SITE ASSIGNMENT!!!

Today we learned where we´ll be living and working for the two years of our service. We´ll be going to the town of Nagarote in the Department of Leon. This town of about 35,000 is a short 45 minute trip from the capital of Managua, and is on the shores of Lake Managua and next to volcano Momotombo. It´s also close to the beach, which brings to mind Peace Corps Jamaica´s unofficial slogan, "You don´t have to suffer to serve". It is one of the most progressive town´s in the country, and has won Nicaragua´s Cleanest City award five years running.

We´ll be working in six schools that are all "multi-grade", meaning that multiple grades are in the same classroom together. This is challenging, but we actually wanted these types of schools because they tend to be smaller, more intimate, and the teachers and students are typically very receptive. There are also a wide array of projects that we´re interested in working with, as well as many community groups and NGOs that we´ll be able to collaborate with.

Friday we´ll be going to Managua to meet our "Counterparts". This is the person who requested volunteers for the site, has connections within the community, and will facilitate us with our integration and with our work throughout the two years. Then, Saturday we´ll be heading off to our site for a one week visit. We´ll be able to meet the people we´ll be living with for the first six weeks, the people we´ll be working with, and just get a feel for the place.

Overall a big day. We´re excited.

Busy, Busy!

This week is going to be a pretty tough week for us. We have youth group projects, a youth group charla (presentation) and another class in the schools. My group also has our survey presentation. This Saturday night we went to a dance club in Catarina with some other aspirantes to blow off some steam before our ¨hump¨week. Two of our friends had their wallets stolen. An important thing to keep in mind here is that is perfectly acceptable to keep money in as many places as you can, all over your body (ladies, this includes your bra so you can boost your bust). Next week we will find out our site so we will be sure to update everyone on our new permanant location. Next time... more pics!

The Beloved Care Package!!!

In response to some requests from family and friends, we have created a care package "wish list". For all of those that wish to send us a cardboard box full of love, here are a few things we're craving:

• Dark Chocolate!!!!! (Kaitlyn wishes to add exclamation marks to this one)
• Reeses
• Hard Candy
• U.S. Magazines (Time, The Economist, etc.)
• Pop Secret Homestyle Microwavable Popcorn or Plain Kernals
• Cooking Spices
• Good CDs
• Good Books
• Office Supplies (good thick permanent markers)
• Hand Sanitizer

Our new address in Leon is listed below. We've also heard that the best way to get things through is actually standard U.S. Postal Service, as other methods have a higher chance of getting tampered with at customs. Also, apparently they have some deal where you can send up to 20 pounds for a fixed rate. Now who loves us most?

Alex Fuller-Young / Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick

Apartado Postal 366
León, Nicaragua
America Central

Things That Make One Realize They're Not in the U.S. Anymore

As I promised awhile back, here are a few things that someone that is wideeyed and fresh to a new country has found a bit strange:

1. Electricity is rarely a dependable commodity, and in-fact the vast majority of towns and cities do not receive power during working hours.
2. The easiest way to trim the grass in the town's schoolyard is to perpetually move the place where the horse is tied to the fence.
3. Some believe that in order to ensure their family's safety, the entire family should sit on the same bed during a thunderstorm.
4. The concept of "passenger capacity" does not exist, or apply, when it comes to public transportation.
5. Men would never think of riding side by side in the very common "ciclotaxis" here (a bench on the front of a bike), but have no problem fitting up to five people on one, traditional bicycle.
6. The concept of "disturbing the peace" does not exist in the majority of Nicaragua, and it is in-fact highly offensive to ask a person to limit the amount of noise they are creating.
7. Some believe that drinking a cold beverage in the afternoon, or taking a shower after exercise, is a very common cause of fevers and other illnesses.
8. The strangest, most fascinating thing people have seen in a long while is you.

Volunteer Visits and pictures!

Here are a few more pictures. We hope that you enjoy!

Alex and me in my training town.

A typical meal in Nicaragua. See the

rice and beans.... I eat them EVERY day

for lunch..... and dinner.... and for a snack....

This is me and my host sister Amanda Sofia.

She is two and she LOVES to listen to my music.

Here is a picture of Alex and me during the

Independence Day parade. The building is a

Catholic church- the biggest and nicest building in the city.

Here is the parade. Boys carry drums

and girls get to twirl things.

We successfuly hade our first volunteer visits. Alex went to Chinandega and I went to Leon. Both places are VERY hot. However, the scenery was beautiful and the experience was really beneficial for us to see what other volunteers do. My first day we went to the beach which was really fun. However, it seems as though I got a bacterical infection (the first of many I am sure) and I had to pull the taxi over on the way to the beach and squat in a cow field..... I am sure that it will not be the first time. We both had really informative visits because we go to live with another volunteer and visit the schools with them. We are now VERY anxious and excited to get to our site. Alex and I hope for ALOT of visitors because there are SO many cool places that we can take people to visit. This Saturday we are going to Volcano Masaya. We will be sure to post some cool pictures. Hope you enjoy the ones above!