In Nicaragua!

It´s taken two weeks, but Ive finally been able to make it to a computer long enough to make it another two weeks without one. First off, it is hard to believe that it has been two weeks already. There has been nothing here on the island that has reminded me that there is someone out there who has a schedual or keeps a calendar. Although that isnt the norm for most Nicaraguans. Im just not living a Nicaraguan life at the moment. Modern Nicaraguan life is just that. They use most everything that people in a more developed country uses, but everyone may not have all of the latest technology or it might be in a state of constant repair. People may not own a car, but they certainly used co-operatively.

Nicaragua certainly does have its differences though. The most obvious one (besides the climate) that I have noticed is traveling. I had great luck the night that I arrived because Jean-Pierre and Sandra were going to Ometepe to look at Bona Fide, so I caught a ride with them. But once here I was informed that the only way I could pay to stay here was by cash. There was no paypal option or even an atm that accepted mastercard anywhere on the island. What I was left with was traveling off the island to the small city of Rivas and coming back (maybe 35 miles round trip). This trip that would take an hour or two in the US took all day to do. I actually enjoyed seeing the island in the daylight this time, but I wouldnt want to make the trip again anytime soon. I also wish I had a camera to take a picture of how tightly the mini buses are packed with people. They are about one third the size of a school bus with little standing space, but because thats the only option besides walking, they leave no space inside and then have the daring young men climb on top. I dont really understand how the bus doesnt break down under the stress of the weight and rolling over the unpaved roads, but somehow it just doesnt. The only other thing that Im really struggling with here is the chance of food contamination. Theres nothing you can rely on here to be completely free of parasites or unsprayed by something inorganic. This makes me question whether the travel is worth the risk of your health. Its very easy to forget to boil your left over beans twice a day to keep them from going bad in this tropical weather or to leave something uncovered only to come back an hour later and find it covered in fruit flys. So far though, I am enjoying it here.

Being at Bona Fide has been a privelage to be at so far. Its very well planned out permaculturally and Ive been able to get two tours of the site so far. My favorite fact is that there are over 700 species of plants within the 48 acres. My understanding of the goal of the farm is that theyre basically trying to diversify the regions palet and planting options. Theyre planning for a future of climate change where the weather is less predictable and possibly more extreme than it is now (colder, warmer, dryer, wetter, who knows?). And they are working as a research site with the University of Vermont to develope what works best locally and what might work on a more global scale.

Thanks for reading,

Adrian