Another long weekend :)

The amount of long weekends I receieve seems very high, which is quite wonderful! I have Monday of next week off, which means I'm heading back to Jinotepe to help out at the elderly home!! (thought: I wonder if this is how it is year-round in Managua--if so, we really need to adopt this work policy in the states!) I don't really have much going on these days- we've been processing all the information we gathered on the island (and bonding- which is wonderful!) so work has been a little bit boring- but still very productive. And I'm enjoying the fact that I now work with friends instead of just coworkers! But, since everything is a little bit uneventful, I decided (per suggestion of my mommy- who I miss muchisimo) to make this a superlative blog post: outlining my bests and worsts of Nicaragua so far:

Best moment in general: the time I saw the rainbow while coming back from picking up t-shirts

Worst moment: When Panchita (98 year old woman at the elderly home) held my hand crying uncontrollably and started begging God to let her die.

clumsiest moment: when I walked into a cactus on the island- talk about embarassing!

Best experience: going to the volcano

Best new food experience: necatamales- love those little buggers (special Nicaraguan version of the tamale)

worst food experience: raw maduro (plantain)- fried plantains=incredible, raw plantains= one of the worst things I have ever eaten. and they are this horrible gray color after they sit in the air for a while. eeghhh

Favorite thing about being in Nicaragua: Definitely has been learning about and falling in love with the culture here. It amazes me how people with so little give so much, and strangers welcome you as if you're family. And for business- people aren't working to get rich here, they're working to help people- and it's really incredible to see that.

favorite songs here: "Es un secreto" by Plan B and "Dutty Love"- by Don Omar (I would reccomend youtubing them if you have time!)

favorite conversation I've had: So, if you've been keeping up with me, you know that I'm working with two girls from Barcelona. A characteristic of the Spanish culture is that they are very direct; if for instance you cook something and they dont like it- they would flat out say they don't like it. Or if you're wrong about something- they don't dance around it- they directly tell you you're wrong. So one day Cristina e-mailed Laura some documents. Laura asked where some specific information was, and Cristina told her it was in the second document. Laura told her she had only sent one document. Cristina simply said: "no. two". I thought it was funny and laughed and imitated her just saying "NO!". and then they had a conversation about how with the american culture, if someone is wrong or you don't like something you can't be so direct. About an hour later we were talking about music, movies, shows, etc. And I asked, "so do you guys like Selena Gomez?"...Laura:"NO." (I think I just had a blank stare on my face) Cristina: "Laura! You have to be more polite!...[turns to me to restate the answer on the Selena Gomez question] "I'm afraid not".

Best expression I've learned: "I'm sweating like a chicken"- hearing Laura say that in english the first time was quite funny. They loved learning the expression  "I'm having a food baby"

Anyhow, hopefully reading my best/favorite moments is interesting for you, and you aren't just bored! Have a wonderful weekend!!

un abrazo,
Rachel

Heading back to Managua

Sad day: yesterday we found out we have to go back to Managua early, because our trip budget has run out (we were supposed to leave tomorrow, but instead, we're leaving today). But I must say, this trip has been absolutely iuncredible. I've gotton to spend the last six days in paradise interviewing local hotel/restaurant owners in order to do market research of the island. And I think at some point during this week, my Barcelona partners and I made the transition from being co-workers to being friends. I love when you realize you've bridged that gap. They invited me to go to San Juan del Sur with them (pacific coast beach) which I unfortunately can't because I'll be going to work with the other organization, but it was awesome to be invited. And we've begun a little bit of talking about future get togethers- I feel like I have an established place to go in Barcelona, should I want to return to Spain- and that's pretty incredible. :)

I can't believe I have just over a week left with this organization- how sad!!! I don't want it to end- It's pretty cool that our work is significant- and will have a lasting effect. I know that even when I leave, it doesn't mean my influence has left- I'll be with that company for years and years to come- manifested in the design and implementation of our business plan. How cool is that?!?!

Well, my comp is about to die, so I must be off!!

Until next time,
Rachel

Yep I'm still alive and well!

Hey there,

It's been a while- I guess that's what happens when you actually are working hard- I ran out of time to blog last week! The new organization has been going great! We're creating a whole business plan for a property that the organization owns on the island of Ometepe, which is in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. We spent last week preparing interviews for tourists and various tourist offices, and mayor offices and hotels etc. And then on Thursday we came to the island to begin our market research! I once told people I wanted to do marketing, so long as it wasnt marketing research- I think I meant, my dream is to do marketing research...because here, doing marketing research means you go around the island living in paradise with all expenses paid for a week, while just talking to people- lots of american tourists to be specific, and hotel owners. It's incredible. And in case I for some reason don't return home, I've probably bought property on the island and have chosen to become an entrepeneur- so don't be alarmed.

