With pictures!

So much happens here on a daily basis that to try and write about all of it seems a task almost as overwhelming as living it. That being sad, I´m going to try and organize the last two weeks into a logical summary.

A good friend of mine.

For those of you that don´t know, December 1 is internationally recognized as World AIDS Day. Somotillo is seriously affected by HIV/AIDS (as I have mentioned in previous posts). Good Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) that I am, I joined a commission here in Somotillo to fight HIV/AIDS. We put on a health fair for the whole day which included a 6k marathon, free HIV tests, informational booths, competitions and musical performances. It was a big success. A lot of my students came to get tested which made me UNBELIEVABLY proud of them. As a tribute to the people in Somotillo confirmed to have died from AIDS 56 red balloons were let fly. I think the tribute is a nice idea but I was not fond of the damage it caused/will cause to the environment.

One of the reasons HIV/AIDS is becoming epidemic in Nicaragua is that people don´t get tested until it is too late. For example, in Somotillo this year 7 men have individually sought treatment because they had become ill over the recent months. These seven men all tested positive for HIV but having waited so long to be tested, already 4 of them have died. People here (and in the States too) don´t understand THAT HIV DOES NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS!!!! A person only exhibits symptoms once the virus has progressed to AIDS. Usually by the time you know you are sick you are beyond help. GET THE TEST!

Now that I´ve subjected you to my rant...

Another friend of mine.

I´ve been going out dancing a lot with friends and I really feel like I´m improving. If nothing else, Im gaining more confidence and really having a great time. The other night while we were out a friend invited me to a drink. I had never heard the name before but agreed to try it. Turns out, it was raw turtle eggs, hot sauce, vinegar and ketchup. (Don´t worry, not endangered turtles. I confirmed it was normal lake turtles before hand). I was brave enough to try it and to my surprise it was DELICIOUS! I don´t plan on making it a habit (since raw food in Nicaragua is potentially lethal) but it was an interesting cultural exchange.


My sitemate and two friends of ours.

Last Wednesday I went to a year-end party with a youth group I work with. A group of about 25 teenagers took my site-mate (the other volunteer that lives in Somotillo) and I to a hidden waterfall about 45 minutes by bus from where I live. We had to get off the bus in the middle of nothing and hike for a good half hour through the woods. The next thing I know, we are in front of a GORGEOUS waterfall with three big pools to swim in. The water was deep enough so that we were all jumping off the waterfall into the water. We brought lunch and spent the whole day there. It was one of the nicest days I´ve spent in Nicaragua. The youth group is made up of really good kids and I always have a good time when I´m with them.

Here are some more photos:

My friend Hugo.

The going away party for the volunteer, Lucian. The girl holding the baby is also my hair stylist. The other girl is her sister. They are both good friends of mine.

My nephew!