All Hail the Plastic Bag

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it is the value of the plastic bag. Life in the states taught me that plastic bags could be used to carry possessions and purchases, and to contain the endless supply of trash we generate. Life in Nicaragua has taught me that the plastic bag can be used for so much more.

Would you like a freshly made juice to go? You will receive your purchase in a plastic bag. If you plan to consume your drink immediately, you might be given an open bag with a straw sticking out of the top. Otherwise, your bag will be tied off so that you can consume the beverage at a later time, by ripping a corner off with your teeth and sucking out the liquid through the hole you’ve just created.  This is also the preferred method of selling soft drinks to go, as the vender can then keep the bottle or can (and therefore, the deposit).

Perhaps some drinking water that won´t result in a nasty bout of diarrhea? One of the recommended water treatment methods here in Nicaragua is to fill clear plastic bags with water and leave them out in direct sunlight for an extended period of time (6 hours to 2 days). You can then continue to store your water in your plastic bag until you are ready to use it, without fear of further contamination. Just make sure you filter the water first; the heat may kill most of the microbial life in the water, but it isn’t going to do much to eliminate the flora or fauna that may have dropped into your reservoir.

Leftovers after a big meal? Pull out your handy plastic bag and just shovel it on in. Granted, your next meal will be far less appetizing, being that all of the separate components have been mashed together, but that just makes it easier to eat, right? No need to dirty a dish; grab a spoon and chow down!

How about making some tortillas at home? There’s nothing quite like a freshly made tortilla, and with a piece of your handy plastic bag, you can easily form the dough into thin, flat rounds. Without said plastic, the dough can easily become a pasty mess stuck to your palms (and whatever other surface you might be using).

Worried about any of the numerous big, bad bugs (or other pain/death-inducing creatures that might find your room an appealing hang-out) crawling into and camping out in your shoes? Stuff a plastic bag or two inside. Now you don’t have to throw your shoes at a wall in the morning before putting them on!

Word of the Week: útil – useful

Winners and Losers: The Insect World

I’ve come to know quite a few new species of the insect world since arriving in Nicaragua. Some have impressed me, or terrified me (or a bit of both). Others have caused me to ponder what, if he were alive, Darwin would have said to justify their continued existence. I’d like to take a few moments to highlight some of the shining stars, and a few failures of evolution (as far as I can tell. Please feel free to discuss these with a entomologist and let me know what they think.

The All-Stars

Termites (termitas)

Tiny, ever-present, highly organized, and incredibly destructive. How does one get rid of termites in Nicaragua? As far as I can tell, you don’t. Instead, you go about your business, resigned to the fact that part of your house will one day be a pile of dust, having been eroded by the constant chewing of miniscule, ever-hungry little insect jaws. Which, by the way, you can hear.

Butterflies (mariposas)

You know those giant, vibrantly blue butterflies that you see sometimes tacked in display cases? I saw one flitting by in the wild the other day. It took my breath away. The bright colors of the surrounding flora just couldn’t compare to that iridescence.

Mosquitoes (zancudos)

My dislike of mosquitoes has grown immensely now that I live in partially enclosed spaces. I have to respect them, however. They survive despite being universally reviled (except, I suppose, by those species which feed upon them). They multiply rapidly. They evolve to feed at different points during the day so that every variety gets an opportunity to dine, free from competition. And dine they do. I have no idea how they manage to bite me as much as they do, but every day I end up with not one, but a patch of new bites, in different spots. Hands and feet are definitely the worst.

Scorpions (alacranes)

Yes, I know they aren’t “insects”. I don’t care. They’re on this list because they scare the crap out of me. Evolution definitely did its work well early on, and decided to let well enough alone. These creatures are prehistoric evil. How is it fair that it should be equipped with pincers, jaws, and stinger? Cheaters.

The Rejects

Giant black beetles (ron rones)

Sure, the size is impressive. Those mandibles look like a force to be reckoned with. But they probably won’t be using them against you or much else, as they have the sad tendency to flip over on their backs and spend hours or days flailing their little legs in a futile effort to right themselves. Eventually they die of natural causes (exhaustion; starvation; stupidity), or get crushed.

Giant Flying Ants (hormigas voladoras)

Another instance of impressive exterior, faulty interior. These insects are pretty massive. The buzzing of their wings is loud and grating. Their mandibles look fully capable of inflicting significant damage to exposed skin. And there is the strength in numbers factor: these babies swarm. They also die a few hours after they appear. And snap, crackle, pop when you step on them.

Slugs (babosas)

Large enough to be indiscrete, slow, and lacking any form of defense. What is the purpose of a slug, other than to eat plants and leave mucous smears? I found one hiding in my sandal the other day (note to self: do not drop guard. Check shoes before putting them on. Toe-slug contact in the dark is unsettling). Six hours later, it was still there. I dislodged it with a pen and threw it into the yard. Worthless.

Briefly Winged Larva-Looking Bugs (no idea)

I really don’t understand these bugs. They arrive in droves when it rains. They have beautiful, iridescent wings that carry them to every conceivable surface in and out of your house. And then…they lose their wings and become awkward, highly squishable larvae-like things. That then become squished smears. Seems pretty pointless to be equipped with fully functional wings if you’re planning on dropping them after the first time you land on a solid surface.

Word of the Week: chinche – insect of the small and biting variety

PROOF! I’ve done some stuff

Here are a few photos of recent health education materials I’ve created for use in presentations or murals.

Tuberculosis Mural for Health Center

 

Materials for a Presentation on Malaria and Dengue

Materials for a Presentation on Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Pictorial Guide to Breast Self-Exam

Breastfeeding Mural for Casa Materna

Mothers’ Day Mural for Casa Materna

I tell you what…I’m really sick of drawing breasts. However, it’s actually been quite fun getting back to my more creative side lately, even if the level of “art” that I’m producing isn’t quite what it once was back in high school (not only am I out of practice, but have you ever tried to draw fine details or shading with a fat-tipped permanent marker?). I wouldn’t mind doing a bit of that too, but supplies being what they are (as in, I haven’t found any quality drawing pencils or paper in Nicaragua), I think I’ll have to stick to this type of work for now.

In addition to a few other posters I've made since taking these pictures, there are also written talks, PowerPoint presentations, and planning documents. I don’t think you need to see screen shots of those.

Phrase of the Week: Engañar el tiempo – to kill time