Blogs from Capital Region, Nicaragua, Central America Caribbean - page 9

After many months of good intentions we finally got around to organising a short stint of volunteering through an organisation called Proyecto Mosaico, based in Granada, Nicaragua. With one of their partner projects based at an ecological research station by a lake in the middle of an ancient volcanic we just couldn't put it off any longer. Upon arriving at Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo we found that our volunteering place, 'Estacion Biologica' also doubles as a Spanish language school, which was fantastic as it meant much more people to socialise with by night and practice our own Spanish with. While we were there, there were two other volunteers - Kelsey and Kimberley from Oregan in the US. With no research work being undertaken at the site during our period of stay the main task at ... read more

I last left you all stranded in San Jose with an itchy crotch, a vile demeanour, and in desperate need of fresh underpants... my friend Jackie suggested I keep my soiled socks for the return flight when I can pull them out in mid-flight and have my very own terrorist extravaganza... JIHAD! I spent my purgatory in San Jose with a charming French biologist named Isabelle and we partook in eating various delicious local dishes, sampling some of the best espressos I have ever had, and drinking as many Costa Rican beers my exhausted body could handle. It’s funny how food and drinks taste sooo much better on vacation! My bus to Managua, Nicaragua was leaving at 3 am and I still had no luggage... around 11pm my backpack arrived at the guesthouse with a thump ... read more

Leòn, Nicaragua, a 9 de septiembre del 2009. Saludos a todos. Les mando un saludo desde la "Tortuga Boluda" (asì se llama el hostel), pasando un calor de la "$%&/(*/&%, pero bien alimentado, hartándome con indio viejo, gallo pinto, titiles, plàtanos fritos, queso frito, pasteles de elote, tomando agua de pitahaya, màs lo que me falte por probar (cerveza local, claro).... Aquì seguimos en mes patrio, al igual que casi el resto de los paìses centroamericanos (ellos la celebran el 15 de septiembre). Antier arribamos a Nicaragua, atravesando territorio hondureño. Ambos paìses se pasan el famoso tratado C-4 por el arco del triunfo, dado que en ambos cruces fronterizos se exigiò el pago correspondiente por ingresar al paìs: 3 dòlares en Honduras y 8 en Nicaragua (sòlo el migra hondureño entregò recibo de pago); ni los ... read more

Hello everyone, We went to an orphanage this morning, but my camera´s batteries died, so I have no photos. Several of us were able to convince our teachers that we would practice spanish on the way and have conversations. We bought stuff at the grocery store so that we could give the kids some snacks and visited those kids that had no relations to stay with over the holidays. Afterwards we came back and had our conversation class. Then we had lunch at the Mariposa. In the afternoon we had a wonderful time touring a pineapple farm. I did replace my batteries and now have some pictures to upload. It was great to understand the way that they farm and see a farmer who plants sustainably and organically. The Masaya volcano is close by and the ... read more

Hello everyone, Today I spent the day on the horses that are rented especially for the students at the Mariposa. The guides were very good, responsible and full of information about the horses and the area. They took us through areas where people lived in absolute poverty. Their houses were tin and garbage. After we passed this area we went on to beautiful forest and farms. We went further to areas near the Volcano Masaya and the lake nearby with the same name. Trotting with these horses was very difficult because the saddles were very rudimentary. Galloping was great, though. But I imagine that all of us are very sore. I have some homeopathic remedies for them if they want them. The horses were larger than ponies but smaller than quarterhorses. I asked the guide what ... read more