¿Y Entonces...?

I've compiled of a list what typical life is like in Nicaragua. Enjoy :)

• Horse drawn carts are a day to day occurance 
• Horses and goats hanging out in a field or in the streets is per norm, too! (don’t forget to say good morning to the farmer taking his cow for a walk!)
• People point with their lips, so don’t go in for a kiss
•  Expect some of your food to be fried
• Develop a taste for gallo pinto; it’ll probably be there
• The biggest and most important meal of the day is lunch
• There are 3 meals in a day; the one that’s “ok” to miss (if you HAVE to) is dinner
• Lukewarm to Hot water is something we all wish for but probably don’t get (I haven't had a hot shower in almost 3 weeks)
• Don’t forget your flip flops!
• Running water can also be difficult to find
• i.e. Flush when necessary, but DON’T flush your toilet paper. There’s a trash can for that.
• The wind is STRONG. Only in January, it’s gone though, after a week or so
• The rain is STRONG. It’s good to get a good dose now before the skies open up for 6 straight months.
• Don't forget to say "hola", "adios", "buenas dias/tardes" to everyone you pass, or else you look stuck up; even if it’s in the middle of your conversation
• Mosquitoes
• Mosquito nets are the only place in your room where you are truly safe from these guys...and cockroaches
• Mosquito bites (cuidate, there’s malaria and dengue out here!)
• ·      Salamancas! These little guys will become your best friends
• ·      Street Dogs
• If you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone
• No matter how long you’ve been in your community, expect to hear kissing sounds, whistles and “gringa” no matter where you walk
• Cybers are a virtue
• For only $.50/hour, how can you argue?
• The sound of “s” is hidden in a lot of the words
• Graciah, adioh, buenah tardeh
• The pineapples, avocados, bananas, clementines, yamica, cheese and tortillas are the freshest and most delicious you’ve ever tasted
• Familias are the most welcoming people in the world and will welcome you to their homes with open arms and hope that you come with a need for coffee and at least one thing to eat
• Who needs an alarm clock when all of your neighbors have at least one rooster? 

Here is the link to my facebook album with some new pictures for you! 

Enjoy! :)

Wow, what a week this has been! There's so much to say and yet I have no idea where to begin! I don't have my photos with me, but don't worry, I will be posting some in days to come.

I guess the best way to do this would be a bullet list, yeah?

• Monday (09/01): Arrived in DC and had lunch with my buddy from back home and he showed me around the city. What a lovely area!
• Tuesday (10/01): Met up with everyone in Nica 58 (there are 20 of us) and we began the lonnnnnnnnnnng day of orientation. Lots of material, lots of information and LOTS of anticipation!
• Wednesday (11/01): We got up nice and early, arrived to DCA and hung out for a few hours to board the plane off to Miami where we would then connect to Managua! After lots of sitting down and travelling, we arrived about a half hour late, but all was well and good and we were greeted by the previous Health Volunteers who were going to be staying with us until we depart in a few days. After a brief dinner and a brief meet and greet with the facilitators, we were off to bed.
• Thursday (12/01): And so begins training. We got some vaccinations, mucho informacion and we took a mini field trip to Lake Managua and saw beautiful views of the city (fotos mas tarde!)
• Friday (13/01): Did I mention we got a lot of information and not enough sleep? Pretty much what Friday entailed...AND we got information about where we were going to be for training as well as who our host families are! 
• Saturday (14/01): Pre-family meeting; what we were to expect in the casas and how to act. Then, we made the drive, departed with our facilitators and experienced volunteers and headed to our new homes. Everyone was so excite to see everyone's new family, but sad to leave the rest of the group behind! No worries, though, we're all going to see each other at the end of this week when we return to Managua for more meetings and vaccinations! :)
• Sunday (15/01): Free day with the familias. My training site mates, Natalie and Helen, and I took some time to look around our city. I also got to go to the neighboring town of Jinotepe to shop around the mercado con mi madre (Dna Cristina) and padre (Dn Guillermo).
• Monday (16/01): First day of Spanish classes! Went well and it's just the group of the 3 of us and our facilitator, and it's going great! We walked around the town some more and talked to some people, too. I also got my first run in! It wasn't much, a little over a mile with my amigas, but it felt great, nonetheless. We also met up with some jovenes (teens between the ages of 16-19) and played some volleyball with them. Oh yeah, and I locked myself out of my room. WOOPS! Luckily, madre said this happens at least once every time there is a volunteer and after using hammers, screwdrivers, knifes and keys, we were finally able to pick the lock, an hour and a half later. Lo siento!
• Tuesday (17/01): More Spanish classes and internet time! We met the head of the Center of Health as well as some key players in the brigadistas (teen volunteers) who we will be working with more closely in the next 3 months.

Tears were shed shortly after this picture was taken, starting with my dad, then my mom, and I followed in suit. Don't worry, these months will fly by and I'll see you guys again before I know it!

Off to DC for Nica 58 training!

Tomorrow marks my first day of travel for my Peace Corps journey! My parents and I are going to brave the snow and drive to Denver for the night just in time for the football game (Go Broncos!).

Really, Colorado? You had ALL month to snow and you decided to just let your skies open up the day before we hit the road! I know, I know; this is you putting up a fight because I'm leaving. My car put up a fight last week and decided to just break it's timing belt and go to Car Heaven (perfect timing if I may say so myself!).

Monday morning I take my second leg of the trip to Washington, DC. I'm arriving a day prior to the beginning of everything since Peace Corps wants me well rested and set for a full day of Staging on Tuesday.

Wednesday is the big day! We will fly from Washington, DC to Miami and after a 2 hour layover will fly en route to Managua where we will stay until Saturday for a pre-service orientation/retreat. Despite the layover, flying time is roughly 5 hours. Not too bad!

On Saturday, I will travel to my training site (TBD) and meet my host family and on the following Monday, my 11-week Peace Corps training will commence.

I'm still up in the air a little bit of where I'm going and what I'm doing, but I'll be sure and keep everyone updated!