3 weeks in Nica

I guess I have been running on the ¨Nica hour¨because it has been awhile since I have written on here! The change of the pace of life in addition to the electricity shutting off every once in awhile has also kept me from writing and after almost 3 weeks here there is so much to say.

For those who don´t know yet, I am working with Peace Corps in the Health sector. So far I am still an aspirante, or trainee, and have to pass the 11 week training course before actually becoming a volunteer. My group of 19 has been split up based on language ability into smaller groups in different communities. I live in a tranquil, small but relatively modern town (not allowed to say the name) which is about 45 kilometros south of Managua. In my training group are Rachel (27), Shaun (32) and Andrew (23). We have class 6 days a week with Gloria, our Nica teacher who pretends she doesn´t speak English but I KNOW she does because she laughs when we say something in English sometimes haha. Classes are pretty informal but really helpful. So far we have been having them in Andrews backyard with his 2 parrots and 10 chickens and a huge whitboard. His mom is so sweet and brings us pineapple once in awhile. 2 times a week all 19 of us meet up in Managua for an all day class which is on technical training in our health field. I must say I feel lucky because we have such an amazing group of diverse people and always have a good time.

So far I haven´t gotten sick but a couple of the other vols have. Diarrhea is the biggest problem here and the Nica´s even have a gesture for it so you don´t need to use words to tell others what is ailing you. My host family is awesome and have already told me they are coming to visit me and help set up my house whenever PC moves me to my permanent site. My host mom Zelma cooks a lot of my meals with soy and one of my host brothers is vegetarian too...woohoo!

Yesturday Andrew, Shaun and I played an intense game of soccer with some of the kids from Dolores. I hope to learn some foot tricks from some of the Nica boys. Shauns little brother who is only 11 years old is a Ronaldino in the making, its crazy. Yesturday was also a fiesta patronal so the streets were ¨alboroto¨ which I found out means filled to the max with people. There was traditional dancing, tons of people holding statues, and of course tons of music and drinking in the streets. It was really fun...except when I realized I was pretty sunburnt. The sun here is so strong but the air is cool and breezy so it tricks you really easily!

My host mom is taking me today to another town to visit some friends there and eat lunch so I have to run. Tomorrow is the 2nd week of classes and another fun week in Nica...stay tuned!