In order to think more broadly about the issues of poverty and what people in the Global North can do, I have been making a point of speaking about these topics with as many different people as possible. I am fascinated by the influence of each person’s belief regarding society …
A few days ago, I found myself in the predawn gloom standing with my purple bag at a small bus company in La Ceiba. I was trying to get to a small town further along the Caribbean coast. My objective had been to take a 6am bus, but the taxi …
There is an irony in the comment of a Swiss traveller I met recently, who lamented that both Costa Rica and Honduras are insufficiently ´third world´to retain his interest. This sounds a bit arrogant. What he was reflecting was that homogenization of the streets and the food by multi-national companies …
There is something odd about me. All my adult life, I have felt considering the group, or community, as a whole is natural, rather than thinking only about myself. I aim to contribute in a way which improves the situation for everyone. I even check my parking to make sure any neighbouring …
I have now been four weeks in Nicaragua, and the street scenes have become normal. I am accustomed to habits such as scanning for deep holes in the sidewalk, walking on the shady side of the street, and catching glimpses into houses with front rooms full of gorgeous wooden rockers …
Granada city Nicaragua is somewhat disconnected from the real situation in the rest of the country. It is a tourist town, and there is a pedestrian centre with amenities almost exclusively for tourists. By this I mean that there are many cafes but few shops (except ones selling drinks). The …
After two weeks in the rural uplands of Northern Nicaragua, I am quite inspired to try commuting by horse when I once again live somewhere. Horses are quite practical here, considering the condition of rocky roads after an annual deluge of rain and occasional mudslides. However, my main inspiration is …
I am back on the lake in the volcanic crater mentioned in a previous post. We are almost finished with an intensive two weeks with a vanful of 10 potters visiting communities, mostly in northern Nicaragua. It has been a great way to practice Spanish, since the group includes a …
I travel in order to learn about other cultures. There are only a limited number of ways to learn about another culture. One, of course, is to read about it, but we are often very aware that this is framed by the perspective of the author. Another way is to …
Tourism is one way for communities to earn money which offer respite from the hectic life of white collar workers. However, depending on money spent as luxury – one´s dream vacation – seems to be an insecure way to develop an economy. In addition, the tourists hoarding their few days …