Day Three! Su Pollo Listo started off our day, like everyday, with a smile and a plate of food. The ladies at Su Pollo Listo are fast becoming the most popular of our new friends here in Matagalpa! After desayuno we returned to the hostel for ‘Nica’ Spanish lessons followed by a brief history of Nicaragua and the revolution. Fascinating information, thanks to our leaders 🙂

The highlight of today’s seminars was a guest speaker, Doña Sonia, a revolutionary ex-guerrillera fighter. The students were able to meet and speak with Sonia as she shared her real-life experience fighting with the Sandinista army. It was very moving and thought provoking to hear about life in a country torn by revolution and the experiences of one woman among many, fighting alongside men to free her country from the Somosa regime.

After lunch and a brief rest we readied ourselves for a 3km hike up Cerro El Calvario. It turned out to be an adventurous bonding experience for the students and GG leaders as we hiked up El Calvario in the rain. When we reached the top, the down pour temporarily blocked the amazing view but couldn’t dampen our spirits. Everybody took advantage of this opportunity to take lots of pictures of each other and then, of course, there was some sort of impromptu sing-a-long and other antics while we waited for the rain to break. Without a doubt, the short cut down the hill through, the dense jungle, was the ‘rose’ of today’s hike. We loved it!

After the hike, everybody went to the local grocer (we also exchanged USD for Cordobas today) and had fun buying treats, then it was off to cena for a quick dinner before returning to Don Popo Hostel for our nightly meeting and self-reflections.

As I complete this daily blog, the students are finishing up a game of charades, which has fast become a nightly ritual around here. Soon they will be going to bed for a 5 a.m. wake-up call. That’s right, tomorrow is Reality Challenge Day! Tomorrow’s blogger will have to fill you in, so until then, thanks for tuning in and check back tomorrow.

GG Leaders – Erick and Leila

Heading up!

…and up

…until we reached the top

photo ops

Vista point on top of Cerro El Calvario. Just to the left of the big, white Catedral is the hostel we are staying in. See if you can find the big, yellow bus parked out front of the hostel!

the view coming down were awesome too

slippery route down but way worth it.