Today was an early day for all of us here at the hostel. We woke up at 6 except for a select few who decided to work out at 5:30 in the backyard. We left for the mango co-op, comfortable in the cool air conditioning of the bus. Even though it took us 40 minutes to get to the mango farm, it was worth the wait.
The view was gorgeous and the house was simply lovely. We ate our banana leaf tamales on the porch and had a light pomegranate juice to wash it down. The representative of the co-op, Bismarck, and some others spoke to us about the agriculture and work they did with the fruits they grew. The main mango the grow is the Rosa. Apparently it has the biggest American market and is the favorite of our speakers. They sell their mangos to a fair trade company based in the US to be dried and processed. Their goal is to start processing the mangos themselves to cut out the middle man. After the speaker, we hiked in the farm area and worked up quite a sweat and got free mangos.
Then we drove to la favorita and ate lunch which consisted of pasta, salad, rice, and plantain chips. Then we had free time. Some went back to the hostel while others got gelato and went to the internet café. Then it was tutoring, but we almost got lost because of a parade that was going on commemorating a Sandinista victory in the war. Tutoring was fun but everyone was excited for dinner in which we had plantain empanadas with a salad. We began our walk back to the hostel, but stopped to watch the performers we met on Monday. They lit batons and a hoola hoop on fire to perform a very dangerous looking dance of flames. We went back to the hostel and had our nightly meeting with Victoria telling a joke to earn the torch. Overall, it was a good day to be in Nicaragua.
Gwen[Jamie’s mom], hello all great pictures, Thanking you for sharing..luvu Jamie..
Yum, mangoes, fresh or dried, they are all good. Glad to hear that they can sell via fair trade in the U.S. I’ll be looking to pick up some mangoes this weekend due to your fabulous experience and our love of the fruit.
I’m hoping you can teach us to prepare some of the foods you are experiencing in Nicaragua.
Wow it sounds like there has been a lot of celebrations lately! I’m curious, what were the other kinds of mangoes like?
Hey Jamie, glad you’re enjoying yourself & the food looks delicious! Maybe you can bring some home, thank God y’all made it safe & I pray that whatever you guys do, have a blast. Miss you much, your dad James E Morgan
Hi Bryn!
It was great talking to you on the phone. 🙂
I imagine the air conditioned bus ride was a pretty good treat. Just looking at the pictures, I might think the mangos were Easter eggs! It would be nice if we could grow a mango tree in our back yard, but I think its probably not warm enough here.
Jon Fuller (Bryn’s dad)
Mango farming sounds pretty interesting. Drying the product sounds like a good marketing approach.
Things are cooler here in CA. We are down at least 10′ from the triple digit highs.
Another fun day, Thanks Bryneth.
I’m glad you all have a chance to see, to learn, to have experience of living in the “strange land” without family but your teachers and friends. I am very happy and appreciate GG for giving you the opportunity to join this trip. On the other hand, it is a huge challenge each day living without you. I feel like I live half of myself. I kept counting everyday to get you back so I can live my whole. hehehe…
Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.
Many thanks to Miss Erin Bruemmer, Miss Holly Istas, Miss Carla Mora, and Miss Valerie Burgos for taking our roles to take care of our children.
So much appreciated!!
Fresh mangos, AWESOME. OK I have to ask how does one eat a mango? I Think I have only had dried mangos.Is it a peel like a potato or eat like an apple kind of thing? Inquiring minds want to know. When I first saw the picture of the basket of mangos I felt like I was looking at a bowl of Easter eggs.
Hey Bryn, speaking of pomegranate juice, there was an accident this morning right in front of the zip line spot we’re going to. A tanker truck carrying 3000 gallons of pomegranate juice was hit and lost its whole load on to the roadway. It is reported to be a really sticky situation.
It feels like you are all getting avery diverse view of Nicaragua, I think I am a little envious. Also enjoying the blogs and pictures keep up the good work. Lots of love from the PNW.
I agree with Kimberly Nguyen above, you have a rock start quartet of superstar adult trip leaders!! You guys look like you are having an extraordinary fun and powerful delegation, keep it up!
Thanks, Brent and Kim! We are so fortunate to have this amazing group of kids!
Hey Hannah, bet you loved the mangos! Sounds delicious. What fun. Great to talk to you yesterday so good to hear your voice,I could hear you smiling. Dad says “hi” and he is so glad you know how to eat a mango, ha ha. I bet they are sweeter than what we get here. And of course, I’m going to say,(cuz you know me)” don’t get stained by the pomegranate juice.”
Love M&D
Sounds fun. I love mangos. Love hearing abt the adventures and be fun times. Love June
Dear Mimi,
i love you and miss you.
love,
your loving brother Alex 🙂
This sounds like so much fun!!!!! I am so proud of you for going out and doing this! I am so glad that you are enjoying yourself 🙂 Love you and miss you so much! Stay safe and have fun!!!!
<3Mary
Sounds like you are having a ton of fun Bryneth. I am so proud of you(and definitley a little jealous) so have even more fun for me. I miss you little girl.