Every time Joe and I mention we're honeymooning in Nicaragua, we're met with looks of surprise, mingled with disdain, scorn, fear and a smirk at our perceived naivete. This response comes mostly from people who are older than us. People our age and younger think it's fantastic.
I have an issue with this. With the older people anyway.
Why would you judge us for taking an opportunity to travel to a place and culture we have never been? Do you have a problem with us expanding our travel log and our experiences and our understanding of a different culture? Why are you judging a culture and place you know nothing about?
We've gotten some pretty silly and uninformed opinions and questions. Most revolve around the violence and poverty, suggesting that as "rich" Americans we'll be targeted and robbed at gunpoint. However, reading through the crime statistics on government websites, it looks like our chances of getting robbed or beaten are the same or less than in any large-ish city in America. I don't know why people think America is so, so safe compared to other countries, especially poor ones. America has some of the worst poverty and violent crime rates!
Our research has revealed Nicaragua to a be a place of unspoiled beauty, nice and helpful people, suitable as a retirement destination for ex-pats, led by a government and a people intent on preserving Nica's best qualities and growing tourism in the right direction - national parks, eco-friendly accommodations, informative websites, bilingual operators.
After reading blogs, contacting hotel owners, inquiring after acquaintances who have been there, I can find few reasons for the amount of fear I'm met with when I tell people where we're going. I am, honest to God, more terrified of walking alone in any US city and backpacking through Yosemite than I am to go to Nica.
What am I worried about in Nica? A few things which I think warrant concern, but certainly not fear.
1. The roads & driving! They are apparently pretty bad and it is unsafe to drive them at night because you could literally drive off a cliff or nose dive into a sinkhole. And I read a few cautionary tales of traffic violations & accidents. Don't want to get locked up! Yikes!
2. Our belongings. We'll have some valuable-ish things with us. Camera, clothing, money, IDs, jewelry? What do we do with our things on the beach when we both want to go into the water? Hmm.
3. Taxis. I'm not super concerned about this, but there are scam drivers. You can tell which taxis are safe based on their license plates, though.
4. Bugs! I hate bugs. I can't stand the sound of a buzzing mosquito at night. And if I feel like there might be crawly things in/on/near my bed, I cannot sleep. The lodge we're staying at the second half of the trip is kind of open air. But it can't be too bad or they wouldn't build them, right?
5. Food and water. This is just in my mind, not a major concern. I drink a ton of water throughout the day, we'll just have to make sure we pack enough bottled water each day so we don't get dehydrated. Since I eat gluten free, I wonder how easy it will be to avoid flour in things, but research has suggested most of the local food is corn based, and produce is always safe. There may be a few uncomfortable days. We shall see.
Beyond that, I am not concerned at all and very much looking forward to this adventure!
Don't be afraid of the unknown, take risks, learn, live life, grow actively. We have few precious opportunities like these, so take advantage of them!
I will soon post our tentative itinerary for this trip, and more photos, stay tuned!
I have an issue with this. With the older people anyway.
Why would you judge us for taking an opportunity to travel to a place and culture we have never been? Do you have a problem with us expanding our travel log and our experiences and our understanding of a different culture? Why are you judging a culture and place you know nothing about?
We've gotten some pretty silly and uninformed opinions and questions. Most revolve around the violence and poverty, suggesting that as "rich" Americans we'll be targeted and robbed at gunpoint. However, reading through the crime statistics on government websites, it looks like our chances of getting robbed or beaten are the same or less than in any large-ish city in America. I don't know why people think America is so, so safe compared to other countries, especially poor ones. America has some of the worst poverty and violent crime rates!
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| Playa Marsella |
Our research has revealed Nicaragua to a be a place of unspoiled beauty, nice and helpful people, suitable as a retirement destination for ex-pats, led by a government and a people intent on preserving Nica's best qualities and growing tourism in the right direction - national parks, eco-friendly accommodations, informative websites, bilingual operators.
After reading blogs, contacting hotel owners, inquiring after acquaintances who have been there, I can find few reasons for the amount of fear I'm met with when I tell people where we're going. I am, honest to God, more terrified of walking alone in any US city and backpacking through Yosemite than I am to go to Nica.
What am I worried about in Nica? A few things which I think warrant concern, but certainly not fear.
1. The roads & driving! They are apparently pretty bad and it is unsafe to drive them at night because you could literally drive off a cliff or nose dive into a sinkhole. And I read a few cautionary tales of traffic violations & accidents. Don't want to get locked up! Yikes!
2. Our belongings. We'll have some valuable-ish things with us. Camera, clothing, money, IDs, jewelry? What do we do with our things on the beach when we both want to go into the water? Hmm.
3. Taxis. I'm not super concerned about this, but there are scam drivers. You can tell which taxis are safe based on their license plates, though.
4. Bugs! I hate bugs. I can't stand the sound of a buzzing mosquito at night. And if I feel like there might be crawly things in/on/near my bed, I cannot sleep. The lodge we're staying at the second half of the trip is kind of open air. But it can't be too bad or they wouldn't build them, right?
5. Food and water. This is just in my mind, not a major concern. I drink a ton of water throughout the day, we'll just have to make sure we pack enough bottled water each day so we don't get dehydrated. Since I eat gluten free, I wonder how easy it will be to avoid flour in things, but research has suggested most of the local food is corn based, and produce is always safe. There may be a few uncomfortable days. We shall see.
Beyond that, I am not concerned at all and very much looking forward to this adventure!
Don't be afraid of the unknown, take risks, learn, live life, grow actively. We have few precious opportunities like these, so take advantage of them!
I will soon post our tentative itinerary for this trip, and more photos, stay tuned!
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