tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77992697364803093112024-03-05T21:25:23.291-05:007010 Goes CentralRotary District 7010 Group Study Exchange to Central AmericaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-41705526538603597702011-03-27T13:48:00.000-04:002011-03-27T13:48:50.729-04:00March 25: Mark's PerspectiveIt is early, Curt and I are tired, he falls asleep on the toilet; getting up this morning is hard.<br />
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Maria picks us up and brings us to the Sheraton (Barack Obama stayed here 2 days ago) where the convention is held. The two of us get some breakfast and our energy beings to come back to us (best coffee of the trip!). 2:00 roles around, Curt and I have been here at the hotel since 9:30 as we take shifts between tweaking our presentation and napping. <br />
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Presentation goes amazing; Victor translates for us. Victor is an awesome person, we all wish we got to know him sooner than the last few days of the trip. As Kim mentioned, Curt sang 'Long many you run' by Neil young at the end of our presentation while slides of our trip flipped through on the screen. We hear pockets of the audience laugh or clap as most people in the room have been a part of our trip at one time or another. You can see people emotional, I am too.<br />
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This is it; the climax. One month of travel and this is our moment of thanks and reflection.<br />
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People approach us after and tell us that in 8 years, this is the best GSE presentation they have ever seen. Their sincerity is welcoming and it certainly makes us feel great that they enjoyed our journey.<br />
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At this point: mixed emotions. Two days left, a bit of a wind-down and it feels like this trip is finishing. I want to stay, maybe continue to Guatemala, Honduras and Belize, but I miss Jess. I can't wait to share with her and others our story.<br />
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I am going to miss meeting new, amazing, passionate people. People prepared to share, love, create. We have been in their homes and they are in our hearts.<br />
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MCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-1710252495970487312011-03-26T18:11:00.004-04:002011-03-27T15:02:48.221-04:00“Once in a while, we are given real moments of grace” ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer<div class="MsoNormal">Finished with a bang!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yesterday, our team completed the final presentation and it was a huge success. Compliment after compliment, it was hard to digest that it was the last time our team would present in Central America. As I looked out at the crowd of people and saw the many familiar faces of those who have hosted us over the past month, it was hard to hold back the tears. Of course, Curt was singing in the background “Long May You Run” by Neil Young, so that didn’t help!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Together, our team traveled to four very different countries, saw many cultural and historical places, visited many beaches, and tasted a variety of new fruits, vegetables, meats and Rums. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We toured Cathedrals, coffee plantations, Rum factories, museums, embassies, schools, community development projects, small towns and villages, theaters, and ancient ruins. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We climbed volcanoes and surfed down one! We rode horses and bikes, swam in the ocean, learned to dance Salsa, Rumba and Merengue, and spent over 40 hours on the TicaBus together. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We laughed together, cried together, were exhausted together, were ill together, and received good news and bad news, together.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We became family and a special bond has been cultivated between us: That is what I will remember most about this trip. You can travel to the most exciting places in the world and see the most amazing things, but nothing leaves an impression on you like the people you have shared it with. Alicia, Curt, Mark and Doug have left a very big impression on my heart: Four amazing personalities and four very big hearts. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am changed, I am moved, and I am a better person for knowing you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks for all the laughter, love and memories<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">KT</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">~ What if becoming who and what we truly are happens not through striving and trying but by recognizing and receiving the people and places and practices that offer us the warmth of encouragement we need to unfold? ~<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Memories from the Conference</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ew4NdBay9yr4J2rkJ_skNEVIEuvbijqEbO4blf6eWWNJIfvvq0rc-2w_GV-ZwQhU756SBXz3W1SwnN3_xHw7s4Yz38fxIryVJhp1kFTuEvaPQjadPKqWJW-jp2be-IW5joGR1tM9v115/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ew4NdBay9yr4J2rkJ_skNEVIEuvbijqEbO4blf6eWWNJIfvvq0rc-2w_GV-ZwQhU756SBXz3W1SwnN3_xHw7s4Yz38fxIryVJhp1kFTuEvaPQjadPKqWJW-jp2be-IW5joGR1tM9v115/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-73920934773533850172011-03-25T20:49:00.000-04:002011-03-25T20:49:18.019-04:00In the NewsThe Barrie Examiner has been following us for the last few weeks:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1206341567"><br />
</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2995777">Rotary members exchange ideas in Central America</a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=3026650">Exchange an eye-opener</a><br />
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MCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-15075352789605738922011-03-25T13:56:00.001-04:002011-03-25T14:03:36.242-04:00The Leader Has SpokenAs we enter the home stretch of this incredible journey , it is time to pause and reflect on what we have all been through over the past three and half weeks . With many ups and very few downs, as Team Leader , I am pleased to report that our Team has been a pleasure to lead ( we are not sure who is leading whom ?) and the energy and enthusiasm with which our four young professionals have conducted themselves has greatly exceeded my expectations . For sure ,friendships have been made that will be lasting both within the Team and throughout the four Countries we have had the priviledge of calling home since our departure from Canada on February 27th .<br />
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It has also been a pleasant surprise to us that the blog has created such a huge following of interested readers ( over 5000 viewers) from all over the world and I thank the Team Members ( Curt and Mark esp) who have been so diligent ( dare I say obsessive ) in completing the Blog on a regular basis with such an editorial and creative flare. I also would like to congratulate myself on doing such a great job of delegating this important task to our Team Members whose talents and interests shine in this area ( Well done Doagmooodieeee).<br />
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As the Blog demonstrates, we have had very different experiences in all four countries; however, it is equally clear that we are seeing common threads throughout and it is on this point I would like to elaborate - as it speaks to the very essence of Rotary's objective for the Group Study Exchange which has been in existence for 30 + years <br />
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Without exception, we are being greeted and hosted by committed Rotarians and their families as they take us into their homes unconditionally. We arrive after 12 hour bus rides ( sometimes unexpectedly ) with our dirty laundry and hungry stomachs and we are welcomed into their homes as if we are faimily ( or in some cases royalty!). A Hosts' responsibility is to give us a bed and breakfast - period. However, as you have seen from the Blog, in some instances, our Hosts have accommodated us all and have been our Guides and chauffeurs for the week . The Comittment is incredible and we are seeing Rotarians who spend a great deal of their personal time helping the impoverished in their commuunities and beyond . It is clear that they are doing it in an incredibly modest and humble way with the sole intention of helping improve the quality of life for the less fortunate - because they can ! Interestingly, the People they are trying to help are proud, pleasant people , who , while very appreciative of the assistance , do not feel they have been hard done by ; rather , we have seen generous gestures of sharing during our visits to their simple communities such as offerings of fruit by Elders and the sharing of candies from the pinitias by the kids.<br />
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As Team Leader and a Rotarian , it is important to me that we take away as much from this experience as possible with a view to helping these people in need . In this regard , it is important that this four week "Mission" is the just the beginning of our journey . The people we have met and the Projects we have seen are an introduction for us to match Rotary Clubs in our District in Canada with Clubs and projects in Central America . Our Blog will help serve as a chronology of Contacts and projects - indeed the work has just begun for all of us.<br />
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DMUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-63806138632725000702011-03-25T11:40:00.005-04:002011-03-27T15:01:17.747-04:00The Mushy Gushy StuffI am laying in bed right now, eyes wide open despite the opportunity to sleep in this morning. The warm sunshine and day's expectations motivate me to move. As we have learned over the course of the trip, my strengths rarely include specific numbers or estimations, however there are some important faces that will never leave my memory...some Salvadorian people that have yet to be mentioned:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lilliana - my host the first night in Santa Ana and our local guide</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsSRuyoDMnTBN48UTcs59pMi8aJpQbPudlQmijoqEX4fJciq8_5D2qA4TafZrycaQGOLun5RIBNlhjPXYMv_TlCvVrcHKAsof7UaQOgx0GLZipmQRWC-itMwDSChn1xVP1Cq3ayAW50Ai/s1600/DSC04055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsSRuyoDMnTBN48UTcs59pMi8aJpQbPudlQmijoqEX4fJciq8_5D2qA4TafZrycaQGOLun5RIBNlhjPXYMv_TlCvVrcHKAsof7UaQOgx0GLZipmQRWC-itMwDSChn1xVP1Cq3ayAW50Ai/s320/DSC04055.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lily and Hanns - the hosts for Km and me</i> in San Salvador</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
That is just a quick sample of the compassionate and welcoming people we have had the opportunity to meet over the past 4 weeks. These remarkable Rotarians and community members define our experience with their warmth and hospitality. A common phrase (regardless of their English language capabilities) is: my house is your house (mi casa, su casa)- which is said with great sincerity.<br />
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As Mark mentioned, seeing the familiar faces at the conference is exciting and overwhelming, as it brings you back to all the smiles, laughter and conversations that you have had with each person. Not everyone can make it to the conference and some will be missed (shout out to Andy and Ros, Manuel, and many more), but one can't help but feel like they are a part of this big family stretching across 4 very distinct countries in Central America.<br />
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Other memorable moments include:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>In Santa Ana with both clubs, having our Canadian anthem played in addition to the Salvadorian anthem (the selected version also included French/English!);</li>
<li>Juan standing up with the GSE team when introduced at the conference - member #6? Eyda who just nods in acknowledgement;</li>
<li>Roberto, our Nicaraguan host, first words a week since we left "I needed to see you";</li>
<li>San Miguel group (whom we didn't visit due to the miscommunication error) inviting us back, despite our first missed opportunity;</li>
<li>a great big bear hug from Dawn, a familiar and remarkable face to see after 4 weeks of travel;</li>
<li>my other hosts in Santa Ana, Jose and his wonderful family - sitting, staring, smiling and nodding awkwardly, upon our first meeting, with Spanglish hardly even being an option.</li>
</ul><div>A common question we receive - "What was our favourite place and/or most memorable moments?" I struggle to answer this one with anything definite because you simply can't give every country the justice it deserves, and each one offers entirely different things from the other. What stands out to me, in the wise words of a Rotarian is: we are all here, we are all connected, by our common vision to make a difference in our communities. How true of an observation. Some of our best memories were meeting people who really demonstrated passion through their professions or involvement in Rotary projects. It's the people who make a country, and I feel honoured (as do my teammates) to have been a part of their lives, big or small.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Gearing up for our day now! Excited to see loved ones, sad to leave here but comforting in knowing we will return.</div><div><br />
</div><div>AR</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-63849935785768590362011-03-25T03:46:00.000-04:002011-03-25T03:46:38.717-04:00March 24: Mark's Perspective12:30am right now, Curt and I are sharing a room at a Rotarian named Carlos in San Salvador. My turn to blog; Curt just put his head down on the pillow and said "make me sound intelligent." No promises. 30 seconds and he is snoring... really snoring.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>We had a full day as expected. It started with breakfast and a quick visit to Roberto's family's call center company (awk I know). Roberto Eduardo Guerra (24 years old) has been a key role in having us in Santa Ana. He is a Rotaract President and founder of the club that is only 9 months old and is currently a medical student. He deserves a shout out for all the work he has done to take care of us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVOOTGcCSYu44OokJptyKnWoHlu1eM3OOT7jXmHND29zL2Lv1FULdlqJu7-Dd5Hj6I2S9M_nPKfPPaFa5ZXySDUrwulo8nhxncQDyJeUa1f-9g5V86IVqXoKE-1ibnmmqHXAbfMuxsUbH/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVOOTGcCSYu44OokJptyKnWoHlu1eM3OOT7jXmHND29zL2Lv1FULdlqJu7-Dd5Hj6I2S9M_nPKfPPaFa5ZXySDUrwulo8nhxncQDyJeUa1f-9g5V86IVqXoKE-1ibnmmqHXAbfMuxsUbH/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVOOTGcCSYu44OokJptyKnWoHlu1eM3OOT7jXmHND29zL2Lv1FULdlqJu7-Dd5Hj6I2S9M_nPKfPPaFa5ZXySDUrwulo8nhxncQDyJeUa1f-9g5V86IVqXoKE-1ibnmmqHXAbfMuxsUbH/s320/IMG_1101.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roberto and his girlfriend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We drive 20 minutes out of Santa Ana to Lago de Coatepeque (Lake of Coatepeque). The lake is the crater of a volcano - dark blue water, warm on the top, extremely cold below. <br />
