Hola from Esteli!
My name is Alison Martin and I was the Lider Del Dia today. So far my time in Esteli has been amazing from making new friends, trying new foods, learning about Nicaraguan culture, and stepping out of my comfort zone to try to understand the hardships faced by the citizens of Nicaragua.
Today, our delegation got the privilege of visiting the Somoto Canyon. The Somoto Canyon is one of the most popular tourist locations in Northern Nicaragua. It contains the longest river in Central America (Rio Coco) and is the only place to rock climb in all of Nicaragua. This was a fun and interesting trip because it was something new for the majority of the Glimpsers.
This morning we woke up at 6 and left the hostel around 7. We ate breakfast on the bus which consisted of gallo pinto, fried plantains, and cheese. On the way to the canyon we picked up 2 fire men to accompany us on our hike/swim to make sure everyone was safe at all times. After arriving at the canyon at 9, we began our hike with 4 tour guides. We hiked for roughly 30 minutes until reaching the river. We began walking across the river, climbing up rocks, and letting the river carry us down. Since it is winter in Nicaragua, the rainy season has caused the current to be extra high today. Due to this, we ran into some hardships causing us to problem solve and find an alternate method to get through the canyon. At one point of the tour, we reached a cliff that was roughly 30 feet high, in order to continue with the tour you had to jump off of it. This activity caused people to be pushed out of their comfort zones and try something new. The positivity, encouragement, and motivation in the group made these hard tasks easier for others. After the tour, we ate lunch at El Comedor Buen Gusto. We had some unforeseen conflicts today, causing us to change plans. However, we all came together and pushed through. After returning to the hostel, we planned our CAP projects, and finished the night off with our nightly meeting.
Typically we focus on the hardships of Nicaraguans and the emotions attached to them. Today, we got to experience a more fun and adventurous day. The most surprising part of today was seeing everyone work together. The 3 C’s were shown through everyone. Everyone was courageous in climbing the high rocks, jumping, and letting the harsh current carry them. Everyone showed commitment in sticking with the activity even if they were scared, The Glimpsers around them encouraged them to keep going and not give up. Compassion was shown through everyone being there for each other in our hectic day. The most inspiring person we met was “Monkey Man” (our nickname for one of our tour guides). He would climb all the rocks in literally 5 seconds and would jump off of cliffs that felt like 1000 feet high. Watching him go caused us to want to try new things and get out of our comfort zones.
Being Lider Del Dia today caused me to set the example for others. Since I was the first Glimpser to experience all the activities, it was exciting because everyone got to watch me go, and if something went wrong they would all see it. This was good because it caused the guides to change their plans for the next Glimpsers. The thing I learned the most about my self was I enjoy putting myself out there and trying new and courageous activities to set an example for my peers.
Tomorrow’s Lider Del Dia are Carmen and Zach, look forward to a blog post from them about our CAP Execution Day 1.
To my friends and family reading this at home, I miss and love you all. I can’t wait to share my experience in Nicaragua with you when I return home. Also, Happy Early Father’s day to my dad. Thank you for being the best dad ever. I love you!
Wow, this looks like another super fun day! Love all the pictures, the smiling group shot is a keeper! Keep posting !!
Tejas, I am sure you had a blast! We miss you and take care buddy. Looking forward to hear about CAP day1!
Love
Mom
You guys are becoming GG-pro’s! What an amazing adventure you had! The hike through the rock formations must have been an inspiration to each of you in a unique way.
For me, the smiles on your faces in the group photo capture the energy, excitement and wonder of the hike.
Here in San Ramon it’s really hot – like 92 – and dry. Father’s Day is tomorrow and all of you, especially my beautiful and intelligent Anya, will be sorely missed.
Have fun. Be safe. And Glimpse on!
Love and hugs from California!
Great job on the blog and setting an example for your fellow glimpsers Alison!! The canyon looks amazing and you all look great:-). Glad you had a fun day – stepping out of your comfort zone is always hard but always so rewarding :-)!!! Always fun to learn new things about people – especially ourselves!!
