Fun Tid-Bits from my time in Nica

My last few blogs were more on the serious side, but it hasn’t all been serious, I’ve had a lot of fun here too and have been able to have a lot of new experiences. So here’s a list of the highlights: (they’re in no particular order)

1. I drank coconut milk from one that was freshly hacked off with a machete.
2. I’ve tried 3 fruits I never knew existed before, one of which I liked very much and reminded me of fruit leather. Also I’ve had oranges and mangos very not ripe-that’s how they like them here very tart and with some salt.
3. I’ve eaten very fresh iguana. It was found in the morning and then was killed and sent straight to the frying pan for lunch. Not to be cliche-but it tasted like chicken. Also it was served with steamed tomatoes if you’re wondering how to prepare it.
4. On a note other than food I rode a horse around the complex with a machete strapped to its side- a Nicaraguan must as to be able to cut through dense vegetation as needed.
5. In Nicaragua, Valentines day isn’t just a day of romantic love but also a day of friendship. I spent Valentines evening with my wonderful team as well as some wonderful Nicaraguan friends we’ve made, in Leon, a nearby city, and the second biggest in Nica. We walked around the beautiful city at night, drank wonderful coffee and danced at an outside venue. It was so fun 🙂
6. Don’t freak out Mom-I jumped off a bridge….. I guess I followed the old adage if your friend jumps off a bridge would you? Yep… My friends did so I did though not without some thought and apprehension. I was fine though.
7. I was told by a little boy that I look like his cat… I was obviously confused and when I asked why he said because of my eyebrows and eyes. I guess I hadn’t plucked well enough if my eyebrows make me look like an animal haha.
8. I have been on two BEAST bug hunts. One was a tarantula and the other was a fly like thing that was the size of a small bird. Both times we were assisted by the guards who had thankfully heard our screams and come to our rescue- though we certainly helped.
9. On the bug note I have showered with a zoo of creatures. One particular time there was a large spider in one corner, a moth, and a slug eating a spider( or the other way around it was kind of hard to tell). And geckos and the occasional frog of course.
10. I experienced a 6.4 earthquake. Which was pretty scary, though I never left my bed, but thankfully there was no damage.
11. On one of our outings where we taught Sunday school, afterwards we got to swim in an infinity pool in a rainforest like area. it was not chlorinated water rather fresh spring water, thus there were some small fishes. It was a beautiful way to spend the afternoon with some of the people we serve.
12.I have been ‘surfing’in two non-conventional ways. Once in the back of the truck as we were driving on a curvy path, and once down an active volcano. The time down the volcano was more like sledding but they call it surfing. No injuries either time, God is good.
13. Had a super fun sleepover with some Nicaraguans from the village we frequent which involved a water battle, a chick flick, and nail painting of course.
14. In Granada I rode on a boat in lake Nicaragua to monkey island, and around a handful of others.
15. And lastly, though perhaps it goes without saying- I’ve met some of the most incredible people along the way:) I’m so thankful to God everyday that I am here 🙂