I hope you have all been enjoying our pictures and I promise that more on on the way soon! In the meantime, I thought I would share with you a few of the things that I am REALLY missing right now!
Family: This obviously goes without saying but I just thought I would tell our families how much we are really missing you all. It is really easy to take your time together for granted but our time here has given us some time to reflect how lucky we are to have wonderful and supportive families. Thank you for everything and remember that we are always thinking about you!
Friends: We have been lucky to have met some amazing people while we have been here and have formed some great friendships with the other volunteers in our group but this doesn´t mean that we aren´t missing you guys like crazy! Our house is covered in pictures of you all and we sit around often and say ¨Man, I wish we were hanging out with our friends from home right now!¨ We wish you would send us some emails and let us know how you are doing! Keep in touch PLEASE! I know we are far away but we still want to be apart of your lives.
Seasons: Around Christmas it was the worst because all I really wanted to see was some snow! Since we arrived here at the end of the summer, and it is still hot here, it is like we have been living in a never ending summer. What I wouldn´t give for one cool day when I had to put on a hoodie and some boots! It would be really nice for a change to experience another temperature besides hot and even hotter.
GOOD FOOD: Typical Breakfast: Oatmeal, pancakes, and/or fruit. Typical Lunch: Rice and Beans. Typical Dinner: Chicken or Pasta or Mac-n-Cheese. That pretty much sums up our diet. I really miss being able to say ¨I want Chinese/ Pizza/ Steak/ Roast Beef/Hot Wings/ Salad/a sandwich/ Fish/ pretty much anything we want. We are every lucky in America to have access to such a wide range of food! What we wouldn´t give for a Pizza right now....
Good Movies: No we do not have a TV but our host family does and we have spent many a nights watching ¨classic pictures¨such as Seed of Chucky, Norbit, and The Wailer. All in Spanish by the way... Obviously we are really missing curling up on the couch with a nice bowl of popcorn and watching a really good flick.
Good Music: Nicaraguan do not like change. Therefore, they listen to the SAME songs, everyday, all the time. They also LOVE the corniest 80s love songs in either English or re-made in Spanish. These songs include, ¨Lady in Red,¨ ¨Total Eclipse of the Heart,¨ and any and every song by Celine Dion, especially ¨My heart will go on.¨
Okay, I am finished rambling for a bit. Being in Nicaragua really makes you appreciate many things you never thought you would about America. Enjoy a good movie and a Pizza for us (and a good beer for Alex!) Miss and love you all!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Hogar Dulce Hogar (Home Sweet Home)
Hey everyone! Here are the much awaited pictures of our new home! I wanted them to be in order but unfortunately I am not that savy yet on this website. So in no particular order, we give you our new home!
This is our bathroom. The scene of the scorpion attack on Alex.
This is our cute little patio or backyard. We will be doing alot of gardening back here.
This picture was supposed to be first. This is the front of our house! The motorcycle is not ours, it just likes to park there all the time.
This is our bathroom. The scene of the scorpion attack on Alex. 
This is our patio and lavadora where we wash our dishes! The other cement block is our grill where we cook over a wood fire using a metal fan cover.
This is our cute little patio or backyard. We will be doing alot of gardening back here.
This picture was supposed to be first. This is the front of our house! The motorcycle is not ours, it just likes to park there all the time. 
Here is our sala (living room). Note Alex on the hammock (his favorite spot). We also have decorated our home with lots of pictures of everyone so send us more! 
This is the middle room where we keep my hammock.
Yes, that is a yellow gas tank for our stove.
This is our beautiful kitchen.....
And finally, this is our bedroom, complete with mosiquito net! Notic that everything else is on the floor, as we do not have enough money right now to buy a dresser.
That completes the tour of our new home! We hope you enjoyed this adventure and now you can picture us here with some more ease. Miss you all!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Holidays Abroad...
...are not as fun as those at home. Not only were we away from all our friends and family this Christmas, but Christmas in general was dissapointing here. We simply assumed that all other countries with a foundation in Christianity considered Christmas to be the big holiday of the year. Not so in Nicaragua. Turns out that Easter gets an entire month of celebration, but Christmas is more just a semi-formal dinner. Our family did have a fake tree and ornaments, and they did wrap presents. However, there was certianly no Nat King Cole and obviously no snow. Furthermore, the main activity for the Christmas night turned out to be dancing to reggaeton at the few discotecs in town. Needless to say this did not coincide with our idea of Christmas.
