Reentry into Ometepe
It took two days plus to reach my final destination, quite gruelling days because my luggage was rather heavy and US passport control manages to make any journey a nightmare even if you're only passing through. I had to argue my corner at Heathrow as they wanted to charge for the extra suitcase, despite having three included in my ticket, and at Miami I stood in three queues for more than two hours despite using an electronic visa kiosk. There seemed to be little concern for those in transit catching other flights who didn't even want to enter the US.
However all was accomplished and my cases weren't checked in Managua, taxi arrived promptly and my new choice of hotel worked just fine. More homely, less pretentious and half the price, but comfortable, clean and with hot water.
Marvin the administrator here, Jose, Marvin's son Jordy and cousin Jonathan came with Marlon the taxi driver in the microbus. Previously Marlon had brought his auntie along, this time a co driver. They had all been up since 4am and I discovered later none had eaten since the previous day, and for various reasons Jose hadn't eaten since breakfast the previous day. They declined my offer of breakfast opting for coffee, and no one mentioned feeling hungry; I shared the few snacks in my hand luggage on the ferry, a packet of nuts, airline pretzels, olives and oatmeal biscuits, just like feeding the five thousand. It was 6pm when we finally ate en route to Urbaite.
The journey took us some time as we had to visit CECA first to collect the instruments that had been ordered with the Rotary grant. And of course, despite prior phone calls, the contact person wasn't there, all the information had to be looked up, then there was the challenge of entering me as the customer. My passport number has less digits than a Nicaraguan identity card, so eventually he just added a few extra noughts. After that began the process of finding all the items, opening boxes and checking them and the even bigger challenge of fitting them in the van. Four boxes were roped on the roof rack. By this time I decided we should leave my phone package so we could get to the ferry. This took longer than I had thought, possibly because the additional taxi driver had business in Granada so was dropped off and picked up- this being the norm, you just take advantage of the opportunity.
We then discovered that high winds had caused some ferries to be cancelled so we needed to take advantage of the next available ferry, which of course involved a certain amount of bureaucracy, port taxes , carriage fees, personal tickets, port entry for the bus.......so no lunch and no phone package. That all waited til we arrived on the island.
After a quick supper stop, ( except I ordered chicken spaghetti that appeared to involve someone going off to collect a chicken) we headed to Urbaite, delivered the instruments to the school, collected the uniforms to take to the hotel (now under my bed) and picked up some water. All of us were stiff from too much sitting and glad to get me despatched to my hotel. However having got myself organised, the day receptionist on the following day, was most upset that I had been given the wrong room. Mine had an additional large table I had requested and they had bought new pillows for me. Silvia the receptionist helped me move, then I did a move of the furniture taking account of the sockets. It was my room from last year and I was quite pleased, as with ferocious winds, I had hardly slept in the other room and was beginning to feel quite frazzled.
Friday a party has been organised at the school and prior to that I needed to sort out some of the materials for teachers. So Lou came to collect me at about 11am to go to Marvin's for lunch. Lou's little boy Marcello has really grown up and although at first a bit nervous , eventually came to me for a hug.
Mind you, he screamed when Lou took me home at the end of the day so he may not be so enamoured if he associates me with his mum leaving him with the family. We sorted out the bags of stationery for the teachers, the Rotary sign and a few little instruments I had managed to squeeze in my suitcase. Then Jordy took my blow up cushion to a neighbour as none of us could blow it up. We decided they had forgotten to make a hole in it! So now my aging bones will have a little more comfort, one of the challenges where all seats are wood or metal and you have little padding.
At the appointed time we went up to the school, Marvin took me round to see all the work that had been done, such an improvement from my first visit. I have some real before and after evidence.
We went into the room that had been beautifully prepared, the table coverings , called bambellinas, which are used for any official functions, had been bought from the funds, the data projector, one of our first purchases two years ago projected a welcome message. I couldn't possibly point out the error in my name as they had clearly worked so hard. The room had been painted by some Costa Rican students, Hemer had found on the internet, and the electricity had been installed by Macy and his Rotary support from Vermont. All came together to make a smart atmosphere befitting the school's current aspirations.
One of the teachers led off with a prayer, many thanks, blessings and wishes for future health. Then the head played a musical video he had made of the school activities, showing staff and students using equipment bought with the funds. It was excellent. I was invited to speak. I reflected back on my first contact via Jose and how overwhelmed I had been by their needs but with the support of so many kind people , how we had made such progress. I talked about what a good year it had been with the extra supporting Rotary grant, pointing out that whilst we have hope, every year may not be the same; I said I would talk to Hemer and list their priorities and whilst some were achievable, others might need me to seek outside grants. Hemer talked about how the goods we sent were distributed periodically, to the children, how parents and students had been encouraged to care for everything.
A meal was then served, part of my rather large meal was put aside for Jose's mum. After this we left, the head explaining that I was tired. There was also a pending arrangement for a meeting with Donald, Jose's boss at the finca, later, but that became deferred to be a breakfast meeting at Hotel Villa Paraiso, this morning. It turned out to be a useful meeting with someone with business interests and knowledge and experience of working in Nicaragua.
