Even though I´ve been here for 2.5 months already, I still feel as though I´m treated as a newcomer. People in Esteli have seen me walking around the street I´m sure, yet everyday (maybe by the same guys) its catcalling and disrespect all the time. Taxi drivers, shop owners all try and rip us off; we get yelled at and cursed and have things thrown at us. Story: I was walking home the other day and out of a moving bus I got a mamone pit (a type of fruit) chucked at me. It hit me on my leg. It didn´t hurt me physically, but emotionally and mentally I was really offended. The reason I´ve come to this country is to help as best I can and to learn from their culture, yet I´m treated like I´m a bad person. I know that the people wouldn´t know why I´m in Nicaragua, but instead of treating with any decency, even to be ignored, we get disrespected and put down. I was really insulted and it was the biggest put down I´ve received yet.

Before coming here, I had never experienced this type of prejudice before. I never would have either back in Canada. But it took coming to a third world country, with a history of being treated poorly by North Americans, to experience it. Its not something I wish on anybody and it gives me a new perspective on the type of discrimination and emotions experienced by other races, such as African Americans, immigrants from India and Asia, etc. I know that I can never say I understand how they feel, at least not in any way to the same degree, but let me tell you, it is very degrading and demoralizing. I truly admire those people who suffered through it to fight against it and make a better life for future generations. It takes a lot of strength and courage to deal with such prejudice and though I´ve only experienced a very minor form of it, it was enough for me to get a new understanding.

So with renewed admiration for those currently dealing with prejudice and stuggling through it, I hope they can stay strong. And for everyone else...don´t be prejudiced! It hurts more than you know. Even if you don´t mean to or aren´t aware of your actions. Be kind to strangers and foreigners because it takes a lot of guts to come to a new country and start a life there.

But...I try to not let it get me down and approach everyone equally, trying not to believe that they will treat me badly just because I´m a foreigner. Because not everyone does...some are very kind and helpful. I say to myself ¨Just keep swimming¨and go about my business :)