Nicaragua - Day 8 - Managua / Nagarote / Salsa

Today was our dress rehearsal! 

More members of the Intake Ensemble have arrived, and so today was full of band and choir rehearsals. It was a lot of fun, and I'm not gonna lie...we sound really good.

I'll make sure that we're getting lots of recordings and videos for you.

After singing, playing and sweating (it was another 100 degree day)...on a Saturday night in Managua, Nicaragua, really...what else can you do but go out salsa dancing?

Of course, I did something really special tonight in the club, and that's something that the locals call 'salsa watching'. 

I took a few steps here and there, but not on the REAL floor, because that felt too scary.

We were out with our new friend Nestor, who happens to be a dance teacher, so that was really cool. He danced with a lot of different people - and it was amazing! I couldn't believe that two people who were so in synch, and were moving so fluidly, had never met before.

It was this unspoken language, and it was really great to witness.

Of course, what do you do after a long day of rehearsals and salsa dancing? Why...you rehearse some more.

I'll tell you all about our first concert tomorrow!!

Nicaragua - Day 7 - Leon / Nagarote / Managua / Yoga

Today was our last day of regular rehearsal. It was a little sad, actually, but it's so cool to see how far the kids have come in just one week.

They have six songs ready for our concert on Sunday night, which is in their town. They're going to get to show off all that they've learned, which is so exciting.

In addition, the kids are going on their first tour! We're taking them to the next town over, the big city of Leon, where they'll be performing as a part of a music festival evening. It's going to be amazing.

I don't think they have any idea what to expect.

I know the feeling.

When I agreed to come on this trip (which took approximately .5 seconds of asking) I didn't have any expectation other than to learn some stuff about a place I'd never been.

I figured I'd have a good time, enjoy meeting the people and get to see some pretty sights.

It's been that and so much more.

Today, during the morning rehearsals, some Americans showed up, and were really enjoying listening to the kids. After the rehearsal was finished, we all started talking, and it turns out that these folks are from Westport! How small can the world get?

Turns out, they came as the first part of a group of people that are going to help start construction on NicaPhoto's new property - so of course, I had to check it out. The new property is great, and will give NicaPhoto and the 100 kids that they serve such a great space to work in.

The new property - you can see the volcano, Momotombo, in the background!

After our second rehearsal of the day, we had a little bit of time before our van came to bring us to Managua...so I busted out my yoga mat.

I had brought it the other day after I saw some girls doing back bends, and now the kids always come to ask me when we can do 'la yoga'.

It's pretty cute. Especially in their sing-song Nicaraguan accents.

So, we did some yoga! Of course, when you only have one mat, the kids have to share or take turns. So they did a little of each.

Paula and Aymi sharing my mat for tree pose.

Alan taking on crow pose (and Estella getting ready for her turn right behind him...)

At the end of showing just a few yoga poses I was nearly dead from heat (it's been 100 degrees every day) but my ears perked up right as the kids were hugging me to leave, because the kids all thanked me for teaching them 'la yoga'...And they all called me 'profe'. (Short for professora [teacher])

I can't even handle these kids. They're too cute.

Can't wait to see them again tomorrow! More and more of our ensemble are arriving each day and the kids keep getting to hear new instruments and meet more musicians. 

Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal, and then our concerts start. I'll make sure to get some video tomorrow so that you can see who and what I'm talking about.

Sleep tight.

Nicaragua - Day 6 - Leon / Nagarote / Realizations

I combine my two passions pretty much all of the time.

When I’m in Mexico, I’m working with people, but I’m also teaching and performing music. Same goes for the Reservation in South Dakota.

When I’m on tour I’m talking about Simply Smiles and sharing stories about folks from our projects.

Very rarely do I go somewhere and just work (traveling without a guitar would feel like traveling without an arm).

Equally as rarely, do I have a concert that’s just a concert. A night of music - no stories or social justice songs. It would seem weird not to try to raise awareness and kindness for fellow human beings.

So this trip to Nicaragua is hard for me in a way, because I’m here only to work on music.

I’m not serving anyone any meals. 

I’m not building any homes.

I’m just working on music.

I’m just working on music.

Last night, I had a little bit of a moment where I wondered what the value was in this.

As I was having my mini-crisis, I tried to distract myself by checking some emails.

I happened to see an email from one my students, and opened it right away. She had been working hard on learning one of her favorite songs by ear, had finally figured it out, and sent me a video of her accomplishment.

I immediately felt better.

Really.

I immediately felt better.

That’s what music does.

It connects us.

It is an exchange between people with a chance to say…

I see you.

You matter.

You deserve to hear, see, and feel something beautiful today.

I’m not here ‘just’ making music. 

I’m here making music. Period.

I’m making beautiful music with and for a community that deserves to hear and create something wonderful.

And that’s what we’ve been doing each day.

And that’s something I can be proud of.

Smile! In 1...

2...

3!

Nicaragua - Day 5 - Leon / Nagarote / Piano

Today was another (shockingly) hot day. I can't believe how much water I'm drinking, and yet, I know that I'm dehydrated, because my classic symptom of scratchy voice is with me.

So I'm typing this in my hotel bed surrounded by throat spray, honey and tea. I've just gargled salt water, am getting ready for a hot shower and plan to be in bed by 9. I'm hoping all of that will do the trick! This isn't the first time I've had to recover from hoarseness, so I'm getting pretty good at it.

