Well my parents are finally here, and their trip in Nicaragua began with a bang! Well more like a loud boom, and a long scratching noise. You see, I didn't understand why the taxi driver was driving so slow to go to the airport, but after we picked my parents up I realized why. To preface the story, one must have a visual idea of this car. First, a small green Toyota Atoz which appeared to have suffered through 3 world wars, a 2 nuclear holocausts, and a rabid partridge from a pear tree. The inside looks like it was left unlocked in Detroit with a steal-everything-inside-of-me sign. There was a tape player, mind you, but the face had been torn off, and only 2 pieces of tetanus bearing metal was visible. I will go out on a limb here and say that in about 5 years the floor boards will go out, and we'll have a genuine “Flinstone” vehicle. Anyhow back to the story... Every time he turned the steering wheel, a loud noise was made from under the car, and we went over a speed bump (which was also followed by a loud scratching noise) We turned onto the highway, we drove no more than 100 yards when all of a sudden we heard a loud BOOM and then the car began to swerve. Once we pulled over we got out of the car to figure out what the hell had happened. We were soon scratching our heads asking ourselves how all 4 lug nuts were able to come off allowing the tire to completely fall off of the axle. Needless to say we waited for our taxi driver's friend to come and pick us up to bring us back to Masaya. In the meantime a whole bunch of organized chaotic driving was occurring on the side of the vehicle...Big fiasco I say. We decided that it would be in everyone's safety that my mom got out of the car, just in case someone wasn't paying attention while driving (just in case, of course) and shit ended the back of the car. We did however have a lot of cultural experiences during our wait; we saw a wonderful display of Nicaraguan fireworks, haphazardly flying every which way; we also met a good portion of the sweatshop workers walking home after their shift ended. (They make 40 bucks a month by the way) To boot, we even got to watch the sun set while standing on the side of the highway. Very romantical!There's more, oh yes my friends there's more. So once our taxi drivers friend quickly drove to pick us up (an hour later (Masaya is 15 minutes away)) we transferred the luggage into the new taxi. While waiting in the taxi, our new and old taxi drivers took a lug nut off of each of the NEW taxi's wheels, and put them on the OLD taxi so they could drive home. I am told that a car can really be drivable with three lug nuts on at normal speeds, but did the new taxi driver drive slow and cautiously? NAY! He was driving as is he were driving to hit up Walmart's “After Thanksgiving day” sale. As soon as we took off, the car was not only shaking left and right, but his shocks needed some work as well, so we were bouncing up and down. Wonderful taxi ride I say, just wonderful!
But the best part of the night...CHRISTMAS PRESENTS! We decided that instead of having presents sent through the mail, that they would just fill a suitcase with stuff and pay the 25 bucks for an extra suitcase and save on the shipping. So I opened my gifts and it was wonderful! I got clothing, a new laptop (which works AWESOME and thanks to everyone involved!!), a lot of randoms and enough dulces to make the insulin of each and every worker at the Diabetes Center of America rise a good 100 points. I'm excited to share the candy with the neighborhood kids, because I'm sure they've never had good old Farm and Fleet angel food candy. BOO YEAH! Well thats it for day 1, and I'll keep you all abreast on the upcoming days of the trip.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Dancing our faces off with a little liquid inspiration
-Old blog entry-
So I just got done watching The Biggest Loser, and I am so excited that Michelle just won! She had been my favorite since the first episode and I knew that she was going to win. Then came on Momma’s Boy, BLAH so I decided to write on my blog.
Last week, I went to visit Liz in Granada while her site-mate and everyone’s favorite “chinita” was in the states on vacation. He had a lot of fun doing absolutely nothing. We did do a little walking around the city, and we came back to the house and enjoyed singing along to the Beatles and random music from our MP3 players…she is one hell of a singer… in a group of mutes, SHE would defiantly win in a singing contest! Therefore, in our singing mood, we decided to go out to Karaoke and watch the local singers. Some were better than others, and others made our ears bleed. Liz and I decided that next weekend we are going to do a little singing of our own. I don’t want to toot our own horns, but when we sing together, people cry; it’s almost like two angelic cherubs singing to greet the “man” for his second coming. OK well, there is no second coming, and people do not really cry, but we can harmonize like nobody’s business. I think we will probably sing something from the Beatles, or something fun, but it will be a blast, and something you should not miss.
I have recently been trying to organize my parents’ visit here to Nicaragua, and I am FINALLY done with the hotel reservations and everything… AHHH feels so good to have everything done; now I can’t wait for them to come down here and see where I have been living the last eight months. I’m pretty excited not only to see them, but I’m getting another laptop to replace the one that I ever-so-unselfishly donated to a fellow Nicaraguan (AKA I got robbed). Matagalpa should be fun, we are going on a coffee plant tour, and are going to the Selva Negra which I have heard mixed feelings on, but we’ll see. I already know that they are going to like Granada, because they liked Granada in Spain, and this is very similar…well kind of.
A few other volunteers and I were talking about how this Christmas just does not really feel like Christmas. I know for me, a Wisconsinite, 10 feet of snow on the ground makes it Christmas and maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel so. Also we are so used to being around our family and friends during the holidays, and now we are with our new family and friends here yet still it doesn’t seem the same.
