August 5th, Managua / Boaco and the Espinosa Mora Family

Managua
Wednesday morning, August 5th was indeed a new day to relish. Our trip seemed to become a spiritual quest to connect with family; and the inheritance of our history and our faith. Our trip evolved into a pilgrimage. Each day brought new people into our lives.

The day before we visited the Missionaries of Charity in Managua on the old road to Leon. The sisters were happy and grateful to receive an "encomienda" a suitcase full of items sent to them from the MC's in Alhambra, CA. Their chapel is beautiful just like all chapels of the Missionaries of Charity. Seeing the beautiful crucifix on the wall and the words written next to it reading, "Estoy Sediento" (I Thirst) makes one stop and contemplate on the sacrifice of the cross and His mercy that pours out to all humanity. I felt privileged to be there.

We noticed the churches as we past them and we prayed that God would keep us safe. I realized that the people on the street are all part of us. They make up what Nicaragua is today. Afterall, we're the one's who left. Strangely I thought, we were all connected in one way or another. I thought about my mother. I knew that she would know her way around but I couldn't ask her. Are our family members buried in that old cemetary? What is that building? Did you get married in the old Cathedral? The old Cathedral was now abandoned and dilapidated. What would she think if she saw it now? What ever happened to "El Dario," the theatre that she and my father owned back in the early 1940's. Where had it stood? These thoughts haunted me. I had no answers. So, we took pictures.

We had slept comfortably at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Managua. The hotel was formerly called the Inter-Continental Hotel. Breakfast was excellent and well worth the cost of the nights stay of $130, after haggling the price. This is were Howard Hughes was a guest the dreaded day of the earthquake of December 1972. He had to flee just like everyone else. Just to close your eyes and imagine that you were standing in the same place, in the same city where so many people had suffered so many trials - brought upon me a true spirit of empathy for the people of Nicaragua.

Ciudad Boaco
Jack's family is from Ciudad Boaco. Today we would drive east and then south to a different part of Nicaragua, "La Ciudad de dos pisos" (the city of two stories or two levels). The Departamento de Boaco is known for raising cattle and the production of cheese. The drive of an hour and a half east was pleasant and the scenery calming. The stands on the side of the road with "Flor de Cana" (Rum) bottles filled with honey were an interesting sight. Finally, Sarah said, "stop the car" I have to buy one. She paid $2 for a bottle. I supported her quick response and wished we had bought more.


Boaco is where we would meet the Espinosa family. I had heard about this family most of my married life. Jack put emphasis on seeing the older family members. He showed genuine concern to see them "before they are all gone."


Arrangements were made for us to stay at the home of Chepita Espinoza. Tia Chepita and her adult children received us with open arms. Although Tia Chepita was confined to her room due to health problems, she and Lesbia de Hernandez, her oldest daughter could not have been kinder to us.


Hernan and his wife, Aida Marina Cortez-Espinoza, Jack's uncle and aunt, made arrangements to have Sarah and Catherine stay with them. Their home was about 2 blocks away. We were told that their home was the oldest home in Boaco. The property had been subdivided over the years. Now what remained of the house sat in the middle of the block dividing by walls separating the spaces now owned by neighbors. "La enramada" (outdoor courtyard patio) was in the center of the house with the rooms opening into the little outdoor courtyard.


The love that poured out to their guests was something that made me long to be like Hernan and Aida Marina if God blesses me to reach the ripe age of 80 or 85. A sense of peace and love dwells in that home.

In Boaco the church bells ring for morning mass waking the entire city. The hill town with it's colonial buildings and winding streets reminded me that I could be anywhere in the world where life is simple and people are important to each other. I thought of the hill towns of Assisi, Cascia or Lanciano in Italy where we had visited last April.


The thing that was fascinating to me was the "aguacero" (the downpour of rain) while we watched from the "sajuan" (the gate) at the front entrance of the house. It was caught on video which I'll share if I can figure out the technical hurdles with blogging. After the rain we walked over to the church to visit the beautiful Adoration Chapel which remains open 24 hours a day. Aida Marina said, "no one in Boaco can say they are lonely or have no one to talk to. If you have a problem you go to listen to Jesus at any hour of the day or night. He helps you figure out a solution to your problems."


I'll be posting Sarah's slideshow which made me emotional and made me cry as I watched her beautiful photography of Nicaragua.