Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity.  The more I see the world, the more I realize that although people are different, we’re very much the same. We speak different languages, have different cultures, religions, values, and physical traits, yet we all share common hopes and dreams of love, family, and survival. When I travel, I’m inspired to take photographs that capture humanity — of everyday people around the world — and provoke compassion and an understanding of our differences. My favorite photos capture the emotions of others and spark a curiosity about their lives. For me, these images reflect humanity and create connections between us.

I am currently in Nicaragua in a place much different than the USA, and also quite different from western Panama where I have been for the last two years. But, as much as it is different it is also the same. People go about their lives doing the things that people do everywhere. Maybe the methods are different but the goals are similar – to survive, to care for their loved ones, and to enjoy life along the way.

The Nicaraguan neighbor leads her cow Princessa to our yard to graze. This cow provides important milk and calves for her family.
This beekeeper is on a long walk to town, to the ferry, and to the city of Rivas where he hopes to sell his honey.
These children playing in front of their house become shy when I talk to them, like many children everywhere.
These girls play and dance on the sidewalk while they follow their mother on her errands.
Enjoying a friendly stroll in town on a nice afternoon. Here affection between family and friends is just a bit more visible than in some other places.
A working guy struggles to push his cart up hill so he can sell his juice and snacks to the midday street traffic.
Some youngsters enjoy a bit of fun on the lake.
Others all pile in a truck to go somewhere together on a Sunday afternoon.
A guy keeps watch on the street traffic outside the door to his business.
A mom teaches her little girl to ride a bicycle.
People at a washing platform in the lake doing the laundry. This is quite different from what I am used to but still, anyone who wears clothes has to wash them somehow.
Boys are fishing with a net in the lake. They were having fun but I imagine the catch will be appreciated by the family at the dinner table.

When you move to a different country with a different culture, language, climate, and traditions you expect that your life will be quite different. A bigger surprise though is how much it is the same. We are all just people. There is far too much US vs THEM these days. Maybe if we can know THEM as people there will be more peace and cooperation in the world.

 

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Saturday, and Biking North

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Ometepe Island is fairly large, almost 20 miles long and 6 miles across. Since we like what we have seen a lot, we want to explore more of the island.  The island is oriented sort of northwest to southeast and we are in the west part. Thursday we went southeast, so Saturday we decided to go northeast in the other direction along the coast. You can’t go across because there is a big volcano in the center of this part, and another in the southeast part so the island is sort of a figure eight shape.

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

The day started,  however, with the neighbor next door asking if she could bring the cow over to graze in the yard. This is the first time I have had a request like that! Princessa is a good cow though, calm tempered and she provides a lot for her family. Right now though she is producing less milk because she is three months pregnant! (Cows are like people and take nine months, so the calf will be born in six months.)

Marina brings Princessa over on a rope, like a dog on a leash, and the cow calmly follows along.
Princessa goes to work on the yard

We left Princessa to do her work and got out the bikes.  As we head out the north side of the town of Moyogalpa I saw signs for Hospedaje Soma, a hostel that has inexpensive tours of the island. This looked like a very comfortable place and the guy at the desk was very a nice, and also spoke English. Unfortunately though this is off season for tourists and they don’t have enough people to be running tours right now. He gave us a lot of info on the buses though, so we will try that.

So, we hopped back on the bikes and set off.

I tried to take some photos of houses this time
This island is not flat! We had been climbing uphill for awhile, and when I turned around to look back I saw the lake in the distance.
This guy tried his best to sell us some honey but I didn’t want to risk breaking it. He said he was going to Rivas to sell his honey, which would involve a considerable walk to town, a ride on the ferry, and probably more walking in Rivas as well.
A new side of the volcano, the north or northwest aspect.
There were also some great clouds
We saw a lot of these plants on this trip. I am guessing they are plantains since we have seen more plantains than bananas here.
Is there ever an excursion without an amazing tree?
I never get tired of the beautiful views of the volcano
Cows on the move
Traffic jam!! The bus had to lean on the horn to get the cows to move off the road.
This house is for sale.
Another fairly typical house. I am not sure why so many have two doors because they both seem to lead to the same big room inside.
I thought this house was especially cute with the pretty of pink color and all the plants in front.
There were a number of these thatched houses. There were a couple very friendly women and a naked toddler outside but being Indoctrinated in the US, I didn’t think I should be photographing naked toddlers.
This house is next to the thatched one and unfortunately you can’t see much in this photo, but it was made out of poles and plastic sheeting.

Our return trip took us back to town and back the the bike shop for a brake that wasn’t working. (They have been very nice about switching bikes if there is a problem.)  Since we were in town, who can resist a Cornerhouse smoothie!

Bandanna, pineapple, mango smoothie for me, iced latte for him, and great toast with homemade peanut butter and preserves.

Bandanna, pineapple, mango smoothie for me, iced latte for him, and great toast with homemade peanut butter and preserves.

As we made our way back to the house we passed the airport. Usually at this point I am watching the ground since we turn off on to a dirt road. Today, however, I stopped to look at the volcano and realized that if you get in the right spot you can see both volcanos!

Both volcanos! Conception on the left and Maderas on the right.

Both volcanos! Conception on the left and Maderas on the right.

We came home to relax but it wasn’t long before the golden light of the setting sun caught our eyes. Of course I had to grab the camera! I can never resist a beautiful sunset over the water.


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Friday is for Food

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Our adventure continues house sitting on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. It is interesting here that so many people come to the house selling things. A guy came by a few days ago selling tilapia fillets which I am glad we bought because they were great. Another guy came with little pastry/cookie things which I don’t need, so he will be happy when the folks come back. Another guy was selling plastic chairs.

Today we knew the gardener would be here and it is pay day. We also knew the vegetable truck would be coming and I had a list! If I remember I bought 4 carrots, 6 chayotes, 3 cucumbers, 6 tomatoes, 2 pounds of onions, a cantaloupe, a pineapple, 6 beets,  and a bunch of bananas. I think that was all, and it was about $12.

The veggie guy arrives with his truck. He told me he used to have a horse but now he is doing better so he could buy a trucks. He had to sell the horse to pay for it but now he can go faster and carry more.
He hasn’t really good selection
When we are done he writes every item in his little book and then totals everything up. He said he had a calculator but people would rather he did it by hand.

Once all the expected visitors had been here, I set out with Cappy for a walk. It seems to help to run off some of his energy, and sometimes he even manages to walk beside me like a good dog!

Today's photo of the volcano

Today’s photo of the volcano

Then we had a few things we wanted to do in town, so we set off on the bikes. It’s like Panama a bit. We wanted a pump to inflate a flat tire on a bike. Nope, no such thing. We had checked with a few stores and bike rental shops and heard the same thing. If you want air go to the car repair shop down the street. There are no pumps sold on the island. But, an email with the homeowners and the right advice and voila, una bomba! We also learned that there is a guy who goes to Pricesmart in Managua every Tuesday so if we want something, we only need to ask on Monday and he will bring it back.

As we did our errands in town we saw the gray clouds over the volcano getting bigger and bigger, and a cool breeze started to blow. We took off at a good clip to make it home before the rain but didn’t quite make it, much to the amusement of some of the neighbors we passed on the way home.

My I got all wet but had fun doing it look.

My I got all wet but had fun doing it look.

Yesterday we ordered nacatamales from the family up the road who makes them every Friday. Just before we left on the bike one of the boys arrived with our order in a bucket obviously hot off the stove. They were too hot to even touch! So, when we returned from the bike ride we knew we had an excellent dinner waiting for us.

She makes two kinds, one with corn base and pork, the other with rice and chicken. Both are really good!

She makes two kinds, one with corn base and pork, the other with rice and chicken. Both are really good!

Next time I see the cook outside I am going to ask her if I can help her next week. I would like to know how she makes these. They are different from the Panamanian tamales and would be a great addition to my recipes. These, besides the rice or corn, and pork or chicken, they have slices of potato, tomato, onions, a leaf I can’t identify, and really yummy flavoring.

After dinner is relaxing time with a good dog and a good book.

It is a rough life here

It is a rough life here

The final surprise of the night was something flying up under the rafters. At first I thought it was a bat but it didn’t fly like one. Then I realized it was a huge black witch moth, which I recognized because we had them occasionally in Panama.

A black witch moth.

A black witch moth.

So, another day on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. Tomorrow we plan to do some more exploring, with the camera of course!

