Potters For Peace
November 2015 Work Brigade
General Information
Description of the trip
This 6-day Work Brigade will build a kiln shed at El Calero, a pottery community near the town of San Juan de
Limay. During our 4 days onsite, participants will be welding, measuring, cutting, digging, lifting and engaging
in other construction activities.
Cost of trip
Your fee of $950 covers everything except airfare to Nicaragua and personal purchases while there.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Managua; brief orientation, dinner and overnight stay in Managua
Day 2-4 Breakfast, travel 3 1/2 hours by van to El Calero. Each day we will be at El Calero until 4 pm. We will eat
dinner and sleep at San Juan de Limay (see below for accommodation details). Transport between El Calero and
San Juan de Limay will be by pickup truck.
Day 5: Return to Managua.
Day 6: Airport and home.
FAQ
1) Trip Leaders / PFP Staff
We will be accompanied throughout the trip by Robert Pillers (8971-8827), PFP Nicaragua director, and by his
co-director Alvaro Aburto Gadea (8754-2789). Both are familiar with the pottery sites, hotels and restaurants
that we will visit. Their phone numbers will be your emergency contact numbers. Do not use email addresses
as emergency contacts.
2) Economics
The trip fee includes all expenses except: snacks & soft drinks, alcohol, pottery (souvenirs), and individual taxi
trips.
You will not be able to obtain Nicaraguan cordobas until you arrive in the country so when you arrive, PFP will
exchange up to $100 US per person into Nicaraguan cordobas, or “cords.” This should be adequate for your
needs but the leaders can also exchange money during the trip.
Make sure that all dollars are unmarked (i.e. pen, marker, etc.) and contain no rips or tears, otherwise they will
not be accepted. If you change currency at the airport, you will pay a hefty exchange rate fee.
The exchange rate is currently approximately 27 cords to 1 US dollar. In some cities ATMs will be available, so
you could bring a credit/debit card just in case (but it's likely that you will hide these away and never use them).
Do not bring travelers checks. Notify your bank of your travel plans.
3) Communications
Email/internet is readily accessible; there are Cyber Cafes all over Nicaragua, even in the rural towns. Very
inexpensive phone calls to the US can also be made at these cafes. Please let trip leaders know when you need
these services.
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Potters For Peace
November 2015 Work Brigade
General Information
4) Personal Electronics
We cannot be responsible for loss of electronic items. Although cellphones now double as cameras, journals
and everything else, we have had a lot of problems with theft, especially of iPhones. If you must bring your
cellphone, we recommend that you leave it with us in Managua. If you need to bring it on the trip, YOU assume
all responsibility (we get no pleasure from saying We Told You So). If you insist on traveling with your iPhone or
iPad, please be sure to download and set up the “Find My...” app so that it can be located when (not if) it goes
missing. As well, keep the phone with you at all times. There is no need for a laptop.
5) Passports
Please make 4 copies of your passport picture page: leave one copy at home with someone you can readily
contact, have one copy in your money belt, and another copy in your luggage. We will leave the last copy in
Managua. Another suggestion is to scan in your passport and email it to yourself.
6) Security
Everyone needs a money belt to wear under their clothes to avoid any issues with pickpockets.
Statistically, Nicaragua is the safest country in Central America, although this depends on where you are (and
how much you can trust “statistics”). We ask that you not walk alone at night. Although the towns we will be
visiting appear safe, one can never be sure. Please inform the group leaders if you would like to take a midnight
stroll, and find a buddy or two to accompany you.
We will be using private transport only. In terms of attracting unwelcome social attention, dress should be
modest and neat–jeans/skirts and t-shirts will be fine in all locations, and will minimize the “friendly
compliments” that foreign women are likely to receive from Nicaraguan men. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
7) Accommodations and Sleeping Arrangements
We will be working at El Calero, and staying in San Juan de Limay. It is best to bring a “sleep-sheet” and a light
towel (i.e. microfiber towel) with you. We will be staying in a community building and sleeping on cots. This is
definitely NOT a hotel; the experience will be more like camping out. There MAY be more private quarters
available with beds; if this is your preference, please indicate this on your registration sheet.
In the past we have had some complaints about cleanliness of the accommodations. Be advised that it may not
always be up to your standards. We stay in the best places we can find, but since our work is in rural areas,
“the best places we can find” may not rate very many stars, at least in your opinion.
Snoring seems to be an issue -- if you snore, or if you don’t want to room with a snorer, please let us know so
that we can accommodate everyone.
8) Plumbing
Bathroom facilities in Nicaragua can be noticeably less sophisticated than in the US, but we will have access to
flush toilets and/or latrines throughout the trip. Whenever you encounter a nice bathroom, ALWAYS use it.
Please note – when using flush toilets, all paper goes in the trash can, not in the toilet. With latrines, you can
throw the paper down as well. Always wash your hands with soap and/or use hand sanitizers after using the
facilities and before eating. Women’s sanitary products can be disposed of in the bins in public and hotel trash
cans, but when using facilities in private homes and at many of the pottery sites it is advisable to wrap and bag
used products and carry them out with you for disposal in a public bin.
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Potters For Peace
November 2015 Work Brigade
General Information
9) Food
The food will be plentiful, and three meals per day are arranged for you. There is not a lot of variety, however,
and expect rice, beans, and tortillas with most meals. Chicken and beef are also common, with some cooked
vegetables. You should avoid ice, unbottled water, juices, unboiled or unpeeled vegetables, lettuce, salads,
greasy foods and pork.
Lunch may be provided by the potters at El Calero, and it is polite to at least sample what is offered. It’s a good
idea to bring along a selection of ‘power bars’ or other portable food options, and snacks can easily be
purchased at local markets. However, you will not go hungry – the food is plentiful, if a bit monotonous.
