Updated MCC Team photo

Here is our relatively new, expanded MCC team. Of course, it will change again soon when three of our SALTers leave tomorrow (:(). Front Row (L-R): David Mercado, Social Commission Coordinator; Angela Opimi, MCC Nicaragua/Costa Rica Representative (big boss); Alan Claassen Thrush, Peace and Conflict Transformation Professor; Kayon Watson, CEPAD Nehemias Connecting Peoples; Paul Manickam, PE teacher at the Christian School for the Deaf. Standing (L-R): Yolanda Cruz, Office Assistant; Emma Richer, Special Education Coordinator at Hogar Belen; Issela Medina, Connecting Peoples/Office Assistant; Beth Claassen Thrush, Connecting Peoples/Office Assistant; Rebecca Janzen, Project Assistant at the Batahola Cultural Center; Sarah and Seth Hays, Agricultural/Health Accompaniment Workers; Steve and Colleen Forry, Agricultural Accompaniment Workers.

Changing Seasons

The past several months have been "verano" (summer). April and May are especially hot. The humidity also rises little by little until it reaches almost unbearable. We find ourselves (and maybe others too) a bit crankier. Water balloons go a long way in improving neighborly relations. These water balloon games we introduced (thanks to our time working at camps) became a favorite pasttime of the neighborhood kids during the hottest weeks.

We are now in the midst of shifting to "invierno," which could be translated "winter," though that seems strange because it is not very much cooler. "Rainy season" is more appropriate. The rains began in mid to late May, taking away drought and water balloons, and bringing impassable streets and the growing season.

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is a very special day in Nicaragua. There are two important holidays here: La Purisima (see our December 2007 blog), celebrating the virgin birth of Mary, and Mother's Day, celebrating, well, mothers. We want to give a special hello to our moms today (especially since they may be the only ones actually reading this blog :)). We love you and are thinking about you!

Spring Newsletter

Our (Winter) Spring 2008 Newsletter is now available to download. Simply click the link on the right and follow the directions.

Strike Ended

The nation-wide transportation strike came to an end on Saturday. Whew. Gas is now being subsidized for taxis and public buses. Now the streets are filled with people and buses once again. (photo courtesy of Dann and Nance Landau-Gahres)

The Strike

Twelve days ago the vast majority of transportation workers in Nicaragua went on strike. Virtually all the inter-city buses have shut down, in addition to cargo trucks and taxis. Transportation officials are complaining about two things: 1) the high cost of gas (Nicaragua has the highest prices of all central American countries) and 2) a lack of transparency on the government's part about the results of fuel subsidies from Venezuela.

The strike has wreaked havoc on the Nicaraguan economy; one economist has estimated that in twelve days Nicaragua has lost $17 million. Clothing factories can't work, as raw goods can't make it from the ports. The local farmers markets in Managua sit empty, while fruits, vegetables, milk, and cheese pile up on farms across the country. Most universities have cancelled classes for the past two weeks, as professors and students can't travel.

Fortunately, the buses within Managua are still running, so we can still make it around the city fairly well. But it's been rather difficult for people that need to travel between cities. Most people have resorted to hitching a ride on the back of someone's pickup (see photo above). Food still seems to be in supply, although the prices on some products have risen steeply because of the strike.

Earlier this week the negotiations between the transportation leaders and government ministry of transport broke down with much fiery rhetoric on both sides. A few days later President Ortega addressed the nation about the crisis, but no new negotiations have begun. Transportation workers say they are willing to strike for 30 days.

Ice Cream

This sign is not empty propaganda, nor is it just an opportunity for some Nicaraguan to show off his or her English skills. It is the hottest part of the summer right now, so it really is a blessing from God that Nicaragua has several great ice cream options. Eskimo is the Nicaraguan brand of the creamy stuff (our favorite flavors are sundae royale, mint, or pitahaya). The factory is not too far from our house. :)

There are also "helados"--fruit juices or salads frozen in little bags and sold out of various houses. We have always known that ice cream is a good way to build relationships, and it seems this is true around the world. A few times we have had the lovely experience of going to a house that advertises helados and being invited in for a chat while we lower our body temperature with sugary fruity goodness.