School bus anyone?

I've done so much traveling lately my head is actually spinning! Last friday I went to Las penitas which is a beach on the pacific coast. It was beautiful! My friends and I decided to take a tour of la isla Juan Venado, which literaly translates to "John Deer Island". We saw lots of mangrove trees with their cascading roots, a few iguanas, some croc eyes, lots of neat birds and on the way back a dog eating a gaint sea turtle. After our fabulous escape to the coast we went to Leon, another beautiful but hot colonial city, and then to Managua. We stayed in Managua and ate at a Korean restaurant- it was so exciting to eat a different kind of rice, without beans, and the food was delicious. The next morning we dropped my friend Jenn off at the airport. I was sad to see her go, but glad that she would soon be returning to the land of clean feet! From Managua we went back to Granada to pick up my things and then headed to Managua again to catch a bus to Santo Tomas.
With all this travel I've learned a few things about the buses here. First there is no national transportation system, it's all individual so the drivers are competing for the passengers. Then there is the price of gas, which is expensive, as a result they pack in as many people as they can onto the bus. If someone is trying to rush you onto a bus, it's probably because there's a competing bus for the same destination that will probably get there faster. Always have small change, that way it's harder for them to rip you off. Dawn and I got charged over double the price on our way to Granada. We were robbed and Dawn let them know that, way to go Dawn!!! Always sit next to a window if at all possible. Don't sit on the floor behind the driver's seat, turns out you'll be sitting right over the motor which makes for some hot buns! Although the "express" buses are small, about the size of an airporter but they cram in over 20 people, most of the buses here are old school buses. It makes for a nestolgic ride. On the plus side, there are always vendors selling snacks. I wish we had that in the U.S.! Now I'm in Santo Tomas, Olympia's sister city. I haven't seen too much so far but everyone seems really friendly.

Lucky You!

I found the pictures, hope you don´t have a weak stomach.

Giant Big Freak Toes

As some of you may know, I´ve always been a little self conscience about my big toes, referring to them as my "giant big freak toes" well my vanity taught me a lesson...
Last week all the girls were going to the salon for pedicures. I´ve never had a pedicure before (why display my freakish piggys?) but I decided "what the heck, when in Nicaragua... right?" And they were very pretty; for a day...
By the next afternoon I began to notice some swelling and redness. I went to the pharmacy where they promptly recommended some antibiotics. Since I was on my way to Ometepe I figured I´d take the pills, keep them clean and think nothing of it. However, the pills severely irritated my stomach, so much that I was afraid I wouldn´t be able to clime the volcano (not logical thinking, I know). By the time I got back to Granada I could hardly walk! Fortunately, one of my friends here is a doctor. She made a house call, numbed my toes and started slicing away! I can´t say it was the most pleasant experience but I´m recovering and feeling much better now. I documented the entire thing but sadly my pictures got erased some how; I know you're just devastated! Never again shall I complain about the size of my big toes; my botched pedicure cured me of that!

The Island of Ometepe

Last week Jenn and I ventured to the Island of Ometepe. After a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants bus ride, a sick-to-you-stomach ferry trip, and two Dramamine later we arrived on the island. At which point we were promptly smothered by guides, hotel representatives and guys who can "find you anything you want" (except moto rental at a decent price). We decided to head for a less claustrophobic region and took another bouncy, jaw rattling bus ride to the village of Altagracia. It was a sleepy little town with rooms for $2 a night and cheap food. The biggest event was the boxing fight between the American Floyd something-or-other and the Mexican La Joya. Basically there were a lot of drunk men shouting, it was quite the cultural experience. After La Joya lost, we decided to get out of there pretty quick.
The next day we met up with our guide Silvio who took us to see petrogliphs, the beach, and an awesome swimming hole where there was a rope swing! That night we stayed at a place on the beach that was beautiful although some what isolated (we ended up playing a lot of cards). The next morning we woke up early (believe it or not) and met up with Silvio again; this time for a hike up the smaller volcano Las Maderas. The hike itself wound through forests that had been slashed and burned to make way for rice and bean crops. The view of Concepcion (the main volcano) was stunning with its crown of clouds. At the top Silvio shared a mango with us (of course we hadn´t thought to bring food); after finishing the mango he grabbed a stick and began digging a hole. He then placed the pit in the hole, covered it with dirt and sprinkled it with water saying, "In the future people can enjoy this view with more shade."
On the way back to Granada I was so impressed with myself because I didn´t get sea or car sick once! Maybe I´m cured...

I´m a potter

Last week we went to San Juan de Oriente where 90% of the inhabitants make a living off pottery. We got to go to one of the homes where they make this exquisit art. Each piece takes about two months to make and are have detailed echings of the different flora and fauna from Nicaragua. The process begins with clay from the area (predicted to dissapear in the near future due to global warming) then it is thrown on the wheel and sculped into various shapes. I got to try my hand at this and as it turns out I´m not half bad; although nothing like the oldest brother who can whip out about 60 in two hours. After it is dried, polished, carved and colored, it goes into the oven. The oven takes a particular kind of wood and can only be run by an expert (in this case the matriarc or the family). It was like straight out of a Mister Roger´s episode! Of course I bought a few pieces for dirt cheap and was very touched when the family gave me a jug for teaching their son English. Maybe I´ll become a potter for my next career?

I won! I won!

I was accepted into the North American Grant Program in Spain!!! I'm going back to Spain!!! And I got my first choice, I'll be in Andalucia!!!! Basically, I'll be a TA in K-12 classrooms teaching English and living off practically nothing, but I'll be in Spain! I need to figure out the dates exactally, but I'm hoping to stay in Nicaragua as long as possible and then head for Spain. Big thanks to everybody who helped me in this process!

R.I.G. Rest in Granada

Today Christian took us to the cemetary which is suposed to be the most beautiful in Central America. I don't doubt it; it was incredible to see so many ornate monuments and statues honoring one's life and death. It is so different from the cemetaries in the U.S. For one, as opposed to having individual plots, it is separated into families. The graves build up wards like buildings, not outwards like the spacious ones in the US. At the entrance sits a woman selling flowers and shielding herself from the sun. Today was cooler than yesterday by seven degrees, still stiffling at 90. Although it may be as hot as hell, its beauty makes it a peaceful resting palce.