Waxing Nostalgic

Off to the supermarket. What started out as a normal Saturday turned nostalgic when I found, of all things, frozen corndogs in La Union Supermarket (a Walmart Central America Company). It's seldom we visit La Union although it's a favorite to some, for practical reasons. Hiper La Colonia, the supermarket I favor is 1. closer to where I live, 2. the credit institution we use gives us a perennial savings of 5% on all purchases, 3. I find the fully automated check-out system more convenient and faster - meaning all discounts are automatically reflected in the cash register without or very little manual processing.

The offerings at the fresh meat, fruits and vegetables sections some say are fresher than those that can be found in La Colonia but I have had no problems buying meat in La Colonia, besides most of the meat we cook in the house are either bought at Pricemart or Bavaria. One must also be careful in comparing prices because even if La Union advertises to be cheaper (or known to be so), unless you remember exactly how much particular items cost in La Colonia, they could be more expensive in La Union. Ex. the coffee I buy in La Colonia that costs about C$60, costs C$72 in La Union or the apples we bought yesterday that sells for C$12@ in La Colonia, sells for C$15@ in La Union. Shop on Wednesday evenings when La Colonia have fruits and veggies at half price, add the 5% credit card discount and voila, La Colonia comes out the winner in long term savings.

There are some imported products that can be found in La Union that neither La Colonia nor Pricemart carry like T's fave roastbeef to mention one and surprise, surprise....frozen corndogs (about C$70 for 6)!

The last time I've had them was at Disneyworld (Epcot) this summer and I love those darn dogs (pun intended). I remember having them mostly back in the Philippines since I was just a little kid up until I was in Highschool. They were my favorite (amongst many other local and exotic) snack. They were sold mostly in malls and some canteens just outside my school.

Amazing how a simple corn dog can bring back pleasant childhood memories, not unlike smelling a whiff of familiar perfume or just some random odor (desirable or undesirable) for that matter. Friends I haven't seen for ages (ones I shared corn dog moments with), tennis, my favorite pair of crayons shoes, piano lessons, street games I used to play and faceless playmates came to mind. I didn't realize how much of those corn dogs (and carbohydrates!) I have consumed....until now.

Midnight snack

As far back as I can remember, I have always taken a midnight snack. It is a special time my grandmother and I shared and a very effective way to infuriate my uncle due to all the racket I make in the kitchen at, well, midnight. When I say snack, I mean all sorts of nourishment representing either one or a combination of the food group. It could be left-over dinner, fried chicken and rice, pasta, anything and everything that catches my fancy and is available in the cupboard, kitchen or the freezer. If I haven't pictured it clearly yet, as snack, I really meant 'meal'. 2nd dinner, if you will (6th meal for the day), except if at that moment I fancied eggs and bacon, then it will come in the form of breakfast.

See, I'm one of those who can eat the whole table without gaining weight. In fact, that ritual started because my grandmother was desperate for me to put some more on. Not that I did not eat, ok, I was a bit picky, but I ate and when I do, I eat like a lumberjack who just felled more than his quota. Between my 30 and 42 (up until a month ago) years, I have see-sawed between 98 and 105 lbs (my BMI dictates I should be 115 lbs at 5'5"). So I thought, no harm in continuing what I have been accustomed to.

Sure, except that lately I have started eating pancakes at midnight, replete with butter and syrup. That, I have been enjoying the past week while the cat (you do know who I mean) is away. T has never said anything about my habit except for a comment and a question here and there...'how can you do it?'...'aren't you worried sleeping on a full stomach?'...'don't you think you should take a walk before going to bed?' I guess now I will have to, take a walk I mean. In weighing myself (just now), I realized I have even exceeded my ideal weight by 2 lbs. A big deal because most of my clothes, specially my jeans will fit me, tops at 102 lbs (my most average). I know where all this weight lies...it will eventually, comfortably lodge itself in parts that would prevent my jeans from reaching my waist or my dress from cascading below it.

It may not sound much, but for someone who has a wardrobe full of clothes that don't have room for growth, it could spell financial disaster - total wardrobe overhaul financing dilemma. I not only have to rethink these damn pancakes but I also have to go back to playing tennis and planning my meals....after summer vacation. Goodluck to me as this particular vacation will entail a lot of eating adding more pounds that will need greater effort to dismiss. First things first, no more pancakes...at midnight, that is.

