"Living, eating, and breathi ..." a Nicaragua Travel Page by annierpcv

I lived in San Jacinto, Nicaragua while serving in the Peace Corps as an environmental educator. I got a chance to see a lot of the country, but I know most about the Leon area. I still have host family members that I keep in touch with, and I even have a God-child down there!

I learned to speak Spanish in Nicaragua, and so have very few problems understanding Nica-Spanish-- however, those of you who have learned Spanish elsewhere might be a little thrown by Nica-speech. Nicaraguans do not use "tu," they use vos. Don't use tu, it's insulting to most people. When in doubt, use Usted-- in fact, unless you're speaking to family or very close friends, it's best to use usted. I have, on occasion, been accused of being a snake that bites it's tail-- it's some cultural story that explains that most Nicaraguans drop the "s" at the end of words that contain it...
for example: Vamo a correr ma (let's run more) is normally said: Vamos a correr mas. It can sometimes be a little confusing, especially when you're not sure if someone is speaking plurally or singularily.

Nicaraguan sayings:
People all over the country (especially in the country side) can have entire conversations using sayings. Unless you spend a lot of time there, you won't really learn them, they are largely culturally based, and so don't literally translate to much.
That said, however, there are a few sayings that you should know, and use, if you remember. "Si Dios quiere"- god willing, is used at the end of almost any sentence that is put in the future. Any hopes or plans are usually finished with "si dios quiere." "Vamos a plantar frijoles manana, si Dios quiere." We're going to plan beans tomorrow, God willing.

"Fijase que..." kind of like, "imagine that," can be used to start almost any sentence discribing something that happened. "Fijase que, mi novio se fue con una gringa" is like, "Can you believe it, my boyfriend left with a white girl." You don't have to use this, but know that Nicas will, and don't let it throw you.

Women: Be prepared to dress conservatively unless you want to get harrassed and propositioned on every corner. Also, realize that dressing conservatively might not stop this from happening. When you can ignore catcalls and hisses, as reacting to Nicaraguan men only seems to encourage them more.

Taxis: As in many other countries, it is essential to agree on a price before you get yourself (or your backpacks/luggage) into the car. Microbuses are cheaper, and often just as fast, if you can tolerate being packed into vans with many other people and the occasional small livestock (usually chickens).

Buses: Get ready to smell your neighbor, and possibly get groped if you ride in any "chicken bus" in Nicaragua. These buses are often so full that they have people who ride on top of them. Nicas' sense of personal space is non-existant in comparison with North America. Use your elbows and claim your space. Don't let your bags or valuables hang loosely off of you, or sit away from you. They just might disappear. I highly recommend carrying money in various places on your person. Girls, please don't hesitate to use your bra as a money belt, Nicaraguan women do it too.

Beggars and pickpockets: As always, use your best judgement, but it is always better to pay for a service than to give your money away just because. (This is a serious problem in Nicaragua.) There are an unfortunate number of glue-sniffing children in urban areas, please don't give them money to make it any easier. To the tender-hearted: I suggest buying street food or water for people you feel especially cheritable to, or pay them money to snap their picture, or ask them to help you get a taxi, or something.

Street food: It is delicious. True, it will probably make you sick, but there isn't much that won't make you sick in Nicaragua (bring the pepto chewables for long bus rides!). Snacks that are especially delicious (I lived near Leon-- snacks vary by region)
raspados: shaved ice with tamarind syrup and sometimes caramel.
bunuelos (with a tilde over the n): fried yucca donut holes served with syrup. Eskimo: the general term for icecream, it's a major brand name. I love the exotic flavors-- and coconut popsicles (often called "popsee-clays"). Choco-bananos: frozen bananas dipped in chocolate and on a stick-- delicious.
Ensalada de fruta: not a fruit salad, but a fruit juice with chunks of fruit in it. Delicious.
All the refrescos you can get at bus stations and in markets. Guayaba (guava) is believed to be especially good for upset stomach. Milk-based refrescos are usually made with raw milk that has been steamed.