Knicker-rag-ooh-ah y un Bebe!

Marzo 4

The only thing that was standing between us and Nicaragua was our midterm in Community Engagement! Went well (from what I could tell while I was doing it), Spanish class, then soccer with some ICDS folks to let off some steam. I sat in the grass enjoying the breeze with May and Terina, but the breeze got a bit too chilly when the sun disappeared so I decided to head home to start packing for Nicaragua.

Packing went well for having to shove four days worth of clothes for all sorts of events in one backpack! I had heard Ellie talking about holding a moon ritual earlier that day and decided to join the festivities after dinner. Only thing is, I sort of forgot to mention that I was leaving at 7:30pm to my host parents, so I came out to dinner at 7:05pm to two huge hamburger patties, a mountain of rice, a bowl of some sort of squash dish, and a salad...I had been training for this moment. Tried to eat as fast as I could (luckily my host sister offered to finish off the squash dish because I was running out of space and time). Washed my dishes then ran out to meet my ride to the moon ritual.

The ritual, and the night in general, were very special and memorable. Meditation, sharing, music, laughter, wine, new friends. Very personal goals and stories were shared, and I felt honored that those who shared felt comfortable to do so in my presence.

Ellie's drawing of the day from the ritual.

Around 11:00pm, went back to la casa de Ilana to hang out with Meira, Kip, Ellie, and her until the bus picked us up for our trip at 2:30am (no me gusta, folks). Always a good time with these peeps. Even tested out the stacknap, which I had never heard of before, in preparation for the painfully long bus ride (thought Ilana's bed was going to break)!

Around 1:30pm, I was getting a wee bit hungry, so Ilana and I planned on making these Indian ramen noodles, Maggi, that we love (her momma brought from the states on her visit). However, we had a tough time figuring out how to use the stove..after waiting 20 minutes for the burners to get warm with no success, we realized there was an electrical switch we had to push. But after doing so, when I stuck my finger in the water to see if it was getting warm, the water shocked me! The first time I did it I thought my finger was just asleep, but then I did it again and almost peed laughing. Entonces, we turned off the switch and gave up on the prospect of cooking Maggi (sadly).

Marzo 5

I guess the switch to the 5th occurred at 2:45am. Way too prepared, we waited outside with disco jesus at 2:45pm for the bus to pick us up. Soon regretted this move when we realized it would probably not be right on time and it was cold(ish) out. Bus marked Turismo rolled up soon enough and we joined out sleepy classmates.

For it being 3:00am, the whole ordeal was fairly organized. Arrived at the main bus station, filled out our immigration papers, obtained our tickets, and boarded in a decent amount of time. Departed at 4:00am, Nicaragua bound! **Side Note: the reason the title of this post is "Knicker-rag-ooh-ah" is because our one british professor Helen pronounces it that way and it sort of is a running joke in our ICDS group (but apparently was not exclusive to our group because Joaquin was in on it, and also not exclusive to Helen because our british friend Chloe also pronounces it that way).

Anyways, I had a terrible time sleeping (as expected) but at least seats reclined way way way back and I had a window seat so I can't complain! Luis had warned us that the bus would be beyond freezing, I prepared by wearing a sweater but also found myself using the towel I brought for the beach as a blanket. Stopped for breakfast around 6:30am. With everyone going in and out of sleep, the border crossing was quite abrupt.

Wake up, gather all your stuff, and exit in the bus in a jiffy - safe to say I was at the end of the customs line. After exiting Costa Rica, we had to enter Nicaragua, so back on the bus we went for about 5 minutes, back off to do money exchange and baggage check, translated to men holding stacks of cash swarming you as you exited the bus asking to exchange colones to cordobas (overwhelming to say the least). "No gracias, no gracias, no gracias" is all I said until I could figure out the correct exchange rate and who was trustworthy. Once I figured out it was 47 cordobas to 1 mil, the guy did the calculations right in front of me and gave me my cordobas. The baggage check was simply placing your bags on these wooden pallets in the middle of the little trinket and snack market for the guys to glance through and handing them your customs paper.

