Hola chicos,
Weve been pretty busy these past few days. Hummm where to begin?
Well, a couple of days ago we made chocolate chip cookies. It was sooo much fun. We first found a recepie that didnt require baking soda, then we went grocerie shopping, then we went back to my casa to make them. We made them over a cement fire, because we dont have an oven at my house. We made them in a frying pan... and we also didnt have a mesuring cup. On top of that, chocolate chips dont seem to exist in Somoto, so we bought chocolate bars and just folded the cookies with the chocolate inside. They were by far the worst cookies in the world. They essentially tasted like fried sugar and butter... which is exactly what they were. The nicas seemed to like them for the most part. I told everyone before they ate one that they were made with LOVE and that they NEED to love our cookies otherwise I would have hated them forever. Romain thought they were so gross that he almost starting crying after his first bite. He didnt even finish his cookie. His excuse was that as a french man (yes Romain is actually from France, btw) he could only eat good food. I smacked him... I gave the leftovers to a couple of kids... let me tell you they were extremely hyper... I almost regret giving those to them.
Last night, Lake, Luke, Romain and Josue decided to all shave their heads. Lakes hair is the longest... its like a 4. Same with Josue. Luke got a 2, and it was his first time ever having his hair that short. Romain on the other hand went skin head. It was pretty shocking at first. It does suit him. He told me that his hair grows so fast that in 2 weeks from now his hair will be the same length as Lukes is now. Kayla wanted to shave her head too, but she refrained because she wants to donate her hair. I hope Romain doesnt get a sunburn on his scalp... Luke is still really not used to it, but he likes it.
Today is October 1st, which means, we have already completely a month of our program. Im a third done in Nicaragua, which makes me sad and happy at the same time. Im really looking forward to being able to speak english all the time, looking forward to the cold weather and the snow, and looking forward to being able to cook for Thelma. But I will miss Nicaragua dearly. I have a feeling that I will return someday. Hopefully for Thelmas wedding.... or something. Melania is planning to do CWY with the future projects that come to Somoto. I really hope she does. I know she would love Canada. Thelma and Melania are such amazing girls, they deserve so much more than what they have.
Wow this is a huge post eh?....
In two weeks were going to have our mid-session camp. Knowing were almost half way done is terrifying. In our camp we have different activities to take care of. I was sick when everyones activities was appointed to them. I was given sex ed. HELL YES. Exactly what I would have asked for if I was there. Im facilitating sex ed with Lake, Romain and Yanine. It should be a fun time. Vero suggested that we should have a slide show of positions. I think Shayne would hate us forever if we did that though. Hhahahaha.
I dont know if Ive ever mentionned EADs on here. Well, EADs or Educational Activity Days are mandatory of every program in both phases. Each couple of counter parts are given a topic in their foreign country and in their Canadian community and must present this to the group. Ideally we need to incorperate activities. The themes include History, Environment, Government, Health, etc. Thelma and I were given Being Human and Gendre. This was my first choice, so I was uber excited. Were already planning a trip to a youth center for kids with handicaps for our EAD. Im hoping to also get a guest speaker from the mayors office, and maybe go to a womens help centre... My EAD isnt until November 9th, which is one of the last ones. Romain and Enmanuel have History, so their EAD is the first... Its next week. And we only got our topics last week. So Romain and Enmanuel have been cramming and making alot of phone calls.
Well thats a huge post. Sorry if you guys are bored by now.
Adios!
Aricake
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Quickie
Hola,
I dont really want to spend much time online today, I have to go to my spanish lesson in a few minutes, so here we go.
Not much to update on since my last post. Yesterday was Melanias 18th birthday. She invited some of the canads with their nica counterparts to come to our casa for a huuuuge feast. She also invited half her church. Its crazy how she managed to get that many people in our tiny house. For dinner I took her and Thelma out for pizza. It was soooo good. But the girls made me eat most of it... Afterwards we had a movie night at Josue´s casa and we watched Watchmen. Next week were going to watch the Matrix. Were also planning an eventual Star Wars-athon. Only the old ones , of course.
