Hello friends and family, this is Devin and Kelsey writing about our Fun Day visiting Somoto Canyon.
The day started with an early 5:30 wakeup call. We loaded onto a bus and picked up some local firefighters to make sure we were safe on our adventure. On the bus, we enjoyed bananas, ham sandwiches, and juice while listening to Selena (courtesy of Alfredo). We arrived in the closest town to the canyon where we met the tour guides and were fitted into our life jackets. We arrived at the canyon 15 minutes later and oddly saw a bull with a hanging rope around its body to restrict its movement due to a broken back.
We all had different expectations, but upon arriving at the entrance, we were all surprised to see we were in for quite a hike. We waded through mud and crossed a river hand in hand (and in our socks and shoes!). After a few slips and falls on the rocks, we finally made it to the boats that took us up the river toward the canyon. The scenery was much more beautiful than any of us expected. There was tall lush greenery surrounding us, beautiful mountains on both sides that narrowed as we approached, and a steady fog and mist that kept things interesting. When we arrived to the white water where the boats could not pass, we waited patiently on the rocks for the guides to pull rope through the water ahead of us. Despite the help from our guides, the task still proved to be very difficult.
After two hours, we made it to the waterfall, and although we didn’t get to see it because it was too dangerous to approach, we watched as our guides jumped from the rocks high above the group. One even did a backflip! The ascent back down toward the boats was much easier as we only had to float with the current. We stopped to take a half hour break on the rocks to rest and eat snacks. Thankfully, we all made it back safely to the bus despite many close calls. Back at the bus, we immediately changed out of our sopping wet clothing. The hike, swim, and climb experience was challenging but very enjoyable.
Obviously, the Glimpsers were very hungry so we enjoyed a gut busting meal at at a Somoto buffet called, “Carne Asada: El Buen Gusto.” They served us heaping plates of BBQ chicken, pork, and beef. They also had fried potatoes with cheese, tacos, gigantic fried enchiladas and many other things. The plates were certainly American portions, and our eyes were probably bigger than our stomachs. We all left content with our meals and buckled in for an even longer trip back to Estelí. We arrived at Hostel Tomabu at 4:30 where some of us stayed to have a much needed rest while others left to call home for Father’s Day. We returned to the hostel at 6:30 to prepare for tutoring tomorrow as well as to take a survey to improve future Global Glimpse trips. At 7:00, we made our way to Buffet Estelí to enjoy yuca and pork rinds even though many of us were too full from lunch to finish the delicious meal. We returned to the hostel to conclude with our reflection and daily nightly meeting and pass the torch to tomorrows LDDs Jackie and Adrianna. There was a nice “energizer” moment for the group as well when we traded turns answering uplifting questions about each other by tapping the shoulders of those that inspire us. Big love.
Devin and Kelsey: your post left me speechless! An adventure, that required fire fighters??? I had to google Somoto Canyon. So beautiful!!! It sounds like the hike was a pretty hairy physical challenge, but worth it, even if you didn’t get to see the waterfalls. I bet the floating part was super fun. Thanks for letting us know about your incredible day.
—Jenne, Tyler’s ‘rent
[Tyler: It was a slow Sunday. Met up with Franny and Simon to write political postcards, then took a nap and read GOT. The dogs are fine. The snake is fine. It’s been hot, but it finally cooled off at night. Later I woke up in the wee hours to a pouring thunder storm that lasted like five minutes. Miss you and love you so much!]
What an adventurous day, Kel! Thank you and Devin for the sharing. Thank you so much for the call. It is the best Father’s day gift, it is from so far and so special. You guys get up so early every day and have such a full agenda. Take good rest when you can and be safe.
Kels!!
Hi again! Sounds like you’re having loads of fun and food 🙂
Update on me: I’m at San Diego now and the labs are filled with super smart Asian kids. Even ap bio couldn’t prepare me for this!!!
Miss you lots and stay safe on your trip! Can’t wait for you to come back so we can minecraft:) <3 Z
Hey kelsey poo!!!Sounds like ur having so much fun!!! I can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip when u get back and we can hang out and go places! Brady misses u lots too hahahah like honestly I don’t understand why he loves u more than me. We are going up to Toronto and Boston and so when we see each other next we can fill each other in on what our trips were like!!! I MISS YOU SO MUCH STAY SAFE BESTIEEE
<3, HAYLEY :)))
Sounds like an amazing adventure! The group seems to have had its share of experiences during the trip. Some seem quite meaningful and even challenging. I’m sure it’s quite a different perspective from the U.S. Can’t wait for you to get back Adriana so that we can set out on our own hiking adventures 😉 Miss you VERY much!
