End of week 2 of Training

Wow what a week! It was busy and I loved it. First off, we have the best youth group ever. So we had 17 show up to the first meeting, and then 14 came to the second. They have proposed (on their own) a bank to start saving money for the project and will elect a board (also their idea). Our whole group is excited to get the ball moving. Also, since the teacher we were supposed to be working with was out sick because of an operation, and then it had some infection and she will not be back for another 4 weeks, the advanced group (my group) will be teaching solo this week and for the forseeable future. Also, we went to a birthday party at one of the homestay houses. It was a lot of fun, and similar to parties in Peru. lots of family and food! Doña Olga is a tremendous cook. We have also had a few more technical sessions this week. We talked about the most common illnesses volunteers face, what to do about it, the economic climate of Nicaragua, etc. I was lucky and didn´t have to get a shot this week! Always exciting when you get to avoid shots!

Last night, some of us trainees went to a concert sponsored by the US Embassy here in Masatepe. They brought the wind quintet Liberty Winds, and they played a free concert. They played classical music and a bit of Gershwin. At the end, as a surprise they played a very famous song here in Nicaragua, and the majority of people began to sing and tear up. It was a great thing to experience and a connection between our two countries that I appreciated greatly. Afterwards, I went with some of my fellow trainees and their homestay sister to have a drink (orange Fanta) at a local cafe. We talked and joked for about an hour then I realized it was 9:30 and that I needed to get home. My family gets up really early so they go to bed early too. I felt bad I had forgotten the time, but some of them were still up. I can´t believe this week was only 7 days, it felt longer since I feel like we got a lot accomplished. Next week should be even busier, I´ll update you next weekend on all that craziness. Love you all, and make good choices.