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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

La Chureca Landfill

It's been a while since I first set foot on that landfill. One of the largest landfills in Nicaragua. The moment I entered, my world was transformed and awareness never left my side again. It was on that day that I witnessed true abandonment, despair and poverty inconceivable to many.A vivid canvas of humans, animals and trash became engraved into my heart where despite living under deplorable circumstances, the human spirit still remained. And if you ever doubt there is a hell, La Chureca could serve as a model: the stentch of putrefaction, hills of trash towering to the sky, burning trash and human consumed decomposed fodder.

It is now Christmas and I only wish for the despair of these people to end someday and for the world to become more frugal and conscious of the fragility of life. Value each day as if it was your last and keep the less fortunate in mind.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

The road of life

There are times when you choose the road; other times when the road chooses you. But whatever road you choose, drive it well my friends! ©Ileana Gutierrez

Friday, August 13, 2010

My Memoir

In response to my work in progress, my memoir is in its final stages. It all began when after twenty-one years, I returned to my native country of Nicaragua, only to discover a new world, far from the one that had settled deep into my memories. A distant but palpable paradise, where as a child in that heaven, I enjoyed a world most people only dream of: endless days of riding horses through forests of warm rain…adventures on moonlit nights to the sound of distant jaguar cries. The forest was heaven and home, until one day that childhood ended. In in my new life I would witness one execution after another, pass corpses displayed in the streets, and watch as day-by-day, the paradise I had known and loved became shattered, first by the evils of war and currently by the plague of deforestation.

Monday, August 9, 2010

A Pedal Away

Great news my friends. My short story "A Pedal Away," has been published. After returning to my homeland Nicaragua twenty-one years after exile, I met a special boy. At that time the boy was one of the many homeless children that lived in one of the largest landfills, La Chureca. The day I entered the landfill of eternal despair, my life changed and I made a promise. "Tourists come and go, take my pictures and say they will tell the world about me, but I know they don't," the boy said while telling me his story. My throat knotted at the impotency of sitting next to him and not being able to relieve his hunger, fear and overall sense of abandonment. It was then that I made a promise. " I will write your story for the world to know," I said to the boy not knowing if I would be able to keep it--the publishing part that is. Now my story is out in Spain and I will soon receive my copy to share with all of you. A life well-lived is one where our hearts reach out to others without expecting a return.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Summer Travel

We decided to travel last minute again and took off to an unforgettable road trip. Southern and Northern California still reign the tourism world. Great places to visit include the Redwoods National forest where nature trails ensure mental and physical fitness. Agate Beach, where looking for agates becomes an instant obsession. San Francisco, its elegant bridges, the delectable foods...clam chowder in a bun! Big Sur, Cambria,San Simeon, Monterey, Morro Bay...all small but charming coastal towns. Have fun this summer, stay safe with whatever you do!

Where ever you go, just remember, it's not the vacation that make the memories, it is rather the memories you create that make the vacation.

We made it a rule to keep the vacation simple, lots of nature trails, walks on the beach, sunset chasing,a lot of quality family time full of play and nature discovery...it was the best because at the end, all we remembered the most were the simplest of all times.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

“A child is a child from birth ‘til the law says otherwise. Care enough for them as
you would your own and they’ll eventually blossom.” ©Ileana Gutierrez

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

An eternal dream called life!

What is life, if not a living dream? An eternal dream that peaks at dusk and transforms in the eve of a midnight reflection.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The beauty of the world!

The beauty of the world never fails to amuse me. Growing up in the luxury of the rain forests and the fertility of the cloud forests, truly spoiled my senses as a child....but now as an adult traveler, a much better appreciator of our world — and overall life, I realize that every inch of the natural world has its own wonders—beautiful, intriguing, awe-inspiring marvels!

This picture was taken at the lower Antelope Canyon, Navajo nation!

An insight on my writing

Many have asked why do I write what I write? My response has been that it is because of my appreciation and respect for LIFE. However, I will elaborate further as to why my writing tends to be very selective. I grew up in the beautiful embrace of the rain forests of Nicaragua. Some say I was fortunate; others know the truth—that it was heaven until it became hell. As a child in that heaven, I enjoyed a world most people only dream of: endless days of riding horses through forests of warm rain…adventures on moonlit nights to the sound of distant jaguar cries. The forest was heaven and home, and then one day that childhood ended. In my new life I would witness one execution after another, pass corpses displayed in the streets, and watch as, day-by-day, the paradise I had known and loved was shattered.

Being that I got a second chance in life as it was my destiny, I became a writer first for therapy and then for passion. Although there are many things I could write about, I have chosen to write about life and for life. My writing is dedicated to preserving our natural resources, particularly the rain forests of the world, describing life the way it truly is: beautiful but fragile, and for war victims, women and orphans leaving in the landfills who are often mis-understood and forgotten.

