Ironically enough (since the country ends in agua) there is not very much water here. Yesterday my conversation teacher told be about the water crisis in Nicaragua. There are many pueblos that have pipes, but only receive water once or twice a week. Some pueblos receive so little water that children cannot bathe, and so do not attend school. Water storage, like the one at my house, is common here.
When you need to use the restroom you fill the green bucket with water brought over from the stored water about twenty feet away, and then dump it directly into the toilet bowl. It makes for middle of the night bathroom visits a little daunting, although manageable.
This is the laundry area/ sink. It is the same process. If you need water you need to fill up first.
This is the shower at my house. Once again, it is typical for a country that has so little water (although it was pointed out to me that people in the capital wash their driveways and use so much water that it runs into the streets).
I just take a shower in the morning, but even that takes some will power. Initially dumping the cold water on your head is the hardest part.
There are public service announcements on the street regarding the conservation of water.
I am very happy that I started my trip here with La Mariposa Hotel and Spanish School. Staying in hotels which include foreigner privileges would not have opened my eyes to the way that Nicaraguans actually live.
They don't have much and they work hard, but they are happy.
um.. wow makes me appriciate being able to flush the toilet. -Mar
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the state of water there. I am amazed at the conditions and feel like your blog is opening many eyes, not just my own. I read, "Water supply and sanitation in Nicaragua is provided by a national public utility in urban areas and water committees in rural areas. Despite relatively high levels of investment, access to water in urban areas has barely kept up with population growth, access to urban sanitation has actually declined and service quality remains poor. However, a substantial increase in access to water supply and sanitation has been reached in rural areas."
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and being a positive influence there.