Overprotected

 

When it came to the hikes in Matagalpa, each and every one is unsafe.  The hikes lead to areas that were unsafe villages.  The locals and the tourists were both saying that it was unsafe. It’s just the areas of town that people don’t go exploring. For me, it is an exploration. I love these people. They are beautiful, kind, full of spirit and religious. Of course, there are those reacting to their environment. They are angry, confused, stealing, misguided, and liars.  I love these people just as much because I know they all have potential. They are going through a difficult time, but inside they are good people. They are on the wrong path, but people have to believe in them in order for them to change.

The biggest advice was to watch my stuff because there were reports of theft-stealing phone and cameras. The most recent report was about a year ago. 

If I had to count the number of hikes I did on a tour, it would probably be on one single hand. I do them alone, I have my time alone with my higher power, I take a lot of time staring at trees, staring at the sky, and smelling flowers, and I’m content.  I don’t need a group of tourists flashing cameras in my face and talking about what they miss about USA-no gracias.

Off I went up to the top with not one person bothering me. People think that there are some guys hanging around waiting to bother you. The only men I saw were working and focused on their job. This hike, specifically, was completely peaceful. The weather was cloudy with the sun making an appearance on occasion. Some kids were on their way to school-my favorite part of traveling-watching kids get an education.

When it came to the view point, I wanted to get to- I asked for advice from my fellow security guard. There were some beautiful houses that he was protecting. He was adorable, just love security guards ugh.


He said there are some “ladrones”-thieves and I should be very careful.

Now when a security guard at the top advises you to be careful-you take his advice. People who are stereotyping-no.

He did say, he would keep an eye on me and the area. He was able to see me walk up to that area.

 

Then I pass by a gardener who is lifting a bush on his back (not something we see regularly). I ask him exactly how to get to the top (I don’t use a map. People are my maps). He tells me to just keep following the dirt path so I do.

There I am walking and walking, the view is getting nicer. I am almost up to the top when I feel a tap on my shoulder.

“Ahhh.” Priscilla

I turn around and it’s the gardner from below.

“I just wanted to make sure you are okay. My friend told me that there can be some thieves up here hiding. You never know what could happen.”

This kid was on the job working for a wealthy home. They could fire him or scold him for disappearing and he came to make sure I get up there safely.

For me, this does not surprise me because I see beautiful people do these acts of kindness over and over. This is what beautiful people do because they care. If these people who talk about how dangerous is it could just read this post.

Anyways, he told me he works as a gardener and works on a family coffee estate on the mountain opposite to us. This boy was angelic, so sweet, innocent, and working to help his family.  He offered to take photos for me and I didn’t even ask him.

I told him that I wanted sometime  to meditate and I didn’t want him to get into trouble. As expected, there were no thieves so I was safe. 

 

It was just me and my space to breathe.  The time on the top just “alone” is priceless. Moments that can’t be replaced with a car or a tour bus. Thank you my legs work just fine. 

A surprise on the way down...

It’s just incredible how safe and protected, I can feel from local people. It’s the opposite of the tourist expectation and I write this so travelers can believe in people. Believe the best and your will receive the best. Believe the worst and you will receive the worst. Please look at the evidence. Both these local people were concerned for me going up by myself and they wanted me to be safe. There was a possibility of someone committing a crime, but there was no one there. The locals protect the tourists because they also have a fear that something could happen. Both sides are juggling fear back and forth.  If there was a seriously dangerous place, I would take people’s advice, but I know this is not.  It’s just local people living their daily lives-this is not crime rather this reality.

Nice place near the top is Lomas De San Thomas, which is a resort. This area could really be that bad that close the a resort? Most likely not.