New Years! That turned out to be a good time. We had to make the tough decision between staying in our site and enjoying the big festivities with our Nica community or spending it with our fellow volunteers. However, after a long first month and a half in our site, we were ready for some gringo exposure. We stayed for three nights in our local beach hang out at Playa Rocas, Las Peñitas with about 15 Env. Ed. and Agriculture volunteers, all from our training group. A very laid-back, beautiful place. Cheap seafood, comfortable hostels, and deserted beaches (except for New Years day). We had a great few days relaxing and exchanging tales of each others' experiences in our new sites. Many of which are very different from ours, especially for the Agriculture volunteers. For instance, in comparison to our large town with a supermarket and bank, one Agr. volunteer lives in a town on the other side of the mountians, in a crater, on the edge of the rainforest.
The big announcement is that we now have our own house, which we moved into yesterday. We loved all of our host families very much, but after more than 4 months we were more than ready for our own space. Plenty of room and much cooler than the average house in Nicaragua. Mango and lime tree. Friendly neighbors. Both toilet and latrine. Hammock hooks to be installed Thursday. Pictures coming. We'll be buying an extra matress, so we'll be waiting.
New Years! That turned out to be a good time. We had to make the tough decision between staying in our site and enjoying the big festivities with our Nica community or spending it with our fellow volunteers. However, after a long first month and a half in our site, we were ready for some gringo exposure. We stayed for three nights in our local beach hang out at Playa Rocas, Las Peñitas with about 15 Env. Ed. and Agriculture volunteers, all from our training group. A very laid-back, beautiful place. Cheap seafood, comfortable hostels, and deserted beaches (except for New Years day). We had a great few days relaxing and exchanging tales of each others' experiences in our new sites. Many of which are very different from ours, especially for the Agriculture volunteers. For instance, in comparison to our large town with a supermarket and bank, one Agr. volunteer lives in a town on the other side of the mountians, in a crater, on the edge of the rainforest.
The big announcement is that we now have our own house, which we moved into yesterday. We loved all of our host families very much, but after more than 4 months we were more than ready for our own space. Plenty of room and much cooler than the average house in Nicaragua. Mango and lime tree. Friendly neighbors. Both toilet and latrine. Hammock hooks to be installed Thursday. Pictures coming. We'll be buying an extra matress, so we'll be waiting.
New Years and other random things
A neat picture of the rocks at Playa Roca.
This is a picture of Playa Roca at Las Peñitas. Notice how few people actually go to the beach.
We can usually go to the beach and be one of the few people there.
This is the BEAUTIFUL sunset at Playa Roca.
This is the hostel at Playa Roca where we spend most of our time.
It has rooms that overlook the beach for $6.00 a night, good food, and a bar :)
Alex and Me during the beautiful sunset :)
Another great view of the rocks at Playa Roca.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
ATTACK OF THE SCORPION!
I survived my first scorpion attack! Two nights ago, Alex and I were sound asleep when I woke up to a horrible burning pain in my arm. I started yelling so Alex got up and turned on the light. I was crying that my arm was burning and that something bit me. We looked all over the room and found nothing. Finally, we looked right near where our pillows were, and sure enough there was a baby scorpion who had just settled down for a nap. My entire arm was burning and my lips and tongue were all tingly and numb. Luckily it was only a baby because apparently when the big ones sting you, then you can´t even walk for awhile. The scorpions here have poison but they aren´t deadly. Okay, so that was my survivor story. Miss you all!
Finding a House
Finding a house to rent in Nicaragua is unlike any other experience that I have ever had. At first, Alex and I used our host Mom to talk to people for us and see if they knew anyone who was renting a house. There are no signs here, or agencies, or even listings in the paper so you you need to rely on word of mouth. At first the general response was that there were absolutely NO houses to rent. Finally one turned up but it turned out to be a fixer-upper to put it mildly. We were feeling slightly discouraged but finally we decided to take matters into our own hands and just wander the streets and ask people. It was generally a good way to get to know people because it gave us an excuse to talk to them and get to know our town. However it was usually an exhausting experience that usually left our heads spinning as we walked all over town viewing one house or another. Here is a typical conversation that we had while trying to find a house.
