August 28, 2003

Stumbling Through the Barrio

I came to Nicaragua expecting to stumble through the barrio-- not in the same way that term is used in the Counting Crows song, but rather in the sense that I know no Spanish, and I'm this working class gringo from New England who knows virtually nothing about Latin American cultures. The fact is, I came down here with the same expectation I had when I went to Iraq-- that at least a few locals would have some angry words for me (at least), as soon as the found out where I am from. After all, the US government has made a punching bag out of Nicaragua in the past. However, just as in Iraq, the people here have been nothing but welcoming.

Their kindness, openness, and generosity (though so many of them have next to nothing to offer, they'll gladly give a visitor what they have) is such that I shared my amazement one evening in Managua with Paul Baker of the Nicaragua network. We marveled at the way people who had seen so much dispair, violence, disappointment, etc. could be so filled with joy, laughter, and easy going friendliness. How? And once again, I recall a similar conversation taking place between the members of the Voices in Basra delegation three years ago. How do these people have such resiliance?

I don't have an answer. What I have is an inspiration-- from the Nicaraguan people, from the Iraqi people, and I'm sure when I have the pleasure of meeting folks in other countries in the future, I'll be inspired once again.

Today as Mike Boudreau of Compas de Nicaragua, who has been an absolutely phenominal guide and translator for me during these two weeks, and I drove out of a town on the Pacific coast that has been suffering with some serious water access problems, I was thinking about the inspiration I've received from Nicaraguans. And suddenly I had the simple and profound revelation that I have no excuse to be any less happy than Nicaraguans. Or Iraqis.

In fact, it's arguable that me and my fellow USA-ers should be even happier. But I don't think we are. I don't get a sense or a vibe when I walk into a massive grocery store, or drive on our good roads with great big SUVs wizzing by me, or see people with blank expressions watching large screen TVs that we are happier, or even as happy as some of the poorest people on Earth.

In a couple of days I leave this place. It has been a great and productive visit-- I can't wait to start putting together this new video. There are things that I can't wait to get home to. And it is hard to leave here.

Posted by Joe Public at August 28, 2003 04:28 PM
Comments

How much do you pay on your loans per year?

Posted by: Loans at May 4, 2004 05:22 AM

How much do you pay on your loans per year?

Posted by: Loans at May 4, 2004 05:39 AM

its great information site
that's I could tell for this long
bali
http://www.batukaru.com

Posted by: bali at May 5, 2004 06:57 AM

Got a fat ass? Try adipex I lost 120
lbs on it!

Posted by: adipex at May 11, 2004 10:39 PM

If you can't afford phentermine
you have to re evaluate your career. If you need Phentermine you need to re-evaluate
your diet.

Posted by: phentermine at May 11, 2004 11:59 PM

Taking diet pills can be dangerous.
Be cautious when popping these little guys.

Posted by: diet pills at May 12, 2004 02:38 AM

buy levitra from us please.

Posted by: cheap levitra at May 12, 2004 07:56 AM

You know sleeping pills
can be addictive right? Did you know Ambien
gets you high?

Posted by: sleeping pills at May 12, 2004 08:20 PM

If you like generic firoicet you will
love this drug. Its called butalbital
and its sweeping the pill popper inner sanctum like wild fire.

Posted by: generic firoicet at May 12, 2004 09:39 PM

Got a fat ass? Try adipex I lost 120
lbs on it!

Posted by: adipex at May 12, 2004 10:58 PM

If you can't afford phentermine
you have to re evaluate your career. If you need Phentermine you need to re-evaluate
your diet.

Posted by: order phentermine at May 13, 2004 12:18 AM

Again stating that I have tramadol but
have no idea what it is.

Posted by: tramadol at May 13, 2004 05:25 AM

loosing the weight is easy with adipex please note.

Posted by: cheap adipex at May 13, 2004 06:45 AM

buy levitra from us please.

Posted by: cheap levitra at May 13, 2004 08:04 AM

Adipex is the brand for Phentermine but Adipex is better.

Posted by: cheap adipex at May 13, 2004 05:55 PM

Viagra is designed to improve your sex life by adding plesure to your partners experiance. You can buy viagra at this link you should buy viagra online when ever posible.

Posted by: buy viagra at May 13, 2004 08:35 PM

get fioricet and you will have no trouble sleeping.

Posted by: fioricet at May 13, 2004 09:55 PM

did you know that if you buy fioricet online its 100% confidential?

Posted by: fioricet at May 13, 2004 11:15 PM

Consolidation of debt is the best way to get ahead. remember to do debt consolidation at least once a year.

Posted by: debt consolidation at May 14, 2004 12:34 AM

Order direct tv from this URL. One Saturday afternoon with DTV will change your life forever.

Posted by: free direct tv at May 14, 2004 02:01 AM

Buying propecia online is easy. keeping your hair is going to help you get laid.

Posted by: propecia at May 14, 2004 03:20 AM

Cialis is in a class of medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors, which are used to treat cases of male impotence. Remember Cialis is approved in authorized markets for the treatment of mild to severe Erectile Dysfunction at both 10 and 20 mg Cialis doses. Cialis should be taken prior to anticipated sexual activity and without regard to food. Just like Viagra, sexual stimulation is needed for Cialis to work.

Posted by: cialis at May 14, 2004 04:39 AM

Fact is, when taken correctly, Viagra works for most men. Studies show that it works for up to 4 out of 5 men (versus 1 out of 4 on sugar pill). you can Buy Viagra to improve erections in most cases no matter how long you have had ED, what caused it, how often they have it, or how old they are. And Viagra has been proven to work in clinical studies of thousands of men.

Posted by: viagra at May 14, 2004 05:59 AM

Buy phentermine from this site.

Posted by: phentermine at May 14, 2004 07:18 AM

you can buy tramadol from this link.

Posted by: tramadol at May 14, 2004 08:38 AM

phentermine will help you to loose weight.

Posted by: buy phentermine at May 14, 2004 09:57 AM

Yes its true that phentermine gets you all jazzed up.

Posted by: buy phentermine at May 14, 2004 11:38 AM

get some phentermine and get the weight off.

Posted by: phentermine at May 14, 2004 12:57 PM

The downsides are legion, of course. lipitor First of all, I'm just not inclined to pharmacy talk to strangers in the first place. cialis Having something like this where it's cialis a weird kind of talking to strangers makes allegra it even more difficult. There is a very soma real possibility of coming off as deranged, online pharmacy after all. Also - this may sort of uncomfortably celexa foreground critical reactions to music. viagra

Posted by: tramadol at May 24, 2004 09:26 AM

Interested in sexy tiffany paris pictures then you
will probably love this. If you like this kind of teen tori stone naked she is so sexy and slutty.
Especially if your into mary carey nude you can't go wrong here. It really
doesn't fit like this except for slutty brunette sex.
One billion people have checked out these celeb pictures and loved them. Have you
ever seen a bald pussy. You will love shaved teen pussy if your into hot girls. How about the new stuff viagra for women to get her an orgasm. Dark
skined indian chicks are the best and indian porn does
the trick. Or maybe an indian slut is
more to your liking. This teen chick kinzie kenner pics are nice.


http://www.xxx-teen-nude.com/tori-stone/index.html
http://www.cum-facial-swallow.com/tiffany-paris/index.html
http://www.blowjob-movie-porn.com/kinzie-kenner/index.html
http://www.gay-hentai-cartoons.com/mary-carey-nude/index.html
http://www.foot-fetish-sex.org/brunette-sex/index.html
http://www.nude-pregnant-sex.com/oops-celeb-robs/celeb-pictures/index.html
http://www.mature-sex-porn.net/shaved-teen-pussy/index.html
http://www.natural-breasts-enhancement.net/viagra-for-women/index.html
http://www.indian-sex-porn.net/indian-porn/index.html
http://www.indian-sex-porn.net/nude-indian-women/indian-slut/index.html