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We are here with the Rotaract club and we enjoy each others company at a private club. Our time is filled with laughter and camaraderie. Doug pays $20 for a half hour boat ride for 15 people. When we return, Curt plays the guitar by the pool. We enjoy every last part of this tranquil visit as the Rotary conference starts tonight and we will have a busy next few days.<br />
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We arrive in San Salvador. Alicia and Kim are staying together for the last few nights and Doug will be solo, Curt and I get picked up by Carlos. 15 minutes to shower and we are off to the district conference.<br />
It is overwhelming! Lots of key people that we have met over the last 4 weeks are in one room and we cannot keep up with the greetings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO00s83jWQVWDFjT9jdecj83Ilv1NVpYtmMtsw3ufPTDnA7377ADgTWXvE4qfsY2kL0Wz3nTuXqpCBbl3-w1Fh-cDoB5fLzY6eV7QhvytASkYZvzZ41qymAnrsmf30xmFoAjyj2ULGFpPE/s1600/DSC02525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO00s83jWQVWDFjT9jdecj83Ilv1NVpYtmMtsw3ufPTDnA7377ADgTWXvE4qfsY2kL0Wz3nTuXqpCBbl3-w1Fh-cDoB5fLzY6eV7QhvytASkYZvzZ41qymAnrsmf30xmFoAjyj2ULGFpPE/s320/DSC02525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Two familiar faces we gravitate to are Juan and Eyda (Juan is the rum tycoon from Panama that we stayed with on his estate). We get to see <a href="http://dgdawn.blogspot.com/">Dawn Straka</a>, the district governor for our area back in Canada. She has visited the area quite a few times due to her involved in wheelchair donations.<br />
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It is a night of socialization outside on the museum's property, a beautiful venue... I am tired. Tomorrow we will present to the district conference.<br />
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MCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-2706746343085302702011-03-24T01:54:00.000-04:002011-03-24T01:54:56.754-04:00March 23 PerspectiveBest breakfast yet. These are the best Huevos Rancheros I have had in Central America. Fresh squeezed pineapple juice, great coffee, and a piece of pecan pie complete the meal. I am a happy man to start the day.<br />
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The breakfast pours colour back into Kim's face, and light into her eyes. WELCOME BACK SOLDIER! We're off to tour a coffee mill: J Hill y CIA. It's beautiful, from storage barns, to the drying lots, to the sorting room, to the greenhouses. We snap pictures, and listen intently on all the steps required to make a pot or cup of coffee.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_rrb530avK0lcDRqKGZceBsipnkggsXf_rXSTtnanM9EaX1YP14_uCj71ar2-LFqash5TFYP5q3SOKqx3ti8UZIEShJ6Grcrl83qPt701E_tD1oEWX08Z_Ne2xobjpgCWobrMjUmYaCc/s1600/DSC02376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_rrb530avK0lcDRqKGZceBsipnkggsXf_rXSTtnanM9EaX1YP14_uCj71ar2-LFqash5TFYP5q3SOKqx3ti8UZIEShJ6Grcrl83qPt701E_tD1oEWX08Z_Ne2xobjpgCWobrMjUmYaCc/s320/DSC02376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaFjqATjJb4qj94BEQNKI_dSL_SnrPXSDgTDvtUz0kIrNTjEzohmBId1l1HsJtB4CLgmplk6s7Sa1f8v6dSqTpNUWUTrXGW6q6WwHDw0WA8EjWf7gDskP9JG1Bci0C3gC0OR2B81M2vGn/s1600/DSC02383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaFjqATjJb4qj94BEQNKI_dSL_SnrPXSDgTDvtUz0kIrNTjEzohmBId1l1HsJtB4CLgmplk6s7Sa1f8v6dSqTpNUWUTrXGW6q6WwHDw0WA8EjWf7gDskP9JG1Bci0C3gC0OR2B81M2vGn/s320/DSC02383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafoyRZbyWzYfSZJ0iBLML9agdP8b7pnnExKcfLJNhDM531ytkoUS3lCNGrEXy5yPqdQDMIMnG3S09Gcxxkcc85-ExYHUG5r65c_-s5HDyPB3hx-XfYnR8z1UOEy8zGn2rjlbAouEhNMnv/s1600/DSC02391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafoyRZbyWzYfSZJ0iBLML9agdP8b7pnnExKcfLJNhDM531ytkoUS3lCNGrEXy5yPqdQDMIMnG3S09Gcxxkcc85-ExYHUG5r65c_-s5HDyPB3hx-XfYnR8z1UOEy8zGn2rjlbAouEhNMnv/s320/DSC02391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOkRdLTohdj47PF3UeTmd4HgpGlNASTnK_UPyjECGm4ghpVU0ILxfg58SNsmk9wVZBeKhvEg_7D_xGpc1Lcjmd0LHA71BhSlzo-1TrPqrkttqdd6Xcw_QfB-gGt_Gc6kt8lC3OO3Psc0h/s1600/DSC02419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOkRdLTohdj47PF3UeTmd4HgpGlNASTnK_UPyjECGm4ghpVU0ILxfg58SNsmk9wVZBeKhvEg_7D_xGpc1Lcjmd0LHA71BhSlzo-1TrPqrkttqdd6Xcw_QfB-gGt_Gc6kt8lC3OO3Psc0h/s320/DSC02419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlp0-fx_He_l5R-uBcf6an3NixWzX2AIF5lbZskRNjznTBVVZEhHqcSKd1NhUPUdExaKTuPT5RnlIrEYZOYLl0_qp-2GDuOIVyjk0S-2I0MD7x2UXG7scbIWRQ4fg8k8GKGHBpazq06S0/s1600/DSC02424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlp0-fx_He_l5R-uBcf6an3NixWzX2AIF5lbZskRNjznTBVVZEhHqcSKd1NhUPUdExaKTuPT5RnlIrEYZOYLl0_qp-2GDuOIVyjk0S-2I0MD7x2UXG7scbIWRQ4fg8k8GKGHBpazq06S0/s320/DSC02424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It's very impressive, and they have even converted their office computers to run off a bank of solar panels and batteries. Interesting for me, as my girlfriend Laura and I live the same way in Canada (thanks for introducing me to a no-bills lifestyle LT).<br />
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There is also the most amazing tree I've ever seen in my life on the property. It is a cotton tree, and is over 250 years old. I want to see this tree again before I die.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWEZZtpWmAXq7rpH9wmajI3ntEUXZTRjXcBRJb7L2L1PO6CDexNFK-uasfAV1ZOjg13eety4TKGHdseedof1tNTIVa6IILpayWxmeVAI-7xN-CwKd08Y2ldNETTY62QX5v-GB54lGUJos/s1600/DSC02397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWEZZtpWmAXq7rpH9wmajI3ntEUXZTRjXcBRJb7L2L1PO6CDexNFK-uasfAV1ZOjg13eety4TKGHdseedof1tNTIVa6IILpayWxmeVAI-7xN-CwKd08Y2ldNETTY62QX5v-GB54lGUJos/s320/DSC02397.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two espressos, and we're off to Liliana's house for supplies, restrooms, and to see her two little dogs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbdJ0V2gudHDOnFeguUTIQZoJ95ue7klq4E2T85qLgChzfgkU9aQDU54e4km4nhxqhxRTwxVSZMrEk27tQIE9xrhqN3wL23mP2AOXEbOkBvErVwR2gS0UA_vO2WP2u6ATE8IeQMvwgEga/s1600/DSC02435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbdJ0V2gudHDOnFeguUTIQZoJ95ue7klq4E2T85qLgChzfgkU9aQDU54e4km4nhxqhxRTwxVSZMrEk27tQIE9xrhqN3wL23mP2AOXEbOkBvErVwR2gS0UA_vO2WP2u6ATE8IeQMvwgEga/s320/DSC02435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We head into the mountains, stopping in a small town near the peak to tour around. There's a cute artisan shop that makes their own clothing, unfortunately the loom staff are on lunch, so we don't see any action.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE9r0f5hE-xcOPY38PSUOrGoTz-5JhNRbB-2pD7uZRElPF_IAoZnwZh5XQG06ca88tTilcJmPdSVXn3EfsQcq_ZWJyHezKU9ejuX_912Cd_hU5BnRGtr7-Tn8CcES8Klwjx68eOV5mzyW/s1600/DSC02453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE9r0f5hE-xcOPY38PSUOrGoTz-5JhNRbB-2pD7uZRElPF_IAoZnwZh5XQG06ca88tTilcJmPdSVXn3EfsQcq_ZWJyHezKU9ejuX_912Cd_hU5BnRGtr7-Tn8CcES8Klwjx68eOV5mzyW/s320/DSC02453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After getting a few gifts for those of you at home, we sampled some new fruits (to us) in the market, and then headed for lunch. A few minutes out of town we dined at a <a href="http://www.eljardindeceleste.com/">restaurant situated on a coffee plantation</a>. It had cabins for rent, as well as numerous facilities for wedding receptions and even it's own chapel for ceremonies. The experience was top notch, from the chunky menus with tin fronts, to the amazing meal...tortilla soup, crostini w funghi, spinach lasagna w salad...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR51k41_yBZfqvOv1QgMIg9EYFZ71kxP3aROsm55uZvlhRIn1imrZ5D8CT9z1Zocu5Hu53is8ZxiyApEHQVE47LDn8xIS7dDud4kb1pGiAS0rQ7kJHhCZDbyX5x1A6QxxNR40q_YUj1X2j/s1600/DSC02464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR51k41_yBZfqvOv1QgMIg9EYFZ71kxP3aROsm55uZvlhRIn1imrZ5D8CT9z1Zocu5Hu53is8ZxiyApEHQVE47LDn8xIS7dDud4kb1pGiAS0rQ7kJHhCZDbyX5x1A6QxxNR40q_YUj1X2j/s320/DSC02464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAixqQMH19dZueBC9Ieti5J9ilQ1rgxny1OTpjTE6C2kmF6yyZFYL464YtMHgmb-UE_4i3CFAZzTX6h7T-E7X4KgRm3DU4hrlPOvw5N8E6n8ZQwwPzYa8ZRQd6BjWygSfsFLrqkMUuBQqc/s1600/DSC02467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAixqQMH19dZueBC9Ieti5J9ilQ1rgxny1OTpjTE6C2kmF6yyZFYL464YtMHgmb-UE_4i3CFAZzTX6h7T-E7X4KgRm3DU4hrlPOvw5N8E6n8ZQwwPzYa8ZRQd6BjWygSfsFLrqkMUuBQqc/s320/DSC02467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcY0wrcmvbpbyXNCP-kVBCk5_e5JTX1ZXUptTEB64GQ8Y-JJ-UjVEc8GwlIbbmvSD3XyJdPAHr5ksxyK0O1e5xijFIRv4kXbSMZCRD0us1WICUF_344viyKB_U-oLxKsn514GdTNvEcvw/s1600/DSC02471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcY0wrcmvbpbyXNCP-kVBCk5_e5JTX1ZXUptTEB64GQ8Y-JJ-UjVEc8GwlIbbmvSD3XyJdPAHr5ksxyK0O1e5xijFIRv4kXbSMZCRD0us1WICUF_344viyKB_U-oLxKsn514GdTNvEcvw/s320/DSC02471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyS6EaE_KcvoOM4YjvMb_91dwTWRJp4aXYTb_LwgmmVQV1l5AH9p7orHzwtO20pLlNdcHxepEqRAsvP8axtMxdqDGwrp4I-2-vcm3uTiQnx2ihGzYjZwGrqaLdrmzuRwzSGeaB6IL0Hab/s1600/DSC02472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyS6EaE_KcvoOM4YjvMb_91dwTWRJp4aXYTb_LwgmmVQV1l5AH9p7orHzwtO20pLlNdcHxepEqRAsvP8axtMxdqDGwrp4I-2-vcm3uTiQnx2ihGzYjZwGrqaLdrmzuRwzSGeaB6IL0Hab/s320/DSC02472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtZHx89vGF2ZSvB4MQNipTHS1tu22UZ586tA7P2EiEf0rdICgNUXxDGSXFzZBwhykdz4cGi8KqZmrQHGABzrNHk57aUr80NgDnXV_kqYRvDmS1FZA9PHQlOHeuUQJvooMXwhZLi7h8Oea/s1600/DSC02473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtZHx89vGF2ZSvB4MQNipTHS1tu22UZ586tA7P2EiEf0rdICgNUXxDGSXFzZBwhykdz4cGi8KqZmrQHGABzrNHk57aUr80NgDnXV_kqYRvDmS1FZA9PHQlOHeuUQJvooMXwhZLi7h8Oea/s320/DSC02473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We head back down the mountain, stopping a few times at lookouts to enjoy the view, and snap some photos. Kim and I pass out in the back of the van, listening to a great mix of Be Good Tanyas, Joe Purdy, and Wailin' Jennys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKa7LknjQFvS3uGz8x8kaYH_k7P5ilqMxugONk5BTqBru22hhVRcg2ggzBO4lo2pFaVihCHvutQGNAaV35CUPaQV396HIrZvIm-VGclSj6RqFBduzjV03aUIBIVLg-_jXpzXTMsGOuWoIj/s1600/DSC02501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKa7LknjQFvS3uGz8x8kaYH_k7P5ilqMxugONk5BTqBru22hhVRcg2ggzBO4lo2pFaVihCHvutQGNAaV35CUPaQV396HIrZvIm-VGclSj6RqFBduzjV03aUIBIVLg-_jXpzXTMsGOuWoIj/s320/DSC02501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a quick blog and clean-up at home, we're headed to a big supper. A father/son team (Roberto Jr&Sr) host nearly 60 Rotarians/Rotaracts for dinner of typical foods. It's a social night, and they're happy to have us. We say a few thank-you's, and the guitar is out again...they want Pat Benetar (weird request), but they settle for a few others. I think they genuinely enjoy the music, or they fake well enough that I feel good about playing for them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgr9LGSlwbElTpxYf5p-oAh08Yx5ZEaBEURwsetr5TpdALjWTx4vOia1m8swVx0aAigm-5e2N9iMHoA34oLTJx7Jf4DSKwnUNrEWYDpJzCwjr_hsua_k8SXb31GAyfAiPQXIuETjRV7T-/s1600/DSC02509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgr9LGSlwbElTpxYf5p-oAh08Yx5ZEaBEURwsetr5TpdALjWTx4vOia1m8swVx0aAigm-5e2N9iMHoA34oLTJx7Jf4DSKwnUNrEWYDpJzCwjr_hsua_k8SXb31GAyfAiPQXIuETjRV7T-/s320/DSC02509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5cDnVye4uh2I21p-FTTiQCrE-vY2VMA48ttrkiGZ7MQkReRw-K238n8iwoYLY_no0R-0GNwPbu5ZEYeHm' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The night winds down in good time, and we're in bed by 11. I'm blogging away, and Doug is sleeping. Tonight he is holding nothing back with his snoring. I close my eyes and try to figure out how to describe the sound...a baby chainsaw crossed with a congested man who swallowed his tongue...maybe?!?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I guess my iPod will sing me to sleep tonight...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">CGD</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-85715267052882586372011-03-23T20:25:00.000-04:002011-03-23T20:25:44.571-04:00March 22 PerspectiveMaybe the busiest day of our trip so far! We start with team breakfast at Mister Donut...doesn't sound very Central American, I know, but the buffet has all the best local options: fried plantains, chorizo, beans, tortillas, eggs, etc... Alicia has another Skype interview, so we'll catch up with her later.<br />