Wow! Can’t wait to see pictures you took, Daisy!
Wow, what an adventure! Hiking, boats, waterfall, and top it off with a delicious meal. It doesn’t get any better than that. 🙂
Thank you Devin and Kelsey for a great report of your day. I’m glad you all returned back to your area safely. It sounds lmgreat and so much fun but little scary adventure. I bet the waterfall is beautiful. Take care you all and be safe. The food sounds good and delicious as well. Just can’t wait to see pictures of your adventure.❤️
I would like to wish my son Devin Jensen, HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY. I wish you all the best and hope you had a great time and more fun adventures spent with your fellow glimpsers on this special day. I love and miss you so much❤️.
Mom.
Happy birthday, Devine! -your partner Kelsey’s mom
Kelsey,
What a adventure! Devin and you did a fantastic job! We were in the car when you called yesterday. I was so glad to hear your voice and you made daddy so happy. When you come back, we will 出去吃!?
Hello sister!
It’s lonely at home without you and sometimes scary at night because I hear things moving and the walls make noises every so often…
..and they are coming from your room! ??????
Hope you are having a fun trip; be safe and come home soon!
Kelsey! Lit post! Hope you’re having fun! Just got my permit today haha I’m catching up!
Yo wats up Kels.
Just wanna say I am impressed with your hiking skills. Never have I known that you were able to be so athletic and skilled in the physical efforts of propelling your momentum forward in an onward progress upwards in an ascent to a figurative and literal goal. But for real, the food sounds really good so please cook it for me when you get back. Also hopefully this trip made you rusty on Smash Bros.
I can’t do the metaphorical representation of a heart with the less than sign (<) and then numerical value of 3, therefore I will bless thee with a much more materialistic sign that hopefully conveys a positive ideal of friendship and happiness.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Stay fresh with Old Spice my dude!
-Andrew Taco Zhang
Hey Kels 🙂
Sounds like yet another awesome adventure! I hope you’re doing well and have found some cool new friends. I can’t wait till your back so we can hang out! I miss our FaceTime calls. The food also sounds super good. I came back from Cabo and am at least 2 shades darker oops. Make sure to stay safe! Love you lots.
xx,
Emily
Kelsey,
Hey Kelsey!! I’m writing this up from my camp at Sacramento and it looks like you are having a load of fun! I’m expecting to hear a lot of stories for when we both come back bud. Stay safe and hydrated!
-Justin (let’s play bedwars when we both come back)
Wow wonderful adventure GG, I love to see you’re all having fun? … Paulette mi nina aventurera Te amo,
Eyo Kelz!!
I hope you aren’t feeling too homesick right now because you would be jealous of me, locked up in my room playing bed wars solo…
You have yet to use all the Dong Passes, and I cannot wait till you get back so we can all hangout and have pool parties and minecraft parties and party parties!!!
Also, you don’t have to hold back your tears while reading this 🙂
Come back safe!!
-Dong Dan
Happy to see that everyone are still in good spirits after the last couple days of exhaustive work. Would have loved to see more photos of Somoto Canyon in early morning mists but glad that everyone enjoyed the outing… even without jumping off the rocks.
LA, we are back home from SD. Jet as usual gave us the cold shoulder but tried to get our attention by nonchalantly lying in our paths (thinks he’s ever so subtle). Of course he dropped all pretenses when I took out the treats. Needless to say we are pals again…Take care and take lots of pictures and notes. LMD.
Wow!!! What an incredible sounding day! A little scary reading many close calls but I’m sure it was exhilarating!!! Love you lots Kamryn and can’t wish to hear more when you get home!!! Xoxoxo Mom
Hey Kel!!
It’s so exciting reading your post about your adventurous day!! It sounds like a lot of work but I’m sure you are enjoying it as well!! The part about the buffet is very entertaining and it’s definitely a great reward for your hard-working day!
I really hope to see you soon and hear about your exciting adventure!! Take care!!
Guai