Back to Nicaragua

Oh, I know what you're thinking. "God, Cheastypants," I can hear you all say. "Why do you always stay in the same place? It's about time you moved on from Austin. After all, you've been there three whole weeks. Gah."

Well, you're right, I suppose. Sigh. As much as I love Austin -- and trust me, I love Austin -- it's time to trade 80 degree January weather for... oh, I don't know. How about some more 80 degree January weather? Yes, that sounds just about right. So where shall I go? Oh, hmmmm. Think, think, think. Tap, tap, tap. AHA! I've got it! How about... NICARAGUA!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Oh, I know what you're thinking. "God, Cheastypants," I can hear you all say. "Weren't you, like, JUST there?"

Well, you're right, I suppose. Sigh. I hate being predictable. But this time there's a difference, you see. I won't be living in Managua, as charming as that little city can be. (cough, cough) No, this time I'll be making my bed in a wonderful little mountain city called Matagalpa. Still starts with M, still in Nicaragua, but kind of like a different universe, all the same.

Other differences include, but are not limited to:

1. I have friends there, and, importantly, potential friends there. I have friends in Managua, too, but more in Matagalpa.
2. Cheaper cost of living = more money to rent a car for romantic weekend getaway.
3. Romantic weekend getaway? Well, I may be making some progress in that direction.
4. There's always La Perla, in Leon, wonderful, wonderful hotel in a wonderful wonderful city. Jim Petersen, the owner and my surrogate uncle in Nica, is waiting for me, rum and coke in hand. Ah, rum and coke.

So off I go, ready to spend the next few months with recording device in hand as I ask the citizens of Matagalpa to tell me their health care stories of 30 years ago. How about those Cuban doctors, for example? Or the time you worked as a brigadista de salud? How about the time you went to the hospital to give birth and you had to share a bed with another pregnant lady? Did you vaccinate your babies? What happened to medical care when the Contra war started? And so on and so forth.

Wish me safe travels, my poppets. Will log on after the weekend to post from Nica.