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We go to the hospital, where we're toured around by the Rotaract Club, many of whom are med students. They are working on a project to equip an unused space with toys and games for children, as there are currently no good ways for children to entertain themselves as they wait for care.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIktTrz4-3tmS7OGC_OYZT8Gd5VHmMceTTaHGTinlgcpgRKFk6MCoBslWg9GjaS5iT-X1EKnSAT-6L0IinQqz-kWzCq3CUmSFluY2WlLRvu01Fszq97YfKXcPyRmQkuFSTmn75-jqvYMP/s1600/IMG_0689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIktTrz4-3tmS7OGC_OYZT8Gd5VHmMceTTaHGTinlgcpgRKFk6MCoBslWg9GjaS5iT-X1EKnSAT-6L0IinQqz-kWzCq3CUmSFluY2WlLRvu01Fszq97YfKXcPyRmQkuFSTmn75-jqvYMP/s320/IMG_0689.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>From there we're off to the local theatre (not Doug, he has a vocational visit). It was badly damaged by earthquakes and the civil war, and has been undergoing a 20 year restoration. It still has lots of character, and amazing acoustics!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi6LcJd0HGfetY-7N-zlkD2FGyn-yBhO4UGv_cTD-qitwOtfK6jp7272lzIg02gDe2BLcZA_6qp3dfyDicpTkJK3g-hf_btDP6K_fX255tYWRpAp6Lpa3JoXtpsZbHLU0RTAWgA-CQ83_/s1600/IMG_0708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi6LcJd0HGfetY-7N-zlkD2FGyn-yBhO4UGv_cTD-qitwOtfK6jp7272lzIg02gDe2BLcZA_6qp3dfyDicpTkJK3g-hf_btDP6K_fX255tYWRpAp6Lpa3JoXtpsZbHLU0RTAWgA-CQ83_/s320/IMG_0708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJxWkXJIozbOEYclS7X_UHSd9fo-aFvOCKOdxgaDQ1bjjfdbc46bqHxCt868eFRDfP4Xzkmvb5DCAaST4PC_oabB7trw3d_m2zRAmOe3M7huYLGZLEP2uKO1fet_AXuOfJhzcgWvkeJk_/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJxWkXJIozbOEYclS7X_UHSd9fo-aFvOCKOdxgaDQ1bjjfdbc46bqHxCt868eFRDfP4Xzkmvb5DCAaST4PC_oabB7trw3d_m2zRAmOe3M7huYLGZLEP2uKO1fet_AXuOfJhzcgWvkeJk_/s320/IMG_0727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next we meet the Mayor, who is a Rotarian! He shares with us their municipal government structure, and some of their biggest challenges. He is off on a road-trip to LA and Calgary to exchange ideas on commerce and garbage disposal. It is very interesting for me, and he is great at answering questions directly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHLYnPQAfxa7xEp3NgRcJjqNtLS3Og4gZXOfs0R13BCPAaOucI9A-_eKvL9-Z7pJtSzjRVKSF72NGTp10_JBL6SwYRxptLQ7VXxxsEJLYw3qiWthA6LVSxyWib-5inD_MZPp0IjIx1afZ/s1600/IMG_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHLYnPQAfxa7xEp3NgRcJjqNtLS3Og4gZXOfs0R13BCPAaOucI9A-_eKvL9-Z7pJtSzjRVKSF72NGTp10_JBL6SwYRxptLQ7VXxxsEJLYw3qiWthA6LVSxyWib-5inD_MZPp0IjIx1afZ/s320/IMG_0742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Next we meet a tour guide and hear the history on the cathedral. It, too, is undergoing some alterations and cleaning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaUaxOi2F4Z2wKlxXbxPiFe9AGUVrNciv89btdkhk3YhemeMKS7BPiacQqBP7wB30lq09ahUSmW97Fg7Uro5CltmvWtw5jfrIV3jalNUpwktISStg2eXeqv_oXn_l9O-WJ7o5bS-cUjdJ/s1600/IMG_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaUaxOi2F4Z2wKlxXbxPiFe9AGUVrNciv89btdkhk3YhemeMKS7BPiacQqBP7wB30lq09ahUSmW97Fg7Uro5CltmvWtw5jfrIV3jalNUpwktISStg2eXeqv_oXn_l9O-WJ7o5bS-cUjdJ/s320/IMG_0768.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kElwTWtI7_ZFIi4FEgVRADhd0a68G-47Z2mw61LBQ0AnF6Ll4HF8Tt1Shf-oSmrOvSAKuSBQWekC-U8uZ6ue6x6jFeUtOxGkfz4UlWHhYFhwW5OMZRq4gvOMm6OvI_sKfWDUiGNZQHQi/s1600/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kElwTWtI7_ZFIi4FEgVRADhd0a68G-47Z2mw61LBQ0AnF6Ll4HF8Tt1Shf-oSmrOvSAKuSBQWekC-U8uZ6ue6x6jFeUtOxGkfz4UlWHhYFhwW5OMZRq4gvOMm6OvI_sKfWDUiGNZQHQi/s320/IMG_0762.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
We grab an ice cream, as Kim summons energy to plod on. It is hard to watch a teammate struggle, as we've all had our down days, and know how hard it is to push on when you're sick, hot and tired.<br />
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We have lunch at Mario's seafood bar, and we all agree it's the best fish we've had on the trip. Liliana brings hre Magic Jack, and we all make a call home.<br />
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TAZUMAL - My first experience at a Meso-American ruins. It's very impressive up close, and we take our time wandering the grounds. The engineering, design, and construction are overwhelmingly impressive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Cj4tpnb_cephpzVQ4nBucE0XjLfmwwp3nJM1SRPWlChZdABW_2iZwFQ57cDkTZ7qNO9QPDCyR6LgBgAxLiSaen0kQJDDkshmGJGe5BEw4RdZXlKa1R_sICicViaYO9221PypoyZK9hW4/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Cj4tpnb_cephpzVQ4nBucE0XjLfmwwp3nJM1SRPWlChZdABW_2iZwFQ57cDkTZ7qNO9QPDCyR6LgBgAxLiSaen0kQJDDkshmGJGe5BEw4RdZXlKa1R_sICicViaYO9221PypoyZK9hW4/s320/IMG_0777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7Nk4Aq_WdBiTORTqmLk4v3wH0lFR7lL6PUyRaR0w6FRciqpag2pd4bISeuh6jdXhlsbnxuAg9IRZQkGIPFSdZK_wTsFlmfnZ3qkLtYQPH7pA9Gh_TQXjlbL2dbpKpHhyphenhyphenCrZcnIwCElY/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd7Nk4Aq_WdBiTORTqmLk4v3wH0lFR7lL6PUyRaR0w6FRciqpag2pd4bISeuh6jdXhlsbnxuAg9IRZQkGIPFSdZK_wTsFlmfnZ3qkLtYQPH7pA9Gh_TQXjlbL2dbpKpHhyphenhyphenCrZcnIwCElY/s320/IMG_0792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkBZAKMIQhJgY43H-gu59iWStuD0d2tVzjuBDtcDPH9orzpqc3h-YTYIFrBgcIFfBHYwGkDFtbW6vxJeyBaFv7ySYx5x2dWp-i1-aaXQrg6bQMMtFPNJDbfhS8NEMa5XMiWTXdB1ijiC6/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkBZAKMIQhJgY43H-gu59iWStuD0d2tVzjuBDtcDPH9orzpqc3h-YTYIFrBgcIFfBHYwGkDFtbW6vxJeyBaFv7ySYx5x2dWp-i1-aaXQrg6bQMMtFPNJDbfhS8NEMa5XMiWTXdB1ijiC6/s320/IMG_0832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We get an hour at home to nap and clean up, and we're off to Mario's steakhouse for our first Rotary meeting in El Salvador. It's a large group comprising 2 clubs, and a Rotaract club. I play a few songs after the presentation, and the Rotaractors take us for drinks. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpHyrCdfZXoNxacapp2lBkPpYM_-RRwoWV72RmNe72WfMf8D27HJFa6qrCuswRsKX6pg-hfT9_JuvlmLCTV8NwNSDos6va-X3dHu9DLAh-Vc4_BEZZ10zrJYw9z3OxjFWdTrN0sUzM-9n/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpHyrCdfZXoNxacapp2lBkPpYM_-RRwoWV72RmNe72WfMf8D27HJFa6qrCuswRsKX6pg-hfT9_JuvlmLCTV8NwNSDos6va-X3dHu9DLAh-Vc4_BEZZ10zrJYw9z3OxjFWdTrN0sUzM-9n/s320/IMG_0833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We're all worried that they want to party, as we had a long day, but we end up at a nice house and enjoy a couple drinks on a patio while I play a few more songs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L147NEwh9_oQ-RNcsVsV-PVMqFfwkIbSo8knFNd9cUA_CV-C5uHuxptgO7XRudBeFbFxUTcLQkEyytyLeV2vQwVNf7oMrFqtm7sFE2ZyGGhkhKvuUhXJRaNrCQ3ZWUPK9__iMjl1Ee8s/s1600/IMG_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L147NEwh9_oQ-RNcsVsV-PVMqFfwkIbSo8knFNd9cUA_CV-C5uHuxptgO7XRudBeFbFxUTcLQkEyytyLeV2vQwVNf7oMrFqtm7sFE2ZyGGhkhKvuUhXJRaNrCQ3ZWUPK9__iMjl1Ee8s/s320/IMG_0837.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A day of culture, in bed by 12, everything is going great...BUT...<br />
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Dugmooodeee snores all night in our shared room, and the 3 dogs in the house start barking at sunrise and don't stop. Wednesday will be a long day.<br />
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CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-25072719577831796452011-03-23T19:55:00.000-04:002011-03-23T19:55:24.119-04:00March 21 PerspectiveSince we were supposed to be in San Miguel, the plans for today and tomorrow are being thrown together. There are a group of students (& chaperones) from District 7040 (eastern Ontario and some Quebec and northern USA) who are working and doing some tourism in San Salvador. We hitched a ride with them to a Rotarian's house on the ocean. It was great to hear from high-school aged kids who are involved with such great service oriented projects. They're definitely having some fun while doing it, but they're focused on giving back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiFe25CocGLvlnAfMNXu1YT8baWGam_K8NnnmdaVI-QviptePi8a7qUzQ7UkiELm6LxfgOsck-huRoL__jsJeC3hjD7vLg2YdPyvtRWCdWv99-yKmTvoPKdOLVKY0tjxjvduAdb2yItHh/s1600/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiFe25CocGLvlnAfMNXu1YT8baWGam_K8NnnmdaVI-QviptePi8a7qUzQ7UkiELm6LxfgOsck-huRoL__jsJeC3hjD7vLg2YdPyvtRWCdWv99-yKmTvoPKdOLVKY0tjxjvduAdb2yItHh/s320/IMG_0650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We got some good exercise, and reflected on the differences we'd experience...country to country, and expectations to reality.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjb_M7bkuDx22ZdWowbiOdh0DTE4G5CrbEmzVl5PIenED89QP5SBY48XXCnZ-IEbkskW6jxS7OmkjcVurqccDNvpN9d99giVvHXt05UtLXDwK_xRLX7mSgYvMzfnyaP28ZBcF7KCxKb9S/s1600/IMG_0663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjb_M7bkuDx22ZdWowbiOdh0DTE4G5CrbEmzVl5PIenED89QP5SBY48XXCnZ-IEbkskW6jxS7OmkjcVurqccDNvpN9d99giVvHXt05UtLXDwK_xRLX7mSgYvMzfnyaP28ZBcF7KCxKb9S/s320/IMG_0663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWBrHJUySrj3Vseym7cYAZf3G69h6hXiXtdbNrOz7AzL97KjSn3t9IjEEYMULI6BrD_ubZZg2H68HUHxjmV1o_a_ghwZC7p2tuvR7nyYum7m5kupZh1SjnbZy7zGuSxmK4APvOMd0pYua/s1600/IMG_0668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWBrHJUySrj3Vseym7cYAZf3G69h6hXiXtdbNrOz7AzL97KjSn3t9IjEEYMULI6BrD_ubZZg2H68HUHxjmV1o_a_ghwZC7p2tuvR7nyYum7m5kupZh1SjnbZy7zGuSxmK4APvOMd0pYua/s320/IMG_0668.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM33gx1URUuOaiFcxVt4WDzF8gPVAyerhd9S3i-n-zJ7N9tEIEMCBHgfNUnmnPXhFYapfZiuemkVUFBRxl7wdb0vYhRKjOIH4Qfi1qVZNJisHvSo4G18xBH0qTEoU3coUWGEW30tb9vVyq/s1600/IMG_0673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM33gx1URUuOaiFcxVt4WDzF8gPVAyerhd9S3i-n-zJ7N9tEIEMCBHgfNUnmnPXhFYapfZiuemkVUFBRxl7wdb0vYhRKjOIH4Qfi1qVZNJisHvSo4G18xBH0qTEoU3coUWGEW30tb9vVyq/s320/IMG_0673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaqecvShizbI8xGo-in_irNIGJBy5nyBv5-6OLXu9iYyFG_nW2taaCukIOYmVPla3t6MaW4Epix34GTMaUBv0PABFZ1OQujjktApkAdROrt-00YPo9dQyQdgKfjswAjerwG_KXmTocYf7/s1600/IMG_0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaqecvShizbI8xGo-in_irNIGJBy5nyBv5-6OLXu9iYyFG_nW2taaCukIOYmVPla3t6MaW4Epix34GTMaUBv0PABFZ1OQujjktApkAdROrt-00YPo9dQyQdgKfjswAjerwG_KXmTocYf7/s320/IMG_0659.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4IpYvx-uK7XGjTQtBDYNH8W4J4J6tSytq_geCXg74ypqI-_zWW_nN2Gz6RYSS8y0WJYgwLE8Ip3FzsJLBT1eOImEKFczpD66h92RCrrS0fe-8-CLYZhCBoldiPBD9MYG2t5wT3P2gLEf/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4IpYvx-uK7XGjTQtBDYNH8W4J4J6tSytq_geCXg74ypqI-_zWW_nN2Gz6RYSS8y0WJYgwLE8Ip3FzsJLBT1eOImEKFczpD66h92RCrrS0fe-8-CLYZhCBoldiPBD9MYG2t5wT3P2gLEf/s320/IMG_0666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We arrive back for a tea, and were whisked away to Santa Ana, where we'll be staying until Thursday. The first day of meeting your new hosts/billets is always a little awkward. Will they speak English? Will the house be comfortable? Will they be genuinely interested in us?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UgWKPKVFwxQ-1L8IgnAcy1oa9dQ_lNKL0Qe0cKSjToIwFtLcRbJF-7y0BhzphSrO0MkdpekZcL295vjM8iIozK4oOi6fOGMEyB9kh1ihS9vkSgCjBrNHTPtYtFidH1525dtuBlGAtpmj/s1600/IMG_0681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UgWKPKVFwxQ-1L8IgnAcy1oa9dQ_lNKL0Qe0cKSjToIwFtLcRbJF-7y0BhzphSrO0MkdpekZcL295vjM8iIozK4oOi6fOGMEyB9kh1ihS9vkSgCjBrNHTPtYtFidH1525dtuBlGAtpmj/s320/IMG_0681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Needless to say, the Rotarians in Santa Ana gave us the warmest welcome so far. We enjoyed Pupusas, their local dish, and even did a little dancing. Doug & I are staying with Mario, who owns 3 restaurants. We stop for a scotch and tour of two of them en route home. They are expansive places, and his staff are knowledgeable and engaging. His home is close by, and is warm and inviting without being over the top. Doug and I are roomies, and it feels like university again.<br />
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CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-38162442991429039052011-03-23T10:52:00.003-04:002011-03-24T19:55:18.983-04:00March 20: Plan B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhSYLkaSZrHeveC9vUBYBQQkaZ0rWsBlk-Ep0I0IZkuNl3CpGuIEzzomUaajGm79iDD0kKC4EDppqA8fnMkAzr8hUyMjRH78wrKwsVN-y4Mv8KKdqBh120-K_erBNmIZOFTfsZPD33pjX/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Up and at it 3:30am today. <br />
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We left our current home, yet again, to set out for a new adventure in a new Country. Our destination: El Salvador. Our means of travel: the oh so comfy Ticabus! <br />
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Prepared this time with snacks and toilet paper, the ride seemed shorter and less draining even with two boarder crossings and four checkpoints. <br />
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There was no getting off the bus and lining up like school children to have strange men with guns feel through all our personal belongings. We just simply passed over our passports and across the boarders we went. <br />
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Entertainment for the bus ride: Movies. <br />
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The movies: The Mechanic (again!), Gifted Hands (so good!), and some horrible Tom Cruise movie (almost awkward to watch…so bad!) <br />
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Around 4:00pm we rolled in only to find out that we were supposed to get off the bus in San Migual where our host families were waiting excitedly to greet us and then take us to their homes for a big dinner. San Minuel is about 3 hours back in the direction we came! <br />
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How did this happen? We still don’t know. What we do know is that our host families watched from their cars as the bus passed by our pick up location and then proceeded to chase the bus down. This only caused the driver to speed up because he thought the chasing vehicles were up to no good! <br />
<br />
Once off the bus in Sans Salvador, we waited about 20 minutes before being greeted with our “plan B” host families. We were greeted with warm smiles and hugs despite the inconveniences we had caused them. In no time we were being whisked away to one of the Rotarian’s homes for drinks and dinner. By 8:00pm, we were taken to our back up host families for the night. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhSYLkaSZrHeveC9vUBYBQQkaZ0rWsBlk-Ep0I0IZkuNl3CpGuIEzzomUaajGm79iDD0kKC4EDppqA8fnMkAzr8hUyMjRH78wrKwsVN-y4Mv8KKdqBh120-K_erBNmIZOFTfsZPD33pjX/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhSYLkaSZrHeveC9vUBYBQQkaZ0rWsBlk-Ep0I0IZkuNl3CpGuIEzzomUaajGm79iDD0kKC4EDppqA8fnMkAzr8hUyMjRH78wrKwsVN-y4Mv8KKdqBh120-K_erBNmIZOFTfsZPD33pjX/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia7s15yb3wHlweXZ2P3SaCO_8_Wicx_SJ7PknRQdSNdvXGly6vj3eSTfDmCCG6SOJAEsWS8eDaKiwP57F5UjQBVGoAN7tj_6LZAKZM7K_EtHb9oUjfmYRsBrxPEyctD6dLvbKZi-STK54/s1600/IMG_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia7s15yb3wHlweXZ2P3SaCO_8_Wicx_SJ7PknRQdSNdvXGly6vj3eSTfDmCCG6SOJAEsWS8eDaKiwP57F5UjQBVGoAN7tj_6LZAKZM7K_EtHb9oUjfmYRsBrxPEyctD6dLvbKZi-STK54/s320/IMG_0645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the backyard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Three weeks in before any of us dropped the ball, I’d say that’s pretty good!<br />
<br />
Finally a blog, <br />
<br />
KTUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-21083215416755100822011-03-22T01:17:00.001-04:002011-03-22T01:27:50.495-04:00More Q & A<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some more questions from back home:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. Tell me about the trip to El Salvador. First impressions?<br />
<br />
A. It was much easier than the other international <a href="http://www.ticabus.com/">Ticabus</a> trips. It was still 10+hours but we did not get our bags searched… at least not to the extent that it was from Panama to Costa Rica. We went through Honduras to get to El Salvador so there were 2 border crossings. I think we are getting better at travelling this way.<br />
<br />
There was a mix up to where were suppose to be dropped off. Our tickets said destination: San Salvador. We drove through San Miguel, not knowing people were waiting for us there. Kim will blog more on this…<br />
<br />
