Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - , , , 0 comments

The Depths of Nueva Segovia

Talk about adventure! One of the business volunteers in El Jícaro organized for some of the Segovian volunteers to go to an essentially unknown waterfall, Salto El Rosario. It was in a community called El Rosario, about 3 hours by vehicle on a dirt road from his site; so of course, I was all for it.
There are buses that go from Jalapa to El Jícaro, but not early enough that I'd be there in time, so I spent the night in a campo community, Casas Viejas, an agriculture volunteer's site. Her host family was so sweet and we stayed up all night (rather, till 8:30pm, that's bed time in the campo!) talking about corn, Jalapa and how cold it gets in Colorado (I told them it's at least 3 times as cold as Jinotega and with an astounding "¡NI QUIERE A DIOS!" ("Not even God wants that!"), they can't believe people can live there, especially with all that white stuff on the ground (which, I heard you guys just got another dusting? Happy May!).

The next morning, a group of well-known gringos showed up and after picking us and two of her counterparts up, we were off for a rough ride. The views alone made the trip worth it and before we knew it, we arrived to the waterfall.

We picnic-ed for a while, swam underneath the powerful mist and enjoyed being so secluded. After a few hours, we returned to the vehicle, made the long 3 hour ride back and settled in to have a cheeseburger cookout and dance party! 

It was a LONG day, but I'm so happy I had the opportunity to go...who knows if I would have ever gone THAT far out of the way otherwise and see that magnificent waterfall? Enjoy the pictures...and try not to be too jealous you weren't there.

On our way to the waterfall

Had to take the photo opportunity, just look where we are!

What a handsome group

The middle-of-nowhere community, El Rosario

We made it!

Starting the trek to get to our picnic site

Hiking over rocks and thru the cold water with our bags to get closer to the fall

Salto El Rosario

About to take a dip

Ginormous waterfall!

With the counterpart in the background, what a funny guy!

I had the opportunity to do the warrior...so naturally I just went with it

After going underneath, so powerful!

Time for a picnic! (Bonus points if you can find me)

View on the way back

Incredible scenery

Jealous yet? :)











Sunday, April 7, 2013 - , , , 0 comments

Cascada Blanca

After not leaving Nueva Segovia for a solid month and working that entire month, I decided to give myself a treat and take a mini vacation with some friends to the department of Matagalpa (where else?!). We met up with another volunteer whose sister was visiting from the states and we all went to a beautiful waterfall right outside of the city and had a lovely day sunbathing, picnic-ing, and ended the night having wonderful Italian food and hanging out at a lounge.

La Cascada Blanca


Dolores Dream Team! <3

With my girls!


Working on my inner "Ariel on a Rock" pose.

Apparently, I was worshippable? One lesson of Peace Corps: "Just go with it"

Cave behind the waterfall

Underneath the waterfall

Mango + Cascada = Serenity

Signature Warrior Pose

Come on in! The water is great!

Great company!

Back to the grind this week helping with different career fairs hosted by fellow volunteers, then off to Managua the following week to present some charlas to the new Health trainees. I can't believe that I'm  officially an "upperclassman" out here, now! The Health volunteers that welcomed us to the country all just finished their service in March and we're now the big dogs in charge. Man, if that first year out here didn't fly fast enough, I can't imagine how many times I'll blink this second year before it's all over!
Sunday, March 31, 2013 - , , , 0 comments

Just Some Pictures...

I've been quite the shutterbug recently and thought I'd share some pictures from around Jalapa and what I've been up to.
Laundry Day!

My "laundry machine". Handwash only!

Visiting the neighborhood of "Tierra Prometida" (The "Promise Land") with a Red Cross volunteer.

Chele, our house cat, has a new favorite place to sleep: in MY kitchen! At least he keeps the mice away...

Last week was Semana Santa, the holy week...or as many look at it: Spring Break! Before my host mom, Profe, went to San Carlos with the rest of her family to visit her daughter, we made LOTS of bread. It was so yummy, I hope they enjoyed it!

Profe mixing the "masa" (5 lbs cheese, 5 lbs corn...OH THE CALORIES!) with fresh cow's milk.


Getting my hands dirty. With a girl from the brigade from Colorado!

Future model in the house!

"Palmear"-ing the dough to get out lumps

"Rosquill-ympics"

Empanadas (Nicas call them "quesadillas") before going into the oven.

Final products! Soooo yummy!

Mazápan. Sweet bread.

Back of the oven

Front of the oven...making a little cake with leftover batter.

The start of Semana Santa is on Palm Sunday and continues thru Easter Sunday. I went to church with another Profe and some people from the Colorado brigade to see what it was all about. We all met the procession at the entrance to the city and then walked, sang hymns, raised the palms, and eventually wound up at the church for an hour long mass.

Start of the procession.

Cowboy Jesus riding a burro! The cowboy hat was a very "Jalapeño" touch. I love it.

Alter boys leading the procession to the church.

Full house, standing room only. People were also sitting/standing in the wings toward the front of the church.

During Semana Santa, some of the hottest temperatures of the year occur. A LOT of people go to the beaches, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water to cool off. Since lots of people usually means lots of robberies, violence and alcohol, I decided to take the alternative, tranquilo route and just stay in Nueva Segovia. 
My friend and I went on a 7-mile hike to his first host family's finca (property) to see the water project his host dad was working on. It was REALLY HOT...but such a beautiful hike. Tell you what, the cold bucket bath I took upon return was one of the best baths I've taken here. 

We rewarded ourselves with iced coffee in Ocotal that afternoon...Ocotal has a café now! Watch out, world.

Views of Mozonte/Achuapa valley

Finally arrived to the finca!

River water that Tito uses to water his plants year-round

So refreshing!






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