Day 6

Hola! Two alumni here! 

           Today started out like each other with the exception that we did not prepare for another day of work. Instead we tried to ensure that we had packed all of our belongings. Toady was the day that we set out to the beach house; a two hour ride. This wasn't a big deal, except that we had 4 hours to kill. We stopped by a larger market on the way, and took some scenic shots over the water at Caterina. We also had a chance to do some last minute shopping. This was just enough to take up almost two hours, then we set out for the beach house. 

          By 12:00 we were at the beach house and were all excited to start the next chapter of our trip. After touring this extravagant beach house we all started to unpack and then discovered one slight problem...there wasn't any food. Jeff and Doug then went out to get some groceries while the rest of us relaxed, explored, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings. When Jeff and Doug returned everyone rushed to the kitchen and began to prepare our lunch. We then enjoyed our meal while observing the monkeys who welcomed us from the trees. After cleaning up lunch it was finally time for what everyone had been waiting for, hitting the beach. 

          For many of us, this has been our first time actually swimming in the pacific. The water is warm, and the area is beautiful. We all had a great time floating around in the waves while enjoying the magnificent country side. Later many of us enjoyed a friendly game of frisbee, while the few who didn't, enjoyed the sunset. I am sure one of you readers has a similar view for your screensaver. It's better in person. 

Adios amigos!

-Ben & Kelsey

          

Caterina.

Caterina.

Caterina.

Jeff and Joe at Caterina.

View from the beach house.

Pool at the house.

More view.

Hammocks by the pool.

Outside looking in.

2nd floor deck.

2nd floor deck.

First thing you see when you walk in.

Main floor bedroom lounge.

Master bedroom.

Master deck view.

Top floor deck.

Gazebo.

View from gazebo.

And again.

House from gazebo.

These guys are everywhere!

Sunset from the beach.

Day 5

Cam Blair- There is really no way to sum up this trip in just a few words. When we first landed in Managua, my initial feeling was that of drastic change. There was no colossal air traffic control tower, just a small, basic building. The Tarmac was old and weeds were growing through the worn pavement. The whole thing just felt genuine.

 Nicaragua isn't trying to be something that it isn't. The people are proud to be here and don't try to put a false face on the country's problems, but do the best they can to help improve their and their fellow Nicaraguan's way of life. The most clear proof of the population's willingness to help is in the village where we worked, Nueva Esperanza. 

Nueva Esperanza, formerly known as San Ignacio, was built about 15-20 years ago when the president decided to give land to the homeless residents of Granada in the area surrounding the local volcano. The houses range from blankets strewn over branches with metal wire to cement brick houses with sheet metal roofs. There is an abundance of poverty but the kindness and overall caring of the residents made this first portion of the trip amazing. 

At the worksite we were assisted by two local contractors and three children. Their ages ranged from 12-15 and they all attend school in the village. As if attending school full time wasn't enough, these children are making a permanent impact on their community by putting in the long hours to create an environment suitable for learning. As you can see by the pictures below, the kids were nothing but warmhearted and helpful. Even though the work was tough, we made a change in this community that will continue to give back to the children for generations. And we had fun in the process.

Today was the last day of work, and it was difficult. The classroom isn't completely finished and even though I know it will be done soon, I want to tough it out so I can see the final project in person. Tomorrow we will leave at 8 AM to travel to Bahia Gigante. We'll be staying at the beach house for the last 4 days of the trip and it feels bittersweet. I am excited to see more of the natural beauty of Nicaragua but at the same time sad because I feel that we will be missing out on the culture of the country because of our distance from the locals. We will be staying in a gated community as opposed to in the heart of Granada. I know that this leg of the trip will be great, but it'll be tough to top the total cultural immersion of Granada. 

Girl throwing a disc on the road next to the school. 

Mixing cement. 

Put up this wall!

We were not without style on the job site. 

Testimonials. 

Rainbow. 

Wall, wall, wall. 

Paxton receiving a certificate. 

Serina receives a certificate. 

Jeff with Mario.

Getting ready to leave the school for the last time (this trip).

At the market. 

More market. 

Sun setting. 

Every meal has been better than the one before it. 

Day 4

Half day at work today, but we doubled up on the excursions.  First we went to El Coyotepe (Coyote Mountain) and went two levels down into the retired political prison. According to Nicaraguan historical record, the spot we visited was the site of an estimated 10,000 deaths, either by battle in the early 20th century or by torture and disease in the political prison itself.  We stood in the very spots where people were hung, psychologically tortured, and raped.  After the prison closed, it is said to have been a site for Satanic rituals. All this while in pitch blackness underground with bats swirling around above us.

After that, we drove up Masaya: one of 7 active volcanoes in Nicaragua. It erupted in 2012 and was closed to the public for months. We bribed a tour guide to bring our group within a few hundred yards of the volcano's crater.  We could not stay for very long because of the sulfuric plumes coming from the crater smelled and made it difficult to breathe. There was a large but makeshift crucifix above us at the volcano's peak that is said to have been erected by Satan worshipers to mark the opening to Hell.

Tonight we divided in to different groups for a dinner plan.  Here is Tim with some perspective:

After the class picked up some souvenirs from the market, the group decided to split up.  Some kids went out to eat, some went back to the hostel, and the rest went to a baseball game.  I was one of the few that decided to go to the game.  The game was featuring the home team, the Granada Tiburons. We only stayed for 7 out of the 9 innings but it was still a site to behold. We've experienced a lot of interesting things so far on this trip, but the baseball game to me was by far the best.  Since I myself am an athlete, it was intresting to see how a different culture can change the way that the game is played.  The biggest difference that I noticed was the atmosphere of it all.  The fans here have so much more leniency to do as they please.  They are allowed to smoke in public, they can't get yelled at for making to much ruckus, and they don't even have designated seats.  It's crazy to think about how much more restricted you are when your in American than when you are here.  All in all it was just another amazing experience that I can now say that I have conquered.   (P.S.  Frank was there.) ( Extra P.S. We all love Frank.)

And of course, some highlights:

Tim cutting mangoes in the morning.

A classroom filled with building materials.

Efficiency.

How did this happen?

Our friend Donald with Paxton's phone.

Put 'em up!

Picture of a picture.  Frank is our videographer, and more.

Orlando getting a close look at the sky.

On top of El Coyotepe.

El Coyotepe.

VERY spooky in El Coyotepe. Bats everywhere.

On top of El Coyotepe.

Looking into an active volcano: Masaya.

Andy getting a good look.

Desolation.

Breathing in sulfuric fumes.  No biggie.

Some people heading to the baseball game.

Tomorrow is our last day of work, but it will be a full one.  We will be sad to leave our new friends there!