Managua Shopping Tip #2

I know from scouring various malls in Managua (there are many which in most days are depressingly empty), that there are, so far, 4 Benetton outlets in the city:

1. La Galeria
2. Centro Commercial Managua (2)
3. Centro de Las Americas (Huembes Road, near the turn-off to the highway that leads to the airport)

What I have found out recently, though, is that their products move between these outlets depending on turn-over. The primary outlet, obviously is La Galeria as it caters to the high-end market and all new products are therefore introduced there at regular (outrageous) prices. Although it may seem that they hardly mount any 'sale' campaigns, they actually do, only with very light discounts (5-30% off) that still comes out expensive due to their high profit margins (I have compared prices between the US, Italy, Denmark, Colombia, Panama and Nicaragua). At the end it really doesn't feel like they are having a sale.

It's not fair for me to have judged them in the past because upon visiting the 2 other stores, I realized that the products that are not doing well are moved to store #2 and sold at 'regular' prices lower than in store #1 or put up on sale with bigger discounts, to cater to mid-market consumers. Ex. a suitcase in store #1 would be priced between $215 - 240 plus 15% sales tax, while the same suitcase after maybe (1 year or so - yup, that's the kicker, but who cares, I certainly don't) will be sold for about $120. As to store #3, you'll find there all other discards (children's clothes, shirts /pants /skirts (men & women) but no big ticket items like suitcases) on huge discount, ex. a Sisley dress for $30. If I remember correctly the Benetton franchise here also sell Esprit and Sisley.

I highly recommend checking out the Benetton shop at Centro de las Americas as it's hard to differentiate between 'new arrival' fashion and old stocks (if you ask me)...they kind of have the same look to me.

Banking Nicaraguan Style

I have heard from many expats here about various problems in opening accounts or applying for credit cards in local banks due to requirements close to impossible for some to comply with (like a local personal guarantor - who's going to do that for someone they barely know and who is staying for only 3 years?). Therefore, most expats I know use only their international credit cards issued by their banks abroad. Credit card fraud, so far, is still non-existent in Nicaragua...well, not that I've heard of anyway. Almost all restaurants, shops, personal services and even the cinemas in La Galeria accept credit card payments without surcharge. As to cash requirements, ATMs abound in most of the country using the VISA / Cirrus systems and is therefore also not a hassle except for the withdrawal charges. But I've known some who has never had a local account.

Nicaragua (as I've said so many times before), for its economic standing (2nd poorest in the Western Hemisphere after Haiti) is a rather expensive place to live in - I once had my hair trimmed and coloured for $120 which I would have paid for less than half in the Philippines. Depending on what you buy, some groceries (mostly imported) can cost the same as in Denmark and definitely a lot more expensive than Asia. This is where our local bank comes in.

or Banco de America Central (BAC) is an institution present all over Central America, the US and has presence in the Caribbean. We have never had any problems with them and in fact have benefited from their many imaginative promotional activities. In La Colonia, with a BAC Credomatic (credit card) you always get an additional 5% discount on all your purchases on top of other promos or discounts the Supermarket offers. On Valentine's day, even if T & I didn't want to join the melee of lovers out to prove just how much they (still) love each other, we went to try a recommended restaurant anyway because BAC had a 50% off promo on restaurant bills that day. Meaning that even if you get a bill for, say, $100 and signed for it using your BAC card, you will only be billed $50 on your next billing. This promo was repeated this Mother's Day, 50% off on all salon services in any salon - no, I didn't have anything done just for the heck of it even if I'm a sucker for 'rebajas'. Add to that their various 20-30% off promos in different shops at different times of the month - you know, a weekend sale here and there except that they are regular items carrying regular prices but discounted when using BAC Credomatic.

Just the other night we watched a movie for $3 for 2. Tuesday is a movie night. La Cinemas de Galeria offer discounts on this day. Recently, BAC has joined the party by giving discounts on cinema tickets purchased through the Credomatic (Tuesdays, Thursdays and one more day which I don't remember). Imagine my discomfort signing for $3.

For all the complaints I've heard about banking here in Nicaragua, I can't say that I can sympathize but I sure can recommend BAC anytime.

Phew!

