good vibes, hard rain

hello beautiful people. sorry i havent posted anything in a while, ive been trying to keep myself busy with other things and away from the computer.

in between community visits, workshops, and torrential downpours, ive been able to fit in a couple of trips to help me keep my sanity. last weekend we were able to borrow a friend's truck and drive down to the pacific coast at San Juan del Sur. there were 6 of us but only room for 3 in the cab so Bidkart, Pedro, and I got to ride in the back for a couple hours...

it was really great until it started pouring...by the time we got there the rain had stopped and the sun came out. its a pretty beautiful beach and it was nice to see some unpolluted water and wildlife for a while. we stayed there most of the day, explored the rocks on one side (which were so beautiful that i realized afterwards that i took way too many pictures of rocks...), and left just in time to catch another storm the whole way home.

we weren't able to make much progress last week because our workshops and community visits were repeatedly canceled as a result of the awful weather and some communication issues...anyway, we were able to spend more time planning our workshops for this past sunday and this upcoming week. we had a workshop yesterday at Paz y Vida and worked a little more on community building, cooperation, teamwork, and communication. it was also a celebration for mother's day, so it was pretty nice. we had a fairly good turn out, there was a bunch of food, and people seemed to enjoy our activities and had a good time. while im starting to get used to it, i dont think i could really ever adjust to the nicaraguan time schedule, especially after being raised in the united states. although the event was supposed to start at 9, alli and i didnt show up until about 9:20 and i was worried we might have kept some people waiting...but it wasnt until around noon when all the people had arrived and we could actually start. its quite frustrating. everything just moves really slow here. almost unbearably so. on the bright side, its helped me to just chill out and learn to be more patient. i guess i really dont have any other choice..

this past saturday we went on another little trip to La Laguna de Apoyo, which is a beautiful lake only about 25 minutes from where i live. its surrounded by volcanoes on one side and mountains on the other and really reminded me of home. the water was beautiful and really really warm. we rented some kayaks and just explored and hung out for nearly the entire day. it was great to swim and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding rain forest.

today, after i get back from lunch, we have a workshop with La Solidaridad on health, hygiene, and sanitation. although its not really what i was expecting to work on, its definitely needed and i think they'll hopefully get something out of it. we're doing the same workshop tomorrow in El Fortin and then planning for a workshop on gender and stereotypes. we have one of those later this week and then have a couple days off. we're planning on taking a trip to the island of Ometepe, which is in the middle of beautiful lake nicaragua. the island consists of two large volcanoes, one active and one inactive. because of the higher altitude and warmer climate most of the island is covered by rainforest.

although i dont know if ill have time, i hope to be able to make it to the permaculture institute thats on the southern part of the island. i was hoping to do a joint project with them and one of my communities, but as a result of time constraints and the snail-like pace that we're moving down here, i doubt it would have ever worked. but i at least want to try to speak with the directors of the institute, who are both americans, about their project and their success teaching permaculture concepts to the local people of nicaragua, as well as any other recommendations or insights they may be able to give.

i probably won't have time to post at any other point this week. ill try to write once more and perhaps post pictures of ometepe sometime next week. ill be pretty busy next week, squeezing in my last workshops and trying to plan one of my own. im supposed to do my own workshop and make a brochure or something that may be of use once i leave, but at this point am having difficulties researching and finding relevant information. a ver.

peace and good vibes to all. keep in touch. love.