After our flight from Guatemala City to Managua, Nicaragua got delayed, we immediately jumped into a bus guided by three new, but friendly faces. We were then introduced to the Nicaraguan currency, cordobas! First thing after arriving at our new home for the next week, El Piscacho, our Carpe group was introduced to a two and a half hour lesson of Nicaragua´s intense and dramatic history. The next day we had the opportunity to ride horses in the dirt roads around the town. Throughout the week we participated in various volunteer projects in the surrounding area. Groups of two to three split off to work in after school programs, to read and play in local schools, and to help children with mental disabilities be able to ride horses. Starting Monday, we took Spanish grammar and conversation classes that continued throughout the week from 8 to 12. Then, just last night we decided to have some competitive fun by forming debate teams pretending to resemble a small Nicaraguan village arguing for and against the entry of foreign student groups just like Carpe Diem. It was a great way to see our own group from a completely different perspective, perspectives that we are probably seen through every day.
One of my favorite parts of the last week was the communal spaces that always had open hammocks and an abundance of friendly dogs, namely Combate and Canela. As well as spending our free time relaxing, we spent some of it running around trying to catch the mouse that infested the boys dormitory. The next morning was successful when the mouse was trapped inside. After our first week in Nicaragua, i´ve had a lot of fun and i´m extremely excited to continue exploring the rest of the country. Next up, Matagalpa and our third homestays!
-Myles and Emma