Showing posts with label Granada. Show all posts

Street Fight

As if my excitement wasn't enough for the day, I had to add to it with a nice dinner out. It always comes down to "the last supper" except this time my supper had a minor interruption.

It was around 8pm, I had went home, showered and decided to come back out. It was my last night why be boring and go to sleep? Why not make it interesting? Oh it was interesting.

As I'm walking down the street towards Central Park, there are not many people out and it's a calm and quiet night. At least that's the way it seems. I walk toward the restaurants after the cathedral and hear shouting. I see four to five men fighting. They appear to be young in their early to mid twenties. I decide to get a better view and stand in the doorways to the restaurant. I stand next to a bus boy while they are fighting on the sidewalk in front. As I stand, five to six boys flee the scene. All that is left are these two boys fighting one another and their two friends trying to stop them.

A few seconds later a guy comes running in with a machete( a huge knife that is used in violent fights). Three of them run off and it's just this one guy having a machete swung at his face. When I see this machete, I know I should move, but I just stand still with my hands covering my face. This guy grabs my arm and says, "Come back, it's not safe for you."

We stand back and are still watching. He says he is from Chicago and I am too of course. We can't believe what is happening right in front of our eyes and of All places- the tourist area. Locals having a fight in a tourist area is highly uncommon and I have never seen it.
Unfortunately, this poor boy was not going to win this battle against a machete. His two friends left are screaming and crying. The fight is coming to the end as this poor guy is losing his strength and the machete comes down onto his shoulder cutting into his arm.

The guy runs off and now he is left there bleeding to death. There is no ambulance coming and blood is filling the black pavement. His friends pick him up and carry him to the hospital.

We are in awe of the whole thing just staring at the blood. We decided to take a walk to catch our breath. We are still walking and chatting with people about what happened. This guy is just like me where he talks to strangers with such pleasure and ease. He is originally from Puerto Rico, but he’s lived in Chicago his whole life. He works in the amazing field of water treatment making water cleaner for schools all throughout Central America. He is constantly traveling for work and he is passionate about this cause. I just love meeting people who are passionate about something truly important for human beings and in this case-the world.

The poor quality of water is a huge problem not only in Central America, but all over the world. He is confident that things will improve overtime as long as people keep working towards a cause. It’s such a hopeful voice that touches my heart deeply. He was just a breath of fresh air.

La Esperanza Granada

Before traveling to Central America, I was researching organizations for each country. When it came to my Nicaragua search, it was difficult to find an organization that didn't require a volunteer fee or a 1 year commitment.

I found this organization and spoke with the Director after giving my background and experience. We emailed back and forth a bit and it was a sad moment when I realized I could not come assist her. She said she needed 3 months minimum and that was my whole trip. We both had such a respect and interest in learning from one another and it was difficult to realize it wouldn't work at all. She did ask me to stop by for coffee and see her, but my Granada time was only one day.

Here is their website description below

It's truly a fantastic organization and a great place to donate.

About Us

Located in Granada, Nicaragua, La Esperanza Granada is a volunteer group focusing on children’s education. ‘Born’ in 2002, we started in one small village on the outskirts of Granada, and now help more than 2,000 children in poverty-stricken areas. Our volunteers go out into the schools and assist the teachers, tutor young children, run sports programs, introduce children to computers, teach English and help stimulate an interest in learning. Volunteers come from around the world, for varying lengths of time. There are no program fees. Fund raising is independent and voluntary. We try to help in a noninvasive way, working directly with the children and with the local schools, teachers, and parents to meet educational needs.

We are a non-profit, non-political, non-denominational organization, funded by donations of individuals, groups, service groups, schools, etc. Donations are used for building new classrooms and schools, contributing to teachers salaries, and many other things to help improve education and health for the children, such as making copies of exams and worksheets, buying textbooks, dental visits, sports supplies, school repairs, and a never ending list of needs in this impoverished country.

Our mission: By providing opportunities and resources for the long term educational advancement and community development of Nicaraguan barrios we hope to brighten the future of the children by empowering the people of the villages to improve their current living conditions and break the cycle of poverty. Our focus is on children’s education.

Our motto: We believe in giving a hand up, not a handout.

Whether your interest is volunteering, contributing goods, donating money, or simply curiosity, we appreciate you taking the time to look through this website, and hope it will satisfy your interest.

Donations, Donations, Donations, Donations, Donations

http://www.la-esperanza-granada.org/payment-options/

Worldwide – PayPal

You can donate any amount directly using our Paypal Link.
Anyone with a credit card can donate via PayPal and it is not necessary to create a PayPal account to donate.

U.S.A. Donors

For a 501(c)3 Tax Deductability:

Write a check to:
“Institute for Central American Studies” and write La Esperanza Granada in the memo line. Please note: La Esperanza Granada is a project of the Institute for Central American Studies (ICAS), a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States. For more information about ICAS, please visit: the ICAS Homepage. ICAS will mail a tax receipt to the address that appears on your check.

Please mail all checks to:

ICAS/La Esperanza Granada
2719 Barlow Dr., Castro Valley, CA. 94546

Church Stops

When it comes to rushing around a city trying to see everything, my awareness has increased into this kind of behavior. It's not possible to see everything, but you can see most things if you have the time.

Although, when it comes to churches they are something I do try and see. It's important for me to see most or all of the churches because it's meaningful and important to me. Walking inside the church is a feeling a home, of peace, security, and love. I guess I could describe it as walking inside your big, loving family's home and receiving those big smiles and hugs. It's just wonderful to go inside the church and have that peace to myself without the outside world. It's a time to pray, especially for the locals that I am meeting. They need someone to care for them and pray for them because they are people too. Of course, one can pray outside of church, but I'm one of the people who truly connects to the church. I rely on it for spiritual support and growth.

