I left my site early Saturday morning to go visit Carla and our training town. I clearly did not think ahead of time. Our safety and security officer had emailed us telling us Tropical Storm Matthew was on it's way and we should stock up on some drinking water and food just in case. I did that. But then when I was packing to go to Carla's I packed my sunglasses instead of a rain jacket or umbrella. Not my smartest move. Five hours into the six hour trip, it started pouring and I got soaked. Serves me right I suppose.
It didn't stop raining for two days. Carla and I scurried from house to house visiting friends when it would lighten up for a few minutes. It was still a lot of fun: saw friends from training, ate at the new pizza place in town, met the new trainees that are living there. We headed to Managua early Monday morning.
Time for our one-year check-up. None of us are sick but once we're in country for a year they send you to the dentist (no cavities!) and you get a physical, etc. It wasn't enjoyable but it wasn't any worse than doctors in the US. Well, the dentist didn't clean my teeth as thoroughly as I would have liked but, I can live with that.
We met Julie in the office (yes, we made our appointments on the same day and had them put us in the same hotel room that night so we could hang out) and hung out in the hotel room. My shower water was so hot that I looked like a lobster when I came out. That's right, I sort of scalded myself. It felt amazing. I love hot water. We went to the grocery store and stocked up on chips, hummus, chocolate milk, apples, and other delicious things that aren't offered in our towns. Then we watched some trashy TV and hung out in the cold AC air. A trainee asked me if we party when we're in Managua. I described what I do while I'm there and said, "So...yes. It's a party."
All the while it is still raining off and on. We watch the news on Monday evening. The water is up to people's waists in some places. In some towns, water was up to the roofs of houses and people are canoeing down the street. A woman talked about a young boy she saw carried away in the current. My town's bridge was underwater and buses weren't running there anymore because they couldn't pass. It was pretty crazy. The three of us were grateful we were in Managua and together.
That night Peace Corps put us on "standfast" which is the first level of our emergency program. It means we have to stay wherever we are and if we want/need to move around we have to talk to the safety and security guy and get permission. Carla talked to him and he told her to go home. Her site's really close and there aren't really any bridges on the way. Julie and I had to stay another night for other reasons. The rain just kept falling.
Tuesday I had work to do in the office and on Wednesday one of my bosses and I gave a lecture/charla to the new trainees about teaching listening. I was really nervous because I kept thinking, "I'm not experienced. I don't know what to say. What if it's boring?" My worst fear was to give a boring lecture. I did not appreciate most of the lectures we had during our training a year ago and was usually bored out of my mind. I did not want to do that to another group. BUT, I think it went pretty well. We laughed, played games, and I still managed to give useful information. Another thing that was cool, I realized I am experienced and I do know what to say. The trainees would ask questions and I had answers. It was such a revelation. I liked it. It made me realize that I really have been here for a year and I do know what I'm doing (more or less). Also made me realize I only have a little over a year left. Scary.
On Wednesday I talked to some of my bosses and they told me I'd be in Managua for the weekend. WHAT?!?!?!?!? Don't get me wrong guys, Managua is awesome for one or two nights. AC. Hot water. A kick-butt grocery store within walking distance. Cable TV from Miami. Oh...and did I mention that the McDonald's near there puts caramel sauce in the McFlurries?!?!?! Take note America. BUT, after two nights, Managua is super-boring. After two nights I just want to get back to my site and back in my routine and doing things I like to do.
So when they told me that, my first thought was, I only have one more day of clean clothes and even those smell a little moldy. I was NOT pleased.
Late that night I got a text message from another PCV saying standfast was lifted and we were free to move about the country. Thursday morning I packed up my stuff, checked out of the hotel, and headed to the office to take care of some last minute things. I told our country director I was leaving and she said okay. I called my sitemate to make sure the bridge was passable and she said she was on a bus to Managua. I peaced out. My sitemate made it to Managua before I made it to Matiguas (I'd stopped in Boaco to pick up mail: thank you Claire, Mice, and Dad for the package and letters!) and she texted me to tell me standfast really wasn't lifted and some of our bosses were mad at her for coming in.
What the heck?!
The moral of the story is not to worry if you see Nicaragua on the news. While this tropical storm didn't treat this country well, PC has procedures in place and we're all pretty careful.
See you guys in TWO AND A HALF MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Except for my brother...I'll see you in ONE WEEK!)
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