Today was working like a local, so we had to wake up at 5am to get to our destination on time. We took a private bus to La Bastilla and from there we switched transportation. We rode on the back of a truck to the school and it was definitely a great experience. We drove through a tropical forest that reminded us a lot of Jurassic Park. Once we got to our destination we split into groups of four and worked with chickens, pigs, and a garden. Most of us also learned how to create cheese. We took a long hike to the Hotel La Bastilla which was a challenge for others, but we encouraged each other to keep going. The amazing buffet on the top of the hill was our reward. The food we had for lunch was rice, potato, veggies, french fries, fajitas “chinas”, and empanadas and coconut shavings with cajeta for dessert. After the long day, we finally got back to the hostel and presented our Community Action Project to the professors of Villa La Cruz. We decided to build a classroom for the school and the professors were extremely satisfied.
My peers, Samantha, and I learned that we have to be compassionate toward others, whether it’s waiting for your struggling teammate or encouraging your group to not be scared of touching chickens or pigs.
What surprised us the most was seeing all the chickens in the coop; there were so many chickens it was both incredible and scary because they would peck us constantly while we were in the coop. It didn’t hurt, though, so that was a relief.
Our group made us proud because the hike up the hill was exhausting, but many waited for one another so that was really nice of them. We all pushed ourselves to work our hardest.
The students of Bastilla inspired us because they worked for their school and helped maintain it. They had to do the work we did today every single day. Several of the Bastilla students had to travel an hour and a half just to get their education.This is very inspiring because, for the most part, our schools aren’t that far from where we live and we don’t have to do physically demanding work every day as part of our educations.
Being El Lider Del Dia and sharing the work with a partner was definitely challenging. It took a lot of hard work and responsibility to make sure we were on time and that everyone was safe. However, in the end Samantha and I enjoyed our day and so did our peers!
We learned that we have the capability to lead a group and lead them successfully. We also learned great team work skills and found out different ways to improve our leadership skills.
I’m loving all of these 5 AM wake-up calls! Amazing what you can accomplish in a day, if it starts before 10 AM! With many of you about to face the challenges of your Senior Year, imagine what you’ll accomplish starting your day at 5 AM at home!
Oh well,…. wishful thinking.
Love the blogs!
We were just thinking the same thing! Waking up this early makes our days so much more productive.
Way to go Ritika , I am glad to see you happy and having a good time and learning a lot from it. I am so proud of you .Love Dad .
I love you, too! Tell everyone that I miss them and don’t forget to water my plants.
-Ritika
Interesting foods you are served. Are you bringing home any recipes? Now you know where bacon and eggs really come from. Thanks for the photos of what you are doing. I look forward to the CAP description and pictures. Another early morning tomorrow? Aunt Kathie
Hi sis !! Its julia and mom and we miss you!!
It’s satisfying to know you’re having a good time:)
Can’t wait for you to come home so you can teach us what you’ve learned
Samantha was so excited to hear from you. She is doing amazingly well!
Good to know you are functional at that early hour! This is an eye-opening experience for all of you, and we are proud of what you are accomplishing. Thanks for the photos, and thanks for the food descriptions. Are you bringing home any recipes?
Hi Diana,
Mom and Dad….we are so happy and proud of everything you are experiencing and learning.Like you said: “All of this will make you stronger”.All that you are learning in this trip i am very sure you will accomplish all your goals.
Diana te quiero mucho te extrano pero se que esta esperiencia hacido mas facil para ti y ala vez esta siendo muy buena y divertida disfruta tus dias en Nicaragua hija te quiero mucho tu Mama 🙂
Hey sis!
I am truly admired by your strenght,courage and all you accomplished during your summer. You are an inspiration to me to know that everything is possible and that there is no limit to what a person can accomplish if they connect their heart to what ever the challenge is.Si se puede! Im so proud to have a sister like you Beautiful,Intelligent and very Strong.I think this summer you have found you inner strenght you had all along. Enjoy every second treasure every memory and live your trip to the fullest.I can go on but i know we will have time to catch up!Have fun!Love you and miss you!Baby and Simon says Hi!
This was so beautiful! It meant a lot to Diana to hear from you all back home. She has been so brave and kind this trip. Thank you for allowing us to “borrow” her for 2.5 weeks.
Nicely written, Samantha and Diana. You Glimpsers are supporting each other as you experience this different way of life. Photos and descriptions are most welcome! Are you bringing back recipes for these new food combinations? Early wake-up calls seem not to deter you! Aunt Kathie