Yesterday it poored all afternoon. I wore a hoodie for the first time all trip. It was nice to be all bundled up instead of being nasty and sweaty for a change... We got home pretty late. And I was a little sick when I got home too.
Im convinced that my mosquito net that I sleep with is muy useless. Everyday I wake up with new bug bites all over myself. Its annoying. I almost want Malaria though, just to say I survived Malaria. hahahaha....
Ive been looking into my future travel plans after this trip and there are so many options. Im really hoping my mom gets that wicked job with NATO so that a) I have a reason to go to Europe and have a cheap way of going there and b) to have NATO pay me an apartement when I get back. Also, Ive been really interested in the SWAP program. I would do that instead of a foreign exchange with school like I had planned. Alex and myself were thinking of doing is together. Doing one of the two-in-one programs like Ireland and England or Australia and New-Zealand. Personally, I would rather do Australia and New-Zealand. I would love it if Nick would come with me, but the reality is that wannabe med-students and med-students arent allowed to get time off.... And well... I would like to finish my B.A. eventually.
www.swap.ca (just because I know my mom is curious)
Well thats all for now.
Later gater,
Ari
p.s. I love you Nick (there happy? hahahaha)
I dont really want to spend much time online today, I have to go to my spanish lesson in a few minutes, so here we go.
Not much to update on since my last post. Yesterday was Melanias 18th birthday. She invited some of the canads with their nica counterparts to come to our casa for a huuuuge feast. She also invited half her church. Its crazy how she managed to get that many people in our tiny house. For dinner I took her and Thelma out for pizza. It was soooo good. But the girls made me eat most of it... Afterwards we had a movie night at Josue´s casa and we watched Watchmen. Next week were going to watch the Matrix. Were also planning an eventual Star Wars-athon. Only the old ones , of course.
Yesterday it poored all afternoon. I wore a hoodie for the first time all trip. It was nice to be all bundled up instead of being nasty and sweaty for a change... We got home pretty late. And I was a little sick when I got home too.
Im convinced that my mosquito net that I sleep with is muy useless. Everyday I wake up with new bug bites all over myself. Its annoying. I almost want Malaria though, just to say I survived Malaria. hahahaha....
Ive been looking into my future travel plans after this trip and there are so many options. Im really hoping my mom gets that wicked job with NATO so that a) I have a reason to go to Europe and have a cheap way of going there and b) to have NATO pay me an apartement when I get back. Also, Ive been really interested in the SWAP program. I would do that instead of a foreign exchange with school like I had planned. Alex and myself were thinking of doing is together. Doing one of the two-in-one programs like Ireland and England or Australia and New-Zealand. Personally, I would rather do Australia and New-Zealand. I would love it if Nick would come with me, but the reality is that wannabe med-students and med-students arent allowed to get time off.... And well... I would like to finish my B.A. eventually.
www.swap.ca (just because I know my mom is curious)
Well thats all for now.
Later gater,
Ari
p.s. I love you Nick (there happy? hahahaha)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Grilled Cheese
So pretty much everytime I make a post, I soon realise after Ive finished paying for the internet how many things I had forgotten to mention. So today I will try to be as thorough as possible. Wish me luck....
First of all, I would like to make a list of things that I will never take for granted again.
1. Clean Water. The nicas drink their own water, but I do not dare. Its crazy how troublesome it is to go out of ones way to get some water...
2. My blow dryer. I miss having nice hair.
3. Light bulb. Everyones house has fluorencent lights. It sucks.
4. Winter. Winter means no dying of heat, but more importantly no bugs!!!
5. Baths. Oh man...
6. Cheese. I miss Brie and Cheddar so damn much. Oh man... my mouth is watering.
Ok onward ho.
So I guess I should give an update of recent events. A friend of mine from high school died last Friday from severe brain cancer. I can tell you he was a fighter and a true champ. I will always remember him.
