Today, Nayla (myself) was the first student leader of the day. We started off the day with breakfast, delicious watermelon, banana, and pineapple with yogurt, and fresh organic dragon fruit juice. Then we had a humbling seminar about culture focusing on how our privilege, being a world leader, makes it important to not only understand, but to be proactive in being genuinely involved throughout our time here. After this sobering conversation we started off our culture day by going to El Plomo (the neighborhood). Artesanias Mujeres del Plomo (the handicraft women of El Plomo) is a jewelry store that also works with the children of the community to help sustain an efficient community economy. Here in Nicaragua, conservation and using everything given is one of the most important things here. El Plomo keeps to that by using seeds as beads for all their jewelry, as well as recycled paper and bottles. It works as an interdependent relationship; the children in El Plomo collect the seeds, recycled bottles, paper, etc, and the women of El Plomo in return provide books and school supplies. The children then help make jewelry after the school day, and the staff in return provides a safe haven and tutoring. Here in Nicaragua, it’s important for women to step up, help, and be active in their community. So everyone in El Plomo does what they can. This touched every glimpser and GG leaders’ heart. Everyone bought at least 2-3 things at the very minimum (I’m proud to say I bought the most with Jasmine in a very close second). After building our own jewelry, we went to a local cooking class teaching us how to make a national dish, Nacatamales made with corn dough, well-seasoned chicken or pork, tomatoes, green peppers, olives, raisins, mint, rice, potatoes, special sauce and wrapped up in banana leaves and boiled for 3 hours. Our last culture experience of the day was going to a dance lesson. We wore the traditional skirts and learned dances from all influences that helped make the traditional Nicaraguan dance what it is today.

This the national flower of Nicaragua, Sacuanjoche.

This the national flower of Nicaragua, Sacuanjoche.

Traditional skirts worn during the Nicaraguan traditional dances.

Traditional skirts worn during the Nicaraguan traditional dances.

Everyone sat at the same table for today's lunch.

Everyone sat at the same table for today’s lunch.

Enjoying our lunch of nacatamles that we learned how to make!

Enjoying our lunch of nacatamles that we learned how to make!

Everyone hard at work on their bead projects.

Everyone hard at work on their bead projects.