And now I am feeling so much more relaxed and able to enjoy my morning walk on the beach and the wonderful welcome and hospitality of these lovely people.
However all was accomplished and my cases weren't checked in Managua, taxi arrived promptly and my new choice of hotel worked just fine. More homely, less pretentious and half the price, but comfortable, clean and with hot water.
Marvin the administrator here, Jose, Marvin's son Jordy and cousin Jonathan came with Marlon the taxi driver in the microbus. Previously Marlon had brought his auntie along, this time a co driver. They had all been up since 4am and I discovered later none had eaten since the previous day, and for various reasons Jose hadn't eaten since breakfast the previous day. They declined my offer of breakfast opting for coffee, and no one mentioned feeling hungry; I shared the few snacks in my hand luggage on the ferry, a packet of nuts, airline pretzels, olives and oatmeal biscuits, just like feeding the five thousand. It was 6pm when we finally ate en route to Urbaite.
The journey took us some time as we had to visit CECA first to collect the instruments that had been ordered with the Rotary grant. And of course, despite prior phone calls, the contact person wasn't there, all the information had to be looked up, then there was the challenge of entering me as the customer. My passport number has less digits than a Nicaraguan identity card, so eventually he just added a few extra noughts. After that began the process of finding all the items, opening boxes and checking them and the even bigger challenge of fitting them in the van. Four boxes were roped on the roof rack. By this time I decided we should leave my phone package so we could get to the ferry. This took longer than I had thought, possibly because the additional taxi driver had business in Granada so was dropped off and picked up- this being the norm, you just take advantage of the opportunity.
We then discovered that high winds had caused some ferries to be cancelled so we needed to take advantage of the next available ferry, which of course involved a certain amount of bureaucracy, port taxes , carriage fees, personal tickets, port entry for the bus.......so no lunch and no phone package. That all waited til we arrived on the island.
After a quick supper stop, ( except I ordered chicken spaghetti that appeared to involve someone going off to collect a chicken) we headed to Urbaite, delivered the instruments to the school, collected the uniforms to take to the hotel (now under my bed) and picked up some water. All of us were stiff from too much sitting and glad to get me despatched to my hotel. However having got myself organised, the day receptionist on the following day, was most upset that I had been given the wrong room. Mine had an additional large table I had requested and they had bought new pillows for me. Silvia the receptionist helped me move, then I did a move of the furniture taking account of the sockets. It was my room from last year and I was quite pleased, as with ferocious winds, I had hardly slept in the other room and was beginning to feel quite frazzled.
Friday a party has been organised at the school and prior to that I needed to sort out some of the materials for teachers. So Lou came to collect me at about 11am to go to Marvin's for lunch. Lou's little boy Marcello has really grown up and although at first a bit nervous , eventually came to me for a hug.
Mind you, he screamed when Lou took me home at the end of the day so he may not be so enamoured if he associates me with his mum leaving him with the family. We sorted out the bags of stationery for the teachers, the Rotary sign and a few little instruments I had managed to squeeze in my suitcase. Then Jordy took my blow up cushion to a neighbour as none of us could blow it up. We decided they had forgotten to make a hole in it! So now my aging bones will have a little more comfort, one of the challenges where all seats are wood or metal and you have little padding.
At the appointed time we went up to the school, Marvin took me round to see all the work that had been done, such an improvement from my first visit. I have some real before and after evidence.
We went into the room that had been beautifully prepared, the table coverings , called bambellinas, which are used for any official functions, had been bought from the funds, the data projector, one of our first purchases two years ago projected a welcome message. I couldn't possibly point out the error in my name as they had clearly worked so hard. The room had been painted by some Costa Rican students, Hemer had found on the internet, and the electricity had been installed by Macy and his Rotary support from Vermont. All came together to make a smart atmosphere befitting the school's current aspirations.
One of the teachers led off with a prayer, many thanks, blessings and wishes for future health. Then the head played a musical video he had made of the school activities, showing staff and students using equipment bought with the funds. It was excellent. I was invited to speak. I reflected back on my first contact via Jose and how overwhelmed I had been by their needs but with the support of so many kind people , how we had made such progress. I talked about what a good year it had been with the extra supporting Rotary grant, pointing out that whilst we have hope, every year may not be the same; I said I would talk to Hemer and list their priorities and whilst some were achievable, others might need me to seek outside grants. Hemer talked about how the goods we sent were distributed periodically, to the children, how parents and students had been encouraged to care for everything.
A meal was then served, part of my rather large meal was put aside for Jose's mum. After this we left, the head explaining that I was tired. There was also a pending arrangement for a meeting with Donald, Jose's boss at the finca, later, but that became deferred to be a breakfast meeting at Hotel Villa Paraiso, this morning. It turned out to be a useful meeting with someone with business interests and knowledge and experience of working in Nicaragua.
And now I am feeling so much more relaxed and able to enjoy my morning walk on the beach and the wonderful welcome and hospitality of these lovely people.
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