How to Take a Shower in Nicaragua – Part 1

Seems straight forward right? Turn on the water, adjust to the right temp? Shampoo, soap, rinse and done? For many that is the case. Except for the occasional hiccup, the showering process is a smooth one. A no brainer. Not so much in Nicaragua, the land of continual hiccups! First off, a disclaimer: not all of Nicaragua is so hot that you wouldn’t flinch if someone put ice down your back. Managua, Granada and I’ve heard Leon are crazy hot. San Juan del Sur was certainly warm. I don’t know why anyone would want to live in these places unless they had infinite piles of money to cover the cost of the electricity that it takes to run the AC all of the time. When we lived in Managua for a month I didn’t hesitate at the thought of a cold shower because it was a relief. And it wasn’t always “cold” either. The water from the pipes came out cool, or even occasionally on the warm side, but never icy. It DID make me sick at the end of the month though. That or I picked up something and the cold showers exasperated it. Either way, by the time rainy season was in full force, I was miserable. Then we moved to Jinotepe. This city is located in the department of Carazo which is at a higher elevation. It’s still ridiculously hot from mid February to May or so, but once the rain comes it calms down and we get nice breezes and it’s a pleasant place to live. I’m sitting on my back porch at 9:30 in the morning and am a bit chilly with the breeze. The days can still be warm but the mornings and evenings are cooler and not typically cold shower weather. At least not to me. And the water that comes from the pipes is cold! So, with that background info in mind, you can understand why I would prefer a hot shower in Nicaragua.

When we moved to Jinotepe our new house came equipped with a gas water heater that heats on demand. In Costa Rica we had had electric shower heads that heated the water as it passed through. This is a similar system but instead of being physically present in the shower, it is a box located outside and hooked up to a gas tank. It is extremely economical in comparison to the cost of an electric one due to the high price of electricity and the low cost of gas here. The refill gas tank costs $8 delivered and installed, including a tip. This will last us a little over a month. To the best of my understanding, it works by pressure. It is hooked up to the main water line but only turns on when the shower is turned on because of the amount of pressure going through. That means I can’t get hot water at the sink or the washing machine, only the shower. When enough water pressure is detected it lights a fire inside the box that then heats the water. Or something like that. I’m sure there is a more technical explanation. The first model we had had settings for the amount of pressure needed to turn it on and the temperature it would go up to. To make it work you had to turn the shower on all the way to hot and running at full blast. You can only adjust it so much before it turns off so it’s better to just keep it set to a comfortable temperature on the heater. Well, as I said, “first model”. The house had been unoccupied for a few months before we moved in and a build up of leaves had fallen into the box. This led to damage of the equipment and a whole lot of problems with it until we finally got it replaced. In my next post I will explain all of the methods for getting clean in different scenarios that I’ve learned in the mean time!

The Glamorous Missionary Life

I often hesitate to write about stuff like this because I don’t want people to think I’m ungrateful or complaining. But at the same time, I would love to share about what life is like over here sometimes and also maybe let others get a laugh at some of the crazy things that happen.

Last night we took the kids and the dog for a walk as we often do before dinner. It’s rainy season which means everything is muddy so my flip flop clad feet came back muddy as well. Not super muddy, but dirty enough that I needed to clean them sooner or later. I had already had a shower so just a rinse in the sink would do when I get the chance. I didn’t worry about them right away though because the girls needed baths and I needed to get dinner together so that Jeremy could head out to the Friday night service. I haven’t been going with the girls because this is an hour long prayer service and that’s just too much for them. I already keep the kids for all the other services (Jeremy just kicked me off Sunday nights) so the idea of doing another kid’s class on Friday as well is a little daunting. Anyways. Plot shift. We’ve all been getting sick off and on quite a bit. It’s been suggested by many people here that we all take a medication every 6 months to kill any parasites that we might have picked up. Finally, after feeling off himself, Jeremy went to the pharmacy and got parasite medicine for all of us. You take it after breakfast and dinner for 3 days. If you have a parasite you will start to feel worse before feeling better because whatever you have will release toxins as it is dying. Sounds fun doesn’t it? So, we ate dinner, took the pills, gave the girls the liquid and Jeremy went to church. I had seen a video of a hair style I wanted to try on the girls so I handed them the tablet, turned the TV (yea for Olympics trials!) and got to work on this complicated style. I quickly realized they didn’t have enough hair for it but, well, I’m already this far so might as well finish. After their torture session I gave them popsicles and we watched the gymnastics. That’s when I started to not feel so great. My abs were sore from working out that morning so maybe it’s just that? Nope. Guess who has a parasite! I ran to take care of things and encouraged my girls to start their bed time routine. In between bouts of sickness I got them to bed. Finally, I feel like the worst is past and I laid down and waited for Jeremy to get home. I was feeling rather weak and tired and more than ready for bed at this point. Jeremy got home a little later and asks me if I knew the security guard was sitting on the ledge of the flower bed on the wall right outside my bathroom window. Nope! Oh well. Too late to worry about being embarrassed now. I went to bed tired and ready for the relief of sleep. Thankfully, I woke up feeling much better. I got out of bed ready to start the day and guess what? My feet were still dirty!