First impressions: awesome country; once again complete different from any of the other countries. The Rotarians that we have met are leaving a great impression of what the people are like here: warm, hospitable, accommodating. On the bus, Doug befriended a local who stayed with us until we were able to contact our billets. He translated for us a few times and offered a level of comfort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. What is the weather like?<br />
<br />
A. Nicaragua hit 39 degrees Celsius before humidity when we visited one of the remote villages. We wore dress shoes to the village (presentation later that day and to be honest we had no idea we were going), you could feel the extreme heat come from the ground up into your feet! At night it went down below 30 degrees, depending on where we were.<br />
<br />
El Salvador is more like Costa Rica: nice warm temperatures but we still needed a sweater outside at night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. Have you enjoyed Nicaragua more/less than the other countries?<br />
<br />
A. Nicaragua was different from the other countries in many ways. It was a much more relaxed pace than the other countries which was nice to recover a little and enjoy ourselves at the beach, but the nature of the program is busy and intense so we missed out on that a little. It is a beautiful country but it is the second poorest in the Americas (poorest is Haiti). Poverty is everywhere. <br />
<br />
The team enjoyed Leon (I loved Leon), Masaya and Granada. Personally I found Managua (the capital) tough due to high crime and a constant need for heightened situational awareness. While Kim and Curt were a little sick the last night in Managua, Doug, Alicia and I went out to get snacks and cash. The hotel insisted that we cannot leave without the hotel’s driver. While waiting for the driver, Alicia walked outside the front of the hotel. The receptionist yelled telling her to get back in the lobby. So even with the two security guards with shotguns standing outside it was still perceived to be dangerous to be out there. Don’t worry, we are not there anymore.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. What was your first full day like?<br />
<br />
A. Today was our first full day in El Salvador. We joined some Interact students from Canada at the beach. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. Are Curt and Kim feeling better?<br />
<br />
A. Yes. Curt recovered a few hours before the bus trip (thank god, I was sitting beside him!) and Kim recovered most of her energy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Q. How many hits on the blog?<br />
<br />
A. 4724. Most of the audience is obviously from Canada but there are strong numbers following from Panama, United States, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. There must be a small audience from Morocco, United Kingdom and Mexico. Chile is showing hits, which would be Ana Luisa Sepulveda following us; she is an international consultant from Chile that we spent a day with in Panama. Hola Ana! <br />
<br />
<br />
MC</div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-16938911690316334602011-03-21T00:08:00.016-04:002011-03-23T20:54:05.073-04:00March 19th: Mark's Perspective<div class="MsoNormal">Up at 7:00am, no way our bodies let us sleep in. We say our goodbyes to Roberto, our main host for Nicaragua, and we are off with Rosa Marina and other Rotarians.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We are brought to a site for a future pedestrian suspension bridge. We first were wondering why we were here, standing in front of a dried up river bed and no evidence of a project: t</span>here is a school on our side of the river. They tell us that in the rainy season the river swells and is dirty, deep and dangerous. Because of this, the children on that side of the river cannot cross to go to school (300 students at this school and half are affected by the river). There is a bridge 500m up river but it is old and will not last many more years.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The Rotary club has joined with an American organization called <a href="http://www.bridgestoprosperity.org/">Bridges to Prosperity</a>. This organization builds bridges from donated material. The proposed bridge to be built at this location is being designed by students at Notre Dame and will be a suspension bridge made of old cables that were used to tie ships to docks. The total cost of the bridge will be $15,000 - majority of the cost is associated with shipping the material. First thing I thought of was recycling the strandjack cables that Western (company I work for in Canada) must scrap after every 5 uses; pretty awe-inspiring if we could contribute to bettering communities by building infrastructure they need with our waste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We move on. We go to a school (today is Saturday) to meet the children, play piñata and listen to their needs. Playing with the kids is what we turn this experience into... </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8oL2nR2OX5ojMJD3o3c7VSNUyz-LNW-BDNeB0Uzi2hDK9ygOgJvzhhvovkGb8J8BoIrRvzIRqeHavVgTCUj6jae-6LIXw-n4tGHs_ql2Xvpd-Kuu6icKhOdwg-sYUa0GGvATRlAtBb7h/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8oL2nR2OX5ojMJD3o3c7VSNUyz-LNW-BDNeB0Uzi2hDK9ygOgJvzhhvovkGb8J8BoIrRvzIRqeHavVgTCUj6jae-6LIXw-n4tGHs_ql2Xvpd-Kuu6icKhOdwg-sYUa0GGvATRlAtBb7h/s320/IMG_0500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8oL2nR2OX5ojMJD3o3c7VSNUyz-LNW-BDNeB0Uzi2hDK9ygOgJvzhhvovkGb8J8BoIrRvzIRqeHavVgTCUj6jae-6LIXw-n4tGHs_ql2Xvpd-Kuu6icKhOdwg-sYUa0GGvATRlAtBb7h/s1600/IMG_0500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaCZI04Ht_vDLJ-E_IAWJTfXG2a2loKgeOWoT78QlUcQChyGael0H5OUna-8EWypgHRcoFnloOROb-HZmeryEeckGwIaJDP_ZiJ_gnFDLhjCV9ssR05BbwQkE_bk_jtpvnHbpUxOLN_ib/s1600/IMG_0571.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaCZI04Ht_vDLJ-E_IAWJTfXG2a2loKgeOWoT78QlUcQChyGael0H5OUna-8EWypgHRcoFnloOROb-HZmeryEeckGwIaJDP_ZiJ_gnFDLhjCV9ssR05BbwQkE_bk_jtpvnHbpUxOLN_ib/s1600/IMG_0571.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmmol06_C9VbRO7zAcxIHHb-1BuJyS0KSfENXaYAgWdmAsLiCIf9X-6x6sLYN8uqolTaqUbbnM6TGOFeiupI_3-3nh5EU09rd8Ig6Zl52x6p91of_K5dtAueKWqTf9QHybyaigJKLKelb/s1600/DSC02273.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmmol06_C9VbRO7zAcxIHHb-1BuJyS0KSfENXaYAgWdmAsLiCIf9X-6x6sLYN8uqolTaqUbbnM6TGOFeiupI_3-3nh5EU09rd8Ig6Zl52x6p91of_K5dtAueKWqTf9QHybyaigJKLKelb/s1600/DSC02273.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to a Rotarian's house for lunch, presentation outside on the porch, and some Curt Dunlop entertainment. Curt sings a few songs, then the guitar is passed to Rosa Marina. She sings traditional Nicaraguan songs and all the fellow Nicaraguans in the room join in ~ awesome! They tell us that their tradition is that if someone sings, then someone else must sing back or tell a joke. Curt is jealous of this cultural exchange and points out that the 4 other Canadians in the room did not sing along with him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ277nqIkdMh8OCIHs9HdH2E8kSc9HrjC29aBd4KkNwNSeVPDkI0F-NUw98BURRZbMJpmY_D5xtppy1OVLVQnU1xwPTAHCEsehXsBVFIBkXW0KYXN2iuZGMrsF1w55zq6vLQwb5KjMPmxQ/s1600/IMG_0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ277nqIkdMh8OCIHs9HdH2E8kSc9HrjC29aBd4KkNwNSeVPDkI0F-NUw98BURRZbMJpmY_D5xtppy1OVLVQnU1xwPTAHCEsehXsBVFIBkXW0KYXN2iuZGMrsF1w55zq6vLQwb5KjMPmxQ/s320/IMG_0602.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tour of Managua then at the hotel to pack; last few hours in Nicaragua. Kim's body has been fading out all day and once we get back to the hotel, Curt can't be too far from a bathroom... Hope they are better for the 3:30am wakeup call and 10 hour bus ride in the morning!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span><br />
MC</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-52553563399870422782011-03-19T20:18:00.000-04:002011-03-19T20:18:06.268-04:00Nicaragua Perspective - Group Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGY2ecRCwOAJtNdFBAnP9ol95qdhxuyXaRkwUK0tLd8g-5xeBNjxqZXBTo6xxqeMr1gcX5Mxy0VZ2HzK7IPUSKOtshOp2VQf_OCGA4m19bkEBiJFvNNJzjqIU2ii2hGB0F7XfmgfEvP4U/s1600/DSC02032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGY2ecRCwOAJtNdFBAnP9ol95qdhxuyXaRkwUK0tLd8g-5xeBNjxqZXBTo6xxqeMr1gcX5Mxy0VZ2HzK7IPUSKOtshOp2VQf_OCGA4m19bkEBiJFvNNJzjqIU2ii2hGB0F7XfmgfEvP4U/s320/DSC02032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rDHVADKYHThQW-L3YfeX5US9y044VjDEauGL9KVVX935S1ZasELwR5XVyOak793Mn5YDe2VrN_NQBYiHOZN7DpSzqQFUIHXjqJlzINTFuNVfPz3muYnoYnPZZrcyO7Hgpx2gz8jISLI9/s1600/DSC02190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N3dw2X_2i_085yixWhFo8IjUQ5KK45RTjEAwNKyh-uimGzNQTsEDDfP1zvgvfCs2A-Uw2OyI85Q2-PlOuwTbVfQr1rDi_QpRssMS3b73w9XWBNGxPEJeGqQcoRQKN_zG_TvGI2N8uiF9/s1600/P1000823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N3dw2X_2i_085yixWhFo8IjUQ5KK45RTjEAwNKyh-uimGzNQTsEDDfP1zvgvfCs2A-Uw2OyI85Q2-PlOuwTbVfQr1rDi_QpRssMS3b73w9XWBNGxPEJeGqQcoRQKN_zG_TvGI2N8uiF9/s320/P1000823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziHptmAD4aIKpC86kVrgh0jQSCq-FG9w-w1mQNm_tTF2IWjqzKnQAx76XJLUasfnXiLHFgPAhZ1GECvl-x9tO0bVHprO8Xz6RlxOkGkuXgRnFp_UElPM4eycGa6gmd5ThiBHUohCzlCLT/s1600/P1000882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziHptmAD4aIKpC86kVrgh0jQSCq-FG9w-w1mQNm_tTF2IWjqzKnQAx76XJLUasfnXiLHFgPAhZ1GECvl-x9tO0bVHprO8Xz6RlxOkGkuXgRnFp_UElPM4eycGa6gmd5ThiBHUohCzlCLT/s320/P1000882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FMJ_2fruDTSMNotOFr9Rl55_6I9nt0fx5lZ6Q7b8uV9NFbPOg7fWjMWGFPGXcadsyB2vHVrSDG3DiIFQxW-dHTSg7gA0SevKmHf_I2jTrFNnuiEiBRLgo1iOVREIzQGzwHp_4Rp3O07A/s1600/P1000908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FMJ_2fruDTSMNotOFr9Rl55_6I9nt0fx5lZ6Q7b8uV9NFbPOg7fWjMWGFPGXcadsyB2vHVrSDG3DiIFQxW-dHTSg7gA0SevKmHf_I2jTrFNnuiEiBRLgo1iOVREIzQGzwHp_4Rp3O07A/s320/P1000908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEkRbPe7jzZOhmRFyVx9bev4Lrj89Rmuy0pHg8IrkRwe7432_qoJBTfVqcaNnfjgBHH_RE0F9JbuQUWJXcnr7uvJ-XTqU-EQGavhUtI3oHz6Baxz6_wOlh-Z_tOX-peFktcjv4A4l6T3A/s1600/P1000944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEkRbPe7jzZOhmRFyVx9bev4Lrj89Rmuy0pHg8IrkRwe7432_qoJBTfVqcaNnfjgBHH_RE0F9JbuQUWJXcnr7uvJ-XTqU-EQGavhUtI3oHz6Baxz6_wOlh-Z_tOX-peFktcjv4A4l6T3A/s320/P1000944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26cdl_u4w49h_rCyS54ftJeGdx4ySENeAdvuEfvU38qD-3QyHh9-sMI3_AX4qwdU2J_x9Jj2ZRYY7FcN4M2Y5E2283H-vAphFjof48Y_AqfyTNx1zXPR90aJ7SJ2-6cMNzW7NVQRzY8pj/s1600/P1000945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26cdl_u4w49h_rCyS54ftJeGdx4ySENeAdvuEfvU38qD-3QyHh9-sMI3_AX4qwdU2J_x9Jj2ZRYY7FcN4M2Y5E2283H-vAphFjof48Y_AqfyTNx1zXPR90aJ7SJ2-6cMNzW7NVQRzY8pj/s320/P1000945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-3878708163348649222011-03-19T20:04:00.000-04:002011-03-19T20:04:34.150-04:00Nicaraguan Perspective - Individual Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G_Ng0b-VBgzHPH_NqtUKah1EmuR_1W7tOCyzeTn1mGZX9EVXC7u3YeZ7zke5_jhiZh6OxJum35K0KXve7CxBTFHptRvtlFtP3ATQ8w6YKlk7kmTFSzNsXsTrtKLRqmpweWq9YVLD5DsY/s1600/DSC02141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0G_Ng0b-VBgzHPH_NqtUKah1EmuR_1W7tOCyzeTn1mGZX9EVXC7u3YeZ7zke5_jhiZh6OxJum35K0KXve7CxBTFHptRvtlFtP3ATQ8w6YKlk7kmTFSzNsXsTrtKLRqmpweWq9YVLD5DsY/s320/DSC02141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maternal instincts?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXsTv_pyr4coaVMRXtOEE3EBTJnPoBJtL9X-pkBEbO4ylwcVW-sDMR49BCzBX5IMWUJz7uzpMuNPwYkFzLhqkW2t4KtTeaVG_Wt8vN_OD3VATpLMgfMha_mTu8mRV0C-06iTrwehM_fSl/s1600/DSC02145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXsTv_pyr4coaVMRXtOEE3EBTJnPoBJtL9X-pkBEbO4ylwcVW-sDMR49BCzBX5IMWUJz7uzpMuNPwYkFzLhqkW2t4KtTeaVG_Wt8vN_OD3VATpLMgfMha_mTu8mRV0C-06iTrwehM_fSl/s320/DSC02145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">biking and smiling...talented girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5FXttzMQd9xcPm8id5trAWhUZPpSLeU4njXIN4Zr31SHovzNmNJ_rNK4dpleL7wSxgQ7Wy_KCdN0GkRjqXQuweq4iU0eCprGK6U2AG-FoCteeVOQz5VsX8BmwFVUrVFPlBKDhKXBJ9jt/s1600/DSC02216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5FXttzMQd9xcPm8id5trAWhUZPpSLeU4njXIN4Zr31SHovzNmNJ_rNK4dpleL7wSxgQ7Wy_KCdN0GkRjqXQuweq4iU0eCprGK6U2AG-FoCteeVOQz5VsX8BmwFVUrVFPlBKDhKXBJ9jt/s320/DSC02216.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun protection post volcano slide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPLj_-85BlTTkPyphekv0mAeO7qm0X-T3MBQdCOtAOZ3LEriXoXpBHPmygGlzXIDxBuKrKaQTVGCO_4LBXI7vq9qwZf_tVOgv4WpmKL_3Yx8PzWSfjTuZCC867a0u2R5MxeJNaUhIXptv/s1600/IMG_0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPLj_-85BlTTkPyphekv0mAeO7qm0X-T3MBQdCOtAOZ3LEriXoXpBHPmygGlzXIDxBuKrKaQTVGCO_4LBXI7vq9qwZf_tVOgv4WpmKL_3Yx8PzWSfjTuZCC867a0u2R5MxeJNaUhIXptv/s320/IMG_0576.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happily feeding children in need</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiwf523br6hcNOicfMUF8u23wkN6TcLrdEm7sq-Uukr8h1O47Ccfb7pUnFlX8X42oBdX15QsVQ0ytDwxnebbCqhZmY50tDnY-C2Vj64z630c0a6rcLqdrm_7jgezHnDt0vLWG-7S4O0nO/s1600/P1000964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiwf523br6hcNOicfMUF8u23wkN6TcLrdEm7sq-Uukr8h1O47Ccfb7pUnFlX8X42oBdX15QsVQ0ytDwxnebbCqhZmY50tDnY-C2Vj64z630c0a6rcLqdrm_7jgezHnDt0vLWG-7S4O0nO/s320/P1000964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing student</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YWzTuWeSHU1AEBc9jBL1QxKlAfzYKgZ7FwOG5Bx7Wg7P8ST01gWS3itG3YEXoWEtlSTZu5mwM3wCdtcK1Rt8BbR7RvKoMVtfPKR7FhcVh-wcMylZ346dVUFdw49qXfdk3VL6-yEtKUH9/s1600/DSC02123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YWzTuWeSHU1AEBc9jBL1QxKlAfzYKgZ7FwOG5Bx7Wg7P8ST01gWS3itG3YEXoWEtlSTZu5mwM3wCdtcK1Rt8BbR7RvKoMVtfPKR7FhcVh-wcMylZ346dVUFdw49qXfdk3VL6-yEtKUH9/s320/DSC02123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dugmoodee the professor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk9SZt4bi-8CDMXu9aMj0AVGv4RQo0NsqkmCKbMRe2Z0T4WxoS5Xp9I4WlwU5mTkwciPpGBjm6ixpnHb6lfPppUyv_tSrzJGirvKiafILKsCzzCi1BNWTLXM_B3p3h1AYsFZY8cs2EXcj/s1600/DSC02164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk9SZt4bi-8CDMXu9aMj0AVGv4RQo0NsqkmCKbMRe2Z0T4WxoS5Xp9I4WlwU5mTkwciPpGBjm6ixpnHb6lfPppUyv_tSrzJGirvKiafILKsCzzCi1BNWTLXM_B3p3h1AYsFZY8cs2EXcj/s320/DSC02164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which way does the old pony run?