Life is very short, and there's no time, for fussing and fighting, my friend...

So last week I forgot to mention what we did after volunteer. We had a meeting to discuss a few upcoming events, as well as choose a letter written by a student in from one of the various projects run by the Pastoral (Camp. Min.). We don't necessarily know this child, but we buy them a gift for Christmas. The letter was so full of thanks, I couldn't help myself but post it below..in Spanish for those that can read it so that it doesn't lose meaning...

For those that can read Spanish, here's the letter.
Hola Niño Dios. Espero que te encuentres bien de salud tu y tu familia y que Dios los bendiga.
Estoy en 5 grado. Estoy en el proyecto chateles. Me llamo Anieka Tamara Castillo Sánchez. Tengo 10 años. Soy morena. Le pido por favor si me puede regala una muda de numero 8 y unos zapatos 35. Por favor, espero no sea muchas cosas. Gracias. Espero no pedir mucho. Gracias. Que Dios los bendiga a usted y su familia. Muchas gracias. Adios.

Translated:
Child Jesus, I hope this finds you and your family in good health and that God blesses you. I am in 5th grade in the Project Chateles. My name is Anieka. I am 10 years old and I am "morena" (dark hair, skin, etc.) I am asking if you could please give (but literally gift me, to give is a different verb) a outfit (size 8) and shoes (size 35). Please, I hope this is not too much. Thank you. I hope I'm not asking too much. Thank you. God bless you and your familiy. Thank you very much. Bye.

Now, I know I've been living the sweet life here in Nicaragua, and being at a private university, I have met some of the most fortunate people that live in this country. It's hard to balance the study abroad experience that everyone expects (lots of traveling, souvenirs, going out, etc.) with the reality of life here in Nicaragua. I'm so glad that for even 3 hours a week I can help these students who are struggling, and probably still aren't among the least fortunate, but really do need help. When I'm feeling down, the children always put everything in perspective. They are not as fortunate to receive the same education as me, and I they do not have as many things. And when they want one little thing, they are not begging (although I do encounter that on the streets a lot), they are asking God for a little bit of something, and are very careful that they do not ask for too much. In the material world we all live in, it's hard to believe that all this child wants for christmas is an outfit to wear to school. God bless them.

Changing subjects...this weekend we went to San Juan del Sur. After being tricked, just as our guide bus warned us we would be, into getting on a bus to Rivas and being forced to pay a tip to a guy that led us to the wrong bus, we finally ended up in San Juan del Sur where we stayed at a really cool international hostel called Casa Oro. It was $6.50/night/person to have our own private room for the 4 of us girls. We chose this hostel because they also helped organize day trips. While there we encountered even more English speaking people...mostly Californians and Australians there for the good surf on the deserted beaches. The first night we just hung out and got a late lunch/early dinner by the ocean. BEAUTIFUL. The 3 of them went out to a little bar for an hour or so while I stayed in nursing my 1847564th migraine of the trip. I think I'm finally immune to my medicine.

In the morning we got up for breakfast and then took a "bus" aka jeep with no real seats/seatbelts to a nearby beach called Madera. The actual San Juan del Sur beach is nice, and not really crowded, but it's also a fishing town so there are a lot of boats. At Madera, there may have been 2 other people there besides the 6 or so that came in the Jeep with us. Beautiful. Unfortunately, this is where my luck ended. Our stuff kind of got soaked by the tide coming in while we were in the ocean and of course the only thing that got ruined (other than some drenched beach towels) was my phone. RIP. After that I was hot and in a bad mood, so Greisy and I went back to the hostel, showered, got lunch, went online, etc. We met up with Lora and Kristen for a quick dinner and then headed back to the hostel for the Turtle Expedition. I think that's the legitimately the only thing we've done in Nica that costs more than $15, but the money went to a good cause. In Nica, turtles are very endangered so they are trying to protect them beginnign with a movement called "No como huevos de tortuga" (I don't eat turtle eggs.) They also have reserves like the one we went to where people patrol to stop people from stealing the turtle eggs or the actual turtles. We weren't lucky enough to see any of the big turtles burying their eggs but we saw some little guys digging their way out of the holes. It was so cute. Interesting fact: Turtles always return to lay their eggs at the same beach they were born, that's why such big nesting sites such as this one at La Flor exist. Also, turtles basically swim the whole world traveling in ocean currents. Pretty sweet life right? Only down side to the night, the last pair of flip flops I brought with me finally broke so I had to walk with one bare foot the whole night...ooo well, worse things have happened.

On Sunday we didn't really know what to do so after breakfast and finding a new pair of flip flops, we began our journey back to Managua..bus to Rivas..bus to Managua..taxi home. Basically just hung out the rest of the day...didn't really have any hw to do and didn't have my computer anyway..

Monday our early class was canceled, I wanted to check on my computer since they could no longer call me, Lora's computer was also broken, and Kristen wanted to drop off some clothes for dry cleaning. So the 3 of us met up before our 11am to run some errands. About 5 minutes into the trip, my new pair of flip flops breaks :( So, then I walk with one bare foot through dirty Managua to La Union and buy 2 new pairs..God willing these will last me the next 7 weeks. I also bought super glue in case I can fix some of the old ones or in case these new ones break...Then we went to GBM where they immediately recognized me and brought out my friend so we could speak in Spanglish..turns out they fixed my computer and everything was covered by warranty. It was great and everyone was so nice. I kind of wish they fixed dells too so we could go back and chat with them some more about Lora's computer haha. Then we finaly found a place for Lora and she dropped her computer off, but she might not be as lucky as me because she thinks her warranty has expired. Greisy wasn't with us so we were all tested with our Spanish..I think we succeeded though! After this trip around the city, I'm sitting in photography and I notice my ankle is pulsating (idk if this is a word but you know what i mean). GREAT. as if my computer, camera, phone and flip flops breaking weren't enough..my ankle still kills if I walk too much.
The rest of the week aka 2 days has gone pretty smoothly.

Yesterday I went to MetroCentro to try to get a new phone since Greisy and Lora had bought theirs pretty cheap..like $20ish. Come to find out, these same phones are now $50..no thanks. I think I'll go without a phone for a while. Then we went down to the food court to look around. While checking out the menu for one place, someone heard us speaking English and turned around saying, "This is the best place." Now, I'm not sure if he recognized us first and then said that, or if we all recognized each other at the same time, but it was none other than Ricardo, our hustler/tour guide from when Kristen's fam was with us in Granada. Now normally, Ricardo doesn't shut up. However, yesterday he was completely smashed at noon on a Tuesday, with his boss. He realllly didn't shut up then. It was crazy. We tried to sit away from him and he followed us. Then his boss came over, who looked and talked completely American and asked where we were from. We said NY & CT but we all go to school in CT. He's like oh really, I'm from CT, what college do you go to? We said Fairfield and he made a face, we assumed because he had never heard of it. Turns out he's from Fairfield, built the development of houses behind the townhouses (verrrrry nice houses if you've seen them) and owns a house on the beach. This was all verified by his passport. Crazy, small world.

Side note: We haven't had a single gecko in our room the first 7.5 weeks. Last night we had 3. Personally I think they're cute, and completely harmless. I've never seen them anywhere but on walls so they won't bother me, plus they eat bugs. Kristen is a little sketched out, but I think she's happy they're eating the bugs so we're dealing with them just fine.

Again, sorry for the length, I just never know what to leave out! And my camera is still kind of broken, but I can still take really zoomed out pix, so maybe I'll start putting a few up again or stealing from other people.

I'd love to hear from everyone!!! <3 <3 <3

ps-I'm obsessed with the new genius sidebar on iTunes. check it outtt.