three month stay

[Suiuxgao]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here...
My name is Kevin and I just got back from a three-month stay in Nicaragua. I am an American, or a United Statesian, I guess, and this was my first time out of the country. I am 18 years old.

I was able to go to Nicaragua because my girlfriend is a native Nicaraguan. She is studying at the same school as me, and her family invited me to spend the summer with them after I graduated (got my AA degree).

I have been back in the US for 1 day and I am already amazed at how three months down there has changed me and my view toward the US.

First of all, I should say that I love Nicaragua, it's people, it's culture, everything...I've been with my girlfriend for almost a year and I definetly will be making more trips down there with her. I find the country fascinating and beautiful.

I am particularly interested in the history of the country, especially the revolution. My girlfriend,
Mei-lin Siu Miranda comes from a family that was very involved in the revolution. Her aunt, Arlene Siu, was one of the early martyrs of the revolution. Perhaps some of you are familiar with her, and maybe even her family. Her great-grandfather owns the Farmacia Miranda in Granada and her grandfather owns the Ferreteria Armando Siu in Jinotepe.

I guess what I would like to know from people here is if they are familiar with Arlene as her tragic story is one that is amazing to me...I think someday I will write a book about her...I stayed in the house where she grew up in Jinotepe (my girlfriend's father was her little brother)and talked to some people about her...

I'm really interested to know what people here remember about her or have heard about her.
Thanks.
-kevin

[Balvarez]

Asi que te estan dando clase de chacoviadera haaaa?
Good for you!! Proud to be a Nicaraguan por noviasgo verdad?

[JoeHocker]

Dear Kevin,

I know your girlfriend's uncle Willie. He was a student at the university I teach at... RIT in Rochester, NY. Willie is now back home in Nicaragua. You might have met him when you were there.

Rochester's sister city is El Sauce and I have been on a walk to where Arlene was killed by the Guardia outside El Sauce. There used to be a walk every year on the anniversary of her death. I am not sure if it occurs anymore.

There are people in El Sauce who have audio tapes of Arlene singing. I haven't heard them but friends of mine have.

Please e-mail me at jadsbi@rit.edu when you have a chance.

Sincerely,

Jean

[sweetgirl]

Kevin, yes Kevin you are a United Statian and I am glad your world view has changed like that like has mine. That is to say the love of my life is Nicaraguan. That makes her more American than I am even though she has not set foot on U.S. Soil. However, unless your girlfriend is a Misquito, or Sumo indian (and I doubt she is) she is NOT a native. SHe is Nicaraguan, Mestiza, or a Nicaraguan National. I too have been to Nicaragua (and hope to one day soon return never to come back to the states) and was told that they are not Natives. However, beeing a goofy gringo I'll forgive you... This time.
No MY sweetheart and I are not novios (boyfriend and girlfriend) because her parents won't let us "go out" tener un noviazgo until she graduates from college (la universidad not el colegio. I do know the difference there.) But, well he is going to let me stay a week at their house for Christmas and well lets just say I know for a fact that he isn't exactly stupid. ANd anyways we are both very much in love and who knows maybe when I visit for a week and he actually has the chance to get to know me some maybe he will change his mind and let me have un noviazgo con mi Querida Princesa. But, I am not stupid enough to bring up the topic unless he does. Well, I am glad to hear about your trip. Smart move falling in love with a Nicaraguan everybody knows they are the best kinda girls and smart move getting out being a gringo (I am just guessing at that) before the elections. ¿What are your impressions of the situation? I hope I get to return. That is to say I don't figure it will be possible if "la basura disfrazada" wins the elections. Not that I have real confidence an any candidtate.
Drew

[Balvarez]

Viva la "YUNAIRE ESTEY" Jodido y sus Gringas ricas, chelas de pelo de maiz y mentalidad abierta, ricuras de California con sus cuerpitos bien hechitos, Sabrosuras de Texas bien formada y bien nutridas y las de el centro del estado ni se diga, chuladas de chavalas....Que vivan las Chelas que se dejan ensenar las nalgas y su ombliguito muchas veces con una chapita y coquetiandote a besarlo. Las Gringuitas que aprenden a chacoviar al estilo Nicoya, que no andan con babosadas, ni prejuicios sociales.....Vivan mis gringas matizonas y buenonas....Que VIVANNNN!!!

I totally disagree with the lump generaliztion Drew made about being Native. Nicaraguans have a great deal of native blood in them. There were more than 2 tribes or cultures besides the Misk and the Sumos. There were offshoots that were influenced from the Mayan tribes to the North and the Inca cultures from the south and many in between. Those poeple still live today in us. I am an American citizen, but feel very much Nicaraguan and native to my land that I belong to (not own). I have very little Spanish (European) blood and feel proud that my Native features are more obvious. I have what many would refer to as Indio features, a wider nose, fuller eybrows, dark hair, full lips, small / medium build (some may even refer to that as less attractive). Built for the terrain and not the parade on horseback of the cursed conquistadors.

Kevin, glad that you have found what you are looking for. I seek the same. Bless your union. As for your world view changing, congratulations. Hopefull now, you understand the damage American foreogn policy has done to Nicaragua and to much of the other 3rd world nations. Just look at Cuba... I hope that this causes a change that is brought out more in participating and voting against people that contribute to the problem and not bring solutions,viable ones. Maybe this will put you on a journey to inform others as well. Have a wonmderful day.

[sweetgirl]

Sky, please forgive me. Yes, I do realize there are and were many more indiginous groups in Nicaragua more so than just the Sumo or Miskitos. I certainally never to offend you. All I really know is that when I went (a little over a year ago) we were told not to call the Nicaraguans natives because it is very offensive to them. Yes, my sweetheart (whom technically I am still not "going out with") has those same features which I think makes her all the more attractive. I also know I still have a lot to learn. I guess I did sound like I was trying to say that the indiginous way of life had totally died off which is not true. I appoligise sincerely for that. Yes, my world view has changed as well. Believe me it has changed immensly. and yes another reason I use the word "united statian" is because I realize that America is much larger than just a country it is a continent and that makes her (and you) more indigenous to this continent and therefore more american than myself and believe I have a tremendous amount of respect for that. Annyways Yes, I have seen the damage the U.S. has done. Believe me that makes me much more apprehensive to think about us going to war.
Please forgive me.
Drew