Nicaragua, Part 1: Trying to get there

• Pcvgirl's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Here

  Here, Costa Rica
Thursday, March 27, 2008

I had wanted to go to Nicaragua for a while and, as happens most things here, I dropped in on a friend, V, and suggested that we go for Semana Santa (Holy Week, the biggest celebration in CR, they celebrate it like we do xmas). She'd mentioned wanting to go and that she'd wanted to go with the previous volunteer, but their plans never came to fruition. V was always constantly and bitterly reminding me that the old vol had gone with other vols.

So V was delighted that I showed real interest but she suggested that we go the week after Holy Week since a lot of Nicaraguans (Nicas) would be going home to visit family.

Despite having bought our tickets, V obtaining a visa and arranging lodgings with a friend of hers, I was rather sceptical of the reality of our trip. I've often described this mentality of mine (and fellow volunteers). Basically you position yourself in a state of doubt, or as we put it, reality, wherein you expect nothing to happen and for no one to follow through with anything. This way you avoid almost certain failure and disappointment. And when something does happen, even if it's only a tenth of what you were promised, you are overjoyed. It saves a lot of heartbreak and frustration.

So I didn't mention to many people that we were going because I didn't believe and wouldn't believe that we WERE going until V and I were on the bus. Thus, I didn't pack until 3pm the afternoon before our departure date. I was still, however, waiting on bated breath for V to call me and cancel our plans.

Never-leave-home-much-less-the-country-without-them-items: Sunblock-Insect Repellent, check. Anti-bac gel, check. TP, check. Okay I had everything I needed for returning home germ and malaria free. Now, for the less important items: Clean underwear, check. Passport... passport... passport! I couldn't find it anywhere!

Calm down, I told myself. It has to be here somewhere. And if it's not, there's only one other place in the world it could be. And unfortunately for me, it was in The Other Place. The PC office. I frantically called in and yup, there it was. The office closes at 5 and the volunteer lounge closes at 7. I had 3 hours to get there before 7pm. While it wasn't a big deal to go into the office to pick it up (good thing I didn't procrastinate until 9pm that evening to pack!!) it was still a hassle. It'd be a 3 hour round trip journey just to pick up my passport.

Brilliant me, I had the idea that I could ask someone who was in SJ to pick it up for me. I started scrolling down my address book, calling everyone and anyone I knew who works in SJ. I finally persuaded a friend to pick it up for me. The conversation went something like this:

Me- Are you in SJ right now?

Friend- Yeah, why?

Me- I'm facing a personal emergency and need a huge favor. I'm going to N tomorrow at 6am and my passport's in SJ. Could you pretty, please pick it up for me and I'll swear to you my undying love and name my firstborn after you?

Friend- Maybe... I'd need more than that tho... Where is it?

Me- XX (on the other side of town)

Friend- Wow, that's kind of far from here...

Me- But it's farther from here! (a very whiny) Please!

Friend- Okay...

Me- Thank you! Te quiero mucho, mucho mucho! I owe you a couple beers. (at which he perked up about his errand)

So I was saved, unless, as my karate classmates pointed out (because I decided I might as well go to karate class while I was waiting for my friend to get here), that I received one of several calls:

Scenario A:

Friend- Hi, I'm home! When did you want me to pick up your passport?

Scenario B:

Friend- Hi! I'm here in Nicaragua right now! The weather's great!

Scenario C:

Friend- Do you know how much US passports are worth? I just got $500 for yours. Do you think I got ripped off?

However, this was a very trustworthy friend, besides, free beer? Who'd sell a passport when they could get a couple of free beers. A COUPLE, mind you, as I AM on a piddly PC living allowance. Needless to say, I was a tad worried. However, an hour later, I had my passport safely in my hands.

So it was starting to look like this trip would really happen! And if we didn't go, it wouldn't be my fault.

Stay tuned for Part II: Yes, we're there yet!