Yesterday I went to work for the first time. I work in a community called Caldera. Its kind of far from Somoto. I technicly work in the outskirts of Totogalpa and the office I work at is in Tepochtcali, also in Totogalpa. The work I do is mostly diagnostic work. Meaning I go to Caldera and figure out what this community needs to make more money. INPHRU has given all of us a mission. 94% of people who live in the country side do not have the oppertunity to go to university and make a good living for themselves. INPHRU essentially wants us to propose a plan in order to break this cycle. They will put this plan in action over the next 4 years. Probably with the next 4 groups of CWY who come to Somoto. Caldera is trying to promote mostly the making of straw mats and fruit such as pineapple. I only really spent an hour or so there yesterday. When we get to Prince Albert though, our work there will be way more a-la-Katimavik. We actually have work placements and partners such as the Red Cross, the hospital, the rehab centre, etc. I dibs the SPCA. Im really excited for that.
Life at home has been good. Ive been adjusting very well to Nica life. I can have full conversations in broken spanish now. Its pretty awesome. Last night when I got I was craving a grilled cheese. And Thelma had bought some processed cheese too. So I made myself one. The first bite I took sent me straight back to my childhood. I melted with the cheese in my mouth. I gave Thelma a bite. She loved it. This was the first time I had cooked for myself all trip.
So we´ve been going back and forth to the mayors office trying to make some contacts for ourselves. So far we have met the deputy Mayor as well as the enviromental sector of the mayor office. We met a lady named Tania, and she is our main contact in the office. Yesterday we got to go to the landfill in Somoto. Its a shame really.
Another thing is that our group has been seperate into 5 commitees. Language commitee, Social Cultural Commitee, Health and Sports commitee, Enviroment commitee and the Media commitee. I am on the Social Cultural commitee (I know some of you arent surprised). Our main task is birthday parties. Last weekend was Shayne and Yanines birthday. So we had a two in one party and it was a huge success. Other tasks of mine include dance classes, organising a canadian dinner for the nicas and some trips we may be taking outside of Somoto. Were maybe planning on going to Esteli to visit the other group next week.
There is one thing that I always forget to mention on the blog. Its our infamous truck rides. I have a video of this, but I cant post is just yet. The way we all get to work or travel around to short distances is riding in the back of a truck. Sometimes standing. Sometimes sitting down. Usually when were standing we all have to look out for eachother because its extremely easy to get a branch in the face.
We get spanish classes twice a week. We also take turns teaching english at the Intensive School of English. Tonight I am Shaynes supply teacher, so I will teach the Nicas english with Luke. Last night Lake tought english to the Nicas...he made them call him Mr. Khera... OH PLEASE.
My foot is almost healed completely. I will forever remember Nicaragua, because it will be on my foot...
By the way, me and Alex have decided were going to Australia and New-Zealand together. AND, in November, INPHRU is paying us a vacation at an all inclusive resort next to the pacific. WOOOO!!! Alex and I will be paying our counter parts a hot rock massage. Teehee.
gotta go,
later gater,
Aricake
First of all, I would like to make a list of things that I will never take for granted again.
1. Clean Water. The nicas drink their own water, but I do not dare. Its crazy how troublesome it is to go out of ones way to get some water...
2. My blow dryer. I miss having nice hair.
3. Light bulb. Everyones house has fluorencent lights. It sucks.
4. Winter. Winter means no dying of heat, but more importantly no bugs!!!
5. Baths. Oh man...
6. Cheese. I miss Brie and Cheddar so damn much. Oh man... my mouth is watering.
Ok onward ho.
So I guess I should give an update of recent events. A friend of mine from high school died last Friday from severe brain cancer. I can tell you he was a fighter and a true champ. I will always remember him.
Yesterday I went to work for the first time. I work in a community called Caldera. Its kind of far from Somoto. I technicly work in the outskirts of Totogalpa and the office I work at is in Tepochtcali, also in Totogalpa. The work I do is mostly diagnostic work. Meaning I go to Caldera and figure out what this community needs to make more money. INPHRU has given all of us a mission. 94% of people who live in the country side do not have the oppertunity to go to university and make a good living for themselves. INPHRU essentially wants us to propose a plan in order to break this cycle. They will put this plan in action over the next 4 years. Probably with the next 4 groups of CWY who come to Somoto. Caldera is trying to promote mostly the making of straw mats and fruit such as pineapple. I only really spent an hour or so there yesterday. When we get to Prince Albert though, our work there will be way more a-la-Katimavik. We actually have work placements and partners such as the Red Cross, the hospital, the rehab centre, etc. I dibs the SPCA. Im really excited for that.
