Dear family and friends,
We had our second Fun Day today by taking a day trip to Somoto Canyon for a hike and swim adventure. We woke up at 5:00-5:30, picked up our mixed fruit breakfast and lunches at Buffet Estelí and headed out to pick up our fireman volunteer on the way to Somoto. The excitement was palpable on the bus despite the early hour. I recalled a conversation Frannie and I had at the Farmers Market yesterday when she said that this fun day was going to be her “favorite day, besides (yesterday), and all of the other days so far.” We have done so many new and exciting things during our trip so far, but we are certainly looking forward to each new day.
Our 1 kilometer hike into the canyon was rocky and steep at times, but we were excited to catch our first glimpses of the river.
The bus ride to Somoto took about one hour and forty minutes. We picked up our guides and the life vests and then took a short drive to the trail. The first part of the hike was primarily uphill or steeply downhill, prompting several of us to wish we had hit the gym before embarking on this journey to train for the hiking. In the end, I was grateful for the warm up it provided us with.
We were able to take a water break once we reached the water. We were pretty hot after hiking in swim gear and a lifejacket, so some people followed our guide’s example and tested out the water to cool off and get acclimated.
Angelic, Jessica, Carla, Leeza and Jenny pose for a picture during a break.
Water and rest break before beginning the aquatic portion of the adventure.
We had an excellent time floating, walking, and even jumping in the water off rocks that were between 5-15 feet high. As we traversed the canyon, we were awed by its natural beauty and the flora and fauna. There were even tiny bats hanging from indentations (they were not big enough to be caves) higher on the cliff walls. There were some intimidating water spiders measuring about 4 inches across from leg tip to leg tip. We also came across 2 Sacuanjoche blossoms (plumeria) floating in the river.
This picture is not of our group, but shows how we all jumped off a rock into the water. It was scary, yet exhilarating.
This is what the canyon and water looked like.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and it was time for us to take a short boat ride to the trail we took to meet up with the bus. We did make sure to enjoy the ride as we sang “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in a round. Once we got back to the bus, we changed and had a delicious lunch and another of our favorite juices.
Hiking out of the canyon was fun and challenging. This was taken before it got steep.
After dropping off the guides and lifejackets, we made a quick stop for some special “biscuits” as our leader Bryan calls them. Snack in hand, One Direction and Demi Lovato blaring on the sound system courtesy of Jenny’s iPod, we made our nearly 2 hour drive back to Estelí.
There was no rest for the weary as glimpsers needed to get changed, hang up wet clothes, and get organized to make purchases for the CAP project. Jenny, Frannie, Amanda, and Bryan took care of securing 45 tires as a donation. Everyone else went to secure other supplies including shovels, paint, paint brushes, cement, buckets, and a soccer ball in a net. Jessica took the lead in talking to the store owners, Clara and Crystal were in charge of logistics and the shopping list, and Sean was in charge of accounting. Everyone else helped select and transport the supplies. We are all looking forward to commence the delivery of the project. I am sure this awesome group of glimpses will be successful in completing their project while having a good time.
The group is getting ready for their night on the town, so I must sign off. Please leave us comments, hearing your words at the nightly meetings are among our favorite moments of the day.
Shout out to Evelyn, my awesome TA, and all of my family and friends who encouraged me to come on this trip. Today’s field trip was absolutely amazing and the (highest) highlight of the trip so far.
Much love,
Renee
Francesca
Sounds so fun. Icant wait to see pics.
Francesca…I hope you are taking tons of picures!!
So for your first meal when you get back I was thinking of making veggie sushi. And loaded Enari.
Or
Indian food /chaats
😀
Come home soon. I need another girl here.
Ps I made vegan cashew cheese (paneer ) today. I will let you know how it turns out after I drain it over night.
❤❤❤❤mom
Bats?! Big, hairy spiders?! Jumping off rocks in a river canyon?! So cool to see you guys mixing the pleasure with the work down there. Y’all are actually mixing it up with new people and new environments, as opposed to reading about it or Googling it . Leaders- thanks for getting everyone up early everyday to explore these new life experiences! Go E2A!
Hey Amanda.
We love you and miss you very much. Can’t believe you had to listen to One Direction, is that why you look a little teary-eyed? Do they listen to shoegaze over there? JK. Call me on your next free day. And I sent you a bunch more emails.
See you in 6 days.
Love, your sister Gabby
Hi, all,
It feels that your days and posts are getting better each day! Every evening, we look forward to reading your update and were moved by the incredible efforts you made and fun you had.
The canyon looks so beautiful and the water crystal clear. May be a bit warm for hiking but what a place for a boat ride and swimming! Sean, did you like the swim and jump? I would be so excited to do so if I were there… Oh, by the way, we got San Diego today and are also very excited seeing Alvin.
Good you see that your CAP project is coming together and you are all confident about its success.
Keep up glimpsers. Have good time and be healthy/safe.
Love.
You all have done a great job blogging letting us know of your adventures and challenges each day. Thank you. I look forward to reading the blogs each night.
Hey Bon Bon the water looks nice! I hope you’re enjoying yourself. Come back soon i’m waiting to hear tails of your adventure in person.
Always, Charlie
Hello Carla were so happy to see you enjoy those beatiful experiences with all. Were proud of you. We miss you. Pero sabemis q este era yn viaje muy importante e interesante y estamos contentos todos de q hayas logrado tener esta oportunidad. Y tammbien queremos desearte q pases un FELUZ CUMPLEAÑOS y te esperamos pronto. Dont forget enjoy every moment. Saludos para todos.
I want to go to Francesca’s house when you all get back, – sounds like her mom is going to be making an incredible feast!! Seriously, I hope all you Glimpsers will keep the bonds that you have made together over this unique experience. Maybe I missed something about what you decided to do for your CAP project; I’m reading the list of supplies: 45 tires (?!), paint, cement, shovels, buckets, and a soccer ball? I need more clues!! I’m sure it will be much appreciated whatever it is. Clara – I would also appreciate to see your face in one of these blog updates, one day, too! I can’t believe you are camera shy! (well I did get a mini glimpse of you cutting taro) Hope you are feeling better with your new medicines – watch out for ankle or other joint pain. A big shout out to teachers Renee and Bryan for making this trip possible. Also a shot out to our NWT (National Women’s Team) soccer players who take on China today (Fri 6/26) in the Women’s FIFA world cup match in Ottawa, Canada. Team Esteli – Keep soaking in all the new and different things you are learning, keep your minds & hearts open, and oh yea, keep having fun! xoxxxoxo
The water looks good, so inviting especially with the hot weather we’ve been having here lately (near 100). I fell in the pool yesterday trying to move the vacuum that was stuck to the wall, so I stayed in the water for a few minutes just to cool off. Your mom, my daughter, has been staying up later than usual these days, so I know she’s been missing you. But I think Uncle Randy misses you the most as he counts the days until July 1st – less than a week. I hope you have lots of pictures to share. Love and Miss You!
Mama G
Greetings from Sunny California,
We are having a heat wave our first week of summer!
Another adventurous day I see. Great job on your Canyon hike. I’m sure you worked off some calories for these special biscuits. So what were these “grand” things like?! Well, what is a canyon hike and swimming in local waters without some Esteli insect friends like water spiders? Yikes!
Ms. Ally, I am literally sitting at your house, writing you now! Miss you and so happy to see all the wonderful things you and the team are accomplishing together. You are are future and such great examples for your peers back in the states. We are going to dinner for my birthday so wish you were here. But don’t worry, I will eat your cupcake for you!
Get good rest everyone and take care….
Love, Auntie Karen
Hi Carla this is a special mesage for you. Every body send to you at specials wishes for you HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
Happy Birthday, Carla!
Hey Amanda! Hope the trips going well. Decided to drop in and say hey. It looks like you had alot of fun kayaking. That’s pretty snazzy my friend. I decided to make this comment informal because cmon. It’s me. I never talk like that.We miss you over here in California.I’m sure youre making a lot of new memories there. Stay safe my hardworking friend. I send my love your way.Keep making change:)