well, and to feed their children. But I am wondering if there is a strong desire for change? What was Nicaragua like in it's most abundant times? If the average Nicaraguan were to write the country's next chapter, what would it express? What would help this country to be all of that? Or what would it take the Nicaraguans to be all of that? Maybe I'm sounding ignorant or naive, but when you see a child the same age as your own or younger in such hard circumstances, you wonder what his/her future will be and what they will need to do to make it one that that they want. It also makes you wonder what it is you can do to help in whatever way you can.
After watching the local police drive through town in a pickup truck with some banditos in handcuffs in the back and march them in to the station with automatics drawn, we headed to the bank and then for lunch.
We chose a quiet restaurant in a hotel and sat on the patio. It was empty except for us. Little M danced around the garden fountain and we just sat and watched the city go by us on the street in front. I had the butterflied chicken, with rice and fries with a fresh mixed fruit juice. It was SO good - as Buck mentioned, chicken here is incredibly delicious. That hit the spot!
It was a quiet day in Rivas, one that seemed to match my mood - stoic, hidden and averted. Those that did engage with us, did so with a curiosity that makes me smile. I think I am so dark, they aren't sure how my Asian features fit my face. Gas station attendants washing our windshield for quite some time, trying to be subtle, but I'm right there - I see youuu!! I've seen 1 or two Asians here in the both trips I've been here, so I think I'm a bit of a novelty, or perhaps they are checking out Herbie. S'all good.
We headed back to our residence, sharing some treats of our trip with the local security guy - ice cream sandwich and cold water. That is one happy man.
Hubby went out again for a short session, while I made some Spanish-esque rice, to accompany his garlic butter lobster tails given to us by our friends who got them from the local fish guy. Yum - what a treat. A visit with Chica, Buck and the gang - super cool people.
I miss the ocean already just having been out 48 hours. My skin is missing home, but my soul sure loves this part of the world and especially the ocean here.
Good hopes for glassy, head-high, off-shore, shaded surf (ha!)... Making the drop, rail in the face of the wave, hand running through the moving water at my side, flying on liquid energy...
"Tomorrow, tomorrow..."
We packed up and made our once a week shopping list (yesterday's shopping trip didn't yield much and we require a lot more produce etc.). An hour or so away, to Rivas hubby, Little M and myself went.
Despite the dust, the lack of amenities, and the 35'C heat, the locals are dressed in pants and shirts, all immaculately clean and pressed, whites are WHITE - again speaking to their proud nature. The pride and sincerity intertwined with the aftermath of such tumultuous events in history makes me wonder what the people here strive for? What are they working towards? What are their hopes to succeed the history they have survived? Everyone wants peace, a level of comfort, to be well, and to feed their children. But I am wondering if there is a strong desire for change? What was Nicaragua like in it's most abundant times? If the average Nicaraguan were to write the country's next chapter, what would it express? What would help this country to be all of that? Or what would it take the Nicaraguans to be all of that? Maybe I'm sounding ignorant or naive, but when you see a child the same age as your own or younger in such hard circumstances, you wonder what his/her future will be and what they will need to do to make it one that that they want. It also makes you wonder what it is you can do to help in whatever way you can.
After watching the local police drive through town in a pickup truck with some banditos in handcuffs in the back and march them in to the station with automatics drawn, we headed to the bank and then for lunch.
We chose a quiet restaurant in a hotel and sat on the patio. It was empty except for us. Little M danced around the garden fountain and we just sat and watched the city go by us on the street in front. I had the butterflied chicken, with rice and fries with a fresh mixed fruit juice. It was SO good - as Buck mentioned, chicken here is incredibly delicious. That hit the spot!
It was a quiet day in Rivas, one that seemed to match my mood - stoic, hidden and averted. Those that did engage with us, did so with a curiosity that makes me smile. I think I am so dark, they aren't sure how my Asian features fit my face. Gas station attendants washing our windshield for quite some time, trying to be subtle, but I'm right there - I see youuu!! I've seen 1 or two Asians here in the both trips I've been here, so I think I'm a bit of a novelty, or perhaps they are checking out Herbie. S'all good.
