Pick up ride; Daniel, our ¨jefe¨ (boss) 
Work and play at Palo de Agua
Patrick & Isa
Salsa dancing, anyone?We went back to our home base for lunch on Tuesday. The cold showers and hot lunch were wonderful.
We then had another session with Patrick Rickon and his Nicaraguan wife, Isa. We learned so much about the country, the history and culture, and the school. They took us on a tour of the Resource Center (which is part of the compound where we are staying). Each of the staff persons introduced their section. The person responsible for the play area where kids can come morning or afternoon to play with puzzles, legos, blocks, etc. is the same person who is the dance teacher, Damaris -- a pretty young woman hired by SoL once they realized her talent as a dancer. Urania is the woman who has spent a lot of time with us and is so wonderful to be around. She informed us about the sister school program and the 35 schools and several hundred teachers who are part of the SoL program -- very impressive. There are also sister schools in the US who send packeged projects 4 times a year to the Nicaraguan sister schools.
Hazel showed us the resource area -- it´s much better than the library in town, but they don't advertise that! She was very knowledgeable as a 20+ year old. We were also told about the scholarship program. What a terrific program for 75 young people to have an opportunity to be part of the program. We also learned about the sewing program where women come to learn to make dresses -- all without patterns. The art teacher told us about his projects with the students also. All in all, we were so impressed with the extensiveness and scope of their program with such few resources.
After all of that, they must have thought we needed some activity. Damaris got us together for dance lessons. She really tried! We made an attempt at salsa and reggae, but we looked pretty lame compared to the dancers the night before. And we sweated some more!
After a great dinner that Enrique is making for us every night, we did different things, then bed.
Today, Wednesday, I think, we went back to our work site. We took off the boards and chipped away at the cement. Luckily a cloud cover most of the time meant it wasn´t as hot as the day before, but sweating is still part of our daily experience. Claudia, Steve and Ted played with the children creating different games.
After lunch back at SoL, we went to the Museum of Ruben Dario -- the poet for whom this city is named. We saw the house where he was born. Our treat of the afternoon was the ice cream shop! Alicia thought it was better than the ice cream at home. After dinner, Steve taught some of us to play pinnochle. The youth hang out in one of the rooms and have a good time. Another great day!
After all of that, they must have thought we needed some activity. Damaris got us together for dance lessons. She really tried! We made an attempt at salsa and reggae, but we looked pretty lame compared to the dancers the night before. And we sweated some more!
After a great dinner that Enrique is making for us every night, we did different things, then bed.
Today, Wednesday, I think, we went back to our work site. We took off the boards and chipped away at the cement. Luckily a cloud cover most of the time meant it wasn´t as hot as the day before, but sweating is still part of our daily experience. Claudia, Steve and Ted played with the children creating different games.
After lunch back at SoL, we went to the Museum of Ruben Dario -- the poet for whom this city is named. We saw the house where he was born. Our treat of the afternoon was the ice cream shop! Alicia thought it was better than the ice cream at home. After dinner, Steve taught some of us to play pinnochle. The youth hang out in one of the rooms and have a good time. Another great day!
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