Hurricane Alma...and all that Jazz

So, once again I have decided to update my blog. I am such a horrible blogger. So in a nut shell, what has been going on.. let me see. I went to a bull riding thngy the other day, and Im pretty sure one of the men was either paralyzed or killed. The way it works here, (it seems to me) that the men drink all day, and then once they are drunk enough that they want to show off, they put on a hockey mask and jump on the bull. This one man got on his bull, and after three jumps of the bull, the man´s back stopped bending, and thenhe was thrown into the air like a rag doll and landed ever so softly onto the ground. Then the bull was pissed off, and he decided he was going to jump into the airr, and land on him with his back two feet. thank (insert higer being here) that the bull missed, but the one clown guy (that gets the attention of the bull) was also caught by the bull and thrown into the air. Now remember the man on the ground? Well yeah, in the states, they would have shot and killed the bull or whatever, but made sure that the man was still alive, but not here my friends. Instead of making sure his neck-back wasnt broken, they grabbed the poor man by one of his arms and drug him out of the arena. If that man was to ever walk again, I think they f@"!ed that up for him. That´ll learn em!!

On a brighter note, there is a Hurricane coming towards Nicaragua, and it is supposedly supposed to get realy bad tonight or tomorrow, so I thought I would update this blog thing before I lose power, or lose my life by one of God´s natural disasters. But seriously guys, since Im in the Peace Corps I am totally safe, Alma (hurricane´s name) totally knows not to mess with us Peace Corps volunteers, or she will have to answer to the American people... and sometimes we can be bitches... really I think she´s scared and will turn away!!

On an even BRIGHTER note, belive it or not, I should be getting a cell phone on Friday. It is mother´s day here in Nicaragua on May 30th, and there are many rebajas (sales) so for all you people out there that want to call me, you ill have the chance to do so. Well thats all I´ve got for now.

PS. Liz, just an update, it wasn´t crabs I had, they were pieces of rice that fell of my plate from dinner last night. So there´s no need for you to be worried!! WERE STILL CLEAN!!!

Life in Nicaragua

Hey there everyone, I just thought I would give everyone a little update on how things are going here in Nicaragua. I like my host family, they are great, its just a mom and a dad, and their son lives nextdoor. Its super hot here, and sometimes unbearable. Umm lets see, I was asked the other night if I wanted to do an activity by my mom so i said wure why not. Well after a 10 minute walk and a 10 minute truck ride, I found meself in the front row of an evangelical church service. I couldnt listen anymore, so I told my host mom I would wait outside because it was too hot for me, and I thought I was going to pass out. Then the next night, she asked me if I wanted to go and talk to children to practise my spanish. so of course i said yes, and found myself in the back yard of some mans house praying once again with a group of evangelicals. lol. they must really want to save me.

Since we have arrived, there has been a strike of all transportation (taxis and buses) and a few trucks have been burned in the streets and many many tires have been burned in protest of high gas prices. Last night, the strike ended, as they had got what they wanted... I hope its over for good!!

This is my first weekend to do what I want, so I think Im going to go visit a few friends in Santa Teresa, a little city a few Kilometers from here. Well I will update a little more when I have a chance, but wanted to let everyone know that I am doing fine.

Well thats it for now.... ADIOS

Bienvenidos a Nicaragua

Just wanted to drop a quick line out to let everyone know that I made it to Nicaragua in 1 piece. I got no sleep last night and then once I got here we had more training, and I almost fell asleep. But we have a few more days of the retreat here at the hotel, and then I will be meeting my host family!! Tomorrow, we have our Spanish language tests, to see what level we are in, and then we get our shots tomorrow as well!! Cant wait...god I love needles :)

Last Day on American Soil

THE STAGING IS OVER!! Thank the lucky stars. It was pretty much information that if you have traveled abroad, you would already know (don't go out after dark, if you do go in pairs..etc) The last few days have been so fun filled, I don't know if I can contain myself.

I am leaving in about 3 hours to fly to Nicalandia, and I cannot wait. I hear that it is the rainy season; although the temperature will be around 95. I think the weather is now what I'm worried about the most.

I should really write more, but I think Ill try and get a FEW hours of sleep before I have to get back up.

More to come...

Leaving On A Jet Plane

OK, so once again its been a while. I am now just 12 hours away from leaving!!! Ahh its been a long road, from application to invitation; many hours of paperwork, hundreds of dollars for doctor's bills, but I'm sure it will all be worth it. I'm sitting here typing this while I should be spending more time with my friends and family, but I really needed to update this blog for my 1 loyal reader... THANKS MOM!! I dont think it has kicked in yet that I am leaving, and for some reason I think that when I do, it will be one hell of am emotional jump, but enough about this emotional crap... Im thinking that I have way way too much luggage. Ive seen a few pictures of other PC volunteers in Nicalandia and they have much less stuff. I have my big hiking backpack and a medium/small sized rolling luggage to check, then I have my laptop and another bag for carry on. ¡¡EEkks muchas cosas!! I will have to post pics of all my luggage, but Im using a friends computer as my moms internet is out (damn charter and bad storms). I will try to do another update when I get to Washington, but I dont know if the hotel will have wireless. OH YEAH I almost forgot. Here is my address while I am in training:

John Cunningham
Voluntario del Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 3256
Managua, Nicaragua
Central America

So if you feel the need to send a letter or large sums of money, feel free!! Im going to watch the newest and LAST episodes of Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and The Office that I will see for a very long time. Please feel free to update me on the going on's of Betty and her struggles, the doctors of Seattle Grace, and the employees of Dunder Mifflin (ask her to marry you Jim!!). Ill keep in touch, and also I crested a new email for while I am gone. it is cunninjj@gmail.com Ill be using this more often while I am gone.

HASTA LUEGO!!