We headed back to our residence, sharing some treats of our trip with the local security guy - ice cream sandwich and cold water. That is one happy man.
Hubby went out again for a short session, while I made some Spanish-esque rice, to accompany his garlic butter lobster tails given to us by our friends who got them from the local fish guy. Yum - what a treat. A visit with Chica, Buck and the gang - super cool people.
I miss the ocean already just having been out 48 hours. My skin is missing home, but my soul sure loves this part of the world and especially the ocean here.
Good hopes for glassy, head-high, off-shore, shaded surf (ha!)... Making the drop, rail in the face of the wave, hand running through the moving water at my side, flying on liquid energy...
"Tomorrow, tomorrow..."
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 13 The Divide
Today I woke up with a swollen lower lip. It was so swollen when I first woke, it split down the middle. All the sun I've had the past two days has no doubt caught up with me. So, I stayed out of the sun today completely - off we went to the nearest little market here.
Dirt roads wove over the crispy dry geography. Rail-thin horses ran by us on the roads. A man on a homemade cart drove two weary donkeys up a hill with a trailer full of bricks. When we got to the 600sq ft concrete building, we entered the darkness to two sullen women behind iron bars at the counter-top.
The selection there was modest to say the least. Stacks of neatly packed goods, heavily dust-laden on the shelves - not from being there a while, but rather from the dust constantly kicked up by the road just outside. No produce but a basket of onions and tomatoes. Coke, soft-drinks, crackers, soaps, toiletries in supply. This is the largest store before making the drive to the city of Rivas, (population of 156,000), which is 3/4-1 hour away by car (Rivas is our city for stocking up once a week).
The two women retrieved the goods Hubby requested. My thoughts jump the iron bars to their side, wondering what they are thinking of us. "tourists..."
There is such a huge divide from what we are used to. The cultural differences, the poverty... There is an off-balance feeling here. We see how privileged we are versus the levels of poverty not often seen in to this extent at home, but how do we plug in to making a positive difference? We bring what we can fit in our luggage (school supplies, clothes etc.), but it doesn't seem like much at all. There is also consideration for not wanting to offend people by giving them things- Nicaraguans are very proud people.
There are few businesses in the area here to patronize. There are two or three truly locally owned restaurants. The owners of the restaurants we visited were so lovely and warm, one owner giving each of us hugs as we entered her establishment. We loved having more traditional foods on top of that, but upon our last trip, two people in our party became pretty ill after a night out. It can occur anywhere, but food standards are what they are when there is limited fresh water, and an outdoor kitchen on a dirt floor. Being hit-or-miss, means one meal can take a person out for days and with a young child, we chose this time to prepare our own meals most of the time.
In the area we visit, we have come across foreigners who have started and maintain projects within the community while they are here (art classes for local children, surf houses encouraging tourists to bring down what they can for the children when they come - mail service is not an option here so everything must be brought in luggage to donate), but most visitors are seasonal and we haven't come across any infrastructure set up for doing this kind of thing here.
Many locals in the two villages we are within, are employed by the tourist communities here, managing properties, cleaning or doing security. Many are employed, but it would be nice to have the communities surrounding this area thriving more than they are. The villages and houses do not reflect a great dispersion of that tourist dollar. Considering $8 per day is a good wage, labour here is incredibly cheap. Relative to the tourists that come, it would be nice to see the locals benefit more from people who wish to do more. For instance, some kind of training for massage therapy for locals to learn, then earn way better independent wages. Or authentic Nicaraguan food 'catering'- perhaps in-house cooking of meals. I'd buy our groceries and pay to have some meals made, or be taught some fantastic recipes to bring back home! Spanish-speaking groups for kiddos while there. I dunno... Perhaps these things are already available and it is just a matter of organizing accessibility of them. Gotta do more research.