Vegetarianism is an unusual concept here, so “vegetarian” offerings will generally be limited to beans and rice,
and some cooked vegetables.
10) Medical Concerns
WASH YOUR HANDS! This is the number one cause of sickness in the developing world. The most likely issues
we will have to deal with are all water-related, and can generally be avoided by hand washing, drinking only
filtered or bottled water, avoiding ice, uncooked vegetables, and local juices, and only eating fruits that you
peel yourself. We will travel with clean water and individual bottles. Wash your hands with soap at every
opportunity, and use hand sanitizers (please bring your own).
Please inform us at the beginning of the trip if you are allergic to any medicines (such as Benadryl for bee
stings).
Definitely bring a DEET-based mosquito repellant and use it often, especially at night.
You must have active tetanus prevention – see your doctor for advice.
There are clinics and hospitals throughout Nicaragua and in the unlikely instance of a medical situation there
are clear protocols that will be followed by the trip organizers. Simple strategies for self-protection will address
most situations – be vigilant about water and hygiene, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and long pants, and use
mosquito repellant.
Mosquitoes, Dengue, Malaria: Malaria is pretty well under control here, and is treatable by all doctors. If you
like, you can take chloroquine (beginning two weeks before the trip), but current forms of chloroquine are very
potent and somewhat psychotropic. If you can find an older form that requires you to take a pill every day, you
may find that less invasive.
Unfortunately, at this time of year dengue is prevalent. There is no treatment, but usually the first time is not
life-threatening. For this reason, it will be important to constantly use mosquito repellant. To help control
mosquitos at night, cover yourself with a light sheet
Sun Screen & Hat: These are absolutely necessary. This is the tropics!
11) Luggage and Packing
You must severely restrict the amount of luggage you bring. One small suitcase and one bag or backpack is all
that can be accommodated. Suitcases will be tied onto the top of the van. Jeans and t-shirts, sturdy sneakers
and light sandals, a hat, underwear, and toiletries are really all you need. Be sure to bring any necessary
prescription and preventative medications, and notify the leader of any special concerns. Women’s sanitary
supplies should all be brought in, and an extra pair of prescription glasses as needed is useful. Consider how
you will manage your pottery purchases – an additional small bag that you can pack in your suitcase and carry
on the plane later is a fine idea. And a sweatshirt for sleeping; nights in the north can sometimes be chilly!
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Potters For Peace
November 2015 Work Brigade
General Information
12) Cameras and Photography
When visiting potters, please do not begin by taking pictures. The women we will be spending time with have
lots of experience with foreign visitors, but some can be uncomfortable having their picture taken. Be
respectful! Leave your camera until later in the visit, and keep the photo documentation to a minimum. You
will get better pictures after you have first made a friend!
Always ask before taking someone’s picture, and show them the picture afterward, they will love to see it. If
you promise to give someone a picture, you will have to get their address and mail it to them; returning photos
through PFP is a major hassle.
As with iPods, cellphones, or other personal technology, cameras can be targets for theft.
13) Purchasing Pottery
The clearest measure of respect and support for the potters is to purchase their work. The prices are VERY
reasonable, so our policy is that bargaining is strictly prohibited at the potteries. Our mission is to instill respect
for their work, and offering a lower price undermines their confidence.
The potters will generally wrap pieces up for you, and when you pack for departure you can use your clothing
to re-wrap the work. All larger, more valuable, or more fragile pieces should be carried onto the plane with you.
14) Donations
Donations of pottery tools and related items are appropriate, but other items such as clothes, etc. are not.
15) Exploring on your own/Leaving the hotel
It may be possible to explore the town at the end of the day, but always travel in groups. Please first inform the
leaders of where you are going, and strictly adhere to your stated time of return. Let the leaders know when
you get back. In general, in the evening we will all be tired from the day’s activities, but there may be
opportunities in the schedule for local socializing.
16) Smoking
While tobacco is a big export product of Nicaragua, very few people smoke in public, especially women. No
smoking is allowed in the van, at the pottery sites, or in the hotel rooms. When needed, small groups can take
a smoking break together during appropriate pauses in the schedule. Do not wander off alone to smoke a
cigarette; this is likely to attract unwelcome attention.
17) Speaking Spanish
The more Spanish you learn, the more you can communicate with the potters and other Nicaraguans that we
meet. Don’t be shy, try to talk to folks no matter how limited your Spanish may be. They will appreciate your
effort. Laugh and smile a lot. “Buenos” is the standard greeting for any time of day.
18) General
Our most important rule is: We are ALL responsible for everyone and everything! Watch each other’s backs!
If taking a taxi, negotiate the price before getting in. Do not use a taxi that already has other passengers.
The van/truck: help pack, lock doors, be aware of other’s possessions (so as not to break or leave anything
behind). Never leave items in the van or truck without someone watching it.
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Potters For Peace
November 2015 Work Brigade
General Information
19) Suggested Items to Bring For Work Trip
- Sturdy Shoes or boots
- Apron or clothes which will get dirty
- Work Gloves
- Linens
- pillow
- sheet
- thin blanket if you are susceptible to being cold at night
- towels for shower & potential beach visit
- Sunscreen
- Water Bottle – We will have bottled water on the van to fill individual water bottles
- Mosquito Repellant
- Personal-sized hand sanitizer
- Hat or head covering – it gets HOT
Hello and Goodbye
Hello
Greeting when passing on the
street but not stopping to talk
Good, thanks to God
Nice to meet you
Come in
Sit down
Have a good trip
Saludos y Despedidas
Buenas
Do it!
Goodbye
Dale
Adios
Va pues
Bien, gracias a Dios
Mucho gusto
Pase Adelante
Sientense
Que le vaya bien
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