Today was our final day here in San Juan del Sur. We spent the morning in town doing some shopping. Then we hitched a ride in a truck to "Playa Maderas" a remote surfing beach outside of town. We spent the afternoon there. The waves were some of the most incredible I have ever seen. After the beach we came back and had a nice dinner at El Calibri and then went out for our last night with the Lasell crew. It's too late to upload any pictures from today but we will post a bunch when we get back. We have a long day of travel ahead of us tomorrow. We leave San Juan at 9:30am and arrive back in Boston at 10:40pm.
See you all soon!
Molls and Drew
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Day Four
Woke up early this morning ready for a hard day of labor. We ate a quick breakfast at the hotel before meeting up with the Lasell group at 8am. The plan for the day was to travel to a remote village outside San Juan del Sur and work on construction of a preschool. We were met at the hotel by "pájaro loco" aka "crazy bird" our driver for the day. 
We all piled into the back of his truck and began our journey. As we rode through treacherous back roads and through streams we realized why our driver had earned his nickname. After about an hour an a half of driving through the woods where at some points the roads completely disappeared, we arrived at our destination...Las Brisas Numero Dos, a rural village north of town.
Upon our arrival we encountered a problem. A member of the neighboring community had passed away and all of the members of the village we were supposed to work in were attending the funeral. Our local contact Don Fidel suggested that we visit the location where the school was being built so we could see it and then return back to San Juan to work in his workshop.
Don Fidel's workshop produces clean stoves and water filters for rural communities in the surrounding area. All of his resources come from donations through the Newton Sister City program and two other humanitarian programs. The clean stoves that we helped to build toay allow families to cook inside their home and have proper ventilation so they don't inhale smoke while they cook, which can lead to respiratory problems. Each stove costs 1000 cordobas ( about 50 USD) to build. The families have an agreement with Fidel that allows them to acquire the stoves for their homes.
We spent 4.5 hours working in the workshop with Fidel and some of his family. We mixed concrete, built metal stove frames, and poured the molds to create the stove tops. It was hard work in the blazing heat and made you imagine working in those conditions for 8-10 hours a day at minimal compensation (around 5 dollars a day).
After we left the workshop we hitched a ride back to town with Crazy Bird and headed to the beach for a swim. We needed to cleanse the filth off of our bodies from the hard day of work.
After a refreshing swim we headed out for dinner on the beach again. We went to an Italian restaurant that was good but not our favorite so far. Once we finished our meal we decided to head up to the Pelican Eyes for dessert. When we arrived up there we ran into our colleagues from Lasell who were dining with Fidel. We joined them and had a long discussion about the importance of the partnerships we have built and the work that we accomplish together in helping the communities in this area. Fidel hopes that we are able to share our experiences with our friends and families back home because he strongly believes in the value it brings to the building of better communities.
It was an eye opening day and one that neither of us will soon forget. Tomorrow is our final full day here. We will be checking in the library to donate the books we brought with us and then we are heading to Playa Maderas, a remote beach outside of town.
Hasta Mañana
M and D
We all piled into the back of his truck and began our journey. As we rode through treacherous back roads and through streams we realized why our driver had earned his nickname. After about an hour an a half of driving through the woods where at some points the roads completely disappeared, we arrived at our destination...Las Brisas Numero Dos, a rural village north of town.
Upon our arrival we encountered a problem. A member of the neighboring community had passed away and all of the members of the village we were supposed to work in were attending the funeral. Our local contact Don Fidel suggested that we visit the location where the school was being built so we could see it and then return back to San Juan to work in his workshop.
Don Fidel's workshop produces clean stoves and water filters for rural communities in the surrounding area. All of his resources come from donations through the Newton Sister City program and two other humanitarian programs. The clean stoves that we helped to build toay allow families to cook inside their home and have proper ventilation so they don't inhale smoke while they cook, which can lead to respiratory problems. Each stove costs 1000 cordobas ( about 50 USD) to build. The families have an agreement with Fidel that allows them to acquire the stoves for their homes.
We spent 4.5 hours working in the workshop with Fidel and some of his family. We mixed concrete, built metal stove frames, and poured the molds to create the stove tops. It was hard work in the blazing heat and made you imagine working in those conditions for 8-10 hours a day at minimal compensation (around 5 dollars a day).
After we left the workshop we hitched a ride back to town with Crazy Bird and headed to the beach for a swim. We needed to cleanse the filth off of our bodies from the hard day of work.