In Northern Nicaragua, Jiquilillo, a group of Canadians including David Sakaki, a Kamloops Firefighter and his wife Sue, and Don 'Monty' Montgomery (Monty Beach Lodge) and the many volunteers, have been working within the local communities to build a system of "volun-tourism", giving visitors to the area the opportunity to volunteer within the communities - working with the children in the classrooms, educating locals, sorting the shipping containers full of medical supplies and clothes Canadians have donated to the area etc.. David Sakaki and the Kamloops Fire Department have also acquired and shipped down a number of firetrucks and facilitated fresh water systems for use in the villages and area. Their work sounds absolutely astounding. Donations to their cause can be made to "Kamloops Fire Department Operation Nicaragua". Please check out their website at http://web.me.com/kamloopsfirefighters/Kamloops_Firefighters/Home.html
The divide of tourists and locals is one I am not sure how to plug in to here, but I am putting it out there that we will find some ways to become a respectful, positive part of this community when we visit.
When we returned from our little grocery trip, we had lunch, played a family game of "Go Fish" ("Gold Fish" as my daughter calls it), and surprisingly, had a nap. No energy today.
This evening, there was a gathering here. Two couples, friends of Chica & Buck arrived. We shared drinks, while Bambam and Buck flew around the kitchen. When it came time to eat, I nudged Hubby for us to get going, to make our own dinner and allow them all to visit, but they threw food at us. YUM - best meal since I've been here. These guys are fantastic cooks. Shepherd's pie, fresh lobster and cucumber salad. Amazing! So full. They are so lovely. Wish they both lived closer and came to my house all the time!
Returned here with my daughter having taken a fall down six concrete stairs on the way. OUCH! Big bruise on her forehead. She was on the stairs looking up with her flashlight at the gekkos and lost her balance.
Hubby returned after I put Little M down, and we played Nertz, the card game. I like playing with him. Though it is a game of speed, we just kick back and get silly. I love our family time.
Dirt roads wove over the crispy dry geography. Rail-thin horses ran by us on the roads. A man on a homemade cart drove two weary donkeys up a hill with a trailer full of bricks. When we got to the 600sq ft concrete building, we entered the darkness to two sullen women behind iron bars at the counter-top.
The selection there was modest to say the least. Stacks of neatly packed goods, heavily dust-laden on the shelves - not from being there a while, but rather from the dust constantly kicked up by the road just outside. No produce but a basket of onions and tomatoes. Coke, soft-drinks, crackers, soaps, toiletries in supply. This is the largest store before making the drive to the city of Rivas, (population of 156,000), which is 3/4-1 hour away by car (Rivas is our city for stocking up once a week).
The two women retrieved the goods Hubby requested. My thoughts jump the iron bars to their side, wondering what they are thinking of us. "tourists..."
There is such a huge divide from what we are used to. The cultural differences, the poverty... There is an off-balance feeling here. We see how privileged we are versus the levels of poverty not often seen in to this extent at home, but how do we plug in to making a positive difference? We bring what we can fit in our luggage (school supplies, clothes etc.), but it doesn't seem like much at all. There is also consideration for not wanting to offend people by giving them things- Nicaraguans are very proud people.
There are few businesses in the area here to patronize. There are two or three truly locally owned restaurants. The owners of the restaurants we visited were so lovely and warm, one owner giving each of us hugs as we entered her establishment. We loved having more traditional foods on top of that, but upon our last trip, two people in our party became pretty ill after a night out. It can occur anywhere, but food standards are what they are when there is limited fresh water, and an outdoor kitchen on a dirt floor. Being hit-or-miss, means one meal can take a person out for days and with a young child, we chose this time to prepare our own meals most of the time.
In the area we visit, we have come across foreigners who have started and maintain projects within the community while they are here (art classes for local children, surf houses encouraging tourists to bring down what they can for the children when they come - mail service is not an option here so everything must be brought in luggage to donate), but most visitors are seasonal and we haven't come across any infrastructure set up for doing this kind of thing here.
