Volcanoes, condoms, and favorite foods...doesn´t get much better than that!

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend, because I know I did!

Here is an update on the latest news from Neecoragua...

On Saturday, Chelsea M. and I made the trek to the island of Ometepe to visit this beautiful girl: Kendall!

Our journey was pretty intense: We got a taxi to the Mercado Huembes at 5AM, then took a two hour bus down to Rivas, a taxi to San Jorge, and finally an hour ferry ride to the island, where we met up with Kendall and took another two hour bus ride to Santo Domingo, arriving at our destination at about 12PM. While it may have taken almost seven hours and consisted of five independent legs, the total cost was approximately $8. Take that, United Airlines.

We spent the next 24 hours relaxing on the island with Kendall, but unfortunately after a fantastic ice cream breakfast, we had to make our way back to the Gua. We arrived home at 5PM, and though we spent a lot of the weekend traveling, it was totally worth it. Here are a few more pictures...

the bananas that escorted us from Ometepe to San Jorge
The Island of Ometepe, on the left is Volcán Concepción, and on the right is Volcán MaderasMe and Chelsea M. on the ferry with Ometepe in the background

Yesterday, I worked all morning then went to Xochiquetzal for another support group meeting. Only one man came, and after he worked with another student, he decided to spend the next hour telling me about himself. My favorite part had to be when he told me this:
"I´m gay, but I love everyone. Everytime I shake someone´s hand, or hug them, or kiss them on the cheek to greet or meet them, I fall in love. I think that you can pass so much love like that, so I love everyone."
Don´t you think that the world would be so much better if everyone had this philosophy?

Today, I worked again in the morning, then went back to Xochiquetzal to meet Patricia so we could go to visit the hospital patients. Unfortunately, due to the marches and violence in the rotundas today in Managua, it was too dangerous to cross town to one of the hospitals, so she sent me home. As some sort of apology gift for making me come all the way to the foundation for nothing, she gave me a red ribbon bracelet that sports the slogan, "Sex Life with Responsibility", as well as tiny condoms with faces. NICE.

Those are the latest fun facts of my life. Tomorrow, I am heading up to León and Chinandega again to interview another organization and hang out at Xochiquetzal.

For now, I think I am going to reward myself for working on endless interview transcriptions with my latest and greatest indulgence...The Office. For those of you who have not been introduced to this masterpiece of modern television, I advise you to try it out; however, proceed with caution because it is highly addictive.

*A few shout outs...that include my food wishes for all of you...
Batesies: Enjoy Harvest Dinner! It is impossible to describe an event like this to a Nicaraguan because the idea that we need two church sized buildings for all the food is unfathomable. Take pictures and stick your heads under the chocolate fountain for me.
Zeta: Breathe, believe, eat some Lindt, and take care of yourself!
Friends abroad: I miss you all! Please let me know how you are doing, as well as describe the best meal you ate in your country today.
Mom and Dad: Give each other BIG hugs because I love you two, and perhaps go for a walk/date to Starbucks for me?
Farty sister, Nathan, and Plush Mister Puddin: Keep doin´what you´re doin´, because you´re doin´ it great. I miss and love you guys so much, and I think you need to eat some monkey bread.
to all others whom I miss (that means you): Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!


Keep writing to me! I love hearing from you.

Love,
Nicole