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Thursday – One Week

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

It’s funny. In a way you can get an idea of what a place is about in a day or two, but it can also take years to really know a place. We have seen a lot in our first week here, but I also feel like we have barely begun to know what life here is like. This is a big island with many other towns and things to see, and this island is only a part of this country.

Yesterday (Thursday) we decided to go biking to San Jose del Sur, a town on the south side of this part of the island about an hour away by bike.  The road took us through green fields and farm areas, and through some small towns. I didn’t think about our relation to the volcano and that we would be seeing another side, or the fact that we could see the other volcano as well so we had some great surprises in store.

Day care drop off – we went to town to use the internet while ours was off, and spotted this guy dropping the little girl off with the lady in the shop. How many kids get delivered by a handsome man on a white horse?!
We rode through the town of San Francisco on our way. I should have taken more photos! It felt like a real Nicaraguan town here without any tourist element, just very basic houses and locals going about their lives.
This is the main road around the island. Cows on the highway? But of course!
We spot the other volcano coming into view!
What a beautiful south side of the volcano.
We stop in San Jose del Sur to check out Las Brisas, the boat dock. The clouds were really beautiful.
The clouds look like smoke billowing from the volcano.
That is the dormant volcano in the distance, and my favorite riding partner in the foreground 😀
Interesting political stuff here, which was also seen on the streets and other places. FSLN – Sandinista National Liberation Front. Sometimes it is easy to forget in this tranquil place that they have had their share of political upheavals.
Of course I would have to photograph another amazing tree
Cute little house with a pig out front scratching it’s head on the pole.
We passed some gorgeous views of the volcano
The other volcano is also beautiful in the distance
It took me a bit to figure out that the squealing was from some pigs in this cart that apparently didn’t want to go for a ride.
Today’s airport volcano photo
As we got close to the house, we passed the mare and her baby by the side of the road.

We are really enjoying this island!  Friday we will be mostly home for various people who stop by on Fridays. Then, on Saturday, we want to bike in the other direction to see what it is like on the north side.

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The House and the Man in Charge

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

I have had requests for a look at the house and puppy, so here you go. We are really suffering here, as you will see 😀

update – this is not our home. We are house sitting for friends on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. We live in David, Panama. 

Cappy keeps an eye out, AKA El Capitan by the locals who stop by.
The house is nestled among a lot of huge trees
A bit of the side yard and the casita. The mango trees are huge!
All the trees keep it so cool and comfortable even in the afternoons.
The back yard garden with flowers and many food producing plants
The kitchen. If you saw my house in FL with similar colors you know we would get along! We love the open and spacious feel of this house.
My favorite part though is this huge wrap around patio outside.
I am sitting at that table down at the end as we speak enjoying the breezes and neighborhood sounds.
Cappy has his own special yard out back.
Plastic bottle? Me?? But it is SO much fun and makes so much noise!
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Tuesday in Nicaragua

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

I was moving right along catching up on blog posts and photos, and the internet went out. I have been working off line so when things are fixed everything is probably going to get posted all at once. We have been having a great time and doing all sorts of things, and if it wasn’t for some afternoon rains I probably wouldn’t be in the hammock long enough to write about them.

So, Tuesday, what did we do Tuesday? The first order of business was to walk to town and find a couple bikes to rent. Not only do I miss riding, and there are many places to explore here, it’s also easier to get some shopping and errands done when you don’t have to always track down our taxi driver (nice as he is, we are too used to coming and going as we please)

We decided to give the beach path a try. We heard that there is a good path that goes right to the ferry dock in town and indeed there is, and with some good photo ops along the way.

These ladies had roofs over their washing platforms
Horses by the water always make a pretty picture
As we came into town we came across this old abandoned building
Too bad we disturbed the bats too much and they wouldn’t settle down for photos. It looks like they cooked with wood here because the wall and ceiling were really black.
This is the other end of the building. It is long with small rooms along the length. A hotel, maybe?

We found some very decent bikes to rent, $42 for both for two weeks. It felt great to be riding rather than walking, and I even have a basket on mine to carry stuff. Next stop was the supermarket and a produce market for a few things, and then we headed home.

Joel wanted to go back to the beach to hunt for old pottery pieces but that isn’t exactly a bike riding area so I left to ride around a bit while he did his thing.