Many locals in the two villages we are within, are employed by the tourist communities here, managing properties, cleaning or doing security. Many are employed, but it would be nice to have the communities surrounding this area thriving more than they are. The villages and houses do not reflect a great dispersion of that tourist dollar. Considering $8 per day is a good wage, labour here is incredibly cheap. Relative to the tourists that come, it would be nice to see the locals benefit more from people who wish to do more. For instance, some kind of training for massage therapy for locals to learn, then earn way better independent wages. Or authentic Nicaraguan food 'catering'- perhaps in-house cooking of meals. I'd buy our groceries and pay to have some meals made, or be taught some fantastic recipes to bring back home! Spanish-speaking groups for kiddos while there. I dunno... Perhaps these things are already available and it is just a matter of organizing accessibility of them. Gotta do more research.
In Northern Nicaragua, Jiquilillo, a group of Canadians including David Sakaki, a Kamloops Firefighter and his wife Sue, and Don 'Monty' Montgomery (Monty Beach Lodge) and the many volunteers, have been working within the local communities to build a system of "volun-tourism", giving visitors to the area the opportunity to volunteer within the communities - working with the children in the classrooms, educating locals, sorting the shipping containers full of medical supplies and clothes Canadians have donated to the area etc.. David Sakaki and the Kamloops Fire Department have also acquired and shipped down a number of firetrucks and facilitated fresh water systems for use in the villages and area. Their work sounds absolutely astounding. Donations to their cause can be made to "Kamloops Fire Department Operation Nicaragua". Please check out their website at http://web.me.com/kamloopsfirefighters/Kamloops_Firefighters/Home.html
The divide of tourists and locals is one I am not sure how to plug in to here, but I am putting it out there that we will find some ways to become a respectful, positive part of this community when we visit.
When we returned from our little grocery trip, we had lunch, played a family game of "Go Fish" ("Gold Fish" as my daughter calls it), and surprisingly, had a nap. No energy today.
This evening, there was a gathering here. Two couples, friends of Chica & Buck arrived. We shared drinks, while Bambam and Buck flew around the kitchen. When it came time to eat, I nudged Hubby for us to get going, to make our own dinner and allow them all to visit, but they threw food at us. YUM - best meal since I've been here. These guys are fantastic cooks. Shepherd's pie, fresh lobster and cucumber salad. Amazing! So full. They are so lovely. Wish they both lived closer and came to my house all the time!
Returned here with my daughter having taken a fall down six concrete stairs on the way. OUCH! Big bruise on her forehead. She was on the stairs looking up with her flashlight at the gekkos and lost her balance.
Hubby returned after I put Little M down, and we played Nertz, the card game. I like playing with him. Though it is a game of speed, we just kick back and get silly. I love our family time.
Friday, 18 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 12 The Rest of the Howler Story
Today was a lot of conditioning. I am stronger for it. What should be half the fun in life is pushing the limits, learning, trying new things, making new normals, being open to new experiences and facing fears that open us up to new parts of ourselves that we didn't know existed. So, you push, and you fight, and you just do your best. I am learning to drop the frustration, keep things in check, stick with good people and take it in when I move forward. I'm learning to learn again!
 |
| Mantled Howler Monkey (most likely the ones we have encountered) |
- (males) are among the loudest animals on Earth
- are found in Tropical Central and South America
- have howler cries that sound off often at sunset, and can be heard up to 5km away (3 miles), most likely staking their troops' territory for the night
- can use their tails as a sort of extra arm, grabbing branches etc.
