Good Questions

Here are a few questions that were sent to me. I thought they were really great and wanted to share some of the responses.


So what are the sanitary conditions in comparision to the states? I know you bucket shower, but does everyone stay somewhat clean?

The people take pride in being clean down here. Backpackers completely disgust the Nicas because they look dirty and oily. Most people here bathe in the morning and wear pressed jeans and tshirts (for the guys) and jeans and nice, tight shirt (for the girls). Professionals will wear nicer pants and a dress shirt and students wear uniforms. As far as washing hands, its pretty uncommon and there is a lot of trash in the street. They litter all the time and it does not phase them.

As ambition goals go, what does the primary professional ambition of people who are 20-25 years old ?

Sadly, most females have had a baby already and most guys have two kids running around. If someone is lucky, they will be in the university by their early twenties. Some high school seniors are twenty because they don´t have a maximum age in school. If someone is not in the university, they are looking for a job, or caring for their kids.

Would you classify the majority of the locals you have met as a) very proud and not accepting of handouts, b) working hard to get by but is appreciative of the help, or c) as our stereotypical bumb and is waiting for the handout and blames others for their situation?

Nicas would love for anyone to give them anything at anytime. Some people are proud and wouldn´t accept something, but this is a very sharing culture. Cheating is a hard thing to stop because it is viewed that if someone knows the answer then they should help their friend.

What is the likely hood of a person who grew up poor and without much family support to have the opportunities to advance and better their life?

Most kids from poor families don´t move up socially. They would probably make it through a few grades, but then they would have to drop out of school to help support the family. If they did make it through high school, it would be almost impossible for them to go to university. Although public university is free, it is really hard to get into because of the test to enter. Most public high school students cannot pass the test. Private Universities are expensive, but do give a few scholarships.

If I were to roll into town with $20,000 would I be viewed the same way that we look at millionares rolling into vegas, or would I be looked at as just an upper middle class?

You would be a freaking rock star! It is unbelievable to them that someone is able to save money, period. Here the salaries are barely enough to cover food, electricity, and water and then all the school uniforms, etc. Most people don´t have a bank account and they don´t neccesarily want to hoard money around the house in case they get robbed. But then again, that is assuming they have money to hoard. Someone with $20,000 is unheard of. The average professional salary is $200 a month.

Thank you for the questions! If you would like me to answer anything specific, please feel free to email me something to write about. I love any suggestions.