Hi, my name is Melanie. I go to Chelsea High School, in Massachusetts and I was the Leader del Dia. Today, we woke up at 6:00 a.m. and had really good breakfast which was some scrambled eggs, gallo pinto and some salad with a natural, sweet pineapple juice. After breakfast we had a fun game called “Captain on Deck” to wake people up. Then are Global Glimpse Leaders Erin & Jose gave us a lesson about business in Nicaragua and what fair trade is about.
When we finished we got ready for our field trip to Beneficio de Cafe, were we learned about what machinery they use to pick the right product, and the whole process of making coffee to be able to transport. Our host had a little suprise for us, in which we got to get a feeling of a process they do to determine the smell, the flavor and the acidity of the coffee. We enjoyed the surprise and were so eager to get to smell and taste the coffee and learn how the taste can vary on the quality of the bean. We ended the tour buying coffee, which is all fair trade!
We then got to go to the Castillo de Cacao (Chocolate Factory), were we learned some history of the cacao and where they grow, how to tell when they’re ready to harvest from the tree. Then the host gave us a tour on the whole process of making chocolate and the machinery the cacao beans go through to be turned into chocolate, she also showed us when they put some other ingredients to either make it a certain flavor or for the chocolate to have cashews. Then we ended out tour being able to buy chocolate either for us or to take home for family or friends.
Being El Lider Del Dia was really nerve racking at first because I was so scared because I didn’t want people to think I’m being mean, when in reality I have other intentions. I just wanted to get on time to our activities and to be able to take advan tage of that opportunity because not a lot of people get to experience what were learning and doing. As the day went on I started to get the hang of things and reminded people to drink their water, to refill their water before we left. Also giving people reminders of when the next activity or event is and making sure everyone can hear me and no one is lost through out the day, so everyone can know and feel prepared with question to ask. Overall, today I learned to be confident in myself!
You guys look like enjoy a lot of coffee and cocoa. Good to hear that you learned more about the process of making chocolate, which i assume most of you enjoy. A lot of pictures give a clear view of what you guys are doing there.
Forget schools, examines, tests, and colleges. Just have a good time and enjoy the best part of your lives.
But be careful and take care of each other. You get it, good boys and girls?
This day sounds like a "Delicious" day!Enjoy!
I have a feeling this particular day must have been an exciting one for Sophia, a big chocolate-and-coffee-phile! How awesome to see first hand the process of selecting the perfect beans for import, learning the big business of coffee, and the importance of fair trade. I hope you were able to pick-up and buy some coffee to bring home!
Much love to Sophie, and take good care everyone!
How fun and interesting today must have been. I bet the process of making chocolate is a lot harder than we think. Oh and to get to smell all the coffee…..yum!
Thomas I hope you are bringing home some chocolate for us!!!
I bet both the coffee and chocolate smelled so good! What a great experience to learn so much about the variety of coffee. Oh and you will get more and more confident in being a leader and speaking up when needed as you go thru life. It is hard…we have all been there. Enjoy yourselves…
Wow!! That’s so cool to see 1st hand how we get our coffee & chocolate. I can see from the smiles on your faces how much fun you’re having. Y’all even manage to look very cute in the white caps. I’m sure our Global Glimpser is bringing back some Fair Trade coffee to Castro Valley . Btw, quick msg for Keilani, my phone is not working so I’m having share your dad’s phone to read the blogs. We’re so thrilled you’re learning to much and expanding your world view! Your dad says, “Meow”