Guest Post from Dad!

Now it feels like I am back—

Cold,rainy and on a bus where the windows are closed and with no chance of chickens-

In Nicaragua its always hot  and bright with a great probability of chickens—

I visited  not really knowing what to expect but for the joy of seeing my little girl

I found that and much more as Nicaragua is a beautiful place with very friendly people-

It surprised me from the beginning –I walked off the plane and into the airport and

Found a huge Christmas tree with all the lights and trimmings---

Our hotel the first night was across the street from the airport and so

I got introduced to Nicaraguan traffic---fast busy crowded---

Next day we took two buses –first to chinendega and then onto corinto

Not so fast but busy and crowded---

We spent the first 3 days in corinto-her home town—

Was able to see my daughter work at a pool hall tournament

That she had organized with her fellow workers-

Was amazed to watch her take the microphone and with great ease

Go into her talk about aids-how its transmitted and the proper use of condoms-

Talk about coming to the realization she isn’t a little girl anymore real quick—

I also loved walking around Corinto and getting stared at a lot and listening

To people yelling out kati Kati kati to her as we walk—my daughter the celebrity

I learned in corinto that we have it all wrong when we walk by someone

We know and say hello ---there you say hello when you intend to stop and

Talk—but if you are just walking buy and are not stopping and just greeting them

You just say Bye—which makes sense

So bye Corinto and then onto Masetepe-

We stayed at a really nice Hostel—which is basically a B and B(bed and breakfast) here-

Air conditioning-two beds-tv with cable-hot water shower and free breakfast—25.00 a night

We went to la laguna de apoyo-a lake formed by a nearby volcano-

Quite beautiful---got our picture taken together-

I almost slid off the mountain-now you know where the awkward gringa gets her awkwardness-

It was very beautiful-if you ever come to Nicaragua make sure you bring some kind

Of panoramic camera—well worth it-and there is some good shopping here

Also got to meet Kates initial host family-they were so happy to see her and me too-

I got to thank them for taking good care of my little girl-then onto Granada

Granada is probably the most touristry city in Nicaragua-

It has great colonial era type of building-many interesting cathedrals-

A nice park with food and souveneers along with artist both in the park and

In some of the surrounding buildings –a dormant volcano Mombacho

And a street I found while wondering around-that is about 20 blocks long lined

With stores on both sides selling just about anything you want-where you will probably be

The only gringo on the street—this is also where you start being followed by little kids

Begging for your change-you are not suppose to give them any because there is no way

To know where its going-I saw a child of about 14 sniffing glue(a big problem here I am told)

Walk up to what looked like 9 year olds-engage in a conversation and then the kids took money from

Their pockets and gave it to the older boy---so as hard as it is to resist its probably a good idea—

The week I was there was the days prior to the feast of the Immaculate Conception so

Every night of the week –there would be a statue being paraded around town with a band –

Till late(one time it was 1 am and fire works) and the next morning they were at it at 530am—

It’s a really fun and safe city---If you go to the volcano don’t walk down like I did-its only about 5 miles

But its all on a very steep incline and your thighs will hurt for days to come—unless you like this

So I really loved Nicaragua and had a great time with my not so little girl—

Only negative was never did get to ride a bus with chickens!!!!

Dad in Nica

 "Your dad is cool. He is just a cool guy."
That's pretty much what everyone who met my Dad had to say about him. While I was running an HIV themed pool tournament or giving the pre-test counseling for HIV tests, he was just wandering around, chatting with people. While I was in my close of service training in Granada, he was exploring Volcan Mombacho making new friends with people from all over the world.

But don't worry; we had lots of time to hang out together and for him to really get to know "my Corinto". We went to the beach and ate fish with its head and eyeballs still on. He walked the beach looking for shells and other gadgets. One cockroach came out while we were staying at my house, but he did get to see multiple lizards and ants. I think he was impressed by the work that we're doing here; the HIV events and testing and all of the relationships that I've made.It's just such an amazing thing to be able to introduce our families here in

It's just such an amazing thing to be able to present your family from home to your family here in Nicaragua. My Dad got to meet my host family in Corinto, everyone I work with from Peace Corps and local Nicas and he got to meet my host family from training in Masatepe. He got to experience the Nicaraguan buses, the pedicabs of Corinto and the mototaxis of Masatepe. 

I honestly could not have asked for a better trip. My Dad got to see exactly how I live here, while mixing in a lot of relaxation, beautiful views and a couple of spa treatments. It's going to be extremely difficult to say goodbye tomorrow, but we'll be seeing each other in 6 months. I will be looking forward to that.