Dear diary,
So it all started on July 10,2015, in Granada, Nicaragua. It was the fourth day of the trip, this is how it went down. As leader of the day, I woke everyone up at 6am since we only had an hour to change and get ready. When it was finally 7, our coordinators Ena and Mac came to guide us to our breakfast location, el comedor la favorita. The glimpses, including me, ate wonderful tasty breakfast with consisted of huevos rancheros and sausage. We had an academic seminar which gave us a better understanding of aiding countries in a positive way or bad way. We were separated into two groups and presented a skit that explained the pros and cons of helping other countries which gave us a laugh and it was educational at the same time.
After the seminar, we took a VIP bus to the school where we will be doing our community action project. Today was a day of discovery. We discussed ways to make students feel safe and happy being at school. The school has many needs, including; windows, playground, benches and areasnto be planted. We as a group haven’t decided what to do since we are on a budget and we have to make something that impacts the school in a good way. We couldn’t enter the school since the gates were closed, but we looked at the school from a distance. After this we took our VIP bus to a special place, called Hotel con Corazon. What made this hotel so unique is that it is a non-profit hotel, they use the extra money they receive to give scholarships to students and provide extended learning opportunities for local elementary students as well as supporting secondary schools. We took a couple of group selfies in the front of the hotel.
After saying our good byes, we walked to the Café de las Sonrisas, a place that supports workers of special needs. the owner and guest speaker was the one the only Tio Antonio who shared an inspiring story about how he fell in love with Nicaragua and how he wanted to help individuals who are less able. So he opened a restaurant/hammock factory that employs individuals with different handicaps. There, we ate delicious burritos, drank delicious coffee and ate a great banana dessert served to us by deaf workers. After lunch, we were given ear plugs and experienced what it was like to be deaf. Then we broke up into groups and explored the factory. We added to the never ending hammock, worked on the looms and learned how to spell our names using sign language. We went back to the hostel to prepare for our first English tutoring class. Then we walked to the school, which sadly was closed as the students are on break. So we went to the hostel and played “questions in a hat” to get to know each other, which I can personally say helped our group bond. Then we did some relaxation exercises and hugged individually as a family and then a group hug. From there we prepared to go to dinner, and enjoyed hamburgers with french fries. Yummy food for my tummy as people said back in the good old days.
P.S. From Truong- Thanks Vivian for checking up, Granada’s super fun. Mom, Dad and Kimberly, I’m calling tomorrow so be near your phones.
From: Araceli Riestra
Gustavo Velazquez mom. Hola Gustavo me da gusto que te la Estes pasando muy bien con tus compañeros y que Estes conociendo la costumbres y cultura de Nicaragua. Disfruta tu estancia hijo. De tu mamà que te quiere muchisimo. Cuidate mucho hijo. 😀
Muchas gracias por publicar blogs cada noche! Nos disfruta leyendo los blogs. Me alegro de que usted está teniendo un gran tiempo. Espero que Min tiene oportunidad de hablar español con los nativos de allí. Ten un buen viaje!✌️
Hello Glimpsers. It sounds like you had a fun-filled day, and very educational at that! I look forward to hearing about your first English tutoring day and learn about the kids you teach.
Elizabeth, I bet you will learn more Spanish in the process. By the way, did you learn sign language, and how difficult is it to make a hammock? I love that you are learning so much over there, and I am so proud of you! I love and miss you and can’t wait to see you in two weeks! ❤️
Dear Elizabeth and all the Glimpsers,
I am really enjoying reading all the blog posts but this one I think is my favorite so far. I really think Global Glimpse has put together a fantastic program to expose you all to people and groups that are making the world a better place. Organizations like Hotel con Corazon providing scholarships and people like Sr. Antonio helping others less able are great role models for how to leave the world a better place and lead a fulfilling life. I’m so thankful that you have this opportunity to experience these things first hand. I hope your years of Spanish study is paying off for you on this trip. I know you are making the most of your time there and absorbing all the great things they have to offer. Elizabeth, we miss you terribly but are so happy for you to have a wonderful time. I’m so proud of you for making the choice to have such a valuable experience. I Love You! Papa…. p.s. Mama can’t stop thinking about you, Maya is keeping your bed warm and Ruben just wants a big belly rub.
Yes, it is wonderful to hear all the blogs and your experminents and adventures.
Was banana dessert fried? Love seeing the pictures.
Anyone homesick yet?? Lol. Have a good journey today global glimpse!
ayyyyyy vic!!! I came back 2 days after you left! I have tons of stories for you bro. Some crazy stuff happened out in costa rica man! I got my Ls too!!!! teggyboizzzzz ayyyyyy
i got your souvineer at my house so when you come back ill give it to you, have fun! make the most out of it because its a chance of a lifetime!
Hi Victor/Boba! Happy 8 months! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to pick up your call, I got your voicemail and message. I was at San Francisco and my phone was on silent. But I hope you and everyone else is having a great time over there! I hope to hear from you soon again and actually pick up and respond! Okay, I miss you a lot and a lot!
Me da gusto que la esten pasando tan bien y lo mucho que estan aprendiendo .solo me gustaria que pusieran mas fotos . Gracias por compartir con nosotros sus experiencias we miss you jorge .
Glad you all are learning lots and having fun doing so. Truong, stay safe and don’t get too dark. Just kidding, get as dark as you please. The Key Club Ohana isn’t the same without the president checking up on us. No worries though because things are going smoothly. Don’t worry about us and just continue on doing great things. MISS YOU LOTS AND DON’T FORGET TO SMILE WITH THE EYES!
Mami como estas y ojala te estes dibertiendo mami desde aqui yo estoy pidiendo mucho por ti para que todo te balla bien. Hey gaby the girls and i were glad to hear your voice today we love you brianna said she loves you from here to the moon and back xoxo. I know you are home sick right now but im sure you will not regret it one bit when you come back enjoy it (YOLO) lol.
Hey gaby how are you hope you are having lots of fun enjoy your days over there we love you the kids said hi and have fun and lots of friends
Hello glimpses,
Your adventure is so inspiring! To hear how you are all pulling together to keep heads up and form bonds that will encourage all bothers around the community there and here! Your strength as young leaders are so uplifting! Keep up the good work, and keep enjoying every minute there! We all miss you but we are all so proud of each and everyone of you for taking this wonderful adventure! Sending love from cali
And kat it was amazing to hear your voice you are so loved and we are so darn proud of you!
Hi Vic! We all miss you much! We’re glad to see you and all the glimpsers are having a wonderful and experimental time. We’re so proud of you & the rest of the glimpsers! We cant wait to see you and all of the photos of your fun and inspirational adventures. We love you!