I think I'm done redesigning the blog for the moment. I'd like it cleaner but I'm kind of 'blidget' (blog widgets) crazy at the moment....at least I now have the space for them. In reality, I only really added another column (on the right), did away with the 'harbor background' for a much clearer slate and added one more widget: the Recent Comment widget (not that I get many of them) courtesy of Amanda. Oh and a new signature too. It's easy enough on my eyes and I hope it is too on yours.

Now let's see if this new layout will create the magic I need to post regularly (I highly doubt though).




Edit: I reverted to my old signature...I thought it is more, well, me.

Stitching it back together

Life has a way of healing itself that sometimes require great effort or sometimes none at all. My last post bellies the fact that these small pieces have been accumulating and piling up for some days now which culminated in a frustrated post.

I hardly post about religion or my personal belief but prayers have always calmed me down. It is a way for me to let go and accept the fact that there are some things I have no control of and will therefore have to (at some point) let go and leave my fate to a higher and more powerful entity. I never pray for solutions, I pray for strength in adversity (big or small) and always, ALWAYS all of a sudden the scattered pieces fall into place.

I slept a troubled sleep last night but woke up to see the pieces, one by one, gathering themselves in almost perfect alignment again that I even wondered why I spent agonizing moments worrying about them in the first place. Such , I guess, are the ups and downs of life.

I'm not sure how to end this post as I yet have to see the other pieces do the same but from what I have seen so far, it can only go one way, slowly but surely. For now, I have more meaningful things to enjoy and be thankful for.

When things fall apart

Ever had those days when nothing really works or anything you touch turns into muck? What's worse than those kind of days is the fact that it's not something you can rationalize or really explain (what's eating you) or what's gone wrong, how, where and when. I have been having those days lately. There's just a bunch of things that needs repairing and none of them are done right, for instance....and a whole bunch of other non-essential but must do things that either can't be done properly or on time, specially if you're at the mercy of others who are supposed to know what they are doing and have been doing it for the longest time. The more one thinks about it, the more it mucks the brain inviting other irrational moves or decisions that just worsens the situation.

Owmmmm....Deep breath...eeeexhaaaaale. This should be over soon.

Living with guilt

Having written my previous post, brings me now to my present one. The title, borrowed from one of my fave read blogs Africa Expat Wives Club, calls for me to write about it as it is true that there is some level of guilt you have to live with when posted in a 3rd world country - Africa Expat Wife's post must have been my last read before my internet service went out. I have indeed met quite a few in the business of aid, the Diplomatic Corps and even those within the private sector, most specifically spouses that carry a tremendous amount of guilt living in a poverty stricken country (why they need to be aided by international organizations, in the first place). Unlike the working spouses who feel that they are doing their part of aiding the country through their work, the spouse live a comfortable, if not ostentatious lifestyle...some, not all.

The only way I differ from them is that I grew up in a third world country myself and have had to live with poverty surrounding me on a daily basis. I am not jaded, I just know my limitations. I too know what I have given up to warrant a comfortable life while on post (it is a choice).

Guilt to me is impotence. There's just so many things in the world today that can make us feel impotent, if we let them...detrimental to mental, emotional and physical health, that eventually render us useless than we already are in some cases.

I am putting forth the following not as an advise nor to assuage guilt but just my own guiding principles:

1. I am for sustainable development
2. I refuse to be a party to creating a dole-out community subsistence
3. I believe in teaching people how to fish, rather than set their table for them
4. I believe in working for your keep
5. I don't give money to street children as it only keeps them on the street, instead I give food - fruits, biscuits, etc, whatever I have at the moment other than change. And yes, I get a thank you less than half the time and a frown very often.
6. I only support feeding programs for the orphans because feeding programs for non-orphans only encourage irresponsibility on their parents end.
7. I support schools for the disabled
8. I believe in empowering women
9. Relative to #8, I support the marginalized sector of society mainly the women and indigenous groups.
10. Most importantly, I believe that everyone should be empowered with self pride, knowing that what you are spending, wisely, if I may add, comes from hard work.

By 'my limitations' I mean that I cannot change the world single handedly but can help when I can starting with those who are close to me. I come from a family that always had someone, a distant relative or other staying with us because my grandparents are sending them to school. Half the time, they have to do something in the house to help us. We have always had nannies, maids and drivers in the Philippines because that's just how the economic wheel has turned ever since I can remember. In our case, they have been with us since I can remember...like family. Part of my grandfather's day is to sit down in th evening with my nanny and the driver for a round of beer. My cousins and I have had the same nanny when we were kids as our parents and our nanny's children have worked with us in the house. A symbiotic relationship is how I see it. Job creation as needed. They worked their keep.

