Stuck On the Way to Petroglyphs
September 2010: May through November is Winter in Nicaragua. This means it’s a bit cooler with lots of rain. While we eagerly anticipate this season for the refreshing weather and enjoy the beauty of green once again, it brings with it new and different trials. On a recent trip to visit a petroglyph site that has been cleared and made available for educational purposes we found out just how much rain changes things.
The road to the petroglyphs is what would be considered a good dirt road. As the tree lined way winds through sugar cane fields and past quaint homes you get the feeling that this is a remarkable place. We happily made our way down the road anticipating the feelings of awe and mystery that come with seeing artifacts hundreds of years old. We did not, however, anticipate that one little wash in the road would cause so much trouble.
Coming up to the wash we slowed down to more carefully make our way across. On the left side of the road it was as much as four feet across, so we chose the right side where only eighteen inches of the road had been disturbed by recent water flow. As the front tires entered the wash we quickly realized our mistake. Rather than moving forward we were moving down. As the reality sunk in, the car settled further into the hole it was making. Suddenly the quaint homes and impressive sugar cane fields looked more like shacks spread amongst unfriendly and imposing fields filled with poisonous snakes.
We were soon the talk of the community as men, women, and children came past. Most offered help, some laughed with us, and everyone shook their heads at the futility of our situation. One gentlemen in particular took it upon himself to not only get us out of the mud, but to give us a good story to tell. He arrived in clean new jeans. Not wanting to get them dirty, he promptly removed them and sent his son home in search of some dirty work pants. After much digging and moving of dirt under and around the car he was ready to try pushing it out. The handful of men and boys all positioned themselves in front while Carolyn climbed through the window to get into the ever sinking car.
When the strength of men fails we don’t worry, but instead begin looking for a few good oxen. There is never a shortage of these incredible brutes. That is, until you need their strength to pull your car out of a hole. Then of course, they are nowhere to be found. As minutes turn into hours we are slowly acquiring all of the parts needed for an oxen team. Chocolate, a small brown ox is rounded up from somewhere deep in the fields. Later a yoke arrives, and finally a second oxen is found. The only part missing is an oxen driver. This proves to be a crucial part, as the young man who takes this role quickly finds himself in pursuit of two incredibly fast oxen as they flee the scene. Interestingly enough, this is also the only time the two oxen coordinate their efforts and work well together. After a few trials they eventually get straightened out, are walking the correct direction, and seem to put forth some effort in pulling. Alas, the car does not budge.
By this time we are turning a brighter shade of red than is healthy, and have begun to contemplate the thought of spending the night in the car. More oxen are called for, and phone calls to friends with connections are made. After much confusion and waiting, we are told that the Mayor’s office has been called and they are sending a tractor our way. Hope was renewed and we were once again able to see both the humor and the beauty around us.
The story ends much as you would expect. The tractor arrives and the car is safely pulled out in the space of 10 minutes. We are once again able to be on our way – this time on foot.
It strikes me however, that we don’t often find ourselves in situations where we are so wholly dependent on the goodwill and help of others. The feelings of helplessness, the lack of ability to do anything about our situation, and the patience and resulting resignation were unpleasant challenges and character traits I have never desired. Yet many Nicaraguans know no other way of life. When I heard that the tractor was on its way I was overwhelmed with relief. I could now look ahead to the rest of my day and see the many possibilities of what I could do. My mind was no longer fully devoted to dealing with what seemed an impossible situation.
Hope and Development Foundation desires to bring that same hope to the oppressed, burdened, and socially repressed people of Nicaragua. We want to offer to them the support that allows for both relief of current needs, as well as giving them security to dream about the future. In considering what I learned through this experience, I can’t imagine four hours better spent.