Anyway - throat discomfort aside, today was another fantastic day.

We're working with two different choirs that will join into one massive group starting on Friday. I'm really excited to see how that's going to turn out! We have a great list of songs to sing, I have the honor of singing, Nicaragua, Nicaraguita, (it's a beautiful love song to this country...and you guessed right - folks will be singing along!) and rehearsing with all these singers has been fantastic.

One of the groups we've been working with is from our Norwalk Sister City Project - and the teenagers there are really talented! 

With the teenagers from Norwalk/Nagarote Sister City Project after our morning rehearsal.

Our days have been starting early - 5:30 a.m. kind of early (those of you who know me...know this is not my favorite time of day...)

Why are we getting up so early? 

Because it's the only way to move around outside and function when it's not so hot. Crazy, but true.

So - by 10:30, we had already rehearsed with two choirs on opposite ends of the town. 

During my break time the last few days (this is when the children at the day program at NicaPhoto come for tutoring, lunch, and activities) I've been goofing around with the kids on the new piano that they had donated a few weeks ago.

It's been really cool showing them different songs, I feel comfortable sitting at the keys sharing music with them, and it's a way for us to connect in smaller groups.

What I've been struggling with is knowing what these kids go home to after they leave choir practice.

I was invited to their neighborhood yesterday to get to know it a little bit, and it's hard for me to know that these kids live here and I'm not 'doing anything' for them.

I know that making music, creating moments, and sharing an experience are all of value. It's important as human beings to see one another.

I am just struggling with this for now.

So - like I always have, and hope I always do - I'll use it.

I'll use this pit in my stomach to fuel me to work harder. Bear witness. Write better songs. Share stories. Raise awareness. Raise money.

Now, because I'm in the midst of it, it feels really hard to do.

Nearly impossible.

But I know that when I have a chance to really process this experience, I'll be so motivated to continue supporting these organizations and these kids.

These kids are in great hands. They have amazing teachers, are fed healthy and delicious food, have their own garden, are taught activities like taekwondo, are given college scholarships, and now - at least for these weeks - have music lessons.

So you can bet that we'll be using that new piano as much as possible for the next few days!

In a moment of joy today - I discovered this sign right next to the kitchen garbage...

Compost for the garden!

These kids are learning to compost.

They're smart, they're talented, and they're kind.

They don't need my pity.

They need opportunities. And that's exactly what they're receiving from these awesome organizations.

So that's my job - create musical opportunities.

I'm so glad to be here.

Nicaragua - Day 4 - Nagarote / Leon / Politics

How do you approach a child that strikes you as incredibly sad? 

Yesterday, I met a little boy at our choir rehearsal. He looked super sad, so I asked him his name and introduced myself. His name is Brayan (no that's not a typo) so I told him that was my husband's name. He smiled, and I suggested that we take a photo together.  

A few hours later I saw him pass by a room where I was singing with some teenagers. Then I saw him pass by the other way, and then again... 

He looked so sad.  

And I realized, he wanted to take the picture. So here he is. The sad little boy named Brayan. His eyes just break my heart. 

With Brayan.  

This is not a sad post- I was just really affected by him today.  

All of the kids (including Brayan) sang beautifully today, and our choir is growing! Each night, kids go home and tell their siblings and neighbors what they've been doing, and each day more show up. 

In order to save time during our day, we didn't leave during lunch. Instead, the kids' cook, Wendy, made us food.  

NicaPhoto (the partner I've referenced often) is an holistic arts center that provides the town of Nagarote with tutoring, access to arts education, a safe space to be, and healthy meals. 

Because I had talked so much with the director, Ronnie, and I know that they have a shoe-string budget (to feed a child lunch here costs $.50/day) - well - I thought I'd be eating rice and beans. And frankly, that was fine with me.  

But no- Wendy the chef made us some kind of fancy lunch...turns out she's an incredible cook! I made a pledge to eat whatever was put in front of me this trip, as a part of the experience, and I'm so glad I did. Lunch was delicious! (Though I was freaked out by the whole 'fish head on my plate' situation at first...) 

Bet you wish you were eating at 'Casa de Wendy' today! 

After our rehearsals in Nagarote, and surviving the heat & humidity that seem to be incredibly consistent, we were offered a walking tour by our Norwalk Sister City host, Miguel. 

After returning on the bus, he took us around Leon explaining all of the different murals that have been painted in the last 20-30 years, and it was so interesting.  

Nicaragua has a fascinating history, and I was so glad to be able to ask him questions. He's a young guy, idealistic, loves his country and loves his people. It was a pleasure to hear about Nicaragua from him.  

One of the most profound murals is right outside of the University, and the main focus of it...well...see for yourself. 

This mural was painted as a form of protest by college students, because Colleges and Universities only receive 6% of the country's budget. And lower education (elementary, middle and high school) receive even less.  

As a young guy who just had his first son, he finds this lack of investment in the future generations incredibly frustrating.  

I told him, he could make that same case in the US right now as well- between climate change and education, it seems like caring for our future generations is a worldwide concern.  

It was really interesting talking politics, ideas, issues and hopes in another language and culture. Meeting people like Miguel makes me believe that kids like Brayan will be ok.  

More to come tomorrow...