El Dia de la Revolucion

July 19th is a very special day in Nicaraguan history. It marks the day 33 years ago when Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Natcional (FSLN) rebels marched into Managua with the support of thousands of civilians and claimed victory over an oppressive and brutal dictatorship that lasted over 40 years. The Somozas, they were called, improsoned and killed thousands of citizens who spoke out over that span, and all of this was completely backed by the United States government (whoops). The citizens turned rebellious and eventually caused Somoza to flee the country and eventually was assassinated in Paraguay. The day is very special for all Nicas, not just to those who are Sandinistas, of which the FSLN is named after. So how do they celebrate it?

You get to dress up as your favorite revolutionary! I was given a Che shirt and a red hat with "FSLN" written on it in black (red and black are the party's colors). Many wore red and black bandanas on their heads and brought the family Sandinista flag. Everyone then piles into hot buses for the two hour, two mile bus ride to the Plaza de Fe (Plaza of Faith). Kids pile on top of the buses and hold on for dear life while simultaneously dodging trees and bridges that pass overhead. The trip to the Plaza might have been equally as fun as the Plaza itself. There was music and fireworks going off from makeshift mortar launchers (which is almost a trade in itself here). The streets were packed with people decked out in red and black, singing patriotic songs and dancing. Once we got off the bus, it took another 45 minutes to get to the Plaza due to massive crowds (estimated at around 600,000 people this year).

Waiting for Ortega to speak was incredible. The Plaza was filled with banners and flags. Giant speakers blasted music and people shot off more fireworks. You heard a lot of "Viva Sandino!" and "La Lucha Sigue!" (the fight continues). An official fireworks show then started with more revolution and patriotic songs and that's where the goosebumps set in. They were quickly gone once Ortega started speaking. The dude's not the best orator and in fact people started to leave when he spoke. Almost everyone here is a "Sandinista" cause of the revolution, but not everyone is a "Danielista" the party's leader and President. We then left and some of the drunk locals on the bus ride back started sing love songs. Most were Spanish songs I'd never heard of, but they did know "Un-break My Heart" of which I certainly participated in singing.

The whole experience was amazing. To say they're proud that they toppled a dictatorship is a drastic understatement. Regardless of politics, it's definitely something I think everyone should see. And for the record, I felt zero hostility against me for being an American (Dad). Everyone I've here is very nice and welcoming. One guy I was talking to in the Plaza escaped his town during the Contra War, the civil war that followed the revolution (also backed by the US again, whoops), when he was a baby. His mom carried him in a wheelbarrow while his town was being bombed. I told him I was an American and after a few jokes he said not to worry and that it was all in the past. 

Viva Nicaragua Libre!