Day 1

What a long and eventful day it has been!

We had breakfast at Logan Airport over 18 hours ago and have since arrived safely and soundly in Nicaragua with several adventures already under our belts. We ran through the streets of Granada in a torrential downpour to get to a bank for currency exchange only to watch the bank close while most of us were still inside in a long line.  To meet a deadline for a group Spanish lesson, group leaders enlisted the help of a local man who helped with an informal exchange on the bank's street corner, literally flipping through tens of thousands of cordobas and hundreds of US from his pockets to accommodate us.

At the Spanish lesson, we were grouped based on fluency and had over an hour of immersion conversation with several different instructors, cute dogs scampering at our ankles.

Our first dinner together was a true feast at Grill House in Granada. We met Pauline, the president of  the non profit organization La Esperanza Granada which has helped open doors for Amped in this region.  She explained more clearly how and why our project over the next 5 days is tremendously appreciated by the community. We finally felt the relaxation of meal time conversation, all of us sitting at a long table together to have a first experience with local food. Still undecided about the fried cheese.

A short walk back to the hostel and everyone is unwinding.  Some are swimming, some are reading, or sleeping.  Every day we will have a new traveler contribute to the blog during down time. Here is Rowan with some initial thoughts:

When we first got to Nicaragua, it reminded me a lot of Costa Rica because of the random animals on the side of the road, such as horses, dogs and chickens. The brightly colored houses, but most of all the happy faces of the Nicaraguans just sitting on the side of the road. It was truly humbling to see the people here, how unfortunate they are but yet so happy. I find it incredible to be able to experience seeing how they live their lives, and comparing it to my life in Massachusetts. I hope when I come back from Nicaragua I will be able to fully appreciate everything I have. :)

-Rowan 

First day of work and possible zip line excursion tomorrow. Time for some rest.  Finally!

Packing the bus to go to the hostel. 

Driving through Managua and seeing the culture up close for the first time.

Our hostel, Oasis, in Granada. 

Ground rules. 

Jeff at the head of the table. 

Serenade. 

Lots of food. 

Swim and relax in rainwater pool.