Once again I have been slacking on my blogging (though I swore I would post more often in these last few months) I apologize, but I do think I've pegged the problem. I live and work and spend almost every waking minute (and sometimes every sleeping minute when we fall asleep watching a television show) with Allie Horwitz. Allie is one of my fellow interns. She arrived in January and will be here until December, and though I haven't mentioned her all that much she has had an incredible impact on the second half of my year in Nicaragua. Currently she is spending a two week break at home with her family and friends, so I have found a free moment to write. She is a carpe-diem-type person, and while that leaves very little opportunity for boredom it also doesn't bode well for blogging.
As a side note: Allie arrived knowing very little Spanish, and while that may seem like a big obstacle in a Spanish-speaking country she 'crushed it' as we like to say in Soccer Without Borders. She crushes pretty much everything she does. She has an infectious positive energy, a deep-rooted passion for soccer, and she may be just as competitive as I am (but doesn't get nearly as angry when she loses) which explains her inherent desire to do things well. She put herself through Spanish bootcamp, and within 4 months has become thoroughly proficient in the language. She brings a refreshing perspective to the program and isn't afraid to argue her opinion with our (at times) strong-headed Nica leaders. When she can't come up with the words, she speaks with actions that prove an even stronger point. Her players know that she cares about each of them individually and they miss her very much, as do I. She makes me believe that change doesn't have to be a drudgingly slow process, and she has become a really dear friend in a very short amount of time. That's just the kind of person she is.
I have four weeks left of this journey. Then, as long as all goes well with the Nica's and the State Department, they will receive US Visas and will accompany me back to the United States for the second part of our Intercultural Exchange to promote Fútbol Femenino throughout Nicaragua. Half of their time will be spent in Boston working with SWB Boston, participating in workshops, and experiencing the city culture and the other half will be spent in Hanover, NH observing a Dartmouth Soccer camp, participating in more workshops, and getting a taste for small town life. This is the first time in 5 years that the Nicaraguans have a chance to go to the United States instead of groups from the US always coming down to experience Nicaragua, and I am so excited. I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to end my SWB journey in this way. I will be able to share a bit of where I come from with my new friends who have opened up their homes and themselves to allow me to be part of their lives for this past year.
But. I can't help feeling a little anxiety towards this fusion. They only know me in this context. They know me as constantly sweaty with no A/C and barely working fans. They know I only really know how to cook a few things on our two burner table-top stove. They are used to seeing me hand washing and hand drying the dishes and cups. They've seen my laundry hanging up on the line after hours of hand scrubbing. They know that I walk everywhere and don't have a bike, and rarely take a taxi.
What they will find out about where I come from is very, very different than this perception that they have right now. We have central A/C, and there's the ocean outside to cool off in when need be. We have a gas stove and oven, and a grill, and we don't have to struggle with matches in order to turn them on. My mom cooks most meals, hence why I only really know how to make pasta and chicken. We have a dishwasher. We have a laundry machine and dryer. My parents each have a car, and we have another car between my brother and I. And I even have a bike, but generally I just drive everywhere. I am unbelievably lucky and spoiled in that sense, but they don't know the full extent of that. Yet.
When they do come and when I have a chance to show them where I live, I hope they can still see me as their friend that they can confide in, relate to, and have long heart to hearts with full of laughing and sometimes crying. Though I will never be a Nica, they know me as the gringa that always wishes and tries to be a natural part of their awesome group. As a result of that, I have (I think) been accepted as a true friend regardless of being different. I hope this doesn't create separation and cause them to think of me as a foreigner again.
Other times when I think of this fusion that will happen in four short weeks, I realize that the blending of cultures is what makes FSF and SWB programs everywhere so incredibly special. Some of my favorite memories of the past year are times when these two cultures have mixed in pretty funny ways. Nica Halloween, Nicas singing American karaoke songs, Cesar speaking slang English every chance he gets (i.e. he learned that chunky is a way to say fat, and now calls everyone Chunky) etc. There's no doubt that each culture is unique and beautiful, but I think I've learned that united we are stronger and can achieve greater things.
Amor, Paz, and Fútbol
KPope
