Nicaragua Post #1



San Cristobal, one of Nicaragua's seven active volcanoes. Photo by Al Jazeera.

With days left before leaving for Nicaragua, it's going to get busy. The almost surreal feeling that comes with realizing that months of planning and organizing, phone calls and E-mails -- and the occasional Skype call -- are about to converge into the real event is something I am by now well-acquainted with.  This, after all, will be my 5th trip abroad in eighteen months and my -- I dunno -- perhaps 22nd trip abroad so far this lifetime.

 

The broad outline for this my first trip to Nicaragua is as follows:  1) Fly from Lexington to Managua, Nicaragua via Delta Airlines, going  through Atlanta and arriving in Managua at around 9:00 p.m. 2) Early the next morning take a one hour flight to Big Corn Island, where later that same day I will scuba dive. 3) Early the following morning take the 30 minute boat ride to Little Corn Island, spending one to two nights there where I will scuba dive. 4) Return to Big Corn for one or two nights before flying back to Managua. 5) Spend approximately six days in Managua where I will serve as a volunteer consultant at Nicaragua Christian Academy/Najapa Campus. 6) Spend approximately five days at Nicaragua Christian Academy/Matagalpa Campus before returning stateside.

 

Other than the time spent on the Corn Islands, I will stay with Nicaraguan families, making this somewhat of a cultural immersion experience, which really is my preferred mode of traveling abroad. It would be hard for me to exaggerate how much I value directly experiencing the culture I am traveling in, the day-to-day hum of its people and civilization. It can be profoundly challenging and stressful, but it can also be deeply rewarding, at times even joyous.  It is also part of who and what I am. And it is a trip often best done solo.

 

I've been watching the weather there and, clearly, Managua is hot at this time of the year. Daytime highs of 96 - 100 F are the norm. Matagalpa, at a higher elevation, will be markedly less blazing.  The Carribbean Corn Islands, with a consistent breeze and constant proximity to the ocean, will likely be the most pleasant.

 

My communications with the folks at Nicaraguan Christian Academy seem to be off to a good start. They seem friendly, reasonable.  I hope -- indeed, I pray -- that I am able to make some positive accomplishment to that institution during my visit.