Life at home has been good. Ive been adjusting very well to Nica life. I can have full conversations in broken spanish now. Its pretty awesome. Last night when I got I was craving a grilled cheese. And Thelma had bought some processed cheese too. So I made myself one. The first bite I took sent me straight back to my childhood. I melted with the cheese in my mouth. I gave Thelma a bite. She loved it. This was the first time I had cooked for myself all trip.
So we´ve been going back and forth to the mayors office trying to make some contacts for ourselves. So far we have met the deputy Mayor as well as the enviromental sector of the mayor office. We met a lady named Tania, and she is our main contact in the office. Yesterday we got to go to the landfill in Somoto. Its a shame really.
Another thing is that our group has been seperate into 5 commitees. Language commitee, Social Cultural Commitee, Health and Sports commitee, Enviroment commitee and the Media commitee. I am on the Social Cultural commitee (I know some of you arent surprised). Our main task is birthday parties. Last weekend was Shayne and Yanines birthday. So we had a two in one party and it was a huge success. Other tasks of mine include dance classes, organising a canadian dinner for the nicas and some trips we may be taking outside of Somoto. Were maybe planning on going to Esteli to visit the other group next week.
There is one thing that I always forget to mention on the blog. Its our infamous truck rides. I have a video of this, but I cant post is just yet. The way we all get to work or travel around to short distances is riding in the back of a truck. Sometimes standing. Sometimes sitting down. Usually when were standing we all have to look out for eachother because its extremely easy to get a branch in the face.
We get spanish classes twice a week. We also take turns teaching english at the Intensive School of English. Tonight I am Shaynes supply teacher, so I will teach the Nicas english with Luke. Last night Lake tought english to the Nicas...he made them call him Mr. Khera... OH PLEASE.
My foot is almost healed completely. I will forever remember Nicaragua, because it will be on my foot...
By the way, me and Alex have decided were going to Australia and New-Zealand together. AND, in November, INPHRU is paying us a vacation at an all inclusive resort next to the pacific. WOOOO!!! Alex and I will be paying our counter parts a hot rock massage. Teehee.
gotta go,
later gater,
Aricake
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ajusting at last
Hola,
Although I still speak very broken spanish, Im really starting to intergrate quite well. Obviously, I am much paler than all the nicas, and I still stick out like a sore thumb. But Im not feeling depressed and home sick all the time like I did when I first moved in to Thelmas house. At first it was very difficult for me to be seperated from the other canads because it made me feel very lost and severed. Now I feel very confident all the time. Its strange for me now when Im not with Thelma. Me and her are getting quite close. Everyone in the group is attached at the hip to their counter parts. Nonetheless, I am still much closer with some of the canads, probably because we all speak the same language, and we all sympathise with eachother. Were all in this crazy experience together. Im closest with Alex and Lake I would say. I love all the others, but Alex and Lake get me on a different level. Especially Alex, seeing as how I can have real girl talk with her. It strange how me and Alex are polar opposites in values and personalities, but we are closer than sisters. Weve already made plans for visiting eachother after this program is done. She lives way out in Tofield, Alberta, which is close to Edmonton.
Speaking of which, I dont know if Ive mentionned this yet, but me and Lake have decided that were going to France and possibly Jordan together. When I told his parents we wanted despreately to go to Versaille, his dad said maybe theyll join us. That would rock my socks. On top of that, Lake and myself have already made road trip plans to visit Luke, Catherine, Veronique and Michel, who are all from our group and live relatively close to us. Michel being the fartherest, hes from Quebec City. Luke and Catherine go to Ottawa U, same as me. So Ill be certainly seeing them in the future after this program is done. Vero lives in Montreal. I go to Montreal pretty often, so Im sure Ill be seeing her again sometime. Romain lives way out in Victoria and Kayla lives all the way in Summer Side, PEI. Weve already started cringing at the idea that in 6 months well all have to split. Possibly never see our dear nicas again. Weve already all invited ourselves to eachother weddings too.