- rarely descend to the ground
- are omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter, but leaves and fruit make up the most of their diet
- can live 10-15 years in the wild
- are 22-36" from head to end of body (not including tail), 15-22lbs
SO! The last trip, we were here in Nicaragua in 2010. We were parked down a winding dirt road, to access the beach. Sunset session came and went, the four of us, Little M, Hubby, Surf-guide Mike and myself loaded up the truck and set out for home. But on the way out, we heard the distinctive sound of the howlers. Still very intrigued by them, we followed the sound to the base of a couple trees, which were fantastically stretched right over top of the road we were driving out on. We didn't even have to get out! It was like Drive-Thru safari.
So the three of us adults stuck our heads out the window and looked up. Man they were close! This was awesome - they were RIGHT there! What a view! For some reason, we didn't let Little M out to see... good instincts.
As we were watching, I couldn't help but question in my mind, "Wasn't it clear out tonight?". Could have sworn it was, but we were getting a little sprinkle. Ah well, all worth it to see that and a tropical cloud burst is always refreshing.
We got back to our abode, and I looked up Howler Monkeys to show Little M and learn more about them. All of the above facts, and one more. Howler monkeys are apparently known to have great precision from high up in the trees, in peeing and pooping on offenders below them. We all got PEED on!! It WASN'T raining!!".
Never stand beneath a howler monkey. I like to think their urine is some sought after facial treatment that will turn back the hands of time...
So today: my face is sensitive. Each day, I think "I don't think I can get any darker". Then tan lines appear that say otherwise and I'm still using a ton of sunblock. Today, I figure my darkness masked my sunburn from yesterdays' three sessions out on the water, so before I realized what was up, I went out for a power walk to the beach and three more sessions this morning. My tan almost covers the bruise on my chin where I tried to catch my surfboard with my face yesterday (board snapped back and I popped up at the same time - a paddleboarder saw, but I just looked all cool, like I meant to do that).
I don't recall having a sunburn like this before. I always just tan. I don't look pink at all. Just dark. But I can feel it. haaa....
Nicaragua - Day 11
Friends and family are fantastic about sending us notes, and updates from home. Our loved ones are letting us know how grey and rainy it is at home and how they envy being here, and I know i will look back fondly when I return about how 'perfect' things were here, but... I appreciate being here - it is a beautiful country, with great people. But "the grass is always greener..." The world and all it's elements and environments are just different, not necessarily better.
Take for example right now. Rather than thousands of frogs singing out my window at home, I have that mating call outside my window, which Buck informs me is not the giant turkeys in the trees, but actually FROGS here. We have frogs at home on the farm. We have one frog yelling louder than thousands here in Nicaragua! ha ha! Rather than the dull-drums of grey days, I burnt my face off today and I am the colour of crispy bacon. My skin is paying for it, no matter how much sunscreen I put on. And for all those pesky houseflies I've wrangled up at home, it is not so bad compared to me now sitting under the living room fans full-powered with my eyeballs feeling like sandpaper, just to keep the no-see-ums and mosquitoes from biting whatever skin on my legs I have left to bite; they feel like burning, swollen, itchy stumps. Aside from keeping the wind going, I also tried eating garlic tonight - three heads of roasted garlic. Not cloves, heads.
Life is just different. I'm blabbering about all of this to remind myself when I get home and for you at home if you are longing to be on some sunny vacation somewhere for a long period of time, to just appreciate where you are for what it is too.
On that note: this morning the waves were great! I did three sessions from 9:30am-2pm. The first session was GREAT! Super stoked and appreciated. Then, Chica came out so she and I went out again. Heading out there on the water together with giant smiles is fantastic no matter what. Then the third session, I went out and Buck and friend showed up. That was a short session for me - just conditioning and being in the water - AHHHH! I love it. At one point, in between sessions, I went out for a swim in the ocean (can you tell what this is leading up to tomorrow? ooh foreshadowing).