In Kenya, our predecessor, before they left enrolled their gardener in driving school and recommended him to us as a driver. An honest hardworking guy, we decided to hire his wife too, contrary to our rule of thumb (no personal relationships), who was a stay-at-home wife and never had any work experience at all. I trained her (quick learner and very smart) and now works for another expat (she was quite in-demand even before we left), whereas her husband now works for someone with a very responsible position in the UN. While with us, they managed to move their children to a better school.

Relative to this I worked with a women's organization in Kenya where I was part of a project that taught design (accessories). I agreed to this because I saw how these women work hard to earn a living. What was sustainable in this project was that the women covered all aspects of the business. They were taught accounting, sourcing, purchasing, profit and loss, etc. It made me feel good to be a small part of something that I knew would last even after we leave the country...yes, expats of limited existence within a country is bound to leave sooner or later. That makes me really think hard of what I am leaving behind. Am I leaving behind a project that will not subsist on its own once the donors are gone? Or a project that will close down when the changing of the guards come to pass...which is an eventuality.

Charity begins at home as the cliche goes works very well for me...literally. Our empleados here at home, together with us follow these simple guidelines:

1. I am not a bank nor a financial institution - I am more flexible than that but should definitely not be abused.
2. Emergency situations or otherwise can be covered by a loan up to a month's salary payable in 3 months (anything can happen within that period).
4. Succeeding loans can be had depending on how much of the previous loan have been paid off.

5. I give them extra monthly to buy their food because I believe I should not have the temerity to change their pallet imposing on them the food we eat. In Kenya, this is more the norm as the tribal food preference will drive you crazy.

These simple guidelines, from what I have seen have taught them, specially M, to be responsible with money. I do what I can in my own little way. To me what is important is to leave behind a legacy of respect for oneself on how you have earned your keep, pride that you indeed deserve the lifestyle you have and the responsibility you have for others, specially your children.

I do not triple their salaries like some expats do (to assuage guilt maybe?), double maybe, as the salary level here is also outrageously low given the cost of living, in fear of creating an economic imbalance. Are their salary levels sustainable when we leave? Would they be able to get a job giving them the same salary level (which by law will still have to be increased on a yearly basis)? If not, how do they revert to the lifestyle they have been accustomed to while they were working with us? A did buy the latest phone model the moment I increased his salary (so did M, by the way)...but that was before he got married, now I hope he knows better...priorities, priorities. Will they then have to give up their cheese? Or worse, move their children back to public school when they've had a taste of private schooling?

I'm not saying that this is happening to us right now, but those who out of guilt, inadvertently, drastically bucking the economic trend is innocently creating havoc that could threaten to skew an already skewed economic graph of a country. An unsustainable surge which I believe does more harm than good in the long run.

This early, I can already say that when we leave, I have glowing recommendations for all of them and I won't even be exaggerating. Hopefully, they will move on to better jobs - for M, if she finishes her secondary education, which I insist she does - or at the very least keep the well paying jobs that they have.

There have been success stories of course. T's predecessor's driver-gardener now works for the embassy as a full-time official driver...another stepping stone, yes, but at least they can say that they have done it themselves and owed no one in reversing their economic situation. Hopefully, these values will trickle down to the next generation and as they say here, poco-a-poco and slowly but surely...if I may add. In all these, I have learned that I cannot change a culture that has been developed for centuries in a blink of an eye and regardless of what I do, my impact will not so much even make a ripple in a sea of hopelessness.

I know of spouses that went back home (leaving the other half to fulfill their contract) because they cannot take the sight of poverty or carry the feeling of impotence on a daily basis. I, on the on the other hand, refuse to be dragged into the abyss of despair of seeing poverty all around me (there are other things that drag me there believe me)...without turning a blind eye, I know that I can only do so much and I do what I can.

But then again, that's just me.

Browsing Martha day

Although we entertained before expatriation, it was not as often as when living abroad. Entertaining opens doors to get to know like-minded people which makes for an easier more pleasant and fun posting experience. Half the time, it is work-related and therefore obligatory.

