My diary - April 22-24, 1973
April 22, 1973 Sun.
Dear Smiley:
We went to church today. On the way back we stopped at Sandy’s and got hamburger & shakes. 1st Day of Opening. Pretty good. Read through fashion mag. that Mrs. Trost gave us. Went outside. Took a shower. Today is Easter though it doesn't seem like it. Had ham for supper. Went outside. The guys told David that Beck & I have good figure. Chocho.
BYE!!!
Note: “Chocho” in Nicaragua is a very common informal exclamation used to express amazement, shock, surprise or disbelief. It is similar to saying “Wow!” or “Holy Cow!” However, do not use this word in Spain or the Caribbean as it has bad connotations.
Sandy’s was our first fast food restaurant. At that time there were no McDonalds or Burger King. We were all excited about it.
April 23, 1973 Mon.
Dear Smiley:
I was supposed to go to the dentist but Dr. Barrios isn’t back. SCHOOL PWEK! P.E. is gross. Mr. Sanchez didn’t come today. Went outside after school ate supper & went out again.
BYE!!
Note: I was planning on getting out of school to go to the dentist but it didn’t work out so I wasn’t happy to be there.
April 24, 1973 Tues.
Dear Smiley:
Got up late. Had a open book history test today. Worked in the fresco stand today. Mr. Sanchez came!!! Went outside. I wore shorts to school. Ate. Went out for awhile. Read on “A Civil Contract.”
BYE!!!
Note: It was a big deal to wear shorts to school. A few years earlier, the principal, Mrs. Rothschuh, made you kneel if she thought your dress was too short. If the dress didn’t touch the ground, she sent you home.
April 22, 1973 Sun. (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop,
Today I had fun, - but was it hot! After church went to Sandy’s. The food’s good but expensive. You know, I’ve got to tell Burton to pay me back. Oh on Tuesday I go to the marine’s house. Sue’s getting her tooth capped. Joey insulted her one day and now immediately she needs (and really I can see her point) another one capped.
Two things I did wrong. 1, I showed my room to two little kids. Is shouldn’t have. 2. I dropped the key to our house in the toilet. I got it out just in time. What if I had lost it?
We were bothering Joe outside today. We even (I) rang the doorbell and called for Carmen. Eduardo got so mad. It gets me mad.
NOTE: Dropping a key down the toilet sounds like ‘no bueno’! Not sure what made the day so fun. Perhaps it was the lunch at Sandy’s which I believe was a fast food hamburger joint. It pleases me to read that I was sympathetic to Sue’s tooth ordeals.
April 23, 1973 (David’s Diary)
Dear Snoop, Mon.
Today I had a regular time. Boy did I have homework. Steve bothers and gets me mad at times. I didn’t go out until about 7:00; since I was doing homework. Doris came over to get comics. Boy when she saw my room. I told her to keep out. Tavi and I were talking about sex and stuff. (Edited entry out but basically I was sharing factual information)
I’m glad I don’t steal. Dad found out about the kids stealing. Tomorrow I’ll get it back. Some little kids go Dad’s but they keep putting the blame on another.
NOTE: I’m not sure who was stealing what but it looks like I was not involved.
Sue here, I wonder if it was stealing your candy?
Even though our years in Managua were not the same - there were overlaps. Dr. Barrios was our dentist after Dr. Stataghen (sp?). Dr. Barrios was nice but unlike Dr. Stataghen he did not have live birds behind the glass for us to watch while he worked on our teeth. Think Dr. Barrios' daughter was very politically involved - wish I could remember some specifics...
Of course, Ms. Rothschuh was a force to be rekoned with... what does not kill us only makes us stronger, at least that is what they say - ha, ha... Thanks Susie for taking us back to our Managua days - they should not be forgotten! Always enjoy reading the Susie and David diaries. Tootsie
I guess this is directed at Dave... did you go to the Marine's home with Boy Scouts? Were they trying to recruit you??
You guys playing in the sand remind me of this little diddy by Robert Louis Stevenson:
When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.
I've still got my old copy of "A Child's Garden of Verses" by RLS. What a classic.
BTW, where was that photo taken?
Enjoyed reading. Sweet picture of you both !
I notice in today’s post something that appears in your blog every single week: “ went outside.” You and David both always mention this, often more than once; it’s what we all did. Whether a school day, a weekend or a holiday, it’s was part of life—except, of course, here, not in the dead of winter unless there was the added allure of snow. We grew up in the age of neighborhoods and were, in retrospect, rather lucky to have had that experience. I especially remember long summer evenings when we were out until dusk, always my favorite time.