On a brighter note, I have decided to go to Granada with a few of the other volunteers for Christmas, and then after Christmas we are going to Chinandega for a little time on the beach. I am not sure what I am going to do for New Years but I’m sure I will have a great time.
Well nothing else really to report so I’m going to get back to my Harry Potter book, and jump back into the wizarding world; check you “muggles” later!
So I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Because mine here was great! We had a huge feast with homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing from good old America (thanks mom!) chicken…oh my. We decided that we were going to marinade the chicken with a little of this, and a little of that and then cook it in the oven, but after two failed attempts of trying to light the ghetto style oven, and almost 6 (would have been) accidental deaths (due to exploding ovens) we decided to pan cook the chicken. After the Christmas feast we headed down to San Juan Del Sur. In three words to describe San Juan, I would throw out: Overpriced, mediocre, and not-worth-it! Blah I say, Blah. Although we did splurge and get a wonderful lobster meal in a restaurant on the beach, spending a good portion of our monthly allowance, we decided to blow the old proverbial Popsicle stand, and made our way to Granada. Being alone in the house alone, Stephanie, Patrick and I, we noticed there was music playing and a bottle of rum. Unopened. LIQUID INSPIRATION. With 3 light bulbs going off at the same time, we took care of that and decided to have our own “Dance Party America Extravaganza 2000” and we literally danced our faces off. After taking a quick minute to find our faces, we called it an early night. 3:30AM. Once we fell asleep, and sugar plums began dancing in our heads, what night would be complete without the neighborhood band playing music while parading down the street. Waking up, with our heads pounding, (must have somehow drank some tainted Coke) we continued to enjoy our New Years Eve morning. During the night, we headed over to a house that was being rented by the parents a fellow volunteer (hello Richman family) we listened to the music of a Nicaraguan band. After the New Year came, we headed downtown to see if Karaoke was still going, but it wasn’t. we headed home and stayed up for a while longer and reminisced about our wonderful night. The next morning, Andaring with Goma, I headed back home.
Now I am waiting for my parents to begin their journey to Nicaragua, getting my house settled, and cleaning it. Which really reminds me, I should really get back to that. Here are a few pictured below of what’s been happening. Oh yeah I got a cat. I named him Lupin.
WHILE DANCING OUR FACES OFF
ONCE PUTTING OUR FALLEN FACES BACK ON...some of us had problems
YAY STOVE TOP, AND I HELPED!
SELF PERFORMED RHINOPLASTY. IVE SEEN BETTER, BUT IT WORKED
ME AND MY GATO
So I just got done watching The Biggest Loser, and I am so excited that Michelle just won! She had been my favorite since the first episode and I knew that she was going to win. Then came on Momma’s Boy, BLAH so I decided to write on my blog.
Last week, I went to visit Liz in Granada while her site-mate and everyone’s favorite “chinita” was in the states on vacation. He had a lot of fun doing absolutely nothing. We did do a little walking around the city, and we came back to the house and enjoyed singing along to the Beatles and random music from our MP3 players…she is one hell of a singer… in a group of mutes, SHE would defiantly win in a singing contest! Therefore, in our singing mood, we decided to go out to Karaoke and watch the local singers. Some were better than others, and others made our ears bleed. Liz and I decided that next weekend we are going to do a little singing of our own. I don’t want to toot our own horns, but when we sing together, people cry; it’s almost like two angelic cherubs singing to greet the “man” for his second coming. OK well, there is no second coming, and people do not really cry, but we can harmonize like nobody’s business. I think we will probably sing something from the Beatles, or something fun, but it will be a blast, and something you should not miss.
I have recently been trying to organize my parents’ visit here to Nicaragua, and I am FINALLY done with the hotel reservations and everything… AHHH feels so good to have everything done; now I can’t wait for them to come down here and see where I have been living the last eight months. I’m pretty excited not only to see them, but I’m getting another laptop to replace the one that I ever-so-unselfishly donated to a fellow Nicaraguan (AKA I got robbed). Matagalpa should be fun, we are going on a coffee plant tour, and are going to the Selva Negra which I have heard mixed feelings on, but we’ll see. I already know that they are going to like Granada, because they liked Granada in Spain, and this is very similar…well kind of.
A few other volunteers and I were talking about how this Christmas just does not really feel like Christmas. I know for me, a Wisconsinite, 10 feet of snow on the ground makes it Christmas and maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel so. Also we are so used to being around our family and friends during the holidays, and now we are with our new family and friends here yet still it doesn’t seem the same.
On a brighter note, I have decided to go to Granada with a few of the other volunteers for Christmas, and then after Christmas we are going to Chinandega for a little time on the beach. I am not sure what I am going to do for New Years but I’m sure I will have a great time.
Well nothing else really to report so I’m going to get back to my Harry Potter book, and jump back into the wizarding world; check you “muggles” later!