Kaitlyn/Alex: Hello! We are Peace Corps Volunteers and we are going to live here for two years. We are looking for a house to rent. Do you know of any?
Nicaraguan#1: No, there are no houses to rent.
Nicaraguan #2: Yeah, there isn´t anything at all around here.
K/A: Oh really? That is too bad.
Nicaraguan #2: Well actually, isn´t there that house over there?
Nicaraguan #1: Oh yeah! Actually, my best friend´s, brother´s mother-in-law´s, cousin has an aunt whose friend´s Mom lives in Miami and they might want to rent their house! Do you live near Miami?
K/A: Really? That´s great! Where is the house? And no, we actually are not from Miami.
Nicaraguan #2: Okay, well you go 3 blocks down that way, go past the old church that used to be there but isn´t there anymore, then go right for 2 and a half blocks right near Rosa´s house and where they sell tortillas but there isn´t a sign, then on the left side there is a house about halfway down the street, you should go ask for Juan. He can take you to the house.
K/A: Uhh, okay wow thanks. What color is the house?
Nicaraguan #1: I don´t remember. But its real easy to find. Just go to that street and ask for Juan.
K/A: Thanks!
Okay, so that was basically how it went. There are no street signs here or addresses. Finally though, Alex and I managed to find a house that is too big for us but it is comfortable and has a BIG patio with fruit trees. We even have a spare room so we expect many visitors! We have nothing to fill our house right now except our clothes, a fridge, a fan, and a stove. Next on our list is that we need to buy a bed and if our host family does not take us to get one we will have to transport the bed on a bus which should be another adventure. We will move into the new house in January and then we will post pictures. We love and miss you all and are sad that we can´t be home for the holidays :( Thanks to everyone that sent packages! It is really much appreciated. We miss you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Kaitlyn/Alex: Hello! We are Peace Corps Volunteers and we are going to live here for two years. We are looking for a house to rent. Do you know of any?
Nicaraguan#1: No, there are no houses to rent.
Nicaraguan #2: Yeah, there isn´t anything at all around here.
K/A: Oh really? That is too bad.
Nicaraguan #2: Well actually, isn´t there that house over there?
Nicaraguan #1: Oh yeah! Actually, my best friend´s, brother´s mother-in-law´s, cousin has an aunt whose friend´s Mom lives in Miami and they might want to rent their house! Do you live near Miami?
K/A: Really? That´s great! Where is the house? And no, we actually are not from Miami.
Nicaraguan #2: Okay, well you go 3 blocks down that way, go past the old church that used to be there but isn´t there anymore, then go right for 2 and a half blocks right near Rosa´s house and where they sell tortillas but there isn´t a sign, then on the left side there is a house about halfway down the street, you should go ask for Juan. He can take you to the house.
K/A: Uhh, okay wow thanks. What color is the house?
Nicaraguan #1: I don´t remember. But its real easy to find. Just go to that street and ask for Juan.
K/A: Thanks!
Okay, so that was basically how it went. There are no street signs here or addresses. Finally though, Alex and I managed to find a house that is too big for us but it is comfortable and has a BIG patio with fruit trees. We even have a spare room so we expect many visitors! We have nothing to fill our house right now except our clothes, a fridge, a fan, and a stove. Next on our list is that we need to buy a bed and if our host family does not take us to get one we will have to transport the bed on a bus which should be another adventure. We will move into the new house in January and then we will post pictures. We love and miss you all and are sad that we can´t be home for the holidays :( Thanks to everyone that sent packages! It is really much appreciated. We miss you all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Day of the Virgin
We got our first taste of a true Nicaraguan celebration last Friday night, the eve of the Day of the Virgin (Mary´s bday). This is one of the country´s biggest holidays, and there sure was a whole lot of excitement building up to this event all month. Fireworks are incredibly popular here. They had been going off every day, all day all through November announcing the distance approach of the celebration. Every Catholic family (most) also puts a small shrine to the Virgin in a corner of their house. However, we couldn`t have predicted what the night would actually be like since all the big stuff was all going on behind the scenes.
