The Pacific Coast of Corinto Nicaragua..

Corinto is a small town located on the northwest coast of Nicaragua. Corinto might only have a population of 20,000 people, who are mostly poor and struggling to survive, but it has one of the most important harbors in Nicaragua.

I must confess that one of my concerns for this trip was my inability to run each day. It simply isn't safe enough to go out for a run in many parts of this country. The group leader (who is also a runner) was able to plan a day at the local beach in Corinto. We were able to throw on our running shoes and take off down the beach. The weather was hot, but perfect for one who had not been able to run in 4 days (to my runner friends - I know you get this!). We were limited to a short three mile run due to the humidity and heat conditions. The simple sounds of the ocean waves rolling in and out during our run made for a pleasant trek.

It was simply beautiful! I am reminded of the simple things in my life. I find myself in much gratitude for having the desire, will and drive to run each day. I am grateful that my physical body supports this passion.

I am looking forward to being home and having the freedom to put on my shoes and take off, although, I will miss the sounds of the ocean rolling in and out.

Gotta Run, Brandi J.

~~The Lost Art of Communication~~

" For most of human history, face-to-face communication was the core of our interaction. But not today. We text, we email, we blog, we friend each other on social networks. In the new age of electronic media, family and friends converse less than ever. As a result, we miss out on one of life's singular pleasures: a relaxed, civilized exchange of views."Alexander Green

I share with you one of the most valuable lessons which I have learned during my time in Nicaragua. The experience of community is abundant here. Spending time in conversation is an art form which has not been lost upon the communities which we visited in Nicaragua. Spending time together preparing meals and enjoying afternoon conversations is something that you see and experience each day. They are not distracted by telephones, emailing and texting. They are present in every moment. There is a depth to those whom I have had the opportunity to meet with during this week that I don't often feel at home in the states.

Life lessons come to us in many forms. Personally, I believe we understand them and open up to them when we are at a point in life of being ready. Four years ago, I had a moment of clarity. This moment of clarity came to me during proceedings of my divorce. I realized that I had lost the ability to communicate with my spouse in my marriage. I realized the value of communication in a relationship and how quickly and fleeting it had become in our life and in our marriage. This lesson was something that I vowed to work on and to learn better skills of communicating with other's. Have I done this? In some ways, yes. However, there is always room for improvement.

In parting, I leave you with the following thought..Charles Dickens said, "Never close your lips to those whom you have opened your heart."

My family will visit this weekend. For today, I am committing to hugging them a bit tighter, telling them I love them a few more times and doing my best to be PRESENT with them. To communicate with them and to be open to them.

love and peace, brandi j.

The Dump

This week, we worked in a local community known as El Limonal. El Limonal is located just outside of Chinandega, Nicaragua. The people of the community were relocated here after Hurricane Mitch destroyed their village in 1998. The Nicaraguan government of the time relocated the people in the area which is surrounded by a Grave Yard, A Sewage Plant, and the City Dump and then left them to fend for themselves. The community gathers recyclables from the dump to sell and support their families.

We learned that the locals in this community once referred to their new home as the "triangle of death", however, in recent years and with the assistance of mission workers from churches and rotary clubs, they now refer to their home as the "triangle of life".

I have enclosed three photos which were taken at the local dump site during the week. Each day, the community of people from El Limonal make their way to the dump site. They spend the day sorting and sifting through the rubble which is delivered from Chinandega throughout the day. You see mother's, father's and children of all ages walking through the rubble with a stick equipped with a pointer on the end and a bag to place their selected goods of the day. The goods which are found are then carried back into the community to be sold or used by the member's. The community has started a recycle collection for bottles. We saw very large quantities of recyclable items being delivered to the designated location, and also saw them being carried away by a large truck.

A Smattering Of Thoughts..

One man's trash is another man's treasure??? I have heard this term many times throughout my life, however, this week, I have found a deeper meaning of garbage being "another man's treasure". The dump at El Limonal is a place of constant activity. The trucks deliver loads of garbage and the community begins to sort through the garbage. You see small fires throughout the grounds. You see horses walking around and eating. You see small children digging and sorting. My mind continually comes back to the idea that the community of El Limonal truly does practice re-use. They find creative uses for many things. They rely on the items found during their work at the dump to assist in providing meals and other means for gaining money.