So I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Because mine here was great! We had a huge feast with homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing from good old America (thanks mom!) chicken…oh my. We decided that we were going to marinade the chicken with a little of this, and a little of that and then cook it in the oven, but after two failed attempts of trying to light the ghetto style oven, and almost 6 (would have been) accidental deaths (due to exploding ovens) we decided to pan cook the chicken. After the Christmas feast we headed down to San Juan Del Sur. In three words to describe San Juan, I would throw out: Overpriced, mediocre, and not-worth-it! Blah I say, Blah. Although we did splurge and get a wonderful lobster meal in a restaurant on the beach, spending a good portion of our monthly allowance, we decided to blow the old proverbial Popsicle stand, and made our way to Granada. Being alone in the house alone, Stephanie, Patrick and I, we noticed there was music playing and a bottle of rum. Unopened. LIQUID INSPIRATION. With 3 light bulbs going off at the same time, we took care of that and decided to have our own “Dance Party America Extravaganza 2000” and we literally danced our faces off. After taking a quick minute to find our faces, we called it an early night. 3:30AM. Once we fell asleep, and sugar plums began dancing in our heads, what night would be complete without the neighborhood band playing music while parading down the street. Waking up, with our heads pounding, (must have somehow drank some tainted Coke) we continued to enjoy our New Years Eve morning. During the night, we headed over to a house that was being rented by the parents a fellow volunteer (hello Richman family) we listened to the music of a Nicaraguan band. After the New Year came, we headed downtown to see if Karaoke was still going, but it wasn’t. we headed home and stayed up for a while longer and reminisced about our wonderful night. The next morning, Andaring with Goma, I headed back home.
Now I am waiting for my parents to begin their journey to Nicaragua, getting my house settled, and cleaning it. Which really reminds me, I should really get back to that. Here are a few pictured below of what’s been happening. Oh yeah I got a cat. I named him Lupin.
WHILE DANCING OUR FACES OFF
ONCE PUTTING OUR FALLEN FACES BACK ON...some of us had problems
YAY STOVE TOP, AND I HELPED!
SELF PERFORMED RHINOPLASTY. IVE SEEN BETTER, BUT IT WORKED
ME AND MY GATO
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Having a shitty day
ok well contrary to the name of my blog, I had a wonderful day. I spent the night with Liz in Granada, and we walked to the Lake Cocibolca to go kayaking. She knows someone who is trying to spread the name of his business around, so he was giving a free day, so we kayaked (if that is even a word) and when we were walking home, we noticed a little cabana bar on the beach which was open 24 hours from Thursday thru Sunday. Were talking about how that explains why there were so many drunk men passed out alongside the road. Not a few minutes after that, I look to the left side of the road and see a man laying on the ground passed out in the fetal position. With a double take, he had his pants around his ankles with his bare ass hanging out. With a triple take, his ass wasnt the only thing hanging out. He must have been trying to go number 2 when he tipped over and passed out, there was a big ol´piece of poopy hanging from his butt. It was times like those that I would have LOVED to have my camera on me. Oh well better him then me I say.
On a random note
The taxi drivers in Masaya love to rip people off, and they are always trying to charge more than they quoted when they reach your destination. I have come up with a fool proof plan. check it. So people in Nicaragua NEVER EVER EVER have change for larger bills, not even 100 cordobas. so they will tell you that they dont have change, and unless you dig in your pockets and purses and find it, they will not sell you what ever you are buying. So for example you go to an ice cream shop and get a cone worth 20 cords (1 dollar) and you give them a 100 cord bill, they will tell you they dont have change, and if you dont come up with the correct change, they will make you give them back the ice cream cone and refuse the sale. So the other night, Liz and I took a taxi to a club in Masaya whi SHOULD have cost 20 cords (10 each) but then we get out of the taxi and he is like, "woah woah it is 20 EACH" we were arguing about this, and I had the bright idea to whip out my 500 cord bill. BOO YEAH he looked at me like "ARE YOU SERIOUS" and told us to get out and drove off. see. FLAWLESS PLAN!! I have no worries that ANY taxi driver will have the change for a 500 so I shouldnt be ripped off any time soon.
ok t it for now, back to reading Harry Potter!
ADIOS
On a random note
The taxi drivers in Masaya love to rip people off, and they are always trying to charge more than they quoted when they reach your destination. I have come up with a fool proof plan. check it. So people in Nicaragua NEVER EVER EVER have change for larger bills, not even 100 cordobas. so they will tell you that they dont have change, and unless you dig in your pockets and purses and find it, they will not sell you what ever you are buying. So for example you go to an ice cream shop and get a cone worth 20 cords (1 dollar) and you give them a 100 cord bill, they will tell you they dont have change, and if you dont come up with the correct change, they will make you give them back the ice cream cone and refuse the sale. So the other night, Liz and I took a taxi to a club in Masaya whi SHOULD have cost 20 cords (10 each) but then we get out of the taxi and he is like, "woah woah it is 20 EACH" we were arguing about this, and I had the bright idea to whip out my 500 cord bill. BOO YEAH he looked at me like "ARE YOU SERIOUS" and told us to get out and drove off. see. FLAWLESS PLAN!! I have no worries that ANY taxi driver will have the change for a 500 so I shouldnt be ripped off any time soon.
ok t it for now, back to reading Harry Potter!
