Puppies for Sale!

On our many ventures out on the streets in Nicaragua we come in contact with some interesting ways make an income. So we decided to have a poll on our blog about what things actually generate an income for Nicaraguans. We gave 5 options, one which is not a business and four that are actual ways to bring home the bacon. Below are the actual results...you might be surprised.

Contrary to what seems obvious…the 9 people who voted that puppies were the least likely to be sold here in Nicaragua check out the following picture! (I know, we were surprise too.) Dogs roam free all over the place here, eating out of garbage and whatever else they can get their noses into. Most dogs are fairly timid, but are also quite skinny. However, there are also good uses for dogs here in nicaragua if taken proper care of - a pet for your kids or a guard for your property...

This particular business brings the puppies out during the day and displays them just a few feet from the road for passerbyers to pull over and purchase their very own pet. The varieties range from cocker spaniels to black labs to terriers. A two month old terrier was going for $500. We didn’t ask if there were any shots or papers, but that would be something worth asking for if you were interested in purchasing one of those cute puppies.

The next item that was voted for with 6 votes was the oven mitts…and those voters were correct…no oven mitts on the streets, from what we could find. I guess there is no need for oven mitts in a hot country…

As those who went on the first mission team from Faith Church in 2006 would know there are definitely cashews sold on the streets. (It was Dave Kloet who had a cashew man running down the street as the bus had to continue through the intersection!) The salespeople usually frequent the same corners, so we knew exactly where to snap a picture of them. This young man was much obliged to pose for this shot. Cashews go from 20 cords ($1) for the small bags to 500 cords ($25) for the large bags and we often see drivers and their passengers purchasing these nutty treats.

So, you have $50 in American bills. BUT, in order to purchase those cashews you need to have cordobas on you. What do you do?? You head over to the streetside money changer. Weighed down with coins and wads of bills these money changers are on the street during the daytime hours eager to change your USD into Cordobas. Usually in pairs, sometimes with a guard, these guys are more than willing to flash around their crispy bills. And their exchange rate comparable if not better than that given by the banks.

Unfortunately, one picture we don’t have, but these people are very real, are the helpful men who will guard your parked vehicle while you are shopping, in church or grabbing a bite to eat. This is a very practical business and these guys usually have their “own” street that they offer to guard vehicles on. We have heard of stories where vehicles have not been guarded and definitely broken into, so we always opt on the side of caution and offer these entrepreneurs a job. We are thankful for their roles around here.

Now, here are some more street businesses that we didn’t have listed in the poll:

Selling water (and other drinks) in plastic bags for a nice cold, quick refreshment to drivers.

Fruits and vegetable vendors (this is usually where we purchase our greens).

Anyone want duck for dinner tonight?

Dirty windshield? A little bit of soapy water and a squeegy and this man will have it cleaned for you before the light turns green.

Steering wheels, sunglasses, school supplies, newspapers, cell phone chargers, lottery tickets, Eskimo ice cream, candy, the list of products sold on the street could go on!

We find ourselves becoming acustom to the street vendors, appreciating the convience of some of their services, although we hope that one day the economic situation in Nicaragua will improve creating more stable and secure forms of income.