ANTHONY KERRIGAN
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tively.
This was to be Nelson Mandala's ninth visit to Nicaragua. His mission
this time seemed to be to get to Bluefields and the Caribbean Coast, where
the English-speaking Blacks were "not quite sympathetic to the Revolution."
Nelson Mandala wished, apparently, to evangelize them for the Revolution in
the name of his name, ifnot that of his namesake, the other one, Nelson
Mandela. Did he know the difference? Was he knowledgeable in Sanskrit, or
in modish Oriental religions with their centerpiece mandalas? He was ex–
pected, he said, by the revolutionary authorities and would be met at the
airport.
"This entire continent will soon be afire with Revolution.
It
will spread
like prairie fire. The American Indian, North and South, will be in the fore–
front. My people ..."
We asked about the Indians of Nicaragua, especially the Misquitos, and
about Brooklyn Rivera.
"Brooklyn Rivera is a false Indian and an agent of the CIA. He and
others like him have misled the Indians of Nicaragua. They have made war
on the Revolution through misunderstanding. The Blacks of Bluefields are
also misled. I am confident that ..."
By the time we got to Belize, formerly British Honduras, we were
talking only to each other, my diva ("lover") and
I.
At Belize airport I was
surprised by the ubiquitous presence of British soldiers - it was 1986. Belize
Airport, as regards the people in sight, looked like Belfast Airport; only the
jungle around it belied the impression.
"British imperialists," said Mandala.
We said we knew all about that, from Ireland, even though my diva
("lover") was Jewish, and English at that.
Nelson Mandala had unpacked on the floor of the plane and was hang–
ing ever more chains, jeweled chains over his neck. One particularly large
egg-sized piece with attendant satellite stones of matching hues proved to be
ofcosmic ceremonial importance.
"Only the Chief puts this on, when the braves are going into battle."
Nelson, as we were invited to call him, seemed to grow smaller as he
heaped on more and more chains. He had an attache case-full. We discussed
their meanings.
A meal came aboard for all passengers at Belize: quite British, a lot of
sweets.
My diva ("lover") was discomfited by so many comfits and thought
them sickening. I relished them, most of them. I have a sweet tooth for sure.
''I'd rather some cold toast, lad. Even kippers. I don't fancy tinned
sweets on top of mangoes."
My companion's long legs seemed infinite on the narrow plane. She
made a face that made her look rather like a Jewish boxer behind her sun-