Our host mom kept reminding us that we needed to be prepared with our backpacks to walk around town at 6:00 PM, and that we would be receiving lots of items for our new house. We also must learn at least two songs praising the Virgin Mary, which she provided us with. We were confused. Did we need to bring gifts also? Was it ok that we weren´t practicing Catholics? Here is a summary of the nights events:
The entire town, including the people in the smaller villages surrounding Nagarote, fill the streets around 6:00. They then walk in groups to particular houses around town. These houses have set up a massive shrine to the Virgin Mary somewhere inside or outside their home, complete with a large statue, candles, music, Christmas lights, etc. The group of people stands in front of the shrine and sings songs praising the Virgin Mary. Once the host family has deemed the singing worthy, gifts are handed out to all of the singers. Children, mothers, grandfathers, and ourselves then push to get to the front for the best items. The group then moves on to the next house to repeat. This goes on for almost exactly four hours until 10:00 Pm when everyone returns home.
This was a very interesting experience. First of all we, especially myself since Kaitlyn did formally attend Catholic churches, felt awkward singing songs praising a shrine of the Virgin. Also, we only practiced two songs, while throughout the night our family sang an assortment of about 6 or 7 songs. Not sure what to do, we ended up spending the majority of the night mouthing Spanish lyrics that we didn't know. The diversity of the gifts was also incredible. We never knew what to expect. Here´s a list of some items: candy, rice, cookies, corn on the cob, homemade deserts, juice, a bag of salt, fruit, pasta, superman plastic bowl, a plastic pitcher, laundry detergent, Tupperware, a bar of soap, sugar, a washcloth.
The eve of the Day of the Virgin was very surreal and definitely a great time. Everyone was in a really good mood. It's really a great way of having a community wide activity and also for some of the more wealthy families to redistributing some wealth back into the community. It was a prime opportunity for us to be able to see the entire population of our area, and also for them to see us participating in the event. Next year we'll be sure to have the songs memorized.
Our host mom kept reminding us that we needed to be prepared with our backpacks to walk around town at 6:00 PM, and that we would be receiving lots of items for our new house. We also must learn at least two songs praising the Virgin Mary, which she provided us with. We were confused. Did we need to bring gifts also? Was it ok that we weren´t practicing Catholics? Here is a summary of the nights events:
The entire town, including the people in the smaller villages surrounding Nagarote, fill the streets around 6:00. They then walk in groups to particular houses around town. These houses have set up a massive shrine to the Virgin Mary somewhere inside or outside their home, complete with a large statue, candles, music, Christmas lights, etc. The group of people stands in front of the shrine and sings songs praising the Virgin Mary. Once the host family has deemed the singing worthy, gifts are handed out to all of the singers. Children, mothers, grandfathers, and ourselves then push to get to the front for the best items. The group then moves on to the next house to repeat. This goes on for almost exactly four hours until 10:00 Pm when everyone returns home.
This was a very interesting experience. First of all we, especially myself since Kaitlyn did formally attend Catholic churches, felt awkward singing songs praising a shrine of the Virgin. Also, we only practiced two songs, while throughout the night our family sang an assortment of about 6 or 7 songs. Not sure what to do, we ended up spending the majority of the night mouthing Spanish lyrics that we didn't know. The diversity of the gifts was also incredible. We never knew what to expect. Here´s a list of some items: candy, rice, cookies, corn on the cob, homemade deserts, juice, a bag of salt, fruit, pasta, superman plastic bowl, a plastic pitcher, laundry detergent, Tupperware, a bar of soap, sugar, a washcloth.
The eve of the Day of the Virgin was very surreal and definitely a great time. Everyone was in a really good mood. It's really a great way of having a community wide activity and also for some of the more wealthy families to redistributing some wealth back into the community. It was a prime opportunity for us to be able to see the entire population of our area, and also for them to see us participating in the event. Next year we'll be sure to have the songs memorized.
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