Posted by: tori stone naked at May 25, 2004 01:27 AM

holistic bent), the music is cheap viagra seldom as good. Examples I can buy viagra think of immediately: Spacemen cheap phentermine 3. Mercury Rev (this one is arguable cialis either way). Sebadoh, first with viagra LouAfter many years as a thriving viagra traditional wholesaler we found levitra the Internet an easier place to phentermine do business than did the Internet-only phentermine online

Posted by: CILS/generic cialis at May 26, 2004 08:44 AM

Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at May 26, 2004 09:16 PM

There is alot going on with sex movies
especially when gay sex and these
are the best things ever. oral sex if
you can really believe these girls teen sex
then you repeat this kind of thing asian sex.

Once we came to women who like men with penis enlargement
and now we go to female orgasm. The women who
want bigger breasts will like breast enhancement.
For the gay people, they like asians and gay asian porn.
If the anime is good you would like anime porn.
Once apon a time the fat women had pussy like fat pussy.
So for the gay twinks there is always sex with gay twinks.
I'm on with the midgets and they are so into midget sex.
When the xxx passwords are into play it's great!
Are you into hairy pussy or like it shaved?
If you want a big penis try penis enlargement pills

http://www.male-enlargement.com/
http://www.male-enlargement.com/penis-pill-data/index.html
http://www.female-orgasms.org/
http://www.natural-breasts-enhancement.net
http://www.gay-asian-porn.com/
http://www.anime-hentai-porn.com/
http://www.fat-pussy-sex.net/
http://www.gay-twinks-sex.com/
http://www.midget-porn-sex.com/
http://www.xxx-password-web.com/
http://www.hairy-pussy-sex.net/

Posted by: female orgasm at May 27, 2004 03:06 AM

Buy www.i-directv.net this it is a wonderful addition to anyones home entertainment system.

Posted by: direct TV at May 27, 2004 11:50 PM

Get www.all-debt-consolidation.org help with your credit problems here!

Posted by: debt consolidation at May 29, 2004 01:40 AM

Phentermine

Posted by: Phentermine at May 29, 2004 07:53 PM

Nice site.

Posted by: Install Metal Awning at May 30, 2004 01:19 AM

Nice site. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: phentermine at May 30, 2004 02:40 AM

Nice site. Keep up the good work.

Posted by: online pharmacy at May 30, 2004 08:42 PM

BTW, is anyone able to help me with a dilema? I need to get some medications online and found these great prices Discount Drugs. Does any body have any experience with buying RX products online? If you do, the items I am interested in are some of their generic Viagra impotence treatment blue pills for my pop,

Posted by: Johnny B. at May 31, 2004 02:17 AM

Candles

Posted by: candles at May 31, 2004 02:19 AM

Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at May 31, 2004 02:51 PM

Get WWW.IDEBTCONSOLIDATION.ORG the debt relief you are searching for here!

Posted by: consolidate debt at June 1, 2004 05:13 PM

Very interesting post, thanks.
female orgasm
http://www.female-orgasms.org

Posted by: female orgasm at June 3, 2004 03:51 AM

Get WWW.I-DISH-NETWORK.ORG rid of cable and upgrade your living room by clicking here!

Posted by: dish network at June 3, 2004 12:33 PM

Omega3 Fatty Acids

Posted by: Fish Oil Supplement at June 5, 2004 12:14 AM

WWW.E-CREDIT-CARD-DEBT.COM

Posted by: creditcard debt at June 5, 2004 03:23 PM

Omega3 Fatty Acids

Posted by: fish oil at June 5, 2004 11:25 PM

Order Cheese

Posted by: fish oil at June 5, 2004 11:27 PM

Get WWW.IDEBTCONSOLIDATION.ORG the debt relief you are searching for here!

