Perrito Estupido (Stupid Dog)

We took the day off yesterday for a field trip to Playa Majagual. The beach was almost completely deserted, creating the perfect relaxing atmosphere. The water was a gorgeous blue and we were surrounded by tall cliffs. The only downside was the lack of shade and the stickiness of the sand. I escaped with minimal burning, but it took a shower and multiple washings in the sink to get all the sand off. The most interesting part of the day was definitely the transportation. All 12 of us piled into an ancient van and had to get out and walk whenever the mountain became too steep. We ran out of gas on the way home (in the middle of nowhere!) but our coordinator, Jana, told a neighbor about our work and he donated enough to get us to a gas station :)

That evening, I went to the neighbor's with another volunteer, Beto, to give them some birthday cake (they hid it for us until we surprised birthday girls Clari and Jana). Their dog was tied to the porch, but started pulling on his leash as soon as it saw me. I handed the cake to the neighbor, grabbed Beto's arm and slowly began to walk away.
The next thing I knew, the dog was out of its collar and running toward me. Thankfully, I made it to the house! I think I lost ten years off my life, but at least Beto thinks it's funny. Of course, now I get to do laundry with the knowledge that the dog ten yards away can break out of his collar...

We're focusing on more pedagogy and teaching tools today, with a house clean planned for the afternoon. It's been a little rough with the heat and outside stress (I received my financial aid report from Wellesley and didn't receive what I need...now I have to figure out how I'm going to pay for next year). In addition, one of the other volunteers doesn't have much of a sense of humor (or any at all) and tends to be rather rude to me. I'm trying to take it as a lesson of patience, but I'm afraid I might say something rude if I'm stressed out.

I've received a couple questions about the food...
Our diet consists of inexpensive and local foods: vegetables (corn, potatoes, broccoli, etc.), pineapple and watermelon, oatmeal, eggs, bread, tuna, spaghetti, and lots of rice and beans (at least twice a day). We also use peanut butter, but sparingly. All the volunteers brought (or will bring) their own jar and we'll use them for packed lunches when we begin teaching. [Peanut butter is very expensive down here] It's quite different living as a vegetarian, but not impossible. Although, I plan on eating a big steak when I return to the States :)

Abrazos y besos (Hugs and kisses)

Rosas y Espinas (Roses and Thorns)

Our training has shifted into teacher/education territory. The past few days we discussed different teaching methods and formed our own education theories based on our goals for education (raise standards of living, decrease violence, etc.). We also explored the concepts of frontal educational theory versus student based teaching. (Global Learning mainly utilizes student based teaching since it's more interactive and has proven to have better results.) Today, we are exploring different teaching techniques and tools that we will be teaching the other volunteers and then using in the classrooms.
I went to Mass this morning at the local Catholic Church about 3 blocks away from the house. I didn't understand everything but was able to follow along in the small program (which also doubled as a fan). The only things I was brave enough to say in Spanish were "Amen," the Padre Nuestro (Our Father), and "Paz" (Peace). The church was packed! People pulled up lawn chairs in the doorways, even a couple stray dogs joined us. My only complaint was the time...7am. I almost drifted off during the Homily but stopped myself when I noticed a little girl watching my every move. I decided the strange American girl should set a good example :)
If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at ksuchyta@wellesley.edu and I'll post my answers! Hasta luego :)

I'm here!

After flying all morning on the 19th (layover in Miami in the same part of the airport as the Little Cayman trip layover!), I spent the rest of the day in the Managua airport waiting for the other volunteers to arrive. We played card games (and I began and finished reading the play Noises Off!) and telephone pictionary (very interesting in Spanish). The day was even more interesting with the random power outages (I guess they're a normal part of the day, but imagine my surprise when I was using the restroom and everything went black). Our last volunteer Jana (the Wellesley founder of the org!) arrived late due to flight delays and we didn't get to the house until 2am (4am MI time).
The group is renting a traditional Nicaraguan home in the city of San Jorge. It's difficult to describe, but it's light pink on the exterior and a roof of sheets of metal. We have indoor plumbing (but not always water!) and lights, but use a gas stove. It's very hot (as I told my mom, my sweat is sweating) and often hard to fall asleep, especially with the roosters that seem to think 3am is the appropriate time to squawk. My team, however, is wonderful and very energetic so I'm happy! The most difficult thing is the Spanish. I can read and write quite well, but my speaking and comprehension is weak. Thankfully, all the training is bilingual and the local volunteers either know English or are very patient. My hermano, or brother, for the training is a local, Beto, who doesn't speak any English, so I'll definitely have plenty of opportunity to improve.
Our training has so far included goals and operations of the org and we're beginning to discuss pedagogy. Once I'm in Costa Rica, we'll have a week of training for the regular volunteers and then 3 weeks of teaching. I've been told that we'll teach approximately 1500 students over the course of our time here!
We have WiFi in the house, but it's not very cooperative, so I'm writing this at a local cyber cafe. I don't know how often I'll be able to write, so don't worry if I don't update all the time. Besos!

Almost there!

Tomorrow's the big day--Travel Day! I'll be arriving at the airport around 3:30 am to prepare for a 6:30 am flight. Prayers for safe travels :)