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Off to Jordan!
Last year, I came across a poster that said, “Dig in Jordan.” I was sold immediately. Aside from the fact that the site looks like it will be incredibly interesting, I have always, always wanted to visit the Middle East. When I was a kid, I would sit flipping through my parents’ old National Geographics and the articles that really pulled me were set in Middle Eastern countries. The Arabian style, the spice markets, the minarets, and imagining being awoken by the Call to Prayer.
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Montreal
Except for several new condominiums and some demolished buildings, Montreal hasn’t changed in the least from when I called this place my home. It has been a lot of fun though, good times visiting my beloved god-family, rooting through my grandmother’s basement to find treasures, and recalling the old days. It’s funny when you’ve been away from such a place for so long. I had forgotten all my old words, like ‘depanneur.’ It was a word we must have said at least once a day, used to describe all corner-store-like places, such as Mac’s, Perettes, Couche-Tard, Boni-Soir, and 7-11. I had completely forgotten it until my god-father said it, and…
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Speedskating!
Just over a week ago, I put on a pair of skates for the first time in ten years. Though things started out a little rocky, skating seems to be just like riding a bike. I did manage to fall down, but it only happened once, so I declare a victory over skating. Stacey is an amazing teacher. I was having some issues, since speed skates are a little different than regular skates, but it turned out it wasn’t me, but the boots. For once I could blame ineptitude on the equipment without it being an excuse!
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Conference presentations…
This week has been all about preparing for the 2005 Chacmool Archaeological Conference. It’s been pretty crazy trying to get the presentation written, since I have had two midterms and a bunch of assignments due this week. I managed to finish the PowerPoint and conclusion of my paper Friday morning. Which was about two hours before I had to leave to present.
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Loss & Research
Life has been hard since Regatta passed away. I’m doing everything I can to keep busy, but it’s not the same when I come home and she’s not there, excited to greet me. The house feels desolately quiet. I want to feel whole again, but the best I can do is to throw myself into school.
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I’m home!
The alarm went off at 5am this morning and I made the long trek to the Managua Airport. I lie, the trek wasn’t long, it’s just across the street! I stood in line for awhile, but eventually made it on my flight and on to Houston. I got waved through security without much scrutiny. Not that I warranted any, but for all the hype about making sure everyone gets checked, they didn’t pay much attention to me or my bags. I can’t even recall any agents looking me in the eye.
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On My Way Home
We made the long trek up to Managua from Rivas this evening. The distance isn’t huge, but the bad roads make it feel much longer, especially when you’re riding in the back of a truck bed. The wind was whipping past us, extra humid, pummelling my hair into a matted mess, but when in Rome! Pretty much everyone here owns trucks. Other vehicle types seem impractical. Not only can you haul everything you could possibly want, but there usually tends to be more people than available seats. And you can fit an immense number of people in an open truck bed.
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Splash Pools, Rooftops, and Mystery Creams
My bug bites continue to be itchy as can be. I tried using hydrocortisone cream, but it wasn’t working so it was off to the local pharmacy. They gave me some cream that I’m not sure what it’s really made of, but it works pretty well. It’s not a complete cure, but its helps. The weekend in Granada has been amazing. The hotel has an inner courtyard that is all trees and hammocks, with a little splash pool down the hallway. Doing laundry is a great way to pass the time, since it has a beautiful view of the city. Terracotta rooftops and cathedral steeples.
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Kicking and Screaming
Yesterday morning was UNPLEASANT. I woke up, uncomfortable and itchy. My back was covered in bug bites. Completely covered. Somewhere along the way, my bed had become infested with bed bugs and I am now one screaming ball of itchiness. The other day, we went to San Juan del Sur for a beach day. We swam and body boarded and just enjoyed the warm sun. I am also currently undefeated at Scrabble. That is not very interesting, but I just felt like bragging.
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Arriving in Nicaragua
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Arriving in Nicaragua
I’m in Nicaragua. I made it here alive, despite how I felt on the plane ride. I can’t get over how beautiful it is here. Descending into Managua was incredible. The city looked like it went on forever, a never-ending expanse of gold and silver streetlights.
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Kicking and Screaming
to see the world in a grain of sand.