I felt soooo useful today. Sometimes I don't feel so incredibly useful, because i'm slower to respond with Spanish, and it definitely does sometimes hurt my ability to contribute. Fortunately, my partners speak almost-perfect english, so they help me if I can't figure something out. But, something that never crossed my mind- they can't understand english if the person has an accent of any type--so today when we had to interview the hotel owner with an Irish accent: boom! all me. this afternoon, when we had to interview an australian hotel owner- boom. all me. Yesterday when we interviewed the Canadian hotel/restaurant owner- yup- that was me. LOVE IT!!!

It's really weird being here on the island. The local native Nicaraguans are so poor, and you still see the tin roof, straw wall homes with dirt floors, and people half naked because they dont have clothes- and then there's rich tourists and foreign business owners- and the land is just absolutely mind-blowing and amazing- so its a really really weird mix that seems so wrong, and yet so beautiful and wonderful all at the same time.

But I love it here- I absolutely love it. This work is amazing, this place is amazing. The natives actually thought this was God's promised land- trust me, if you saw it,  you'd believe it. Anyhow I'm going to add some pics and then head to bed. Got to get up at 6! eek!!

Goodnight!!
Rachel

The Island- volcano conception on the left, volcano maderas on the right

Go ahead- tell me you can't understand if I stay here...

drinking coconut juice (milk?) straight from the coconut!

Volcano Conception

Photo Update!!

I have fast internet while at work- so I am going to multitask, and continue writing my report on the economy of Nicaragua while simultaneously uploading pictures to share from my adventures so far!! ( I always was a good multi-tasker...good thing!)

At the Volcano Masaya

In the Volcanic caves

My birthday card from Zoila :)





caballo vallo- traditional Nica food. yumm!

Catarina- overlooking "Laguna de Apoyo"

Horseback riding! what what?

Pupusa (cheese-filled tortilla) again, yummmm!!

That is Volcano Mombacho

My handmade jewelry box- gift from Alma

My handstitched shirt- also gift from Alma

My bedroom #1!

My pet turtle at first home

Beauty and the Beast at the Ruben Dario Theater

My english-speaking friend, Guillermo

Hope you enjoy soome visual aids of Nicaragua!!
Abrazos,

Rachel

No need for the gym…you ride the bus!!

The title of this blog is no mistake… I know, it seems counterintuitive- let me tell you something- riding the bus in Managua can be quite the workout!! We leave for the bus at 6:30 in the morning. When we get on at about 6:40-6:45, there is standing room only- so you hold on to the overhead bar and brace yourself for the ride. Maybe you’re thinking it sounds like the subway- no big deal. But the subway doesn’t have potholes, speed bumps, sudden braking, and quick turns. I’m pretty sure this a full-body toning that goes on during the bus rides.  That being said, I do enjoy my morning bus ride. It takes about 35-40 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to do some thinking and reflecting before arriving at work. (The 6:30 AM part isn’t my favorite- it’s only been two days, but I have found that the bags under my eyes have bags—I didn’t really sleep my first night here—and that has taken a toll on my rested-ness. But after the 4-day weekend coming up, I think I’ll be back and ready for action!! (as in, ready for 6:30 AM action.)

Perhaps you are wondering how my first couple days with the new organization have gone. I’m not gonna lie- after day one I was overwhelmed and trying to calm myself by remembering that there only remained 19 work days with this organization, and that I could do anything for 19 days. My first day was spent reading a couple hundred pages worth of documents about the company, and meeting a lot of new people- and then asking a lot of new people to repeat things, and slow down etc. etc. It really is stressful to not understand what people are saying to you. So, I was awfully nervous about what day 2 would be like, that is the day I would meet the other students I would be working on this project with. Would you like to know my current favorite place in the entire world?- that would be Barcelona, Spain. Why, you ask?  That would be for nurturing the God-sent, Cristina and Laura, my two partners for creating this business plan. Why do I love them, you ask? Let me tell you a story called these two girls are fluent in Spanish, catalan, French, and English, and prefer to use every opportunity possible to speak something other than Spanish or catalan. After initially meeting, we spent the entire day creating a business plan outline so we have some direction, and we did so in a nice mix of Spanglish and English (and even a little bit of catalan…which is a little bit of a doozy, cuz I don’t speak that language…and I sometimes have to think whether they’re speaking Spanish and I just don’t know what they’re saying, or whether they’re speaking catalan—it’s been the latter). But they are the nicest girls- and they are darn smart. They actually have a ton more business background than I do (part of their degree requires multiple internships and kind of like a co-op program where you are working for companies while in school). I love that they have so much experience, because it helps me to be able to really learn and grow, while also contributing. I’m hoping this English trend continues!!!

