Better late than never

I know I haven’t updated my blog in awhile and I apologize for that, mostly to my mom, who has spent a lot of her time over the past couple of months reminding me. The truth of the matter is that for awhile life had gotten into a fairly normal routine and writing about it just didn’t have the same sex appeal. But, looking back on the last 2 months there has been no routine and my life is anything but boring. Mostly what people should know is that the Peace Corps is just…hard. Sometimes its great and sometimes all I want to do is scream and possibly break something expensive (speaking of which, the Japanese have a store specifically for this task alone). Things in general are good, but let’s be serious; the Peace Corps is still the Peace Corps which by default means it’s difficult.
I miss the good ol’ USA, a lot (who knew I was so patriotic?) But to be perfectly selfish, it will be better when summer is over. My friends are just having too much fun going to concerts, the beach, the farmhouse etc., and I miss getting in a car and driving to a new destination for the weekend (let alone with people who can speak my language and get my humor). But, it’s not as though I am not doing anything and I certainly have all of the heat of summer here in Nica. On the contrary, if I am not hanging out in my incredibly beautiful site I am traveling throughout Nicaragua, sometimes for work and sometimes for play. Its true its not home, but that’s ok because when else in my life will I get on a boat on the Rio San Juan and go crocodile hunting, dance in the streets of Granada alongside dancing horses or swim in a volcanic crater lake.
A special shout out:

I was lucky enough to translate for a group of 15 Americans (North America) who came to Sabalos for an eye care brigade. We spent a week living in Sabalos, a town down river 2 hours from San Carlos, and traveling into the communities giving eye glasses to the majority of the people and setting up surgeries for the severe cases. The work was routine but the experience was truly refreshing. The group that came was generous and loving and took such good care of us. It was ridiculously fun although we were working long, hot days. We danced to Lady Gaga, to the displeasure of the teenage boys in the group, got stuck in the mud, caught in the rain and spent the nights relaxing in the hammocks talking about good wine, cheese and Thai food- the things we miss most in Nica. Thankfully they will be coming back in a year to repeat their good deeds and I will get to spend another week with this incredible group of people!
Updates to come include: My parents visit (!!!), our fiestas and that time that Ortega didn’t come to San Carlos. Be patient. I swear its coming!