Ooh - It’s been awhile.
Two weeks ago we had our 5 month of service workshop in Estelí. On the whole it was pretty boring, just a lot of presentations, but I got to see my whole group for the first time in 5 mos so that made it fun. The next week was the celebration of their Independence Day, so there was no school and no work Mon or Tues, so some of went to the beach. We went to a beach outside the city of Leon. It was really pretty, but my favorite beaches are still San Juan del Sur and Ometepe, although they’re the most touristy.
Two weeks ago we had our 5 month of service workshop in Estelí. On the whole it was pretty boring, just a lot of presentations, but I got to see my whole group for the first time in 5 mos so that made it fun. The next week was the celebration of their Independence Day, so there was no school and no work Mon or Tues, so some of went to the beach. We went to a beach outside the city of Leon. It was really pretty, but my favorite beaches are still San Juan del Sur and Ometepe, although they’re the most touristy.
I’m still going over to the little girl’s house to dance on Sundays (Jahaira is her name) but we have been dancing a little less lately and just hanging out, which suits me fine. Last time they taught me a board game called No Te Enojes (Don’t get angry) which is exactly like Aggravation!! They made the board themselves and play with beans, corn, and pebbles instead of little marbles. And they have this enormous block of wood they use for a die (?). They have a couple different rules but it’s almost exactly the same and it’s so fun! I might have to bring them the actual game when I come back after Christmas.
The other day the family bought a ton of corn so we spent the day making various things from it. I helped shuck and cut and then went with Nelly to watch it get ground. I can now say I have had an entire meal made from corn.
shucking with Yubelka and Nelly
grinding corn
Appetizer: Wirila with cuajada. (This is a big tortilla made with the ground corn. It’s different b/c it’s made with fresh “maiz verde” they say here, instead of from dry corn. Plus it has sugar. It’s really good.
Main course: Tamales. Again made with the maiz verde Plus milk and sugar. Then boiled in the corn husk. These are the ones we had on the bus, Mom,Dad,Aubree,Patrick
Dessert: Corn pudding. This was made by mixing the mais verde with milk and sugar again and then straining out all the corn, so it’s really like essence of corn pudding. Then I think it was cooked for a little bit. This I did not like so much.
Beverage: Pinolillo. Roasted ground corn+cacoa+sugar+water. An acquired taste
I finally bought a bookshelf (pictured below). It cost about $20 which is actually kind of expensive, but I have been searching for just this shade of God Awful Orange, so it was a must buy. It startles me every time I walk in my room, it’s so bright. Can you believe I’ve already accumulated this much crap?
This week I have an eye doctor’s appointment in Managua and this Saturday I’m going to a Daddy Yankee concert! I don’t expect most of you to know who that is and I‘m not a huge fan, but I think it’ll be fun. I wish I could say that I will take a lot of photos, but I’m not going to risk taking my camera. At the last concert some PCVs went to almost everyone got something stolen and one guy had his sunglasses stolen off his face.
Take care everyone!
Love, Danielle