There are moments where life sheds all the "noise" and sometimes the hard things come up/have a chance to surface. I take it for what it is - the right time to process it some more. Kahlil Gibran: "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight". Getting in the ocean and swimming is a haven for me. It is quiet under the water - it gives me a place to check in with life, including the harder things. It is a safe place for all those feelings to come and just be. The feeling of diving under a wave and having all that energy move right through, around, and within you is profound, peaceful and freeing. All that I miss - I am with out there, and I do remember that those things were my delight and that it is and always will be a part of me. It's like being in Life's/God's hands and I guess I feel like I'm with those I miss. Our oceans are a special, rejuvenating place...
A bit of a sad note, the management here are spraying to kill the swarms of bees. We left our apartment this morning to a doorstep of dead bees. My heart sank. These bees can be dangerous, but they can also be ok. Not sure how I feel about this with Little M and her buddy and brother out there. "What if?"... but it is just sad in its' own right too, and on the other side of that, spraying whatever nerve toxins they are around areas where are children are... ick. If you have time for a documentary, I highly recommend "Queen of the Sun"
I am thinking of my gardens at home. My super-fantastic sister went over to our house tonight to check on all plants and our doggie. She took photos which almost had me fall of my chair. Our tomato seedlings are HUGE as the once bushy plants have now stretched tall and gangly towards the light of the windows, and the outside gardens are sprouting up. Can't wait to get home and continue the gardening adventures! Hubby and i were talking tonight about a growing excitement we are fanning the flame of for learning some fantastic gourmet cooking using all our garden harvests. Go Garden, go!!
I am learning to see where I am for what it is. Adapt, and learn about the environment I am in and who I am in that environment. It is amazing how travel instigates so much personal growth.
I LOVE THE OCEAN AND SURFING!!!!! YIHOOO! and especially good peeps!
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Nicaragua - Day 10 Wildlife Day
I think the turkey bird in the tree is mating or something. I'm not sure what its' going on about - it has been 'sounding off' the past couple hours. Every breath it takes, it honks... How does it not pass out?
Today was Wildlife Day for us here in Nicaragua.
Morning surf brought warmer waters. Most Northwest surfers would envy those words, but warmer weather here brought... jellyfish! They look pretty there in that photo. I'm not sure what kind those are, but the blobby part look like what I'd seen here before, and the tentacle part looks similar to stings left on my legs.
My first visual encounter with jellyfish involves Buck and our first trip to Nicaragua. It was our last day. Me, Buck, and Hubby were out surfing. My legs dangling off the board waiting for a set.
"OUCH!" Electric stings laced my thigh. "What the hell?" Then I looked in to the water and actually saw the tell-tale bobbing glob of the jellyfish. It was about the size of my palm.
I have written about my mom before. She was a Public Health Nurse and most likely due to her exposure to pretty much everything, she lovingly tells us to be careful of everything too "Watch out for the drunks" when we'd go out at night when we were teenagers. "Watch out for avalanches" when we'd drive from the Interior of BC, to the Coast. "Watch out for sharks" When I started surfing. But these days with the PVR, she'd record shows for us. Her latest was on Box Jellyfish and Jellyfish in general and how they are taking over the world, stinging everyone in sight, so as much as I watched it and rolled my eyes, not wanting to live/surf fear-tinged... when I saw that damned jelly fish in the water, I screamed like a 4 year old girl, and I swear my board was skimming over the water as I screamed "JELLLYFIIIIIIIIISHHHHH....!" passed Buck who was himself looking down at his legs and making unhappy noises. We both motored past Hubby who saw it all and still, to this day, can't help but laugh at us. one day, my friend, one day...
See those tentacles under those pretty domes? Every beautiful lacey thread has thousands of stingers smaller than needles that inject poison in to whatever contacts them. I had a welt of every single one of those needles blistered on to my leg for weeks after Trip 1.
Jellyfish like warm water. Today it was just jellyfish bits, no tentacle wraps like last time. But sitting on a board past the break, guess where you're likely to get hit? Either lower leg, or thighs, or arms if paddling. I got INNER THIGH, and I ain't dainty when the itch comes. They blend in quite nicely with my bug bites, but you can tell the difference by their clumped blisters. I will never be a leg model of any kind...