Anya – we are only celebrating a partial Father’s Day! Will celebrate together when you are back! Love! Mom
Hi
Great day outdoors enjoying the nature! It must be really energizing to make those cliff jumps and swim through the rivers. Great wonderful adventure outdoors enjoying the nature. Did you get to see any wildlife?
We are all doing fine there. We have a heat wave in San Ramon with over 100F temperatures all this week!
Love from all of us,
Papa, Mum, Shaan, Anjali
Dear Alison, we enjoyed every word of your blog. Great job!! Sounds like you Glimpses had a super fun Fun Day. Jumping off cliffs? Wow, we are glad that everyone challenged themselves. We can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures and new friends you made. Take loads of photos! We love you and miss you so much. The blogs keep us close to you and we’ll be thinking of you on Father’s Day. A big big hug and kisses, Mama and Dada. ????
Alison!!
Your fun day adventure sounds insane!! I can’t believe you had to do all of the jumps (30 feet whaaaattt?!!!) and trails first. That’s so brave and its awesome to see you pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Can’t wait to see you soon. Have fun and stay safe in Nicaragua!! Sending love your way <3
Taylor
Alison,
Loved reading your blog! So happy you all found a way to persevere through the challenges you faced. It looks like you are having a great time. I know all the Spanish I taught you is coming in handy!! Missing you everyday, counting down the days until Big Brother starts and we can have our watch party! Love you so much!
Amanda
Great out door adventure, can’t wait to hear the details of the trip in person.
Hiking, climbing, jumping of the cliff into river…wishing we were there!
Stepping out of your comfort zone and facing challenges as a team, invaluable camaraderie
Tejas, Being an outdoors person, am sure you had a blast!
Will miss on fathers day!
Stay safe and have fun!
Love
Dad, Mom, Gaji and Jansi
Dear Alison,
I hope you and your friends are enjoying your time away from home. What a great opportunity for all involved to experience another part of the world and culture. Last summer it was Shawn and now this! What will the summer after senior year bring – more great things I’m sure:) Aprecie cada momento! Love, Aunt Gerette
Carmen!!!
So glad to know you’re having fun out there. We miss you back at home but we know you’re having the time of your life. You’ve always wanted to travel to places and I’m so glad Nicaragua is the first of many you’re going to experience!!! Can’t wait for you to come back and share some of your crazy stories with us. Love you lots!! We’ll see you soon 🙂
Dear Alison,
Thank you so much for sharing your interesting experience with us. It sounds like this trip will teach you a lot. It will teach you how other people live and the challenges they face. It will also teach you about yourself and will help you grow and mature through facing hardships and challenges different from your daily life. Thank you again for sharing this with us. Have fun and have a safe trip and safe return home. We miss you.
Much Love and hugs,
Goon Goon and Poh Poh
Wow, this is amazing!
Cliff diving sounds scary, but also like a lot of fun. I’m glad you guys could explore and have an awesome day outdoors. These pictures are great!
Jessica I hope you are having a great trip and as the days are winding down I miss you more. Remember to stay safe:)
Owen
Loved reading your blog Alison and applaud you to be a great leader and go first in all the activities as based on how you did the guides made the plans for the rest of the glimpsers. Kudos to all of you as you guys conquered your fears and hiked and jumped off the cliff.
Resha- We had a lovely day yesterday and today are enroute to Puno which is about 14,000 feet above sea level and is cold. Looking forward to reading your blog one of these days and knowing from you first hand your experience and emotions. It has been a little hard for us as after the first phone call we have not heard from you. Your smile in the pictures tell me that all is well and your having a great time.
Be well, take care of yourself and keep smiling my dear!
Love you loads???
-Mama.
Alison,
I’m so proud of you!!!!! This is amazing and I can tell you wrote from the heart! I can’t wait to hear about your whole adventure! Going out of your comfort zone will make this trip even more memorable! Love and miss you so much? Keep letting your magic shine✨
Hey Seth
Looks like you guys had yet another great day! Hope all is well with you and your group. It’s wonderful to hear how you guys are learning how to deal with all sorts of things from physical challenges to intelctual once. And how you all come together to problem solve and learn from each other and your surroundings.