Following all this, we waited around this area for over an hour (maybe two) in the burning hot sun while Nicaraguan customs looked over our passports. However, I am convinced it was cause they knew we would buy more things if they made us wait around for two hours. I plopped myself down on the pavement and tried to hide in the shade provided by the bus, but as noon approached, shade quickly disappeared and I resorted to using my towel as a little canopy. Finalllly, they began calling our names to board the bus and we were off again. This time with an extremely loud (and bad) Keanu Reeves movie playing. Within the first five minutes his cute little beagle puppy was murdered, Katie and I were in tears, and I knew I wasn't interested in watching the rest of it, jaja.

The movie ended as soon as we arrived at our stop in Granada, where two tour guides picked us up to accompany us for the rest of the trip! First stop was Hotel Granada to drop our things, freshen up, then head to lunch. The town had a much more colonial feel to in that San Jose. Very pretty, but also very "touristy" area.

Guadalupe Church just outside our hotel.

Part of Hotel Granada.

Everyone was hungry and ready for lunch at Telepizza. There was a bit of a hassle with the lunchs we had ordered in advanced, everyone was under the impression that all the options were vegetarian, so half of the vegetarians ordered the eggplant fettucini dish, which turned out to have ham in it. Apparently the concept's of vegetarianism and especially veganism have not infiltrated the culture yet. Nonetheless, eventually it was sorted out and everyone was stuffed from this neat little pizza place.

From there we were supposed to begin our tour of the city, but we took a mid-day break to swim back at the hotel or siesta. Along the way, May, Chloe and I stopped in the leather shop and jewelry stands, but I wanted to save my money for the Masaya Market the next day. Also swung by the smoothie shop and spoke with a nice local for a bit before heading back to the hotel.

Rushed to get the key from Sam, took like 5 minutes to get from our room to the pool because the property was so large, but I made it for a dip in the pool. So refreshing, played a pretty unsuccessful but fun game of categories.

3:30pm, time for tours, beginning with exploring San Francisco Church and Museum. When we arrived, a walking band came up behind us and entered the church, still not quite sure what the gathering was about but it was an pleasant surprise.

From here we walked through the Central Park, where little girls came running up to us. At first I thought they were just friendly, quickly realized they were begging for money. It was heartbreaking and unsettling. In a sort of shock, they realized I was not a good prospect and moved on to other gringos.

Our group soon arrived at La Merced Church, where we went up in the bell tower for a gorgeous view of Granada.

From there, we visited just one part of an NGO called Tio Antonio Centro Social. The portion we visited was Hamacas Tio Antonio, where blind, mute, deaf, or other mentally handicapped individuals are employed to make hammocks (there was a hammock large enough to fit 30 people, insane). This NGO was definitely at the top of everyone's list of favorite places we visited while in Nicaragua.

Photo Credit to Google Images

Once the tours were done, we were given free time to explore Granada as we pleased. I had my eye on some gelato we passed a while back, so after looking around the market a bit a group of us headed there. Settled on tiramisu flavor - good choice.

Met back at hotel for dinner, walked to a little restaurant for some quinoa and lentil salad, also a good choice. After everyone was stuffed, went back to hotel for more pool time, of course stopping along the way to try some free samples of chocolate.

Had some lap competitions, where I quickly realized how out of shape I am (kip swam right into the side of the pool, oops). Also played some chicken, Kip and I were the reigning champs. A few hours later, got a hot shower then explored the hotel property with Sam and Ellie. Climbed on a little portion of the roof to continue the moon ritual. Then wandered around with Sam's flashlight to other hidden parts of the property.

Ellie's Daily Doodle

Marzo 6

Checked out of Hotel Granada after a big breakfast buffet (sadly), and headed in the direction of Volcan Masaya.

Little tour at the visitor center before heading up to the crater (live bats flying around in the fake bat cave).

Pretty cool mural and diorama of volcanoes in Nicaragua.

The crater was super cloudy, so we were unable to see the lava pool, but still gorgeous views surrounding us. Hiked up the hill a bit to get an even better view. Also, it was crazy the stark contrast of the smell of sulphur if you stuck your head just a bit over the stone wall, smell was overpowering in a difference of a few inches.

Back down the hill and off to Masaya Market. Turned out I did not need to save my money for it, was not my cup of tea (aside from the chicken baskets that Meira, May and I snapped a pic with). Shop people hounding you to buy stuff, found myself a hammock seat that I just lounged in until everyone was ready to roll.

We had lunch on the go - chicken wrap and french fries - on our way to the ferry to Ometepe Island. Quick bathroom break once we arrived at the port for 20 cents. Started out on top of the boat for the ride, but then a crazy storm encapsulated us, so I sat inside. Everyone else had the same idea, so I was left to chill on the floor with this little guy.