Tomorrow we are meeting with the Director of the organization; she is going to give us all the information we need and a time line for our time here- and then we’ll be going full-force ahead for the next 3 and a half weeks! But now it’s bed time!

Until next time,

Rachel

Off to Managua!!!

I'm heading off to Managua later today to start the second phase of my internship- which will be working with an organization that works to get orphaned children off the streets. I wanted to try and upload some pics but the internet is just really not allowing that. (I'm counting my blessings for having wireless today, so speed is not of my highest concern).

Last night Alma had a goodbye dinner party for me (granted, I will be coming back in four weeks for another week here, but she said it was goodbye to phase one of my nicaragua experience). They cooked traditional nacatamale for me (which is incredible- I really need to learn how to cook that) and we just sat around talking for a couple hours. It is really nerve-racking for me to go to Managua. It's also just hard, because they've really basically adopted me into their families here, so it does feel like saying goodbye to family when I leave for Managua. (I'm so glad that I get to come back for that final week in August!!) I'm also really hoping I won't have to work weekends in Managua so that I can come back and visit the elderly home and help out a little over the weekends. (Keep your fingers crossed for me on that one, okay?)

Anyhow, I might have less readily-available internet in Managua, but I will try and keep you posted as much as I can!

Abrazos,
Rachel

Anger in the home :(

It has been a couple of angry days at the elderly home here. Some of the residents are just fed up and making sure that everyone knows it. This is the first time I have witnessed this ugly sense of entitlement come out in the residents. The home does not require residents to pay to live here. If they have a source of income (family or social security) they are asked to make a donation, but no one is forced to pay. So, of course, the residents now know who pays and who does not pay to be here. And lately, they do not mind making it well known who is paying. Two residents in particular these past two days have been yelling at the staff and the administrator about the food, saying that it is horrible and they aren’t paying to eat the crap that is being served here. They also have taken it upon themselves to tell the people who come to make donations and visit about how corrupt the administrator is and how she is stealing the donated money that is supposed to be used to purchase them food. (This isn’t true- but they are relentless).

So everyone has just seemed really cranky yesterday and today (workers and residents alike). It’s hard to just stand back and observe- to see how unhappy everyone is. I want to jump in and try and save the day- but a. I don’t know how, and b. it’s not my place to do that in the middle of an argument. It’s also shocking to see the way the residents just yell at the workers in an effort to be heard. I think if people took a step back and counted their blessings instead of counting everything they could complain about, then it would be much more peaceful in the residence.

I only have 1 more work day1 here and then I head off to Managua. I feel all nervous again like I was before I came to Nicaragua. I mean it’s another new start- and that makes me anxious. I will be meeting a new group of people and doing new work- I’ll be staying at a new house, everything will be different. I’ll find out soon enough what that’s like!! What I am excited for is that since I’m working on a team, I feel like there will be much more direction given to me. Sometimes it’s hard at the elderly home because no one is telling me what to do, and I don’t really have anything to do, so I make my own tasks. But in Managua we will all agree and plan out tasks and then when we finish, we will consult with each other to move forward. I’ll never end up stuck on my own with no idea what to do. At least, I hope that’s how it works out. I suppose we will find out soon enough!!

That’s all for now!!

