The Hoop Dream visits Pearl Lagoon

The Hoop Dream Bench

There are many organizations that volunteer their time and resources to help the small town of Pearl Lagoon and it's nearby communities. Recently, one such organization - The Hoop Dream - visited Pearl Lagoon for personal reasons, but quickly realized that there was an opportunity for their passion for basketball to help the young people of this community. 

From their website I learned that, "The Hoop Dream was formed in 2010 with the humble mission to bring basketball into rural East African villages. Between 2010 and 2011, The Hoop Dream built 13 provisional hoops across southern Kenya and Uganda allowing thousands of African youth the opportunity to begin to learn to play Basketball".

We asked Brian Smith, the founder of The Hoop Dream, to tell us about his past visit here in Pearl Lagoon:

"We came to Pearl Lagoon in May 2013 and were there most of the month. My grandfather was sending money to a lady to do some work so we went to check the status of that project. Since we were coming for that, we figured that we would continue The Hoop Dream's mission to globalize basketball by building a court. 

Once we arrived we met a person that took us to the primary school, Beaula Lightburn, where we found the playing surface for a court already complete. Unfortunately, time and weather had ruined the hoops on the court. We changed our focus to refurbishing the existing court.  All together, I think the project cost around $500 to build the one hoop that now stands.

Basketball Court at Beaula Lightburn Primary School - Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

We are currently in the process of planning another trip in 2014 to Pearl Lagoon and surrounding areas to refurbish the other courts that are in the area.  We would also like to visit more communities around the lagoon and see if building courts there would be welcomed.

The highlight of the trip in my eyes was seeing the existing basketball culture in Pearl Lagoon. Hearing the ball bounce at the main court as we came into town made me realize we had come to the right place. Another highlight was all the citizens of Pearl Lagoon, young and old, who we found wearing old NBA jerseys. We took pictures with most of them.

We are planning the next trip with the idea that we might shift the focus of The Hoop Dream from Africa to Nicaragua and the rest of the Miskito Coast. It makes for a much easier trip from the US and already has some basketball culture established.  Also, the country itself is more developed. If there is such a thing as a "2nd World Country" we think we have found it in Nicaragua."

 

Please feel free to check out their website: The Hoop Dream Org. You can contact Brian Smith at

brian44joseph@yahoo.com if you would like to help or for more information.

Court at Beaula Lightburn Primary School - Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

Basketball - Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

Basketball game - Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua

Pearl Lagoon takes aim at mosquitoes!

fogging the exterior for mosquitoes

I've always hated mosquitoes. Mainly because they've always liked me. I am always the one that gets bit - they ignore Pat and head straight for me! Mosquitoes carry a number of serious and potentially fatal diseases including dengue and malaria which are very common in Nicaragua. There have been 1,543 reported cases of dengue and 4 deaths so far this year due to dengue. So, I wasn't too sorry when I heard that the town of Pearl Lagoon had decided to visit all the barrios and KILL the mosquitoes.

We've seen the procedure a number of times when we lived in León - a couple of men walk around the homes with a "fogger" filled with insecticide or some ladies stop by and sprinkle some powder into any standing water you have on your property.  The method here in Pearl Lagoon is a little bit different in that they not only fog the outside areas but they also enter your home and fog inside too. This is a logical step since most homes here don't have any screens on their windows and the houses are filled with mosquitoes.

In preparation for the treatment we made sure that all food was safely stored away in the refrigerator and that all dishes were tucked away in the cupboards. Also, we moved Pancho outside so that he didn't become a casualty of the poison. Although the procedure itself took less than 5 minutes but we had to stay out of the house for at least 20 minutes to allow for the smoke to dissipate. When we re-entered the house there was still a very strong chemical smell and so we set the fan on to clear out our bedroom before it was time to go to bed.

fogging the interior of the house

the house is filled with "smoke"

smoke still pouring out the windows

What are some practical steps you can take to prevent yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes?

