The first one somewhat shows how steap it was (and it was more steap than this at the top).
May 25, 2009
Little mini adventure
So I got stir crazy after a month in site, and decided to go up San Cristobal with some other volunteers. This is the tallest volcano in the country, and it proved to be the most challenging thing I´ve ever tried to climb. The bottom of the climb was standard, beautiful jungle. As we climbed, it got steaper, of course. But at the top, it was at least a 45 degree angle scramble over gravel, and pebbles. So for every step forward, you´d slide backwards half a pace. It was hard, but I enjoyed it, although I don´t think the others in the group did. We ended up getting poured on. Which had me worried about landslides (although there was no way that the mountain was going to become sufficiently wet). A couple of the girls on the trip had little to no experience hiking, let alone up something as hard as the volcano. But I enjoyed getting outside. The temperature there was much cooler than where I normally am, so I enjoyed the break from the heat.The views before the clouds rolled in were amazing, we could see all the way to the ocean. I´ve added some pictures for you all to check out.
The first one somewhat shows how steap it was (and it was more steap than this at the top).
The first one somewhat shows how steap it was (and it was more steap than this at the top).
May 23, 2009
May 18, 2009
(spell check is down again, I didn´t major in english, alright?!)
The rain has started. The world has become vibrantly green. The contrast between the dry landscape, and the somewhat more watered, makes me realize how much I took green forgranted. Things here are well. I´m starting to feel more settled. My first thought in the morning is no longer ¨ oh right, I´m in Nicaragua.¨ I´ve been trying to read more in spanish, and am currently picking at a forraged spanish version of Harry Potter.
Work is comming along. I had my first youth group meeting today with the aid my counter parts. I really have been fourtunate with my placement. There are many oportunitie for a variety of work, my counterparts are really energetic to work, are organized, and extremely pacient with me. The previous volunteer left me with a strong foundation to build upon, though Í´ve some big shoes to fill.
Not a whole lot new to report. Gallo Pinto (beans and rice) isn´t the bane of my existance anymore, its rather tolerable with a enough chilli. I introduced popcorn to my family, and we discovered that putting chilli sauce in the oil before popping it is quite tasty.(you should try it. I wonder if you can use other oil soluble flavorings as well...?)
I´m slowly making friends in the community, and becoming known around town. One of the side effects of this, is that some of the men have realized that I´m not leaving anytime soon, and have become comfortable enough with my presence, to be a little more aggressive with their cat calling etc etc. Right now my tactic is to ignore it, but I´ve been warned that somedays I´ll rub you the wrong way, but not to dwell on it. Its just a cultural difference. Many women from this part of the world move to the states, and comment that ¨am I ugly or something here? the men don´t say anything to me!¨
I was on a home visit the other day with one of the doctoras. The house we visited strickingly resembled one of the many (or at least one of the more durable) forts I built in the woods, or in the back yard with my brothers, and other friends growing up. How is it that some else´s life-reality can mearly be a child´s game elsewhere?
I know thats over simplified, but sometimes thinking in terms of generalizations can make big ideas and topics easier to swallow. Although it can be dangerous. Today I found myself frustraited about something and thinking ´why are nicaraguans like...? How terrible of me! One interaction, or even repeated experiences are not necessarily an indicator of culture.
I´ve hit the one month point of my service. In retrospect its gone by fast, I´ve been in country almost 5 months now, (23 to go).
Well a thunderstorm is rolling in, so I´m off the computer.
Till next time...!
The rain has started. The world has become vibrantly green. The contrast between the dry landscape, and the somewhat more watered, makes me realize how much I took green forgranted. Things here are well. I´m starting to feel more settled. My first thought in the morning is no longer ¨ oh right, I´m in Nicaragua.¨ I´ve been trying to read more in spanish, and am currently picking at a forraged spanish version of Harry Potter.
Work is comming along. I had my first youth group meeting today with the aid my counter parts. I really have been fourtunate with my placement. There are many oportunitie for a variety of work, my counterparts are really energetic to work, are organized, and extremely pacient with me. The previous volunteer left me with a strong foundation to build upon, though Í´ve some big shoes to fill.
Not a whole lot new to report. Gallo Pinto (beans and rice) isn´t the bane of my existance anymore, its rather tolerable with a enough chilli. I introduced popcorn to my family, and we discovered that putting chilli sauce in the oil before popping it is quite tasty.(you should try it. I wonder if you can use other oil soluble flavorings as well...?)
I´m slowly making friends in the community, and becoming known around town. One of the side effects of this, is that some of the men have realized that I´m not leaving anytime soon, and have become comfortable enough with my presence, to be a little more aggressive with their cat calling etc etc. Right now my tactic is to ignore it, but I´ve been warned that somedays I´ll rub you the wrong way, but not to dwell on it. Its just a cultural difference. Many women from this part of the world move to the states, and comment that ¨am I ugly or something here? the men don´t say anything to me!¨
I was on a home visit the other day with one of the doctoras. The house we visited strickingly resembled one of the many (or at least one of the more durable) forts I built in the woods, or in the back yard with my brothers, and other friends growing up. How is it that some else´s life-reality can mearly be a child´s game elsewhere?
I know thats over simplified, but sometimes thinking in terms of generalizations can make big ideas and topics easier to swallow. Although it can be dangerous. Today I found myself frustraited about something and thinking ´why are nicaraguans like...? How terrible of me! One interaction, or even repeated experiences are not necessarily an indicator of culture.
I´ve hit the one month point of my service. In retrospect its gone by fast, I´ve been in country almost 5 months now, (23 to go).
Well a thunderstorm is rolling in, so I´m off the computer.
Till next time...!
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