Beautiful Things About Nicaraguan Culture

Leaving everything you know for everything you don’t is very difficult but totally worth it. Four months ago, I arrived in Nicaragua not knowing what to expect, except for heat and beans. Both of which I get plenty of and love most of the time. Having never been to a Latin American country before and speaking unbearably poor Spanish, I was a mix of complete fear and overwhelming excitement! Fear for not fitting in, doing something offensive culturally and excitement for seeing, learning about, and living in an entirely new place and culture. Obviously, as I am currently writing this under the strong Nicaraguan sun, excitement prevailed. Thankfully, I have had the privilege to live among families in Nicaragua to learn more about their culture, food, traditions, and customs. As a result, I would like to share some of the beautiful things about Nicaraguan culture that have warmed my heart and opened my eyes to a new way of life, my new way of life in Nicaragua.

-Open door policy: If people are awake, their doors are open.  Everyone here keeps their doors wide open for two reasons I’ve observed, to let cool air in and invite visitors. Here strangers, acquaintances, even vendors are welcomed into the house or at the very least offered a chair on the front porch, chatted up, and often times offered coffee or a refreshment.  It is very kind and no one seems to be annoyed or bothered by the presence of door to door vendors or friends/family stopping by daily to chat.

-Free food, coffee, and frescos (delicious freshly made juice with lots of sugar): Nicaragua is the 2^nd poorest country (1^st is Haiti) in the western hemisphere, and yet no matter how poor the people are if you enter their house, you are welcomed like family and offered free food, frescos, and always coffee.  Also, you can’t feel bad or like a burden if you accept, because it is taken as an insult if you deny these offerings.  In training we were taught to tell long excuses in Spanish in case we are offered something we don’t want or eat. For example, I can’t drink a lot of caffeine because it makes me nauseous, therefore when offered, I say I can only drink a little because of caffeine makes me sick and usually people understand and pour me a little bit or offer me fresco instead. It is for this reason, that I am no longer vegetarian because when offered half of a chicken and beef (beef is very expensive and hence a really special treat when offered) I ate it out of respect and a desire to make a good first impression.  I consider this a small to price to pay for building strong relationships in my site. Also, these animals were not tortured than slaughtered in a factory farm like USA meat.

-Family style: Family comes first here, period. Work, friends, personal ambition, wealth, all are secondary concerns. Also, extended families mostly live together on a compound where multiple smaller houses will be on the same plot of land and communal spaces like outdoor bathrooms and kitchens are shared by all.  

Honestly, I feel very lucky to have been sent to such a gorgeous country filled with generous people. However, I have to admit that there are times when I feel confused, dumbfounded, and even frustrated by cultural clashes. In these moments, keeping an open mind and open heart serve me well. Despite the challenges of adapting to a new culture, there is no denying the unique and life-changing impact from this experience.