After being close to death several times as a child, and after losing many of my loved ones, I have concluded that every second that we are alive is priceless. Every life is worth a thought, a memory and a praise. No one's life is meaningless, it is all about the choices we make.

Courage

Tonight, I agree with author Maya Angelou in that "there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

I have concluded that other than breathing, courage is a must. Just the act of "acting, as if pretending" to be courageous takes COURAGE. Life is all about trials and tribulations and every second that passes by is a decision that involves the courage to make a good choice, courage to go on and not dwell into despair and the courage to love and care for others without expecting a return.
We all have courage for if we didn't, we would be extinct. Courage is the act of rising to a new day and facing the world with a smile and a courteous hello. It is one of the reasons we are still alive. Courage is what drives us to get back on our feet and continue walking.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Traveling to Nicaragua

Traveling to Nicaragua requires careful thought, particularly for those who don't have relatives living there. As one of the poorest countries in the Americas, second to Haiti, Nicaragua's accommodations could be challenging. However, the experience of a beautiful land adorned by volcanoes, oceans, forests and overall the true essence of the human spirit, make this journey an unforgettable one.

Here is a list of some places and things to do that I would recommend:

1. Go on Eco Tours to the rain forests or my home cloud forests (Northern Highlands.) City of Jinotega and Matagalpa: Selva Negra is a great retreat!

2. Visit Masaya in the town of Granada: the colonial town, churches, arts.

3. Visit El Tepeyac in San Rafael Del Norte, a town founded by Father Odorico D'Andrea

4. Relax at the beach in Montelimar, La Boquita, Poneloya, Corn Islands-Caribbean Coast, San Juan Del Sur

5. A good hotel to stay in Managua: Hotel Intercontinental or any with at least 4 stars (they have shuttles and offer touristic tours.)

6. City of Leon-home to the great poet Ruben Dario

7. The best thing of all: Spend time with the highly spiritual people and if you need a detachment from the material world and a better appreciation of your life, visit the Chureca landfill (not alone as it could be dangerous.) It is a life-changing panorama: children surviving from trash. However, such settings, can be observed all throughout the country.

Nicaragua is a land rich in natural resources but not for long as illegal deforestation is still going on. The spirit of my people: the type that never fails to inspire is what holds the highest value.

Farewell my friends. If you are planning to visit or have comments/questions, drop me an e-mail or blog :-)

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Blogging to prevent further logging!

As many of you are aware, I feel a deep desperation at the thought of any rain forest facing extinction. Every second that passes, logging trucks are being loaded up with precious woods that take years and years to grow, all due to supply and demand!

My home town is a vivid example of the effects of global warming due to deforestation. At times, I wonder if it was all just a dream: the mist, the ever green mountains, the exotic wildlife, the crystalline waters, the dazzling flowers all around.............the fresh and clean air my lungs now crave so bad.

It is easy to take the basic things in life for granted, when we have them, but when they are gone, the emptiness becomes unbearable.

Please help stop global warming by supporting ecological agencies, not just monetarily, but through written and verbal messages to companies that depend on precious resources. RAN and Save the Rain forests are a few that are very active. Becoming an educated consumer is not only friendly to the environment but to your pocket as well. Don't purchase precious wood furniture. Don't replace a beautiful and life giving tree for useless and lifeless home decor.


Thank you all for your continued support!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The act of love.....

The act of love...........

My grandfather who died of old age, prayed daily to the lord for him to take his soul, before my grandma's. His wish came true. And all grandma kept for the rest of her life—and took with her when her time came, was my grandpa's endearing act of love. These were some of my grandfather's ways of loving:

1. Think before you speak. In the case of love, words could hurt more than sticks and stones.
2. Let go of the routine, at least for one day. Rub that special someone’s aching feet and have a day just for the wonders.
3.Detach from self and immerse into your significant other’s world (acknowledge their aspirations, dreams and passions,)and you’ll see, it might very well turn out to be, an awesome adventure!
4. Don’t forget the EARTH too, needs love. Pick up trash or at least don’t litter. Recycle! It’s good for the economy and extraordinary for OUR environment.
5. Take this positive attitude with you all year long, and your life might turn into a forever act of love, the type that withstands even the inevitable passage of time.

Now, don’t be shy and don’t hold back, how do you show your love to others?(Others including society and the environment.)

Friday, January 29, 2010

The courage to tell a story!

My life and that of my family have been guided by courage and perhaps a destiny to tell a story. I must now shower with courage in an effort to tell an untold story. The type that burns within but refuses to come out. I know the courage will come, for only then will I be able to smile and say "I did it." I did what I could to help save whatever is left of our precious rain forests. Only then, would I have kept the promise I made to a starving child, who lived under less than human conditions in one of the biggest landfills of my native country of Nicaragua. "Every one tells me they're going to help, but all I really want is for people to know that I exist."

With this blog, I take the first step of courage and begin to walk without turning back towards a world unknown to many but dearly engraved within my soul.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Why do I write?