It is cheap to entertain in the Philippines. There you can have every occasion catered (in our case up to over 100 sometimes) even the simplest ones, or invite people for a private function in a public restaurant for a third of what it will cost you elsewhere. So there was really no need for advices, solicited or otherwise, except from your caterer, of course. The type of entertaining we did in the Philippines did not apply to Denmark, Kenya and even here in Nicaragua, it is just prohibitively expensive.

In asking my domestic diva friends, I found out that there's so many money-saving tips I can get from Martha's site without compromising the quality of entertaining. Prior to my moving abroad, I didn't know Martha Stewart except probably for her infamous incarceration or house arrest at the very least and her spat with Donald the tower guy. Now, I'm hooked.

Today, while visiting Martha Stewart's Site, I checked out 'The Martha Stewart Blog' and there stumbled into the 'Hostess (with the mostess)' blog site. Under 'get inspired' are some of the cutest things I have seen. I came across these adorable and unbelievably cute cup cakes, for instance.

More photos of Hello Naomi's adorable cupcakes can be found here.

On the same blog, check out the review of 'Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be'. Looks good to buy to me but I'm a sucker for good advice and good deals (about $20) and if my table can look this good, why not.

You'd think that between Martha, Emily, the hostess herself and maybe in future, with Colin's help too, I'd be able to host a chic party? Given the number of years I've been doing this...I've a loooong way to go. But then I pick up good things a long the way. Poco a poco.

Champagne and quiche weekend

This weekend has been quite hectic (meaning we were mostly out of the house) compared to how we normally spend weekends in Managua. That's why we make it a point to go to a nearby beach when we can.

As T's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, unlike last year when I threw a surprise birthday party for T in our house, we've decided to just hold intimate celebrations here in there. My weekend looked like this:

Friday (afternoon) - after work, I went to T's office and brought snacks (Lasagne and Ham, Mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche) and some champagne so T can celebrate with his co-workers.

Friday (evening) - for the Arabian Night we brought lamb curry.

Saturday (afternoon) - Birthday party of K & C's 4 year old. On the way, passing by S' (my favorite 'dama') Women's (Cañasta) project - made of newspaper - as support (yup we bought something...s).

At K & C, they made an impromptu celebration for T by sharing poor 4 yr old Lucas' cake (sweet).

Sunday (morning) - birthday breakfast for T. It was so hot that we decided to jump in the pool clothes and all - pretty much all the exercise we got that day - the jumping, I mean. Oh and to check if T's dive watch -which he got for his birthday - works. For now we know it is indeed waterproof...that's a start.

Sunday (afternoon) - Salsa workshop where we also brought Champagne and Quiche to share.

Sunday (evening) - light dinner and a movie

The above doesn't sound so much but given that we'd rather lounge around the house on weekends when we're not out of town, is already a lot.

Obviously, I did a lot of cooking this weekend but I thought it was smart to make the same food for both the office and Salsa 'brindis' (toast) because they're 2 totally different groups. In both places some have asked me for the recipe of the quiche, so here it is:

Ham, mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche

8 Eggs
1 cup chopped (white) Onion
1 cup chopped Button mushroom
1 cup chopped Deli ham
1 cup chopped Green & Red bell pepper mix
1 cup chopped Asparagus
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Cream cheese
1/2 cup Mascarpone cream cheese
1/2 cup
1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) ground Nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste (about a teaspoon each)
1/2 cup butter

In a sauce (or any deep) pan, saute the following in butter (leave enough butter to coat bottom of the baking dish) in this order: onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus (add last if using canned asparagus), ham. Set aside and let cool when done.

Beat eggs together with salt, pepper and nutmeg. In a separate bowl mix cream cheese and mascarpone and whisk until soft. Gradually mix in the egg. Add the cheddar while mixing continuously and finally the swiss cheese.

Coat baking dish (16 inch) with butter and spread the saute mix evenly. Pour cheese and egg mixture. Using a fork mix a bit to even out saute mix and cheese mixture on the baking dish.

Bake at 180C for 30 -40 minutes and 200C for 15 minutes (or less) or until top is golden.

Serves 12

When expat life really sucks

Borrowing the title from a forum on Expat-blog, which I'm a member of, is used here in a different context. In Expat-blog, it's answering a question a member put forth about how you pull yourself out of it...if and when it does, by your own definition of suck!

