I haven't updated in a while, but figured I better since apparently in Mom world if you don't write in your blog every two days you must have died..... sorry Mom!
Let's see.... on Sunday we went to La Maquina, a small nature reserve pretty close to here. The highlight was splashing around in the waterfalls there. It wasn't deep enough to swim, but just getting in the water was great! We hiked around a little bit too, but the trails didn't really lead anywhere. I would go back just for the waterfalls!
This week has been pretty routine. Spanish class in the morning still, but it has gotten SO frustrating that I end up wanting to hit my head against the wall. I feel like I am hardly learning anything but still stumbling over speaking Spanish! Afternoons at Los Pipitos have been a lot better for practicing Spanish, especially with the little kids because they expect me to be fluent so they talk to me a lot more than the teenagers who expect me not to know any Spanish. I still can't really figure out the idea behind the school, because even though it is for kids with disabilities, a lot of the kids seem so high functioning that it makes you wonder why they aren't in school on a weekday afternoon. It's basically just a place for them to hang out, dance, do art, play marimbas or basketball, whatever. It's been fun, but more of a cultural exchange/learning experience than volunteering for me.
Yesterday was pretty fun, since Andreu is leaving tomorrow morning we had a party last night. Rachelle and I went to the market after breakfast and got tons of tomatoes and avocadoes and spent the morning making salsa and guacamole for our contribution. Andreu and his friend got freshly caught fish from the coast and we had pasta salad and two desserts... it was a FEAST. I literally could not move by the time I went to bed, but it was really fun. Usually everyone just grabs whatever is for dinner on their own time, and it was great to have everyone in the house together for an evening.
This weekend Cat and I are going to San Juan del Sur, a small beach town, and meeting Rachelle who is already there. it will be the first time I've stayed somewhere besides the house, so I'm excited for that! I'm even more excited for next Friday, when Spanish class is over and Rachelle and I are heading to Managua to meet up with Jackie Chan since he's done with his rainforest placement. The three of us are spending the night in Managua and then heading to Leon for the rest of that weekend, and after that is when my work at the orphanage starts. Also, three new volunteers are coming next friday so there's a lot to look forward to!
So, overall I'm enjoying it, but definitely missing a lot of things from home. The internet was down for a couple of days in the house and it made me realize how much I rely on it for comfort. Talking to my friends, online TV and the New York Times website have kept me sane in the evenings when I would be missing home and school much more. Also have been reading tons of good books and enjoying some amazing restaurants in Jinotepe which has helped too.
well, I just realized that I forgot to do my spanish homework for about the sixth night in a row so I better go catch up on that. I'll try to write more often - in the meantime, send me e-mails, I love getting them!
Love to all.