Bringing in the New Year, Nica-style

As some of you may know, I decided to stay in Central America for the holidays. All of my coworkers left for the United States around the 15th, while my Vanderbilt friend Tony and I hopped on a bus for Tegucigalpa, Honduras. After 7ish hours in a bus where we were 'fortunate' enough to watch Lethal Weapon I and II (who picked these movies, anyway?!), we deboarded and found a taxi for our hotel - Hotel Granada. Hotel Granada claimed to have hot water, but, well, we are in Central America so sometimes things aren't as advertised. No worries, as I don't have hot water in the Manna house either, this was no big shock. So from the hotel we decided to wander around town a little bit. We were situated near the central park (parque central), so opted to walk down there, hoping for an ATM or two. Unfortunately, the first two did not have any money in them, but we found one and thus began the system of withdrawls that has drained my bank account. The reason I went to Honduras was to visit a girl whom I have been sponsoring through World Vision for 4 years. It was wonderful to meet her and her mother and little sister, and though she was a little shy, she warmed right up to me and was soon chattering and running around just as a little girl should. I was very happy that my Spanish skills have been much improved, for I was able to understand and talk with the family and the World Vision staff with no difficulty. It was interesting to see how another non-profit works, and I was able to ask many questions in our 3 hour car ride to and from Tegucigalpa to the meeting place in southern Honduras. They are moving toward a stronger emphasis in community development, which will help the families to develop and in turn, the children. I was able to share ideas with the country director and he with me on the best tactics to do this, and the ones that haven't worked for us. It was very interesting.
The next day we headed out to the ruins of Copan, the only Mayan site in Honduras, and the best preserved of all the sites. It was beautiful to see, especially after having taken an anthropology class on Mayan civilization. It was a wonderful day, walking around in the beautiful tropical air through a vibrant jungle.
A couple days later we returned to Managua. I was pretty excited, and couldn't relax the whole way from Tegucigalpa to Managua... in anticipation of seeing my friends, my house, and especially my dogs (I love them so much!) It was here in Managua that I spent Christmas, at the home of the family who allowed me to stay with them for a week in November. Here in Nicaragua they celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve, or "Nochebuena." And in the house I went to, they celebrated with Bachata music (a fun type of music to dance to - two steps to one side, then lift the inner leg, and then back.. and with a partner. I promise it looks much prettier than described), lots of shouting, an 11:30pm dinner, and shooting off any kind of firework or mortar gun in sight. So dangerous, so fun. I taught some of the kids how to dance bachata and just talked with my friends and the different families. We finally left at about 1am.
The rest of the days I spent visiting in the community, seeing my friends in Managua, and doing a bit of traveling. Unfortunately, I had my first accident - in the beautiful colonial town
of Granada. I was lost, on a busy street near the market, trying to avoid people and potholes and cars, and in my attempt at avoiding the first two, the tail end of the micro (16 passenger van) clipped the back bumper of a truck. For a second I must have been in denial, thinking it was the huge pothole I had hit, but alas with the truck driver honking the horn behind me and the police man rapping on my window, wishful thinking only lasted about 10 seconds. Long story short, I had to pay $30 to get the man's bumper fixed. Beyond that incident, travels were basically smooth sailing. I was able to go back to the marvelous Laguna de Apoyo - the volcanic crater lagoon in which I love to swim.
For New Years I went to my favorite dance club, and danced the night away with a few of my Nicaraguan friends as well as the other Manna member who stayed in Chiquilistagua (one of our communities) to care for one of the missionary families' homes. We brought in the New Year with lots of fireworks and hugs and wishes for a great new year.
And so far, it has been an amazing new year. I've been able to stay overnight at another community family's home - a woman named Lorena and her daughters Jennifer, Olga, Jensil, Alba, and Dayana. Dayana is in my literacy class, and Olga and Jensil come to our English programs. I really love their family, and hope to get to know them better as the year progresses. Now almost all our group is back, along with the addition of two new members: Kyle Bartelson and Josh Eddings. And in a week and a half I will be heading to Michigan to visit my mama and my brothers for 11 days. I am very excited about the trip, though I had to advise my mom to bring my boots and huge winter coat to the airport, as I don't have winter clothes in Nicaragua.
That is all for now, I hope that everyone has had a good holiday season and a great beginning of the new year.