Brad Vs. The Volcano

We went on a canopy tour on Mombacho, the massive volcano that looms over Granada.  It's responsible for the 365 islands on Lake Nicaragua.  Thanks Mombacho.  

This is the road we took to get there.  It will pulverize your kidney stones.  I know I look like an R-tard with that helmet on, no need to tell me.  

Farewell, solid ground.

This is how high up we were.  The ground is probably another photo down.  No problem.

Hi mom.  I'm your son.

There were monkies there.  

The last tree we repelled down was 307 years old.  

butterflies and tigers

I volunteered in a school that was about 15 min drive down a dirt road outside of the city center. There were three rooms, three teachers, no running water, and no bathroom. We did face painting for all the young children, which became lots of tigers, butterflies and a few pirates. The day ended with a piñata we brought full of candy! Amazing!

Max(another dutch friend) and me at horse parade

Cotton Candy Man at the Horse Parade

little girl on the island

Islands!

Tonight

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Yucca Dippin

There are people in the world whose job is to dip thousands of yuccas in molten paraffin wax for export.  You might buy one of these some day.  

It smelled like flaming crayons.  

I don't know why the font is different, I can't seem to fix it.

Killa Beez

Yesterday there was a man dressed like a beekeeper hacking at a rooftop with an axe in the town square.  A fire truck awaited and pedestrians looked on.  Even with the explanation that the man was destroying a killer bee nest, it was odd.  Spectacles are unavoidable here.  I cannot wait to not have to deal with iMovie anymore.  It's like trying to cut hair with play-doh scissors.  It's like trying to drive on the freeway with a Powerwheels car.  

We have no documentation of the killer bee drama,but it was kinda like this.

Today we woke up with seven Managuans occupying our house for the night.  They partied till 3 and woke up at 9 and partied some more.  Amanda and I went into town, not looking for anything big, and ended up in the epicenter of a horse festival/parade.  Nicaraguans dressed up like cowboys rode...less sad-looking horses, prancing down the street in utter disarray.  There were bandstands with massive PA's all pounding different music right next to each other.  A man sold colorful bags of cotton candy.  I've never seen cotton candy here before.  The street was still open to traffic, so cars and bikes zipped between lines of froth-mouthed horses.  It was less like a parade and more like a traffic jam.  In Nicaragua, you'll find something strange every day, or it will find you.  

cast free

Thursday we got to go out to the islands with the girls and interview people about the lakes pollution. I managed to hike on the island in a cast, nothing stops me even when it probably should. Today I woke ready for my freedom! Lynn and me headed back to the hospital in Managua. The cab drive was a bit loco but sweet he even managed to wait for us and bring us home safe. That is a lot to ask here! The hospital was once again amazing. I love me doctor! He did scare me some when he cut my cast off with a tool that looked much like what the workers in the field cut yucca with! But when we left he kissed both Lynn and my cheeks. He also said if I come back to visit he will call his single son who is the same age as me ☺ Now Brad and me are getting ready for a night on the town. We are off to hear Ilja play at Imagine. I not only brushed my hair, put on lip-gloss but I am also wearing Brads sock to go under my air cast and for good luck!

Stone Carver/Never Relaxed

This happened last week.  Last week was kinda crappy.  This week is going better.  

I am afraid of everything all the time.  Things go awry on a daily basis here and you always have to watch out for people trying to scam you.  This isn't good for someone like me.  

Hopefully I will be able to relax.  

Today we ate fresh coconut on an island.  Ya know.  

Neighbors on kids day

our new roommate Freek from Amsterdam

Swimming one legged!

long time gone....

I know it has been a long time since we have updated but the honeymoon period is over. It has been a tough week with my cast and Brad's editing but there has been some highlights! I have had some amazing people sign my cast all the kids our classes, the Nicaraguan chess champion, the kids on our street, a flower from Kim, heart from Freek, and flag from Brad. I finished my second book. Got asked on a date at the pizza restaurant after the guy asked if Lynn was my mom and Brad my Dad. Started an English class in our house at 6pm on Wednesday for the kids on our street. First class was tonight and they are so sweet! Perfected my one leg out of the pool float. Have eaten lots of tele pizza because we are to hot to cook and well I can't stand that long, went to Day of los Niño’s on our street and watched a piñata die. Had a Dutch pool party with all of Freeks friends. Finished the Opportunity International project!