http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Michellita/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Michellita en-us Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:01:32 +0000 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:01:32 +0000 How do you define traveling Some countries or thoughts that may come to mind include Sierra Leone scuba diving off of Belize or perhaps a family vacation to Europe.I partly define traveling by a change in my state of mind where I am transported into such a different environment that I learn to see people ideas cultures languages religious notions and ways of doing things differently. Thi http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Minnesota/Minneapolis/blog-457314.html It has been 4.5 months since I arrived back to the civilization I know as Minneapolis Minnesota. How great those two words sound together.Still in Nicaragua the last week in May I didn't want to leave the country I never thought I would call home. My very last day and night in Nicaragua was unforgetable. I said goodbye to my friends in Granada one of whom took the bus ride with me into Managua. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Minnesota/Minneapolis/blog-444481.html Although I am posting this entry a few weeks after being back in the United States I still feel it is important to share with the travel blogger world my reflections and experiences. The entry was written at the time in early May. Sit back relax and enjoy learning about Nicaragua's best kept secret Bluefields. Two weeks. Fourteen days. Thatrsquos all I have left of my time with the beautifu http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Bluefields/blog-407797.html The entries seem to keep pouring out like hot cakes I guess that with my new responsibilities I have more free time to write. Funny that this weekend is Earth Day. I think people in this country celebrate it but you would never know for the piles of trash present along any road. Something really needs to be done to preserve the beautiful land here before the trash ruins it creating a distastef http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/Moyogalpa/blog-393313.html I write to you from a rainy Ometepe. The second of April brought rain a little earlier than expected. It was almost like a little April Fools joke. However the rain is cleansing to the soul and to the spirit. And it helps cool things off in this ridiculous heat. Fitting in work leisure time and especially time with the kids is going to make my last 2 months go by very fast. The kids have star http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/Moyogalpa/blog-389051.html Since my time in this country is dwindling down I have tried to soak up every experience here and let it permeate through my entire being. Often it is very hard to put into words what life is like here. However I hope my journal hints a little bit into this experience. And I only have 2 more months worth of stories to tell from my time in this beautiful country. Itrsquos hard to believe th http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/blog-386842.html I was not looking forward to going back to Nicaragua. Going back home was amazing I was able to drive where I wanted buy what I needed choose from a closet full of outfits and accessories was able to choose from a load of on demand movies and there was water and light when I needed them. Life was good. However I trained my mind for a visit back to the jungle life. When I arrived in Atlantar http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-384136.html My parents were very generous is allowing me to come home after I decided to extend my service through the start of summer 09. In fact I was ready for it. I had just said goodbye to my support system of volunteers in January they had experienced the year with me through all the ups and downs. I still miss them. However for every end there is a new beginning. This would be my third consecutive http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Minnesota/Minneapolis/blog-376510.html I write to you from a rainy and windy Ometepe Island As I mentioned in my last entry it was really hothellipunbearably hot. Well official the 28th of October it rained cats and dogs. That night I could instantly feel a difference of temperature. I welcomed the rain with open arms we needed it Although I will have to time when I walk back to the house after meals at least it will be coole http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-356794.html Greetings again from extremely hot and humid Ometepe Island Nicaragua. Although it is 5 months into the rainy season this month has been extremely dry. I am in a dripping sweat by the time I reach school and by the end of my duties there I canrsquot even stand the smell of me because I am sweating so much. Showers are now routinely extended to at least 2 a day or I cannot function let alo http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/Moyogalpa/blog-327197.html The Final Leg of My Journey or perhaps just the starthellip JIt is with joy and praise that I write this next entry. I have successfully made it past the halfway point and am making my final stretch home. I have battled storms such as Tropical Storm Alma getting sick my first night and week to Nicaragua and throughout transportation strikes sudden absences of directors and doctors and volu http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-314788.html It is often impossible to share exactly and accurately everything I feel and experience here. That would take a whole lot of dedication and a lot of volumes of books filled with my thoughts and perceptions and experiences. So I am offering to you the short version. Any longer versions of these stories will have to be in person upon my return. J I am happy to share. To my loyal readers who happen http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-300328.html I was asked to write something for the website. Here is my story. Please find it on the websitewww.nph.orgGo to Nicaragua at the top flagThen go to volunteer testimonials on the right sideMichelle Jacobson USA English Teacher23 May 2008 NicaraguaKnown as Friends of the Orphans in the USA the recruitment office in St. Paul actively sought me out while I was a senior in college. Planning t http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-284906.html Time has seemed to take a back seat here in lovely Nicaragua. Lush green forests and plantain forests loom in my backyard. While I eat my breakfast on the patio I sit and stare at the aloe plant and look out into the distance of tall green trees mixed with palm trees. The sound of the waves in the distance lulls me to sleep. The striking blue bird a relative to the blue jay I believe hawks its http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-284810.html Hola todos. Saludos de Ometepe Island Nicaragua Hopefully soon to be in the new and revised list of the 7 Wonders of the World. Post your vote on www.laisladeometepe.comMany changes have been taking place which is the norm here. However some are worth taking note. Along the way I will tell my stories.First off NPH the organization I am serving through has recently partnered with the Enri http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-275189.html It's been a really long time since I have written. It has also been a really long time since I have seen home or so it seems. I miss my family the familiar and comforting friends the Minneapolis skyline the salsa swing and ballroom dancing my car good wine the availability of PEOPLE who speak my language and goods and resources and Lake Calhoun.One day I will go back...I have to survive http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-266920.html I came to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos NPH Nicaragua expecting to be stretched in ways that would challenge me. This couldnrsquot be truer. Every day there is something that makes me uncomfortable be it the insects in my bed not having gas for cooking for a few days the hot weather the cold showers the kids that will not listen to me the coordinators or directors who unexpectedly leave http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-253504.html Upon first being interviewed for my local newspaper about my trip I told Emily the interviewer that I wanted to learn what it was like to live like a pequeno or an orphan. I find that now after two months here I am not living in an impoverished orphanage. Rather my life is full of excitement as well as the pequeno's lives. I am busier than I was in college and there is a lot to do if you http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-250438.html Hola todos. Sorry it has been long since I have written. There has been much to tell It is often hard to keep up with the busy pace of life hereSince I last wrote classes started. What a fun and challenging time. I first have to say that my time as English teacher has been confusing and extremely difficult. I often have no direction and do not know what goes on all the time. However poco a poc http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/blog-247703.html Sample Article for the nph.org websiteThe new volunteers for NPH 2008 arrived in early January with a grand welcome from Casa Santiago Nica style. Although we came during vacations there were many preparations being made for the beginning of the school year which marks the start of many of the therapies and teaching the volunteers partake in. As the month passed by the festivities of the first http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Isla-de-Ometepe/blog-247692.html