Nicaragua will always be in our hearts

   I have struggled trying to gather my thoughts for this blog entry because it signifies the closing of a most wonderful chapter in our lives. After driving to South America in 2015, we returned to the U.S. not quite done with our journey. I will never forget sitting with my wife and daughters at our gorgeous dinner table in our custom home mere days after returning back to the states, in December 2015. We felt deflated, and spoke of how different things seemed, even though everything was nearly the same. We loved our friends in Austin but knew we could not stay. We voted with our hearts to try and live a new life in Nicaragua. 

   We were frightened at first, frustrated too, but that soon gave way to meeting new people and building a "New us." Truthfully, it might actually be easier for a family to start over because one is never alone. Once the kids started making friends the adult friendship are not far behind. Living abroad was ordinary in some ways especially regarding schooling, housing and other necessities. Living abroad was quite unexpected in other ways. For example, most expat parents that we met were well traveled, nonjudgmental, and literally had all the time in the world to be with you, hear you, and be your friends. Our friends constantly encouraged us to experience different things and see new sites. Our friends were our biggest advocates and on many occasions our sole source of local news and even our translators too.

    We relied on our friends, and they on us, in ways we never had to in our former suburban setting. Maybe this is why we feel like we left family behind instead of amigos. We are still struggling with our departure. My kids and wife cry at random moments reminiscing on their friends and world they left behind. For now, it is all about allowing each of us to emote on our own schedules wherever it may happen. 

   Below, I have assembled a grouping of latter photos of our time in Granada. In the earlier times of this blog the photos would have warranted multiple entries. However, for this entry I feel it's fitting to put these pictures together showing how aspects of life sometimes collide in uncontrollable ways. The tempest of emotions, that we are experiencing, will one day settle down. My wife often reminds the girls regarding their broken hearts over Nicaragua, "That it was better to have fallen in love and lost, than to have never fallen in love."    

       

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We left Nicaragua 4 days after the national police shot nearly 100 unarmed university students who were protesting government corruption in Managua. For us, this was our defining moment and our reason for leaving the country so abruptly. For more details on what was happening then, refer to our blog entry just prior to this one. 

Our neighbors, the Rosarios, were so gracious to open their home for our going away party. Most of our closest friends showed up for the occasion. We celebrated many times at this house however, this ended up being our saddest time. Many tears were shed before this night was over.

Jose Luis is my brother from another mother. He, and his family, have hosted many parties and more recently opened their home to another family, from a different city, who were displaced by the nightly violent clashes between protesters and police. Jose and family are the most caring, fun people and we miss having them as neighbors.

Other expats that we know and admire. I had many breakfasts with Matt (on the left) and appreciated how we joked and laughed through each meal. He and his wife, center, are parents to some of our kids best friends and reminded us why Granada was such a cool place to call home. Nicholas, on the right, is the father of one of my daughter's crushes.  

We had such great times with these people and are still appreciative that we were all so easy going, and supportive of each other. 

Zoe's last day of school, with her favorite teacher, Ms. Margarita, under a tree.

The three musketeers and best friends to the end. Anya, on the left, went back home with her family to Canada shortly after we left Nicaragua. Anais, on the right, still lives in Granada and Zoe misses her deeply. Three weeks later and my girls are still crying at unexpected times, grieving for their lost way of life and their friends.

The whole school was sad to see the girls leave school for the last time. Rivers of tears flowed for more than 30 minutes after school ended. Pictured here are some kids that stayed the longest to say their goodbyes.  

Best friends, sharing a last moment the evening before we flew out. Ava also flew back home to Canada shortly after we left Nicaragua.

One hour before we were picked up by our private bus for the airport our neighbors came over to say one last goodbye. We were emotionally numb by this point and in total auto pilot. 

The girls and I went out for one last breakfast at Kathy's Waffle House in Granada before flying back to the states. One thing the violence between government and protesters did, right away, was hurt tourism. This restaurant was usually packed but as you can see was near empty.   

A melancholy Sierra was calming our cats down during our ride to the airport by private bus.

Days before our departure and all seemed completely normal to the kids. Reality hit hard, though, once the realization hit that we had to leave and there was no turning back.

Normally a bustling tourist attraction, not a visitor in sight.

Sadly, worthy causes like Cafe de los Sonrisas that employ disabled and deaf people are hit hardest by the senseless violence enveloping Nicaragua. Tourism dollars benefit so many marginalized communities that are too often forgotten by the government. The needs of the poor and forgotten are still there, and in many cases even more acute now since the revolution of April 19th started. Many of the organizations can be helped via on-line donations and we encourage helping from afar when getting there is too difficult.    

A typical afternoon for my daughters over the last few years.

Nicaragua beat Cuba in baseball! About 20 of our friends went to this friendly match between countries in Managua.

Birthday boy, Leroy, to the right is one of our favorite friends in Granada. His direct approach to life and silly humor will be missed; but so too, will his sweet wife Ana and Zoe's best friend Anais also be missed. Their farm was a home away from home for us and we really miss these guys and our old way of life with them.  

Once the city got quiet at night, after the political turmoil, it felt different to us and not in a good way.

Our annual school fundraiser was getting set up so I took a picture before the festivities.

Kelly, left, decided to throw a spontaneous art party for her son and his friends at a local restaurant. Times like this we will miss the most about Granada. None of the parents were rushed, or even worked traditional jobs for that matter, so having time to talk was never an issue. Living an easier life means less stress, more time, and happier interactions. We hope, in some measure, to replicate this aspect of our lives as we figure out a place to live in the U.S. 

Our school regularly sent the 6th graders out to the community to help those less fortunate. Here, the kids went to a local girls orphanage in Granada. All of the kids got together and played soccer, did some art, and our school donated toys and supplies to the orphaned girls. It was always a pleasure to see our kids participate in helping others. Mr. Manuel, blurry and to the left, was one of my favorite teachers at our school. He was always joking and was so enthusiastic, he reminded me of the importance of male teachers at school. The boys of the school looked up to him and understood his silliness, and so did I.