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aZJ1WH8XNDVWPRaGzDWJh6D3xABfPUHe7t8ocLLdBysE04ghi7BjvBDYCMTvqmtrYm2SupulFrYDE5HfFLZgiYqsHZ9dSYJVVl7OiL4oBag8NpsSP0tZFd24x8M0g-3ntJ0VHuU9Fozp/s1600/DSC02212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aZJ1WH8XNDVWPRaGzDWJh6D3xABfPUHe7t8ocLLdBysE04ghi7BjvBDYCMTvqmtrYm2SupulFrYDE5HfFLZgiYqsHZ9dSYJVVl7OiL4oBag8NpsSP0tZFd24x8M0g-3ntJ0VHuU9Fozp/s320/DSC02212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">volcanic dust is so tasty</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiE1TkVCjp-eClY0l5t2fq2MO2TXAzqYi-qTl-ndU5sFajra6okRPXoDsAFCv6mgZi7BtsiPQXKQpN9HXdMAWDTDuCeyPNXpq7-KzKE3XKhsa95g1hTEJWB860tBcxPsfEWRyUBmp7Bdu/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiE1TkVCjp-eClY0l5t2fq2MO2TXAzqYi-qTl-ndU5sFajra6okRPXoDsAFCv6mgZi7BtsiPQXKQpN9HXdMAWDTDuCeyPNXpq7-KzKE3XKhsa95g1hTEJWB860tBcxPsfEWRyUBmp7Bdu/s320/IMG_0337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curt's vocational...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQWEQfotkCS4my-t_2zIEgXFRdZKvznw2ML1wGVm-ovC7-LlN8QRi2DBgYzKumihEm32WX3Fuy3WoP0WkN9dxLj1y3GnjGFktgcH4UJgK8B80oy0ZZ0z9HycbHhL-AVfzkxanYbJH_w8h/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQWEQfotkCS4my-t_2zIEgXFRdZKvznw2ML1wGVm-ovC7-LlN8QRi2DBgYzKumihEm32WX3Fuy3WoP0WkN9dxLj1y3GnjGFktgcH4UJgK8B80oy0ZZ0z9HycbHhL-AVfzkxanYbJH_w8h/s320/IMG_0468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a moment of quiet reflection</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtYItHU913jVsdu0tJHTQaSoMxlI2LeWFoWVx5H204uAZrjV7rpCb4pkxIOn4Fj0HV2NQ3qbuiHpjcoljL5SGWsLQ7aMXUQHzaTY2f06CIMuXM3LIX8u5pafbCOUBc_GMy9e7VgtsAbdr/s1600/DSC02036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtYItHU913jVsdu0tJHTQaSoMxlI2LeWFoWVx5H204uAZrjV7rpCb4pkxIOn4Fj0HV2NQ3qbuiHpjcoljL5SGWsLQ7aMXUQHzaTY2f06CIMuXM3LIX8u5pafbCOUBc_GMy9e7VgtsAbdr/s320/DSC02036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">adventure seeker, Mark Carney</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYVAXqKW52cYKLX-0FTB6hQvjVjCPD60xhTDOmKTMnxDyAmtX-bh8mx8C1Zsjg8-WSw71FGyFMTQ7aY9wdAKVvaMd40c0-esYOKEMZszYrHvPhBbMwVqXgAZrIzkyRKyPYSYCQluC2qri/s1600/DSC02076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYVAXqKW52cYKLX-0FTB6hQvjVjCPD60xhTDOmKTMnxDyAmtX-bh8mx8C1Zsjg8-WSw71FGyFMTQ7aY9wdAKVvaMd40c0-esYOKEMZszYrHvPhBbMwVqXgAZrIzkyRKyPYSYCQluC2qri/s320/DSC02076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark making fun of Curt's door fetish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMGTxLapxsWLhuWHXxStBUzkY1HT4R0JS02YsLbZTKTQLquZltP5SPQJxGrXlm5-AAfKmJwqDkyHDB6Y36023KE0a04r18Yq3y8aodsskTHIcBK3fySCRUkAh3Gbe8XtFTCQFSohSOTqa/s1600/DSC02193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMGTxLapxsWLhuWHXxStBUzkY1HT4R0JS02YsLbZTKTQLquZltP5SPQJxGrXlm5-AAfKmJwqDkyHDB6Y36023KE0a04r18Yq3y8aodsskTHIcBK3fySCRUkAh3Gbe8XtFTCQFSohSOTqa/s320/DSC02193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear Jess, you're welcome, Love Curt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnNWuj4BU7xspMWU1ngQjboHpeYV85Qy18vL4Q5N9sPVHswWdxbu7MghA8z3KVlt0zEet-S-oi4nZEtA4zZOkR1rslBBm6v_6pVptj2zbJSXQABcIq946BUU3gI00INSVlXHWolk-d5wn/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnNWuj4BU7xspMWU1ngQjboHpeYV85Qy18vL4Q5N9sPVHswWdxbu7MghA8z3KVlt0zEet-S-oi4nZEtA4zZOkR1rslBBm6v_6pVptj2zbJSXQABcIq946BUU3gI00INSVlXHWolk-d5wn/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark loves kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl_TztXXDyHLkvLfWyRcjMNp6tVg_hCaWK_t92WLAbXaC1RdB3eO8CSYs6lTvr7NCzDDj8fAmWpHGdTb4B5WaP_JB9ZBnNzsfElcyXSgd44pLJ0PZnnctxVUh6uAlCxYBt7uknH2q_bFT/s1600/IMG_0518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl_TztXXDyHLkvLfWyRcjMNp6tVg_hCaWK_t92WLAbXaC1RdB3eO8CSYs6lTvr7NCzDDj8fAmWpHGdTb4B5WaP_JB9ZBnNzsfElcyXSgd44pLJ0PZnnctxVUh6uAlCxYBt7uknH2q_bFT/s320/IMG_0518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Mark loves kids more. This much</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9QliFErzWEVtbw3HzAPKCLxxOsBuzCuZXaC4ONWlMeWaGZXYasg9-YoZGjj6C4F9gAs1TOUdiJpVvQUP7D89FtIJPHa95twJxTJ88dmSFrbPGOS8qjLy6aKrRv0n6nZPsSSIpUw-K76y/s1600/DSC02096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9QliFErzWEVtbw3HzAPKCLxxOsBuzCuZXaC4ONWlMeWaGZXYasg9-YoZGjj6C4F9gAs1TOUdiJpVvQUP7D89FtIJPHa95twJxTJ88dmSFrbPGOS8qjLy6aKrRv0n6nZPsSSIpUw-K76y/s320/DSC02096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty happy for riding a bike with no breaks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMkkzYRHUxfWACfTCtSQZ5_P1LhUUsYNsnSWbVq7lkp7k7v3w7geqHM549Mzu17zTOMjFt46nJUnPg5atmAao7-8LaA5zH5B4UXiNlhxpUJah96CdEefJhUe-qlphUkLV5rZbUe4iLqfo/s1600/DSC02192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMkkzYRHUxfWACfTCtSQZ5_P1LhUUsYNsnSWbVq7lkp7k7v3w7geqHM549Mzu17zTOMjFt46nJUnPg5atmAao7-8LaA5zH5B4UXiNlhxpUJah96CdEefJhUe-qlphUkLV5rZbUe4iLqfo/s320/DSC02192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those glasses are a just the right size for you Kim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF2dtMa2ypRZWIK_aCWDoKQWRVjf637SL-zGQD3vxyMf5jUK2aQd9to5vf6vm2n0ZNJwsjdI5G2ToqMj-YkpFd_apQcelD2Nk5DIGQW3AHn_tt98nl6_Q7SxRfHQ6WNfUOE6VerE9FE0c/s1600/IMG_0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUF2dtMa2ypRZWIK_aCWDoKQWRVjf637SL-zGQD3vxyMf5jUK2aQd9to5vf6vm2n0ZNJwsjdI5G2ToqMj-YkpFd_apQcelD2Nk5DIGQW3AHn_tt98nl6_Q7SxRfHQ6WNfUOE6VerE9FE0c/s320/IMG_0568.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medium cute photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYcEEugs8_Y-fdJc2fZJJYl0yZkmjEhAWHdHNBJ828_f5L7L0X6vfVm08yT7MN8xPD6EsM__SqieOGVPpTmprAEy3G1i2bGgJtoSoTKYOCHFF1HagJdZA7_zXxVihHGsBmQoAHt61MSMk/s1600/IMG_1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYcEEugs8_Y-fdJc2fZJJYl0yZkmjEhAWHdHNBJ828_f5L7L0X6vfVm08yT7MN8xPD6EsM__SqieOGVPpTmprAEy3G1i2bGgJtoSoTKYOCHFF1HagJdZA7_zXxVihHGsBmQoAHt61MSMk/s320/IMG_1822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike up volcano, get a photo on , psych yourself, ride down</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO30sH-0bKXXosrpkFnO4atwOaMnx2WHMQwJKMda3deselYsNj54jnZj6LuWA3oqwiCMme52dicZJxzVP8kwU3SQwMhYDIkWExAbyHth4MII_2iO6tEgP_wzyLJQ8ZYeHk7-Z_D-3ETcxK/s1600/P1000836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO30sH-0bKXXosrpkFnO4atwOaMnx2WHMQwJKMda3deselYsNj54jnZj6LuWA3oqwiCMme52dicZJxzVP8kwU3SQwMhYDIkWExAbyHth4MII_2iO6tEgP_wzyLJQ8ZYeHk7-Z_D-3ETcxK/s320/P1000836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you two like each other?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdwz2ABV7iYomIMK7NcrGuNiQiWHXgKH0O10bjBrZiruKLSoNEnEem6ZDkROVumK_YWoKZdYAVokN_nwdrba45qcuC4nD0a4Y1opva4Trhyphenhyphenm_Xlywvxl2xpyYxTLHrgnU0pq-eW29Ezlv/s1600/DSC02217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdwz2ABV7iYomIMK7NcrGuNiQiWHXgKH0O10bjBrZiruKLSoNEnEem6ZDkROVumK_YWoKZdYAVokN_nwdrba45qcuC4nD0a4Y1opva4Trhyphenhyphenm_Xlywvxl2xpyYxTLHrgnU0pq-eW29Ezlv/s320/DSC02217.JPG" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self portrait post volcano slide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuiwlAtfOOh73kXqmyOHBe2utiFs_iqty3HzJ7wXzkQ1cFZ2joVLidAism7uiNyU4XBZWTQTD8ns0l9O0-bTwniRsCXkk5ToO-AIbq5PIbKUAuNfWcOT3g7npreIa_6vRI2gkaqnaYy1V/s1600/DSC02270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuiwlAtfOOh73kXqmyOHBe2utiFs_iqty3HzJ7wXzkQ1cFZ2joVLidAism7uiNyU4XBZWTQTD8ns0l9O0-bTwniRsCXkk5ToO-AIbq5PIbKUAuNfWcOT3g7npreIa_6vRI2gkaqnaYy1V/s320/DSC02270.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make a face at the camera</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xMyDbhGYHSaZ4k6h5Us0gsI0pN3-yzSJup38e37_2h-S5MT08CCyCaVKDdLQ2Y-QnhIV2hQeuUAK31x7_b_Qkb_dwa5E2i4i6VtoHl2OsAAsir9KSRAPd9JhaXQ0XXtQ-Y5BKr0IxBjj/s1600/IMG_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xMyDbhGYHSaZ4k6h5Us0gsI0pN3-yzSJup38e37_2h-S5MT08CCyCaVKDdLQ2Y-QnhIV2hQeuUAK31x7_b_Qkb_dwa5E2i4i6VtoHl2OsAAsir9KSRAPd9JhaXQ0XXtQ-Y5BKr0IxBjj/s320/IMG_0235.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a what fruit?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeXCJxeQwQCG18sHVhPWMEYQCam-7WUwEmX1_weziftlcD0SVbqQFuF9TV7zqZN7raboGONEFWt_8RsFu5mOFibtrO4Ik9IsAItSFthROdmFv5cvE9AjGhoX4Qkw1AOzT0izDugb6M0nw/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeXCJxeQwQCG18sHVhPWMEYQCam-7WUwEmX1_weziftlcD0SVbqQFuF9TV7zqZN7raboGONEFWt_8RsFu5mOFibtrO4Ik9IsAItSFthROdmFv5cvE9AjGhoX4Qkw1AOzT0izDugb6M0nw/s320/IMG_0271.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's my hat. Everyone else just looks better in it</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hWB0-EnPqmiwG8sfk30nl3RboupbCU7cCLbK0H-vE7CeBU3FGHvl2l29iSJsk_2zFGAQBPA2BtZDAM1O2ksg1Ecfv9l8RZbi3cUXFehIlYBC0qNvAfBTpZ12yzOhdQ0Y5BGP1_0p0L3Y/s1600/P1000948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hWB0-EnPqmiwG8sfk30nl3RboupbCU7cCLbK0H-vE7CeBU3FGHvl2l29iSJsk_2zFGAQBPA2BtZDAM1O2ksg1Ecfv9l8RZbi3cUXFehIlYBC0qNvAfBTpZ12yzOhdQ0Y5BGP1_0p0L3Y/s320/P1000948.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I would live here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-30714508368483782812011-03-19T11:23:00.000-04:002011-03-19T11:23:14.932-04:00March 18 PerspectiveIt's early. Roberto forgot we had luggage, and so we're strapping it to the top of his SUV with ropes. Quite the site. It's a couple hours back to the Managua where we'll be spending the last few days in Nicaragua.<br />
<br />
We drop our luggage at our new hotel in Managua, and head to the inauguration of a new primary school. Two American Rotary clubs spear-headed the effort, and everyone is in great spirits as they officially open the school. Live music, dancing, gifts, speeches...it's a spectacle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xzr-tC0gv3foBEl2_m4s_G2ZTVOinZuT-pL9s87ikVuF1wkqUDlW3zQC63CklMxNynsdzHT1Q_xSnygORpjuscEtJ7Ww2tT7XfwxfSAnYeoXGhYKrmVj13wPnTAIjI0A9kQjonoXXJw3/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xzr-tC0gv3foBEl2_m4s_G2ZTVOinZuT-pL9s87ikVuF1wkqUDlW3zQC63CklMxNynsdzHT1Q_xSnygORpjuscEtJ7Ww2tT7XfwxfSAnYeoXGhYKrmVj13wPnTAIjI0A9kQjonoXXJw3/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJgfOCfFFmMANkPHhfLayLw0de_mY7zBMph8paFRUZi3Em0Nak3PbgelFjj6Wz233IdcMO7fyhg566aNKG5uZynH4bj1om2LqyyDZXYTNlqjVvk9V5d7va64WsUc_iWYYUU3KV0kvIk6U/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJgfOCfFFmMANkPHhfLayLw0de_mY7zBMph8paFRUZi3Em0Nak3PbgelFjj6Wz233IdcMO7fyhg566aNKG5uZynH4bj1om2LqyyDZXYTNlqjVvk9V5d7va64WsUc_iWYYUU3KV0kvIk6U/s320/IMG_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf5RGhb_VTgcNpwI4Z6VNK7t2e3m0iJl-OD8OMbUqs_waTJKOYJ5vzj8BgBHw6ipLTKTs8BWgolBBDR8b_nveL17-EPr_QyAFumi6etqOf06DMI5Wl63t02kyRBcLWw-XrZn4YdhFqx8P/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf5RGhb_VTgcNpwI4Z6VNK7t2e3m0iJl-OD8OMbUqs_waTJKOYJ5vzj8BgBHw6ipLTKTs8BWgolBBDR8b_nveL17-EPr_QyAFumi6etqOf06DMI5Wl63t02kyRBcLWw-XrZn4YdhFqx8P/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xzr-tC0gv3foBEl2_m4s_G2ZTVOinZuT-pL9s87ikVuF1wkqUDlW3zQC63CklMxNynsdzHT1Q_xSnygORpjuscEtJ7Ww2tT7XfwxfSAnYeoXGhYKrmVj13wPnTAIjI0A9kQjonoXXJw3/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xzr-tC0gv3foBEl2_m4s_G2ZTVOinZuT-pL9s87ikVuF1wkqUDlW3zQC63CklMxNynsdzHT1Q_xSnygORpjuscEtJ7Ww2tT7XfwxfSAnYeoXGhYKrmVj13wPnTAIjI0A9kQjonoXXJw3/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGOl4HjAmEbAHtURatFg5eWRyKC4iUCd4kRIui8vJ7X1eWfQNibTxIZRJtyRb1enQ5fEkvaKtbrX3C_iQXmm1BR2Zq8P3GOH8gz3d9hhH4oEeqkPG9W58mZZ2qANzM8XcefVM-HfLTpc6/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGOl4HjAmEbAHtURatFg5eWRyKC4iUCd4kRIui8vJ7X1eWfQNibTxIZRJtyRb1enQ5fEkvaKtbrX3C_iQXmm1BR2Zq8P3GOH8gz3d9hhH4oEeqkPG9W58mZZ2qANzM8XcefVM-HfLTpc6/s320/IMG_0436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAT-RkBrQgA1Z60TY8LPIplmy-PRo670MCMg-L2eG73qYjBqHuMT3-u1mq2DWj_nL182vzRkFDTf0cYY3UXeQese1jE9WCT6Qu8DR45-R8uCI0wxV5pI6URkXjeoxgS4CxTHU6bDzonEs/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAT-RkBrQgA1Z60TY8LPIplmy-PRo670MCMg-L2eG73qYjBqHuMT3-u1mq2DWj_nL182vzRkFDTf0cYY3UXeQese1jE9WCT6Qu8DR45-R8uCI0wxV5pI6URkXjeoxgS4CxTHU6bDzonEs/s320/IMG_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're whisked away just before lunch. Masaya is a large town with a wonderful market for tourists. We enjoy lunch, and wander around, picking up gifts for some folks back home. Kim and I can't resist the fresh squeezed juice bar...so many options:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkbwdT1cyzifDiN58_p-Iqps9_GqNtnaYaa8oVNmlEQxWBXRhLqqN1hvLuy__UkdS0ackMCKRezl-rwsGGQOxXr6v7RlK5EBP3nr8_ab_AY8LW1NdMoc-Qzzo396Wd2OrnYAwEwL_dXIo/s1600/DSC02236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkbwdT1cyzifDiN58_p-Iqps9_GqNtnaYaa8oVNmlEQxWBXRhLqqN1hvLuy__UkdS0ackMCKRezl-rwsGGQOxXr6v7RlK5EBP3nr8_ab_AY8LW1NdMoc-Qzzo396Wd2OrnYAwEwL_dXIo/s320/DSC02236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We meet the Masaya Rotary club for an informal tour via horse-drawn carriage. We see a school they have nearly completed, and then pass Nicaragua lake. The horses aren't as healthy as we're used to seeing, but the waterfront trails and trees make up for it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX1ONxPNLcZEfQ1-SI8_dAxjmxCat6bQBfEscrvjFF3FehE9-xQiISJIbaCW1OBaw0ZY_BFXuNcGPqTYzxBVnfCjkdMmaMhWSulfknwW8uve1Mu0ydEqBFJUkyKDhxunZFADUbafNTByM/s1600/DSC02241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX1ONxPNLcZEfQ1-SI8_dAxjmxCat6bQBfEscrvjFF3FehE9-xQiISJIbaCW1OBaw0ZY_BFXuNcGPqTYzxBVnfCjkdMmaMhWSulfknwW8uve1Mu0ydEqBFJUkyKDhxunZFADUbafNTByM/s320/DSC02241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJrz6nHR35yBxJJgQaHZhAmNVFoQbX1ZnCurdZV8sviw3kDL5x3uq9edvsPO7kRBsjEAsnjQDW-th4YAiYM13EJJM4GByP5P9-IE66qjWUyFKD6F7Z_maxcNn5FxGqliIU2Lp4cPmPGDR/s1600/DSC02251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJrz6nHR35yBxJJgQaHZhAmNVFoQbX1ZnCurdZV8sviw3kDL5x3uq9edvsPO7kRBsjEAsnjQDW-th4YAiYM13EJJM4GByP5P9-IE66qjWUyFKD6F7Z_maxcNn5FxGqliIU2Lp4cPmPGDR/s320/DSC02251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We arrive to a cute street full of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars. No cars, and lots of street performers make it a great spot to spend a couple hours. We enjoy a serenade, some great Nicaraguan rum, and a selection of appetizers. It's a busy place, and understandably so. We could spend the whole month here easily.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJYmVE2WD3nMHrnuDSupMmFdAe_wHEE6xFbL7owNdb4-FeaTVkcqNWWSuoqaEuYMj3YH-HKO5Eugwjm0qe56bm5zIJmQpFuJjwSf8C4JRLpgC9HMBytYD_gTf7XmfiaJuNWG0QCI31iGt/s1600/DSC02255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJYmVE2WD3nMHrnuDSupMmFdAe_wHEE6xFbL7owNdb4-FeaTVkcqNWWSuoqaEuYMj3YH-HKO5Eugwjm0qe56bm5zIJmQpFuJjwSf8C4JRLpgC9HMBytYD_gTf7XmfiaJuNWG0QCI31iGt/s320/DSC02255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Kb7P_8hN-MlxZmLwr1zLzXbPfzXDQi3sRjxmQi-AZBM7myaXneFWTpK0qldEyE_rxSdS6oCCZXH0gkZrPLcb0ZauLGym9SkFE9V_TwVYQvTLwzJ1EE7q0tZcij922QbKazy1NKnLVnd/s1600/DSC02256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75Kb7P_8hN-MlxZmLwr1zLzXbPfzXDQi3sRjxmQi-AZBM7myaXneFWTpK0qldEyE_rxSdS6oCCZXH0gkZrPLcb0ZauLGym9SkFE9V_TwVYQvTLwzJ1EE7q0tZcij922QbKazy1NKnLVnd/s320/DSC02256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roberto takes us back to the hotel, and the boys all get a swim. The pool is cool, which is refreshing. I enjoy my first warm shower of the trip, and we sort through pictures, and get a blog out. I had a little more FOMO tonight, as my girl (Laura) is seeing Joel Plaskett in concert, and my family is there with her. Unfortunate that we cannot be everywhere at once. We get 8 hours of sleep. 8 days left.<br />