Interesting to note: Jellyfish populations around the world are exploding due to climate change, polluted run-off (most notably industrial fertilizers) in to our oceans, and over-fishing (sharks and tuna). Because Jellyfish 'eat' plankton, smaller fish and the rest of our marine ecosystem is being thrown off significantly off balance. There is much more to be concerned about than some uncomfortable stings, crappy as they are.
BUT! With the jellyfish, came a great session. Yihoooo! Love. Peace. LIFE!
Tonight me, Hubby & Little M did an early dinner and then went on a safari for Howler monkeys (did I write about our first encounter with Howler Monkeys last trip? I will save that for a smaller post, but NEVER STAND UNDER Howler Monkies - I will say that in case you're thinking about it right now) We could hear them in the distance, so hubby and Little M thought it would be a good idea to hunt them down. We followed their guttural growls and finally, with a keen eye, we spotted a family up in the trees at sunset staking their territory. Pretty darn cool. Then a local goes by eyeballing us. Probably equivalent to people on the side of the road here, all staring in wonder at crows.
We came home to Buck & Bambam telling us a swarm of African bees have been trying to set up a new hive in our building. Coincidental since I am all in to bees right now. African bee colonies can be very aggressive (they have a large defensive zone 1/4 of a mile and a swarm can chase an offender for up to a mile), but some are gentle too. Very interesting.
My own little monkey calls, awakened from a bad dream, missing her departed kitty at home. To slumber I go.
Day 10, over and out.
Today was Wildlife Day for us here in Nicaragua. Morning surf brought warmer waters. Most Northwest surfers would envy those words, but warmer weather here brought... jellyfish! They look pretty there in that photo. I'm not sure what kind those are, but the blobby part look like what I'd seen here before, and the tentacle part looks similar to stings left on my legs.
My first visual encounter with jellyfish involves Buck and our first trip to Nicaragua. It was our last day. Me, Buck, and Hubby were out surfing. My legs dangling off the board waiting for a set.
"OUCH!" Electric stings laced my thigh. "What the hell?" Then I looked in to the water and actually saw the tell-tale bobbing glob of the jellyfish. It was about the size of my palm.
I have written about my mom before. She was a Public Health Nurse and most likely due to her exposure to pretty much everything, she lovingly tells us to be careful of everything too "Watch out for the drunks" when we'd go out at night when we were teenagers. "Watch out for avalanches" when we'd drive from the Interior of BC, to the Coast. "Watch out for sharks" When I started surfing. But these days with the PVR, she'd record shows for us. Her latest was on Box Jellyfish and Jellyfish in general and how they are taking over the world, stinging everyone in sight, so as much as I watched it and rolled my eyes, not wanting to live/surf fear-tinged... when I saw that damned jelly fish in the water, I screamed like a 4 year old girl, and I swear my board was skimming over the water as I screamed "JELLLYFIIIIIIIIISHHHHH....!" passed Buck who was himself looking down at his legs and making unhappy noises. We both motored past Hubby who saw it all and still, to this day, can't help but laugh at us. one day, my friend, one day...
See those tentacles under those pretty domes? Every beautiful lacey thread has thousands of stingers smaller than needles that inject poison in to whatever contacts them. I had a welt of every single one of those needles blistered on to my leg for weeks after Trip 1.
Jellyfish like warm water. Today it was just jellyfish bits, no tentacle wraps like last time. But sitting on a board past the break, guess where you're likely to get hit? Either lower leg, or thighs, or arms if paddling. I got INNER THIGH, and I ain't dainty when the itch comes. They blend in quite nicely with my bug bites, but you can tell the difference by their clumped blisters. I will never be a leg model of any kind...
Interesting to note: Jellyfish populations around the world are exploding due to climate change, polluted run-off (most notably industrial fertilizers) in to our oceans, and over-fishing (sharks and tuna). Because Jellyfish 'eat' plankton, smaller fish and the rest of our marine ecosystem is being thrown off significantly off balance. There is much more to be concerned about than some uncomfortable stings, crappy as they are.
