Titus Mentoring Nicaragua 2017
June 9, 2017
After a delayed flight, we finally made it to Nicaragua 2 hours behind. We checked into Hotel Xolotlan and had an icebreaker, played a few games, and then had orientation with our leaders, Michelle and Stephanie. A delicious dinner was prepared for us at La Casa de Los Mejia Godoy and Juan Solorzano played some authentic Nicaraguan music. He even had a guest musician, Vincent Menozzi that dropped a few notes on the guitar. That was a pleasant surprise.
We returned back to Hotel Xolotlan and had evening reflections before lights out. Take a look at the pics attached for a glimpse of our day (if you don’t see your son/daughter in the pics today, I promise they were there and you will seem them eventually). We will be traveling to our work site tomorrow and hopefully I can give you another update then. Take care.
June 10, 2017
We started with breakfast at Hotel Xolotlan. Afterwards, we visited a community center called Podcasts for Peace (you can find them on the internet at http://www.podcastsforpeace.org/). Last year, we collected funds to help them purchase the costumes the dancers wore today. We heard from the seamstress, Marlene Rivera and other volunteers like Jon Alex Martinez (from Columbia), Vanessa, and Zashira (both from Mt. Holyoke College in Massachusetts). They volunteer their time with the kids in the community center.
We drove through a community close to an old landfill. Some of the residents of that community make their living by rummaging through the landfill to find items that are recyclable to sell. It was very humbling.
Then we returned to Hotel Xolotlan for lunch. Afterwards, we took a 5-hour drive north to Penas Blancas, our service community. We will spend the next few days here. The group was welcome by the residents and then had dinner before debrief. We look forward to beginning our service project tomorrow!
June 11, 2017
Today was our first day of service. One group leveled the ground to prepare for the foundation for a new home. The other group dug trenches for the compostable toilets. We then ate lunch before we chose our afternoon excursion. Part of the group hiked a waterfall and the others stayed back and made jewelry. Dinner was delicious. After dinner, we played a group game. Then we finished with separate reflections and more games. We look forward to what tomorrow has in store.
June 13, 2017
Today was our final day of service in Peñas Blancas. We began our day with breakfast and then headed to the work site to finish installing thecomposting toilet system. We were given an overview of how the system works and then…the royal flush! I don’t believe your children will ever look at a toilet the same.We ate lunch and then chose either a coffee farm tour or a bread making workshop. These two opportunities were incredible!
After dinner, we said good bye to all of the incredible people that were so hospitable to us over the last few days. We played a few games, reflected on our time in Peñas Blancas, and then packed our things in order to prepare for our early morning departure tomorrow. We will spend the last 2 days in Laguna de Apoyo.
June 15, 2017
After breakfast this morning, we packed up and made the trek from Peñas Blancas to Laguna de Apoyo. On the way, we stopped for lunch at Las Jicaritas in Masaya. Then, a short drive led us to La Posada La Abuela in Laguna de Apoyo. This is where we will be staying for the next 2 nights. We took time for a refreshing swim in a volcanic crater lake. It was so much fun. We ate dinner and had reflections before it was “lights out”
This week has not been easy and has had its share of hard work, but now it’s time for us to have a little fun.
Tomorrow, we will explore two volcanoes (Mombacho and Masaya). Rumor has it that one is just as active as it was last year when we came to visit. We plan to have a “lava” fun. We’ll be sure to send pictures. Until then, take care!
June 16, 2017
Good Evening (or Morning I should say),
Today was our last full day in Nicaragua. We will be coming home tomorrow (flight details attached). After breakfast this morning, we hiked Volcán Mombacho and then had lunch at the Garden Cafe. Afterwards, we visited the active Volcán Masaya. That was the first time many of us have seen an active volcano. We then visited Masaya Market to purchase some souvenirs (I hope your son or daughter bought you something!). We finished our day with dinner and Verbenas in Masaya. Our evening closed with some moving final reflections and we are refreshed and prepared to come back home.
See you tomorrow!