Thankfully the storm didn't last the entire ride, so after it was over I was able to go back up top and enjoy the view. Bus to Hotel Finca Venecia, where we would be staying the next two nights (gorgeous). Lakefront villa with Ellie and Isabelle.

Immediately changed into my bathing suit, walked out to cement island, swam around, and watched the beautiful sunset (meanwhile being continually scared I was going to be eaten by bull sharks) it was a nice evening!

Changed for dinner quick (thought I might swim again later so I didn't shower, bad idea). Had another food mishap, everyone who ordered the vegetable salad was not so happy about the result.  Before Nicaragua, I decided I am going to not order meals with meat outside of my homestay, and so far it had not been working out in my favor (first with the eggplant dish that ended up having meat, and then the salad that was not substantial enough for dinner). Our end of the table got a little rambunctious, Natalia ended up sucking plantano up her nose from laughing so hard, but all worked out. We just had to come to understand that Nicaraguans vision of vegetable salad is different than ours and the difference between vegetales and verduras in espanol.

Afterwards, we had a class with Joaquin on culture shock. Things such as cat-calling, poop, the dinner, how Costa Rica is not as different from our home culture as we thought, all came up in conversation.

Freaking out I was going to miss the birth of my nephew still, went to front of hotel to find wifi to check in with Sara. Ellie came with and we chatted while overlooking the volcano in the moonlight - very surreal. After a bit, we relocated to the lakefront, talked a bit more, joined by Chloe, Hannah, May and Kip before heading to bed.

Marzo 7

Yummy breakfast split with Hannah, pancake and gallo pinto dishes, then had a 10 minute period to prep our teaching supplies for the english classes at a local school. I was part of the group assigned food, so we made two posters with fruits & vegetables and other major foods and drinks.

The volunteer experience was far from what everyone envisioned. We were given 20 minute periods with 5 different groups, and half the time the kids knew what we were teaching them already. When we finished our lesson early, our group went around and talked with the students one on one, but definitely did not feel we made much of an impact on the community there. In one of the classes, this kid was video recording the lesson on his phone, but it didn't seem to come from a place of "I want to remember what they are teaching", more of "tontas gringas on display" - strange feeling. After the classes were over, we had lunch. But our entire ICDS group gathered in this secluded area to eat instead of intermingling with the students - I opted to sit on the periphery and found this kid named Rifino to chat with over some juice, a donut, and oranges. I felt bad when I left for the baseball game we had planned with the children because he said he couldn't play cause he had to work.

In any case, we walked a while until we reached the baseball and soccer field. Set up a baisbol game, which at first it was going to be us against the kids, luckily we mixed up the teams a bit last minute, made it a lot more fun. These kids were so so good. I hit the ball both times I was up to bat, so that made me feel a bit better, but still felt very incompetent in comparison to their skills. The baseball game was also one of my favorite parts of the trip to Nicaragua.

An hour or so later, we said farewell to the children and left for lunch at Finca de Santo Domingo. Changed in tiny little bathrooms for Ojo de Agua, really gorgeous natural pools where we spent the afternoon swimming. Rope swing, peaceful, treading water competition with Kip (turned out to a be a bad idea because we both didn't give up). Kept treading until we had to leave, oy vey.

Went back to Santo Domingo for beach time and dinner. There was a gorgeous tree right beside the restaurant that I climbed with Blaise, Sam and Jean. I was mid climb when Ellie invited me to walk the beach with her, Chloe, Ilana, Meira and Kip, so once I got down I tried to catch up with them. Was walking for quite a ways before I found them, started to worry I was following a random group of people. Lovely view of the volcano and played with some sea clay.

Came across Luis heading back to basecamp, so we decided to head back as well. Climbed some more, danced and sung in the tree with Sam to Tarzan songs and bruno mars, played some Ninja after sunset, then ate dinner. Dinner consisted of a Madonna sing along, aerobics class taught by Wendy, and amazingggg food (fish, french fries, rice, grilled veggies, fanta, and topped off with strawberry ice cream for dessert).

Fat and happy, back on the bus to return to Hotel Finca Venecia for the night. Short class with Joaquin on social exclusion, then some beers around the bonfire made by some other people staying at the hotel before finally showering and packing up in prep for 5:00am departure.

