Category: Travel Tips

Alert from U.S. Embassy in Managua, NI

From: STEP Notifications <STEP-Notifications@STATE.GOV>

Nicaragua Travel Advisory, Level 3: Reconsider Travel, July 6, 2018

Reconsider travel to Nicaragua due to crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare availability.

On July 6, 2018, the U.S. government ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel. The U.S. Embassy remains open to provide emergency services for U.S. citizens.

Heavily armed, government-controlled paramilitary forces in civilian clothing, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, operate in large parts of the country, including Managua. They are often in vehicles that don’t have license plates, and they may be escorted by uniformed police forces. These groups are attacking blockades, kidnapping and detaining individuals, taking over privately owned land, and committing other crimes.

Rallies and demonstrations are widespread and occur daily with little notice. Government-controlled forces have attacked peaceful demonstrators leading to significant numbers of deaths and injuries. Looting, vandalism, and acts of arson often occur during unrest, including in tourist areas. Government authorities detain protesters, and some people have disappeared. Human rights groups have documented credible claims of torture of detainees.

Road blocks, including in Managua and other major cities, may limit availability of food and fuel. Road blocks may also limit access to the Augusto C. Sandino International airport in Managua. Criminals are in charge of some of the road blocks.

Hospitals around the country are inundated with victims of violence and lack the capacity to respond to other emergencies. Other hospitals have denied treatment to people wounded in protests.

Violent crime, such as sexual assault and armed robbery, is common and has increased as security forces focus on the civil unrest. Police presence and emergency response are extremely limited.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is limited in the assistance it can provide. U.S. government personnel in Nicaragua must remain in their homes and avoid unnecessary travel between sundown and sunrise. In Managua, they must avoid Rotonda Metrocentro, Rotonda Universitaria, and the vicinity of universities, particularly UNAN.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using public buses and mototaxis and from entering the Oriental Market in Managua and gentlemen’s clubs throughout the country due to crime.

Additional restrictions on movements by US. government personnel may be put in place at any time, depending on local circumstances and security conditions, which can change suddenly.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

If you decide to travel to Nicaragua:

  • Consider arrangements to depart the country. There are no plans for a U.S. government-assisted evacuation.
  • Avoid demonstrations. Foreigners, including U.S.-Nicaraguan dual nationals, may risk arrest or expulsion if they participate in protests.
  • Restrict unnecessary travel.
  • Do not attempt to drive through crowds, barricades, or road blocks.
  • Maintain adequate supplies of food, cash, potable water, and fuel if sheltering in place.
  • Ensure your U.S. passport is valid and available for a quick departure from the country, if needed.
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
  • Keep a low profile.
  • Do not display signs of wealth such as expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program(STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
  • Review the Crime and Safety Report for Nicaragua.
  • U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Recipe for Gallo Pinto

One of the great pleasures of travel is to experience the taste a lot of different national dishes.  One of the favorites among our short-term missionaries is one of the national dishes of Nicaragua.  Variants of this dish are found all over Central America, but Nicaragua (and Costa Rica) claim to have originated the dish.  Almost every household has this dish everyday and many for every meal.  It can be the main dish or a side dish.  Enjoy!

A lot of people have asked for a recipe, so here is one.

Gallo Pinto Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups cooked white rice
2 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 –3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fresh cilantro (optional)
sliced or chopped green onions (optional)

Directions
Note that the beans and the rice should be cooked and ready before you start these steps.

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and sauté until it just begins to soften and turns color.
  3. Add garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until onion is golden.
  4. Add spices and Worcestershire, and stir into onion and garlic.
  5. Next, add the beans and then the rice.  Combine the rice and beans evenly and cook until mixture is heated through.
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.
  7. Garnish with some chopped cilantro or green onions as you like.

Travel Tip – Keep it simple, keep it safe, keep it close.

“That will be 6 Euro please”, said the
cashier at the food counter.  Bill reached for his wallet to retrieve the cash he had just received at the money exchange 30 minutes ago.  A short trolley ride later, Bill’s group was ready to experience some local cuisine.

 Unfortunately, Bill’s wallet was missing, along with his cash, credit cards, immigration papers and the address of the small, little know hotel in which he had registered.  Shocked at this discovery, Bill confessed his problem to his traveling companions who readily paid the food bill.  The immediate problem was solved, but Bill’s day, if not the entire trip, was ruined.

Thinking back on the trolley ride, Bill remembers the normal looking “local’s” that crowded around him on the packed trolley car.  He now recalls that as his attention was diverted by the historic buildings along the way, one of the “local’s” bumped into him, apologized in their own language and then exited the trolley car at the next stop.  A victim of a pickpocket’s skill, Bill wishes he had put his wallet in his front pants pocket as he had been instructed to do. 

Our mission teams almost never experience issues of security or safety.  We do our best to educate and train our teams on how to keep their stuff in their possession and control.  

The physical security and safety of our team is always a priority.  The mission leadership will take every precaution to assure the team’s physical security, for both person and property.  While you probably will not encounter any violent crime, petty theft is a real possibility.  Unsecured property will disappear in seconds.  Pickpockets routinely target foreigners, especially North Americans. Simple and common sense precautions will reduce the risk of your property being stolen.

Common Sense Pays Off
We ask our team members to  use common sense when traveling internationally. We typically travel in a group and we ask that you please stay with the group. Even in familiar airports we ask that you tell another team member if you leave the group to get a snack or go to the restroom.  There may be a few limited times that you will be free to walk around near the mission site.  We ask that you identify a partner to accompany you during these times.  Please do not go anywhere alone.  Never leave the mission site without coordinating with the mission leadership.  

Keeping Money, Documents and Valuables Secure
Hidden pockets or money belts are your key to peace of mind during travel.  Keep only a typical day’s spending money conveniently located in a pocket or backpack and put the remainder in your money belt.  You will only need to get into your money belt when you need to replenish your “pocket change”.  Your mission leadership will advise you on what to do with your important documents while at the mission site. Remember to make a copy of all important documents to keep in a separate location.

While at the mission site, living quarters, or host home be sure and utilize any locks that are provided.  If the door to your sleeping area and work area can be locked, lock them whenever the area is unoccupied.  It takes only seconds for someone to slip into your work area or living area and remove your belongings.

Pickpockets and Other Thieves
Pickpockets target travelers, especially in airports, on public transportation and in markets.  Thieves often team up (even children) and create a distraction such as causing the person behind you to bump into you or some other type of commotion.

Wallets, purses, backpacks and belt bags should be kept in front of you when in public places.  Wallets should be kept in the front pocket.  Cell phones, cameras and other valuables should be continuously secured.

Never leave your cell phone, camera or anything valuable lying around. Always keep valuables on your person or zipped up in your luggage safely out of sight.

On Planes and Trains
Always keep any slips of papers or claim tickets that you are given at an airport or on the train no matter how small or insignificant they appear.  It is best to keep them with your passport so that you can find them later.

Don’t Think It Can’t Happen to You

Travel Tip – Did I Leave the Iron On?

Travel Tip – Always arrange for someone who can check on your home while you are away.

Ever leave for an extended trip, or even a short one, and have that funny feeling that you’ve forgotten something?  I remember sitting on an airplane at 35,000 feet and realizing that I could not remember putting down the garage door.  As soon as I landed I called a friend who lived near our home.  Sure enough, I had not lowered the door.

On another occasion, our “automatic” pet watering bowl began to leak and a catastrophic flood and water bill were avoided because our friend caught it before a lot of damage was done.

A trusted friend who can check on things while you travel is invaluable.  Always make arrangements to have someone do the lawn, water the plants and generally check on things while you are away.

Travel Tip – Trip Insurance vs. Travel Insurance

There is sometimes some confusion about the type of insurance a traveler might need or want.  Essentially, there are two forms of insurance available to travelers and they are completely different from one another.  Both can be very valuable and are usually reasonably priced.
The questions is, “Which one do I need, if I need any at all?”

In this article, we will try to answer this and other questions about these important travel tools.

What is travel insurance?  You can think of this as  a temporary insurance policy that helps you in case of a medical emergency or illness while you are traveling (during the period covered by your policy.  The pricing usually begins at about $3.00 per day, per person and varies from one company to another.  Coverage also varies from one company to another, but generally you can buy coverage that applies to:
* Medical reimbursement
* Emergency medical evacuation
* Permanent total disability
* Personal property
* Accidental death and dismemberment
* Return of remains in case of death
* Medical assistance services
* Travel assistance services

Jody Kennedy International has had great experiences with Gallagher Charitable International Insurance Services.
We cover all our mission teams with travel insurance for the duration of the mission trip.  We recommend that you never leave the country without comprehensive travel insurance.

What is trip insurance?  Trip insurance, also called trip cancellation insurance, is not a medical policy or a policy that covers your property while you are traveling.  Instead, trip insurance is all about protecting you financially if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered cause.
For example, you have booked a flight for your family to a great vacation spot. Suddenly, your child becomes very ill and there is no way your family can travel for vacation while your child is sick.  If you had purchased trip insurance, you would be covered for the cost of your trip or the cost of rescheduling (airline fees, hotel cancellation fees, etc.).

Some of these companies also offer travel assistance if your trip is interrupted. Say your are making your way across Europe and there is a major storm or maybe a labor strike.  Your policy might cover the additional expenses involved in delayed travel, re-booking flights, lodging and even meals.

Although we have less experience with trip insurance, our travel insurance provider, Gallagher Charitable International Insurance Services, also offers trip insurance policies.  Trip insurance may or may not be of value to you.  You must evaluate the cost of your trip, your destinations and other factors, but you may want to buy trip insurance simply for peace of mind.

Always read the fine print.  Just like anything else, insurance policies vary greatly from one provider to another.  Be sure to read the entire insurance offering, including exclusions and limitations, to be sure you are getting the coverage that suits your needs.

Look for reputable insurance providers.  Sometimes the company that covers your house and cars may offer these policies.  If they do, they are a great resource for getting your questions answered.

We recommend that you always buy travel insurance whenever you leave the country, especially if you already have health issues or your are traveling somewhere with poor sanitation.  Trip insurance is optional but it might be a good addition to your travel plans and give you peace of mind.