Hi there,
Now, on to the exciting conclusion that you have all been waiting for. (Disclaimer: no animals were killed in the writing of this email, unfortunately one firefly was killed though, and the management deeply regrets the incident and promise that steps are being taken to reduce the possibilities of repetition)
Each of the participants had do a presentation to the group with a theme of leadership. In general, they all did a great job. However, one presentation in particular sticks out in my mind. Not because of anything they said or did, but because of the activity we did.
We were split into two group, each doing the same thing, which was planning an expedition. We were given characters to play - I was a hard-core hiker, with lots of experience (or so I thought), super assertive, etc. etc. with another really quiet character, etc. Then we had a facilitator that was given a time limit come up with consensus on our hike. It was very frustrating for the facilitator, as my character (in both groups) dominated and didn't listen and generally obstructed the consensus process. I don't think I have laughed so hard in ages. When they tried to plan the equipment needed, I said we didn't need any, I could hunt and fish for our food. I could make a bow and arrow with my bare hands, etc. etc. Probably not so funny to relate in an email, but I enjoyed being a trouble-maker.
As a leader, one would assume that I was responsible and all that kind of stuff. However, one day, I managed to get lost on the way to going to arrange the work on the bridges. I was going ok for the first 10 minutes, then I became unsure. So, I asked someone, when I finally ran into someone. However, when I asked them if I was going the right way, they said "yes", although I wasn't. Jerk. I realised I was on the wrong track when I arrived at the Nicaraguan border. Oops. So, I got on the right track, but what should have taken me 1/2 hour, took me 2 hours. Oh well, such is life, although I remember I was very grumpy that day. My poor group had to suffer.
Did I mention that I lost my glasses in the lake one day? I left them on top of the boat when we were swimming and when the boat started off, I realised it, but it was too late. Some days I wonder if I really am such a good leader...
Scrabble
Allison brought a travel Scrabble on project and we had some fun nights with that. There were some disputes over words like "qat", "re", "fa", and "oaring" - of which all are in the Scrabble dictionary except the latter - a creation of mine that apparently prevents me from being crowned Scrabble champion. I think they are just sore losers. :)
In groups of 2 or 3, the participants had to take on a small project. One of the projects was to organise a Youth Skills Summit (the first ever in Central America for YCI). The summit went well, in spite of a low turnout. The most interesting part was probably having the Nicaraguan participants do a Spider Web activity. This has nothing to do with Spiderman, although I did see the movie before coming to Managua. The Spider Web is a net of ropes tied in such a way that there are holes that are more or less just big enough to fit an average sized person. The idea to get the entire group from one side of the net to the other without touching the web or injuring anyone.
This concept, to campesino Nicaraguans, was something extremely foreign. Even a certain segment of the Canadian population would probably find this strange. In any case, the first response, when the idea was explained to them, was: "Are you joking?" then "No way, that's impossible." then "Well, you do it first!" Finally, we convinced them to try. After touching the web a few times, they finally got it all mostly together, although we had to turn a blind eye a couple of times... They recruited help from a passer-by as well, and finally got through.
It was funny, especially considering the reluctance of the Nicaraguans to even touch each other, especially the male participants. However, they did it. Next they did another initiative task, Erik's game, but that is a story for another day.
One group organised a chat with the community around the issue of child labour, especially as related to keeping the kids in school. It went well, in spite of (again) a low turnout. Turned out that the community's annual party was the next day and no one could come because they were all involved in preparations.
Another group, doing an environmental project, were also considering a chat, but instead built a demonstration composter for teaching people about the importance of composting. Most of the group helped out, especially given that in our last week we ran out of other projects to work on. It was a great accomplishment.
As we were getting ready to leave, the community had its annual party - very convenient timing. The group got to experience what a community fiesta is like and wind down a bit at the end. There was to be a running of the bulls, but in the end the bulls got stuck at the Costa Rican border and the group was disappointed not to see them.
After dancing and drinking up a storm, so to speak, at the party, it was time to go. We packed up all our belongings and left for Solentiname, for 2 days of R and R. We said our tearful goodbyes early in the morning and were off.
Solentiname is a set of islands in Lake Nicaragua. A little touristy, but not too much as it is pretty far off the beaten track. A friend of mine knows Ernesto Cardenal who founded a commune there in the 60s or so, so through him, we got free accommodations in some great cabins. We had a good time, carving birds with the community, painting, visiting the museum, swimming, etc. It was a nice way to end off the trip.
Overall, it was a good trip - no shortage of problems, but it all worked out in the end. In my final report, I called it a "qualified success". Qualified because of (a) the expedition and (b) the unhappy participants who didn't want to learn leadership things. However, it was a safe trip, people were mostly happy on returning, we were under budget and the community/NGO was happy with us. Sure it could have been better, but it went ok for a first attempt, I suppose.
Allison left fairly quickly thinking that scabies could be better dealt with at home. So I finished up all the reports and things, got everything off and hung around San Jose with friends for the last few weeks.
I even made peace, sort of, with Lorenzo. We had a nice talk at the end. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I was leaving, but it was still good to leave on an up note.
A week after everything, I thought I had scabies again with new spots on my legs, but it turned out to be something else, still not sure what, but it went away, so I'm not complaining. Around that time, I went back to Quebrada Arroyo and visited the people there. It was good to see that there were actually tourists coming and that the project is still in decent shape. Great to see everyone too.
On the way back, I stayed in a hotel in Quepos and in my half asleep, waking up state, decided to stretch... Stretch right into the ceiling fan on full blast - very short in these countries. I was lucky not to lose my thumb. That was 2.5 weeks ago and the wound is still healing. I think it would have been worse but my other thumb and thumbnail saved it, although the bruise is still there.
Had my goodbye party at a disco and danced with some friends until 2:30am. It was great fun, although it was sad to leave. There are stories from that night, but some are better left untold.
Well, now I am here in Managua. I am staying with the nuns in El Recreo for the rest of this week and then next week I am moving into a friend's house who is going to the US for 6 months. I have started my job search, have sent out a few applications and we'll see what happens. One really promising one that an acquaintance had mentioned to me a few weeks ago didn't work out, but I am getting leads here and most people I talk to are pretty positive about the whole thing.
Tomorrow I am off to Santa Rosa to visit a FOG project for a few days, so if you don't hear from me, that's why...
Take care,
Rob