Chikungunya

Disclaimer 1 – If you stumbled upon this after a Google search, this is not a medical article with facts and figures. This is just my personal experience with the illness and a reference for those that might go through it in the future.

Disclaimer 2 – I will be candidly describing an illness so if you are sensitive or easily offended, don’t read this one.

I recently came down with Chikungunya, a mosquito borne virus that is very prevalent here in Nicaragua. It is worse in rainy season which has just started for us. Even though we have screens on our windows and spray for bugs, I’m kind of surprised we haven’t gotten it sooner. It is rare to die from Chik (I will be shortening it from here on out) but some people have a worse time than others. I was lucky in that mine was not that bad. Here is how it played out for me.

Sunday, Day 1 – I woke up with what felt like period cramps in my gut. I also had pain in my knees and ankles. It wasn’t my period so I thought maybe I was having some intense ovulation cramps? (That’s kind of funny to me now after the fact). I got through Sunday School OK but was ready to lie down when we got home. I felt better after rest so I headed back for the evening service. I was really going downhill through the evening though and I was grateful that I wasn’t alone with 13 kids. By the time we got home I had a headache and a fever along with the other pains and was starting to think it was a virus.

Monday, Day 2 – Woke up in pain again. Stayed in bed. No real appetite. Fever came and went through the day, I did not check it regularly. By early Monday evening I started to get a rash on my face and neck. This is when we started thinking it was something mosquito borne and I decided to go to the doctor in the morning if I wasn’t better. Took a Tylenol.

Tuesday, day 3 – Woke up in less pain but very weak and tired. Rash was worse and had spread to my arms and torso. Took our daughter to school and then headed to the recommended public hospital. Having never been there, we didn’t know what we were doing. We waited in a long line that wasn’t moving, and after being pushed around and almost knocked over several times I told my husband I just couldn’t handle that at that time. (In retrospect, we should have just gone to the ER side where they would have sent us anyways had we ever actually gotten to talk to anyone, but we were scared off by the fear of super high bills that we associate with ER visits). From there we went to our primary doctor and took an appointment for 11, although I wasn’t convinced he was the best one to see since I knew I’d have to go somewhere else for a blood test and I wasn’t looking forward to more running around. On the way home we decided to stop at another small hospital near our neighborhood and just see. It’s tiny and by no means modern or clean but they deal with this all the time. I knew if it was Chik that there was nothing much they could do, so we really just needed the diagnosis so we knew what to do next. This time, my worsening rash seemed to get someone’s attention and after seeing the lady at the desk I was sent for vitals and then over to the ER waiting room. We waited for another 30 minutes or so and I couldn’t stop squirming. I’d liken it to the flu where you just can’t get comfortable no matter what you do. They called me back and I went to the desk of one of the doctors and answered her questions. She sent me for a blood test in the lab on the other side of the hospital. Right after they took my blood I got very faint and nauseated. I couldn’t get up immediately so they got a wheel chair and took me to one of the curtained off “rooms”. There was another lady in another ancient bed receiving and IV. By the time they found a clean sheet and laid me down the feeling was passing and my blood pressure was fine. They sent me home to rest saying that Jeremy could come back for the results later. Results showed Dengue as a possibility so they said to come back the next day for another test. I went home and crashed for the rest of the day. Fever came and went a little but they had given me a prescription for extra strength Tylenol that helped. The rash continued to spread and was covering most of my body. I also had a prescription for Allegra that I could take before bed. Biggest concern was spreading it to my family so my husband fumigated outside. I literally went running from a mosquito I saw in the closet and dove under the sheets.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Woke up feeling better than the day before but the rash was ridiculous and covered every inch of my body. It was also starting to itch and irritate some. My throat hurt because I would guess that the rash was actually inside my mouth and throat as well. Hands and feet were starting to swell and I had to take my wedding ring off. No fever and little pain though. Just a little in my ankles and a tightness in my chest. I was able to give blood for the second test with no ill effects and this time the numbers looked better and were tending more toward Chik. I was told to come back for a follow up test on Friday. Noticed extra sun sensitivity while out. I was able to get up and do more but still tired. One small bout of diarrhea. I put Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy lotion on my arms and legs and it seemed to help the discomfort. Appetite, although lower was back.

