cat calls

Adios mi amor.
chica bonita, la mujer más linda.
Wouldn’t it be lovely? To hear these words. Whispered to you. Everyday.
How romantic. Well, I do hear these words…whispered to me…everyday. And no, I haven’t found a nica boy. And no, I don’t feel special at all, since every other woman here in Jinotega hears these same words…whispered to them…everyday. So here it is, one month into service and I have finally been pushed to the breaking point on Nicaraguan cat calling. I used to walk with my eyes up and head held high, but I find myself staring at the sidewalk more and more. Avoiding eye contact doesn’t make a difference though, except for the fact that I don’t have to remember what the creep looked like. The men here have a way of making you feel completely naked walking down the street. They wait until you take one step past them, your back now facing them, to hiss whatever “romantic” slur they’ve come up with, letting you know that they are still looking as you walk away, rigid now, trying desperately not to swish your hips, which is tough for a hippy girl like me.
Listen, I’m pretty girly. I like to wear makeup and dresses. I like floral prints. I think the color purple is fierce. I use the word fierce. But I’m considering wearing a burlap sac accessorized with greasy hair and no make-up if it means I wont get cat-called on the street anymore. At first it made me laugh. Maybe a nervous giggle of culture shock, but still. And sometimes it still makes me laugh (I’m telling you, some of the things they come up with are outrageous). But feeling eyes on you at all times is just not comfortable. Now people will throw around the word machismo. Excuses. I don’t buy it. And this certainly isn’t an ailment of all Nica men, I have met plenty of perfectly respectful guys here. But, there is a “type” and I am worried by its omnipresence. So this is a call to all Nica dads out there, teach your sons right.
And don't worry, i have a super positive, upbeat post in the works, cuz life is great for the most part.