Welcome BEST Academy

How did I miss this lovely welcome sign that Casa Xalteva put out for us?! How sweet!!!!

Salsa time!

After the Embassy visit yesterday we returned to the school to have salsa dance classes with our new friends from Denmark and Nicaragua. Ill let the pix speak for themselves.

US Embassy

The Embassy was awesome! there was very high security, we had to give them our passport info last week for background checks, then submit them upon arrival to pass through security. No phones, cameras, or electronics were allowed in. We were "briefed" by 4 US Diplomats from USAID, the consular division, political division, and economic division of the State Department. We talked Final Four basketball games and the perks of being a US Diplomat. They informed us of their roles and what it takes to be a US Diplomat. Many of our boys are considering this as a career now. So far, from what I see they will be fantastic representative of our great country.

Meeting our penpals

We arrived at American Nicaraguan School at 11 o'clock sharp. After a quick introduction and welcome from the school principal we broke off into small groups and ate lunch. Our boys then shadowed their penpals in a class or two. they attended classes like American Lit, volleyball, and math class. We so much fun that the boys didn't want to leave. Now we are heading to the US Embassy and we are all looking forward to that!

No perfecto :-(. Perfecto :-)!

So the flight to ft lauderdale was delayed and then once we got to ft lauderdale the flight to managua was delayed, then delayed again, then delayed again. We finally left Florida at 2:30 am an arrived in Nicaragua at 5:45 USA time 3:45 Nicaragua time. Our bus, driver, and guide were patiently waiting for us.

Things didn't start out perfect but now that we are here things are perfect. Everyone has met their host families. We are currently at Casa Xalteva introducing ourselves to our new friends.

Airport to airport

Security check in was loooong. It was a great experience being able to connect the government spending sequester with the extra long line due to budget cuts.



Once we were able to get through security and on the train plane to our terminal we had a short break to get food and relax a little. Our flight was delayed due to bad weather in ft lauderdale and we had to sit on the runway for about 40 minutes. The ft lauderdale airport is currently a mad house all the people from a series of delayed flights are laid out patiently waiting for their flights. Our originally scheduled for 11:48 has been delayed to 1:48am. We've all eaten and are trying to rest for the next few hours. All are content.

Nicaragua 2013

Hola chicos,

This year's 12-day learning adventure brings us to Nicaragua, The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes.

(Thursday, April 4- Tuesday, April 16)

 

It is my pleasure to chaperone 11 young men from BEST Academy High School on their inernational journey as global citizens.   Congrats boys! 

While in Nicaragua we will:   

• Visit the US Embassy
• Meet our PenPals at American Nicaraguan International School
• Tour Las Huellas de Acahualinca, El Volcan Masaya, El Volcan Cerro Negro, Las Isletas de Cocibolca, San Juan de Oriente & Cataria, Mercado Masaya, Managua, Granad, and Leon.
• Live with host families (2 students per family)
• Take Spanish classes
• Volunteer with street children (earning graduation volunteer hours)
• HAVE FUN!!!

We have 6 days until we take off.  It's the final countdown and all are excited, nervous, and most importantly all are courageous.  We are going to have a BLAST!


♥ siempre
Sra. Pereira