This spiritual exploration applies in the US and it definitely applies when abroad. For me, it's fascinating to see churches outside my element. Those of Spanish culture are particularly beautiful with interesting historical backgrounds and left in different states. Granada is one of the oldest mainland settlements in America(USA today).
Therefore, I may be guilty of rushing to see churches because of how high their value and meaning is in my life. They are just a home to me and to everyone else who truly believes.

Here are a few church descriptions from USA today:

Cathedral of Granada

Located right on the central plaza, the Cathedral of Granada is a bright yellow neoclassical church originally built in 1583, and destroyed in the 19th century, only to be rebuilt again in the early 20th century. The interior of the church features three naves and four chapels and extensive stained glass windows. The central Plaza is always alive with activity, from live music to outdoor festivals, and the Cathedral of Granada provides a iconic backdrop to the city's cultural life.

La Merced

Built in 1534, La Merced is one of the oldest cathedrals in Central America and was one of the most important churches in Granada until its main tower was destroyed in 1854. The rest of the old church remains however, with several additions, including the rebuilding of the tower in 1862. La Merced has a baroque facade and three interior naves and is located two blocks west of the central plaza, where it sits on its own small corner plaza surrounded by other spectacular colonial buildings.

Iglesia de Guadalupe

The faded and crumbling exterior of this impressive 17th century cathedral only add to its charm as it towers over the surrounding historic residential neighborhood in eastern Granada. The Iglesia of Guadalupe was used as a fortress by William Walker in 1856, when the American filibuster was being driven out of the country after invading and placing himself as president a year earlier. The interior of the church features a stained glass dedication to the Virgin of Guadalupe and rows of Corinthian columns.

Source: USA TODAY

Chocolate Heaven

In Granada, they have a chocolate factory, which makes all varieties of chocolate ranging from milk to pure dark. They have kinds such as cinnamon, Dutch cookies, mint, and almonds. While I didn't take the tour, I didn't need to because I went in the store and got all the info. from the staff member. He held the samples near his register and I was standing over their taking my pick. The cinnamon was my favorite and you could taste how super fresh it was produced. They also sold chocolate tea, chocolate wafers, chocolate peanuts and raisins, and my favorite- the organic chocolate brownie($5) more than I pay at Whole foods, but totally worth it.

Truly, I wanted to buy more than just a brownie and two chocolate bars, but I had to have discipline as my bag was getting fatter and fatter.
The Masaya markets truly filled up my bag!

This kid, Carlos, selling the chocolate was so clean cut and dressed so nice for his job-such a respect for their jobs and tourism.

He let me be silly and play dress up...

What is on my shoulder? It's the traditional cup that you fill up with juice and drink out of-almost like a coconut.

After my chocolate venture I walked down this street, which was the tourist street full of restaurants, bars, and shops. This lead up to the main square which is called "Central Park."

God Bless this Family

Riding along I saw this beautiful family in the village. They were just standing around looking like they needed something to do and they invited me to sit with them. All the kids were so kind introducing themselves. One by one they said their hello's and they were so happy to see a new face. As they kept coming, I was counting and counting and counting-there ended up being 9. It's common for Nicaraguan's to have more than 6 children in their family therefore this was not a surprise.

What was a sad surprise was there living conditions living in a small barn with some kind of rectangular cabin on the opposite(cabin is not the correct term, but I do not like continuously using the word shack due to labeling/ discrimination). The house itself had a wooden fence up like a horse stable and there was a filthy bench outside.

Like an off duty social worker, I was just observing my surroundings. Not at any point did I comment on their lack of space or how they get by there, that was not the point of my visit. My visit was to get to know them and be a friendly kind face.

Of course, I did praise the mother for her difficult job raising the children without any support or assistance. I shared with her the many mothers I have worked with who had this same problem. Her resilience and strength of self shine through as she was sweeping and then feeding the hens.

The neighbor from across and her older daughter to see what all the commotion was about. Her older daughter brought over her sumo size baby. I was looking at him trying to figure out if I ever saw a 6 month old baby that big. As for the 14 year old neighbor, he was just fascinated with me and he asked me all about USA and what it's like. These people just break my heart because they are so wonderful, so curious, and most won't get the chance to travel outside of their country or even their village. It's not truly being "stuck" when you are in such a beautiful area, city, and country, but they still deserve the right to explore. An American has that opportunity with just money and an American passport-not fair at all.

I asked him why didn't you smile when you were so happy talking to me.

"I want to look cool for America."
Mission accomplished my friend....

When I spoke with the little girls, they were interested in Dora and Disney characters. The middle age boy talked about how his neighbor has an xbox that he gets to use sometimes. We played some tag for a bit and then I had to stop with the heat and carrying around no water-did I mention how smart I am?

When I'm out on the streets, I like to have something to give them and something that makes the most financial and kid sense is candy. It's something nice to give to kids who are working with their families-form of praise. I was in luck because all I had were some candies to share with them. It was something small and they were so thankful. And when something small comes to American kids, they say "I don't like this flavor can I have a new one?" Not with these children-they are thankful for what they get and they are far from spoiled.

It was time for me to depart and continue my bike stops and see the rest of Granada, which was fantastic with the orange, green, and yellow houses. I wish an orange, green, or yellow house could be given to this family. I know God will take care of them....he always does and always will because they are his people who have truly good hearts and the secret to a good life...