For me a profound moment was after we had our first Nicaraguan meal and we asked for a receipt but the owner wasn't literate(the food was amazing though). This was the first time to experience this first hand in my life. I believe literacy is a right of the people of this world especially in this day of age, but clearly the Sandinistas still have their work cut out for them. I would say the travelers staying there also provided a lot of insight and stories. Mayn had been traveling for two months to a year. One man named "something" was a year into a bike journey which started in San Fransisco and will hopefully end in Argentina, he expects two more years of travelling, taking extended breaks and biking.
El Zopilote itself was pretty amazing; compost from food and human waste, grey water for the garden from the showers and kitchen, homemade bread, peanut butter and honey. It was established by an old Italian and his son ten years ago it is amazing what they've accomplished in those years with the locals working by their side.
The Nicaraguan living conditions are a bit of what I expected. Many live in shacks but most seem to get along just fine, I would say nearly everyone I make eye contact with has a smile. While taking the bus through the cities and villages one thing is always prominent, the black and red of the FSLN (or Sandinistas). It is clear that the people support the FSLN probably because of historical reasons as well as Daniel Ortega's(Sandinista/Nicaraguan Presidente) current poverty alleviation programs. It always leaves a warm feeling in my heart when I pass the thousands of Augusto Sandino paintings.
Until the next time I have access to a computer
Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment