The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

the 1 less traveled by

A move to Nicaragua

Browsing Tag:

shipping to Central America

Usual sign hung in the bathroom at restaurants

Toilet or Trash? Where to put your toilet paper

Buttered Side Down

We were exposed to this dilemma for the first time when we stayed with my friend at a surf camp he ran. He was giving us the tour of the camp & rooms and when we got to the bathroom he asked, “You guys do know you need to put your toilet paper in the trash, right?” We both nodded our head yes and I began to feel guilty for the plumbing problem I must have left behind at the hotel we stayed at for our first few nights in Nicaragua. Then he said something I will never forget, “Just make sure you put it buttered side down.”

Now that we’ve lived in Nicaragua for over a year, I can honestly say, putting my soiled toilet paper in the garbage is the norm for me. At every establishment there is always a small trash can next to the toilet just for this purpose. Since we live in a Gringo town, it is usually accompanied by a sign telling you what the bin is there for. On our first trip home I had to correct myself a few times after placing my tissue in the trash.  Here we have a house cleaner that works for us 6 days a week. I assume one of the most unpleasant parts of her job is to empty trash daily. This ensures that even on the hottest days, our bathroom doesn’t smell like an outhouse.

“Why,” you might ask, “is this necessary in Nicaragua?” Its my understanding that in Central America they use the cheaper 1/2 inch pipes. When you place a wad into the toilet bowl, especially the amount used to wipe succeeding a defecation, the smaller pipe cannot handle the mass of TP. This coupled with the lack of water pressure, creates an even lesser chance of the tissue making its way all the way down to the septic. The pipes are also sometimes without a significant angle, leaving less gravity to work for you.

Many Gringos refuse to adapt their hygienic practices to Central American plumbing. I would rather not have that uncomfortable conversation with my landlord, so I surrendered and I do my dooty the Nica way. Now used tampons…that’s something I don’t think I’ll ever get used to.

Haven't needed this wind-fighting garment

4 Things I Didn’t Need to Pack For Our Move to Nicaragua

There’s not many on my list, but here are a few things that took up precious space in our suitcases and we haven’t needed.

4. Spanish-English Dictionary

My husband and I both downloaded Google’s Translator and off-lined the Spanish Dictionary so we can access it even when there is no cell signal or WiFi. My little book is collecting dust and taking up space on a shelf…I should probably donate it to something.

3. Extra Toothbrushes

I don’t know know what I was thinking or where I thought we were moving, but toothbrushes are very easy to find and affordable here.

2. Long Sleeve Shirts, Pants & Jackets

Although I have worn my jeans a few times, I definitely haven’t needed 2 pairs of jeans, cargo pants, and leggings. Not once have I put on the variety of long sleeve shirts I packed. I brought a windbreaker-style jacket because I heard it could get cold in the mountains. We haven’t yet made a trip to see the coffee farms so the only mountains we’ve seen is through the window of the car on our trips to Managua. I’m hoping these items will come in handy on our first trip home to the States in October.

1. Socks

I brought socks for running, socks to wear with rain boots, black socks, white socks, thin socks, thick socks. So far I haven’t worn a pair. I run barefoot on the beach, went sock-less the one time I wore my rain boots, and besides that I only wear flip flops and the occasional wedge for date night.

What other moms say:

I asked other moms living in Nicaragua what they brought with them here and haven’t needed, here are their answers that weren’t already on my list: sweatpants, dress up clothes & heels, rain jackets, pharmaceuticals (Advil etc), double stroller, and plates.

Box

A Box to Nica

A friend of ours who lives in Nicaragua told us you can mail a 30″ x 30″ flat rate box for $250.  This fact went semi ignored at first mention, but now that I’m packing and feeling the weight of each object I’m thinking this might be the way to go.  There’s several items I’m contemplating bringing and this would mean that I could pack those and much more.  Although you can find all the appliances in Nica, we hear the quality and cost doesn’t compare to The States.  We could bring our coffee maker, Nutrabullet, Azalea’s scooter, books for the kids…

I decided to call the company to see if it truly was a 30×30 and what hours they were open.  I was surprised when the person who answered spoke no English and neither did anyone else at the company. A little taste of what’s to come.  Luckily my neighbor speaks great Spanish so I had him call.  Turns out its true, to the door of our home in San Juan del Sur it will cost $275

The box got so heavy that I had to pack it in the back of the truck because I wouldn’t be able to lift it after it was full.  The company is located in Los Angeles so the week before we left I drove up there and luckily was greeted with a partially English speaker.  He did all the paper work. I brought our lease agreement for our home so I could show him the address since part of it is an explanation that it is located “100 meters from the entrance”. It supposed to take 6 weeks to get to our home.  Fingers are crossed that it makes it!!!

If you’re interested in using this company, the information is: Central de Envios / 213-383-9300 / shipcentral@yahoo.com

luggage stuffing

Packing To Move Abroad

Is it too early to pack?

My husband & his family are making fun of me, we are 2 months out and I’ve already began packing the suitcases.  Actually I’ve barely started packing, but started accumulating items for the move; scourging the thrift stores for extra large suitcases (since we’re only bringing 6), scanning Craigslist for boxes & dog crates, sending group texts to neighbors to collect newspaper, buying packaging tape…  Its true, I am a planner, but with all there is to do “I don’t feel like this is too early!”, I say with a defiant stomp…well, at least that’s how it gets played out in my head.

I’d like to do more, but Kharron isn’t convinced that getting our storage space this early is necessary. I’ve never done a move like this.  When I moved from Northern to Southern California, everything I owned fit in my Honda.  I didn’t have kids to worry over, I didn’t have a whole house worth of belongings to compact into a 15 x 10 space, and I couldn’t just call my mommy if I forgot anything.

Now my and Ze’s closets contain no shorts nor sundresses…I think that’s a fair start.