A little Nica for thought

Some Nica VOCABulary :
- I learned the hard way that there is a verb in the Spanish language called: PLATICAR. It sounds VERY similar to the verb PRACTICAR which means to practice. However, platicar does NoT mean to practice. The other day I was soliciting the help of my older Nica cousin with the construction of our huerto (vegetable garden). My Nica Papa told me: “my cousin was coming over to PLATICAR about the huerto.” I was confused and ask “ what are we going to practice?” With a puzzled look on his face, he repeated: “About the huerto. Don’t you want his help?” I replied: “Yes we really need it.” He replied: “Well he is going to come over to PLATICAR with you about it.” And I replied: “Okay, but I don’t have anything we can practice. It is just digging and stuff.” Later when I again had a similar nonsensical conversation with my Nica mom, I decided to look through the dictionary for possibly another meaning for PRACTICAR. It all made sense when I found the word PLATICAR which basically means to chat or reason-out.
- A scorpion is called an ALACRÁN and for the little lizards that cover Nica houses, they use the word ESCORPIÓN. A little confusing no cierto!
- I love this one: A thong is called HILO DENTAL. Lightly translated as dental floss lol.
- For ladies’ panties they use the word: BLÚMERES (bloomers)
- The word ADIOS (bye) can be used to say hello and goodbye in passing, no hi necessary.
- Arroz con leche is rice mixed with milk and sugar, served hot. Surprisingly delish!

“Un poco” más:
• Our garden has been a continuing struggle as some school children have been using it as a second playground. However, some determined plants have been sprouting and we are all very excited. One of the other volunteers said: “It’s like we are having a baby!”
• INSECT HATERS, I have dealt with two LARGE cockroaches in my room but I have successfully swept them from my room without screaming 
• I taught my first environmental CHARLA (lesson/talk) on deforestation and conservation of trees. It was a learning experience but I think a good start.
• Some jóvenes (Young adults. Surprisingly this term can refer to those anywhere from 12 – 30 years!) in the town put on a few skits and dances for their youth groups in the street. I was so impressed by their creativity and respect for each other considering there was no adult supervision. Skits are a highly successful means to convey messages to youth here.
• Nicaraguans consider “No gracias, estoy bien…” to be a light form of “yes please” and thus I have received “solo un poco” of many glasses of pop and desserts despite my efforts of avoiding them. As well, un poco (a little) is not exactly what I would call a small quantity, especially with sugar in my coffee.
• My Nica family and I made chocolate Rice Krispies the other night. My host sister kept calling it my experiment... They turned-out very dulce, maybe a little too much butter. But they loved them and called it: LA TORTA DE CHRISTINE
• Very few people can speak English here. Nonetheless, many people find the need to share with me the few words they may know when I pass them on the street. For example the other day: “I luuve you Ma-der. Ma-der! Ma-der!”
• Final note: I am having a “sagging” issue. All the nice new undies I bought for my trip…are two, three, four times too large for my body.