We are all checked in at the airport in Managua and waiting patiently. I decided that this was a good time to give everybody a little present I picked up at the artisan market. Leather bracelets that say NICARAGUA. Woo-hoo!!!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Nicaragua bracelets
We all have them. Lets go BEST!
We are all checked in at the airport in Managua and waiting patiently. I decided that this was a good time to give everybody a little present I picked up at the artisan market. Leather bracelets that say NICARAGUA. Woo-hoo!!!
We are all checked in at the airport in Managua and waiting patiently. I decided that this was a good time to give everybody a little present I picked up at the artisan market. Leather bracelets that say NICARAGUA. Woo-hoo!!!
On the road again
You've never seen such a group of sad people until you've seen us being dropped off by our host families two by two at Casa Xalteva. Our students held their host moms, dads, and siblings tight with big puppy-dog eyes. Some of the kids have been begging me for "just one more week in Granada". We are all sad to leave but we will also all be happy to see our loved ones back home.
We are currently on our bus headed to the airport. We will arrive in Atlanta at 9:35 am Tuesday morning. Before our ride our guide Andres read us a very sweet text message from the school director and we gave him an Atlanta braves hat as a thank you gift. We also had a moment of silence for the victim and families affected by the Boston Marathon bomb attacks.
Be safe everyone and stay tuned we are on our way home and I will keep posting until we are there!
- ❤ Mrs P
We are currently on our bus headed to the airport. We will arrive in Atlanta at 9:35 am Tuesday morning. Before our ride our guide Andres read us a very sweet text message from the school director and we gave him an Atlanta braves hat as a thank you gift. We also had a moment of silence for the victim and families affected by the Boston Marathon bomb attacks.
Be safe everyone and stay tuned we are on our way home and I will keep posting until we are there!
- ❤ Mrs P
Group presentation, bug bites, time-out for two
Last night's curfew was extended to 8. The boys wanted to go out for pizza together in a big group. They were very surprised when I "popped-up" on 4 of them returning late at 8:17 (17 minutes after curfew). One boy hid from me behind a car, then took off running full speed all the way home once I approached his terrible hiding place. As much as I wanted to be mad I couldn't help but laugh at these fools. It was our last night in this fabulous city and I had a feeling the rules would be bent a little. Since it wasn't too late and they were genuinely apologetic they got off with a warning.
This morning we represented our black history presentation for the younger students and we also danced the electric slide, Cupid shuffle, and the wobble for them. After our presentation I gave the kids free time from 10:30- 1. Some of them hung out at the school using its wifi and chilling with the teachers that they've grown close to. Others made their last rounds at the bakery and pulperia. Some went back home to take a nap and eat lunch. At 1 we met up at the school.
As soon as I approached the school I got news that some of our boys were playing football in the street and hit a power line, sending sparks flying and almost taking down the line. Accidents happen, HOWEVER, I'd already told these boys not to play football in the street.... Several times. They intentionally ignored my safety rules... And they know me well enough to know that I don't play that. These two young men are currently on lock-down in their home while the rest of us are playing basketball and eating pizza. I have always made myself very clear that following my instructions is vital for everyone to remain safe and out of harms way. For those who cannot follow simple instructions staying home in "time-out" is the only way that I can make sure they are not a distraction to real issues that I must handle, like Amadou's bug bites and another student's missing money.
I will be checking on my sad sad time out young men shortly. Until then we will continue to enjoy our last few hours here.
This morning we represented our black history presentation for the younger students and we also danced the electric slide, Cupid shuffle, and the wobble for them. After our presentation I gave the kids free time from 10:30- 1. Some of them hung out at the school using its wifi and chilling with the teachers that they've grown close to. Others made their last rounds at the bakery and pulperia. Some went back home to take a nap and eat lunch. At 1 we met up at the school.
As soon as I approached the school I got news that some of our boys were playing football in the street and hit a power line, sending sparks flying and almost taking down the line. Accidents happen, HOWEVER, I'd already told these boys not to play football in the street.... Several times. They intentionally ignored my safety rules... And they know me well enough to know that I don't play that. These two young men are currently on lock-down in their home while the rest of us are playing basketball and eating pizza. I have always made myself very clear that following my instructions is vital for everyone to remain safe and out of harms way. For those who cannot follow simple instructions staying home in "time-out" is the only way that I can make sure they are not a distraction to real issues that I must handle, like Amadou's bug bites and another student's missing money.
I will be checking on my sad sad time out young men shortly. Until then we will continue to enjoy our last few hours here.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Poneloya
We are currently at La Playa Poneloya on The Pacific Coast. Big waves and black sand have the boys very excited. Time for lunch and sand castles!