ADIOS
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Its an OBAMA-NATION
What an eventful night HUH?? Pretty damn exciting if you ask me, although you didnt Im just telling you. I thought we were going to be in for a long night last night, but faster than you can say "Maverick" even FOX News called the election for Obama!! This is really exciting I think and our future is SOOO bright, Im already wearing shades. Jan 20th couldnt come any sooner.
Well I went to Matagalpa last weekend for a Halloween party, and it was incredible! Matagalpa is such a wonderful city, with things to do, MANY clothing shops, and the weather cant be beat! The costumes were (to say the least) original yet effective. Some of my neighbors came over today and said congradulations on the election, and they were greeted with my support for Obama. I made a sign and posted it on my door just for this election.
My mom called the other night and we kind of planned out their trip when they come here to visit, and as of today we are going to Masaya, Matagalpa, Granada, San Juan Del Sur, Ometepe, and Leon. It is a lot of places to visit in 13 days but I think well manage, I just hope they dont get too bored while down here. ill try my best to uphold my promise to be the best tour guide or your money back.
The elections are going to be here in Masaya on he 9th, and we cannot leave to go anywhere because they have us on standstill, just in case if any violence breaks out, oh well I have 4 strong walls.
This school year is coming to an end which is nice because we have a minor break from thelittle bastards students. Classes have been going GREAT for the last few weeks because I think they know the final exams are coming and none of the teachers actually make the students THINK on exams so they know the rest of the year will be a cakewalk.
Well I dont have really much else to say now, but I promise you the blogs will be much better and conatain more "meat" once I get my new laptop during X-mas. it just sucks to have to pay for the internet AND write your blog. If you have any suggestions of thinkgs I could write about, please let me know.
ADIOS
IM PROUD TO BE AN OBAMANATION
Well I went to Matagalpa last weekend for a Halloween party, and it was incredible! Matagalpa is such a wonderful city, with things to do, MANY clothing shops, and the weather cant be beat! The costumes were (to say the least) original yet effective. Some of my neighbors came over today and said congradulations on the election, and they were greeted with my support for Obama. I made a sign and posted it on my door just for this election.
My mom called the other night and we kind of planned out their trip when they come here to visit, and as of today we are going to Masaya, Matagalpa, Granada, San Juan Del Sur, Ometepe, and Leon. It is a lot of places to visit in 13 days but I think well manage, I just hope they dont get too bored while down here. ill try my best to uphold my promise to be the best tour guide or your money back.
The elections are going to be here in Masaya on he 9th, and we cannot leave to go anywhere because they have us on standstill, just in case if any violence breaks out, oh well I have 4 strong walls.
This school year is coming to an end which is nice because we have a minor break from the
Well I dont have really much else to say now, but I promise you the blogs will be much better and conatain more "meat" once I get my new laptop during X-mas. it just sucks to have to pay for the internet AND write your blog. If you have any suggestions of thinkgs I could write about, please let me know.
ADIOS
IM PROUD TO BE AN OBAMANATION
Monday, October 13, 2008
Randomness
The other weekend, Liz and Diane came for a visit and we were just bumming around, going from market to market, when we decided to go to Payless shoes because I thought they were still having their BOGO sale, but when we got there we found that it had ended... too bad for them (I got 2 nice pairs a few days before). Dianne (who everyone calls Chinita or chinese girl, even though she is Korean) decided that she wanted to see if she could get a discount of her own. She went up to buy the sandals at the counter and asked the clerk if she could get a discount because she's "chinese" (and the sandals were made there) and she's pretty sure her grandmother MADE them, so that warrants a "family discount". With a straight face, Diane tilted her head to the side patiently waiting for him answer. The clerk had NO CLUE how to respond to that and in the end told her that there would be no such discount offered to her. Oh well it was worth a try, and because Liz and I bet her 10 cords that she wouldnt do it, she got a 20 cord discount in the end.
On my last visit to Granada, which was a blast to say the least. **wink wink Diane** Liz, Avi, Diane and I went to some other Americans' house (which was like a 6 star hotel compared to where I live) and I re-learned how to play canasta and we did a little drinky drinky of the ever so tastey Flor De Caña rum. On the taxi ride home, we decided to hit up a discoteca where we danced local dances until 3 AM. It was fun. The BEST part of it all, when I got home, I WASNT ROBBED!! I have been waiting for a few weeks to go on any over night journeys since the robbery.
OK well there are people waiting to use the internet so I gotta go now, ill be bak soon. CIAO
On my last visit to Granada, which was a blast to say the least. **wink wink Diane** Liz, Avi, Diane and I went to some other Americans' house (which was like a 6 star hotel compared to where I live) and I re-learned how to play canasta and we did a little drinky drinky of the ever so tastey Flor De Caña rum. On the taxi ride home, we decided to hit up a discoteca where we danced local dances until 3 AM. It was fun. The BEST part of it all, when I got home, I WASNT ROBBED!! I have been waiting for a few weeks to go on any over night journeys since the robbery.
