Volunteer Visit:
During training, we are required to spend a few days at a current volunteers site to see what volunteer life will be like after we are done with training. I was assigned LAGUNA DE PERLAS, RAAS. Why am I so excited, because that is one of the most, if not the most secluded training site in Nicaragua. It is all the way on other side of the country from where I currently live. This place is like being in anothr country, different languages, different cultures, different people; felt like I was in the twilight zone!
I had a 5 day adventure traveling there and spending some days with a current environment educator volunteer. Since this site is super secluded, it took me over 14 hours to get there, and it required 2 buses, 1 taxi and 2 pangas (small boat/canoe looking things). I literally traveled across all of Nicaragua in one day.My favorite part of that first day was definitely the panga ride. It was so gorgeous not to mention the funniest thing ever! We got caught in a tiny storm while out in the water, no problem though because they quickly through a black tarp over us and squashed us down into the boat. The wind was so strong and the rain was beating hard on my head, all I could do was laugh for 10 minutes straight at how ridiculous we all looked cramped under the black tarp getting a head massage by the rain. I think everyone on the panga thought I insane but I was having too much fun to care. Wish I'd gotten a picture of that moment. 

First Day in Pearl Lagoon:
1. Co-planned and co-taught about 50 classes! No kidding. The volunteer I went to visit loves to teach and so most of my time was spent in the classroom which was great because I got to meet a lot of awesome students and learned a couple classroom management tricks. 
2. Ate turtle :( yeah that happened. I knew the meat looked a little suspicious and tasted strange, definitely not beef. Well guess I can now say I've done that.
3. Went to a zumba class! My volunteer teaches zumba classes so it was fun tagging along and finally getting some much needed exercise into my schedule! 
4. Ate coconut oil EVERYTHING! They are known for their baked goods made with coconut oil and I really took advantage of them. My favorite was by far the vegan coconut ice-cream. Can't wait to go back just for that. 

Second Full Day:
I spent this day hanging out with the host family, reading books to my volunteers host brother, eating way too many coconut baked goods, and traveling the town. This place is so magical because in such a tiny area you will see wetlands, mangroves, rain forests, grasslands, etc. It was awesome running into some of the local kids and having them model for the camera. I can't wait to go back and visit. 

Before joining the Peace Corps, most RPCVs told me of times when they were insanely bored, with nothing to do, no where to go, no one to talk to, etc. PST is NOT THAT! From 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, my life is pretty packed, and right now I am totally okay with that. Just a few days I completed my first month of PST, 26 more to enjoy :D

Huerto Love:
I could not be more proud of our students. Had so many hardworking kids come out to help with the Huerto and even one of the "profes" we work with assisted throughout the entire process. Now, exactly a week after it is looking so beautiful. We even have little sprouts of "Ayote" "Rabano" and "Pepino". The "Chiltoma is not doing so great...and that may be partially our fault due to a lack of sun. PLANT KILLERS! But it still looks incredible and the kids are enjoying watering and loving it everyday. 

Before and After:

The Magic School Bus:
Well not so magic, quite the opposite. It was yellow at least; which I took to an ecological reserve in my department called "La Makina". I was very excited to see what a reserve looked like in this country. Bus drove us out to the middle of no where and dropped us off at the gates...which were CLOSED! By the time we registered it was closed for the weekend, the bus drove off, leaving me, my site mate and his host family at this creepy and very deserted ecological reserve. Had to wait almost an hour before another bus passed, which was actually a microbus. And if you know anything about microbuses abroad, the drivers do not understand the words "too full". This microbus was very, VERY full but they sardined us into it anyway and I was blessed with sitting on a complete stranger's lap for the ride. We decided to drive to another destination rather than head back home to make the trip worth it:

