Thought I would catch you up on my eventful week that just
passed. Tuesday, I traveled to Managua
(standing for 2 of the 3.5 hours because the buses were so crowded). After treating myself to some Subway, I met
with the training staff. I was invited
to give a presentation to the new group of business trainees that landed here
in early March. The training staff
wanted me to introduce the entrepreneurship curriculum that we teach in the
highschool. The new crop of future
volunteers looks solid but few (only 15 when there were 21 in my group).
Wednesday I traveled to Diriamba, Carazo (where some
trainees live) to give the presentation.
It went well! So well in fact
that I think I’ll be returning to train them on market study lesson planning as
early as next week. After returning to
Managua, I met up with my Nica friend Jadder at his aunt’s house nearby. He made me dinner (scrambled eggs and toast) and
afterwards we walked to a local establishment and had a couple litros.
At 9:30pm when my free taxi service was about to end, I went to
T.G.I.FRIDAYS! Yes, you read
correctly. A fellow volunteer named
Nishant invited me meet up with him at the most American place humanly
possible. And let me tell you, it was
HEAVEN. I was expecting an empty and sad
version with rice, beans and plantains.
Nope! It is truly a franchise and
was exactly the same in the States. Since
I had already eaten dinner, I went just pass the time with Nishant and his eclectic
group of friends including diplomats, World Bank employees and other NGO
workers. After learning that it was my
birthday in a few short hours (or maybe taking pity on our meager earnings),
they invited me to share Buffalo wings, fajitas and mozzarella sticks for
FREE! Well maybe not free. I did have to do a birthday dance while the
Fridays’ employees sang but close enough.
Thursday, after taking my forth hot shower in 2 days, I made
the long journey back to site standing on the bus again. Once home, two PCVs and a Nica friend came to
celebrate my birthday. We made chili and
played UNO.
Friday, we woke up early and went to my favorite place in
Nicaragua (no, not the laboratory…), the Somoto Canyon. Since it was Holy Friday, it was PACKED! Luckily, it was also free instead of $1. We spent a leisurely afternoon hiking,
swimming, and eating Nica junk food.
But all good things must come to an end. Yesterday classes resumed (although
attendance was about 50%). I’ll give you
some updates on my other projects soon!
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