Buenas tardes a todos.
This weekend was quite busy for all of us. Saturday night was the famous carnival in downtown Somoto. It was such a wicked party. Almost all of main street was closed off for the party. There were dozens of beer tents, several stages and a few food tents as well. The music was totally awesome, even though I didnt dance very much. There were people from all of the world who attended. Some Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Americans, Germans, Spaniards and, of course, Canadians! We met a couple new canadians and hung out with our Peace Corp friends. The boys bought 5 litre beer bottles, but the bar tenders only put two beers worth of beer in it at a time. you can buy seperate beers to fill it yourself after. One guy was hitting on me and asked me if I had a boyfriend. Obviously I said yes and then he proceeded to ask me where he was. So I had to get Romain to pretend to be my boyfriend. We only had our arms around eachothers waists and held hands for a few seconds... but that was enough to fend him off. Thank God. Now I owe Romain big time. I told him I would by him a beer. The carnival was so much fun. Im so glad I went. Its so different from everyday Somoto. After a while people were getting too drunk for my liking though, so Shayne walked me home at around 2:30 am. Thelma was surprised when I got home because she said thats unusually early for the carnival. I laughed. Somoto is secretly a party town I think...
Yesterday we went to Matagalpa for a short while. Its about three hours away from Somoto, so we mostly spent time in the bus. We went to someones farm and ate a ton of fruit. Then we went to Matagalpa itself and watched fireworks. Yesterday was another important day in Nicaragua, because its the day that the Virgin Marie was conceived. So we ate ice cream while watching these lovely fireworks that were litterally right over our heads. Some of the leftover flame things went into the tree next to us. That scares us a bit... understandibly, I think.
Something that I love about Somoto is that I am not treated like a tourist here as I was in Leon and Granada. Here, I am treated like a foreigner. I much prefer it that way. However, after having been here for three months, the foreigner feeling is almost gone.
Today, while I was hanging out with Thelma and Melania in the kitchen at home, I realised that my time with Melania and Elsa is very limited. I started choking back tears. Just thinking of it now is making well up. Ottawa will always be my true home, but Somoto is my second home. And the Ortiz family will always be my second family. I wish I could have the oppertunity to meet Thelmas brother, Luis Alfredo, but he isnt coming to Somoto until mid-december.
Today the Nicas are getting their criminal record check, which is essential for our work placements in Canada. We wont know what our placements are until we get there though.
As for my host family in Canada, I still refuse to tell anyone about them. Nick is the only one who knows... Nick... you better keep your mouth shut, lol.
Well, thats all for now. Hasta luego!
Ari
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Anxious as hell
We are now in the last week of our first phase of the program. This means we are almost half done the program. That being said, I am extremely sad on many levels. I love Nicaragua, I love my host family and I still want to improve my spanish. After evaluation camp however, Im getting very excited for our return to the great white North. I am some what frustrated though, because some of the nicas are not excited at all and almost act like they dont care if they go to Canada or not. Im really worried that they wont like Canada and will hate this experience entirely. But lets not get ahead of ourselves here...
I am still not going to talk about my host family until I meet them in person to make a better and more elaborate post on them. I will, however, say that I am extremely excited to meet them and so is Thelma. We are very happy with what we have heard of our family and cant wait to get to Prince Albert.
Lately, Ive been thinking of all the things I miss of home. I dont want this program to end, but I cant wait to go home and see everyone that I have been missing ever so dearly. I know that talking about this experience with people from home is going to be near impossible because the truth is, none of you guys can truly understand what Im going through, what the whole group is going through. Its going to be tough seperating myself from all the nicas, let alone the canadians. The friendships Ive made here will truly last me a life time. I have learned so much from all of them and I cant imagine my life without them now.
Well, thats all for now. Later gater.
Ari
I am still not going to talk about my host family until I meet them in person to make a better and more elaborate post on them. I will, however, say that I am extremely excited to meet them and so is Thelma. We are very happy with what we have heard of our family and cant wait to get to Prince Albert.
Lately, Ive been thinking of all the things I miss of home. I dont want this program to end, but I cant wait to go home and see everyone that I have been missing ever so dearly. I know that talking about this experience with people from home is going to be near impossible because the truth is, none of you guys can truly understand what Im going through, what the whole group is going through. Its going to be tough seperating myself from all the nicas, let alone the canadians. The friendships Ive made here will truly last me a life time. I have learned so much from all of them and I cant imagine my life without them now.
