My game face for the dance contests for Teachers day
We taught them how to make Smores for Juancitos Birthday
Drinking from bagged water...only one cordoba
Pedicure...finally had clean feet after 10 months in Nicaragua
Putting on Avocado Face Masks
Beauty night with the Girl Scouts
I have a lot to catch up on so I am going to try to make this as brief as possible:
Way back in June I believe Jamie, Jason and I helped translate for a group of doctors from Michigan. They were a great group of people, which made the hot long days of non stop talking for us not only bearable but fun. One of the days there were 1,000 people lined up to get a consult with a doctor. They had to barricade the doors to the building because it was like a stampede of everyone trying to get in. Every time they opened the door to let another group in they needed 4 grown men to open and shut the door. It was worse than Black Friday at Walmart….scary. The doctors were amazed that people here would walk 4 hours and wait in line another 5 for the consult and medicine and then walk home the 4 hours back. Funny they said how people in the states get their panties in a bunch if their appointment is 10 minutes delayed. One day we went to the prison to give consults to the prisoners which was interesting. I got asked to give them my number, one of my earrings to remember me, and where I lived. Haha, told them nowhere close by. One of the guys had problems moving half of his body cause he took a machete to the neck a few years back and I could see how far the machete went in. Another night on our way back to drop me off we almost ran over what I thought was a sleeping dog. Turns out it was a sloth crossing the street at night. It was the first time I had ever seen one and it was a creepy looking animal. So all in all it was a very interesting week.
Then at the end of June Kristina came to visit which was a lot of fun. If you want a detailed account of the trip you can go to her blog at http://kkatris1986.blogspot.com/
Here is my brief version. It was a great trip mostly because we were able to just relax and catch up on everything. She got to go to my schools, meet all my neighbors, play soccer, and take a trip to the mountains. I thought for sure should wouldn’t be able to sleep because my room is bright really early, the buses outside of my house, my dog attacking the bed, and of course my host family next door. But she slept at least 10 hours every night! While she was here we had our celebration for teacher’s day. First of all let me just remind you that sometimes it seems they take off of school for any reason. For mothers day they had off one day for the party at the school, and then off another day for people to recuperate from the holiday. They had children’s day off of school. For teachers day they had one day off for the party and then the teacher’s have off the actual holiday. We also just had off for the anniversary of the government, and the following day for recuperation again. Okay enough venting. So back to teacher’s day. The kids and families planned it all. They performed dances and a play for us. Of course they have contests too. So they ask we need 5 teachers to volunteer. Tell me why anytime they asked for volunteers EVERYONE in the room (teachers, parents, students) look at me and say Karen? Being the American is also kind of being like the freak show because they all want to see me do everything. So I had to participate in musical chairs and two dance competitions. Luckily being younger helped me win the dance competitions. So I made out like a bandit with prizes. Then all my teachers got together to buy me a present to show their appreciation, it was so sweet! The kids made chalices out of plastic bottles (hurray for recycled materials) that were filled with candy. And a few students got me presents. It was a fun day. Not so much for poor Kristina since she couldn’t understand.
So all in all another absolutely wonderful trip. I am so blessed to have such amazing friends!
For the fourth of July I went to visit another volunteer. We made burgers, deviled eggs, and French onion dip. It was wonderful. It was the anniversary of his town so there was a parade, bottle rockets, and a big dance at night! It was perfect. Since his town is close to Managua I stopped by Fatima to visit my old host family. It was SOOOO great to see them. My host mom ran out and kissed me on the cheek like 15 times! Nobody told my host dad so he was in complete shock, I’m surprised he didn’t have a heart attack! It was great to visit with my youth group from there and all my old friends. Although one day was not enough time. Next time I need to go back for a few nights, and with Princesa.
Other than that things are going good, I started co-teaching in all my classes and it is going well. I just picked 12 big squash out of our school garden to raffle off to the kids. I had my site visit from my boss and she said everything looks good. I am still trying to figure out my future housing situation because my contract ends in august. Princesa is good, was really naughty for a week and destroyed my house. Now I know not to leave anything in reach and that means not even on top of the table cause she jumps up when I am not there. She has gotten better. My kitten is no longer a kitten. He eats so much and is getting big. He really likes it outside which is fine by me so he doesn’t poop in my house. I had to go plan at a teachers house that lives close by and not only did Princesa follow me but so did Diego. Her husband got scared cause he thought it was a fox at first. Then another night at like 8 one of my neighbors came to my door in a hurry and it surprised me. He said Karen I think your cat is in our house. My cat who is not afraid of dogs went in a house that has 4 dogs and when I walked in the cat was in the corner hissing and scratching and all the dogs were going crazy barking but too scared to attack the cat!
