Day 2: Getting to Know You

 The view from Catarina

After sleeping in a bit and having breakfast in bed, we took our bus to Catarina where the boys got to see a wonderful view as well as practice their Spanish while negotiating with the local artisans.  Catarina is known for its hand crafted items from clothing and sandals to pottery and woodworking.  The boys had fun walking around the various stands, looking, bargaining, and making a couple of purchases.

 Exploring what Catarina has to offer

 "No, Woody, you cannot buy a machete"

 Taking it all in

 Jorge and Nolan learning about ceramics

For lunch we went to a restaurant that serves traditional Nicaraguan food, and the boys cleaned their plates!  It is great to see how quickly they have taken to the food here, and they are very interested in trying new things.  This is going to be a great trip.

 Buen provecho!

Lunch was great, but ice cream is better

"Chicos, it doesn't get much better than this!"

After lunch we grabbed some ice cream before getting on the road to Esteli where the boys would meet up with their host family for the first time.  While the boys were understandably nervous, it did not take long before they were chatting it up and enjoying pizzas with their host family.

The boys about to meet their host families for the first time

Putting the casa into the CASA program

Tomorrow the boys will get to know Esteli better when they go on our Amazing Race where they will take pictures, pick up some flyers, make some small purchases, and ask people on the street some questions to complete the scavenger hunt.  This is a fun and challenging activity that helps the boys orient themselves and ultimately feel more comfortable in what they come to call "our" city, Esteli.