Rachel

He keeps His promises :)

Since being in Nicaragua I’ve been in this constant bipolar mood. There’s so much beauty here in the people and in the land, but the poverty and suffering has been so overwhelming that it’s been hard to breathe easy. Every time I have started to feel peaceful I then start to feel guilty and go through this cycle of feeling like I can make a difference, and feeling helpless. Coming here, I expected a lot from myself, and everyone here also expects a lot from me. But I’ve had this sentiment of feeling like a fraud- for one thing they keep calling me “the marketing expert”- which is a scary title- they kind of put me on this pedestal and are constantly making comments how I’m going to use American methods to save the home and turn everything around. I am American, but that doesn’t make me a super hero, and I wish people would realize that being from the United States doesn’t mean my life is perfect, and it doesn’t mean I have all the answers. I want to change everything that’s bad here- I want to save all of Nicaragua and the world from the suffering and living conditions that they have to put up with and overcome- but the world’s too big and I’m too small. Sometimes I sit for a couple of hours at night thinking about what I could possibly do to make things good here- I wonder if I can write the US government when I get home, I wonder if I can obtain significant donations from businesses and churches and other organizations. I wonder if money is enough to solve the problems, but I know it’s not. There are huge infrastructure problems that I don’t have enough knowledge to address. So that’s basically where I’ve been at since I arrived here. I love it here, but I hate the injustices that exist here too. There are a lot of problems to be fixed and I feel very over my head.

But today brought me so much peace that I am completely filled and renewed with optimism. We were driving back from a t-shirt factory which donated 400 t-shirts to the home. (snaps for wonderful charitable people and businesses) I was in the back seat sitting silently and just thinking. I looked out the window up at the sky, and what did I see? I saw literally the most vivid rainbow I’ve ever seen in my life. (which was interesting because there was no rain or rainclouds today- I thought there had to be rain for a rainbow to happen- but there doesn’t!) I’ve never ever seen such brilliant colors- it was incredible, and I wish I had my camera. And the best thing about this, was my head instantly went to a God place. I recalled the Noah story- God’s creation was so sinful and living in this ruined world- and God was angry- His creation was ungrateful and ignored their Creator- they abandoned their God in favor of all the material things in the world. And so God destroyed this creation. He sent rains to flood the world, saving two of each animal along with Noah and his family. After the rains and storms finally subsided, God painted a rainbow across the sky- a symbol of his promise. God promised that he would never again turn his back on His creation; He would not abandon His creation under any circumstances. He would love His creation despite their sins, not hate them for their sins. He promised to be an ever-present, all-loving protector for His creation.

Seeing that perfect, vivid, beautiful rainbow reminded me that God’s here. God’s in Nicaragua, and God’s in me. It’s not fair that people have to live the way they are here. But God hasn’t forgotten them, and he isn’t punishing them. He’s carrying them through these circumstances, and He will accomplish great things for them and through them. Just like he’ll accomplish great things through me. I feel insignificant- and that’s because truth be told, I am insignificant. I might not accomplish much of anything for this pharmacy (I mean I hope I can, but I might not)- and I can’t save all of Nicaragua- I’m no miracle worker. But He is. He has a plan, and He works all things together for good, which means it’s no accident nor is it a mistake that I’m here. And it is so wonderful that I can know that.

Until next time,

Rachel

I thought taxes were bad...

Today I had a very interesting conversation with Zoila during lunch. She was talking about how Nicaragua does have a minimum wage law- and yet everyone working here is working below minimum wage. I said, “well, isn’t that illegal since there’s a law for minimum wage?” and she responded, “well it’s almost illegal”. I don’t exactly understand how something can be “almost illegal”- I’m pretty sure things are legal or illegal- that’s kind of one of those black and white sort of things. I tried to explore this whole, not enforcing minimum wage here at the Hogar, and here is my basic understanding:

The government does not support or fund this elderly home. Therefore, the benefits that the government provides companies, such as minimum wage, insurance, paid vacation- those things aren’t enforced here. I think that technically the laws still apply, but the government doesn’t check in or anything. I thought that all Nicaragua was facing the same problems in the work place- I didn’t realize that only some received the support and therefore the protection of the government. This system needs work- lots and lots of work.

It really stinks for the employees here- but they have no other option- they can’t just leave and get another job, because there are no other jobs. So they face decision of whether to accept unfair work conditions and payment or be unemployed. And everyone here would rather be underpaid than unpaid.

