The Nicaraguan Peacock

It still makes me smile. 

I call it the Peacock syndrome - Masayan-style. (I can't confirm that this phenomena occurs in other Nicaraguan cities, but it probably does.)

Man standing idly on a street corner. Pulls up his t-shirt so it rests slightly below his chest. Man sticks out his "beer belly" for all to see (appreciate?). Man smiles.

Something you would never see in Canada. 

Most Canadian men would run for cover before showing their fat belly. Or, in some cases even their love handles, right?

Here it's a different story.

I must admit that it is a custom I used to find rather odd. No longer. 

Coming from a weight-super-obsessed culture, the practice is kinda refreshing, isn't it?

These Nicaraguan peacocks could give a crap what other people think of their pot bellies. 

I'm gonna make it a New Year's resolution to give it a try. 

Just not this year. :)

3 Compliments

Often overlooked is the power of the sincere compliment. A sincere compliment:

• can put a smile on someone's face. 
• can put a smile on your own face.
• doesn't cost anything.
• can make a lasting, positive impression upon someone. (I'm not sure about you, but I can still remember some compliments I received when I was a kid!)

Where exactly is the downside here?

Despite all of this, I don't hear too many of them being passed around. From other people's mouths or from my own mouth.

Last January I tried something. I made it a habit of giving at least three sincere compliments each and every day.

[The key is that the compliment be sincere and unsolicited. This usually isn't too hard. It means one just has  to pay attention to other people, instead of only yourself. (Another upside!)]

I encourage you to give it a try and see what happens.

I have a feeling when you see how a sincere, unsolicited compliment can light up someone's face, you may think about making the habit permanent. 

"He's a Perfectionist"

This is something I hear quite a bit around here, mostly from BECA students.

"How would you describe Walter?"

"He's a perfectionist" might very well be the first thing out of their mouths. Throw in a "roll of the eyes" and you get the picture.

Eventhough I don't agree completely with the assessment, It doesn't bug me.

Not in the least.

The reality is that I refuse to accept mediocrity from the educational institutions we do business with in Nicaragua.

I expect good service from professionals and companies.

And I demand excellence from the members of my staff.

My perception is that BECA students (and their families) have been subjected to enough mediocrity in their lives.

The issue alone that these bright, young people in BECA didn't have an educational opportunity has "mediocre educational system" written all over it, doesn't it?

I mean it's what got me thinking about this whole BECA thing in the beginning.

So, yes I'm a perfectionist.

And thanks for the compliment!

Special Moments

Some say living here in Nicaragua has changed me. Others disagree and say that I haven't changed at all.

I'm not sure who is right.

One thing that has definitely changed are my "special moments."

When I think back of my "previous life" the special moments in my life mostly revolved around big events.

A birthday, a retirement party, a trip abroad, a marriage, a second marriage [gulp], you know, stuff like that.

That is no longer the case.

My special moments are now subtle, refined flashes of time usually no longer than a few minutes and sometimes lasting no longer than a few seconds.

The grandiose fireworks of special moments past have been replaced by an unassuming candle flickering in the wind.

I can't explain this turn. It could be because I just don't have any more big, special events in my life anymore.

I had a couple more of these new special moments this month involving two people I know here. That got me thinking of this change in my life.

What are your special moments like?

"Now I Have a Bank Account!"

I'm not talking about me.

I've had one since I've been five, or maybe six years old. It's something we take for granted in Canada and the United States.

But it's far from a given here in Nicaragua.

Actually it's pretty darn complicated.

I don't know what the numbers are but I'd say the majority of Nicaraguans don't have one.

Yep. Don't have a bank account.

The reason? The requirements to open an account are completely out-of-reach for Nicaraguan working class people (with outrageous initial deposits, minimum balances, etc.)

So when the Nicaraguan bank BAC (Banco de América Central) offered BECA the facility two years ago to transfer money to our students via the formal banking system I jumped all over it.

Not only can BECA get money in the hands of our students in an efficient manner via electronic transfers, but it gives the family of the student -- yes the family -- a footstep into the formal economy.

It's a progressive feature of our program that we don't talk about too much, but should be.

And I always look forward to this time of year to see the faces of the students with their new debit cards.

Everyone on the BECA team believes in these young people 100%. And this is BAC's way of saying that they believe too.

Don't the faces of Juana, Kevin, and Luvis say it all. Felicidades!

I Got Nothing for Christmas*

Have you ever had a Christmas when you got nothing*?

I mean nothing, nothing.

Not even a chocolate bar? Not even a bag of peanuts?

I just had one of those. I think it was my first one of those.

I was actually feeling a little sorry for myself for a while. Probably because Christmas was always such a big material event around our household. For good or for bad, that's the way it was.

But then I got to thinking that my Christmas was not a giftless one.

Last Saturday, one of the recent graduates of BECA showed up on my doorstep, like a stray puppy dog. His name is Jose Francisco and I don't really know him that well. In three years, we may have exchanged 50 words.

After some chitchat -- hey, 75 words now! -- he started pulling something out of his backpack.

Out came his diploma and I was gifted the face of a proud and effusive young man. "I just wanted to thank you Walter for helping me get this thing." (Very rough translation.)

It was one of the nicest Christmas gifts I've ever received. And it sure beats the latest Dolce And Gabbana cologne, wouldn't you say?

* For dramatic effect, I'm not including gifts that I received during my visit to Canada in November that were given in advance. My sister Kelly and her family and my mother m are ALWAYS very generous with me.

365 More Days Around the Sun

This year my December 8th was turning into a typical December 8th. 

3pm. Quietly settling into a good e-book, a poker video on the computer, relaxing in my leisureware (meaning underwear), hershey's kisses -- with almonds! -- at my side, reading in peace in my "mansion" as members of BECA "Team Nica" call it.

I ask you, dear reader, . . .  "what else could a guy need?

"Knock, knock." Who on earth could that be? Who would dare disrupt me on my day of peace and tranquililty.

I open the door and there appear +SoraniaDavila, +UraniaMontoya -- with cake in hand -- and, lurking behind, +MaryuryRuiz. My three lieutenants in BECA.

"Huh? What are you doing here?"

"Well, we couldn't forget your birthday, Walter."

Awwwww.

Before tears could well up I ushered them to the patio table and we sat down to enjoy the cake they brought along and some harmless, delightful chatter. After an hour or so they chose to pursue what I believe to be a much more interesting pursuit.

My BECA "Army": Sorania, Urania, Maryury (8-12-12)

So what else could a guy need? Well, how about the kindness and thoughtfulness of three lovely women.

That's what else. My day was now complete.

P.S. I want to mention that I also received email congratulations from both Antonio Rodriguez and Eliezer Alvarado. The three of us have parted company recently but despite our differences they chose to take the high road and extend birthday wishes. I applaud them for the classy gestures.