Free Flight??

Michelle and I entered a contest for 200£ towards a flight to reunite our starcrossed-ness!  Feel free to read and “like” or comment to help us win.

http://whichbudget.com/promo/valentine2013/peter-michelle/

Los Cinco Bro-migos!

Four fraternity brothers from college (Steve, Andrew, Jon and Kevin) are coming to visit me this Saturday!  All of them have traveled abroad to various countries, some even to Egypt and Jordan so I’m assuming they’ll be professional adventure companions.   Throughout the week, we’re going to:

Hike to a waterfall

Tour a cigar factory

Take a coffee tour

Hike a canyon

Tour a rum distillery

Volcano boarding

Go to the beach

Needless to say, we’re going to have a pretty good time.  I’ll try to put up some pictures next week to prove to loved ones that they’re surviving (and enjoying) Nicaragua!

Nicaragua 2013!

Last week, the New York Times released their “Top Travel Destinations of 2013”.  Yes, Nicaragua ranks NUMERO TRES!  I’ve even managed to eat at one of the places they mentioned (Ciudad Lounge, thanks Michelle!) and I’ll try to hit up another one before I leave.

If you read the whole article, I’ve already been to a total of 4 places (Nica, Hawaii, Washington DC and Paris) and I have potential plans for 2 more (Istanbul and Pecs!).  I think 2013 will be a good year and you should visit Nica while you can.  Only 6 months left!

In front of ND

WWII Memorial in DC

Music

I’ve done a lot of posts about Nicaraguan culture but I haven’t spoken much about music.  Not that music isn’t important (it is), but that it’s maybe the hardest part of assimilation to catch onto.  At least for me.  Now I know most of you don’t speak Spanish but most of these songs are pretty easy to understand the basic premise if you watch the videos.

Jesse and Joy won best both record of the year and song of the year at the 2012 Latin Grammys and I hear it ALL the time.

This is another popular song here in Nica which was nominated in the same categories.

And this is probably the most famous Nicaraguan artist.

This is probably the most popular song among my age bracket and, last time I checked, was (embarrassingly) the most played song on my iTunes.  It was in the movie Fast Five and I think based off Lonely Island's I'm on a Boat...Anyway, I see why it has 400,000,000+ hits.

Any favorite songs or someone willing to catch me up on American hits?

Well Construction

There have been some updates with the well that I’m constructing.  As you all know, I applied for a grant to build a well in a rural community.  Unfortunately, the good people over in Washington don’t want to give me $2,000 until I can prove that the water is safe for human consumption.  This, unbeknownst to me until recently, presents a bit of a problem.  To extract the water to test it, you have to dig REALLY far down.  How far?  This far!

Descending into the well

Safely at the bottom

"Safety equipment"

That brings us to the issue at hand.  Standing in the bottom of a 20ft hole is a bit of a risk and I’d rather not get anyone killed.  Therefore, I made the potentially unwise decision to front a little of my own cash so they can build some walls.

Dirt excavated from the well, 2000 bricks and a creepy building

Next week I’m going back to see how the walls are!

Not-so-small business advising

As a small business development volunteer, it's recommended that we work with local micro-enterprises that have 1-6 employees.  Lucky for me, I have this in my backyard.

Pool with coffee drying in the background

Obviously not a "small" business

The above picture was taken at the surprising nice hotel that is on the premise.  Anyway, today I gave a presentation on how to create a 12 step marketing plan and it was well received!  Next week we are meeting to check off the first 2 steps.  I'll keep you posted on the progress of the well, too!

There and Back Again

Last time I posted was before the holidays so let me spend this post catching all of you followers up on my adventures in the good old United States of America.  Well to be honest, I started my vacation a little early by eating Subway seeing the Hobbit in Managua!  Highlights of my short trip in the US include (but are not limited to):

Eating curry

Winning Pub Trivia

Drinking a 40oz Smirnoff with college friends

Eating German food on Xmas eve

Seeing Potted Potter

Mini golfing

Bowling

Frisbee golfing

Now I’m on my way back to Nicaragua but I have good news: I need dental work!  Why is my possibility for a root canal a good thing?  Because it means I’m returning to Chicago in May.  Cya you all then!