Well, thats all for now. Later gater.
Ari
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
An abondance of freckels
Sorry I was in no mood for posting yesterday. Ill try to be a bit more informative and interesting today.
Well first I want to inform you about Pepita, my satanic cat. Originally, I thought she was just a kitten because she is quite tiny, but it turns out shes about 10 years old. She is currently pregnant and has had a dozen pregnancies before. Shes probably due any day now, actually. If you watch her belly closely enough, you can see her kittens are poking from the inside. Its kinda scary, but kinda cool at the same time. Thelma told me that in all her past pregnancies she has eaten all her young... is that not the most twisted thing youve ever heard or what? If Pepita gives birth while Im around and tried to eat her kittens, then I will certain seperate her from them and feed them by hand myself. I will cry and be mortified if I see her eating one of her kittens. I hope she doesnt give birth while were in Totogalpa for evaluation camp...
For the past couple weeks some of us from the group have been working on a side project for INPRHU called the Las Sabannas project. Weve been making signs for their organic shops, restaurants and cafes. Today we pretty much finished the signs, and I must say they look quite nice. Another side project is making a recycling program for INPRHU. Shayne bought a couple of barrels that they can use for disposing plastics and paper. Were going to decorate them this weekend at camp, I believe.
Once we get back from camp Thelma and I are going to start packing. Im so excited. I keep telling her that the less she brings the better. She got a pair of skate shoes from INPRHU today for Canada... oh Thelma, how we have so many things in common. There is nothing better than skate shoes in the early winter! :) I cant wait to get a fresh batch of clothes from my wardrobe. I miss my clothes.
Monday were going to have our Christmas dinner with all the families. I believe it will be a pot-luck style dinner. Thelma said we should bring ice cream from Eskimos... I miss Dairy Queen though. On the first of December, some of the canadians and some of the Nicas have volonteered to do some volonteering at an HIV concert here in Somoto. Weve made some friends here who are from the Peace Corps. They are named Jess, Matt and Katie. Matt and Jess are married and work in health education. They are the ones organising this concert. Katie works in business education, helping kids in Somoto and Yalaguina develope business and marketing skills to be able to sell their artisan products and agricultural products. They are all really awesome people.
Well I have to go now, Thelma and Toribio are waiting for me.
Hasta luego!
Ari
Well first I want to inform you about Pepita, my satanic cat. Originally, I thought she was just a kitten because she is quite tiny, but it turns out shes about 10 years old. She is currently pregnant and has had a dozen pregnancies before. Shes probably due any day now, actually. If you watch her belly closely enough, you can see her kittens are poking from the inside. Its kinda scary, but kinda cool at the same time. Thelma told me that in all her past pregnancies she has eaten all her young... is that not the most twisted thing youve ever heard or what? If Pepita gives birth while Im around and tried to eat her kittens, then I will certain seperate her from them and feed them by hand myself. I will cry and be mortified if I see her eating one of her kittens. I hope she doesnt give birth while were in Totogalpa for evaluation camp...
For the past couple weeks some of us from the group have been working on a side project for INPRHU called the Las Sabannas project. Weve been making signs for their organic shops, restaurants and cafes. Today we pretty much finished the signs, and I must say they look quite nice. Another side project is making a recycling program for INPRHU. Shayne bought a couple of barrels that they can use for disposing plastics and paper. Were going to decorate them this weekend at camp, I believe.
Once we get back from camp Thelma and I are going to start packing. Im so excited. I keep telling her that the less she brings the better. She got a pair of skate shoes from INPRHU today for Canada... oh Thelma, how we have so many things in common. There is nothing better than skate shoes in the early winter! :) I cant wait to get a fresh batch of clothes from my wardrobe. I miss my clothes.
Monday were going to have our Christmas dinner with all the families. I believe it will be a pot-luck style dinner. Thelma said we should bring ice cream from Eskimos... I miss Dairy Queen though. On the first of December, some of the canadians and some of the Nicas have volonteered to do some volonteering at an HIV concert here in Somoto. Weve made some friends here who are from the Peace Corps. They are named Jess, Matt and Katie. Matt and Jess are married and work in health education. They are the ones organising this concert. Katie works in business education, helping kids in Somoto and Yalaguina develope business and marketing skills to be able to sell their artisan products and agricultural products. They are all really awesome people.