Well I have to go now. I meant to get pictures up today but I didnt work. Ill try at another internet cafe. Talk to you soon. If Lake doesnt post soon I will ground him. Haaha.
Later gater,
Aricake
Although I still speak very broken spanish, Im really starting to intergrate quite well. Obviously, I am much paler than all the nicas, and I still stick out like a sore thumb. But Im not feeling depressed and home sick all the time like I did when I first moved in to Thelmas house. At first it was very difficult for me to be seperated from the other canads because it made me feel very lost and severed. Now I feel very confident all the time. Its strange for me now when Im not with Thelma. Me and her are getting quite close. Everyone in the group is attached at the hip to their counter parts. Nonetheless, I am still much closer with some of the canads, probably because we all speak the same language, and we all sympathise with eachother. Were all in this crazy experience together. Im closest with Alex and Lake I would say. I love all the others, but Alex and Lake get me on a different level. Especially Alex, seeing as how I can have real girl talk with her. It strange how me and Alex are polar opposites in values and personalities, but we are closer than sisters. Weve already made plans for visiting eachother after this program is done. She lives way out in Tofield, Alberta, which is close to Edmonton.
Speaking of which, I dont know if Ive mentionned this yet, but me and Lake have decided that were going to France and possibly Jordan together. When I told his parents we wanted despreately to go to Versaille, his dad said maybe theyll join us. That would rock my socks. On top of that, Lake and myself have already made road trip plans to visit Luke, Catherine, Veronique and Michel, who are all from our group and live relatively close to us. Michel being the fartherest, hes from Quebec City. Luke and Catherine go to Ottawa U, same as me. So Ill be certainly seeing them in the future after this program is done. Vero lives in Montreal. I go to Montreal pretty often, so Im sure Ill be seeing her again sometime. Romain lives way out in Victoria and Kayla lives all the way in Summer Side, PEI. Weve already started cringing at the idea that in 6 months well all have to split. Possibly never see our dear nicas again. Weve already all invited ourselves to eachother weddings too.
Well I have to go now. I meant to get pictures up today but I didnt work. Ill try at another internet cafe. Talk to you soon. If Lake doesnt post soon I will ground him. Haaha.
Later gater,
Aricake
Monday, September 14, 2009
Aricakes yucky foot
Dear Home,
So I wasnt allowed to go to work Friday because of my foot. Ruth (our nicaraguan supervisor, and Shaynes counter part) saw my foot on friday just before the bus came to get me and she dragged me to the doctors. He said my foot was mega infected, even though it didnt look like it to me. Ive been taking anti-biotics for a few days now. I have to say, it was extremely infected. It looks so nasty now that all the grossness is coming out. But my foot feels alot better. In a couple days I should be fine. Im going to work on Wednesday.
Today is a holiday, so almost all the internet cafes were closed. There was a parade this morning. I think its independance day or something...
On Saturday night, Thelmas church invited the group to go to mass. It was alot of fun. Her pastor blessed our group and our trip. They have really good music. Thelma is the soloist singer. Shes really amazing.
Yesterday we went to the river, which is close to the famous canon in Somoto. I didnt go swimming because of my foot.
For those of you who havent heard yet, I have completely stopped wearing makeup, which is a huge deal. I only really wear for special occasions. So yeah.
My new nickname in the group is Aricake... In Toronto, for some reason Lake wrote his L like a C, and then he stuck his name tag under mine, so it made Aricake. Yep, Aricake.
I have so many pictures, I really want to post them, but I still dont know when I will. I have some videos as well. Im going to make a huge montage at the end of this trip, Im sure. I might try to add pictures later this week, but dont count on it.