One of those days

Did you ever have a day where it feels like God shouts “Hey you! Listen up! Today I’m gonna teach you something!” ? Today felt like one of those days. Like most of my days here, it has been a mix of joy and beauty, and also pain and suffering. Sometimes if I don’t really have work to do I go and talk to the residents. Or more accurately I let them talk and I nod a lot, (since I often times don’t understand what they’re saying). I try my best to understand, but often times it’s really hard. But I feel like filling the silence that composes their days has to be good for them, so I try and lend an ear. There’s one man, named Mario, who every time he passes by the pharmacy he smiles at me and says a pleasant greeting, asking how my day is going. But I never had talked to him in length. Today I didn’t have much work to do, so I made rounds to try and start up some conversation. He was sitting alone outside with a vacant bench directly next to him. I asked him how he was, and he responded with a smile, “I am just as God wants me to be”. I smiled and asked him if I could sit with him a while, he told me I could sit as long as I like. So I sat, and started some small talk. I said it was a nice day, and I was glad the rain hadn’t started yet. He just smiled and nodded. I asked him what he likes to do here at the home. He responded: “Watching. Hearing. Being silent”. I said, “so does it annoy you that I’m talking so much” he smiled and nodded his head yes. So I stopped talking. And then I sat there for probably a good 25 mins or so in silence-watching and hearing. And I sat there wondering what he thinks about during all the time he’s silent. And I wanted to know why he didn’t like to talk. And I wanted to know about his life and his family. I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask him. But that time wasn’t for doing what I wanted- it was time for watching, hearing, and being silent. It’s amazing the things that you hear when you stop to listen- you hear the wind blowing through the leaves, you hear the birds hopping on the dirt road offering an occasional tweet, you hear fruit falling from the trees (and then you hear Guillermo coming outside to go see if it was a prized avocado that just fell). You hear the chatter of the other residents, you hear the busseling workers inside preparing lunch. The things you see when you open your eyes; you see all the shades of green that compose this little oasis off the road, you see the sun rays shining through the trees creating a play of light and shadow on the dirt path. You see movement- movement of the birds, of the dog, of the residents, of the wind, and of the rain as it begins to pitter patter down. And being silent, that means putting your mouth to sleep so that your brain can wake up. I have a feeling I might spend a lot more time being silent with Mario.

Unfortunately, the day transitioned from peaceful to painful real quick. I don’t think I’ve told you about the resident Vicki yet. Everyday Vicki comes and sits in one of the rocking chairs at the door. She’s waiting for her family to come. Every half hour or so she asks Zoila to call her sister, or her niece, or her daughter, and Zoila tells her they’re coming, and so Vicki waits. But Vicki’s family never comes to see her- because they abandoned her here- and chances are, they’re never coming back. But she waits for them- every day she waits for them, with the conviction that they are coming for her. I don’t know why, but today was a particularly bad day for Vicki. I have a lot of trouble understanding her when she tries to speak to me, but today her tears spoke loud enough and clearly enough for me to understand. She came over and sat right next to where I was standing and tears poured down her face and she started saying “mi hija, mi sobrina, mama” (my daughter, my niece, mom). She wouldn’t stop crying. She held her hand out and whether it was what she trying to suggest or not, I grabbed it and I didn’t let go. And she cried and cried, and I held her hand and grasped her shoulder and I told her everything was going to be okay. And I think she believed me- because she calmed down and stopped crying. I’m glad that I could at least temporarily bring her peace- but I don’t feel overly calm. Because even if she believes in this moment that everything will be okay, I don’t. I know that every single day Vicki is going to wait for someone, but they’re not going to come. And she isn’t the only one with this type of story. I want to heal Vicki’s heart, and the hearts of the other residents, not just bring a temporary smile. But that’s all I can do for her.

I decided to retire back to my hiding place in the pharmacy where I have an “office” (aka my laptop on a rolling little table) set up to do some work. I thought if I stayed tucked away, that I could maybe avoid having any more emotional encounters for the day. Hah. Think again! People come in to the home all day. Some are visitors, some are people who deliver meals or snacks, some are people seeking work, or asking questions to the administrator, some come to make a purchase at the pharmacy, and sometimes the board members come just to check in. So I end up not paying much attention all the time when people show up. Today a woman came with her friend and baby and she went to talk to the administrator. I continued working. The administrator rushed off to help move a new resident into the home. The women were supposed to leave (I guess- I didn’t realize it at the time) but they waited out in the waiting area for about 20 minutes ( I figured that the administrator had told them to wait and would be coming back). Suddenly they just came into the pharmacy behind the counter and everything (which startled me) and the woman came right up to me. (I feel like my Spanish isn’t as good as it should be- I struggle to understand a lot- but for some reason it feels like when it’s emotional things, I understand it all. It’s like my heart is translating instead of my brain- and it works) She looked me in the eyes and said, “please, please help me. I need work. I really need work.” I looked at the baby she had with her, and my heart just sank. I asked if she had talked to the administrator (even though I know there are no jobs open here). She told me she brought her papers and application here a few weeks ago, and the administrator lost her recommendation, and wouldn’t offer her an answer about if she could work or not. I didn’t know what to do or say. She looked at me again, and said “please help me. I need help. I need work. I have to support my family, and I’m trying to find work. I’ll do any kind of work. But I need your help. Please help me.” I tried to explain that I don’t actually work here- that I’m only here a short time, and I don’t have the ability to get her a job. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to say. I smiled and I said I’m sorry. And she smiled back at me and thanked me and said goodbye. I waved and looked at her baby and said goodbye to the baby and waved to him.