The side road along the airport also has beautiful views of the volcano
Of course I passed cows on the move in the road
This very interesting calf was lagging behind, and the guy had to ride back and get it to catch up with the group.
As I turned back towards the house I passed these cows who were going everywhere but where the guys wanted them to go.
Puesta del Sol is a business that arranges for tourists to stay in the homes of locals. Many houses nearby have the signs. It not only gives the tourist a unique experience, it gives the locals some much needed extra income.
As I approached the intersection towards the house I came across this scene that totally cracked me up. this definitely is “happy as a pig in mud”.
As I passed the house next door I saw these chicks in the doorway making a cute photo.
The volcano has a cap of clouds
This is the very top of the volcano as well as I could get it with the zoom on my camera.

When we got home, Joel investigated the water tank. There is a tank here for those times when the city water may not be flowing, so the house always has water. Something is dripping though so he went to investigate.

The tank is full of water so that is good, but still not sure what to do about the intermittent leak. The flowers below are very happy though.

The tank is full of water so that is good, but still not sure what to do about the intermittent leak. The flowers below are very happy though.

So, running around done we settled in to relax at the house for the rest of the day. It was hardly any time though when Joel hollered that I needed to grab the camera because the setting sun was turning the water into gold. We soon found out that we were in for a real treat.

The lake was turning golden
A ferry makes it’s way through the pink haze
Where the sun hit the water it was really gold
What pretty colors
This girl paddle boarding was a beautiful sight in the fading light
These guys had been making their way along the beach since Joel was st the beach earlier. They were splashing water into a net, inspecting it for I assume whatever they were catching, and then they would move a little ways down the beach to repeat the procedure.
The sunset changes by the minute, now showing more colors higher in the sky
A couple other kids try the paddle board
Wow, what colors
I am not sure what they were doing, but they were laughing and hollering and having a great time
What a beautiful evening

Thus ends another day in this beautiful spot. We are liking it more every day.

 

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Monday and a new biking experience

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Our experience continues on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. I met someone who is also visiting here and loves to bike, so no surprise that we made plans to go out together! She likes off road biking though, of which I have minimal experience. This is an ideal place for this since the majority of the roads aren’t paved, so there are tons of places to go without ever hitting pavement.

I set out for the school, the closest landmark we could think of for a taxi to pick me up. This horse is “parked” on our street.
I wait in front of the school while the kids are arriving among more cows on the move.
We are off! The volcano is covered with clouds this morning and there are some really green fields.
We come across people picking tobacco in this field.
We stop to wash off some dust in this picturesque scene of cows by the water.
The cows also have a pretty relaxed life here.
We pass some amazing trees
How is this for a crazy, amazing tree!
Tobacco is drying here, and people are unloading the ox drawn cart that is bringing more in.
There is no end of amazing trees
Airport photo of the day of the volcano as I return from our biking excursion.
Pigs and chickens in the road – all is normal 😀
We went to town and got caught in a downpour. The girls across the street had ducked into a storefront and were playing with the boy on this side of the street
More girls in the rain. Everyone just waited in front of the supermarket where we were until the rain slowed down and then they went on their way. Since the rain is warm here people don’t get too concerned about getting a little wet.

The internet went out for a couple days,  but it is repaired now and we are back on line.  Yeah! More posts and photos are coming.

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it is Wednesday already?!

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Every day here is new and different, but still the time seems to fly by. I guess we must be having a good time! I want to go every minute and not miss anything but sometimes you just need to slow down for a bit. We decided to chill this morning, do some computer stuff and generally relax at home. That was great until *poof!* The internet died. I have plenty to keep me busy but there was no more emailing, blogging, or any of the usual things that need internet.

But, I find it impossible to chill for very long especially when there are interesting things to do. We had our eye on the kayak, but decided to avoid the intense early afternoon sun since there is no shade on the water. We went out about 4pm and headed to Joel’s favorite beach spot where the bits of old pottery can be found. It is much easier on water, no trudging through sand and scratchy plants.

This photo does not do it justice

We paddled along until we are out a little ways, and I looked over my shoulder and almost gasped at the sight! I knew you could see the volcano from out there, but I didn’t think about how spectacular it would look. It is huge and looms over everything!