Well thats all for now, later gater,
Aricake
So I wasnt allowed to go to work Friday because of my foot. Ruth (our nicaraguan supervisor, and Shaynes counter part) saw my foot on friday just before the bus came to get me and she dragged me to the doctors. He said my foot was mega infected, even though it didnt look like it to me. Ive been taking anti-biotics for a few days now. I have to say, it was extremely infected. It looks so nasty now that all the grossness is coming out. But my foot feels alot better. In a couple days I should be fine. Im going to work on Wednesday.
Today is a holiday, so almost all the internet cafes were closed. There was a parade this morning. I think its independance day or something...
On Saturday night, Thelmas church invited the group to go to mass. It was alot of fun. Her pastor blessed our group and our trip. They have really good music. Thelma is the soloist singer. Shes really amazing.
Yesterday we went to the river, which is close to the famous canon in Somoto. I didnt go swimming because of my foot.
For those of you who havent heard yet, I have completely stopped wearing makeup, which is a huge deal. I only really wear for special occasions. So yeah.
My new nickname in the group is Aricake... In Toronto, for some reason Lake wrote his L like a C, and then he stuck his name tag under mine, so it made Aricake. Yep, Aricake.
I have so many pictures, I really want to post them, but I still dont know when I will. I have some videos as well. Im going to make a huge montage at the end of this trip, Im sure. I might try to add pictures later this week, but dont count on it.
Well thats all for now, later gater,
Aricake
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Rice and Beans
Hello hello,
So things have been getting easier and harder at the same time over here. I can follow a person speaking spanish quite well now. Everything here is completely different than it is back home. Alex and I called home last night and we were talking about how its impossible to describe what were going through to our families. Nicaragua is insanely slow passed compared to home. The Nicas walk very slow compared to us. Being late is no big deal. There isnt a real concept of time here. I get up everyday around 7 or 9 and go to bed at around 8. Being culture shocked is very exhausting.
Today I met my new boss, Joel. I dont know how I got lucky enough to get the good looking supervisor hahaha. Hes a little too short for my taste though. Hes really nice. Hes Alanys (one of our nicas) cousin. Everyone knows everyone here. Especially Thelma. She introduces me to new people all the time. Saturday I think the whole group has been invited to her church to go hang out.
Next Wednesday we will be meeting the Canadian Ambassador. We need to be on our best behavior because we need to get work visas for the nicas. Things like that make me feel so official. There have been quite a few occasions already where the canads have been put on the spot haha. I had to dance thriller at the Festival de Mais. It was muy embarrassing.
Even though the group doesnt live together, we spend most of our time together. I dont always feel comfortable in Thelmas house. I dont know why. Its hard to be seperate from everyone. I always feel very alone when I dont have at least one canadian with me.
I slid down a mountain the other night. I almost broke my foot. It just tore open the flesh and the bone is probably bruise, but no biggy. Lots of gause and polysporen woot. It looks pretty nasty though haha.
Tomorrow I start my job with Carmen. Shes another nica. I really love her. I wanted to live with her, but it wasnt meant to be. Im glad we get to work together though.
I have to go now. Lake is infront of me. He better be updating too... or else! By the way... Lakes nickname in the group is Princess or Princesa en español. teehee Yes, it was my idea.
later gater,
Ari
So things have been getting easier and harder at the same time over here. I can follow a person speaking spanish quite well now. Everything here is completely different than it is back home. Alex and I called home last night and we were talking about how its impossible to describe what were going through to our families. Nicaragua is insanely slow passed compared to home. The Nicas walk very slow compared to us. Being late is no big deal. There isnt a real concept of time here. I get up everyday around 7 or 9 and go to bed at around 8. Being culture shocked is very exhausting.
Today I met my new boss, Joel. I dont know how I got lucky enough to get the good looking supervisor hahaha. Hes a little too short for my taste though. Hes really nice. Hes Alanys (one of our nicas) cousin. Everyone knows everyone here. Especially Thelma. She introduces me to new people all the time. Saturday I think the whole group has been invited to her church to go hang out.
