We loaded into the back of the small, dilapidated whiteToyota pickup truck. No safety restraints were in sight, unless the roll bars along the top counted. Eight children aged 6 to 14 years couldn’t believe their good fortune. Eight adults searched each other’s faces for solidarity. This went against all our instincts, but so did waking up in a Nicaraguan compound with an armed guard standing at the door.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Although native English speakers, my kids had only ever attended school in Spanish. They had no choice about it – from kindergarten on, they attended a public Spanish Immersion elementary school and quickly became fluent.
At first, the road started out dusty but flat. As we pulled out from behind the large black iron gates, I knew I was embarking on something that would take me far, far out of my comfort zone. Dressed in shorts, t-shirt, sturdy shoes, bandanas, and hats to protect us from the blazing sun, I wondered how hard could it be? I had plenty of fresh water and granola bars in my backpack. Two bottles of hand sanitizer – one in my pocket and a backup in my pack – would prevent any illness
. Our daily doses of malaria medication and enough industrial strength DEET bug spray to kill all the bugs in Nicaragua would keep us from insect driven disease.
As the pickup truck left town, I relaxed a bit. Beaming smiles of bliss radiated from each child – there was no fear on their faces. Moving slowly down the dirt road we waved as we passed children and parents beginning their days in their humble, dirt-floored homes. Cement walls created a shelter for them, and chickens and skinny dogs sauntered in and out. Wisps of smoke rose from the outdoor fire pits. Broad, white grins mixed with confused countenances met our white-skinned faces and shouts of greeting – not many ‘chelles’ in this part of the world.
The tiny truck wound its way down the road, the homes spreading further and further apart. A caballero and his companion greet our driver as he slows to a halt, carefully avoiding the emaciated cows on the road. Relationships are key to survival in this part of the world. The adults grab their cameras and snap away, most never having seen a real cowboy at work before. The kids smile broadly in disbelief.
Sparse, green grassland dotted with the occasional tree line both sides of the road. Every few miles family home vegetable gardens interrupted the rocky outcroppings. Undeterred, the farmers work around them.
Slowing to a halt, we notice a wrinkled old man on the side of the road. Victor, our driver, calls out a greeting and waves him closer. The man approaches the back of the truck, and I realize he intends to squeeze in with us. As he throws one arm over the side and carefully enters the pickup bed, his two-foot long machete enters with him. Our young American sons’ eyes widen in disbelief at the weapon within arm’s reach. The old American parents’ eyes widen in momentary panic.
Continuing up the road, local Nicaraguans looking for a ride repeatedly greet us. No one turned away; we realize the amazing opportunity to meet them up close and personal as we squish back to back and side to side in the shrinking truck.
The truck takes a sharp left turn and wheels begin to spin. Victor, unphased, eases it into low gear and we begin to climb a hill. The flat road has disappeared, replaced by small rocks at first, then enormous boulders. The adults begin to bark safety directions and plan for the eventual rollover. The truck lurches to the right, and I yelp in terror. The boys fist pump in jubilation, and we find ourselves right side up.
After an eternity, we make one last turn and the tiny pickup groans and lurches to a halt. As I wait for my brain to stop spinning and my heartbeat to ease, a sound like thunder reaches my ears. Children, teens and adults begin to crowd around, pulling on the doors and grinning widely. The entire community is cheering and screaming as if Justin Bieber has just walked on stage, when in reality it is just us, 16 Americans about to continue the ride of a lifetime in Nicaragua.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Although native English speakers, my kids had only ever attended school in Spanish. They had no choice about it – from kindergarten on, they attended a public Spanish Immersion elementary school and quickly became fluent.
Continuing up the road, local Nicaraguans looking for a ride repeatedly greet us. No one turned away; we realize the amazing opportunity to meet them up close and personal as we squish back to back and side to side in the shrinking truck.