CGD.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-90537149974310385832011-03-19T09:08:00.001-04:002011-03-19T10:53:40.579-04:00March 17 PerspectiveThanks to my teammates, who allowed me a few days away from the computer while we were enjoying some down-time.<br />
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We awoke to our last full day at the beach hotel. It's hot, and it's only 7am. This morning requires pants, socks, shoes, and long sleeves for some of us...we're hiking a volcano just outside of Leon. We pick up a guide/sherpa named Wilbur and off we go. There's a 1.5 L water bottle for each of us...I guess we're in for some more heat!<br />
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We stop en route to see the well drilling rig that they've been using, thanks to a Rotary Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWATCntb5n7Jsw5kCiqiuctUzcAaeuHSlhn_MmMJepfmFLLMJLkVPAdvdE5973rnBvwOViVUA7F8M_f1t8PIgUGdFv3o8ALFJQ2LElgqSdAQdyRgR6cGIpl5C4vByUrkUAbNlBk3MPPVJ/s1600/IMG_9760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWATCntb5n7Jsw5kCiqiuctUzcAaeuHSlhn_MmMJepfmFLLMJLkVPAdvdE5973rnBvwOViVUA7F8M_f1t8PIgUGdFv3o8ALFJQ2LElgqSdAQdyRgR6cGIpl5C4vByUrkUAbNlBk3MPPVJ/s320/IMG_9760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We drive 30 mins outside the city, and stop at the check-in to sign some waivers and pick up our gear. It isn't much, but has us a little timid for what's in store. The safety gear is goggles and knee/elbow pads, and the sleds are rigged plywood. What are we doing?<br />
It's hot as we exit the vehicle at the base of the volcano. This isn't regular hot. This is 39 plus humidity, plus ridiculous amounts of UV. We're about to climb a massive hill/small mountain that is completely black.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3__kg78C377LkyUSUyDvhJoJB5chKDk7i6YFEOGyNTEjgtdzqGQwNo0Q7hoExIZquMvMBLzUz41x5eQyhbJ6FrriuYTrJ1xZpUMScZhDJZgYMw44eWJDBX4Q0rJ5HWtmYI1sMIuWEvlOm/s1600/DSC02191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3__kg78C377LkyUSUyDvhJoJB5chKDk7i6YFEOGyNTEjgtdzqGQwNo0Q7hoExIZquMvMBLzUz41x5eQyhbJ6FrriuYTrJ1xZpUMScZhDJZgYMw44eWJDBX4Q0rJ5HWtmYI1sMIuWEvlOm/s320/DSC02191.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzaXhlv8RAX_6pEhlIw3FAkKGYGHUzo-SJKkXJrUpFWD-NcRcqEBA5nZycMQa64in2GVZRcPsW6GpoUGXZLedtdCeazseWYOhJwCc-HybD-30mNj0WZ9W7RscCdPPpVeRLvZUBDSViN8v/s1600/IMG_1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzaXhlv8RAX_6pEhlIw3FAkKGYGHUzo-SJKkXJrUpFWD-NcRcqEBA5nZycMQa64in2GVZRcPsW6GpoUGXZLedtdCeazseWYOhJwCc-HybD-30mNj0WZ9W7RscCdPPpVeRLvZUBDSViN8v/s320/IMG_1813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybQl3QqjmkUGxicwUH1-80SeyRLbDM8ddEazEWjtjn5i8t_HGfdmwTSCt_DM5ftqHWsGl7UcSA1YHBjgWfgw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
As we ascend, the wind gets stronger. It's so strong I use my board as a sail to assist me in climbing to the peak. The Kim & Doug allow Wilbur to carry their boards so they can walk safely. At the peak we find a group just about to slide down on their boards. They are wearing canvas overalls and gloves, and it's really steep. There is talk of walking back down. We watch, cameras ready to see how crazy it is. It isn't. The loose pebble & sand don't allow speeds anywhere near what we would experience on a normal toboggan hill in the winter. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N9WWQJXUKOaf5AELcfaIfZoHB1HF7-7HGOGigqRLlfnBbn0Vd_Gx94VMhxU-TaL6XDkfkhw-WKCSEUrc5EJeB2IyQ4KnmqjJg73ptMb7XFCDmGtNMhHsizcHZuFIR0wEcDQnCUNUkVgj/s1600/DSC02202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2N9WWQJXUKOaf5AELcfaIfZoHB1HF7-7HGOGigqRLlfnBbn0Vd_Gx94VMhxU-TaL6XDkfkhw-WKCSEUrc5EJeB2IyQ4KnmqjJg73ptMb7XFCDmGtNMhHsizcHZuFIR0wEcDQnCUNUkVgj/s320/DSC02202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Of course we're all going to do it...even Doug, who swears he's the oldest person to sign into the guest book. Two by two we head down, getting covered in black dust, and trying to avoid a crash. There were no deaths, although we were told many Canadians perish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy16FH1VqOMnE3RvMw0yJ_RTPtSY2xu5zd97YNRmZ6g4Dn4CF7oVW_yeaSllefDNgFSCSrVAVGi0FBXE4yZaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pf8R7hbLcFT9fifhQ2xg_cUAW4Wv8pK2GtpSoHN553CihRgRWS-hlQJNFp7vowPa10OGHsslJ-CEtWMjMD8GrZ9GHRol74mzabPk8P0O_PinKSbPDvt_8rhu2WPA-jLw-HbEzvJ855sA/s1600/DSC02209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pf8R7hbLcFT9fifhQ2xg_cUAW4Wv8pK2GtpSoHN553CihRgRWS-hlQJNFp7vowPa10OGHsslJ-CEtWMjMD8GrZ9GHRol74mzabPk8P0O_PinKSbPDvt_8rhu2WPA-jLw-HbEzvJ855sA/s320/DSC02209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're dirty, hot, and very tired. We opt to go out for tacos when we return to the beach. It's one of the heartiest and best meals of the trip...good call Kim!<br />
We get a few hours R&R, although we all stay out of the sun and get some rest. Heading to our first Rotary meeting in Nicaragua, we stop to meet Mickey Moore, a hard working man from Tulsa who has been the key cog in bringing water to over 30,000 people in Nicaragua. We present to 9 members of the Leon Rotary Club, as well as Mickey and his translator. We're off for our last night in Leon...Latin music & dancing at a popular night-spot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cbFuJM6oGkYxsdmKIXap6YRPWm3W0bSzWofRzcm31uy1CCosPMd0b1fu763DrJ3jmUuOdqqUD9S-F69DIYaRpqxRhbzAeFED4gFIq12WGKD5N-6fyMDhFwvtGBwdA0NXRQNCaXAnyqY9/s1600/DSC02219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cbFuJM6oGkYxsdmKIXap6YRPWm3W0bSzWofRzcm31uy1CCosPMd0b1fu763DrJ3jmUuOdqqUD9S-F69DIYaRpqxRhbzAeFED4gFIq12WGKD5N-6fyMDhFwvtGBwdA0NXRQNCaXAnyqY9/s320/DSC02219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's busy. Sardines in a can busy. Sweaty, pushy, young people are everywhere. They dance. They really dance. Salsa, meringue, tango, and lots more. It's sexy. A man and a woman interacting on the dance-floor. I am ashamed for our culture. We have no dancing like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHeEwB3Ei2dqpoFGzodVTyP-X7g4Ff6jkiomQ4GjNSUiUN254h-c6tzHxgmLMIGrIXIftOqA7ONeP8VOz1pBf2-eZO84nhfNqKvkDXKnhu1pXbs_c3EJW6w-GcQ_EzNBqLKgtBipCvchd/s1600/DSC02222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHeEwB3Ei2dqpoFGzodVTyP-X7g4Ff6jkiomQ4GjNSUiUN254h-c6tzHxgmLMIGrIXIftOqA7ONeP8VOz1pBf2-eZO84nhfNqKvkDXKnhu1pXbs_c3EJW6w-GcQ_EzNBqLKgtBipCvchd/s320/DSC02222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Wilbur is there with his brother, Angel, who is a dance instructor. He takes turns with all of us, and we let loose. It's hard. The steps aren't easy, the rhythms are difficult to recognize, and there are pushy people everywhere. We laugh at ourselves, and each other. It's St Patty's day, and there are some people painted green. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMgc2nROihwRW2TmRUNgnwERVbKi5b5KzPVE-zBYgmCn0GmeQ-yiEtotFiymMF0f1O7COvWjOfUiya5wW5YCkSEwnt2R8sK5p3KniSD8y4q2t6Xz7ZUJjGKieJcupLecSlSN3p0t7T5ZD/s1600/DSC02225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMgc2nROihwRW2TmRUNgnwERVbKi5b5KzPVE-zBYgmCn0GmeQ-yiEtotFiymMF0f1O7COvWjOfUiya5wW5YCkSEwnt2R8sK5p3KniSD8y4q2t6Xz7ZUJjGKieJcupLecSlSN3p0t7T5ZD/s320/DSC02225.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch those feet Kim...it's a meringue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The dancing ends at midnight, which saves us from too hurtful a morning. We're off to Managua tomorrow first thing!!<br />
I'm happy to be back blogging. <br />
CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-7273902086537049852011-03-19T00:38:00.000-04:002011-03-19T00:38:51.213-04:00Costa Rican Rotary Clubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX5d_vdrknj7R0HNp55EFprOTzd9dn2mcmiMsxRJq_JMSyMaVxG50ODHwZAD2mutOpXvK1v94xOrByaUNkrEazHQ-5fOf3MdWMzfhJLU_byBA6ISMW9DZ0FEVrYr27zE5BiE8j8XpO9wM/s1600/DSC01953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX5d_vdrknj7R0HNp55EFprOTzd9dn2mcmiMsxRJq_JMSyMaVxG50ODHwZAD2mutOpXvK1v94xOrByaUNkrEazHQ-5fOf3MdWMzfhJLU_byBA6ISMW9DZ0FEVrYr27zE5BiE8j8XpO9wM/s320/DSC01953.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc1ZeYeXfOgBpJHmoc2HSK6aJqYEchWMoKgd3h31OTQdRGvTvIyT28Dw-wCSvTep6LOHEkvL54gsh8Ng4oDARXDruyuZUFCdpFRQnQaQm0P9owDbhUqL30gdvN5mhE1cdDR2a1izSG3Im/s1600/DSC01941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc1ZeYeXfOgBpJHmoc2HSK6aJqYEchWMoKgd3h31OTQdRGvTvIyT28Dw-wCSvTep6LOHEkvL54gsh8Ng4oDARXDruyuZUFCdpFRQnQaQm0P9owDbhUqL30gdvN5mhE1cdDR2a1izSG3Im/s320/DSC01941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-5783082607616349522011-03-16T23:55:00.001-04:002011-03-17T00:27:22.833-04:00TranquiloWe are catching ourselves this morning from saying that we are on vacation today....wake up to breakfast, check our emails, hop on some bikes and coast to the neighborhood primary school.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWSjHmYzQy-W-bpzks9R36KJafK6b4XHPv4LyoIkK7hKP4xgWXIwXNVvtSKes_SMdciusOfQu0dCFz57Szu_X2SH1jpcS162fbdE8Nmmd4km-1264srwjtSeTfoIkAnee6-_cL-hYgWdA/s1600/DSC02096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWSjHmYzQy-W-bpzks9R36KJafK6b4XHPv4LyoIkK7hKP4xgWXIwXNVvtSKes_SMdciusOfQu0dCFz57Szu_X2SH1jpcS162fbdE8Nmmd4km-1264srwjtSeTfoIkAnee6-_cL-hYgWdA/s320/DSC02096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We immerse ourselves in the shy, smiling faces and try to bond with our limited knowledge of Spanish which mainly consists of Ola, mi nombre es Alicia...como esta? and then you default to the point and stare...with kids it usually works. We parade around the room learning the Spanish names for mammals and numbers. The boys attract attention with their cameras.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNHLS49CZSNZs0_SsGDWhrjWlELmzURJK8Zqg_PQBD3ujuUs61cS38LwufjNUBwr8hYIDfYFLKceexGvSx87oaaHDk4syM7J89fu0FEAYbVChiRGbto9VKbqqP38xGumdIQJ15nX8_xV/s1600/DSC02117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvNHLS49CZSNZs0_SsGDWhrjWlELmzURJK8Zqg_PQBD3ujuUs61cS38LwufjNUBwr8hYIDfYFLKceexGvSx87oaaHDk4syM7J89fu0FEAYbVChiRGbto9VKbqqP38xGumdIQJ15nX8_xV/s320/DSC02117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLmbGTikPSzNIwLnRiI5GjGdN9lzGCE3N181oShfpyvBY2aPXX3R_Wwn64s72fzXRV_80U-t8fbjZuIrQgXYf0z029T4zZZK91xV2fgpauEMpVdEFi4SoZogW8_qMn8ZuwwAQB-Rs7bCH/s1600/DSC02109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLmbGTikPSzNIwLnRiI5GjGdN9lzGCE3N181oShfpyvBY2aPXX3R_Wwn64s72fzXRV_80U-t8fbjZuIrQgXYf0z029T4zZZK91xV2fgpauEMpVdEFi4SoZogW8_qMn8ZuwwAQB-Rs7bCH/s320/DSC02109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I can't help but notice that there is a sweet crying child to my left who accepts my offer for a hug. The teacher rectifies the issue as I comfort the girl. My maternal instincts kick in, as I facilitate her beautiful smiling face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxFs-OncOgY2sVyeuYNmpMeZPo4T4Bl8UhCX6ycL2T-O6OqS-nKPGRfwLPrwARsuR4G83VUReCn1_tOApKvRl7LSi_jFgEzA-t7CiYla3nreYSWt8xZ24A_i44x5-01YTZ80LlANUg2vU/s1600/DSC02140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxFs-OncOgY2sVyeuYNmpMeZPo4T4Bl8UhCX6ycL2T-O6OqS-nKPGRfwLPrwARsuR4G83VUReCn1_tOApKvRl7LSi_jFgEzA-t7CiYla3nreYSWt8xZ24A_i44x5-01YTZ80LlANUg2vU/s320/DSC02140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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We race back to hotel Suyapa and brace ourselves for the waves. Curt, Mark and I run in, they coax me out farther so I don't get pushed to the shore with every cruel punch the ocean throws. I accept the challenge and move out to catch the waves. One big wave comes thrashing in and literally brings me tumbling to the shore, feet in the air. I roll onto my feet acknowledging my defeat with sand all over my face, hair going in every direction and pockets full. The burn of the sand rash is stinging my shoulder...hmm I guess that's why surfers dress a little more appropriately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wO4J_0Bxqa70t4FWutfqWXtcjxXf8W9du_V-ZhjxGlj8S477DtLnTXdcJJgc2Cqj22TOmdF4FvB9qYPP3h9Swcgx1NV_W-eMex-TW9alhLM5eqhU3B7yBc2PWSgBWnF-bTafR6AG_9fS/s1600/DSC02154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wO4J_0Bxqa70t4FWutfqWXtcjxXf8W9du_V-ZhjxGlj8S477DtLnTXdcJJgc2Cqj22TOmdF4FvB9qYPP3h9Swcgx1NV_W-eMex-TW9alhLM5eqhU3B7yBc2PWSgBWnF-bTafR6AG_9fS/s320/DSC02154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We retire to the tables and order a beverage. I seek out a hammock for some reflection time. I am thankful for having some down time in this excessive heat.. We eat lunch - delicious chicken salad and steak dishes. Kim orders fish but gets the WHOLE fish, head in all and can't manage to eat it given the choice. The pace is relaxed but quickens in spurts.<br />
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Our afternoon begins with a tour of Roberto's farm. Kim, Doug and Roberto hop on horses and ride around the property. He shows us his animals including goats, cattle, horses, chickens, and so forth and tell us of his eco-tourism plans. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByPZQszbrXIrY_fsbCOQ_pIV8TdnzqCnqXwEC5iSym5pIPPqKOhIQPFQTqH-GrcCWY-B1c4sGf_BZNrEirmtrjPR3tKqHts7BO0dKVLcNxVlCm33IWqmW7HaYZYdb59J34daPOk06P9Qr/s1600/DSC02164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByPZQszbrXIrY_fsbCOQ_pIV8TdnzqCnqXwEC5iSym5pIPPqKOhIQPFQTqH-GrcCWY-B1c4sGf_BZNrEirmtrjPR3tKqHts7BO0dKVLcNxVlCm33IWqmW7HaYZYdb59J34daPOk06P9Qr/s320/DSC02164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqFqjrnATL4cOSPiP2LRd0r7bxmLYX7QxSMo-odKIS0kdwo8cPdTgD3Y1eJgyJu1w5WdA4uEEp8_cHAkaXfC5nDBfa50ZVUriiBb53vOnIDZjpcrdYvBloLpEAd8G6DmnzaO0nvCBzgAF/s1600/DSC02171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqFqjrnATL4cOSPiP2LRd0r7bxmLYX7QxSMo-odKIS0kdwo8cPdTgD3Y1eJgyJu1w5WdA4uEEp8_cHAkaXfC5nDBfa50ZVUriiBb53vOnIDZjpcrdYvBloLpEAd8G6DmnzaO0nvCBzgAF/s320/DSC02171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Curt's excitement level increases as he sees Laura's vocation in practice.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Our tour takes us to Leon next where we spend a few hours walking the city and taking in the scenes of markets, churches, local foods and of course a cafe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJiQAx5Vg8BhwpbHDbjC4zZoxYiz3jLSutZubitnxKyWNWF-xZ2vsYq2kqn3UFlLSlxZyVzrYyK4vyEJ6LJD2mjds0hpTFf_Rd0UfuSovhHZCwk28SZ29Tg5M4Aa0QOWLZZ5lPbKmeJ41/s1600/DSC02176.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJiQAx5Vg8BhwpbHDbjC4zZoxYiz3jLSutZubitnxKyWNWF-xZ2vsYq2kqn3UFlLSlxZyVzrYyK4vyEJ6LJD2mjds0hpTFf_Rd0UfuSovhHZCwk28SZ29Tg5M4Aa0QOWLZZ5lPbKmeJ41/s320/DSC02176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mark...saw a 2 year old doing the same pose...enough said.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qbd5q1xiYujehWuZM3IwMycO2Ag6Y1ATZrzIlDX2LZTDVTl4s4_3g5900xXCwCTFCV26rDQJ_C06iXpsUCqCcGi6AvGO5eR2E3ZOvn_c8XMFfOEpN8mlrN9ZSY3ZKQr4nIfdJ-aDD_A/s1600/DSC02181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Qbd5q1xiYujehWuZM3IwMycO2Ag6Y1ATZrzIlDX2LZTDVTl4s4_3g5900xXCwCTFCV26rDQJ_C06iXpsUCqCcGi6AvGO5eR2E3ZOvn_c8XMFfOEpN8mlrN9ZSY3ZKQr4nIfdJ-aDD_A/s320/DSC02181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Curt and his door fetish, who took an hour worth of door photos....just doors.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We enjoy a dinner out nearby the city square as the sun retires for the day. We finish off the night with some snacks, laughs and cards.<br />