Well I have to go now, Thelma and Toribio are waiting for me.
Hasta luego!
Ari
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Next week: Saskatchewan
Well, things are wrapping up. Today was our last day at work and so tonight I need to write a bunch of reports to give in tomorrow. Im pretty excited to go back to Canada, but also quite sad that I must be leaving so soon. At least I know Im coming back relatively soon.
Thursday we have our final camp in Nicaragua. Saturday is the famous Carnival in Somoto, for which we are all quite excited. I dont know what to expect, but Thelma told me alot of people from Honduras come down to the Carnival.
I really dont know what to say today. I kind of came on to update really just for the sake of updating.
The Nicas have a few fears for the trip, such as the plane ride and the inevitable canadian cold. Some of them arent excited, which a, makes me sad, and b, makes me worried that they just wont like Canada. Thelma is pretty pumped to face what ever challenges may come her way. She knows that the first two weeks will be the hardest, just as they were for me when I first came to Somoto.
Ok I really dont have much else to say today.... sorry guys.
Adios!
Ari
Thursday we have our final camp in Nicaragua. Saturday is the famous Carnival in Somoto, for which we are all quite excited. I dont know what to expect, but Thelma told me alot of people from Honduras come down to the Carnival.
I really dont know what to say today. I kind of came on to update really just for the sake of updating.
The Nicas have a few fears for the trip, such as the plane ride and the inevitable canadian cold. Some of them arent excited, which a, makes me sad, and b, makes me worried that they just wont like Canada. Thelma is pretty pumped to face what ever challenges may come her way. She knows that the first two weeks will be the hardest, just as they were for me when I first came to Somoto.
Ok I really dont have much else to say today.... sorry guys.
Adios!
Ari
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Facing my fears
Everyone in this program came into with different sets of goals. Somewhere along the lines of our second month here, I decided to set a goal for myself that I would over come some of my fears and try new things that I have never tried before. For instance, a couple of months ago, I actually ate a sandwich COVERED in ketchup. It was kinda gross, and kinda painful, but I did it. And I survived... bearly. When I came here, I freaked out when I heard that there are wild dogs everywhere. At the beginning of the program, I was petrified of dogs. Now I am quite comfortable around them and I hope, that if by some chance I work at the SCPA in Canada, then Ill really be able to put this fear to the test. Finally, a huge fear of mine that Im still trying to over come, is riding a bicycle. No, I never learned how to ride a bike, but Kayla has been teaching me. I still scream alot... and I cant ride it without someone holding me, but Im almost there.
Were all working really hard down here wrapping things up, going for the home strech of our last two weeks in Nicaragua. We found out who our host families in Canada will be, but Ill talk about them another time, once Ive actually met my family.
Tonight is activity night and we are going to the cultural palace to sing and play guitar with Shayne and Ernesto, who used to be our spanish teacher.
Im getting anxious for Canada. I will really miss Nicaragua. I cant wait to come here some day. I really hope that our Nica counterparts wont hate Canada. I remember my first two weeks here were really tough. I know they will go through the same kind of phase, but I hope it wont last too long. I hope they wont be afraid of the cold, hate the english language, get sick, hate the food, etc. Obviously it will be a huge cultural shock for them, but I hope they will learn to love Canada, just as I have learned to love Somoto and Nicaragua.
I cant express how happy I am that my community is Somoto and Totogalpa. After all the other cities weve visited, I really wouldnt want to live anywhere other than Somoto. I love working in the country side of Totogalpa. Sure, Leon and Granada are big beautiful cities, but if I lived there, I would always be treated as a tourist. In Somoto, Im not treated so much as a tourist as I am a foreigner. Thats the way I like it. Although, I am getting annoyed with being whistled at all the time and cat called because Im a tall white girl. All part of the culture though. It will be nice to go back to my own customs. I have learned so much here though. And I cant imagine living my life without the things I have learned here and the lessons I have learned from the amazing people I have met. Before I came here, I was dreading the reality that I would soon be turning 20 years old. That I would no longer be a teenager, a young person without responsibility. But thanks to this experience, I can except growing up so much more now. And so I will face my fear of finally becoming an adult... but God knows Ill always be young at heart.
Catch you later :)
Ari
Were all working really hard down here wrapping things up, going for the home strech of our last two weeks in Nicaragua. We found out who our host families in Canada will be, but Ill talk about them another time, once Ive actually met my family.