Comments: 24
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thegirlfriendmom
March 9, 2012Ah, Nicaragua! I remember it well. Well, I remember all 12 hours of it. Long story, wait for the book! I love traveling and it is one of the most profound experiences that children can have. And I’m echoing others… what happens next?! Great post.
Jennifer Wolfe
March 10, 2012Ooh-I want to hear your story! Nicaragua was a life changing place for me…I’m definitely going to be bringing more stories to my blog!
Lisa Gradess Weinstein
March 9, 2012Dear Jennifer, fascinating to read about your trip, and I think it’s wonderful that you showed your kids another part of the world. I can’t wait to read more of your eloquent writing!
Lisa Weinstein
http://www.lisagradessweinstein.blogspot.com
Jennifer Wolfe
March 10, 2012Thanks, Lisa! We’re hoping to go back, so I’ve got to write about the first trip before we take the second!
Dee
March 8, 2012Dear Jennifer,
I do so hope you are going to post more about this trip. It’s an adventure in discovering, I think, the diversity and oneness of human kind.
Peace.
Jennifer Wolfe
March 10, 2012Yes, Dee, I will. It’s taken me awhile to digest it all, and figure out how I want to write about it. I think it will be short vignettes, so stay tuned!
Kathy Radigan
March 8, 2012All I could think of as I was reading, and picturing your children’s faces was that this sure beat Disneyland! What a wonderful experience. But, boy, you are mean today, what a teaser! Lol! Can’t wait to read the rest of your adventure!! Great post as always! I love the way you write!
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Kathy, that’s so true! They said it was like a Disneyland ride every day…not a ride that I would have chosen to repeat over and over, but it was part of the deal. There will be more adventures to come!
Kenny
March 8, 2012I haven’t traveled much, but the one BIG trip I did take was to Vietnam and Cambodia. It seems we all come away with a similar experience: so many people in so many parts of the world seem to be capable of enormous happiness and generosity despite a lifestyle which affords them no material luxuries…great post!
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Kenny, it sounds like you’ve had a similar awakening experience. Seeing how many parts of the world can do with so little puts everything in perspective.
brenda
March 7, 2012I have been hankering to go away – more of a beach holiday- and this only reminded me how much I want to get away. What a wonderful time with the kids. My parents make a decision not to Spanish to us kids when we were growing up, so this isn’t something I am passing down to my kids. Thanks for mini lunch vacation. You’re kids are wonderful.
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Brenda, I know exactly what you mean about getting away-I’d love to take a beach trip, too! I’m sorry that you weren’t given the gift of a second language-I can only imagine what a powerhouse you’d be in Spanish, too!
My Inner Chick
March 7, 2012What a FABulous experience for your children.
It’s like opening them up to an entire new Universe!
How exciting. Xx
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Yes, it definitely was eye-opening for all of us. I can’t wait to go back!
Bella
March 7, 2012These are the kind of experiences that turn children into well rounded human beings. I love that your children are fluent in Spanish! I had no difficulty imagining what the crowd looked like as you pulled up in the truck! Just as exciting for you as it was for them. 🙂
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Thank you, Bella. I do want my children to see that the American way of life is not the norm for much of the world.
Michael Ann
March 7, 2012Can’t wait to hear the rest 🙂 That much excitement in one day and I’d be ready to go home and be happy with just that one story. LOL!
Jennifer Wolfe
March 8, 2012Thanks, Michael Ann. It was a trip with tons of excitement and emotions, for sure!
leigh
March 6, 2012What a tease! I want to hear what happens next too!
You are brave and adventurous, and a really special writer – I felt like I was there with you being adventurous too!
Leigh @oneandoneequalstwinfun.com
Jennifer Wolfe
March 6, 2012Sorry, Leigh! Thank you for the kind words-It really was an adventure, and I have much more to tell!
Tara - BePreparedPeriod.com
March 6, 2012Sounds like an amazing trip! It’s got me interested in hearing the rest of the story. 🙂
Jennifer Wolfe
March 6, 2012Thanks, Tara. There’s more to come!