Miss you son!
Dear Alison,
I hope things are going well and that you’re having a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy the time you have there. I miss you.
Love,
Brycen
Alison,
It’s terrific to hear from you. Sounds like you’re having an amazing time and a tremendous experience. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot of fantastic things in this journey that will be memorable and help you grow going forward. As always, stay alert in your surroundings and be safe.
Dear Alison, I’ve been looking forward to your blog and I love it! Very descriptive and eloquent! Great job! All the activities during this day were amazing. It seems all the Glimpsers are having wonderful life experiences. You did a great job as the Day Leader and I’m so proud of you. Continue learning, having fun and enjoying the company off all your new friends and Team Mates! I have shown the pics to Uncle Mike and he is impressed with all the activities you guys are doing. Fantastic program and trip. We send you all our love! Tía Gladys and Uncle Mike
Hey Pal,
Sounds like your having fun, buddy. See any cool trees? Glad ur having this wonderful opportunity.
luv,
Soo
A Money,
I’m so glad to read that you’re having an amazing time, and I can’t wait to hear about all of your other adventures when you come home. Don’t worry, I haven’t lost any of your streaks. I miss you so much, and can’t wait to see you later this week!!
-LRuss
A$, What’s up!!!
Your blog sounds so so fun and it seems like you’re having an amazing time. Hopefully Schnell trained you enough so the hike/swim wasn’t too bad. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures and hopefully how helpful the zinc sunsceeen was (even though it’s winter?!??) See you soon, miss you!!
Denise Ma
hey Alison! this seems like such an amazing place to learn/discover about, so cool seeing you have this opportunity. ✨
Hey Alison!!
This is so amazing and I loved reading your blog! I miss u a lot and can’t wait to hear everything about it. Hope everything is going well and see you when you get back!!
Love,
Gina
What an amazingly beautiful picture of the group. You all were so brave. I am glad that there were 2 fire men with u guys. 30 feet jump? That is crazy. I totally admire the courageousness from everyone of you! And appreciate the encouragement from you all toward one another. Thank you for watching out for each other.
Vivian, I hope your skin can tolerate the roughness of the wild. Make sure ask for help if need. Haily will take care of father’s day for you but you need to deliver your hugs and kisses to him yourself when u get home. We love u bunch.
Mommy, daddy, Vicky, n Hailey
Hi Vivian,
It’s looks like your’e having a gr10 time. I see you are having a great adventure and I can’t wait for you to come home and to tell us all about it. We are having a very productive time at home and miss you very much. The eggs didn’t hatch yet. Have a great time there and take plenty of pictures:)
Good blog Alison.
Hi Vivian pham.
This is aunty allicyn.
Wow! Wonderful group you have there.
The things you guys have done,wow! wish I am a bit younger to join.?
Glad to see all happy, energetic, and full of life faces in the pictures.
Keep it up team.
Love and miss you Vivian pham.
The most adventurous person in the cousin clan. Aunty allicyn wouldn’t even dare to ride on the carousel☹️, yet going to a foreign country and jump 30 feet to the ocean.??
Great job guys!
Hi Jessica,
What a fun and adventurous day! It definitely sounds like everyone showed courage and strength. i can’t believe you all jumped 30 feet off a cliff! The pictures look amazing, especially the one of you and Alison – you both clearly look like you embraced and conquered all the day’s challenges and had a lot of fun doing it!! I love you and miss you!
Hi Zach,
Hiking and rock climbing sounds like fun. Something I’m sure you enjoyed. Can’t wait to see what you and Carmen do as Lider del Dia tomorrow.
<3
Jessica,
You’re looking a little pale after that jump. I think you should come back to California to tan and get your softball mojo back. Charlie’s bored without you here. I miss you and love you.
Hi Makenna – Sounds like a very fun day. Glad you are getting a day or two to explore, as well. This sounds right up my alley. Cliff diving next time in Hawaii now that you’re an expert! Can’t wait to see your blog post soon. Hope all is well. Love and miss you ~Jay and mom.