Tonight is activity night and we are going to the cultural palace to sing and play guitar with Shayne and Ernesto, who used to be our spanish teacher.
Im getting anxious for Canada. I will really miss Nicaragua. I cant wait to come here some day. I really hope that our Nica counterparts wont hate Canada. I remember my first two weeks here were really tough. I know they will go through the same kind of phase, but I hope it wont last too long. I hope they wont be afraid of the cold, hate the english language, get sick, hate the food, etc. Obviously it will be a huge cultural shock for them, but I hope they will learn to love Canada, just as I have learned to love Somoto and Nicaragua.
I cant express how happy I am that my community is Somoto and Totogalpa. After all the other cities weve visited, I really wouldnt want to live anywhere other than Somoto. I love working in the country side of Totogalpa. Sure, Leon and Granada are big beautiful cities, but if I lived there, I would always be treated as a tourist. In Somoto, Im not treated so much as a tourist as I am a foreigner. Thats the way I like it. Although, I am getting annoyed with being whistled at all the time and cat called because Im a tall white girl. All part of the culture though. It will be nice to go back to my own customs. I have learned so much here though. And I cant imagine living my life without the things I have learned here and the lessons I have learned from the amazing people I have met. Before I came here, I was dreading the reality that I would soon be turning 20 years old. That I would no longer be a teenager, a young person without responsibility. But thanks to this experience, I can except growing up so much more now. And so I will face my fear of finally becoming an adult... but God knows Ill always be young at heart.
Catch you later :)
Ari
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Me gusta la playa y los zapatos!!! MAAAHH!
It is my belief that all girls have one materialistic desire, no matter the cost. Mine is makeup and Thelmas is shoes. Dear lord does this girl have shoes. Her aunt Noemi, who lives in New York came down to Somoto this weekend while we were away and brought Thelma and Melania some new clothes and oodles of shoes. They had alot to being with, but now our house is swamped with shoes. The girls always wish they could lend me some of these gorgeous tresors, but the truth is, my feet are too big and too deformed for the luxury of nice stilletos. Oh how I miss my pumps.
The beach this weekend was absolutely divine. It was my first time swimming in the Pacific Ocean and yay for no jelly-fish! The resort was absolutely gorgeous. Our rooms were so well air conditionned. I took my first hot shower all trip and man oh man was it ever wonderful. I would recommend this resort to anyone. We figured out today that to fly from Toronto to Managua and back is only 600$ including taxes. Mega cheep, no? And to stay at Montelimar is only 130$ for two a night. Think about it. Its well worth it. We went to a really funny drag show and night. We were too tired to go to the disco though, but no one was really there, so no harm done. The beach itself is gorgeous with nice lounging chairs and hammocks everywhere. I enjoyed the food. Not only is the buffet delish, but there is also a "make-your-own-pasta" bar where you can choose the sauce, the meat or vegies in the sauce and the pasta. Sooooo good. There is also a zoo, that I didnt get a chance to visit, but Thelma said its very nice as well. The rooms and cabanas were very nice and comfortable. Its an overall awesome hotel.
Yesterday was also Thelmas birthday. For lunch, the staff from the hotel brought her a nice big cake with a candle. She told me it was the best birthday of her whole life. That made me pretty happy. She is now 22 years old.
When we went over to Granada and Leon we were only able to stay for a short time. Granada is extremely touristy, which isnt something Im used to, because Somoto is so tiny. I had an empty can of pringles in my hands and so many kids grabbed it from me trying to get a chip, and made the most angry faces when they realised that it was empty. That made me pretty frustrated. We went to the Lake of Nicaragua, which is in Granada and I got to dip my feet in it (just for you mom) and I can tell you it was quite polluted. We then visited Catarina, which is another touristy town. It has an amazing Mirador that we all got to see. What a stunning view. On our way back from Montelimar, we stopped in Leon. Leon is also very big and touristic, but not as bad as Granada. However, the prices for the souvenirs in Leon were outrageous and Thelma hardly let me buy from there unless she could get me a good bargain. Leon and Granada have beautiful archetechture, but I must say, I much prefer my small and quaint Somoto. I managed to get a few souvenirs, but not very much. We are going to Matagalpa this weekend, so I plan to finish my shopping there.
I would like to make an announcement to the world that I am, for the first time in my whole life, TANNED. I compared my arm to Melanias arm and we are the same colour. YES THATS RIGHT!