Thursday, Day 5 – Still covered in rash but it started going down on my face and arms where it had started. Feeling much closer to normal but my hands and wrists were hurting for the first time, beyond just rash discomfort and swelling. Took a walk with an umbrella but didn’t push it. Skin still itchy and irritated but not unbearable. More diarrhea. Still rather tired.

Friday, day 6 – Woke up feeling the best yet. Rash almost gone and wrist pain was less. Still can’t get my wedding ring back on though. Decided it was safe to shave my legs again, haha. Had a normal day. Opted not to bother with the 3rd blood test.

Saturday, day 7 – Feeling good. Rash is gone. Wrist pain is very slight. Got my wedding ring back on. Went out to the market with my family.

So, as you can see, I really only had 3-4 “bad” days of it. I certainly didn’t want to get it, but I’m gad it’s over and done with and really wasn’t that bad. I do feel sorry for people that get it that might not have the advantages I have, like a comfortable home or the ability to drop everything and rest. Hospital bills and medication (of which I still have some) were around $55 without insurance.

Nicaraguan Birthday Parties

Cake from our daughter’s 4th birthday celebration. The place with the tastiest and best priced cakes doesn’t do specific themes so we found a pretty one and added the knock off Elsa candle that I found at a local party store.

My daughters (and subsequently us, the parents) got invited to a birthday party of a church family recently. It was such a neat experience that I thought it was the perfect opportunity to share about the birthday parties we’ve been here in Nicaragua.

Birthday parties are a BIG deal! Even in our smallish town, there are a ton of party stores! All of the parties we have been to have been for small children, so I’m not sure if this continues as much as they get older, but all of these parties have been nothing short of amazing. Two of them were in closed off play grounds of restaurants, one of them had a rented bouncy house with 2 clowns, and the other had live marimba and steel drum music! I have been to very few parties in the States, since my kids were so little when we left, so we found these parties a pleasant surprise! Our older daughter’s class has also had a few parties that were at the end of the school day at preschool and even these were pretty cool with pizza, cake and awesome gift bags for all of the kids to take home.

Live music!

Party at MacDonald’s

Our daughter’s second birthday

There are few things that you really MUST have, in order to have a successful birthday party. You must have cake, gift bags and, most importantly, a pinata! In fact, “pinata”is actually the name for this type of party. In other words, you get invited to a “pinata”. And the pinatas for sale here are so cool! You can get them in all of the popular characters and many of them are real works of art! And they aren’t expensive either. I just bought one recently at one of the more expensive shops (because I didn’t feel like walking down to the cheaper place) and for $6.73 I got an adorable version of the Little Mermaid that is bigger than my almost 3 year old.

Pinata from our 2 year old’s party

2 pinatas for a party for 2 sisters

Pinata for a family party for my 4 year old

Here’s how a typical party will go down. First, dress nice! Adults can go semi casual, but little girls can pull out their Sunday dresses. The birthday child will be wearing a special outfit for the theme of the party. Second, do not arrive at the start time unless you are really close to the family and plan to help. The party will start when it is ready to. But don’t come too late either or you won’t get a good seat or a chance to take a picture with the cumpleanero/a (birthday boy or girl). After a little mingling, there will most likely be party games. These will mostly be for the children but there might be a few games for the adults as well. There will be prizes for the winners. Which leads me to a quick side note. More than likely, there will be more adults present then children. “Pinatas” are very much a family affair, and there will be lots of extended family, and often both parents or a parent and an aunt or grandma of all of the children invited. For every invitation, plan that the whole family will attend.

