Homestay

I realized that I have not written about my homestay yet. All six students are living with families in el Barrio Máximo Jérez. This neighborhood has hosted people such as Salman Rushdie and Richard Gere. It was chosen as a typical working class neighborhood. However, there is a range of economic wealth within the community.

Before arriving in our homestays, we were told that we may not have walls that go to the ceiling, hot water and sometimes no water during parts of the day, or washing machines. Thus, when I first arrived at my homestay, I felt so lucky. I have a room with pretty blue lace curtains, freshly painted green walls, a door that locks, and walls that go to the ceiling. There is also a comfortable living room. Our first night we were "paraded" through the neighborhood with our moms and I was able to see some of the other homestays. There are some truly beautiful houses. One houses seems even nicer than my house back in Colorado (although smaller).

My homestay family consists of Doña Brenda and her daughter Carla. Carla has one 5 year old daughter called Valentina, whose father has left. (Nicaragua seems to have a problem of single mothers). Last week, Carla was married to Jairo via a lawyer and will have a wedding in a church in December or Janurary. However, they must be confirmed first.

The family dynamic is interesting. There seems to be two houses and one roof. I feel a lot of empathy for Brenda as I learn more about her situation. She is so full of love for her daughters but now lives alone more or less. Jairo and Carla do not typically invite Brenda to accompany them. And, Brenda's other daughter lives in Texas and she talks to her frequently. In a sense, she has also lost Carla now too.

I mainly talk with Brenda and sometimes with Valentina. We often dance in the kitchen. One night, there was a fight across the street. The woman across the street is remarried to a man who is younger than her son. The husband and son were fighting. Brenda snooped quite a bit but later we blasted the music in the kitchen and danced. She likes music similar to what you would hear in a club. Valentina lately has been practicing her folkloric dance. It is adorable.

Since Jairo just moved in, the family is still in transition. It will be interesting to see how things may change during this semester.