Today has been a pretty lazy day at home. We got back late last night, so I pretty much slept all day. Thelma and I went through all the clothes that she is planning on bringing to Canada. We are both getting so excited. Only 15 days left in Nicaragua! Its coming up fast. Next week we have evaluation camp. We are going to discuss about what the Nicas can expect in Canada, evaluating our work and such. Should be nice. We are also planning a nicaraguan christmas dinner with our families, seeing as how we arent going to be with them for Christmas. Were going to have a nice photo slide show to show our parents.
I have alot of photos to put on facebook, but bear with me for just a bit longer. I also have many videos that I want to post on youtube and on my blog, and possibly will be posted on facebook as well.
Well, I suppose thats all for now. :)
Ari
The beach this weekend was absolutely divine. It was my first time swimming in the Pacific Ocean and yay for no jelly-fish! The resort was absolutely gorgeous. Our rooms were so well air conditionned. I took my first hot shower all trip and man oh man was it ever wonderful. I would recommend this resort to anyone. We figured out today that to fly from Toronto to Managua and back is only 600$ including taxes. Mega cheep, no? And to stay at Montelimar is only 130$ for two a night. Think about it. Its well worth it. We went to a really funny drag show and night. We were too tired to go to the disco though, but no one was really there, so no harm done. The beach itself is gorgeous with nice lounging chairs and hammocks everywhere. I enjoyed the food. Not only is the buffet delish, but there is also a "make-your-own-pasta" bar where you can choose the sauce, the meat or vegies in the sauce and the pasta. Sooooo good. There is also a zoo, that I didnt get a chance to visit, but Thelma said its very nice as well. The rooms and cabanas were very nice and comfortable. Its an overall awesome hotel.
Yesterday was also Thelmas birthday. For lunch, the staff from the hotel brought her a nice big cake with a candle. She told me it was the best birthday of her whole life. That made me pretty happy. She is now 22 years old.
When we went over to Granada and Leon we were only able to stay for a short time. Granada is extremely touristy, which isnt something Im used to, because Somoto is so tiny. I had an empty can of pringles in my hands and so many kids grabbed it from me trying to get a chip, and made the most angry faces when they realised that it was empty. That made me pretty frustrated. We went to the Lake of Nicaragua, which is in Granada and I got to dip my feet in it (just for you mom) and I can tell you it was quite polluted. We then visited Catarina, which is another touristy town. It has an amazing Mirador that we all got to see. What a stunning view. On our way back from Montelimar, we stopped in Leon. Leon is also very big and touristic, but not as bad as Granada. However, the prices for the souvenirs in Leon were outrageous and Thelma hardly let me buy from there unless she could get me a good bargain. Leon and Granada have beautiful archetechture, but I must say, I much prefer my small and quaint Somoto. I managed to get a few souvenirs, but not very much. We are going to Matagalpa this weekend, so I plan to finish my shopping there.
I would like to make an announcement to the world that I am, for the first time in my whole life, TANNED. I compared my arm to Melanias arm and we are the same colour. YES THATS RIGHT!
Today has been a pretty lazy day at home. We got back late last night, so I pretty much slept all day. Thelma and I went through all the clothes that she is planning on bringing to Canada. We are both getting so excited. Only 15 days left in Nicaragua! Its coming up fast. Next week we have evaluation camp. We are going to discuss about what the Nicas can expect in Canada, evaluating our work and such. Should be nice. We are also planning a nicaraguan christmas dinner with our families, seeing as how we arent going to be with them for Christmas. Were going to have a nice photo slide show to show our parents.
I have alot of photos to put on facebook, but bear with me for just a bit longer. I also have many videos that I want to post on youtube and on my blog, and possibly will be posted on facebook as well.
Well, I suppose thats all for now. :)
Ari
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Montelimar MAÑA!!!
Forgive my neglegence of late. Weve been mega busy over here and there have been alot of power outs lately, so I have had much time for internet cafes. I have so many things to catch up on here. Oh boy.
Well some good news for you guys. The Nicas got their visas this week! So now were all really starting to get mega stoked for Canada. Thelma and I have been going through all the clothes she wants to bring with her and tells me how she will miss her other clothes. Man, do I sympathise. I can wait to get a whole new bunch of clothing when we get to Toronto. And I cant wait to get my macbook! MAAAH! My camera's memory card is almost full.