Children playing musical chairs

Adults, also playing musical chairs!

After the games it is time to string up the pinata and beat it until it’s guts spill out. I have found this especially funny when the pinata is a beloved children’s character. “Die Elsa! Die!” Sometimes the kids will be blindfolded and spun, sometimes the pinata will be jerked up and down by the rope it’s on, or, if it’s mostly little kids, they just let them have at it. Hitting order usually goes from smallest to biggest so that all of the kids get a turn. There will be lots of pictures and video taken and it’s so cute to watch the little ones! Once it finally rips open, watch out! Every one, including adults (and my husband) will go diving for the candy. Watch your head too because most likely whatever didn’t come out of the hole ripped in the side will be tossed into the guests. I’ve also found out that some of the pinatas actually have a clay shell inside that they are built around so watch out for pieces of that too.

After the games and pinata, it will most likely be time for food. So far we’ve had fast food combo meals and traditional Nicaraguan food, both of which I’m down for! After the food there might be words or a prayer over the birthday girl or boy. Our pastor did a brief charge at the most recent party and then we all prayed that the child would grow up to love and serve God. I thought it was a beautiful way to honor God and remind us that this child won’t be a child forever. After that, the cake will be brought out and all of the kids will be called up for a picture. Then, no less than 3 birthday songs will be sung. After the candles are blown out, the cake will be passed out on either plates, napkins, or little boats like you might get your French fries in at the fair. You will not be given an eating utensil. Good luck with that one! After that, they will pass out gift bags. We have been given some amazing gift bags! One was a personalized canvas bag with the children’s names printed on them, filled with small toys and candy. Another was a larger zipper bag with a watch, ball, umbrella and a few other small items. I still use those bags as diaper bags!

At the most recent one, they gave each child a maraca and a Nicaraguan basket or saddle bag filled with treats. They also sent treats home with the guests who came without children so that everyone went home with a memento. And that’s the signal that the party is done. Decorations will be taken down and guests can take home things like streamers and balloons. We’ve even been given things that were made for the party so that the girls could put them on the wall at home. You’ll typically have no problem getting cleaned up quickly! The birthday child will not open their presents until all of the guests have left.

Nicaraguan folklore theme for a 5 year old’s party

All the girls at our 2 year old’s party

The Modern Missionary meets “Fashion”

I LOVE fashion. Clothes, shoes and jewelry are my favorite things to shop for and my favorite things to receive as gifts. I like watching TV about fashion, looking at fashion magazines and reading articles about style on the Internet. I like finding pretty outfits on line and recreating them for myself. My mom loves these things too and has always set a wonderful example of presenting herself as a lady, so her’s was definitely an influence in this area while I was growing up (whether she believes me or not). When I was in college I liked to wear a different outfit every day. After college I had a job in a shoe store in a fashionable shopping center and I relished dressing the part. But, I’m a missionary now. I live in one of the poorest countries in the Americas. What place does fashion have in my life, if any?

When you hear the term “missionary” I’d bet that “stylish” isn’t the first description that comes to mind. In the past, missionary ladies haven’t exactly been known for their fashion savvy. From my current perspective, I can easily understand that there are a lot of unique reasons why missionary women might find themselves in the frump zone. I don’t want to give up though. I still like to have an idea of the current trends in the States. I still do face masks and paint my nails. I still love a good statement necklace. However, being on the mission field, and this past year in particular living in Nicaragua, has changed me. It can still be fun. I still dress up a few times a week. But in my current circumstances, some days, it’s just not worth it. And that was a circumstance in my life that I had hardly ever had happen before. The more I thought about it, the more curious I got about other missionary ladies like me. What does fashion mean to them? What priority do they put on it? How has their current culture changed things for them or has it even changed anything at all? Can you be both a missionary and a fashionable woman? Should I even be worried about it?

In the following paragraphs I’m going to ask several questions in relation to this topic. I will answer them for myself and I’ve also asked a few missionary friends around the world to answer them as well.

