Hello, everyone! I, Mikaylah, was the leader of “Fun Day”, and it lived up to all the expectations that you would have when thinking of a fun day. Part of the morning routine for each leader of the day is to wake up students. This morning, I only had to wake up the girls in my room because everyone else was awake. That was the start of the most easy-going day we have had here.
Today’s activities consisted of three things: going on a tour of a chocolate factory, swimming in a lagoon park, and our English tutoring classes.
We had a 15-minute bus ride to a local cocao factory called Castilo del Cacao. When we arrived, the scenery was beautiful. There were trees and plants everywhere (which is very typical here in Nicaragua) and also paintings of cacao trees, butterflies, and humming birds. The man who was showing us around had a lot to say about his candy bars. Every ingredient is natural. They make their chocolate with only two ingredients- cacao and sugar. Then they add a few other small ingredients such as cashew nuts, roasted cacao nuts, rum, etc. We also learned that white chocolate is actually just candy, sugar and animal fats (sorry if I might have ruined it for white chocolate lovers).
After we learned a few facts about chocolate, we started the tour. We had to put these ridiculous looking caps and face masks on. Then we saw the machines they use to liquefy the chocolate. We then got to taste test some of the hard and liquid chocolate. We also tried the tea and coffee, which was bitter without adding the sugar and liquid chocolate, but it was still delicious. As a result of our new-found love for “clean” chocolate, we almost bought them out of chocolate bars.
Our second trip today was to a water resort called laguna de San Marin. Our first thought was, “Wow this is a lot different from what we experienced yesterday.” (experiencing living in poverty) When you first walk up to the resort, there were these bird -like seats made out of tires. The resort was amazing. There was a huge lagoon, with floaty sculptures that we could all climb on. There was also trampolines, paddle boards, boats, and many other fun activities. It was hard not to think of how much fun the kids from yesterday would have if they got the same opportunity as we have today. Overall, I think everyone had a really nice time and got to relax quite a bit. Also, the water felt super refreshing.
Our last activity of the day was tutoring our students. My class is the advanced English class, so we have really strong conversations with them. Today we went over singular words that turn plural with s, es, ies, whole word change, and no change. One thing that really made me smile was one of the boys in my class drew a really unique picture of a girl who looked very similar to me, but patterned. They are a really easy group to get along with and they just soak up the information we give them. Once we ran out of things on our schedule, we played hangman and I think they really got into it. It makes me happy to think we are making a difference in their world. Little do they know they are impacting our lives just as much as we are impacting their lives.
I have had such an outstanding experience here so far and am excited for what has yet to come. Even throughout some challenges, our group of amazing young adults has learned to come together and appreciate all of the little things in life. This trip is really helping me grow as a person, a community member, a friend, and a traveler. Even though I am excited to hug my family again, I do not want this to end, I don’t want to leave my new friends, and I don’t want to miss the amazing views of the beautiful Nicaragua. Thank you so much to all of the leaders here, they are making the trip perfect and we all love you very much.
Hi MIkaylah! Your post made me so happy! It gives a great picture into your Nicaraguan world!
Hey you guys! I’m glad that you all are writing these blog posts so that we can keep up with your adventures. I hope you all are doing well and getting the most out of this trip. Que la fuerza te acompañe todos.
I’m very grateful that you all are keeping us in the loop with the amazing things you all are learning and working on. I cannot imagine the growth you all are experiencing. I’m curious to know how you all are processing these experiences and what feelings/thoughts are coming up as each day comes to a close. What a wonderful way to grasp another perspective!
Shout out to all GG students! I’m so proud of you Emma, KK, and Khatami! <3
Mikaylah,
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful blog! I was so sad to leave you and your group yesterday and this gives a window into the amazing journey you are taking and the intentionality with which you are reflecting and growing through the experience. I know how strange it feels to jump between words and it is important to really feel that strangeness in order to understand inequality and how you and your peers will find in joy and happiness in your life while also balancing your journey with creating more just systems that support others to rise and thrive. I am sending BIG LOVE to the entire M2C group, I hope you will come together stronger over the final days of your trip and cherish even the hard moments. I know you will be stronger for this experience and I will cherish the depth that all of you brought to your Living Like a Local nightly meeting.
Abrazos fuertes and good luck with your CAP!
Eliza
What a huge contrast from poverty to luxury. I always astounds me how the two can live so close, even here in America! My heart hurts for those that were still ill and missed out on this Fun Day. Here’s hoping that whatever activities were missed will fall by the way side as the new daily adventures get underway! You Go Glimpsers and leave your mark that will not be soon forgotten.
These blogs are so fantastic to read! I hope you will be able to express your experiences and journeys to your peers when you get back. Keep positive, show mad love, and have fun. I am so proud of you, Hannah!!
So nice to hear your voice in you’re writing Mikaylah. Of course you got Fun Day! Sounds like a wonderful day and the whole adventure sounds amazing! How will you ever manage to eat chocolate back home when you’ve tasted it like that? Love you!
Great post mikaylah! I’m so happy you are having this adventure.
Wow! Miss you so much and I am very proud of all of you! This was incredible to read. My favorite two parts- and made me cry (surprise)
“It was hard not to think of how much fun the kids from yesterday would have if they got the same opportunity as we have today.” so much empathy!!
and “It makes me happy to think we are making a difference in their world. Little do they know they are impacting our lives just as much as we are impacting theirs.” so honored you and your team have this experience.
Thank you to all of you!! (and I can’t wait to see my kid) <3
Hey Mikaylah, what an amazing adventure you’re on! I can’t wait to hear more about it… over chocolate, you got me some chocolate, right? ??
AHHH!!!! So fun! It’s so great to hear a bit about your incredible adventure. Tell me more! The lagoon and chocolate factory sounds amazing! But, you’re right, the best part is impacting lives and making a difference in theirs and yours. Proud aunt moment! Live it up and soak in each experience. Love you <3
Mikaylah, this such a lovely post. I loved your use of descriptive details (sorry, the English teacher is coming out) as they created a vivid picture of the factory, the resort and your classroom. You are all making an impact, and as you so rightly point out, you are being impacted as well, probably in ways that you will not fully recognize until months or even years from now. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Mikaylah,
Beautiful writing! The memories that you will have to last a lifetime! So amazing! Thank you for making me feel like I was there, seeing it all!!
God bless and safe travels!!
Crystal and Jack
Wow Mikaylah, this is so heart touching! You are such an amazing writer! Love you all so much!!