Using mosquito repellent is a good step but you may not want to be wearing it all the time - especially if you are just relaxing in your home. When we moved into this house in Pearl Lagoon we purchased a roll of nylon screen material in Bluefields and put it up on all of our windows using a glue gun to affix it to the window frame. We also decided to have screen doors made so that we could have the nice cool morning and evening breezes without having to worry about mosquitoes and flies. Granted, our landlord didn't cover these expenses but we feel that for our own peace of mind and comfort it was money well spent. Another important step in preventing mosquito bites is to sleep with a mosquito net. We were able to purchase one here in Pearl Lagoon for less than 300 cordobas but I understand they are cheaper in Bluefields or Managua.

Queen size mosquito net for our bed

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How are the road improvements coming along in Pearl Lagoon?

bricking the road near the basketball court

Long gone are the days when the pathways of Pearl Lagoon were covered with a nice thick carpet of grass. With progress - for example the road from El Rama to Pearl Lagoon - there are always changes. The few roads in Pearl Lagoon that had been built for the cars and trucks to drive on certainly weren't adequate to cope with the changing seasons. They were dry and dusty when there was no rain and they were wet and muddy in the rainy season. Improvements definitely were needed.

A few weeks ago, as we were heading to El Rama, we were passed by a convoy of transport trucks loaded down with interlocking bricks. We speculated that the bricks were headed to Pearl Lagoon. After all, there are few towns along the way and there had been rumors that the roads in Pearl Lagoon were going to be bricked. Imagine how thrilled everyone is with that prospect! No more slogging through mud (well past your ankles in some parts) during the rainy season!

The bricking work is rapidly proceeding on a number of the roads. The main road has been prepped all the way to the cemetery, the road by the basketball court and the last east/west road north of the municipal wharf are just about finished being bricked.

Correction (Jul 9/13): The main road is only prepped as far as the Moravian Church - not all the way to the cemetery as written above.


It's hard going for these guys - working a lot of the time in the driving rain. Also, most of the work is being done by hand - moving bricks and dirt in wheelbarrows. Everyone appreciates their hard work and are looking forward to the completion of the project.

East of the basketball court linking up to Front Street

Preparing the sides for the cement

Edging has been completed near the Alcaldia

Buying meat in Pearl Lagoon - Part 2

Ron

Do you like to eat pork? We do - it was always on the table at least once a week when we lived in Halifax. But to be honest with you, we haven't bought it since we left Canada. I guess I've been worried about how fresh it is and whether or not it was safe to eat. You can imagine how thrilled I was to discover that right down the street from us we can buy freshly butchered pork every Thursday. I'm shocked to think that we have been living here for 4 months and we are only just finding this out!

So Ron, the owner of a small pulperia, brings a pig in from the farm every week and butchers it early on Thursday morning. By the time I showed up at the shop (7:30 a.m.) all the messy part of butchering was done with and Ron was busy cutting up different cuts of meat. I was able to get 2 lbs of the freshest pork I've ever had. I opted for some of the loin (or steak as they call it) which they sell for only 40 cordobas  ($1.70 CDN) a pound. All of the rest of the meat is sold for 35 cordobas ($1.49 CDN) a pound.

If you get there early enough you can have your choice of cut - roast, ribs, loin etc. Once Ron is finished butchering the meat he makes Chicharrón from the skin - a favorite Nicaraguan treat. The skin is chopped and deep fried and then sprinkled with salt. It is sold for 80 cordobas ($3.40 CDN) a pound.

Where can you find Ron's shop? From the basketball court 1 block north (across from the Seventh Day Adventist Church). Be sure to get there early because they sell out fast!

Ron butchering the fresh pork

Fresh pork - what cut do you want?

Weighing the fresh pork

Ron's shop where you can buy pork on Thursday's

Do you need your shoes repaired?

Since we've moved to Nicaragua, we have literally put miles on our feet! We walk everywhere. This has definitely been a good change from our stationery life in Canada. Physically we are more fit. The only down side has been that our shoes have been wearing out.

 In Canada, we would have thrown our old shoes out, but here in León that would be viewed as being very wasteful. There is a solution! Everywhere - or at least just about every street - you will see a sign that reads "Se reparan zapatos". Many of these "shoe repairs" are completed in the family home. They will take shoes that look like this

shoes before being repaired

and transform them to look like this...

shoes after being repaired

These shoes had a new sole sewn on as well as a new insole. Although they aren't pretty they are very comfy and will stand up to the rugged roads we walk on. How much did this cost? Only C$150 - or $6.20 CDN - far less than buying a brand new pair. All they need is a little polish and they are almost as good as new!

So the next time you notice that your shoes are showing some wear and tear, don't throw them out - get them repaired. Not only will you receive them back in excellent condition you will also be helping your neighbor provide for his family!

Eat a Quesillo like a Local!

Quesillos y Tiste Mi Familia - La Paz Centro, Nicaragua

Nicaraguans LOVE their quesillos. They are a popular roadside treat when you are traveling and can be found being sold coast to coast.  They are sold downtown by portable vendors and if you go to Nagarote or La Paz Centro there are a number of carts that are bustling with activity.

Honestly, I couldn't understand what the appeal was. I found them messy and difficult to eat - I was wearing more of the cream than went in my mouth! Fortunately, I found out a few days ago that it was all because I didn't have the correct technique in eating them. Our friend, Sergio, showed us where we were going wrong.

Quesillos, like so many things in Nicaragua, are prepared and then sold in plastic bags. The vendor may hand the quesillo to you with the top of the bag open. You need to close the top of the bag - tie it off with a knot. This will allow the yummy cream to soak into the tortilla. Choose one of the corners of the bag and make a good sized hole in it. Now you can gently bite off small chunks of the quesillo and suck it into your mouth - be careful not to bite through the plastic bag! The technique is very easy to learn and you will find that you will enjoy your quesillo immensely and are a not to be missed treat.

Sergio and Pat eating a quesillo - La Paz Centro, Nicaragua

PS - we have been told that the best quesillos can be found in Nagarote.

Fritanga with a difference - Shawarma

Colton and Indira

We are always on the lookout for new places to try for dinner and friends told us about a new fritanga that is open on Saturday and Sunday nights right in the Guadalupe neighbourhood. We were interested right away because it isn't the usual deep fried empanadas and gallo pinto. No, Colton and Indira are making Shawarmas.

What are Shawarmas? They are a favourite snack in Arabic countries with slow roasted meat served on pita bread with a variety of toppings. Toppings could include: tomato, cucumber, tahini, hummus and pickled turnip (according to Wikipedia).

The Shawarmas that Colton and Indira served were made with marinated BBQ chicken, fresh tomato and lettuce with a "secret" sauce.... ok, it's only secret because I didn't ask what it was made of...

piling meat onto warmed homemade pita bread

next comes fresh lettuce

then you add the tomato

finally - add the sauce for a delicious Shawarma - Fritanga, Nicaragua

 The final product was fantastic - we will definitely be back next week.  If you want to join us the address is: 2 1/2 blocks west of Guadalupe Park. They start serving at 6 p.m. and continue until they run out...

UPDATE February 6, 2013: New address to get your shawarma- go to Barrio San Felipe, from Sueño de Meme (listed on most tourist maps) 1 block North.

Buñuelos - A Nicaraguan Treat

Buñuelos - León, Nicaragua

Our neighbours continue to introduce us to some of their delicious food. When we saw these little goodies for sale we couldn't wait to try them. They looked like little Timbits (a treat we could buy in Canada from Tim Hortons)! Mistakenly, we thought that they were made with corn - but no, apparently they are made with yuca!

We got them in a little baggie with a sweet syrup spooned on top.When I first took a bite of one of them it reminded me of the honey cruellers that we would get at Tim Hortons - a little crunchy on the outside but with a very soft, moist inside.  

A bag of 12 only cost 10 cordobas!

I found a video that shows how easy they are to make. Los Buñuelos de Yuca The video is in Spanish but I think it is easy to follow along.  The recipe is:

To make the syrup you will need:

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

some cinnamon sticks

juice of 1 lime

To make the dough you will need:

2 cups Yuca peeled and grated

1 cup cheese - dry and grated (white cheese)

1 egg

Oil sufficient to fry

Sometimes ripe banana is added to the dough instead of the cheese.