Meet Alyssa – She has lived in South Africa as a missionary since October, 2015

Meet Kimberly – She has lived in the UK as a missionary since September, 2011

How would you describe your style and approach to fashion before you moved to your current country of service?

Me – I spent 3 years on deputation before moving to Costa Rica and then Nicaragua. Most of my clothes were church clothes. I hated wearing the same things for weeks at a time though and always tried to mix things up as much as possible. This was definitely a creative time for me and it’s also when I started taking outfit pictures for fun.

Alyssa – I am a bit casual in my style attempts. I really love to wear dresses that are comfortable and attractive. They can both be pretty and easy to coordinate with since they either need a cardigan or they don’t, and there isn’t much need for matching.

Kimberly – Before we moved to Scotland, I was very conservative in my fashion and didn’t really keep up with the latest trends and styles. While on deputation, I was always looking for comfortable outfits, not really focusing on whether it was completely up-to-date with the trends. I had the mindset that missionaries couldn’t/shouldn’t be the most fashionable.

Has your style changed since you moved to the field and how so?

Me – For the first year on the field we lived in Costa Rica and attended language school classes with other North Americans. I had to really make myself dress more casually though. I was so accustomed to dressing up that I had to make myself tone it down to fit in more. I helped with music in chapel and on those days I would literally ask my husband, “Does this outfit look like I’m trying too hard?” The next year, we moved to Nicaragua and there was not much reason to dress up except for church. Also, I would find myself being self conscious because of the wealth gap, and again, I would try to tone it down. One of the hardest parts of living here is the fact that people often see our “wealth” and not who we are. Some days, I care more about it and other days I just let it go. I try not to let myself feel guilty because we live a comfortable life, but I’m also much more conscious of excess than I ever was before. And then there is the heat. I was so used to dressing in layers for modesty purposes and for nursing, that I didn’t know how to dress without them. I literally went through my closet, item by item, figuring out which ones I could wear without a tank, slip or sweater. And sleeveless shirts are now my best friends.

Alyssa – My style has changed a bit since I moved to South Africa because the adorable dresses I could afford at Goodwill cost an arm and a leg if I can find them at all. I also moved while pregnant and only had enough space for maternity clothes so I was not able to bring anything my personal style with me.

Kimberly – I think my style HAS changed…I now realize that I am the face of the ministry here. I need to represent my Lord in a way that won’t turn people’s noses up. Also, the fashion in the UK seems to be ahead of the US. So, I try to wear modest versions of clothes/outfits that are in style/on trend here.

Do you dress differently at all in relation to the culture you live in? Do you attempt to fit in with your style?

Me – I do. I do not dress up nearly as much as I used to. On deputation I wore a lot of black, high heels and nice dresses for Sunday and Wednesday services. I hardly ever wear my black skirts now. I’ve purchased a lot more casual clothing over the past two years as well since most days are either spent at home with the kids or going places where wearing nice clothes would only get them messed up. I don’t even dress up on Sunday mornings because it’s just not practical for our kids ministry and I’ll just sweat through whatever it is anyway. I do try to look nice for Sunday night services (which is the most formal service here in Nicaragua) and I might even put on some heels, but that’s the only time you will see me in them. As far as fitting in goes, for me, it’s pretty much impossible since I don’t wear skinny jeans. Even then, no one is ever going to mistake me for a Nicaraguan so why worry about it? In general though, I try to be practical and basic, especially when I’m going into the market or somewhere without my husband. About the only time I let myself wear something a little more out there are trips to Managua or family date nights.

Alyssa – I have noticed a lot of ladies where I live like to wear peasant type flowing skirts and flowy vest types or scarves to add a layer. I take a little notice to what is normal to wear and try not to stand out too much, but I also am carrying a baby in my arms so fewer layers is easier to manage. I am very fortunate that wearing skirts is so common here that I don’t stick out at all.

Kimbery – YES! Different in the modesty part. Modesty is NOT a part of most British people’s wardrobes. In fact, the mentality of showing a lot of skin is instilled at a very young age. I do try to fit in (with modesty being at the forefront of my mind) so that I can reach out to people and relate easier.

Is there anything from the culture you live in that you have incorporated into your style?