The lake was very calm and tranquil, and I was surprised at how warm the water is. It must be mid eighty degrees, about relaxing warm bath temperature. It is also quite shallow even a ways from shore so if I tipped out of the kayak I could walk in! Thankfully though our friends have a great kayak that is very stable and easy to manage, so tipping over was not a concern.

A mellow time on a beautiful lake

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The sky in the other direction was beautiful too

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The clouds look like they are spilling over the top

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I let Joel off on the beach where the horses don’t seem the least bit concerned to see him

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It is getting later in the afternoon and hints of sunset colors are starting to emerge

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It seems to look different every time I look at it. Now it has a “cap”

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A few minutes later it looks different again, and the sunset colors are starting to show

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Joel gets back in the boat and we head for the house

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I spotted this pretty bird when it flew in and was lucky enough to get a shot of it

We also paddled by some of the washing stations in the lake. At one a guy was out with his mirror and soap shaving his face. With that beautifully warm water, I can see why it would be appealing to go out in the lake as much as possible.

This kind of says it all – a lake, a boat, Joel exploring, and a volcano

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We paddled the rest of the way home in this gorgeous sunset!

 

We had a wonderful time out on the lake and will definitely be out there again!

 

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Sunday

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

Life on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua is certainly chill and laid back, but we seem to be keeping busy exploring and doing whatever we do, so I am still a few days behind on blogging and computer stuff.

Today Ron and Deb left so we are now in charge of keeping the household in one piece until they get back, including the very cute but energetic 4 month old dog. He’s a very sweet dog though so as long as we don’t leave our shoes on the floor we will be fine.

Sunday, of course, I kept my camera in hand, as always. Besides things in the neighborhood, we went exploring along the beach where we were told one can find a lot of pottery shards and occasionally whole pieces from times past.

Every day we see many cows being moved from one place to another.
They seem to know where they are going so I figure they do this a lot.
This lady apparently used her horse to bring the laundry down to the washing station
Joel hunts for interesting things at the water’s edge
Of course I have to find an interesting bug
One of the pottery pieces that Joel spotted laying right out in the open.
We also spotted a few egrets
Pretty butterfly
I thought the wood in this old fallen tree looked interesting
Pumps in the lake. Someone told met they are used for farming irrigation
These vines on the ground had very pretty flowers
The cormorants were all sitting on the water pipe but flew off as soon as they saw you so I was happy for the zoom feature on the camera.
Today’s photo of the volcano
A bird meeting on a washing platform
At the end of the afternoon, cows were still on the move.
At dinner this beautiful little moth landed on my paper towel.

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Saturday on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Kris Cunningham

After some rest and getting acquainted with our immediate surroundings, Saturday was for going to town. We had a great breakfast and met a new friend who loves to go biking, so it didn’t take us any time to make plans to go riding together. Then, we walked around town a little so I know where to find anything I need.

We woke up to the beautiful scene of horses on the beach
These horses seem to just wander freely around the area.
Taking the calf for a walk?
Another interesting tree
A pig in the street. It may have been the first I saw, but it certainly wasn’t the last!
Ladies doing their washing on one of the platforms out in the lake, with their little boy swimming nearby.
The pretty road to town
Another lady doing the washing
The fishermen got washed out in a flood so they rebuilt here. At first they were shacks of salvaged materials but now they are starting to build more sturdy structures with block.
Government assisted housing for those unable to afford anyplace to live
Just a photo of the mountains in the distance
A very basic shack at the edge of the fishermen’s area. There are construction materials for the nearby road in front.
They are paving one of the roads to town.
It is interesting that everyone just walks through the construction area, dodging the workmen, tools, and any wet cement
Deb and Ron know someone who rents this house for $30/month
Another little house on the way to town
More local houses
We passed this church on our way into town
This is a motorcycle taxi. Very fun! We have the number for a driver if we need someone
Everyone in the truck!
Taking lunch around in a cart
This guy is preparing bags of mango slices
Colorful steps at the end of the main street
Another of the busier streets in town
We will have to try one of these watermelons
A peek into one of the many little shops downtown. I need to find this one again and look at those bottles of sauces on the bottom shelf
The new supermarket
Horses are also used as basic transportation

Every day I seem to come back with a lot of pictures. There is always something new, interesting, beautiful, or all of the above. Maybe a time will come when I have “seen it all” but I don’t see that happening while we are here, so there will be more photos coming!

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