I personally am looking forward to making these for our next party. Let me know if you make them and how they turn out!

Rental House Search in León - How easy is it?

Recently we received an email from one of our readers who was looking for a furnished house to rent here in León. They had read our previous blog about our search and discovery of our little house that we found online (you can read about it by clicking here). They checked out the online websites to look for a small rental but they weren't able to find anything available. I wasn't very surprised that they couldn't find anything available online because most of the available houses are NEVER listed.  León has a lot of "rooms" available for students (after all it is a University town) but very few furnished, vacation and long-term rental homes (unlike Granada which has a lot of homes to choose from).

So how can you find out about available rental homes in León? Simply put - you have to conduct your search at ground level.... This means walking around a neighborhood that you like and looking for signs that say "For Rent" or in Spanish "Se Aquila" or "Se Renta". Be prepared that you may walk through an entire neighborhood and see no signs posted but that doesn't mean that there aren't any homes available... So how do you find these hidden gems? You have to ask around. Talk to the families that run the local pulperia. They usually know what is happening on their street. Ask people in the neighborhood - people you pass on the street. For example, we saw the house that is pictured below and stopped to photograph it and a passerby told us that it  was still for rent but that it is also rented furnished. Often times they know someone that has a house available.

You may find that it can take a few days or weeks of combing the streets so be patient - you can find what you are looking for.

House for rent in Guadalupe

Guadalupe Sunday Lunch Ladies - León, Nicaragua

Local Fritanga

Have I mentioned that we love eating out? Living in Nicaragua has made it so easy and so affordable. Every neighbourhood has a local "fritanga" or two where you can get some delicious gallo pinto, fried cheese and a variety of meats cooked on a bbq.  A plate of food for less than $5.00. Delicious and filling.








Every Sunday a group of ladies in the Guadalupe Church area get together and make a variety of dishes - not your usual fritanga fare. No deep fried foods here! Starting at 11:30 am the ladies start serving an assortment of family friendly dishes - all very delicious, filling and at a reasonable price.  Eating at this location has allowed us to try some Nicaraguan cuisine that we might not enjoy anywhere else since they aren't necessarily served in restaurants.


The menu on this particular Sunday included such items as Lengua en salsa - which is tongue. There was also a soup which we haven't tried yet but sounds so intriguing - Sopa de Cola con Punche.

You can eat your meal at one of the tables they have set up in the back yard or you can take your food home to enjoy. They also sell a selection of drinks to enjoy with your meal.

These ladies have many regulars and we are happy to say that we are now included in that number.  We love walking past their homes during the week and hearing a friendly "adios" and knowing that they consider us part of the community.... Well, almost!

Serving a plate of Pollo Jalapeno

Lunch to go

Cannelloni with salad, rice and bun

waiting to place lunch order

Moving House

We have come to know our neighbours, Frank, Karin and their daughter Maria Fernanda, very well - we all share a common courtyard. Recently, they informed us that they were moving to a new house only a few blocks away.

Their "old" house was located on the second story and consisted of a balcony, small kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom that they all shared. Their "kitchen sink" wasn't in their kitchen. It was located downstairs in a little room off the courtyard. This sink was multipurpose - used for both their dishes as well as their laundry.

Their "new" house is located in a little lane with about 4 other homes. There is an "L" shaped living room, dining room, kitchen with a double pila sink, bathroom, two bedrooms and a small patio out back. It is very spacious in comparison to what they had and for only a little more money per month. Thinking like a Canadian, I figured that the second bedroom would become Maria Fernanda's and they would have some privacy.  However, they have decided to rent out that room to a couple of students so that they will have a little more income.

It makes me realize why people often say to us - "You have all this room just for the two of you?"

Moving was a simple affair - certainly not the "weeks and weeks" of preparation that have always gone into one of our moves. Everything fit into a large pickup truck and the move was completed in about one hour - well, our part of it anyhow.  I'm sure they spent a few hours putting things away.