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Until next time....ARUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-24719048468152787532011-03-16T22:59:00.000-04:002011-03-16T22:59:36.043-04:00Ooops!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_acFzC2Y0jMmjqNkD8HCRnNmUSe-uurzSifXGy4ZQoIUnMZBxAbHFJ-6ISawMQ-H6iuA4ZnvVSkCc7q2gfPYjPsUKcqoxjJJbXKnl5M_mmq98oB-awsJMPxuKowPQOrXJWjRki5shVg/s1600/DSC02188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD_acFzC2Y0jMmjqNkD8HCRnNmUSe-uurzSifXGy4ZQoIUnMZBxAbHFJ-6ISawMQ-H6iuA4ZnvVSkCc7q2gfPYjPsUKcqoxjJJbXKnl5M_mmq98oB-awsJMPxuKowPQOrXJWjRki5shVg/s320/DSC02188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-40135322675534323182011-03-16T10:20:00.001-04:002011-03-16T10:44:48.628-04:00March 15th: Mark's Perspective5:08am, laying in bed waiting for my 5:15 alarm. Curt is in another bed at my feet and Doug is across the room. I get up, get my bathing suit on slowly without making a noise. I pick up my pre-packed bag of camera and tripod and head out the hotel room door. I knock on room 20's door: Kim and Alicia. <br />
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I know it is early especially seeing I got to sleep at 12:30 the night before. I don't care; I am an amateur photographer and one of the toughest things about photography is having the chance to photograph beautiful scenery; and I have a few new techniques I want to give a try. <br />
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Alicia is game to check out the sunrise while the rest of the team sleeps. She plans to jog but it seems a leisurely stroll at this hour will suffice. We walk out the back of the hotel patio to a mob of barking street dogs that use the beach to sleep: we scared them. It is dark and it takes a minute to realize how many there are, quite a few. There are dogs everywhere!<br />
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We walk to a river that meets the ocean. Fishermen are starting their day as white herons and other birds dive in the water for their first meal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk8kbwCqn0vEzEuryLODxQ8IIAaNmh4G5g0nNfC49YUqtGh6PCto9LDrmQOkPOfBPo-7-528tNgpQefy3sHCKh3eiLe-36QX2IOd2R0J2MCsT5MPNRO9z9FoTFg1zFRgvb_dGCUQPg9ZT/s1600/IMG_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk8kbwCqn0vEzEuryLODxQ8IIAaNmh4G5g0nNfC49YUqtGh6PCto9LDrmQOkPOfBPo-7-528tNgpQefy3sHCKh3eiLe-36QX2IOd2R0J2MCsT5MPNRO9z9FoTFg1zFRgvb_dGCUQPg9ZT/s320/IMG_0170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We walk back the hotel and go for a swim in the waves. I go in the water maybe 20 feet and the first wave pushed harder than expected. Alicia is not more than 5 feet from land and she gets knocked off her feet and thrown on the beach. Unexpectedly these waves are 7 to 8 feet tall and we cannot venture very far.<br />
After breakfast, Roberto Reyes (Rotarian and owner of the hotel) picks us up and we head to the hospital in Leon for a press conference. The local Rotary clubs have donated some equipment and we are part of the program. We are taken aside by a few doctors that ask for our financial help in some programs they want to start at the hospital. More potential projects for the clubs back in Canada.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzD2X9qJ_ZfNL2mjFEGVRTjien7CnalD91b94ttn-tjCiEwfjS0UQjHyp_SKmOiaSUqBcJKMcJK8BnpesgN3vyoOF6d1nFLCGxY2F6mr6CS_-AXhULatB2a8gy5Gxr04iBjZpqfExf81F/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzD2X9qJ_ZfNL2mjFEGVRTjien7CnalD91b94ttn-tjCiEwfjS0UQjHyp_SKmOiaSUqBcJKMcJK8BnpesgN3vyoOF6d1nFLCGxY2F6mr6CS_-AXhULatB2a8gy5Gxr04iBjZpqfExf81F/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaQNf69HF5OWYu9Nw_eh8JkNvwko8V_MOQhemwIeDpi4MZnpOO0eg0WleSyegfGVOTkDKiN4wzxd1cXiAM1DCoBWO7SCUka1brvB5rhxF0vKMq3ipXTea2VRdv-Yu40RKx_8TnDwuqzDM/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaQNf69HF5OWYu9Nw_eh8JkNvwko8V_MOQhemwIeDpi4MZnpOO0eg0WleSyegfGVOTkDKiN4wzxd1cXiAM1DCoBWO7SCUka1brvB5rhxF0vKMq3ipXTea2VRdv-Yu40RKx_8TnDwuqzDM/s320/IMG_0182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After the hospital, we drive to the hardware store that Roberto owns to pick up water buckets, school supplies and a pinata. We start driving out of the city, further down a dirt road, progressively becoming more and more bumpy and unused. We pass cows, boys on small-underweight horses and men on bikes; no cars.<br />
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Roberto is bring the supplies to a remote village. While there he shows us the 3 wells that the Rotary clubs have installed.<br />
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We set up the pinata. The local school teacher organizes the children and the blindfold. I quickly realize how dangerous this game is! <br />
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I asked Roberto to what grade the children in this community go to school for. Grade 4.<br />
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We have fun with the kids and pinata and the women of the village are grateful for their new water buckets. The men of the village are on hammocks, almost mocking our activities and certainly not showing any interest.<br />
It became apparent that Roberto donated the supplies to the village on our behalf and the thank you's are directed to us; we do not deserve it. Roberto is a man with a heart larger than he is.<br />
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We continue with our Leon local tour with a visit to the local University and a school that teaches English. We stop by a local cafe that Curt is interested in (the publican in him) that over looks the city's main square and the basilica that was built in 1709 (not the oldest church in this city). This city is bustling at a relaxed pace; everyone is out but not in a rush. We feel safe, quite the contract to the dangers of Managua, the capital city.<br />
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Back to the hotel. Curt and I head for the waves. We are like children! We look at each other: perma-smiles. Body surfing the waves and having a great time. One large wave comes in and we start riding in it's surf; this one is too big. We get brought to the bottom and dragged on the sand. I have a burn on my arm and back, Curt is scraped on his shoulder. This one beached us.<br />
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For dinner we head to Robert's home, greeted by his family and one of the Doctors we met at the hospital earlier in the day. Curt entertained with guitar and singing and we spark interesting conversations on Nicaragua politics, health care, education and comparisons to Canada... very interesting.<br />
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Curt and I end the day with blogging and emails. Educational, eye opening, R&R: productive day and we have learned lots and enjoyed much of this country. Once again I am humbled.<br />
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MCUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-61040015563909199802011-03-16T01:07:00.000-04:002011-03-16T01:07:31.322-04:00March 14 PerspectiveAwake. Refreshed. Ready for Nicaragua.<br />
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The team gathers in our hotel lobby, and we're greeted by Rotarians who share with us our itinerary. It seems like we are doing everything as a group, even vocational visits, which will be interesting.<br />
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Our hosts for the morning are Gonzalo and Mayte, from <a href="http://www.companeros.ca/">Companeros</a>, who take us to a very poor neighbourhood where they are doing numerous projects. Their primary focus right now is a water project that will supply 200 homes/lots in a slum with fresh water. They also are working on building 16 houses for families most in need, and community murals to add culture and texture.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMxvZa6cmlUA93nyxmeAX_hawTbM8Hv0BC5LufGYDDQxqi3f27suPeOCtYPwNbl-YVwS7phYiHxa4vvmhQ4WQBWLW33MIQUm1vb07tFmm0tX9S_xkns5YZOSkRMaz1FLC840L2k_LDgYP/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMxvZa6cmlUA93nyxmeAX_hawTbM8Hv0BC5LufGYDDQxqi3f27suPeOCtYPwNbl-YVwS7phYiHxa4vvmhQ4WQBWLW33MIQUm1vb07tFmm0tX9S_xkns5YZOSkRMaz1FLC840L2k_LDgYP/s320/IMG_1750.JPG" width="180" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbewYpjtxpZ3TBrBtuzpPDvvnnWZh4Ra7mhwN0wGHn27XtWWg7w29I6qO3LInXkN7ZTuT_AVsTIexFcIWfuzUureB54CV-3g-_U2X2NJBcH7eIIsmcnwUb6LV5Gdqeb8j98wLVmEPTb6WY/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbewYpjtxpZ3TBrBtuzpPDvvnnWZh4Ra7mhwN0wGHn27XtWWg7w29I6qO3LInXkN7ZTuT_AVsTIexFcIWfuzUureB54CV-3g-_U2X2NJBcH7eIIsmcnwUb6LV5Gdqeb8j98wLVmEPTb6WY/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>They use volunteer groups, many from Canada, and local labour (paid & volunteer) to dig the trenches where the pipe will go. We tour a school they've done some projects at, and we're off for lunch. The volunteers and community leaders gather midday to get out of the heat. There are a few musicians, so I join them and we lift the spirits of the group. They sing 'Three Little Birds' with me, and I have goose bumps.<br />
<br />
Thanks to Alicia for having such an awesome vocation. We all wish our time here was longer.<br />
<br />
We collect our bags from the hotel, and we're off to a new hotel. We stop on the way at a large lake with volcano islands, and Mark releases some energy on camera:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lWYUQ2a1iVUGSV1Gn7n12alZP4784ZbARPpaG0sYU6BgMxsJyI8-OrllPH7SBnv3ZI-8tvZHDfg2Q2Go8P_vXENSxc-7rNpuLdoOmxvn26OVyuBIY58iISrySHXunlONVxTitUbgL7Dm/s1600/IMG_9958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lWYUQ2a1iVUGSV1Gn7n12alZP4784ZbARPpaG0sYU6BgMxsJyI8-OrllPH7SBnv3ZI-8tvZHDfg2Q2Go8P_vXENSxc-7rNpuLdoOmxvn26OVyuBIY58iISrySHXunlONVxTitUbgL7Dm/s320/IMG_9958.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
Roberto (a Rotarian) drives us to Leon, and on to his beachfront hotel, <a href="http://www.suyapabeach.com/">Suyapa Hotel</a>. It's another beautiful, rather unpopulated beach. We're next to a surf school, and beach volleyball court. We'll be spoiled here until Friday. <br />
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Mark's camera is out for the sunset, while the girls soak in the view. We enjoy a large feast...Doug has a gorgeous lobster plate, and Mark goes right for the whole fish again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzezuO0CxGlnuA4rBXhMQutr7mekI1JAN18pF1qp368YxHEcd03P8SXkcVoYyF6VHuWZ0oyAmqcEBD7wp6L3VKt4_CkXITLzzfVjG-ICnRTZf8eNL2F3WsWtQd4vzTcFEcwvXOnSig9-_J/s1600/DSC02034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzezuO0CxGlnuA4rBXhMQutr7mekI1JAN18pF1qp368YxHEcd03P8SXkcVoYyF6VHuWZ0oyAmqcEBD7wp6L3VKt4_CkXITLzzfVjG-ICnRTZf8eNL2F3WsWtQd4vzTcFEcwvXOnSig9-_J/s320/DSC02034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Roberto heads for home, and we enjoy a night of reflection, cigars, and some cards. There are some great debates on the projects we've seen so far, that value in investing into local (Canadian) projects versus global projects, and the target demographic for Rotaracts and young Rotarians.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSueBW_wKfch7jFwoG8fheDdzxjZLA5LoSfzaWbKFbGaPS-H7ogfp7UgoSRmE_lQUhFsmEhNrllupWa02H0av-gAjoz0e8KWrZrO9YGsO3ZVOuUQpmsEfGViMlhBAb1yc4ANEnhF8mCzvK/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSueBW_wKfch7jFwoG8fheDdzxjZLA5LoSfzaWbKFbGaPS-H7ogfp7UgoSRmE_lQUhFsmEhNrllupWa02H0av-gAjoz0e8KWrZrO9YGsO3ZVOuUQpmsEfGViMlhBAb1yc4ANEnhF8mCzvK/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There's lots of laughter. The camaraderie of travel is wonderful. It's nice that we all get along, and enjoy similar discussions and adventures. We've met a few previous GSE members, and there are definitely some difficult group dynamics that can occur. Count us lucky. Thanks to all involved who put this team together, we're a cohesive unit.<br />
Bedtime. Every (save me) wants to be up early tomorrow. Kim for yoga, Mark to shoot the sunrise, Alicia to run, and Doug to swim. It will be interesting to see who actually gets up at 5ish.<br />