BUT! With the jellyfish, came a great session. Yihoooo! Love. Peace. LIFE!
Tonight me, Hubby & Little M did an early dinner and then went on a safari for Howler monkeys (did I write about our first encounter with Howler Monkeys last trip? I will save that for a smaller post, but NEVER STAND UNDER Howler Monkies - I will say that in case you're thinking about it right now) We could hear them in the distance, so hubby and Little M thought it would be a good idea to hunt them down. We followed their guttural growls and finally, with a keen eye, we spotted a family up in the trees at sunset staking their territory. Pretty darn cool. Then a local goes by eyeballing us. Probably equivalent to people on the side of the road here, all staring in wonder at crows.
We came home to Buck & Bambam telling us a swarm of African bees have been trying to set up a new hive in our building. Coincidental since I am all in to bees right now. African bee colonies can be very aggressive (they have a large defensive zone 1/4 of a mile and a swarm can chase an offender for up to a mile), but some are gentle too. Very interesting.
My own little monkey calls, awakened from a bad dream, missing her departed kitty at home. To slumber I go.
Day 10, over and out.
Nicaragua - Day 9
Back in the water! Ahhh, that feels good. Not much energy from the days past... "breeeeeaaaaathe" No aggro-ness here. Ok, I was. Frustrated, more so. But good to be back in the water chasing waves.
Lower abdominal still tender. Digestively, nothing is moving. ERRCH!! Drinking tons of water, even tried coffee. Nada.
I love the people here!!! Those around us, our friends, the locals in our area, most of the people in the water, just really good vibes. Aside from Chica, there have been 2 or 3 other girls out there on the water. The surfers we have met are from all over - Brazil, Peru, other Canadians, Americans from Florida, California; not a lot of locals.
There has been, on average, a maximum of about 10-15 people on the break. It is a good break, that can hold that many and not feel too crowded.
Haven't heard of any sightings of sharks in the area, though there is a turtle reserve North of here, up the coast. My shark-radar is quiet (unlike a trip to Hawaii a couple years ago when it was going off and on our last day, that little voice said my time there was done - just over an hour after we got out of the water, a guy had a 14-foot tiger shark bite the back end of his board off - he was fine). Always listen to your radar/intuition peeps.
My hair is the longest I've ever had it in my life - it's down to the small of my back. I was hoping to have it cut before we came, but no such luck. This is what happens when you have a kiddo and live 1-3 hours away from your chosen hairstylist (I have two stylists). I am blowin' my coat everyone! There is hair everywhere. Maybe I can weave a beach blanket or shade cover with it.
Lower abdominal still tender. Digestively, nothing is moving. ERRCH!! Drinking tons of water, even tried coffee. Nada.
I love the people here!!! Those around us, our friends, the locals in our area, most of the people in the water, just really good vibes. Aside from Chica, there have been 2 or 3 other girls out there on the water. The surfers we have met are from all over - Brazil, Peru, other Canadians, Americans from Florida, California; not a lot of locals.
There has been, on average, a maximum of about 10-15 people on the break. It is a good break, that can hold that many and not feel too crowded.
Haven't heard of any sightings of sharks in the area, though there is a turtle reserve North of here, up the coast. My shark-radar is quiet (unlike a trip to Hawaii a couple years ago when it was going off and on our last day, that little voice said my time there was done - just over an hour after we got out of the water, a guy had a 14-foot tiger shark bite the back end of his board off - he was fine). Always listen to your radar/intuition peeps.
My hair is the longest I've ever had it in my life - it's down to the small of my back. I was hoping to have it cut before we came, but no such luck. This is what happens when you have a kiddo and live 1-3 hours away from your chosen hairstylist (I have two stylists). I am blowin' my coat everyone! There is hair everywhere. Maybe I can weave a beach blanket or shade cover with it.
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