OK well there are people waiting to use the internet so I gotta go now, ill be bak soon. CIAO
Thursday, September 25, 2008
You win some you lose some
Dell laptop $800.00, credit and debit card $15,000, USB stick $10.00. The fact of knowing that someone broke into your house and stole all of the above... priceless. So yeah just a little update that someone broke into my house this last weekend and stole some of my shit. I went to Granada on Saturday and when I came home on Sunday, I was going to watch a movie, but there was no laptop. I called the police and 3 hours later when they arrived (thank god I wasnt getting raped, and REALLY needed their help) one of them stayed in the truck and slept, while the other two took my police report. They decided that the person or persons got in through one of the doors, and the next day my landlord put new locks on the doors. I also went to the store and bought one of the rocks to sharpen my machete because I will be hell bent of they try to do it this weekend when I am home. I decided I would like to keep all the lights off and wait for him to come back and Ill chop his ass up. Ive already verified it with police that if I do hurt him, I will be OK because it was self defense. Soooo yeah Im still a little pissed, but a lot less pissed than I thought I would be.
On a brighter note, the new Ugly Betty, and Grey´s Anatomy are on tonight!! The office is new as well, but it´s at the same time as U.B. Damn it... choices choices choices. But there is a thunderstorm coming and Im sure the electricity will go out soon, so Ill come back in a few days and write about something else, who knows maybe Ill get the computer back... ADIOS everyone.
On a brighter note, the new Ugly Betty, and Grey´s Anatomy are on tonight!! The office is new as well, but it´s at the same time as U.B. Damn it... choices choices choices. But there is a thunderstorm coming and Im sure the electricity will go out soon, so Ill come back in a few days and write about something else, who knows maybe Ill get the computer back... ADIOS everyone.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Its a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Hello everyone, I have been very lazy lately. Well I mean on keeping up on my blog, otherwise I have been very busy! I decided that things were just not working out with the host family that I was living with, so I decided to move out into my own house. I am now living in the old home of Paul and Holly, and couldn't be happier! The first night was a little uncomfortable as all I had was a mattress and I had to sleep on the floor, but oh well the bed is very comfortable! The last few weeks I have been getting things for my house. I have made about 35 trips to the market buying everything from silverware, plastic tables and chairs (which are very expensive by the way), to laundry detergent, wood tables for my bedroom and living room, and bricks and planks of wood to make a bookshelf. It was fun buying the tables and very painless. The weird part was that I hired a local bolo (drunk) to put the three tables on his cart, and then push the cart through the streets to my house. At first he decided that we wanted to charge me 40 cords (2 bucks) but when he got to the house he said, “Well I pushed really far, and it weighed a lot and I'm really tired, I think you should give me something else.” I told him that I would give him 50 cords and we'd call it even but then he said, “No, I mean give me something from your house.” I decided that I had had enough so after I got the tables in the house, I gave him the 50 cords and just closed the door.
I think it was my third day, when I woke up at 8 AM, there were already 10-15 bolos out in the streets who had already “got their drink on” and had probably had it on for about 3 hours, they were singing, unfortunately it was no Latin American Idol by any means. These performances, by the way, were all being performed on my door step. It took a while to wait for them to get off the steps, and as soon as they started wandering off the steps, I took Holly's advice and started sweeping and then took a bunch of water and threw it all over, because the drunks wont sit on the steps if it's wet. That night I was getting ready for bed when I heard something jump my patio fence. Then I heard something start screwing around with my clothes line outside of my house. I walked to the back room and I could hear two people whispering and someone breathing loudly. What a fricking welcoming committee, I think, and of course I have nothing to defend myself with when he breaks in. So I did what any strong, well built man would do. I grabbed the bottle of Raid and I started spraying it out the opening of the roof/ceiling. I kept spraying and spraying, and after a while there was no more deep breathing, so I decided that they left. Now I'm trying to figure out if it was two men, or two really big cockroaches. The next morning I made my 38th visit to the market and bought myself a 20 inch machete... just in case. Every night I swipe the machete across the wall, just to let the bolos outside know that if they break in, I will not think twice to cut a bitch!
I think I have a best friend already after only a few days in my new house. He's 11 and his name is Roger. Paul and Holly said he was a good kid, and for the last couple of days he come over like 5-10 times a day, always when I'm watching a movie or watching “fair and balanced” Fox News. (I know, I know, but in my defense its the only good news station I get here.) On many of my journeys to the market, he tags along with me and helps do some of the shopping. When we were in the market and looking for a new hammock, the prices of course jumped up when they saw me coming so when we got home he told him mom, and she let me know that she would go with me and get things I needed for better prices.
I'm not exactly sure whats going on around this barrio because since I have moved in, people have been dropping like flies around here. You see, the way they let everyone know that someone has passed away, they attach huge speakers to a taxi, and the taxi drives around playing a recorded message letting everyone know who has passed, their brothers and sisters and when and where the funeral will be. It's weird because as I have said before they don't have addresses here such as 1505 Lopez Lane, but rather they use directions like “From the Faith Pharmacy three block north, and two block East”. So just the other day I was talking to Roger's family when said taxi drove around playing another death notice, and when they said the address of the person, everyone lifted their hand in unison and followed the directions counting the street blocks and at the end all realizing who it was. It seemed a little strange to me at first, but now I've gotten used to it.
