Day 8

Days at the beach house are long. Lots of time spent in the water, on the sand. Dinners are a community event with everybody pitching in with cooking or clean up. When the sun goes down, there are a variety of games to play in the house or by the pool. 

We had several animal visitors at the beach house. This seems to be a squirrel?

Passing time when not at the beach. 

Sunset views from the deck. 

Day 7

(The wifi at the house is spotty so blogs for the next 3 nights might come out at random times.)

After leaving the hostel, we went to Apoyo Lagoon for the day which is kind of a hotel resort on a volcanic lake. The water is mineral-rich and unusually warm due to thermal activity deep under ground. We enjoyed bocce, ping pong, pool, smoothies, kayaking, and lunch before we left for the pacific coast. 

When we reached Bahia Gigante, we all made a beach trip at sunset and took in a different part of this beautiful country. A community effort for a great dinner and clean up, then it was time for bed (in air conditioning!)

Here is Michael with some reflection:

"Leaving is always the hardest part. But leaving knowing that you have accomplished something, and that it will go to good use makes it better. A part that surprised me was noticing how happy the people of Pantanal where with what they had, and how thankful they were for what they have. We played with some of the kids who had a flat soccer ball but seemed to have a blast. I feel that sometimes we aren't thankful for what we have, and that we always want more. But leaving this trip I think I will definitely be thinking about being thankful for what I have.  I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this trip will benefit and maybe change the way we think and do things. Before we left, last night we had a big group discussion about the trip and one of the main topics was our comfort zones and that you can't accomplish something with out going outside your comfort zone. And all of us at least once had to go outside our comfort zone to get the job done. You will always miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I think we can all agree that working and helping build this learning center was TOTALY worth it. We might not see it finished but at least we know that it will create more opportunities for the kids in Pantanal. Even the little things can make a difference. And you can do anything you set your mind too."

Ready to leave the hostel.

Beach view at Apoyo Lagoon!

Ben and I got cevice.

Everyone in for a sunset swim once we got to the beach house. 

Gaming!

Day 6

Today was our last day in Pantanal and we worked to make the best of it.  Putting up walls takes a coordinated effort of cement mixing, dirt sifting, and block lifting.  By lunch time we had made noticeable progress but we only had a limited amount of time scheduled in the afternoon to work.  We did our best and are proud of the result.  We wish we had more time!

After lunch, we split into two groups and had the option of a zip line trip or a chocolate factory tour.  Then we had a pizza dinner out, our last in Granada.

Here is Angela with some perspective:

I never thought that having air conditioning was a privilege. Or that I was lucky my parents salary was over three dollars a day. Back in the states we take things that are "normal" for granted and this trip has helped me to see how truly lucky I am to be born in the place I was. On the other hand I've seen things that I wish we could carry back home. For instance I observed two kids kicking a soda bottle around having more fun than I thought was humanly possible. When we hear of countries like this we immediately pity the inhabitants and wish we could completely turn their lives around. Instead, we should empower the people and learn how to improve their weaknesses, but also incorporate their strengths. As I begin to wrap up my stay in this beautiful country I will continue to try and attempt to see how my privileges have "changed" my life compared to a native inhabitant of Nicaragua.

And here is a reflection from Brandyn:

After six days in this developing country, it's a big thing to comprehend when you think of what your privilege is compared to what these people do. It is very different to see kids hanging on electrical wires as a hobby and then being so fascinated by something as simple as a frisbee. In America, you see people always on technology or in front of a screen. My perspective on how to look at the world has definitely been altered by interacting with and seeing the activities of the people in Nicaragua and I appreciate the opportunity of being in this country for this time. As I head to the next day of the trip, I keep the ideas in my head on what I have encountered and what I am here to learn.

Mixing cement is physically taxing.

Raili and Jill putting up a wall.

Jasmyne and Mike helping to sift dirt for cement.

Walls going up.

Last lunch at Ramona's! She was incredible for us all week.

It's getting there.  After our classroom time with Niçaraguan students yesterday we saw how necessary walls are for the learning center.  They will help to block out noise and distraction and give a more permanent feel.  

Group shot with the contractors that worked with us!

Getting ready for zip lining.

One of the zip line guides captured this giant cicada before we started the tour. He put it in his pocket and it was buzzing loudly throughout!

Wonder Woman!

Scotty upside down!

Zip Liners!

Last supper redux.  Da Vinci would be proud.

Aftermath.

Day 5

Today we had the opportunity to work closely with the Niçaraguan students in the learning center.  In small groups students introduced themselves to each other and asked simple questions as a way to practice Spanish or English.  Then, each student was reintroduced to the larger group by their counterpart before working on other Spanish or English practice sheets in small groups.  It felt good to put in a different kind of work to make an impact at the learning center.  There were a lot of eye opening moments. 

After lunch we had to pause our work effort due to some unforeseen foundation and construction issues with the learning center.  The contractors continued to work hard but the level of work was too skilled for volunteers to assist with and must be completed before the next steps in the process.  We are expecting to be on track tomorrow.