Next Wednesday we will be meeting the Canadian Ambassador. We need to be on our best behavior because we need to get work visas for the nicas. Things like that make me feel so official. There have been quite a few occasions already where the canads have been put on the spot haha. I had to dance thriller at the Festival de Mais. It was muy embarrassing.
Even though the group doesnt live together, we spend most of our time together. I dont always feel comfortable in Thelmas house. I dont know why. Its hard to be seperate from everyone. I always feel very alone when I dont have at least one canadian with me.
I slid down a mountain the other night. I almost broke my foot. It just tore open the flesh and the bone is probably bruise, but no biggy. Lots of gause and polysporen woot. It looks pretty nasty though haha.
Tomorrow I start my job with Carmen. Shes another nica. I really love her. I wanted to live with her, but it wasnt meant to be. Im glad we get to work together though.
I have to go now. Lake is infront of me. He better be updating too... or else! By the way... Lakes nickname in the group is Princess or Princesa en español. teehee Yes, it was my idea.
later gater,
Ari
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Spanglish much?
Dear home,
I miss you. I have never miss winter so much in my entire life. Yes I already have a few sunburns. Why didnt I think of packing after burn? Gawdddd.... Orientation camp with los Nicas (the nicaraguans) was really cool. They are all such warm and friendly people. All of los chicos (the boys) are true gentlemen. The girls have a bit more difficulty speaking english, but they are all learning quite quickly. So are we in fact... I speak enough spanish now to get by. I still wish I hadnt forgotten my spanish book in ottawa though... grrr. One of the girls, Alex, brought an electronic translator. Its the handiest thing in the world!
If you want to read Alexs blog its www.alexs-escapades.blogspot.com
So far this has been an emotional roller coaster ride. Everytime I think about home I choke back my tears. Especially when I think about Nick. I miss him. I miss my mommy, my bed and my air conditionning. Im gunna buy a couple of fans for my host family I think. This country is so poor. An iPod is about 30$ american here. I think Ill buy another one for the sake of it being so damn cheap! Ill give it to my brother probably... Hes like the only person I know who doesnt have and iPod lol. I miss my Nick Lang as well. Last night we were out in the park and I caught a wiff of weed... I only thought my favorite Nick Lang. I know he probably misses me too.
Youre probably dying to hear about the living conditions and such. Well... My counter parts name is Thelma. I thought that she would be outside of her home town, but Im actually living in her home with her family. Shes 22. I live with her sister Melania and her grandmother Estha. I live in a semi-mud hutt. I have an out-house. There is no hot showers, which is something that doesnt bother me at all. Its so bloody hot here that frankly, cold showers are always just what the doctor ordered. I live with her because she the only one of all the girls who doesnt have a dog. She has a kitten who is scared of me haha. My bed is essentially wood with a blanket... I did my laundry by hand for the first time in my life this morning. It was actually alot of fun. I just put on my music and get er done. Its kind of an escape almost.
It been really hard for all of us so far to ajust to the culture. Its exhausting. One of the guys is strongly considering going home. If things dont get better for him by next week, I think hell be buying a ticket back to canada. He hasnt stopped crying since we got to Somoto. Last night the whole group hung out at a park and played basketball. I had to cling myself to Lake to grasp reality again. He could tell I was slowly losing my mind. Im no where near as bad as some of the others though.
I have to go. My time is up...
Ill be back soon, I live close to the internet cafe.
I love you all and miss you dearly.
Ari
I miss you. I have never miss winter so much in my entire life. Yes I already have a few sunburns. Why didnt I think of packing after burn? Gawdddd.... Orientation camp with los Nicas (the nicaraguans) was really cool. They are all such warm and friendly people. All of los chicos (the boys) are true gentlemen. The girls have a bit more difficulty speaking english, but they are all learning quite quickly. So are we in fact... I speak enough spanish now to get by. I still wish I hadnt forgotten my spanish book in ottawa though... grrr. One of the girls, Alex, brought an electronic translator. Its the handiest thing in the world!