One of my counterparts has introduced me to a few of her friends, “just to meet me” and in the end they all want free English classes. I have no problem giving free English classes, but I can only offer classes to so many people and I don't think she gets it. She really has no interest in having any English classes but wants me to teach everyone else. Just the other day I was introduced to another friend of hers, who also works at another school (FYI another death just happened, the taxi just went by) anyways. I met her and she asked me the normal question if I would be able to work with her students by offering them an advanced speaking class. I said I would talk to my boss to see if I could work at another school, because really if they needed a Peace Corps volunteer, the Peace Corps would have sent someone there. While talking about the classes my counterpart asked her how much they were offering to pay me. Before I had a chance to say that I cannot accept payment for my classes, she said that they have worked with PC volunteers and that we cannot accept payment. I asked her when the classes were, she dropped the bomb. They are on Saturday mornings from 8- noon, and if I could squeeze it in from 1PM-3PM as well. Right then I came to the conclusion that they don't have a teacher for this class, and since I work for free, why not take advantage of it...right?! I said I would call her after I had talked to my boss, we had our meeting at like 2PM. That evening between 6-7 she called 4 times to see if I had talked to her yet. I decided that I will work with them, but only if they follow the PC rule. There must be an English teacher in the room working with me, as I cannot teach a class alone, and my primary job here is a TEFL teacher trainer, and not a substitute teacher. Also I will do it every other Saturday because I need time for me as well. This afternoon when I went to school my counterpart asked me if I had gotten a hold of the teacher yet because they need me to start this Saturday and the next three Saturdays and she wanted to know if I was only going to work the 8am-noon or both shifts. LOL...WOW can we say FORWARD MUCH?!
On a better note, my mom emailed me and let me know she bought her tickets for the trip down here! Now I have to decide where I am going to bring them for their trip. I know for sure we will go to the Volcano here in Masaya, and prolly a day trip to Granada. I was also thinking the Selva Negra in Matagalpa. And also going to the Island of Ometepe. It is in the running for being one of the world's 7 natural wonders of the World. Not sure what there is to do there, but Ill have to talk to some of the volunteers on the island to have a better idea on how much time to spend there and what there is to do.
I think we will be skipping Managua because its not such a great place to be, with recent violence in the area towards foreigners and I know that if we take precautions we should be safe, but I would rather skip it and just be safe.
The least few days we were celebrating independence day here in Nicaragua, so we didn't have school from Monday-Wednesday so Lara, Adam and Elizabeth decided to stop by and spend a few days here in Masaya. It was great to see everyone, because it's been 7 weeks since I had last seen them. The first night we decided to join the local bolos and enjoy a little Flor de Cana, a wonderful Rum made here in Nicaragua. There were 6 of us, so the bottle that Lara and Adam brought didn't satisfy our needs so we decided to walk to the Pulperia, a little home based store where you can find most anything, to purchase another bottle. When we got to the store, the store owner was very very inebriated, so Lara thought it would be a good idea to try her bargaining skills and see if the owner would lower the price of the Rum. I thought it was a great interaction to watch! Kind of like going into Walmart and telling the clerk, “I will not pay more than 7 dollars for this 9 dollar bottle of Rum”. Well needless to say her bargaining skills were not up to par and we paid full price. Either way we had a great time, except for Elizabeth who decided it was the right time to come down with a little touch of something and spent the night resting in bed between visits to the bathroom. While having a conversation about what we planned to do after the Peace Corps, because you know that 670 days is JUST around the corner, Lara spotted a mouse running on the floor on my house, so as any normal person would do, we grabbed a headlamp and a 20 inch machete blade and went in search of our friend, Mr Mouse.(see picture below) We didn't find him, but we sure had a great time doing so.
The next morning we decided to go to the Laguna de Apoyo a little lake that was created by a crater, for a little dip and even more Tona. After swimming, we decided to try and hitchhike back to the highway because it is a long walk back UP the road to the highway, unfortunately the cars passing by were not having any of it, so no rides were offered. We decided to walk a little ways to the bus stop and wait for a taxi. We got home safe and sound with nothing major to report.
A few days ago, my next door neighbor brought me to the market to get some fruits and a hammock. She came over a few hours later and asked me if I would like her to show me how to make a refresco or a drink. I agreed and let her come inside to show me. She cut the oranges for me and squeezed the juice into the container and showed me exactly how much sugar and water to add. She used water from the faucet and not the bottled water I had but I decided when in Rome. After washing all the dishes she used, she told me that I had a lot of dust on my floor, and that I should really sweep that up. I informed her that Sundays are the days I do my cleaning when she looked at me and informed me that, “Hoy es domingo” Today IS Sunday. And grabbed my mop and started sweeping my floor with the mop and then proceeded to mop my floor for me. When she left she gave me an “Adios” and let me know that, “Te dejo con la casa limpa” I leave you with a clean house. What a nice lady she is. (Side note: I sure hope the taxi with the speakers doesn't come passing by reading her name)
After taking the advice of my neighbors and waiting until Independence Day, because there might be some good sales, I went to all of the stores looking for my good sales. Not a rebaja or sale in sight! I decided I could not wait any longer for a fridge, so I am pleased to announce that I am the owner of a brand new Mexican refrigerator. It's nice to actually be able to drink something cold and not room temperature... AND I NOW HAVE ICE... How great is that. Thank god for my bank account at home, as I spent a month and a half salary on the dang thing. I just hope that This fridge isnt like appliances back home... made to break. I decided to go with the cheaper of two fridges because after talking to the salesman at the store, he informed me that although the more expensive one comes with a three year guarantee, it's made in El Salvador and is more likely to break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope this buggers lasts two years.... Oops be right back, have to fill up on my ICE water!! Ahhh it's so nice to say that... ICE WATER.
