Los Chaguites Part 1

OK--This is it: I had a big adventure.
I've been here almost 3 weeks, and everyone agreed I was going to be allowed to go out on a workday! The plan was for about 10 women, Jonathan, Edwin, and 6 soldiers to take a truck to the remote village of Los Chaguites. This is the place Jonathan visited before that was in such extreme need due to their well drying up and the crops failing. Jonathan and others from MPC have been there several times in the dry season delivering food, and meeting with the leaders of the community. Our goal today was to bring the mobile library to their school, do a mobile eye screening, and administer anti-parasite medications.

it's even bigger in real life

they had to throw down a ladder for me to climb in

The end of the story is that all of those goals were accomplished. But nothing else that day happened as planned. 

Jonathan had arranged with the army to have them transport us in a 6 wheel drive vehicle, which they assured him "...doesn't even need roads--it makes it's own road." If you have never climbed into a 1940's era 6-wheel drive Russian army transport that must be push started by 5 army personnel--well, then I guess you weren't with us on the road to Los Chaguites.

riding "shotgun" for real

It's 9 am--and it is a beautiful, romantic adventure. I can't believe that I am really bumping along in this dinosaur of a vehicle ducking palm fronds that slap as we barrel past. The sun is shining, the mountains are all around us, the views are breathtaking. The other ladies in the back of the truck are laughing and shouting to each other over the ROAR of the truck. There was a moment as we rode along that I was thinking--"When I am an old woman I will remember this day in perfect detail." It was just one of those snippets of life that hardly seems real.

rear window

As we continued up the mountain, we see a steady stream of horses and hikers coming out of "the bush". They are carrying bundles of firewood and  burlap sacks up on shoulders in to Jinotega to sell for what would amount to a dollar or less. Ladies are squealing with every big bump, and I can't imagine hiking this road every day to make a few cents.

We were expecting bad roads. That's why we were with the army. But as we topped one rise, it became clear that the road was completely gone.  The soldiers got out and proceeded to hike on around the bend checking out the terrain. Jonathan and Edwin join them for a bunch of consultations.

They return to report that the road is truly impassable and the terrain will not allow any alternate path. Several of the local travelers stop to join in the meeting. They report that we are about a 30 minute walk from the village. The soldiers volunteer to carry our equipment if we want to go on. After a little discussion and a unanimous vote we decided to lace up our boots, and travel on.

Yea---I know. You can smell the adventure coming, can't you?

carrying the autorefractor

totally full of gas--it must weigh 175 pounds

So we set off walking cheerily, knowing it will likely take us 45 minutes at least--as we expected to walk slower than the locals. I have a 50 ft power cord wrapped around me like a bandolier and a 2 gallon bottle of water on one shoulder. I feel so strong and--well--cool stepping along through this beautiful jungle-y mountain. 
True to their word, the soldiers hoisted up our gear and led the way. In words, that doesn't sound so impressive. But have you ever seen a guy pick up a generator full of gasoline and carry it up a mountain on his back?!?  I was completely amazed...and really wishing I had packed more chicken in their lunch boxes.

Well, the road got longer as we walked. The view was incredible, but the boxes and water bottles got heavier.  We started taking more breaks for "photos" but spirits were still basically high. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. Although it is beginning to dawn on us that so far the hike has been almost all downhill--and has been over an hour--so we've clearly been misinformed about our location--and at some point we'll have to walk back...

Wanna see some great pictures of this day and other Nicaraguan adventures this week? Check out my hiking buddy's website at Go Christian Go!