As we arrive at each location, you can hear the children running after the van's yelling "gringas" or "gringos". I don't know if there is a positive or negative connotation with this term (I was able to find both when researching), yet, I can tell you that the way in which they use the term, it feels endearing and nothing more. They are happy for us to be here working to assist them with some of their most basic needs.

My intention each day during this week was to write about my experience, however, each night when I set out to do so, the emotions surrounding the day were overwhelming. So, I will be updating of the experience as I sort through the photos and am able to process.

the key to living is giving, brandi j.

My time in Nicaragua has been eye-opening and yet soothing for the soul. We have spent a majority of time at two locations, El Minal and Corinto. These are two locations where the rotary club have been active presently and in years past.

On Sunday, I went to mass here in Chinendaga. Again, I am reminded of the transcendence of religion between all cultures. There were two services, one that began at 6 a.m. and one that we understood started at 9:00 a.m. We missed both and ended up at the back of the church for the final mass service on Sunday. I experienced the same feelings at Mass in Nicaragua as I experience at Mass in the states. I could feel the happiness, and yet I could feel the pain as I stood and participated in the closing of the mass. I think of all the people in the service that are praying for something in their own life, praying for a friend or loved one who might be in sort of challenging situation in life. Praying for the loss of something or someone in their life. I went to the alter, got down on my knees and simply asked God to continue to show each one of us the way. I lit a candle in honor of life, love and the struggles of human kind. I thought of each of you that might be reading and following this blog and offered thanks for your presence in my life.

Following Mass, we attended a dedication service of a local "nutrition clinic" in Corinto. There was a time when the doctors at the local hospital mentioned that no amount of medication could assist in conquering the illnesses of the children of Nicaragua if they did not have proper nutrition. So, the rotary clinic went to work and built a small building which now feeds up to 170 kids each day. The children are selected and given tickets to attend the daily feedings. I asked how the selection process worked and was told that the children from the "poorer" neighborhoods were given tickets. The women that run the nutrition clinic work hard to feed the children each day. It is as if each child is their very own child. They made the member's of the rotary club and volunteers a wonderful mean of rice, chicken and friend plantains. There was a thank you ceremony where they gave thanks to the worker's and praised the work that had already been complete.

We had an opportunity to meet three peace core volunteers. These are amazing young people who are dedicating two years of their life to live in the small villages, learn the language and culture. There were two from the U.S., a young girl from Boston, a young man who is completing his two years of service from Connecticut and lastly one from Germany who was here for a year term. These are normal young American's and German's who for whatever reason have felt the calling and responded to give their life in service for an extended period. They give up a great deal of freedom to give their time in service. I also learned that some of those that volunteer with the peace core experience deep depression from being in remote locations, new culture and the process and time it takes to learn the language. They are involved in many different projects during their time abroad. Evan and Christian, whom are from Germany and Connecticut spend their time in Corinto giving lectures to the locals on HIV awareness, domestic violence and other forms of prevention to keep the people safe. I am quite thankful for young people like these three who are taking the time to make this a priority in their life.

We spent a few hours on the pacific ocean on Sunday. I was able to go for a 30 minute run along the shore line. I must say there is simply nothing like running along the beach and hearing and seeing the waves rush in. I am a woman that loves the water and the mountains, so this was a true treat for me. The temperature was hot, therefore, the run had to be short. I jumped into the ocean following the run and that is an experience I don't get often. The water is beautiful and the beaches were filled with people from Nicaragua. The children on the beaches have learned how to ask for "one dollar". They say hello, smile and then ask you for money. Thankfully, I had very little cash with me. Otherwise, I would have given it all away to the kids.

I continue to be enamored with the spirit of the people. I always believed my first travels abroad would take me to India. They have so little, yet, they have so much. For as much as I feel we are able to give them and teach them during our time here, I think they have a great deal to offer us in terms of living a simple life, being present and the importance of community and family.

Much Love to you, Brandi J.

The Triangle of Hell

The first day of work is complete... The work day began at 9:30 yesterday. We were taken by van to a site known as the "triangle of death". The name draws its meaning because the people in this area are surrounded by the dump ground and the cemetery.

The road less traveled... perhaps! It is a long and winding road to get to the place where the people have created a community. You travel through mud and scattered trash. In the morning hours, I was able to see the locals preparing for the day. The children were out running and playing, while the parents were preparing for a day of work. A day of work for the parents includes the laundry which is hand washed and air dried. They were also preparing for meals of the day, which include a very large pot of cooked vegetables.