Marzo 8

Travel Day - departure from Ometepe. I was not a happy camper when I found out we would be leaving at 5:00am, but then I realized we would be on the ferry for the sunrise, and all was well again (especially when it turned out to be so so beautiful). Plugged in my headphones and enjoyed the ride.

Tourism bus dropped us at the public bus stop, puppy infected with bot flies was hanging around us. So sad :( TransNica bus in site, boarded, watched Taken in espanol until we reached the border crossing. Stopped at the Nicaraguan border first, got some ice cream. Everyone was buying chocolate at the duty free shop, so I gave in last minute and bought some to take home with me, waited a bit too long and almost got left behind! Bus was doing last call as we ran to get on. Costa Rica crossing, sweaty sweaty in the customs line, had an x-ray machine, but no one was even reviewing it as our bags passed through. Load back up for a loud music video filled ride back to San Jose!

Marzo 9 

BIG NEWS, I am an auntie to a beautiful baby boy, Everett Orion Eagle.

Peyton is the best big sister, and I am a lucky Auntie.

The 9th was so emotional for me. I was so happy to be able to be there in some way (via FaceTime), but also so so sad that I could not be there in person. Tears were flowing a good bit (a lot) throughout the day.

Since we had two community engagement classes while in Nicaragua, we did not have any this week. So, I had planned on going to get Italian food with Ilana and Ellie, but I decided I should stay in where I knew I would have wifi and could get in on the baby birthing action! Everett was due on the 6th, but didn't want to come out, so Sara was induced at 6:00am. Around 12:00pm (my time, 2:00pm in the states), my beautiful baby nephew was born.

While I was FaceTiming, right before Sara was going to start pushing, my host mama walked by my room and I told her mi sobrino was being born. I was not thinking that she would take that as an invitation to come say hi, but she did! jaja. Plopped her little butt on my bed all excited (granted she did not know my sister's legs were wide open). She quickly realized she probably should not be witnessing it, a little (super) awkward, jaja.

After Everett made his appearance, I had to shower and go to Spanish class. Of course we had a joint class with all the different spanish levels to watch La Misma Luna, so I was blubbering like crazy in front of everyone. Once the movie ended, went to Ilana's house for celebratory Maggi (Indian ramen noodles) since I forgot to eat lunch and also, it was a day for celebrating! Meira and Ellie joined, we chatted a bit then I went home for dinner and more FaceTiming beautiful baby boy.

Marzo 10

Woke up quite late, mama knocked on my door at 7:30am, "Jenna, despierta?" - I reluctantly rolled out a bed. Rural & Urban, discussed Nicaragua trip. Voiced our complaints to Helen, and she proposed we make some suggestions and she would help implement them for the next group's trip. I think our main issue was we thought the trip would be based around us working in the community, but it was actually like 2 hours of community work (barely), and the rest very "pampered". Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of the pampering, and Nicaragua was beautiful, but we did not feel we made the impact we thought we were going to. Entonces, we proposed better planning between the school we are teaching at and ICDS so we can prepare lesson plans that are conducive to what the students want to learn and their level of English, sticking with one group for the entire 1.5 hr period rather than 20 min periods with 5 different groups, trading some of the time we spent doing things such as hanging out at the beach and ojo de agua for more community engagement, visiting more NGOs like Hamacas Tio Antonio, etc. Little tweaks that would give the trip a better balance and a better outcome.

Later that night, since it was welcome week at UCR (Universidad de Costa Rica), they were hosting a bunch of concerts and events. A group of us decided to go for the salsa concert and dancing. May, Hannah, Chloe, Ellie & I grabbed some beers quick then went over to join the massive crowd around UCR. Such a cool experience, everyone (mostly) dancing in partners, so professional looking. I wish they taught us how to dance like that in the states, rather than just grinding on one another like a bunch of horn dogs. Some of the ticos were nice enough to help us gringas out and teach us a few basic steps.

After the concerts ended, Chloe, Ellie and I went to a local bar and met some locals, chatted for a while. Once we realized it was approaching 1:00am, had to scoot on home so our host parents didn't worry.

Marzo 11

Since I do not recall much about Wednesday, I am just going to put up another heart-melting photo of Everett, hehe.

Mas por venir sobre Montezuma el fin de semana pasado!

Buenas Tardes!
xoxo