Another week in Nicaragua

Keri and I spent another busy week getting ready for students.  Our in-country coordinator, Dalena, joined us on Tuesday, and we hit the ground running with finding host families, confirming Spanish teachers, confirming class and lecture locations, and many other details.  On Friday we visited five new potential host families in Jinotepe.  It was very interesting to meet these people and see their living situations.  All were very friendly and interested and willing to host a student.  We now have 21 of the 23 needed host families confirmed, and should be able to confirm the other two early next week. 

The students come in 10 days, and in many ways I am ready for them to come.  We have needed this time to prepare, but we are ready to actually start experiencing life in Nicaragua with the students instead of just planning.  My accomplishments today included some quiet/church time, going for a walk, figuring out how to get my computer to print to the printer, finalizing the library/book list and creating a book check-out form, reviewing the host family orientation meeting agenda, and creating a sticky-note for each student listing what they like and want in a host family.  We will use those stickies when we put the puzzle of host families and students together this week. 

Here are a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Location of Spanish classes

A pretty flower in my backyard

A little Claro van.  They park on the street, play loud music, and sell cell phone minutes. 

The front of my house

My big purchase - a new stove for the unit house.

Keri reading in her new hammock. 

Three laptops on the porch means we are getting lots of work done!