First-World Problems in a Third-World Country

                                                

I just returned home from Nicaragua and I'm immediately feeling like I want to go back to my quiet fishing village. The greatest pleasure in traveling to other countries is embracing the way other people live. Here is what I learned...

Roads: Unless you have a truck, motorcycle or a horse don't bother heading onto the road. The bigger vehicle owns the road, and motorcycles are the most efficient form of transportation. If you own a truck, be prepared for unexpected passengers. An open truck bed is an invitation to a free ride.

Power & water: Sometimes there is no power. You get up with the sun and go to bed with the moon. A hot shower is like a gift from God; be thankful the water is clean.

Food: Variety is not important. You eat what is local and fresh. If you are looking for a culinary experience with an iron chef, the end of a dirt road is not where you are going to find it.

Efficiency: When I first arrived I was always processing how staff could be serving my needs more efficiently. I had questions like why are they not multi-tasking? They don't cause they don't have to. This lesson I should take home.

Housing: We were in a small fishing village on a dead end road. Until 5 years ago the residents never saw a tourist. Nicaraguans fish in the morning and find a hammock in the afternoon out of the hot sun. A simple life that that makes our work/life balance seem completely ridiculous. Westerners are starting to buy property around the area and building million-dollar homes. They all sit empty. They are back here, working to pay for their beachfront homes to get 14 days of relaxation a year. When this is explained to the fisherman on the hammock he thinks we are all loco.

Bugs: A conversation started with our favorite Nicarguan, Juan Carlos, about the bugs. He only had one comment. "You do know you are in the jungle?" End of conversation.

I spent one day living in a hammock by the sea looking at the sky. Not one plane flew over, no cruise ships or ski boats in the water. There is nowhere to go, nothing to buy and the only sight to see was the beach. We have much to learn back here in our first-world nation; this corner of the world is doing something right.

It was me. I stole it.

                                      

I stole something last week. Yes, I admit it. I am accepting my karma. Now before you get all judgy on me (please refer to the KS pledge), let me explain.

I stole a day. I know, it sounds crazy to steal a day but last Tuesday I just took off West to the mountains with my dog. I cancelled all of my appointments (with full disclosure about my irresponsible behavior) and blew off two webinars (which I later found out that I can watch at my leisure). The forecast was for a temp of 27c.  It's the start of fall in the mountains. Gorgeous.

I needed this day. I looked around my room, covered in books on social media, business and self help. How could I be taking myself so seriously? I am always preaching about living life, being in the moment and living with passion. So, I called my own bluff. Leaving the city felt like I was skipping school. Tuesday morning and here I was, playing hooky. The weather was spectacular, the foliage in the woods was breathtaking and I was free from WiFi.

Now, looking back on any given weekday I can't remember what I did unless I peek at my calendar. But Tuesday, September 18th I will always remember: a perfect fall day.

Friday Funny: Nailed It

Friday Funny: Nailed It

Help for the Rookie Car Shopper

Help for the Rookie Car Shopper

KS Philosophy 101

KS Philosophy 101

being hit by the karma bus

This week, I was hit by the Karma Bus. We have all heard it said about friendship that to have great friends, you need to know how to be one. Well, when this bus hit me the doors opened up and it was full of people ready to help. The situation I was stuck in was really quite minor (a first-world problem): car trouble and a daughter who needed to be picked up. One of my friends, Lorraine, brought the booster cables but both cars refused to start. My nephew Justin arrived to make sure we "girls" were not confused about the workings under the car hood; neither engine still would not turn over.  I had an offer from Shelley to be driven anywhere I needed to go, and Kathy texted me, offering to lend me her vehicle.

I am mother to four busy children in a sprawling city; it is not optional to manage them without a mode of transportation other than my bike. When Kathy made her offer, she was in the middle of an appointment at the hairdresser, with two of her children in tow. She left the salon with color in her hair, loaded the kids into their carseats and with an appropriate cape on her back, heroically delivered me to my new ride (shiny, white and heavily horsepowered). That is friendship. When we show up for our friends it creates all kinds of opportunities in the future for them to show up for us. It's like putting chips in your Karma Bank.

I loved being hit by this Karma Bus.

Janet

Passing kindness forward

Passing kindness forward