Recorded yesterday...

Ari

Less than 2 weeks left!

Our program is coming rapidly to a close. As excited as I am to get home, have my independence and privacy back, that doesn't change the fact that I love everyone in our group and will be immensely sad to separate myself from them. But I know that I will see everyone again. It's looking like all the Canadian participants are pretty much planning on moving to the Ontario/Québec region, so we'll all be close enough to see each other. The Nicas will of course see each other again, since they all live in the same town. All of the Canadians do plan on eventually returning to Nicaragua.

So this weekend we were a bit busy. Yesterday in the day, everyone went to Thomas Porter's house. Thomas Porter is currently building 2 "eco-houses", meaning houses are completely sustainable. He and his wife, Amanda, are building one house out of hay barrels and another out tires. The tire house's construction however must be put off until the summer because of the snow. Some of the things he showed us that he does to not use electricity and water are really amazing and simple. Makes one realize just how lazy and idiotic the general population of North America truly is.

Yesterday night, most of the group went out to see a hockey game. The Prince Albert Raiders were playing against the Vancouver Giants. The Giants were quite violent and unreasonable. The Raiders won. It was a fun time.

After wards, Kayla, Romain, Enmanuel, Angela (a friend of our's from P.A.) and myself went out bowling. I haven't gone bowling in years! It was really a painful reminder of how much I suck at bowling. It was a cool rock 'n' bowl sort of atmosphere. We stayed until about 11:30. Kayla took a video that I thought I'd post for you guys. In this video, the gang I was there with had dared me to try and bowl while going into a splits. It failed...



So this week is our last week of work. We only work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday we'll be doing our final evaluation and on Friday we will have our final EAD. Next Sunday we've organised and put up a photo exposé of some of our best pictures from Nicaragua. We're having a private party as a "farewell and thank you" to the community of Prince Albert. It should be fun but may be emotional.

All for now!

Ari

Montage

I made this a while ago. It's on my facebook but I felt like posting it here too.



Ari

Valentine's vlog

I'm too lazy to actually write post. I just prefer talking really. 19 days left until we go home!





Ari

My top 10 places to see in Canada

I was talking with a lady who works at the school I work at and she was telling me that she's never traveled in her life. She's only really been Victoria, B-C. I was a bit flabbergasted, maybe because I've been traveling my whole life and I've seen a lot of Canada. She asked me about some places that she thinks I think are worth visiting. So here are my recommendations based on what I've seen. I've been to every province except Newfoundland and I have not been to Northern Canada, although I really do want to. I am planning to go to Newfoundland with my boyfriend come October, because he's a newfie and wants to show me around. :)

Must see places in Canada (from most important to least important...ish)

1. Downtown Montreal/Vieux Montréal. No matter what, you will have an amazing time here.
2. Waterton, Alberta. Super gorgeous. Right in the Rockies next to a lake with deers everywhere.
3. Peggy's Cove, Nova-Scotia. Such a magical place. This is pretty much where Nick and I fell in love when we were 15 years old.
4. P.E.I. There isn't a lot of space to cover, but it's all gorgeous and you need to see it all. I recommend the beach above all. Go in the summer!
5. Downtown Toronto (Yonge St, King St, Queen St) So much fun and super good shopping!
6. Downtown Edmonton/West Edmonton Mall. Super cool and there's something for everyone!
7. Downtown Ottawa/Rideau/Bank St/The Byward Market. Go see all the old buildings and the parliament. And go for a burger at The Works! Go to Moulin de Provence for the best patisseries and fresh bread. So good! So much culture at the Market.
8. The Village in Toronto. I was there for the kick off of the Pride Festival last summer, and I had one of the best times of my life. This might not be a place for everyone's tastes though.
9. Robson Street/Stanley Park in Vancouver. I hate Vancouver itself, but Robson street is really cool and has awesome shopping. Stanley Park is super nice and is right on the Pacific ocean (if I'm not mistaken. Either way, it's next to a huge body of water and has a really nice beach)
10. Niagra Falls. One of Canada's biggest tourist attractions. Super gorgeous, but the novelty wears off pretty quick.

Bonus:
Alfred, Ontario. GO GET THE BEST POUTINE OF YOUR LIFE. QUÉBEC AIN'T GOT SHIT ON ALFRED! Kenenbec is the place to go! It's been open for about 50 years now. Soooooo good!



Disclaimer: I have yet to go to Québec City, but I hear that's another really good spot to check out and so is Victoria. Halifax is cool too... But Halifax reminds me a lot of Hamilton, Ontario... No idea why that is.

Ari

Vlogging....

I haven't made or posted a vlog in a long time. So I made one today featuring Thelma, my counter part as well as Cecilia who is our host family. Thelma and I are making a presentation tomorrow on Nicaragua and it's culture, so we made some tortillas and egg salad for the kids. The egg salad consists of hard boiled eggs, avocado, onions, lemon juice and salt. It's reaaaally good and not chucked full of cholesterol like your usual egg salad because there is no mayo. I hope the kids like the food we made them! If not, then we'll eat it, I'm sure, haha. Plus there is some spanish in this vlog! Finally!



Enjoy!

Ari

Busy busy...

So this week has been quite a good week. Time has been going by so quickly it's hard to keep up sometimes. We only have 4 weeks left and then we all split! A month from today I will be waking up in my own bed in Ottawa, getting used to my old life again.

This week there was a play at one of the high schools here in Prince Albert. It's a private catholic school for girls, so the cast of the play was all female. They did Alice in Wonderland. My brother did this play when he was in grade 10. Frankly, I much prefered that version of the play. We went to see this play twice with each of our kindergarten classes. The kids had a bit of trouble sitting through an hour and a half play... but they seemed to enjoy it.

I finally finished reading a book that I had been reading since way back when we were still in Somoto. I can't wait to read the second one! :)

Yesterday we had another EAD and the topic was community. We had the opportunity to go visit the penitentiaries here that are just on the outskirts of Prince Albert. It was quite eye opening for us and for the Nicas. We were able to learn a lot more about the aboriginal community as well. I think the Nicas now understand that not everyone in Canada have life easy here. There is a misconception in their country that everyone who lives in Canada is white and is rich. It's clearly not the case. Sure, it's not the same extreme poverty as it would be in a third world country, but lets not forget that the cost of living here is quite high and we have different necessities in our country than they would in Nicaragua, for example.

Last night, when we got home I was feeling muy cranky. A lot of things were getting to me, yesterday. Thelma and I had girl talk for hours. I guess my spanish was much better than I had realized. Thelma and I talked about things that we don't really ever share with anyone. And it made us realize just how identical we really are. It's pretty cool.

Tomorrow the group is having a concert as a fund-raiser with a silent auction. It looks like we sold most of our tickets, which is really good. I hope all goes well.

That's all for now, kids. Ta ta!

Ari