The 2009 ODFL Nicaragua group!
Packing up after arriving in Managua
Rick, our leader from Seeds of Learning (SOL).
Visiting the SOL learning center.
We learn about all the classes and tutoring services they offer.
We are welcomed to join a music lesson.
Every morning we take a 1 hour bus ride to the school project site.
The teachers of San Martin Elementary welcome us...
...and some students perform.
The kids laugh as they try to pronounce our names.
Time to get our hands dirty...
...by mixing cement!
We also need to paint the classroom.
Young children not in school watch with curiosity.
Taking a rest from the work to play with the kids.
Origami becomes a great hit!
We need more sand for the cement so we shovel it from the river.
The the sand needs to be sifted.
Preparing lessons to teach the local children.
Opening ceremonies!
A successful project.
Local representatives speak at the ceremony.
We also are privy to dance performances.
We thanks the teachers and staff.
We also thank the community workers who volunteered their time.
Time to party!
Spiderman or a wrestler???
The well was just fixed.
You can see the original building.
Taking our new friends home after the ceremony.
At our hotel.
The hotel courtyard.
Typical meal.
Learning a bit of Spanish.
Setting out to see San Ramon.
Trying to learn the customary "snap."
Visiting the local high school.
Practicing our Spanish.
Charades help get the point across!
Visiting a local home and farm
Notice the duckling.
Learning how to make tortillas.
Grinding the corn.
She was taunting us to play chase.
Chase got a little violent!
A sloth was in the tree at my host family's house.
Walking to La Pita...
...to learn about the coffee cooperative.
Don't fall in!
Fan mishap!
The Sandinista and Nicaraguan flags.
The walking stick insect is on the right.
Little did we know about the muddy hike we were about to take.
A little rain and mud never hurt anyone!
But wait, now we have to go down hill!
Muddy casualties.
How'd I stay so clean?
Coffee processing machinery.
BFF
Baby gecko.
Learning to make Gallo Pinto...
...traditional dish made with rice and beans.
The beans need to be sorted.
At La Corona, a boy climbs the tree...
...to pick mamones for us to eat.
You have to suck the outer layer from the large seed.
We decide to see who can spit the seed the farthest.
Tummy soothing tea makes the hike easier.
Cacao anyone?
Drinking water from the banana flower.
Natures umbrella.
It was a lot heavier than you'd think!
If you think the bus looks crazy on the inside...
...try riding on top of the bus!
Playing soccer with the locals.
Wait a second, he's not a teenager!
Visiting another local home and farm.
The family's pet birds.
Interesting power source.
Dance party with authentic Nicaraguan music.
The string riddle.
Learning to make Nacatamales.
Folding it isn't as easy as you'd think!
Once they are made they are boiled.
My host cousin, Maria Angel, age 5.
Rebecca, age 10
Almer, age 9.
Dona Nelly and her family...my family for 2 days!
Power source for our hotel room at Finca Esperanza Verde.
The orange crew.
The elusive blue butterfly.
Maybe if we act like flowers a butterfly will land on us.
In the butterfly reserve area.
Science in actions! A spider gets it's lunch.
Really cool flowers that looked like wax.
Coffee tasting.
1st the aroma...
Then the steeping...
Then the drinking...
Finally, the spitting!
Our last visit to the SOL learning center.
A quick tour of Granada.
Going to the top of the church for a city view.
Can we ring the bells, please???
Very Escher-like.
Rather than hiking to the volcano caldera, we take a bus.
Reminds me of the movie, Labyrinth.
At 1st we think our hike was in vain...
...but then the fog clears.
Zip-line!!!
These staff rode on the hood of the truck. Safety third???
This trail of leaf cutter ants went on forever!
The ants coming down the tree.
Our mega-dorm room...
...where the guys tried to scare us!
Looking down into a volcanic crater.
The plaza was a monument for peace...
...where people were paid to turn in their weapons...
...which were later buried in cement.
I thought it looked like a hand reaching from the grave.
Our last monument before we set off for home.