Next week is our last full week in Nicaragua. After that we have evalutation camp and then we have only a few days in December and then Adios Nicaragua! Thelma is so excited, but shes sad because shes leaving her boyfriend. Yes, I know how that feels. Being away from my significant other is hard sometimes. But were almost half way done the program.... which is scary. Time flies.
All this week there has been a hurricane in Nicaragua. Hurricane Ida, I believe? It hit mainly the east coast, which are the tropics of Nicaragua. Somoto is up in the mountains. Thank God for that, otherwise we would die of heat I think... The weather here now is actually much cooler than it was in September. Im worried Im going to freeze my bum off when I get back to Canada. Im kind of excited though.
In the beginning of this program, I had so much trouble adjusting to the food, but now I truly love it. Im going to miss plantane and gallo pinto and rosquilla cookies. Its kinda crazy how things like that happen.
Tomorrow were going to Montelimar. We are all so excited. Montelimar is known as one of the nicest beaches in all of Latin America. All inclusive, 24 hour buffet, gorgeous beach and swim up bars. Should be an awesome time for us all. Were also going to Granada and Leon, which are known as the colonial cities of Nicaragua. Lots of shopping for souvenirs and such down there. I must buy myself a shot glass for my collection! I also really want a hammock for my future appartement when I get back home.
Spanish is coming along quite well. I understand most people when they speak to me. I can have conversations in spanish, but my grammar is still God awful. I can hardly conjugate in the past tense and I cant at all in future tense. Pittyful, no? Oh well.
Send me more comments guys! I always love to hear from you all! Remember, anyone can post now. You dont need a blogger account to do so.
Well thats all I have for now. I promise I wont take so long next time.
Ari
Well some good news for you guys. The Nicas got their visas this week! So now were all really starting to get mega stoked for Canada. Thelma and I have been going through all the clothes she wants to bring with her and tells me how she will miss her other clothes. Man, do I sympathise. I can wait to get a whole new bunch of clothing when we get to Toronto. And I cant wait to get my macbook! MAAAH! My camera's memory card is almost full.
Next week is our last full week in Nicaragua. After that we have evalutation camp and then we have only a few days in December and then Adios Nicaragua! Thelma is so excited, but shes sad because shes leaving her boyfriend. Yes, I know how that feels. Being away from my significant other is hard sometimes. But were almost half way done the program.... which is scary. Time flies.
All this week there has been a hurricane in Nicaragua. Hurricane Ida, I believe? It hit mainly the east coast, which are the tropics of Nicaragua. Somoto is up in the mountains. Thank God for that, otherwise we would die of heat I think... The weather here now is actually much cooler than it was in September. Im worried Im going to freeze my bum off when I get back to Canada. Im kind of excited though.
In the beginning of this program, I had so much trouble adjusting to the food, but now I truly love it. Im going to miss plantane and gallo pinto and rosquilla cookies. Its kinda crazy how things like that happen.
Tomorrow were going to Montelimar. We are all so excited. Montelimar is known as one of the nicest beaches in all of Latin America. All inclusive, 24 hour buffet, gorgeous beach and swim up bars. Should be an awesome time for us all. Were also going to Granada and Leon, which are known as the colonial cities of Nicaragua. Lots of shopping for souvenirs and such down there. I must buy myself a shot glass for my collection! I also really want a hammock for my future appartement when I get back home.
Spanish is coming along quite well. I understand most people when they speak to me. I can have conversations in spanish, but my grammar is still God awful. I can hardly conjugate in the past tense and I cant at all in future tense. Pittyful, no? Oh well.
Send me more comments guys! I always love to hear from you all! Remember, anyone can post now. You dont need a blogger account to do so.
Well thats all I have for now. I promise I wont take so long next time.
Ari
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Shalala laaaahhhh
I realise that it has been quite some time since I have made a really thorough post. And seeing as how lost has happened in the past couple of days, why not make a thorough one today. Lets just hope I have enough time to do so. Here we go!