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CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-23439781160875236812011-03-14T23:01:00.001-04:002011-03-14T23:02:06.327-04:00Delayed Reaction<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It has come to my attention that the blog is in need of a feminine perspective. Kim and I have been neglectful in contributing so I imagine readers are expecting more profound observations to be shared when we post….I will try to do it justice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">We are en route to the beach, however swimming may not be a part of our itinerary in light of the tsunami warnings that are recommending no one ventures into the Pacific coast, particularly ghostly-white, North-American tourists who are wanna-be surfers. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5xPGAeSFS72oXTGimXbhjPYmcFsl8u_unm00U8KBQyN3Szzci6qnT_AHm-JNo2w_hsOIk7IY4VApcojTbIwTr0rYVs70u6SGKoE8v5yswtV9hA_3MLF6uG2JUtqb6ITY2DJ5MGw8xVrI/s1600/IMG_9935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5xPGAeSFS72oXTGimXbhjPYmcFsl8u_unm00U8KBQyN3Szzci6qnT_AHm-JNo2w_hsOIk7IY4VApcojTbIwTr0rYVs70u6SGKoE8v5yswtV9hA_3MLF6uG2JUtqb6ITY2DJ5MGw8xVrI/s320/IMG_9935.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> What we are hoping to master is our wildlife knowledge passing through Tarcoles “Crocodile bridge” and hitting the ocean for some adventure swimming.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn3pstlQNnLaYBJlh-zb2nnkEGUS0A7DksD7oYMm-oW6imuYrtgv4IoZgnDagVa30SIMfpXDNwaoDYy1XCjtJ14NgKZZnvE0EmAF3kCdgoQgkI1iD1f1Lx5106pUWIhF3xSp8nTT-2D4q/s1600/IMG_9887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn3pstlQNnLaYBJlh-zb2nnkEGUS0A7DksD7oYMm-oW6imuYrtgv4IoZgnDagVa30SIMfpXDNwaoDYy1XCjtJ14NgKZZnvE0EmAF3kCdgoQgkI1iD1f1Lx5106pUWIhF3xSp8nTT-2D4q/s320/IMG_9887.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmJfbbWSD9eaFBWfM7CObxsieuHb2Y1IoiCfDC7xdPigJOK8AGbvFpa8BAWwVYeEecrNZRbY5DMv6NuzVFwuuK54m3L8MQAdSmCEAkY9lXYHDZxOilpyYz2VxEU3Ntub7Lu8-V2WFH-aU/s1600/IMG_9882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmJfbbWSD9eaFBWfM7CObxsieuHb2Y1IoiCfDC7xdPigJOK8AGbvFpa8BAWwVYeEecrNZRbY5DMv6NuzVFwuuK54m3L8MQAdSmCEAkY9lXYHDZxOilpyYz2VxEU3Ntub7Lu8-V2WFH-aU/s320/IMG_9882.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> Yesterday was a productive day for me and I had the opportunity to share my time with different people throughout the day, all fabulous in their own way. It started off with a quick Spanglish convo with my host’s mother who wanted to show me the news coverage for the earthquake that hit Japan and the tsunami impact. One thing about traveling is you live in the moment but with an unintentional lack awareness of everything that’s going on around you since all communication is in a foreign language and you hardly have time to hit the washroom in between activities (Kim always finds a way though).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdZIJcomgZYTCS9l-6gp6hqCnFOt-cyy9TG13ZnJSmggX_dFxa5DnUYz9xKBY_xge5nV9kXTsTVwXphH46g1RlNv-2JHqSSOiAxVC9zMv2iQ1OBORHVMnuCd3kvHERhNNCEeiQVxFT8qF/s1600/DSC04027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdZIJcomgZYTCS9l-6gp6hqCnFOt-cyy9TG13ZnJSmggX_dFxa5DnUYz9xKBY_xge5nV9kXTsTVwXphH46g1RlNv-2JHqSSOiAxVC9zMv2iQ1OBORHVMnuCd3kvHERhNNCEeiQVxFT8qF/s320/DSC04027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Japanese flag hanging at half-mast at their embassy.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-CA"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">I was picked up by Melania who was a former GSE participant to Argentina in 2010. She impresses me with her knowledge, passion and genuine nature. She takes me out for breakfast and we order a typical breakfast with a new coffee contraption! The brew is fresh to say the least.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTgwVcvmGSDp0gghLb8DzwjvJp2JG4-ACQlO-FZ7z0JdCFKpDBDlvuS7aGvViJFbbrR_cZ20Tr4MLXh8rA-x_T0lFXZ3X93KLnQ3HWuutyb-yGqohYX5qdMTvRXjOAaw16AhSUwznnvZQ/s1600/DSC04017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTgwVcvmGSDp0gghLb8DzwjvJp2JG4-ACQlO-FZ7z0JdCFKpDBDlvuS7aGvViJFbbrR_cZ20Tr4MLXh8rA-x_T0lFXZ3X93KLnQ3HWuutyb-yGqohYX5qdMTvRXjOAaw16AhSUwznnvZQ/s320/DSC04017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We immersed ourselves in conversation over cultural differences, domestic violence, psychology of people (her background) and GSE programming…we are interrupted by a phone call from Manuel who is making arrangements to pick me up from her workplace in 45 minutes!!!! Oops! We lost track of time enjoying each others' company and race to her work to have a quick tour. She tells me the English class is waiting for me…what?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo-CybaA6hnM5lhZq9CrNvYY42HIbdmYIV9EpYELGJWp4PmX9rttI4YKnMBQPBqAtDahiUcP_3taboiaO8bzZN3taiVK_Ln-ErF2ilo4Ml7jro7wMCEXpFwM39XSFzevL9ldTPxr-2zOj/s1600/DSC04022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo-CybaA6hnM5lhZq9CrNvYY42HIbdmYIV9EpYELGJWp4PmX9rttI4YKnMBQPBqAtDahiUcP_3taboiaO8bzZN3taiVK_Ln-ErF2ilo4Ml7jro7wMCEXpFwM39XSFzevL9ldTPxr-2zOj/s320/DSC04022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Classroom where I met the employee class.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-CA"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">I arrive to the office and I am quickly whisked into the English class and introduced, followed by friendly inquiries about me, my family, my work, Canada, my travel and promises to return to Costa Rica. The company ingeniously offers English classes to all interested staff twice weekly since the staff comes from all corners of the world and their common working language is English. It was a warm environment that not only benefited from the language learning but the team-building aspect of accomplishing it together.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1nc2it0dGn1SaOgdyFKjmvtSPYXZgD56rg9NaNCEmgtSyMUMJu3vLZ8wIZ1R0aLXCzlhi21wQ4mMkzI7-vHDIvhT0ebTk9wtfWGKRFYas3S3o3Gb_UGPfkSpje1BzSNy6RLx05GALgpF/s1600/DSC04024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1nc2it0dGn1SaOgdyFKjmvtSPYXZgD56rg9NaNCEmgtSyMUMJu3vLZ8wIZ1R0aLXCzlhi21wQ4mMkzI7-vHDIvhT0ebTk9wtfWGKRFYas3S3o3Gb_UGPfkSpje1BzSNy6RLx05GALgpF/s320/DSC04024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Education, Technology and Development Foundation</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-CA"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Melanie takes me on a quick tour and explains the significance of the organization in Latin America. They are the leading example in technology research and investing in education within Costa Rica. They have projects all over the country and staff members are passionate about their role in providing access to technology for students.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rguR_MYCwK5_MFuZ68r5BQKOZCeKMcJW5uugpK9GErIfM_fVBSukOmNW-J8ztF1wnCfgRk-xKDtZBjDjB3iqRbSHW06YI6dC3QLxjrlb43Uwdct0VGtoPS33jZTmidvhlA_RGwSYSdA/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rguR_MYCwK5_MFuZ68r5BQKOZCeKMcJW5uugpK9GErIfM_fVBSukOmNW-J8ztF1wnCfgRk-xKDtZBjDjB3iqRbSHW06YI6dC3QLxjrlb43Uwdct0VGtoPS33jZTmidvhlA_RGwSYSdA/s320/IMG_9588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Manuel - the hidden gem of Costa Rica.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-CA">Manuel picks me up and we he graciously offers to take me to the UPEACE campus so I can feel confident that it has been passed into the hands of the staff for fate to take it from there. I am intrigued with our conversation all around the city, as Mark mentioned, Manuel is a little jewel of knowledge and experiences. We pick up Curt from his host’s house, Kim from her vocational visit, and head to Las Antijitos for lunch. From there we travel to Pavas with Rotarian members …… who do a lot of work in this impoverished neighbourhood that is challenged by poverty, drugs and gang violence. </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQWynxrRmEm3q1A7EO76uHIgDbY6k5mudPpwd8NnnFZE6_w3KYbyPiP3gRG6_svf2VhTQzL0JDcea9BDxY33a4Z-97lC4W8GkX28pmlRxmH5FQc7nO6RBZ3MLtYb3gIamZb7nhhJE5JC/s1600/IMG_9780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQWynxrRmEm3q1A7EO76uHIgDbY6k5mudPpwd8NnnFZE6_w3KYbyPiP3gRG6_svf2VhTQzL0JDcea9BDxY33a4Z-97lC4W8GkX28pmlRxmH5FQc7nO6RBZ3MLtYb3gIamZb7nhhJE5JC/s320/IMG_9780.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Courtyard at activity centre for children.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Kim is especially moved by the wonderful services they support for Adult Day Care. We are welcomed by a clap-happy audience who is so excited about our visit. As we work the room greeting everyone, Mark with his blonde hair and blue eyes attracts one lady who not-so-modestly asks for a kiss on the cheek. Mark, the kind man he is, fulfills her wish and she is literally beaming with pleasure, clasping her cheek to treasure every piece of DNA left.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">I think Curt filled in the rest of the day, so I will refrain from overlap...until next time.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA">AR</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-86293151344780260552011-03-14T11:35:00.000-04:002011-03-14T11:35:03.723-04:00March 13 PerspectiveI hate long busrides. It wasn't 13 hours this time, but 9 when it was supposed to be 5 felt just as bad. My seat slowly steals my positive energy. Sleeping isn't recharging, and seems only to make me groggy and achy. We watch 2 movies, which helps, but the hour delay at the border finishes me off.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhOR_IUFNSFAma4aI_PEXnYLrbxT8qBDnJv18UKNNXrMJUET01oaTwgKSdf1pSnwTQNmTgR0XcvJp4eTzdOqfhRkpO5yPLNpBEmutPBh5WHux7gZzl-eNxLwG3e-pusonSXzXuQN5ovK1/s1600/DSC02028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhOR_IUFNSFAma4aI_PEXnYLrbxT8qBDnJv18UKNNXrMJUET01oaTwgKSdf1pSnwTQNmTgR0XcvJp4eTzdOqfhRkpO5yPLNpBEmutPBh5WHux7gZzl-eNxLwG3e-pusonSXzXuQN5ovK1/s320/DSC02028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We arrive to Managua...the bus station is closed, and the streets seem dark and dangerous. Our hosts whisk us to a beautiful house/mansion/estate, where we find out the girls are staying. They are spoiled, it's an amazing place. Their host's daughter is awake to receive them, and she speaks great English and seems to be of similar age.<br />
The boys are headed to a hotel. It seems like a nice place, but we laugh as we're sharing a room. 3 beds, in a regular sized room. It's fine for our purposes, but comical as the girls are in the lap of luxury.<br />
We walk over to a sports bar and get some grease in our bellies. The conversation lags, as we're wiped. Tomorrow is a new day. We get horizontal, and look forward to starting our Nicaraguan adventures.<br />
CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-53697923313706499772011-03-14T11:22:00.000-04:002011-03-14T11:22:02.976-04:00March 12 PerspectiveLast day in Costa Rica, and we get some time in the ocean!<br />
We slowly gather all the pieces of of our trip (people, cars, water, snacks), and start the trek to Manuel Antonio Park. Apparently we're in for a day of lush scenery, exotic animals, and a near-perfect beach. We deserve it.<br />
We weave through the mountains...all the way up, and all the way down to the ocean side. Stopping in Jaco (famous surf town), we grab some much needed food. I order my favourite breakfast, Huevos Rancheros.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHYfignW4-6CXtBr3_f0rndDK3WXayXOWJLmLaVakREevmucRggfwTfI8Gak3bLNWB2b-MZyfl5at9BIeZD4RQ7KHDNOWLf4jli9qGXGMI4b2j8D98OXjEVmgPo0lNavGjjNkyjp2QrW6/s1600/DSC02006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHYfignW4-6CXtBr3_f0rndDK3WXayXOWJLmLaVakREevmucRggfwTfI8Gak3bLNWB2b-MZyfl5at9BIeZD4RQ7KHDNOWLf4jli9qGXGMI4b2j8D98OXjEVmgPo0lNavGjjNkyjp2QrW6/s320/DSC02006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We're treated to a song (romantic) as our food arrives. I'm in a happy place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O-22HsPB28wLmWV9_9GwpsYcbLXaeWyWIj8nrbuzzFaRQNbxJwfJauoK1MB2xD8ftawCkxe9oeZIq92KiZlM_QsiXjxXM8_YtyOMQY1Lnt9sKJBVbws8UbWlVOGj_peSG6ALIDVc_IbQ/s1600/IMG_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6O-22HsPB28wLmWV9_9GwpsYcbLXaeWyWIj8nrbuzzFaRQNbxJwfJauoK1MB2xD8ftawCkxe9oeZIq92KiZlM_QsiXjxXM8_YtyOMQY1Lnt9sKJBVbws8UbWlVOGj_peSG6ALIDVc_IbQ/s320/IMG_9922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrm5ClppRufxrvWrjjOQ0AtngnROzTLoF_CRkupRcN2pOgJxPmsHZ78Zt6mf2Vz6UAOSyi_mbOGCgGvMCbdQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Through another few surf towns, and some flat farmland (we haven't seen much in Costa Rica), we arrive to Playa Bejuca; the location of Doug's vacation home. We're like kids in a candy store, playing in the surf and soaking in the rays. The beach is massive, and we can't see 10 people.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW_2e48qjBsMS8mucHtIUsMu7Gbw3BbV_ykaWP0FJVm_m5A_b60SPkjvmNLTiW69NQRCTXOtT_HEodu1dqcEL636yDr9Q_45gAodSLAlAKlBemBQpWl9zMKZ4ZPVVSNidnBKsmOanb4YG/s1600/IMG_9939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW_2e48qjBsMS8mucHtIUsMu7Gbw3BbV_ykaWP0FJVm_m5A_b60SPkjvmNLTiW69NQRCTXOtT_HEodu1dqcEL636yDr9Q_45gAodSLAlAKlBemBQpWl9zMKZ4ZPVVSNidnBKsmOanb4YG/s320/IMG_9939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We retreat to the pool to enjoy some snacks and get some rest. We reflect with Manuel on the trip thus far, as Mark hammers out a blog. It's great compound, and Kim is excited, as she's returning with her husband in a few months to stay at Doug's place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gX-cZtEN9WD1kpxr7OmHBb2W_yESi12L1C8nwRRfDBI_S8rjmXPhhz-FZtscKoWftwAB5eK6bKzMa9uA2vrTFBBIYTjC2j0cLA1tavjmTlhDy5Uj2IGVudN88j9wPu1MMZt32Ybh4Lnp/s1600/DSC02014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gX-cZtEN9WD1kpxr7OmHBb2W_yESi12L1C8nwRRfDBI_S8rjmXPhhz-FZtscKoWftwAB5eK6bKzMa9uA2vrTFBBIYTjC2j0cLA1tavjmTlhDy5Uj2IGVudN88j9wPu1MMZt32Ybh4Lnp/s320/DSC02014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Evening is upon us and we rush to catch the sunset at <a href="http://www.hotelvillacaletas.com/">Villa Caletas</a>; perched on a cliff, overlooking the ocean, with a steep amphitheatre incorporated into the restaurant/bar. Tough to describe, but let's just say they must have some epic events here. Apparently you can watch the sunset and then stars, with a drink of your choice, with a pianist or classical group playing. Sounds terrible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFWcAdQ0oPCb6bIXZ4AdqVDxGdWPc5cHwe9GF-aCOIJG8BmVpV8bTM_ckgeaOKW2fACGUgvfsHuWh79vT08-zrIXmaAZXJr1xQYKah2Gx5dTiVXGFEVpy-gJIXfH9WvV-Gp3tQ32Pv_xY/s1600/DSC02021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFWcAdQ0oPCb6bIXZ4AdqVDxGdWPc5cHwe9GF-aCOIJG8BmVpV8bTM_ckgeaOKW2fACGUgvfsHuWh79vT08-zrIXmaAZXJr1xQYKah2Gx5dTiVXGFEVpy-gJIXfH9WvV-Gp3tQ32Pv_xY/s320/DSC02021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We enjoy a gourmet meal, and head for the cars in the rain. It's a long haul back to San Jose, and we're all bagged from the sun, surf and long week. BUT, we're going out to dance! It's another late night, and the music ranges from great local latin rhythms, to the terrible sounds of Reggaeton. I drive (DD) for the first time in 2 weeks, which is a rush, and aggresive driving is the norm here. Doug and Alicia are dancing machines, and Mark gets a late-night call with Jess. Kim opted for a night in to recharge, hopefully she get a few extra hours for us too. Tomorrow we're on the Tica Bus again...OIY. Nicaragua here we come!!<br />
CGDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7799269736480309311.post-9021117322595475322011-03-14T10:49:00.000-04:002011-03-14T10:49:29.033-04:00Costa Rican Perspective - Team Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrQKcGhRK3aEsC105KKgIUiWY3XNjbElr9qFlsdy4rtzzZXKjk5qFKPOJ9QcaejI6ydrw2WJFbHB7-RQWIV0HJJww7i9z1ODqcZhtzC3nz2W3eKsBouHcDB7HA_qMeamk5qwJR0fQN6Dy/s1600/DSC01860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrQKcGhRK3aEsC105KKgIUiWY3XNjbElr9qFlsdy4rtzzZXKjk5qFKPOJ9QcaejI6ydrw2WJFbHB7-RQWIV0HJJww7i9z1ODqcZhtzC3nz2W3eKsBouHcDB7HA_qMeamk5qwJR0fQN6Dy/s320/DSC01860.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm1lUcqXm-Scxn16k4Lk2XBySeDcBc02CO-PyqbHckQFOzMnztTXbBO58gukmHudBnw3xPAoIv4Ytriji3CIa8uVfDfzM13NVc3RZlsLU5K68vvC0ePAQ_M9dSMUt6CyUEZEiM-Qrnx9c/s1600/DSC01865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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