Hello everyone this is Brandon and today we had our second and final free day of the trip. This free day could not have come at a better time than after the three days of the Community Action Project (CAP). Doing CAP was a very busy and stressful time and today we were finally given a break. Today’s free day allowed us to relax, go shopping, and explore everything else Jinotega has to offer.
We are now able to leave the hotel in groups of four which gives us an opportunity to explore aspects of the city that appeal to us. After breakfast I left with a small group and headed to the main park in Jinotega. Around this park we saw a group of a large amount of people and students of Jinotega celebrating Saint John the Baptist. There was a marching band walking down the streets of Jinotega along with a live band playing music for all to hear. In fact at 8 pm when I am writing this post, I can still hear the music playing from the park. Other people were also shooting fireworks off through the streets which added to the festivities. This celebration was very interesting to experience and I am very glad that we stumbled upon it. During the rest of our free time in the morning we went to local shops to see the craftsmanship of the Jinotegan people. During this free time in the morning other glimpsers decided to use their time to rest back at the hotel and catch up on some sleep.
Then at lunch time we separated into two groups and went to different restaurants to eat. Half of us went to the comedor that we usually eat at and enjoyed a meal of either chicken or beef with mushroom sauce. The other group went the a restaurant called Casa Vieja which is also the house of our Global Glimpse Coordinator, Jasmine’s adopted family in Nicaragua. At this restaurants we ate a delicious meal of hot dogs and pizza. This was a good reminder for me of the food that I am used to eating in America.
After lunch we were given another large chunk of free time. At this time I went out again with another group to search for more shops to buy souvenirs for ourselves and our families. Then we all returned to the hotel to relax and prepare our lessons for our final day of tutoring tomorrow. After this time we walked to the comedor to eat a traditional Nicaraguan meal. In conclusion, today was a great day for all of us to have a break from our busy schedule and prepare ourselves for the last few eventful days that we have in Jinotega.
Hello! Sounds like you all had a very nice, well deserved day off! I love hearing about all of your stories and what you are doing and what you are going to do! 3 more days, and then home again! Your probably going to miss each other! Don’t forget to get phone numbers, email addresses and if your old fashion, like me, physical address, from each other! Angie, I love and miss you! Pop and Grammy said “Hi!” They both love and miss you!!
Brandon, I am so happy that you have been able to both relax and have an amazing experience, as well as make a profound difference in the lives of so many people! I know that you are making memories that will inspire you for a lifetime. As an alumni of global glimpse, I can say with absolute certainty that going on this trip was a life changing experience. I am so happy that you get to go out into this world and make your own memories! I can’t wait to hear about everything you have experienced and learned when you come back! Also, happy early birthday, because your 17th birthday is on the 26th!
YOOOOO NANCY HAVE FUN DON’T GET BIT BY A MILLION BUGS !!! ALSO HI STEVEN AND CHARLIE !!! 🙂
Hi Brandon! It’s so good to hear from you! It sounds like you had another great day today. I’m glad you guys got to relax a bit and explore Jinotega. What a great experience. And how lucky you guys were to see the festivities of a local celebration. It’s mind boggling how much you guys have done and seen since you’ve been there.
We’ve been following the (CAP) progress you guys have made and you should all be so proud of yourselves. I’m sure it’s something the local children and adults there, as well as all of you guys, will never forget. What a great thing to be able to give back to a community that has welcomed you so warmly.
And I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY on Friday June 26th!
We are so proud of you and can’t wait to hear all about this fantastic experience.
Love, Mom
Daddy and I were so sorry to miss your calls today! Glad you got some free time and was pleased to hear of your group’s CAP accomplishment. Sounds like you had the added bonus of learning to work together as a united team. Gelina says “hi!” and misses you almost as much as we do! Besos! Mom (& Dad & Katie)
Hey Brandon, great post…. Good to see you all got a second free day to explore the city. It is hard to believe there is only a few days left, but we are excited to have you come home and give us all of the details of your adventure. Hopefully you have been taking a lot of pictures. If not you better get busy.
Oh yeah and Happy Birthday (June 26th)!!!!!! We will celebrate when you get home. Have fun in the final few days and stay safe.
Love, Dad
Hi Marja,
So glad to see that you all got a well-deserved break and some time to explore! Sounds like this was a pretty awesome day and a nice opportunity to absorb some of the local culture–
We miss you, but we are looking forward to reading about what you do tomorrow!
Love,
Dad and Jennifer
I’m so glad you guys got a free day today. I think you all deserved it.
It was great talking to you, Savannah, on line as well as when you called. Only a few more days. ..Love you
Well deserved‼️ This was a great reward for a job well done by all of you! I hope you all enjoyed and took advantage of today to do those things you’ve been wanting to do! I also hope that all of you glimpsers are in good health too! Remember mind of matter! Your mind is very powerful thing in the case handling a big job like you all did and also keeping your body in tip top shape! Remember to take as many pics as you can of everything and everyone so you can share with others and have pics to make a great memory book when you all get home. I love you soooo my girl!!! And I’m counting the days till your back in my arms!❤️ Enjoy kiddos!!!
Hello to Elijah and his fellow Glimpsers! Hard to believe that your GG trip is nearly complete. Great job on those murals. I did a similar project in Costa Rica, and can sympathize with the sore muscles and strained nerves.
Hope you all had a fun day off. I look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return home. Proud of you!
Mrs. N/ESA
It is nice that you guys got some relaxation time! The Community Action Project has been a lot of work and you all have earned it. I’ve been researching traditional Nicaraguan food and it looks really good. I’ll have to try to make some. Marja, maybe you could give me some tips and judge how I do when you come back?
John
(Marja’s Dad)
Hi Marja!
We hope you are doing well–We are glad to see that you are doing lots of fun stuff. Miss you on vacation–watch on the big iPad (from Audie).
Our room is a mess right now–we have a giant mattress in it that is fun to jump on.
Love you,
Maddie and Audie
Hello Marja (and anyone else who may be reading this)!
The trip looks like fun and sounds like a great learning experience. Any new-found insight? Audrey’s flopping around on her mattress, singing Christmas songs, and attacking Maddie- all’s normal. Mom’s organizing a comment schedule for all of our relatives; reminds me of how whenever I have a performance I always have the largest cheering section containing practically all of our extended family.
It’s almost Sunday! We’ll see you soon, after you get settled back in.
XX
Kelsey
Well done Team Jinotega! As an engineer, I know that nothing is worse than the sinking feeling of starting the last day of a project behind schedule. But I also know that the only thing better than the exhilaration of having the team come together and meet the deadline is the sweet feeling of success the day after it’s all wrapped up. Congratulations on completing the CAP and I hope you are really enjoying your well-deserved free time. It has been a real pleasure to read about your trip every day. Thanks to all of you for posting and taking us along with you on your journey!
PS to Sophia: he won’t admit it but your brother misses you a lot!
Hi Vannie! Great talking to you. I miss you greatly! It was so awesome to hear your having a blast in Nicaragua! Can’t wait to see your beautiful face again sugar bug! I love you!