After a refreshing swim we headed out for dinner on the beach again. We went to an Italian restaurant that was good but not our favorite so far. Once we finished our meal we decided to head up to the Pelican Eyes for dessert. When we arrived up there we ran into our colleagues from Lasell who were dining with Fidel. We joined them and had a long discussion about the importance of the partnerships we have built and the work that we accomplish together in helping the communities in this area. Fidel hopes that we are able to share our experiences with our friends and families back home because he strongly believes in the value it brings to the building of better communities.
It was an eye opening day and one that neither of us will soon forget. Tomorrow is our final full day here. We will be checking in the library to donate the books we brought with us and then we are heading to Playa Maderas, a remote beach outside of town.
Hasta Mañana
M and D
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Day Three
Today ended up being another day for recovery and relaxation. We both were still feeling the effects of travelling, our sunburns, and in Drew's case, a few too many Macuas.
We slept in a bit and then headed out to do some shopping. Molly wasn't feeling well so she headed back to rest while I stopped in to El Gato Negro, a book store and cafe. Had a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel and a watermelon, pinapple, mango smoothie to start the day. I walked around a bit and then headed back to rest as I wasn't feeling well from the sunburn. When I arrived back it seemed that Molly had started to feel better so she went up the the Pelican Eyes for lunch while I rested.
Later in the afternoon we were both feeling better so we went out for some shopping in town. We picked up a hand carved/painted mask and Molly got some jewlery and pottery.
After an evening soak in the hotel pool to cool our sunburns we headed down to the beach to have dinner. We made friends with a dog on the beach who sat near us while we ate dinner. We offered him a potato but he declined.
After dinner we took a quick stroll back up to the Pelican Eyes to see if you could find Los Monos (the monkeys). We found on and he came right up and greeted us. We will go back tomorrow in the daylight to get some pictures.
Tomorrow we go out for a day of labor with the Lasell Crew to help build a preschool in a rural village north of town. Should be a long hot day. If it is anything like today (high 90's and not a cloud in sight) we will be back in the pool or the ocean for an evening soak.
Adios
M and D
We slept in a bit and then headed out to do some shopping. Molly wasn't feeling well so she headed back to rest while I stopped in to El Gato Negro, a book store and cafe. Had a bacon egg and cheese on a bagel and a watermelon, pinapple, mango smoothie to start the day. I walked around a bit and then headed back to rest as I wasn't feeling well from the sunburn. When I arrived back it seemed that Molly had started to feel better so she went up the the Pelican Eyes for lunch while I rested.
Later in the afternoon we were both feeling better so we went out for some shopping in town. We picked up a hand carved/painted mask and Molly got some jewlery and pottery.
After an evening soak in the hotel pool to cool our sunburns we headed down to the beach to have dinner. We made friends with a dog on the beach who sat near us while we ate dinner. We offered him a potato but he declined.
After dinner we took a quick stroll back up to the Pelican Eyes to see if you could find Los Monos (the monkeys). We found on and he came right up and greeted us. We will go back tomorrow in the daylight to get some pictures.
Tomorrow we go out for a day of labor with the Lasell Crew to help build a preschool in a rural village north of town. Should be a long hot day. If it is anything like today (high 90's and not a cloud in sight) we will be back in the pool or the ocean for an evening soak.
Adios
M and D
Monday, March 15, 2010
Day two
Today was our day to be beach bums. We woke this morning around 7am completely rested and ready for our first full day in the country. We had breakfast at the hotel, coffee, fresh juice, delicious vegetable omlettes, fresh fruit, arroz con frijoles, and a sliver of bacon.
Once our bellies were full, we changed into bathing suites and walked to the beach. Weather: 95 and sunny. While at the beach, we rotated between swimming and sunning. For lunch we ate our favorite dish, arroz con camarones (rice and shrimp) at the Iguana bar. With our lunch we tried our first Macua, the national drink of Nicaragua (rum, lemon, and guava juice).
While sitting on the outdoor patio eating our lunch, we realized how surreal this place seems. We joked that it feels like we are in a "sandals" commercial and that we didnt know a vacation could be so spontaneous and care free. Prior to this trip, we have both been travelers of purpose. Traveling to see something and then moving on to see something else. It is an amazing feeling to wake up and say "Today we can do everything, or absolutely nothing".
After eating lunch we returned to the water for a swim. We were completely content, having no clue of the time, however our skin was beginning to scream with the effects of the hot sun.
Back at the hotel, we showered and took a took a quick nap before getting ready for the evening.
For dinner we went to "Pierdras y Olas" aka Pelican Eyes which is famous for hosting the best view of the sunset.
The resort can continue to boast, as promised the views were unbelievable.
