Neighbors

My life currently fronts on a quiet dirt road, away from the main street running through town. There’s occasional cars, more frequent motorcycles and almost always someone bicycling.

We have a huge gate for security and always a guard to open it (although sometimes they’re far away, so you have to knock on the big metal panels really loud). If you ask any taxi in the larger nearby town of Rivas to take you to the NPH offices in San Jorge, almost all of them know exactly where it is (and it will cost about $1 to take you there).

The gate has become a place for frequent gatherings for the guys here when they’re not working and the neighborhood kids. In the evening whenever I walk anywhere there are lots of people lounging in their doorways or out in front of their house trying to take advantage of whatever breeze there may be.

I instinctually say ‘hola’ when I pass people I know, but slowly I’m getting used to what they all say to each other even though it feels counterintuitive - ‘adios’.

I always question whether or not to greet people I don't know. It feels rude to me not to, especially in a smaller town like San Jorge. But I know (especially if I'm alone) it will bring me more attention than I want from guys and sometimes the women look really uncomfortable saying anything back. Don't worry, I'll continue over-analyzing this for a long time.

Adios!