Fiestas Patrias!
I have only been here a little over a month and I have already experienced so much in this beautiful country! Today, September 14 marks Nicaragua's independence day. Today and tomorrow are very important holidays not only here but in all of Central America and it was amazing getting to experience first hand so early on in my service. The music, the colors, the food, the costumes, EVERYTHING was so lively. I even got to see my fourth grade students march in the annual parade and I was jumping up and down taking their pictures like a proud mom! I'm sure I embarrassed them all ;)

Guess I can start by defining what "PST" means: Pre Service Training. I will be a PC trainee for 12 weeks (3 months) before being sworn in as a full PC Volunteer in November!!! So first 3 weeks are gone and boy was it incredible! I've only been in the for less than a month but it feels like I've been here for ever. Time just flies during training! Our days are packed with activities that I am usually falling asleep by 8pm as I am watching my second "novela" with my host family. How to re-cap these past incredible weeks, let's give it a shot:

Host family: They are pretty awesome! I am number 14 of other PC trainees and volunteers that they have had at my house so my family definitely knows what to do with me. I live with a host mom, dad, grandma and brother. My mom is an awesome cook. Thank God as of now, I have not gotten sick. My strong Mexican stomach is adjusting pretty well, let's see for how much longer I can keep saying that for. In case of an "emergency" the pharmacy is right across the street and the hospital next door, pretty reassuring. I live in a modest room which my host family decorated for me with a giant poster of the Barcelona soccer team and another giant one above my head of the national beer. The first 5 minutes in my host house was the first of many embarrassing moments I have had in this country...the toilet didn't flush. Turns out the water had been shut off in the entire town which is actually pretty common, nobody seem to think it was a big deal I couldn't flush. No better way for the Universe to say WELCOME TO NICARAGUA! 

Normal Day in Training: Usually consists of many hours in Spanish class but since it is my native language, my team gets more freedom to do other projects in the community. Our facilitator takes us to many important places in our community and has us introduce ourselves like police office, the mayor's office, the cultural house, schools and museums. Lots of places with lots of names to remember. Our facilitator also enjoys getting us "lost" in the community and has us find our way back. Into week three, we all feel pretty comfortable with getting around and I actually blend in quite well. A woman actually asked me for directions, I was happy that she asked me but sad I had no idea where she wanted to go. Guess I could have just sent her somewhere, it's a pretty popular thing here. People will give you directions for a place they have no idea where it is, not to be mean but because they just really want to help. I can ask 3 different people how to get somewhere and will get 3 different answers, 21 days in Nicaragua means many opportunities to get lost. Street signs don't exist in this country so directions consist of reference points so one needs to know every reference point possible. When I am not getting lost in Nicaragua I am at my elementary school co-planning or co-teaching for my fourth grade natural science classes. My kids are great...LOTS OF ENERGY! They love to talk...ALOT! 

Technical training: Apart from language and cultural training, we have technical training. As part of the environmental sector we are all required to start and maintain a "Huerto" (vegetable and fruit garden) at our school. We were shown many techniques for various fruits and vegetables which I am excited to get started at my school. It is a totally normal thing in Nicaragua for me to ask my students to bring garden supplies to school like a Machetes to work on the garden, I'd get arrested in the US if I did that!

Things I've noticed about Nicaragua so far:
1. People leave their front door open...ALL DAY. I can walk up to any house, just yell "BUENAS" and they will receive me with open arms, give me a "Fresco" or something to eat.

2. Talking about your bowel movements among other trainees, volunteers, PC staff member or pretty much anyone in this country is completely normal. Even while eating. Especially when it comes to the topic of Diarrhea. 

3. People are very persuasive when it comes to selling stuff. I was almost convinced into buying a baby pig at the market. 

4. Laws of the road are merely suggestions. Usually when I get into a "Moto-taxi" to get to school I am gripping the seat and praying. Hoping to get used to it

Now, PICTURES!!


Streets of Nicaragua:

Critters of Nicaragua:

Environment Group off to do some gardening:

Yeah, I'm on an ACTIVE volcano: