Buenas Noches everyone! My name is Hayley Ng and I was today’s Leader Del Dia for our free day! We started the day off with breakfast at Imabite, then headed for the Central Plaza where we sipped on iced coffee from a French inspired coffee shop and various fruit smoothies at the Pitaya juice shop. At the plaza, we also had the opportunity to browse the different souvenir stands which housed necklaces, earrings, customizable bracelets, unique shirts, and other interesting Nicaraguan goods. After spending most of our morning exploring the city center, we paid a visit to a local supermarket where many of us were more than happy to stack up on snacks like crackers, candy, and cereal. Shopping was a very new experience for many of us, as we used the cordoba currency for the first time, where 29.7 cordobas equals 1 U.S dollar.
After our buffet style lunch at our beloved Imabite, many of us headed to the local internet cafe, where we got into contact with our families for the first time since we arrived here in Leon. Although there were some technical issues, many of us were able to spend precious moments reconnecting with family members. Many tears were shed, but we were ecstatic to be able to check social media and hear our parent’s voices. There was limited access, and the connection was unfortunately not the greatest, so for those who weren’t able to maintain a long conversation, have no fear: your children don’t hate you, they just didn’t have a signal. Having this opportunity to talk with our loved ones was a reminder to many of how homesick we were, but it also gave us motivation to keep going, as our families’ and friend’s words of encouragement was a great pick-me-up. Families and friends, WE MISS YOU!
Tonight we also had the amazing experience of tutoring English to some of the local Nicaraguans. We prepared a lesson plan, and although many of us were nervous to teach, once the classes began, we settled in and ended up having a great time. Interacting with our students was a challenge but not only was it a learning experience for them, but us as well. We grew as teachers, leaders, and people through our newfound abilities to connect deeply with our students. We also learned to improvise when things did not go as we expected. For example, many of our students were adults, and more fluent in English than we had previously expected. But NEVERTHELESS, we powered through and were actually effective in teaching them new material. These students proved to have great personalities and people willing to immerse themselves into a new language.
All in all, despite being a free day, we learned how to spend our free time wisely; in a way that is productive and fruitful. Being wise is also being mindful of our decisions and actions in the midst of enjoying ourselves. It is possible to have fun whilst making an impact as well. So far so good! Thanks for tuning in, and be sure to comment!
Signing off,
Hayley Ng
Buenas noche Hayley! Bien hecho!!!
Those fruit smoothies sound so good right about now! ???
Glad you guys had fun being the tutors. It can be tough to teach let alone doing it with a slight language barrier! With more practice, it will get easier.
WE MISS YOU TOO JONATHAN!!!
Hi Hayley, glad that you and the group have another fantastic day and also thanks for the call this afternoon, so good to hear your voice! Please give yourself enough time to rest given your busy schedule and can’t wait to talk to you again in a few days. Mommy and Jonathan said hi and miss you a lot, have a great night and we’ll talk soon. Much love, Dad…
Hi Hayley, glad that you and your group have another fantastic day and also thanks for the call this morning, so good to hear your voice! Please give yourself enough time to rest given your busy schedule, can’t wait to hear from you again in a few days. Mommy and Jonathan said hi and miss you a lot, have a great night and we’ll talk soon. Much love, Dad…
Hi Cherin! I hope you’re having fun, learning a lot, and making many friends at Nicaragua. I miss you a lot, and I can’t wait to hear all about your trip when you’re back!
Hi Cherin!
It’s Elliot. I miss you so so so much and I think about you all the time. I pulled three straight all-nighters for work and then slept in until 3pm, so that’s why I missed you today. I hope everything is going well for you and everyone else over there! Our president just posted a video on twitter of him fake wrestling a dude with the CNN logo on his face so that was a really great display of the values that our founding fathers laid down for America. One of the things that I really miss is you telling me to shut up, among many other things <3 I love you! Dat way!
Love,
Elliot
Ryan, it was fantastic to hear from you. Sounds like such s great trip! I’m not sure if you got to teach some of the locals English. But that sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
It also sounds like you are really getting to know the local area. That’s great !
I miss you. But I’m so happy for you!
Glad everyone got a day to relax and take in the city more casually. Enjoy hearing all about all that you are doing and lessons learned. Everything is a learning experience allowing you to grow! Alyssa -we miss you and think of you often. With all you have planned, the days pass so quickly, though. Sending our love and Mochi sends his licks!
Hey Equipo Barbaro. I’m Alyssa’s Auntie Di, enjoying all your blogs – Gracias! Glad to hear you are embracing every new experience, for each holds an underlying lesson I’m sure will find its way into your daily lives and influence how you develop as leaders and beyond. You are an amazing group and very fortunate to have this unique opportunity early in your lives. Love to all, – Auntie Di
Reya, it was so fabulous to hear your voice on the phone! Dad is extra angry at random telemarketers who caused him to ignore your unknown number. I hope tutoring went well – teaching is in your blood so you must have been great. We miss you! Granny finally comes home today. Happy 4th of July to all of you traveling Americans!
Love, Mom (and angry Dad)
Hi Justin and team, great job in tutoring and learning how to work through the language barrier, as you continue to explore and connect with people from a different culture.
Jus – We are happy to see you that you’re doing well. We miss you and can’t wait to hear more from you when you get back!
Love,
Mom, Dad & Kris
Hey Wendy!!! Omg I was so happy when you messaged me yesterday (: Although I was in class I was so excited. I miss you a lot and PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ! Enjoy it before you come back and have to deal with me !
Good job Hayley! I am Katherine, Jonathan’s sister. You guys are an inspiration to me. I wish all of you a Happy 4th of July.
Please take care and I miss you so much Jonnie!!!
Allie, while we weren’t able to speak on the phone given the bad connection when it’s your turn, you are looking great in these photos and I know you will get through this time period and feel stronger, gain valuable experience and have fun at the same time! Keep up the spirit and will talk to you soon.
Love, Daddoo 🙂
ALYSSSSAAAA!!!!!
I hope you’re having an experience of a lifetime! Use those awesome Spanish skills! (Ms. Morris) 😉 I cant wait to hear all about it when you get back! We miss you!
The pups send their love!
<3
Syd and the Pups