Posted by: debt relief at June 7, 2004 05:25 PM

Instead, skip the missed web hosting dose and resume your usual dedicated server dosing soma schedule. For casinos maximum effects, appetite hosting suppressants should be used online-casino in conjunction with a diet online-casinos and exercise program. Store cheap web hosting at room temperature away from casino sunlight and moisture. Keep casino

Posted by: dedicated servers at June 9, 2004 05:24 AM

Finally a sight dedicated to sexy little sluts like dirty aly. She and her friend like porn with brittany blu and have lesbian sex constantly. You can also see naked college girls at a campus near you fucking there brains out. casey cam is this girl with her own casey cam. It's really hot. amature sex like this is amature at it's finest hot sex. Check out hot cartoons and anime at this adult anime site. You can find transexual action at this transexual porn place. If you like lesbian action then check out these amateur lesbian photos. Try this black dick and see it black dick white chick.

http://www.amateur-teen-lesbians.net/amature-sex/index.html http://www.nude-sexy-teen.net/dirty-aly/index.html http://www.amateur-sex-teens.org/brittany-blu/index.html http://www.amateur-nude-videos.com/naked-college-girls/index.html http://www.huge-big-boobs.net/casey-cam/index.html
http://www.adult-anime-porn.org/ http://www.gay-porn-pictures.org/tranny-sex/transexual-porn/index.html http://www.better-penis.com/tiny-teen-movies/amateur-lesbian-photos/index.html http://www.upskirt-pictures-pantie.com/interracial-fucking/black-dick-white-chick/index.html

Posted by: amature sex at June 14, 2004 06:03 AM

great post, thanks.

Posted by: casey cam at June 16, 2004 10:46 PM

That's nice.Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at June 17, 2004 02:08 PM

That's nice.Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at June 17, 2004 03:00 PM

That's nice! Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at June 17, 2004 06:35 PM

That's nice! Thank you for sharing that with us!

Posted by: penis enlargement at June 17, 2004 07:04 PM

I just found these sites talking about penis enlargement. I don't know how penis enlargement works but according to some of them penis pills are working. Others give you the option to use a penis enlarger to get a big penis. With so many guys looking for penis enlargement methods, penis enlargement pills are a sure method to get a big penis. Magna Rx looks like the penis pills you want to use to get a fast penis enlargement. Also vimax pills are working great.

Posted by: penis enlargement at June 18, 2004 01:35 PM

http://www.big-penis-enlarger.comhttp://www.how-to-make-your-penis-big.com/http://www.magna-rx.info/http://www.penis-enlarging-pills.net/http://www.penis-lenght-pills.com/http://www.pills-to-enlarge-penis.com/http://www.amazing-penis-pills.com/http://www.safe-penis-enlargement-pills.com/http://www.penis-pills-site.com/

Posted by: penis enlargement pills at June 19, 2004 05:52 PM

Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

Posted by: big penis at June 20, 2004 03:45 AM

Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

Posted by: big penis at June 20, 2004 04:06 AM

If I were looking for a white rabbit, I'd ask the Mad Hatter.

Posted by: magna rx at June 20, 2004 02:37 PM

If I were looking for a white rabbit, I'd ask the Mad Hatter.

Posted by: magna rx at June 20, 2004 03:07 PM

Oh dear! I shall be too late!

Posted by: penis pills at June 20, 2004 06:11 PM

Oh dear! I shall be too late!

Posted by: penis pills at June 20, 2004 06:36 PM

I am not so bad, once you get to know me.

Posted by: penis pills at June 21, 2004 04:07 PM

I am not so bad, once you get to know me.

Posted by: penis pills at June 21, 2004 05:47 PM

Yet with your hope I will hope.

Posted by: penis enlargement pills at June 21, 2004 07:12 PM

Yet with your hope I will hope.

Posted by: penis enlargement pills at June 21, 2004 07:18 PM

Nice site. Keep up the good work. Bryian

Posted by: phentermine at June 22, 2004 04:06 AM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?