OK back. Well there is nothing more to report on as of right now, I am finishing this up and I have to go to class. We'll see if any of the kids actually come to class because I was told by most of the teachers that since the students had Monday through Wednesday off, most likely, the will not come until next Monday. Well I leave you with a few pictures I have take from the last few weeks. I'll talk to you all again soon!
** yeah no class today, hardly any students came, so they told the ones that did to go home, and cancelled classes***
Lara not realizing Adam was drowning, he sure will be missed!
My front lock was stuck shut, had to have a neighbor come over and but me out of my own house....waste of 3 bucks for a lock.
THANKS Kayla for my first real meal I had at my apartment!
Lara VERY serious hunting for the mouse in the house.
Next door neighbor Roger.
The guys that clean the streets.
Our taxi ride to Laguna de Apoyo, what a tight ride!!
I think it was my third day, when I woke up at 8 AM, there were already 10-15 bolos out in the streets who had already “got their drink on” and had probably had it on for about 3 hours, they were singing, unfortunately it was no Latin American Idol by any means. These performances, by the way, were all being performed on my door step. It took a while to wait for them to get off the steps, and as soon as they started wandering off the steps, I took Holly's advice and started sweeping and then took a bunch of water and threw it all over, because the drunks wont sit on the steps if it's wet. That night I was getting ready for bed when I heard something jump my patio fence. Then I heard something start screwing around with my clothes line outside of my house. I walked to the back room and I could hear two people whispering and someone breathing loudly. What a fricking welcoming committee, I think, and of course I have nothing to defend myself with when he breaks in. So I did what any strong, well built man would do. I grabbed the bottle of Raid and I started spraying it out the opening of the roof/ceiling. I kept spraying and spraying, and after a while there was no more deep breathing, so I decided that they left. Now I'm trying to figure out if it was two men, or two really big cockroaches. The next morning I made my 38th visit to the market and bought myself a 20 inch machete... just in case. Every night I swipe the machete across the wall, just to let the bolos outside know that if they break in, I will not think twice to cut a bitch!
I think I have a best friend already after only a few days in my new house. He's 11 and his name is Roger. Paul and Holly said he was a good kid, and for the last couple of days he come over like 5-10 times a day, always when I'm watching a movie or watching “fair and balanced” Fox News. (I know, I know, but in my defense its the only good news station I get here.) On many of my journeys to the market, he tags along with me and helps do some of the shopping. When we were in the market and looking for a new hammock, the prices of course jumped up when they saw me coming so when we got home he told him mom, and she let me know that she would go with me and get things I needed for better prices.
I'm not exactly sure whats going on around this barrio because since I have moved in, people have been dropping like flies around here. You see, the way they let everyone know that someone has passed away, they attach huge speakers to a taxi, and the taxi drives around playing a recorded message letting everyone know who has passed, their brothers and sisters and when and where the funeral will be. It's weird because as I have said before they don't have addresses here such as 1505 Lopez Lane, but rather they use directions like “From the Faith Pharmacy three block north, and two block East”. So just the other day I was talking to Roger's family when said taxi drove around playing another death notice, and when they said the address of the person, everyone lifted their hand in unison and followed the directions counting the street blocks and at the end all realizing who it was. It seemed a little strange to me at first, but now I've gotten used to it.
One of my counterparts has introduced me to a few of her friends, “just to meet me” and in the end they all want free English classes. I have no problem giving free English classes, but I can only offer classes to so many people and I don't think she gets it. She really has no interest in having any English classes but wants me to teach everyone else. Just the other day I was introduced to another friend of hers, who also works at another school (FYI another death just happened, the taxi just went by) anyways. I met her and she asked me the normal question if I would be able to work with her students by offering them an advanced speaking class. I said I would talk to my boss to see if I could work at another school, because really if they needed a Peace Corps volunteer, the Peace Corps would have sent someone there. While talking about the classes my counterpart asked her how much they were offering to pay me. Before I had a chance to say that I cannot accept payment for my classes, she said that they have worked with PC volunteers and that we cannot accept payment. I asked her when the classes were, she dropped the bomb. They are on Saturday mornings from 8- noon, and if I could squeeze it in from 1PM-3PM as well. Right then I came to the conclusion that they don't have a teacher for this class, and since I work for free, why not take advantage of it...right?! I said I would call her after I had talked to my boss, we had our meeting at like 2PM. That evening between 6-7 she called 4 times to see if I had talked to her yet. I decided that I will work with them, but only if they follow the PC rule. There must be an English teacher in the room working with me, as I cannot teach a class alone, and my primary job here is a TEFL teacher trainer, and not a substitute teacher. Also I will do it every other Saturday because I need time for me as well. This afternoon when I went to school my counterpart asked me if I had gotten a hold of the teacher yet because they need me to start this Saturday and the next three Saturdays and she wanted to know if I was only going to work the 8am-noon or both shifts. LOL...WOW can we say FORWARD MUCH?!