Well Saturday was Halloween. Halloween is recongnized mostly as an American holiday I believe, but the truth is that they celebrate it all over the world, its just not as commercial as it is in the States and in Canada. There were two big parties happening at two of the clubs here in Somoto. One of them was a costume party, which took place at El Colonial. Ruth´s daughter went dressed up as a tree. The other party, at El Exclusivo, was not a dress up party, however it was still festively decorated and there was a costume contest, for which Shayne was one of the judges, hahahaha. We went to El Exclusivo, mostly because none of us really bothered to pack a halloween costume for this program. We had lots of fun, even though of course us white girls got harrassed alot, but thats nothing new. Were used to it at this point. (When I say harrassed, I mean asked by every single young man to dance, nothing more). I always kept Luis Carlos close to be my protector. Lake had actually gotten trapped by a local Nica girl and was stuck dancing with her for a while. The other boys didnt help him, they just laughed at him. Finally, I stepped in and she was pretty scared of me, so she backed off and left Lake alone. I have that effect on other women... dont know why. So Lake went and yelled at the other Canadian boys "WHY DIDNT YOU SEND ARIANE SOONER???" What can I say?
On a different note, Yanine (Alex´s counter part) had a pregnant dog who gave birth to 6 puppies about 2 weeks ago. Alex and Kayla were there for the birth and said it was pretty gnarly. Kayla has the birth of one of the puppies on video tape... I dont know why... Kayla and Alex named all the puppies, and I must say, the names fit them all very well. The two biggest and Ying and Yang. They are twin brother and sister. These puppies are part rotweiler (sorry dont know how to spell that), and Ying and Yang are the only two puppies of the litter that have the rotweiler white patches. Ying is a lighter brown and Yang is black. They are always together, which is why their names are perfect. Another one is named Rudolph. He is completely brown with a red nose. The first puppy that started walking was named Forest, of course. Forest is completely black. The runt was named Charlie, because he is a nice chocolatey brown. Charlie unfortunately died yesterday, while Kayla was trying to feed him. They burried him in Yanine´s backyard beside a tree with a bunch of stone to make a pretty little grave. The last one is the blackest with a small spot of white on his chest. His ears tend to stick up all pointy. His name is Spock. Of course, Spock is my favorite. Thelma is worried that Melania is going to be lonely when she goes to Canada, so Thelma is going to adopt Spock for Melania. Im a little worried however that our cat, Pepita, who is the spawn of Satan, is going to try and rip Spock apart. Hopefully Spock will be bigger than Pepita in no time though. Yanine is probably going to keep Rudolph and Ying. Tania, who is Kayla´s counter part, will be taking Yang, which works perfectly because Yanine and Tania are the best of friends too. I believe Enmanuel, who is Romain´s counter part, will be getting Forest. So all of these adorable puppies will be going to a nice home. Yay!
In other news, yesterday was the Day of the Dead, which really has no relation at all to Halloween, in case you were wondering. Its one day of the year where everyone in Nicaragua go buy flowers and visit the graves of their relatives. I expected this to be a very sad and dreary holiday, but it was actually quite cheery and festive. The graveyard here is nothing like the ones in Ottawa. The ones in Ottawa are so bleek and dark and tragic. The one in Somoto is so bright and colourful. Thelma doesnt have any family in the Somoto cemetary, but we went to visit Luis Carlos´ family and Jorge´s family as well, I believe. Afterwards I took Thelma and Melania out for ice cream at Eskimo´s. Ironicly enough, the Day of the Dead is also the anniversary of my Nana´s death... unless I am mistaken, but I dont think I am... right Mom? D: Then at night we hung out with the puppies and a bunch of us went over to the Mirador and had a pop.
Another big thing in Somoto has been the basketball tournement. INPRHU has a team in the basketball tourney and Shayne was a player. We made it really far into the playoffs, but we lost Sunday in the last game of the semi-finales. They played very well though. Shayne can be pretty intense when he wants to be. My friend Charon, who works for INPRHU and also speak really great english, also plays on the basketball team. The faces he makes sometimes when he plays make him look like a ferocious chiwawa or something... partially because he shows he teeth alot, but also because hes like 5"4.... yes its weird to see something that short play on a basketball team. But hes a good player, I assure you.
Yesterday, Thelma also took me to the piece of land that she will inherit when she gets married... which is in May.... which shocked me when she told me. Its really nice, even though is really far from town it seems. She shares this land with Melania, but I dont think Melania is anywhere near ready to get married. Thelma told me she wants to go wedding dress shopping in Canada. I hope we can find something nice and inexpensive for her. She deserves a gorgeous dress. Alex and myself are planning on coming back to Nicaragua in May, just for Thelma´s wedding! WOO! :)
Well this afternoon Im going to work in the country side. So I best be going now I suppose. This is a huge post. I hope you all got your fix, haha.
Ari
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