where's my protein?

Today began with another big breakfast and a trip to the United States Embassy. After going through several metal detectors and security procedures, we entered the new embassy compound, which was built in 2007. Our contact at the embassy was Carolina Rodriguez, who works in the Information Resource Center and coordinates educational programs including youth exchange programs and scholarships both in Nicaragua and the U.S. for English learners. No pictures, because we weren't allowed to bring our cameras along.

From there we traveled with Carolina and our group to the Managua Biblioteca Roberto Incer Barquero of the Banco Central de Nicaragua, a library described to us as "public, but not recognized as such." There we saw the American Corner, a space in the library with collections and staff sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Two little girls were busy coloring at the desk.


Libraries in Nicaragua are very slowly opening themselves to the idea of lending books out to the public. They have been influenced in this regard in large part by Jane and the success of her lending program in San Juan del Sur. In the library of the Banco Central, only books from the American Corner may be taken home. Children and adults have access to books, periodicals, videos and programs having to do with the United States. One special element of this is that many U.S. holidays are celebrated in the Corner, from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Children can participate in the fun and games that accompany these events.

Our visit to the American Corner was followed by a tour of the library, its closed stacks and art collection, led by a very animated librarian named Rafael who enthusiastically promised to consider coming to our book fair in San Juan del Sur on Saturday (especially if Jane would offer him her delicious free breakfast).

Upon saying goodbye to the librarians at the Banco Central, we made our way to the Palacio National, the Casa de los Pueblos, and the ruins of the old Cathedral, destroyed in Managua's earthquake and never rebuilt.

The now-empty and open to the public Palacio National was full of FSLN posters and revolutionary art, and quite a bit of flora and fauna were flourishing inside as well.
Jane described the unrest that followed the elections in Managua and the rest of the country in November. Public consensus is that the elections were stolen outright, and there is a great deal of fear. Things are relatively calm at the moment, but riots have broken out in other cities while we've been here.

We went home and got a bit of rest before meeting another group of library science students, several Nicaraguan librarians, and the distinguished author and former vice present, Sergio Ramírez. Dinner was held at Casa Mejia Godoy, where we were unfortunately unable to hear the esteemed musicians play. Some of us purchased CDs before leaving, however.

Ramírez graciously posed for pictures with everyone and signed every book pushed before him.
He answered questions about his inspirations and process as a writer, and later we ventured to ask him a little about Nicaragua's social problems, but most of us were hesitant to ask the political questions that were really on our minds. While the people, both native and expat, that we have spoken to have been quick to condemn the current government and lament the current economic situation in Nicaragua, there does not seem to be much of a consensus on what would be better and what is needed. People are clearly nervous. We have met people who are still Sandinista at heart, the say. They do not say what they are, now, in thought and action. Sergio Ramírez ended his talk , and it was followed by delicious plates of carne asada, pollo, pescado, and a vegetable plate that left one of us a little disappointed. She knows what to ask for next time, though.


¡Mañana, ANIBIPA, Granada, y San Juan del Sur!