Yesterday, at El Limonal (spelling), we began work on a small school that will house pre-school age children. We joined a team of local men in making the rebar to hold the structure of the school. I learned how to make the walls (a.k.a. brick laying). The foreman of the job is a jolly fellow. He and I began the day trying to make my limited spanish vocabulary work. By the end of the day, he had began to use sign language to communicate with me, and this worked well. The work is hard, but as you watch the locals of El Limonal work together, you feel very much a part of building a new life for them.

At the end of yesterday, someone asked me my biggest take away from the first day has been. Without pause, I can tell you that while the living conditions are sparse, this community of people love each other and they take care of each other. There is a sense of community that I have never experienced. The children run around and play all day. They are inquisitive, smiling, laughing and being children. There is something so simple about their life. They are each present and attentive. As we worked in one of the families general area, I watched the mother's play with their young children. One mother sat for an hour swinging her baby in a swing. They don't have the daily distractions of the internet and text messages to keep them drawn to a gadget. They are simply present with life and with their conditions, and they seem happy. Each person that you encounter offers a smile. It is a smile from the soul. It is as if you can see right down into the very core of each individual that you encounter. They are happy to have us and we are so happy to be there.

As I prepare for another day of work at the Triangle of Hell, I can say that while I wasn't totally sure what to expect from the travel to Nicaragua, I can tell you that there is most definitely truth in living a simple life.

As I was roaming around El Limonal yesterday, I found a lovely hibiscus flower. I am reminded of the beauty that is always around us.

I have also learned that the location where we are working has been renamed to "the triangle of life". I like this better.

Much Love and Peace, Brandi J.

Just Another Day In.....Chinandega

... off to an early start. I was able to get a good night of rest. The hotel accommodations in Chinandega are nice and the place is quite welcoming. My spanish speaking skills are quite limited, however, I am finding that non-verbal expressions truly do transcend and this makes communications with the locals manageable. I took a few years of spanish in high school and can muster up enough to ask someone their name, how they are doing and if they have a job. But, a smile or a look of utter confusion when being spoken to allows me to communicate with my fellow Nicaragua friends.

The days begin early here. My hotel room is located on the second floor of a busy intersection. There are no traffic lights on the streets, so as the cars make there way through the intersection(s), they honk as they approach. I have seen a few near fatal accidents in the short time I have been out this morning, however, the atmosphere remains calm even as the cars converge in the intersections. Those on bicycles feel as though they have as much right away as those in taxi's and so they all converge at the intersection and make room for each other.

As I sat observing the culture this morning, I realize that mornings here are much the same as they are at home. People are mulling around exchanging pleasantries and preparing for Friday's day of work. The means of transportation here are taxi, bicycle, motorcycles, walking and then there are other's that provide transportation on a means quiet similar to a bicycle/taxi. There are horses that walk down the main streets here in Chinandega. I have seen many local farmers bringing in the days harvest to sell at the markets. The fruit is vibrantly colorful! Unfortunately, we are sticking with the items provided by the hotel and restaurants to avoid any unnecessary bacteria.

I went out exploring on foot this morning and found the local catholic church, radio shack and other local stores. The people are so friendly. They love to have their photos taken. This gave me an opportunity to capture the culture of Nicaragua.

There was a beautiful sunset outside of my window this morning. Again, I am reminded of another beauty that transcends all locations. There is a constant smell in the air of something burning. I have learned that this is a product of the locals burning sugar cane. My eyes tear up each time I go outside from the smoke in the air. The weather today was humid but definitely manageable.

It was a beautiful day! I will write more about the morning/afternoon at the local dump in the morning. It was an experience that I will not quickly forget, yet, one that I find meaningful and worth sharing. I have uploaded photos from today to FB and Picasa.

A full recap of the experience of working today will be posted tomorrow a.m.

Until then, keep living and dreaming.

Peace and Love, Brandi J.

A Safe Arrival in Nicaragua...

We arrived safely in Managua! Received my first (of what I presume will be many) stamps on my passport and have checked into the hotel. Much to write about, however, I find myself utterly exhausted and am calling it a day. It started at 3 a.m. this morning and is now coming to a close at 1:00 A.M. local time (which is Dallas time). I will post more tomorrow. For now, yawn, stretch, sniffle and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's!

peace and love, me