life on the grid

12/03/27

Everywhere in Nicaragua, to find a location, there is no exact address. No street number. The streets have names but no one knows them. Directions are given by landmarks: 2 blocks west of the church. 1 1/2 blocks east of the park. And it works well. I give those directions and people are able to direct me. Here in Esteli, it is different. Streets are clearly marked. Avenues are perpendicularto streets. Everything starts at the central park and progresses accordingly. And directions follow suit: 2nd street noirthwest and 3rd avenue south west. Seems somehow logical. And yet, people join me in the absence of an internal map. They too have no sense of direction. I get to a corner and ask, do I go left or straight here and I get directed to ask somewhere else. Finally at the cultural centre, they call the school for me. Someone will come and get me. Just tell me which way to go. No, sit and wait. Someone is coming.