Hello, my name is Ariel Rivera-Diaz and today I was leader of the day. Today was not my scheduled day however, I made a decision that others have said was a great decision. I decided to step up to the plate and take a blind swing. To begin with we had a marvelous breakfast, followed by the Global Business Seminar. In the seminar, we spoke about globalization and its negative effect on developing nations. As leader, I decided to think of everyone’s personality in order to lead them in the right attitude. I came to the conclusion of just being myself. Soon we were on our way to Beneficio Don Esteban to visit a coffee facility and experience the coffee bean picking process. When I saw the process, I saw it as an art, the passion and the amount of effort that goes into the coffee picking is extraordinary; smelling, tasting, and protecting the coffee is how they are a successful facility. When we got back to the hostel we ate a welcoming lunch. After lunch we visited a coffee based restaurant and was treated with free iced coffee beverages. Barista, the name of the restaurant, is third in the nation of Nicaragua in the barista tournament and the customers are very loyal to the coffee bar. We got the opportunity to make Cappuccinos with the talented baristas. Beautiful designs were made and now we shall make our own Cappuccinos when we get back. A barrage of ideas happened during in our CAP 2 Seminar, that left us very inspired to help the Los Pipitos company, who gives help to disabled children. To wrap up, Nicaragua is filled with motivated souls and art filled coffee. Today we had a magnificent day, as a family and everyday the bond gets stronger.

The group at the coffee mill excited to learn how to classify coffee.

The group at the coffee mill excited to learn how to classify coffee.

Natalie smelling the essence of a good cup of coffee.

Natalie smelling the essence of a good cup of coffee.

Synthia and Caitlin getting ready to taste the coffee.

Synthia and Caitlin getting ready to taste the coffee.

At Barrista some of the girls were camera shy.

At Barrista some of the girls were camera shy.

Managed to get Allie to sem-pose for a shot.

Managed to get Allie to sem-pose for a shot.

Chloe, Bobbi, Maddie, and Caitlin with their bright wide-open smiles.

Chloe, Bobbi, Maddie, and Caitlin with their bright wide-open smiles.

Daniel more ready to nap than drink coffee alongside with his crew.

Daniel more ready to nap than drink coffee alongside with his crew.

Natalie, Synthia, Eryka, and Vanessa striking a pose before they devoured their food!

Natalie, Synthia, Eryka, and Vanessa striking a pose before they devoured their food!

Los dos gemelos (the twins) Ariel and our PC Dennis...they look so alike!

Los dos gemelos (the twins) Ariel and our PC Dennis…they look so alike!

Group selfie before our field trip to the coffee mill. We were so excited!

Group selfie before our field trip to the coffee mill. We were so excited!

Group discussion and planning for our CAP project for Los Pipitos. We are so excited to help and make sustainable difference.

Group discussion and planning for our CAP project for Los Pipitos. We are so excited to help and make a sustainable difference.

At Barrista - a coffee shop where we learned to make a cappuccino. Yum!

At Barrista – a coffee shop where we learned to make a cappuccino. Yum!

Quick pic by the bus before our trip to the coffee mill.

Quick pic by the bus before our trip to the coffee mill.