It only sucks right now for me because I'm sick with the flu. In the Philippines, we call it 'trangkaso'. It's when on top of a high fever your bones ache too...you ache all over. My head is pounding and I don't have the strength to do anything much less type.

I felt it coming last Friday but still managed to party this Saturday which, of course, only made it worse.

I'm the healthiest or strongest in the family. I seldom get sick...I can't afford to get sick. I take care of the sick in this family...the way my grandmother did in ours. I miss her.

I somehow knew I had it coming what with the hot (Cartagena) - cold (Bogota) - hot (Nicaragua) changes that I have just been through. Thank goodness, T & V hasn't got it but if it is what it is (trangkaso), then it doesn't leave the house until it has gone through everyone in it.

It doesn't help that my empleada cannot come today also, some problems of her own just right after taking a 10 day vacation while we were away. My problems are my problems and her problems are mine. She doesn't work when we're away and therefore has only been working half the year last year (that's how much I've been away from here).

It sucks when:

1. You're sick
2. The kitchen looks like hell and there's nothing you can do about it
3. You write people back home and you don't hear a peep
4. You still have to cook
5. I miss my grandmother
6. You have to do your son's lunch pack and food hoping he doesn't pick up whatever it is you've got. But you've got to do it anyway
7. Hubby tries to do so much but has got his own challenges
8. I miss my grandmother
9. You want to be pampered but there's just no one to do it to you - well not in the way my grandmother did
10. I miss my grandmother's chicken soup
11. You live on peanut butter as that's the only strength you have for
12. A friend calls you to say...'get a blood test, it could be dengue'
13. You're sick and alone and still have to think about dinner

Delivery services subject to 'mañana' for a different reason

Mondays (like today) is when we get our purified water delivered. Potable water (brand: Agua Pura) at C$ 25 ($1.30) per 5 gallons delivered to your doorstep is not bad (I think it's around $1.00 in the Phils). We use about 3 x 5 gallons on average a week, for drinking (for everyone in the household: between 8-9 people in 24 hours), cooking and ice. Just like other services in the country (garbage pick-up and delivery of utility bills), water delivery is not consistent and we may go for 2 weeks without any water delivered to our home, which is not really a problem as we can just go to the super market (2 minutes drive) or the nearest 'Stop-and-Go' to to tide us over - C$ 27 ($1.40).

As important as water is, its erratic delivery doesn't bother me, but our utility bills, yes. Last week, I got my internet subscription - $50 monthly for DSL (Cablenet) subscription suspended for non-payment. In our close to 2 years here, this was the 7th time it happened. How does one pay for a bill one hasn't received. The same day they cut off my connection, I received a phone call from the 'empresa' asking for my billing address...again for the nth time. I gave it to them. Our address reads like this: 'From 'name of supposedly known shopping center', turn right and 600 meters turn left and then left again, at the very end, white house with wooden garage'. No kidding, that's our official mailing address, only it's in spanish and not everyone knows the shopping center - not even the big 'empresas' who has been in operation for dog knows how long and has had that address from before only under a different customer name (2 of T's predecessors have lived here and subscribed to the same company). We've been their customer for almost 2 years now!!! Their technicians have been here 4 times to change modem, add cable, etc.

They needed the address again because they have a new delivery guy and each time they have a new one, they always need directions, again, from us. I don't know if these people have heard about 'database' and if they have, I wonder what they have in it.

So, every now and then we get our water, electricity, cable, internet cut off for non-payment when you can't pay without your bill. I have had to pay interest twice on our 'empleados' insurance because, you guessed it, the bill came after the payment cut-off date. You tell them that and they shrug it off as unfortunate. I would better understand if they will at least own up to their inadequacy but the audacity to charge me extra and / or inconvenience me by cutting off service (which by the way, takes at least week after payment to reinstate) only because they cannot keep their employees happy enough to stay, is beyond me.

This happens very often here. I know some people who meet-up in gas stations with the pizza delivery guys only because they cannot find the houses to deliver to. This is obviously not just about the addresses down here. You'd think that they have this system of addresses (no street names, burned down or non-existent landmarks) because they know how to use it. I don't know if this is unique to Nicaragua or is prevalent in Central America, all I know is we, ourselves have not been lost in Costa Rica and Panama as much as we get lost here. When I say lost, I mean together with my Nica driver with more than 7 years experience as a driver (including driving an ambulance).