a dress in the making (part III)

Today Patricia took me to visit Doña Juliana to take my dress measurements. Doña Juliana is the seamstress who has become quite popular for making folkloric dresses. Supposedly it is she who makes all of the costumes for the professional dance group that Patricia is a part of. You wouldn't know how to find her house unless you had some good directions, or someone to take you there. It looks like any other from the outside, and there is no sign posted offering her services as a seamstress, just a list of vegetables and other foods for sale.

She measured me in about 5 places, we discussed the design of the "vuelo", the bib-like flap that hangs around the neck, and I passed over my 8 yards of material and ribbon. Total cost for her to make the dress: 170 cordobas = $8.50.

Patricia said we had to give her a short deadline because she only works under pressure, so she told her I am leaving the country on June 15th. Apparently Patricia gave her material to make a dress and it stayed at her house for 7 years before she finally made it!

Now I just need to learn a choreographed dance so I can perform when I get back to the states!

a different point of view

(Don't click the play button in the center b/c it takes you to the picasa site, use the left and right tabs below.)

What in the world is that? Could it be a portal to another realm? No, it's just a drain pipe lined with scum.

On Friday I led a photo workshop for staff at the cultural center. One of their in class assignments was to find "the strange" by photographing from different angles and perspectives, looking for lines and shapes that make everyday objects appear extraordinary. The goal is to help them to see less literally and more abstractly, and to use their imagination. I think they did a great job and here you can view a slideshow of the results!

p.s. i included two of my photos; can you guess which ones they are???

a dress in the making (part II)

Finding the fabric

the ribbon shop...can you spot the fuchsia one?

i discovered i have my own underwear line!

the final purchases with my tired head lying on the table. i know it's a weird photo, but i am weird so it works :) I originally wanted a teal dress with red ribbon accents, but there was no teal fabric so I went with this combo instead.

It was a hot one (96 degrees) as Patricia and I geared up to head to the largest market in Central America, "El Oriental". Markets are an adventurous experience here, especially trying to navigate one as large and chaotic as the Oriental. We took off all our jewelry and I shoved my camera into the front of my pants, tying the chord around my belt loop so it wouldn't slip down my leg. I also stuffed 350 cordobas (about $17) into my bra where no ladron (thief) should dare to grab. The Oriental can be quite dangerous and is known for thieves so any time I go there I'm told I shouldn't carry or wear anything of value.

We bought the fabric first, all 8 yards of sea green for the full skirt, top and slip, along with a yard or two of "can can", the netting that is sewn along the bottom of the skirt to give it fullness and oomph. The total cost was 141 cordobas ($7). And just so you know, 20 cordobas = $1.

After that Patricia led me deeper into the market's narrow winding puddled alleyways until we came to a nook that sells ribbon of all kinds. I bought a roll of fuchsia pink which cost me 50 cordobas ($2.50).

As we headed out we stopped by an underwear stand where Patricia decided to buy some bras. It just so happened that my new line of underwear was on display! (see photo). Continuing with the underwear theme, when we got back to Patricia's car there were three tiny pairs of kid's underwear hanging out to dry on her roof rack. They belonged to the parking officer's baby son who was being held by his wife nearby. I am curious how much the young man earns each day to park cars in the hot sun in a crazy market like that. And I am just another gringa passing by, going back to an air-conditioned teacher's lounge to admire, show-off and report on my dress in the making.

Basic Adult Education

Yaritza Polanco studies during class.


Below is an article I wrote on Basic Adult Education classes for the cultural center newsletter.

“I have suffered a lot not being able to read or write,” says Raymunda Jarquin with frustration in her gentle voice. “People trick me and I feel embarrassed. They tell me I am too old to learn and make fun of me for trying.”

As a girl Raymunda never had the opportunity to go to school because her mother preferred that she stay home and help out on the farm instead of sending her to class. Now, at age 66, she is learning how to read and write in level I (1st & 2nd grade) Basic Adult Education classes at the Center.

Raymunda is one of 65 students who signed up for Basic Adult Education classes at the Center this year. There are three classes taught by three instructors that cover grades one through six. All classes are offered free of charge and are held Monday through Friday from 5:30-8:30 in the evening from February through October. Ages range from 15 to 66 and while most participants are women who work hard long hours as domestic employees, there are a few men and youth as well.

While classes bring numerous benefits, there are many barriers that keep students from continuing. Mildred Castillo, who teaches level III, says that many students are single mothers who have to work, manage their homes and care for their children, which can make getting to class a struggle, especially if they work late and live far from the Center.

Most students hope to gain reading and writing skills that will empower them to cope with everyday life and set an example for their children. They also trust that education will help them to find a more rewarding and dignified job.

“I get bored working as a domestic employee and I want a job where I can have security and earn a better income,” says Yaritza Polanco, 23, who works for and lives with a family of five in Managua. She grew up in a rural town 6 hours from Managua and dropped out of school as a teenager. Although she misses her family, she is grateful to have the opportunity to study and will complete level III and receive her primary certificate this year. In the future she hopes to study a career in cosmetology or computer technology.

On top of receiving an education, students also gain new friendships. Although Raymunda was once embarrassed to take classes at her age, she now looks forward to class and its welcoming environment. “We all encourage one another,” she says. With a proud smile she exclaims that she has learned all the letters of the alphabet and can read a few words after just two months of class. “My hope is to be able to read the Bible one day,” she says.

arts in transformation

Gerardo and Moises working in the new mural "Alegremia"

Yahoska performs a Nicaraguan folkloric dance


Below is an article I wrote on the arts in transformation for the cultural center newsletter.

Yahoska Urcuyo’s passion for dance is evident as she cascades with confidence and grace across the stage. Her folkloric dress whirls with flashes of color and a huge smile shines on her face. Dance has played a transforming role in her life and she says it has brought her joy, new friendships and new experiences. “Sometimes I carry lots of sadness from problems at home or in my neighborhood, but dance transforms me into a new person,” she says.

For many students at the Center who take dance, theatre, painting or music classes, the arts have made a profound impact on them. Painting teacher Gerardo Hernández describes art as “a bridge to make changes in young lives”. He delights in seeing his students come out of their shell as they learn to encourage and critique one another in class.

Moises Hernandez, 11, says drawing and painting classes are teaching him valuable skills that will help him to pursue a future career in architecture. A clever, quiet student with a creative eye and gifted hand, professor Gerardo chose him and a few other students to help paint a new mural at the Center. “It’s more fun to paint together and learn from one another,” he says. Moises says that Gerardo has been an inspiration to him and is not just his professor, but a mentor and friend.

Not only do the arts provide an outlet for self-expression and learning new skills, they build self-confidence and teach discipline and respect. Nineth Larios, who teaches recorder and guitar classes at the Center, says that arts classes require and encourage concentration, dedication and respect for others. She also says students gain self-confidence by performing in front of people.

The impact of the arts reaches beyond the personal level and has the ability to influence others in positive ways. Motivated by the desires and needs of her community where violence and crime are a part of daily life, Yahoska, 20, volunteers teaching dance to children in a local school. “It’s not just a dance class,” she says, “we play games and talk about how to communicate, trust and respect one another.” She says that she teaches using the same methods she was taught through the Center. Yahoska’s dream is to become a child psychologist so she can continue to help the children in her community.