isla de ometepe, island constituated of two active volcanoes that have joined. a little piece of paradise, very relaxed, very calm, hammock life! a little too calm for natasha. we stayed in a farm, where we had to autostop a pick up truck (an american kid on a christianisation mission on the island, really colonialism), then walk for 30 minutes with our huge backpacks up a steep hill to finally arrive to this farm reputated for its coffe production. i think the place where i met the most french people in such a small place. during the day we went hiking [View Full Entry]

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Here's a throw-back assignment from earlier this semester (Cultural Incident #1): I always ask my abuela how she’s doing everyday. But I'll never forget the first time I asked her the standard “¿Cómo está?” It was some time during my first week in Managua when she responded with a soft sigh that literally translated into “102 years of living is how I feel.” It was a reponse that required just as much effort and life as it expended. But cultural incidents like these aren’t unique or fleeting - at least in this household. Given that I’m supposed to be the participant [View Full Entry]

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Another older assignment (Cultural Incident #2): My skin has been feeling particularly brown lately. The last time I felt this brown, it was during Welcome Week at my first frat party at USC. But of course, the context is different now. Instead of being the only brown girl in a packed, sweaty room of drunk, white college kids (myself included in the drunken stupor), now I am one of the few minorities within a group of predominantly white students, dotting a sea of Nicaraguan brown. I can't remember the number of times I've been called "chinita." Not because there have been [View Full Entry]

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Although our stay on mainland Nicaragua was absurdly brief, I felt a trip to the corn islands was good for several reasons. First, I felt our vacation needed an injection of relaxation. We were regularly getting up at 4am (or earlier!) to catch buses to the next destination. Inevitably our backpacks would end up spewing all of our clothes, camera gear, wet stuff, etc all over the room. Packing and repacking this everyday can be a bit of a grind (I know, poor me). Sooo, I thought 3 days in the same lazy place sounded excellent. And the 2nd reason, SCUBA! [View Full Entry]

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Hola I think Amy finished her last entry the night before our 3am start to go and see the sun rise over the Mayan jungle ruins of Tikal. After a slightly bleary eyed bus journey we did a 30 minute sprint up hill through the jungle in the dark, trying not to trip over too many tree roots (or sleeping snakes as Amy thought they were) as we passed the slightly ghostly shapes of various ruins. Eventually, knackered and feeling slight stunned by running that early in the morning, we climbed the stairs up to the top of Temple 4, one [View Full Entry]

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Tomorrow is only 3 weeks until I come home, and no offense to anyone but I have no desire to leave. This country and it's people have officially stolen my heart. I think the animals here need to be fed better. Also the churches need to open up a bit more. A lot are still very strict and critical. Chacocente is wonderful no matter how many problems it has. Although I am relieved to not have to teach classes after the end of this week, I don't want to leave the kids. I need to learn to cook more Nicaraguan food. [View Full Entry]

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I decided to go to Nicaragua. The two french guys, Cochisse and Max, and the Spaniard, Cesar, were leaving Santa Teresa Wednesday morning for the ferry to Puntarenas and offered me a ride. I decided to go with them, but went to Casa Zen before leaving to use the internet and lost track of time. When I realized it was getting late, I started running back to the hostel and ran into the guys driving away. I was really lucky to catch them. They took me back to the hostel, I grabbed my stuff and hopped in the little rental car. [View Full Entry]

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granada, colonial town, really pretty, very touristy, supposed to be great party but believe me we looked for it! at night by the lake, the typical horror movie start, a group of young guys try to go party they scare each other in the absolute dark of the road, and there a house, with low light and a sign squeeking... visited a cigare shop that made one in front of us, went around the churches and plaza central, wandered around, ate local food in the local market (not so good, especially digestively speaking). on our last day we went to the [View Full Entry]

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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 8 more months here. However, thank goodness that there is a lot going on here to keep busy with. I will share with you a snid bit of [View Full Entry]

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san juan del sur, surf village. sick as hell for two days! [View Full Entry]

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