Hello everyone, this is Julia, el lider del dia reporting to y’all straight from Esteli Nicaragua. Today was our Reality Challenge: Living Like a Local Day, and it definitely was a challenge. What the challenge part of that means is that we all showered using a bucket and a cup, were prohibited from snacking, and ate smaller and simpler meals to experience some things that the locals do.
I woke everyone up bright and early at six to eat a breakfast of Gallo Pinto (rice and beans) and bread. Promptly after eating and dousing ourselves with sunscreen and bug spray, we boarded the bus to the community of Isiqui at 7:30. The drive was beautiful, as always. We drove thirty minutes through the verdant mountains of Nicaragua to arrive at our destination. After debarking the bus, we were split into different households each with our own host mom.
Over the course of the next four hours, we helped our moms with chores around the house. My host was named Flora and we packaged and helped her sell plantain chips. Other groups made tortillas, hand washed clothing, and swept. Each group had an amazing time getting to know their host. Through my conversation with Flora, I felt a wonderful and pure love emanated to us and to all that she met. She opened her home and her heart to us and I will definitely be taking back her lessons of kindness to others and joy for life back to the states.
At noon we all joined up back at the house of the community leader, Vermaline. We had rice and meat with peas and carrots to eat. To drink, we had tamarindo juice with chia. After eating we headed back to Esteli and had a meeting discussing the status of our fellow glimpser Rega who has been incapacitated for a few days due to injury. Unfortunately, she had to fly home. She was much appreciated as a part of our group and will be greatly missed. She was able to spend one last seminar, discussing our community action project, and a dinner consisting of beans and tortillas. As a parting gift we made and signed a card for her and picked up a cake from the local supermarket.
Quickly thereafter we went to teach our English students. Upon arrival back to the hotel we transitioned to our nightly meeting discussing highs and lows of the day. We also had a great discussion involving our question of the day: How can I change my situation if I currently live on one dollar a day? I then I passed the torch to Angela who will write the blog tomorrow for our much needed free day.
Well that was today. I’m signing off for tonight. Buenos noches! #RegaStrong
E 1 C – We Remain #RegaStrong! Love U Rega
Suzanna I am getting really good at putting these pictures on my phone and then zooming in enough to be able to tell which person is you! Wow, showering with a bucket and a cup. I cannot wait to hear all of your stories. Sounds like you all are getting to meet some fascinating and very admirable people. I am so sorry that one of your friends had to go home! Sounds like you all gave her a loving sendoff. I hope you all have an incredible free day tomorrow!!! Love, love, love you!!!! PS- was driving and listening to your music and it made me miss you even more!
Hello everyone as I am reading this blog I can hear the appreciation in your experience with the locals its such a reminder of how fortunate your are. what a great experience. I want to thank you all for showing so much love to my Rega she will miss you all. I will continue to fallow you all on this journey I enjoy ready about your day. Please be carful and safe and sleep wit the angels tonight. Hilda Porter.
Wow! Showering with a bucket and a cup sounds quite challenging. Sorry to hear about Rega.
Hey, Kayla…we miss you!! Tabby goes back to your room and sits on your rug. I’m sure she’s wondering where you are. Here’s the update on the Giants. The Giants acquired Eduardo Nunez from the Twins in exchange for a Minor League pitching prospect. I think he’s going to play 3rd base while Duffy returns. Joe Panik is back but unfortunately we lost last night to the Nationals. We remain hopeful. Love you, Mom & Dad
Awesome blog post Julia! Verdant, love it. I’m really glad you got the plantain chips since you love those so much. Happy to hear you are learning and experiencing so much and dousing yourself with bug spray. Keep up the good work! I’m excited to see how this trip has impacted you when you return. Things here in California are good and I am super busy with work. Love you and miss you!
Me again, Suzanna I just talked to dad who just talked to you!!!! I have had my phone attached at the hip and had to put it down for literally moments while I talked to someone in the waiting room and that’s when you called! I can’t believe I missed your call again, but I called dad right away so I got to hear through him how you are doing. So glad you got to sleep in today! I love you so much!!! We are so proud of you I can’t even put it into words!!
Muchas gracias por informarnos lo que estan haciendo me gusta ver las fotos y creo que es una buena experiencia que les va ayudar a todos como personas.
Me gusta mucho el programa y esos muy contenta que mi hija pueda vivir todas estas experiencias.Cuidate mucho ? Saoto.
Hola mi prima! This all looks so fun, we’re jealous. Hope you’re having a great time, love you!
I love the #RegaStrong you all came up with and the way that you have rallied around her. It has to be very tough for her to have an injury force her to come home early but your love for her is evident and appreciated by all. Big Love for that.
Parents, I tried to make the pictures a little bigger so they are easier to see.
Thanks for making the photos bigger. Definitely appreciate it.
Hi Justene and fellow glimpsers I know this experience will stay with you forever . So proud of all of you can’t wait to hear all about this when you get home!!sorry your fellow glimpser had to go home . pictures still could be a little bigger for us blind folks lol love you so much Justene love you mom