If you want to read Alexs blog its www.alexs-escapades.blogspot.com
So far this has been an emotional roller coaster ride. Everytime I think about home I choke back my tears. Especially when I think about Nick. I miss him. I miss my mommy, my bed and my air conditionning. Im gunna buy a couple of fans for my host family I think. This country is so poor. An iPod is about 30$ american here. I think Ill buy another one for the sake of it being so damn cheap! Ill give it to my brother probably... Hes like the only person I know who doesnt have and iPod lol. I miss my Nick Lang as well. Last night we were out in the park and I caught a wiff of weed... I only thought my favorite Nick Lang. I know he probably misses me too.
Youre probably dying to hear about the living conditions and such. Well... My counter parts name is Thelma. I thought that she would be outside of her home town, but Im actually living in her home with her family. Shes 22. I live with her sister Melania and her grandmother Estha. I live in a semi-mud hutt. I have an out-house. There is no hot showers, which is something that doesnt bother me at all. Its so bloody hot here that frankly, cold showers are always just what the doctor ordered. I live with her because she the only one of all the girls who doesnt have a dog. She has a kitten who is scared of me haha. My bed is essentially wood with a blanket... I did my laundry by hand for the first time in my life this morning. It was actually alot of fun. I just put on my music and get er done. Its kind of an escape almost.
It been really hard for all of us so far to ajust to the culture. Its exhausting. One of the guys is strongly considering going home. If things dont get better for him by next week, I think hell be buying a ticket back to canada. He hasnt stopped crying since we got to Somoto. Last night the whole group hung out at a park and played basketball. I had to cling myself to Lake to grasp reality again. He could tell I was slowly losing my mind. Im no where near as bad as some of the others though.
I have to go. My time is up...
Ill be back soon, I live close to the internet cafe.
I love you all and miss you dearly.
Ari
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
tomorrow is the big day
I can't believe it. First thing tomorrow morning we will be going to the airport. We don't have a direct flight to Nicaragua however. We will be stopping in El Salvador first!!!! Woo! Another country I can sorta cross off my list. After we have a flight to Managua (the capital of Nicaragua) and we will be taking a bus to Somoto and dropping off the Esteli group as well. It's kinda sad that we've gotten close with the other group and tomorrow will be the last day we see them for 3 months (until our flight to Saskatchewan). But you can only imagine all the things we'll have to talk about on that flight!
I'm sorry if there are typos. I hate PCs... I miss my Macbook... :(. This keyboard is especially rediculous though.
So yesterday and today the departement of international affairs came to talk to us about our integration and culture into NIcaragua. We also had a guest who was Nicaraguan. It sounds like such a lovely place. The rest of the governement crap was pretty boring though. The facilitator was a former CWY supervisor. She was sooooo in shape, it was blowing everyone's minds. She had the most rediculous Popeye arms... like you've never seen.
We went to Lake's house for dinner last night. I got to do some laundry for free :). Lake's mom Shelley was nice enough to do it for me! Thanks again Shelley! (I know you're reading haha) She even folded my underwear!!! That totally BLEW my mind!!! No one has done laundry for me in years, haha.
I'm pretty much done repacking now. We're going for a meeting with Shayne now too. He's going to brief on what will go down tomorrow. I have to go now, Lake is here to come get me.
Later gaters.
Ari
I'm sorry if there are typos. I hate PCs... I miss my Macbook... :(. This keyboard is especially rediculous though.
So yesterday and today the departement of international affairs came to talk to us about our integration and culture into NIcaragua. We also had a guest who was Nicaraguan. It sounds like such a lovely place. The rest of the governement crap was pretty boring though. The facilitator was a former CWY supervisor. She was sooooo in shape, it was blowing everyone's minds. She had the most rediculous Popeye arms... like you've never seen.
We went to Lake's house for dinner last night. I got to do some laundry for free :). Lake's mom Shelley was nice enough to do it for me! Thanks again Shelley! (I know you're reading haha) She even folded my underwear!!! That totally BLEW my mind!!! No one has done laundry for me in years, haha.
I'm pretty much done repacking now. We're going for a meeting with Shayne now too. He's going to brief on what will go down tomorrow. I have to go now, Lake is here to come get me.
Later gaters.
Ari
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