Many have asked why do I write what I write? My response has been that it is because of my appreciation and respect for LIFE. However, I will elaborate further as to why my writing tends to be very selective. I grew up in the beautiful embrace of the rain forests of Nicaragua. Some say I was fortunate; others know the truth—that it was heaven until it became hell. As a child in that heaven, I enjoyed a world most people only dream of: endless days of riding horses through forests of warm rain…adventures on moonlit nights to the sound of distant jaguar cries. The forest was heaven and home, and then one day that childhood ended. In my new life I would witness one execution after another, pass corpses displayed in the streets, and watch as, day-by-day, the paradise I had known and loved was shattered.

Being that I got a second chance in life as it was my destiny, I became a writer first for therapy and then for passion. Although there are many things I could write about, I have chosen to write about life and for life. My writing is dedicated to preserving our natural resources, particularly the rain forests of the world, describing life the way it truly is: beautiful but fragile, and for war victims, women and orphans leaving in the landfills who are often mis-understood and forgotten.

After being close to death several times as a child, and after losing many of my loved ones, I have concluded that every second that we are alive is priceless. Every life is worth a thought, a memory and a praise. No one's life is meaningless, it is all about the choices we make.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Avatar Depression: Where is the true Pandora located?

According to CNN, some people might be experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing Avatar. They claim to love the world of Pandora and want to stay there!

We must realize that the real Pandora is in our own world, located in the vast, but rapidly vanishing RAIN FORESTS!

I was blessed to grow up with the enchanting surroundings of the rain forest, located in my father's lands in Nicaragua. I was forced to leave it as one day my paradise became shattered, but while I was there, I took the time to notice it. I then made it my goal to never forget or to let the world forget that our true Pandora is the reason we need to recycle and go GREEN. However, many wonderful people who have traveled to my homeland have seen more than the beauty of the rain forest, they have experienced a life-changing and rude awakening: children living in landfills such as "La Chureca," are currently eating decomposed foods and live under unimaginable conditions were also just a few kilometers away due to necessity or just greed, deforestation without reforestation is taking place.

Perhaps, James Cameron did a great job in creating this masterpiece. If this is what it takes for people to look at their surroundings and GO GREEN, then let it be.

Depression is a commodity that needy people all around the world do not have, simply because they are too busy striving to stay alive. They do not have the luxury to lament. The best cure for depression is to get involved by helping our Earth, our rain forests and humanity as a whole! Only then will we attain the satisfaction that we are in this world for a reason, a destiny worth every single heart beat.

PANDORA EXISTS! Its true name is "THE RAIN FORESTS!" You could live there if you want to or you could visit it. There, you will see neon fireflies, exotic fauna, flora, waterfalls and trees as old or older than one hundred years.

Haiti

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas, second to Haiti. These two countries share an unfortunate fate of poverty and now earthquake tragedies. Nicaragua's 1972 earthquake, along with war, greed and corruption left the country devastated and with a heart-shattering calamity. For instance, how can we explain innocent children living in landfills like "La Chureca?" It is my honest belief that as one family that share Mother Earth, we must help each other overcome the perils of misfortune. A single gesture of affection, care and solidarity goes a long way in countries that at times, seem to be forgotten by the rest of the world. As we can see, nothing remains the same, for today we might be on top of the tallest peak and tomorrow we might find ourselves in the abyss of the sea.

Friday, January 1, 2010

What is happiness?

Happiness is transient and is dependent on our personal aspirations and values. Our pursuit for happiness never ends as we might find ourselves switching from happiness to unhappiness from one moment to the next. Based on my personal experience, overall happiness could be stored into our good memories, by trapping every moment of bliss, however small that moment might be.

Happiness like love, must be nourished and protected. We are the sole owners of our happiness and only we can change the things that make us happy or unhappy. Our happiness should be based on our very own feelings—our ability to love and aspirations—our ability to dream without dead ends. As an advocate for war survivors and a survivor myself, I have concluded that in this world, there is much more to laugh than to cry about. Every day we are alive is a reason to smile, every heart beat that takes us closer to the 3 billion heart beats in a lifetime is a reason to feel blessed, and every hug, kind word and kiss we receive from our loved ones is a reason to feel lucky and endlessly happy. Our true happiness depends on us and lies inside our own human spirit. We only need to search inside our souls and if we can’t find it, we need to just look around, particularly at the less fortunate throughout the world and realize that if they are capable of smiling, then so can we.

Overall, true happiness lies in the essence of a positive human spirit. To me there are two kinds of happiness: 1) the type provided by material gains and 2) the type provided by spiritual, emotional and overall self-actualization gains. Both are needed to some extent. Therefore, the key to happiness is simplicity. The simpler the life style and the goals we set for ourselves, the more likely we are to accomplish our goals, and as a result we’ll feel happier with ourselves and our surroundings. This is not to say that we should have a mediocre mentality in order to achieve happiness, in the contrary, we are free to dream and achieve anything we want, just as long as we keep reality alongside.