25 things that will help you understand my life as a PCT in Nicaragua…

1.I am in the 50th group of volunteers to come to Nicaragua since PC returned in the 90s, PC will be celebrating its 50th anniversary during our service, therefore Nica 50 has been dubbed el grupo de oro, the golden group…high expectations
2.During training, I get paid about 300 córdobas/week (that’s about $15 USD)
3.Food: I have a tortilla at almost every meal; They serve “queso” with almost every meal…I would describe it as a salty, spongy, feta cheese; Almost all food is fried in oil, including rice and beans (gallo pinto)
4.There is no running water in my home during the day (re: bucket baths)
5.The nica accent is similar to that in southern Spain, ie. impossible to understand
6.I can see a volcano from the main road in my town
7.Almost every leader that has come to power in modern Nicaragua has been a corrupt tyrant: corruption, debt, and politics rule the country
8.I have over 20 Nicaragüense cousins, most of which live in my town, some of which I believe my mama is trying to marry me off to
9.Naipe, jaquis, and rayuelas have become part of my vernacular (cards, jacks, and hopscotch)
10.Horses are a legitimate and widely used form of transportation
11.Waking up at 4am with the roosters is no big thing
12.The national sport of Nicaragua is baseball (re: go Yankees!)
13.I work 6 days/week 6 hours/day, spend 2 hours/day of reading or homework, and full time at improving my Spanish
14.It…Is…HOT
15.Music: Aventura is the band of choice, bachata and reggaeton the music, though if you ask my sister, Christina Aguilera and Hannah Montana are where it’s at
16.PC must be the most high functioning part of the US government…everyone is knowledgeable, quick to respond, and very caring
17.I have a cousin here named Carlos, but everyone calls him Negro or Negrito, and I’m not sure why. I don’t think he lives here, but he’s in the house most days before I wake up and stays still after I’m asleep. There is quite an open door policy for family here.
18.Costa Ricans and Nicaraguans hate have a strong distaste for each other
19.Daily mood swings/slight schizophrenia are my new norm
20.Burning garbage is the official scent of my town
21.Everything is dusty
22.My malaria medicine has been giving me craaaaaazy dreams
23.There is no such thing as street names or addresses…directions are given in reference to landmarks (ex. the peace corps office address is Del Hotel Brandt, 1 ½ al sur…meaning it is 1 ½ blocks to the south of Hotel Brandt…hopefully you know where that is)
24.It is winter in Nicaragua now, ie. the rainy season. The storms here are outrageous.
25.Have you seen the youtube video “My new haircut”? yea, I think every young guy in my town has, and they’ve taken gelled hair styles to new levels.

Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it.