Nicaragua 1 :: the Adventures

So I'm finally posting again... about a place far away and my adventures there which seem like a far-off, cloudy dream somewhere that didn't actually ever happen.  About a month ago, I left with a group of people from our church for a work project in Nicaragua.  

We met at 2:00 a.m. and were in the airport way ahead of time,

 

had a layover in Texas,

and finally arrived in that beautiful country. 

Here we three seniors rejoice at the fact that we're not in school, we are together, we have each other, and we're actually here!

Rhonda met us, and the guys loaded up the luggage.

 We ate a delicious meal before embarking on the five-hour bumpy, dusty, hot, tight ride from Managua to Waslala.  I was fortunate to have a seat inside the pick-up (howbeit, in the middle of the front seat with the gear stick protruding toward me). haha.  Four of the guys rode in the back of the truck the whole way.

{Marcus devours his enchilada}

So began our adventures... for the next week, the men worked on putting a new roof on this clinic that Rhonda works at.  They ate a light breakfast every morning before driving the 25 minute ride back to the clinic.  They worked for a few hours before we ladies showed up with food.  We'd serve them breakfast and lunch and keep them well-supplied with water in between.

 

We ladies were busy too.  My occupations for the week included food-maker, dishes-washer, laundry-washer, and laundry-folder. 

We relaxed in the afternoons and evenings most of the time...and hung out Sunday afternoon.

At Floyd's place one night for supper, we took a walk back to their water fall... and tried some cocoa plant substance of some kind...

 The evening was gorgeous...

{crazy boys couldn't resist}

'Twas crazy how time kept moving along... before we knew it, it was time to pile back up into the pick-ups and make the trip out to Managua.

{stopped by a construction site for over an hour}

We spent an amazing day at the beach... the epitome of gorgeous. sunshine. breezes. laughter. palm trees. surf.  It was such an incredible time!

Then we were on our way back to Managua... and stopped at this awesome little ice cream shop.  cheers! :)

 One more night at CAM guest-quarters.  One more breakfast all together... and we were on our way home.  Everyone was too excited about being reunited with family, and as the night wore on, we became more and more crazy.  haha.

{the crazy plane ride from Houston to Pittsburgh}

...then we were home. home. Every time I come home, I'm amazed again at how right it feels... love it.  Nicaragua was amazing... so many good good memories. such a great experience.  the perfect break from my crazy life.  I feel so blessed...

{how i love these crazy people}

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Never settle for less!