Me – Bright lipstick and pencil skirts. If a Nicaraguan lady is in a skirt, 9 times out of 10 it’s straight and knee length. And they love their bright lipstick. I had never really worn bright lipstick before living here but now I have a few bright reds and pinks and I love them!

Alyssa –  There isn’t anything particularly different about fashion here, but also there are many different cultures in our area so people are pretty accepting. There isn’t anything that I have added to my wardrobe habits from living here except some form of confidence. I don’t feel the pressure to be well put together, or to wear new outfits. Many people repeat the same outfits and it doesn’t bother anyone. I like that. A pretty outfit is pretty even is people have seen it before.

Kimberly – This really made me think…I don’t think I have. One thing that is VERY popular here is wearing a big, fancy hat to formal event (weddings, funeral, garden parties, Easter Sunday, etc). I just don’t wear those kinds of hats. Another very popular trend over here is wearing leggings as trousers/pants. The women don’t always take into consideration how long (or short) their top is, either. Very often I see them walking down the street with only leggings and a cropped shirt on.

What do you wear on a normal day? What do you wear on a Sunday?

Me – On home days I have about 5 skirts and 7-8 sleeveless shirts and tee shirts that I rotate through. I might put on something a little nicer to go into town, like a knit skirt or a button down top or one of a few casual dresses that I have. I always wear closed toe, sneaker type flats to the market, and hardly ever a necklace although I do wear one occasionally. For Sundays, usually a nicer casual skirt and top for the morning, often with a necklace or earrings, comfortable flats or flat sandals and my hair up. For the evening I’ll often pull out a dress, almost always a necklace and heels or some of my less comfortable flats.

Alyssa – Most days I end up going into public so I wear a skirt and shirt, not quite church clothes, but I try to dress in such a way that I would not be embarrassed to represent the Lord in witnessing.

Kimberly – For every day, I wear a knee length midi-skirt (cotton or denim) or a long maxi skirt with a button down top or jumper (aka sweater). In the colder months, which is most of our year, I wear tights or leggings for warmth and a scarf. I try to dress up as much as possible for Sunday because 1) Jesus deserves my very best, and 2) I try to be a good example to our church people that getting all fancied up doesn’t mean one HAS to show cleavage, bottom, and/or tummy.

Do you shop for clothes where you live and if so, where?

Me – Nicaragua is a thrifters paradise! It’s also pretty much the only option for anything of quality. There are sooo many stores that sell used clothing so when I go shopping, it’s typically not for any specific items. If I need a something like that, I usually order it online and send it to my parent’s house or I describe it to my mom and she gets whatever it is and brings it to me when they visit. Or I make it.

Alyssa – I do shop for clothes here in South Africa. There seems to be either very affordable clothes that may only last one wear, or very expensive clothes that are attractive but too much to wear for what I do.

Kimberly – I do have my parents send modest skirts over because they are hard to find here. (The ones I find here are meant to be too short and/or tight.) I have found the bigger, department-type stores will have dresses that are quite modest. It’s the price I have to watch out for with those!  I will also browse charity shops (thrift stores) weekly and find pieces to add to my wardrobe.

Are you happy with your current style? Is there anything you would change?

Me – In general, yes, although I do miss having more excuses to dress up. Some times I do Instagram challenges just for the fun of it. On the one hand, I do like being more laid back, but on the other hand, it would be soooo easy to to let myself go and I really don’t want that to happen. There are some many more important things to take care of and my “look” just isn’t that important. But I’m also one of those people that feels more confident and motivated if I’m put together, so that’s important too. Most of the things I’d like to change are things I can’t change, like being able to wear layers or maxi dresses without sweating like crazy, but that heat and humidity aren’t going anywhere so I’ll just have to keep getting creative.

Alyssa – My personal style is mostly one of minimalism. I try to look nice and put together and may add a necklace or bracelet. I have learned to put more effort into my appearance over the last few years, but I have also learned that it is okay and so much easier to put together a few outfits and keep them on repeat. This probably sounds tacky, but often when I am getting dressed I try to remember that the prettiest thing I could put on is a smile, and that helps me get through the days I don’t have time for accessories or makeup.

Kimberly – I would say, overall I am happy with my style. But, I am always looking for new ways to update and refresh my look. Eveyone’s style is different, but we should all keep modesty as part of our wardrobe.