Two Months Left in NicaLand

I officially have less than two months left as a volunteer here in Nicaragua. I'm not sure if it has hit me yet. I'm still distracted by trying to finish up work and see all the places I want to see. I've been trying to balance trips out of site with PC friends and seeing friends in site.

As you can tell, I love spending time with friends in La Cruz. I try to get out there twice a week when I'm home. Here are some recent pictures of the kids with whom I love to play when I'm out there.

Dania Belen, Jaquelin's daughter, testing out a friend's moto

Pablito showing how much he loves this coloring pack
(Major thanks to friends in the States!)

Josie and I playing around

Belen, Pablito, and Josie are incredibly sweet kids. Belen just started kindergarten at the local primary school and Josie goes to pre-school in the next community over because her mom teaches pre-school there. It's amazing watching them play because they obviously love the special toys I have brought them, but they are also incredibly resourceful in how they play and with what. Belen collects all kinds of trash, whether old shampoo packets or a juice box she found, and keeps them to play with in the future.


Ademas de visit friends in the campo, I've also taken trips to visit friends around the country. Another place on my Nica bucket list was Jinotega where my good friend Lauren lives. This past weekend I spent one night with Lauren after a retreat we had together. Jinotega is the highest department, elevation-wise. The city is in the miny valley among the mountains and about an hour from a small lake. The department of Jinotega(the department and capital city are both named Jinotega) is one of the lead coffee producers. And Lauren told me that one of her favorite coffee cooperatives, which has a farm run by women who invite organizations to conduct health activities with the coffee pickers, had coffee sold in Peet's!

View of Jinotega from our vista point

Lauren and I with Jinotega and Lake Jinotega behind us