Mrs Tanner and Mrs Vincent have returned to Atlanta. But my international road dogs Dr Malik and Ms Venisee are still here. It's great having these two ladies backing me up, I appreciate them so much!
Mrs Tanner and Mrs Vincent have returned to Atlanta. But my international road dogs Dr Malik and Ms Venisee are still here. It's great having these two ladies backing me up, I appreciate them so much!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
B.E.S.T. Vs. The Volcano Cerro Negro
I'm so happy I planned 2 volcano visits, especially since Masaya Volcano was closed. I'm going to be honest, Cerro Negro Volcano had us scared, all of us... even me. The climb up was rocky and steep. It was hot and rugged. Just by looking at it it wasn't clear exactly how one could get up there. We could see people who looked like a line of worker ants marching along the very top so we knew getting up was possible... But what about getting down?!
Cerro Negro is a black volcanic mountain that last erupted in 1988. It is our hemisphere's youngest volcano. It's much smaller than other volcanos that I've seen but it is also steeper.
After about an hour's climb we made it to the top. Our guide showed us the craters. We touched the ground near the crater and could feel its heat. It was amazing, educational, and unforgettably frightening!
We made sure we took lots of fun picture and finally we decided to leave. There were several options on how to get down. Returning on the same steep rocky path we took to get up was one. Sliding down the ashy side on our butts on a specially made board was one. And walking down the ashy side was another. We all chose to slide down in our butts and boy were we a filthy mess by the time we got down. As the sun set we all got back on our tour guides bus and returned on our hour long dirt trail trek back to the hotel. Today was another amazing day hard but amazing. All done in the name of learning hands-on and teaching across the curriculum.
Cerro Negro is a black volcanic mountain that last erupted in 1988. It is our hemisphere's youngest volcano. It's much smaller than other volcanos that I've seen but it is also steeper.
After about an hour's climb we made it to the top. Our guide showed us the craters. We touched the ground near the crater and could feel its heat. It was amazing, educational, and unforgettably frightening!
We made sure we took lots of fun picture and finally we decided to leave. There were several options on how to get down. Returning on the same steep rocky path we took to get up was one. Sliding down the ashy side on our butts on a specially made board was one. And walking down the ashy side was another. We all chose to slide down in our butts and boy were we a filthy mess by the time we got down. As the sun set we all got back on our tour guides bus and returned on our hour long dirt trail trek back to the hotel. Today was another amazing day hard but amazing. All done in the name of learning hands-on and teaching across the curriculum.
Hotel San Cristóbal
We arrived in Leon to El Hotel San Cristobal. It is nice and the best part for me and my gringo crew is that the rooms have A/C!!!! Woo-hoo! To really put the icing on the cake we also have cable and wi-fi! This is gringo heaven. We checked in had lunch and took a 40 minute nap/ down time and now we are off to Cerro Negro. There is a volcano there that we are going to meet.
New haircuts and a road trip
I'm so tickled by Kaleb and Stiggers. Kaleb didn't get a chance to cut his hair before our trip and has been wearing hats for a week. Well I guess he for tired of those hats and decided to get a haircut. Stiggers wasn't going to be left out and went along to get a haircut too. How do they look you ask? Fantasticos!!! They had no problem cutting our hair into the style they wanted. They went together (without my help) and communicated wheat they wanted! You have no idea how much this tickles me; these boys are fearless international pros!
Last night chaperoned by teachers, chaperones, and host families we went out dancing. Half of the boys danced a little even asking girls to dance in Spanish "bailamos?" They remembered the songs and dance moves that I'd taught them in class and that they'd learned here in Nicaragua. The other half were petrified and had to be coaxed to get out on the dance floor. When we get back ill tell you which boys danced and which didn't, if you think your son is too shy to dance you will be in for a surprise! We had great fun and got home very early to get ready for our road trip to Leon.
We are currently on the bus. Stay tuned for our next update and check out these cute haircuts!
Last night chaperoned by teachers, chaperones, and host families we went out dancing. Half of the boys danced a little even asking girls to dance in Spanish "bailamos?" They remembered the songs and dance moves that I'd taught them in class and that they'd learned here in Nicaragua. The other half were petrified and had to be coaxed to get out on the dance floor. When we get back ill tell you which boys danced and which didn't, if you think your son is too shy to dance you will be in for a surprise! We had great fun and got home very early to get ready for our road trip to Leon.
We are currently on the bus. Stay tuned for our next update and check out these cute haircuts!
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