Narrative

Tuesday, January 4.
I think I finally believe I´m here. I thought I´d believe it once I boarded the plane from Miami, but no. Then I figured I´d believe it once I landed in Managua, but no, not in the airport. It was much more believable in the hotel we stayed in last night, the walls of which were painted with funny characters, scenes, street signs, and phrases. But even at the university, where Susan of Grupo Fenix oriented us about the organization, and where we heard other presentations, it hadn´t completely sunk in. But here in colonial, tile-rooved Grenada, it has finally hit me: I am in Nicaragua, continuing this amazing life of adventure and learning.
In spite of minor reservations about a group with so many girls (10:1), I can´t imagine a better group of people, and I love them all already.

Wednesday, January 5.
Rode up el Volcan Mombacho this morning, through coffee farms and cloud forest. Hiked around on top with a tour guide, saw steam holes (fumares) and beautiful views of the Lake of Nicaragua and its islands. Taught Jorge, our Grenadan tour guide and a student of architecture at the university in Managua, ninja and other games before leaving.
Had a great first meeting and later walked down toward the lake. Told it was dangerous at night, we stopped on the steps of a stone church instead. I continued an amazing conversation with Myra about farming, books, travel. Some played soccer. Then we did eight-minute abs and yoga. It was wonderful.

Thursday, January 6.
After breakfast, drove to Managua, sad to be leaving Grendada so soon. Relaxed while errands were run, said goodbye to Susan, and rode two or so hours with Lindsay--Grupo Fenix´s program coordinator or so--to Leon, Nicaragua´s once-capital and "rival" of Grenada. Got our host families´names at the Dariana Spanish school and dispered to our homestays for lunch. Carla and I met Jonathan-11, Franco-1, and our host parents. Got lost finding the school for our embarrassingly grammatical placement tests in the afternoon. Then met, did abs and yoga outside of a curch nearby. Walked through the market square with Jewelle, Lydia, and Claire on our way back home for dinner. Rode with the family to the cinema to see Los Viajes de Gulliver--funny.

Friday, January 7.
After lunch, our teachers took us on walking tours of the city in smaller groups. We saw an art gallery, churches, and murals. When our tour was over, Lindsday and Neal--one of our two professors--sat with us some steps. We tried some rice drinks served in gourds. Cacao was by far the best. We then had great conversations in the square as the market buzzed all around us.

Saturday, January 8.
Today´s afternoon activity: volcano surfing. Okay, it was actually more like volcano sledding, as everyone but Iliana sat on the wooden boards instead of standing. We drove out in a huge two bench truck, debating which slope we´d descend once the volcanoes came into view. I rode most of the way standing behind the cab with the wind in my hair, rushing past people and palms.
The slide down alone wouldn´t have been worth the $24, but with everything else included, it was amazing. The dry, black rocks, the pungent yellow sulfur, burning hot with its white, billowing crater steam, watching everyone race down with clouds of dust trailing behind them, and the huge round sun of stunning orange-red bands sinking slowly behind the horizon over the pacific waters.