And now I’m sitting here wondering what I’m supposed to do. I wonder if I had given her money if that would’ve helped. I wonder if I should’ve taken her phone number so that in case I somehow manage to find something she could do then I could contact her. I want to change the lives of everyone who is suffering here. I want to give jobs to the unemployed, and I want to give a place to live to the homeless. I want to give families to the orphans and the abandoned elderly. I want to give hope back to everyone who has lost it. I want to give Zoila all the money she needs to put her kids through school, and to live a comfortable life. I want to give Rachelle paid vacation so she can spend time with her kids. I want to give Alma some hard workers so that she can stop doing everything for everyone. I want to give everyone fair wages, and good living conditions. But right now all I can give is love. I wish that that felt like enough. I’m just going to keep my head up, and have faith that God will help the people who I can’t help.

Prayers for Nicaragua would be more than welcome!!

<3 Rachel

Slow-passing days

I have been in Nicaragua for two weeks and two days. I feel like I’m in some kind of time warp, because it seems like I’ve been here for months. And I am enjoying it and everything, don’t get me wrong, but time passes very slowly. (I know that 6 weeks from now I’m going to feel the exact opposite). But then at the same time- the days pass quickly. (I know, I’m being self-contradictory, but I will explain). Every morning I wake up at 7:00, and get ready to go to work. I leave anywhere between 7:45 and 8:30 (depending on the day) and I usually am at work by 9. The work day ends at 5:00; however, we never leave that early. So I get home around 6. That’s a pretty long day.  I then eat dinner and write letters or use internet if we have it, and me and Norma usually watch a movie or Spanish soaps. And then I go to bed between 9 and 10. Play and repeat that 6 times until I get my day off on Sunday! Each day I get home, and I think, “Wow, it doesn’t feel like I just spent 9 hours at the home”. And right now, I can’t believe it’s already Thursday. It seems like I was just at the Masayan market and doing my horseback riding- but that was Sunday. So it’s this real weird mix of days flying by, but weeks feeling like months, and passing slowly in general.

Yesterday I gave Guillermo (my English-speaking friend) a handwritten copy of three Robert Frost Poems. I then made a little vocab list with the words that I thought he most likely wouldn’t know. He told me he loved it, and said he would keep it forever and ever for the rest of his life. After seeing some of the things that he has saved in the past, I don’t doubt that he will indeed save the poems forever. He asked me if I would be willing to write out the words of the national anthem for him when I have time. He wants to learn to sing it.

I have only one week and two days left here in Jinotepe and then I relocate to Managua and start my work with the other organization. I’m a little bit nervous. It’ll be a lot different from my work here at the elderly home. I’m also a little bit intimidated because I’ll be working with 2 students and a professor, all of whom speak Spanish fluently. I feel like since we are supposed to be collaborating, that it might be a little more difficult to contribute equally. (Here at the elderly home, I’m really working on my own, so when communication is tough, it doesn’t really hinder the work of anyone). Plus I’m just getting really comfortable here, and so it’s sad that I’ll be uprooting and relocating. (Although fortunately, I will come back for one final week here to Jinotepe, so at least I’ll be able to do some wrap up and say my goodbyes then instead of in a week.)

Oh I had a quick little joke to share. Every once in a while someone tries to tell me a joke. It usually doesn’t work out because I don’t know enough of the vocab and then they have to explain it in great detail- and jokes are never as funny if they have to be explained. (And sometimes I still miss it even with the explanation) But last night marked the first joke that I understood and responded correctly (aka laughed) and appropriately (as in at the right time.) Anyhow, here it is: (in English) Why did God create man first and woman second? ….because you always experiment first on animals and second on humans. (bahahahahhaah) Okay so I’m not sure if it’s a joke so much as a widely accepted truth ;) but I hope you enjoyed!

Anyhow, that’s all I’ve got for now. (Sorry, I know this post is uneventful- there hasn’t been too much going on these days) But I will keep you updated!

<3 Rachel