We spoke after dinner last night about some of the socio economic demographics of Niçaragua, what they mean in context of what we've been seeing and in relation to our own lives.  We learned that 76% of the population in Niçaragua lives on less than $2 a day.  In recognition of that many travelers had that in the forefront of their brains today as we challenged ourselves to make choices that would coincide with living on $3 a day.  There are no pictures for this post because my phone/camera stayed put away for the day for that reason.  We found that it is extremely difficult to live on so little but also that the way that our trip is designed makes it difficult to participate fully.  Many agreed that if we were to do a social experiment like this again, we would need more rigid limitations up front and a clearer desired outcome. Nonetheless, a level of awareness was reached that will hopefully stick around for a while.

Sarah and others did take pictures from today, so don't worry.  

Tomorrow is our last day going to the learning center!

Day 4

Today we successfully dodged rain to pack the day full of enlightening cultural excursions! In the morning we mixed our group with Niçaraguan students on a boat tour of Lake Niçaragua's famously beautiful islands, or Las Isletas. We had a swim and lunch on one of the islands! After lunch, we visited Coyotepe political prison and toured the underground levels with a famous tour guide while thunder crashed.  Then we hiked Masaya volcano which had an active episode just 3 years ago.  Our guide and friend Geno led the way and gave us invaluable context from a native Niçaraguan's perspective.  Finally, we hit the tourist market and practice speaking Spanish while buying souvenirs. 

Here is Eliza with a mental snapshot from our tour of Coyotepe:

"Being in a pitch black cell of the political prison, that our tour guide explained to us was used for psychological torture, was both terrifying and eye opening. It was completely dark for maybe a minute total and in that time I had already begun to become anxious and extremely uncomfortable. Realizing that prisoners had actually suffered through that torture and for so much longer than just a minute was disturbing. It's difficult to comprehend that anyone was able to survive for any amount of time in that cell." 

Waiting for the bus in the morning. 

Dividing into boats for the tour.

Scotty and Brandyn with the feels.

There are monkeys that live on a small island that are friendly and will eat out of your hand. A little too friendly for Nicaraguan student Ana!

Swimming. 

Boating. 

Great vantages from Coyotepe prison. 

Ben peers as the thunderstorm clears.

The first level of Coyotepe. This level was used primarily for holding prisoners before torture. 

Our guide, Rene, demonstrating the torture technique of this particular cell. Visible blood stains on the wall.

Geno educating us on the history of Masaya volcano and those who believed it was a gateway to Hell. 

A view between craters. 

Day 3

Guest blogger Ben:

Hey folks. Here's our 3rd entry into our steamy Niçaragua trip. We woke up around 8 to a delicious breakfast of bananas, pancakes, and  syrup, which we devoured in a matter of seconds. After washing down breakfast with a mug of coffee, and feeling energized, we headed to day 2 of our Spanish classes. In today's lesson, we acted out dialogues between customers and vendors. Laughter and hi jinxed ensued. Feeling confident In our ways,we headed back to the Learning center to pick up construction where we left off. During the morning, we carried buckets of dirt and tied more rebar.

Tomorrow is filled with excursions as we take a break from the work. We will travel to Lake Niçaragua with some local students and the visit a historical prison and hike a volcano!

Neighborhood kids helping move dirt. 

This sewer cover at the edge of Pantanal says "2014". It represents many of the more modern comforts making their way into the community along with electricity, running water and education.

Eliza was a rockstar tying rebar. 

Almost done with the dirt!

After lunch at Ramona's.

Scott clearing the way to set the foundation for the walls. 

Our most seasoned traveller Jim getting dirty. 

Church. 

Case Roja: Amped HQ. 

Dinner at Amped HQ. 

Day 2

Today we started our day with Spanish lessons in the morning before walking to Pantanal.  Jeff gave a history of Amped's involvement in the community, then we moved bricks and rock and tied rebar for the walls of the learning center.  Ramona prepared a wonderful lunch and we finished our work. After some downtime in the hostel (pool!) we went back out in Granada for dinner.

Here's Caroline with a reflection:

Today at the learning center I had my first opportunity to interact with the Nicaraguan children. In walking through Pantanal, the town in which the learning center is located, I was exposed to living conditions that I could never have imagined. This provided me with a different perspective towards the children. We were working and a 6 year old girl came up to me and said "agua". Unsure of what she meant, I asked her and she pointed at the water jug. She wanted a cup of water. I knew that I could not give her one, but it was extremely hard to say no. Purified water is not a bountiful resource for them. Although this is cliche, it made me appreciate the simple pleasures I have in Massachusettes, even water. 

Practicar español.

At the edge of Granada walking to Pantanal.

Jeff narrating the walking tour with Amped's history.

Walking through Pantanal.

Tying rebar was one of our main jobs today.

This historic church was across from the delicious taco restaurant where we ate dinner tonight.

Taco Tuesday!