True Love

by Elaine, Tufts 1+4 Participant

I arrived in the Puerto Rico airport at 12 AM clutching my passport, a granola bar, and an overwhelming desire to get back on the plane.  It was my first day of vacation, and my first day outside of Nicaragua since I had left the United States in September.

And now, nearly four months later, I was back! (Well, in an official territory).  I was going to see my parents for the first time since August.  I had the next ten days off work to relax, sleep in an air-conditioned room and take warm water showers.  Until a few days before my departure I had been excited-ecstatic- to get back these old comforts. But when I found myself surrounded by distinctly American culture for the first time I felt a painful longing for my new home in Nicaragua.  And in that moment I realized I do truly love my new home.

I know, I know, what could an 18-year old know about love? Especially as an 18-year old who’s never been in a committed relationship, unless you count watching Breaking Bad, and only Breaking Bad for two months.  But I know that I do love Leon. I love its colors-the blinding white of the cathedral, the orange, purple and blue pastel houses that form a clashing kaleidoscope down the block.  The darkly-hued murals that hint at the political turmoil in Leon’s history.

I love the life that breathes out of every street corner. The high-pitched shouts of vendors balancing baskets on their heads. Tooortillllla and aguacaaaateeee.  The squeak of an old, rusted out bicycle as a family of five, all balanced on top of each other, rides past.  The shouts of greeting (Buenas!) to friends and strangers as you pass on the street. Whoever you are, you’re welcome here. All is good.

And love isn’t always perfect. It rarely is, and it’s these lows, these challenges that make an experience so unique and special.  Sometimes your host mom forgets that you’re still sleeping in your room before telling the workers to fumigate the house.  Sometimes you can’t stand the heat that leaves your clothes a sweaty mess. Sometimes loving something is an unpredictable roller coaster, and you’ve just got to hang tight, hold on and trust where the ride takes you.

Because it’s the little moments that have made this country home. What made me fall in love with Nicaragua, flaws and all.  Nights spent sitting at the dinner table talking about politics with my host mom, and current events with my older sister. The hilarious antics of my two-year old brother.  Coming home from the gym to a cold shower and a hot plate of gallo pinto.  The cool night breeze, carrying strains of salsa music, the fast-paced gossip of women sitting on their front stoops, and the loud pop of firecrackers constantly thrown by children into the darkening sky.

Vacation’s over now. I’m back in Nicaragua, back in my new home.  The next five months still seem like a challenge, but one that’s exciting and invigorating.  I’m with amazing friends in a crazy, vivacious country that I love. And yes, I know there are still difficult times ahead.  Sometimes I’ll forget that I was once longing to be back in Leon.  But whenever that happens I now know what to say.

Buenas! All is good. Take your time. Find your place. You’ll love it here.