In addition to a beautiful sunset, it was Happy Hour! We started off with Macuas and soon after our first drink was gone, the group from Lasell arrived and joined us. It was around this time that Molly began to feel ill. The culprits: Too much sun and not enough water. Eventually, Molly went back to the hotel and left Drew to finish his and her second Macua.
Tomorrow will be a day for shade and sunburn care!
Hasta luego amigos
M & D
Once our bellies were full, we changed into bathing suites and walked to the beach. Weather: 95 and sunny. While at the beach, we rotated between swimming and sunning. For lunch we ate our favorite dish, arroz con camarones (rice and shrimp) at the Iguana bar. With our lunch we tried our first Macua, the national drink of Nicaragua (rum, lemon, and guava juice).
While sitting on the outdoor patio eating our lunch, we realized how surreal this place seems. We joked that it feels like we are in a "sandals" commercial and that we didnt know a vacation could be so spontaneous and care free. Prior to this trip, we have both been travelers of purpose. Traveling to see something and then moving on to see something else. It is an amazing feeling to wake up and say "Today we can do everything, or absolutely nothing".
After eating lunch we returned to the water for a swim. We were completely content, having no clue of the time, however our skin was beginning to scream with the effects of the hot sun.
Back at the hotel, we showered and took a took a quick nap before getting ready for the evening.
For dinner we went to "Pierdras y Olas" aka Pelican Eyes which is famous for hosting the best view of the sunset.
The resort can continue to boast, as promised the views were unbelievable.
In addition to a beautiful sunset, it was Happy Hour! We started off with Macuas and soon after our first drink was gone, the group from Lasell arrived and joined us. It was around this time that Molly began to feel ill. The culprits: Too much sun and not enough water. Eventually, Molly went back to the hotel and left Drew to finish his and her second Macua.
Tomorrow will be a day for shade and sunburn care!
Hasta luego amigos
M & D
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Day one
12 hours of travel and we have made it to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua!! We left Boston this morning in torrential rain and wind. Luckily, our flight was one of a few that was not delayed due to weather concerns. We were able to leave Boston on a bumpy flight and got to Miami around 9am. Our flight to Managua Airport was a breeze and we landed safely at around 12 (Nicaraguan time zone). After going through immigration and customs we were met by our wonderful driver, "Richard", a hotel worker with "little English".
From Managua, we rode for 2.5 hours through beautiful country and finally arrived in San Juan del Sur. Weather: Sunny, 95, light ocean breeze. After checking in to the hotel we immediately changed into "summer attire". From the hotel we walked to the beach and set up shop at the Iguana bar. We ate some "arroz con camarones y tostones con queso" Rice and fresh shrimp and fried plantains with goat cheese. Also sampled some local beers, Tona and Victoria.
Came back to the hotel and changed into bathing suits and headed back to the beach where we ran into some friends from back home. In the middle of swimming in the warm Pacific waters we spotted our pals from Lasell. We caught up on each others travels and then headed back to the hotel to shower before dinner.
We had dinner at a Nicaraguan Italian restaurant with a couple of Lasell colleagues and spent the night discussing ways to improve our institution. Coversations fueled by Tona and Tequila of course.
Tomorrow we spend the day catching up on rest by hitting the beach for some sun and a swim. Will probably wander through the local markets and shops and enjoy the day.
Buenos noches amigos.
M and D
From Managua, we rode for 2.5 hours through beautiful country and finally arrived in San Juan del Sur. Weather: Sunny, 95, light ocean breeze. After checking in to the hotel we immediately changed into "summer attire". From the hotel we walked to the beach and set up shop at the Iguana bar. We ate some "arroz con camarones y tostones con queso" Rice and fresh shrimp and fried plantains with goat cheese. Also sampled some local beers, Tona and Victoria.
Came back to the hotel and changed into bathing suits and headed back to the beach where we ran into some friends from back home. In the middle of swimming in the warm Pacific waters we spotted our pals from Lasell. We caught up on each others travels and then headed back to the hotel to shower before dinner.
We had dinner at a Nicaraguan Italian restaurant with a couple of Lasell colleagues and spent the night discussing ways to improve our institution. Coversations fueled by Tona and Tequila of course.
Tomorrow we spend the day catching up on rest by hitting the beach for some sun and a swim. Will probably wander through the local markets and shops and enjoy the day.
Buenos noches amigos.
M and D
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Nicaragua 2010
In just a few short hours Molly and I will be heading to the airport and leaving for San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. We'll be updating the blog throughout the week with pictures and stories of our travels, so stay tuned!
~Molls and Drew
~Molls and Drew
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