Day 24: The Last Supper

 Saying goodbye to San Juan del Sur

We traveled to Managua to get ready for tomorrow's departure.  The boys are starting to have mixed emotions since they want to go home but are starting to miss parts of their trip.  After lunch today we went out for ice cream, and then went to the market where we bought each of the boys a Nicaragua T-shirt.  For dinner we went to a restaurant called Tacontento, which is a word play on the pronunciation of "esta" and "contento" (to be happy).  Translating the name in English certainly loses the humor as well as the word play, but you could maybe settle on the English name as Are You a Happy Taco?

So, who wants ice cream?

Tomorrow we will review our CASA comments with the boys individually after breakfast, pack up, and go to the airport for a long travel day.

Day 23: ATVs

 Ready to roll out

Last night began the celebration of San Juan, which of course is a big deal in San Juan del Sur.  With that said, there were revelers up all night with trumpets, drums, and of course fireworks until about 5AM. 

 The test drive

About to ride up to the statue of Jesus overlooking the bay

After breakfast, however, we got a quick lesson on how to drive ATVs, and then we hit the road.  We had an exciting ride up to the statue of Jesus that overlooks the bay of San Juan del Sur.  Then, we hit some back roads to get to a remote beach where the boys were able to ride around and enjoy the beach as well as go for a swim.

 The view of San Juan del Sur from above

 ATVs on the beach

A shot of the whole group

When we got back, we had lunch on the beach, the boys filled out their CASA evaluation forms, and most of them rented surf boards and went surfing.  The internet connection in the hotel is not very strong, so posting has been a challenge this weekend.

Cooling off

Day 22: San Juan del Sur

After a late start, we drove to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast.  We got to the hotel in time to enjoy lunch overlooking an infinity pool and the bay. 

 Hitting the waves and body surfing

The boys had time to enjoy the beach before dinner.  Tomorrow we will ride ATVs on the beach.

Day 21: Mombacho

If it weren't so hazy, you could see the Isletas below (where we were yesterday)

We spent the morning on the volcano Mombacho learning not only about the volcano and the various plants and animals it supports but also about the organic coffee plantation on the side of the volcano.  Some of the boys were interested in the way the sustainable practices of the coffee plantation that not only turned the toxic pulp into organic fertilizer but also used the waste water to create methane gas that currently provides some of the energy for the plantation and will soon provide all of the energy for the plantation.  What is most interesting about this system is how simple and effective it is at generating energy, and the boys were thinking about maybe replicating it at Woodberry.

 The ride to the top of the volcano

 Our guide started by orienting us with a scale model

Looking into the volcano

 One of our hikes through the rich volcanic vegetation

 Descending into one of the volcanic structurs

Connor learns about proper machete technique from a local

In the afternoon the boys enjoyed the hotel pool before we went to the famous market of Masaya where the boys negotiated with vendors and bought a whole range of souvenirs.  For dinner we went to a restaurant that was featuring traditional Nicaraguan music and dancing.

A traditional meal

Tomorrow we travel to San Juan del Sur.

Day 20: Grandada

The oldest cathedral in Nicaragua

We arrived in Granada just in time for dinner at a traditional restaurant, El Zaguan.  From there we went to the Isletas where the boys got a tour of some of the 365 volcanic islands that have become the Nicaraguan equivalent of the Hampdens in the US.  We stopped at one island for the boys to grab a snack and play in the water.

 The park in front of the hotel

 Walking through town

Touring the Isletas

 The Spanish fort built to protect Granada from the pirates on the lake

 The volcano Mombacho where we are going tomorrow

 Hanging bird nests

 This house belongs to an American

The boys enjoying a snack

 Taking a dip

The boys found and claimed their own island

Tomorrow we will go the the volcano Mombacho.

Day 19: Goodbyes and Thank Yous

We start today, our last day in Esteli with a "hello" and "thank you" email I received this morning from a CASA alumnus:
"Good morning Sr. Sydnor!
     I hope everything is going well in Nicaragua! I am right across the border in Honduras right now on a medical brigade with UCLA and I was just thinking about the time I spent in Nicaragua. We're in San Lorenzo right now which is in the southeast part of Honduras and I can see Nicaragua from the naval base where we're working!
     Anyways we're in a group of about 35 people and I am one of a few people who can speak Spanish semi-fluently and I've even had a few Hondurans tell me that my Spanish is pretty good! I'm pretty sure that those few years with you and Sr. Rivera really helped me, of course, but what I think really helped me remember how to speak Spanish was my trip to Nicaragua. I just wanted to say thank you for the experience there, I really had a good time and thank you for giving me something I would never have had otherwise! I hope both your and Sr. Rivera's families are doing well and that your trip has been fun!"

Emails like that capture the very reason why Sr. Rivera and I started the CASA program almost seven years ago.  The rest of the day followed a variation on that theme in which the boys prepared their various "thank you" and "goodbye" speeches.

 Swapping worn out shoes for a newer pair

 A great fathers day gift

In the morning we donated the rest of our shoes from VA Runner to a small rural school.  We gave each of the teachers a pair, and when we ran out of sizes for the students, we gave them shoes for their father since tomorrow is Fathers Day in Nicaragua.

Having some fun on the last day

 One last lesson

 Organizing our school supplies for each class

 The official hand off

 Getting ready for the pinata

 Spinning around first

Trying to find that rascaly carrot

 It's harder than it seems

 Now that's a new technique

K.O. the carrot

Make sure it is on right

 Some experienced words of wisdom

 "Use the force, Luke"

This afternoon we returned to the Aldea where the boys taught their last class and then donated the last of the school supplies to each of their classrooms before being treated to a pinata and some games.  The boys got to say goodbye and thank you to their students, and they commented when they got on the bus that this afternoon was full of mixed emotions.  They were glad they had completed this part of the program because it was hard work, but they were also going to miss their students who had worked so hard and come so far.

 The last supper

"Thank you"

 Saying "goodbye"

In the evening we had our farewell dinner with our host families.  At the end of the meal each of the boys got up and thanked his host family.  There was a significant difference in the tone tonight compared to their first dinner with their host family almost two weeks ago.  Tonight the boys were completely comfortable and engaged with their host families.  When it came time for them to stand up and thank their families, our boys did a great job.  Again, they were relieved to be one night away from starting the vacation part of the program, and yet, they were clearly touched by the generosity, hospitality, and patience their host families provided every day.

Tomorrow we leave Esteli for Granada.