On a better note, my mom emailed me and let me know she bought her tickets for the trip down here! Now I have to decide where I am going to bring them for their trip. I know for sure we will go to the Volcano here in Masaya, and prolly a day trip to Granada. I was also thinking the Selva Negra in Matagalpa. And also going to the Island of Ometepe. It is in the running for being one of the world's 7 natural wonders of the World. Not sure what there is to do there, but Ill have to talk to some of the volunteers on the island to have a better idea on how much time to spend there and what there is to do.
I think we will be skipping Managua because its not such a great place to be, with recent violence in the area towards foreigners and I know that if we take precautions we should be safe, but I would rather skip it and just be safe.
The least few days we were celebrating independence day here in Nicaragua, so we didn't have school from Monday-Wednesday so Lara, Adam and Elizabeth decided to stop by and spend a few days here in Masaya. It was great to see everyone, because it's been 7 weeks since I had last seen them. The first night we decided to join the local bolos and enjoy a little Flor de Cana, a wonderful Rum made here in Nicaragua. There were 6 of us, so the bottle that Lara and Adam brought didn't satisfy our needs so we decided to walk to the Pulperia, a little home based store where you can find most anything, to purchase another bottle. When we got to the store, the store owner was very very inebriated, so Lara thought it would be a good idea to try her bargaining skills and see if the owner would lower the price of the Rum. I thought it was a great interaction to watch! Kind of like going into Walmart and telling the clerk, “I will not pay more than 7 dollars for this 9 dollar bottle of Rum”. Well needless to say her bargaining skills were not up to par and we paid full price. Either way we had a great time, except for Elizabeth who decided it was the right time to come down with a little touch of something and spent the night resting in bed between visits to the bathroom. While having a conversation about what we planned to do after the Peace Corps, because you know that 670 days is JUST around the corner, Lara spotted a mouse running on the floor on my house, so as any normal person would do, we grabbed a headlamp and a 20 inch machete blade and went in search of our friend, Mr Mouse.(see picture below) We didn't find him, but we sure had a great time doing so.
The next morning we decided to go to the Laguna de Apoyo a little lake that was created by a crater, for a little dip and even more Tona. After swimming, we decided to try and hitchhike back to the highway because it is a long walk back UP the road to the highway, unfortunately the cars passing by were not having any of it, so no rides were offered. We decided to walk a little ways to the bus stop and wait for a taxi. We got home safe and sound with nothing major to report.
A few days ago, my next door neighbor brought me to the market to get some fruits and a hammock. She came over a few hours later and asked me if I would like her to show me how to make a refresco or a drink. I agreed and let her come inside to show me. She cut the oranges for me and squeezed the juice into the container and showed me exactly how much sugar and water to add. She used water from the faucet and not the bottled water I had but I decided when in Rome. After washing all the dishes she used, she told me that I had a lot of dust on my floor, and that I should really sweep that up. I informed her that Sundays are the days I do my cleaning when she looked at me and informed me that, “Hoy es domingo” Today IS Sunday. And grabbed my mop and started sweeping my floor with the mop and then proceeded to mop my floor for me. When she left she gave me an “Adios” and let me know that, “Te dejo con la casa limpa” I leave you with a clean house. What a nice lady she is. (Side note: I sure hope the taxi with the speakers doesn't come passing by reading her name)
After taking the advice of my neighbors and waiting until Independence Day, because there might be some good sales, I went to all of the stores looking for my good sales. Not a rebaja or sale in sight! I decided I could not wait any longer for a fridge, so I am pleased to announce that I am the owner of a brand new Mexican refrigerator. It's nice to actually be able to drink something cold and not room temperature... AND I NOW HAVE ICE... How great is that. Thank god for my bank account at home, as I spent a month and a half salary on the dang thing. I just hope that This fridge isnt like appliances back home... made to break. I decided to go with the cheaper of two fridges because after talking to the salesman at the store, he informed me that although the more expensive one comes with a three year guarantee, it's made in El Salvador and is more likely to break. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope this buggers lasts two years.... Oops be right back, have to fill up on my ICE water!! Ahhh it's so nice to say that... ICE WATER.
OK back. Well there is nothing more to report on as of right now, I am finishing this up and I have to go to class. We'll see if any of the kids actually come to class because I was told by most of the teachers that since the students had Monday through Wednesday off, most likely, the will not come until next Monday. Well I leave you with a few pictures I have take from the last few weeks. I'll talk to you all again soon!
** yeah no class today, hardly any students came, so they told the ones that did to go home, and cancelled classes***
Lara not realizing Adam was drowning, he sure will be missed!
My front lock was stuck shut, had to have a neighbor come over and but me out of my own house....waste of 3 bucks for a lock.
THANKS Kayla for my first real meal I had at my apartment!
Lara VERY serious hunting for the mouse in the house.
Next door neighbor Roger.
The guys that clean the streets.
Our taxi ride to Laguna de Apoyo, what a tight ride!!
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