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I had a chance of a life time. Working as a program developer and coordinator for EartH2O in Costa Rica these last 5 weeks has taught me so much. A mixture of beauty, travel, and work and to add that I got paid for it all. Kind of hard to believe. I have met so many people across the globe, learned so many cultural and business lessons it is really surreal. I would tend to say that I have learned so much and experiences so much in the last couple of weeks that I feel as if I have been here for 3 months. I am sorry for only blogging about my time in CR minimally. That just means you will have to ask me in person ;)

I'm sitting here now in the airport waiting to board the plane. As I am doing so I am thinking about all that I have learned, all that has changed since I have been away from the states, and all that has changed me while away. Time flies, yet time still changes things. To think that I will be returning to my grandma and college friends getting married, friends having babies, and friends continuing to graduate programs. Life's a roller coaster, seeming to never slow down.

I am so ready and excited to come to Texas, California and Oregon to see the people I love and cherish. I am thrilled to start a new beginning and life out of school. Thanks to my time abroad I know my own visions have matured, my cultural perspectives shifted, my spiritual walk strengthened, and that I as a person have become stronger.

I love you all. Thank you so much for following me on this journey and keeping me in your prayers.

Con Amor,

Lindsey

pH and Water

Yesterday while preparing presentation material for students I found myself on a learning rabbit trail. One of the activities we will be doing is taking water samples at various locations along Costa Rica and measuring for the basic water quality parameters of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), turbidity, temperature and pH. In so preparing a brief lecture on the importance of these parameters I got stopped by pH as I chose to look more into the importance of pH in water.

I found out a couple more details about pH from being curious. Guess I had apparently forgotten about them in my chemistry class. First off, being that the pH (potential of hydrogen) scale ranges from 0-14 (0-6 being acidic and 8-14 being alkalinic) the pH of our bodies should normally be 7.35. This means that our bodies are slightly more alkaline than acidic.

The importance of pH and our human health is surreal! When we eat more acidic things, aka soda, fried meals, salt, and greases our pH levels drop. When we eat more alkaline foods our pH levels rise. It must therefore be a system of balances. What I learned from my research is that it is better for our bodies to be on the more alkaline side. Why? Well, diseases, viruses and bacteria thrive in acidic environments and CAN NOT persist in alkaline environments. Think of the average American diet, where consuming sodas, fries, fried chicken and chips is the norm. Now think of how acidic that person's pH level is as a result. A Coca-Cola soda for example sits on the pH scale as 1.5! It takes a lot of water and green vegetables to rebalance that level.

How does water play into all of this? WELL LET ME TELL YOU! Water sits on the pH scale as neutral at 7.  The more water we drink the more we are able to neutralize our bodies and for better health stay away from the acidic scale. However, many people turn to bottled water as it is the most convenient commodity around. But there is one problem with bottled water: it is most times acidic! How? Well all of the chemicals from the bottle itself over time leach into the water itself increasing the sources acidity. Furthermore when water sits in a container for a long period of time it looses oxygen and becomes heated. The heat impacting the stagnant water actually breaks the hydrogen and oxygen bonds in the water creating free radical hydrogen molecules not connected to the other HO molecules. Since H are + , these free radicals increase the pH of the water (see diagram above on the left column to visualize how added H+ decreases pH).  Therefore when drinking bottled water, most of the times you are actually contributing to the acidity in your system. (Different bottled water brands have been different levels of pH most around 5 and 6 but some going as low as 3 and 4 on the pH scale).  When water is oxidized, oxygen molecules are able to reconnect to the free floating hydrogen radicals thereby reforming a stable H2O molecule--decreasing acidity in water.

Since it is the acidic environment that disease, bacteria and viruses inhabit it is important to maintain a level of alkalinity in your system. Alkaline water has been proven to actually cure diseases!
Here is an example chart of the foods that can improve and harm your health based on the pH scale. Helpful:

You should at least be drinking half of your body weight in oz. of water.
When we however are conscious of what enters our body, we are in turn being mindful of the pH scale--and there are benefits!

Sailing

This last Sunday I had the opportunity to go out sailing on a small catamaran with some friends.  It seems like everyone here around the lake are friends or are connected in come way.  The boat we went sailing on was a friend of JPs. Lake Arenal is a beautiful and pristine lake. I am amazed of how clean the water and beaches are. There are hardly any boats on the water and very few docs. It is as if this lake is untouched--something unheard or unseen within the pollution and overuse practices of the 21st Century. 

My opportunity to be on the lake, and this beautiful Costa Rican lake at that, is a reminder to me of how the Lord has blessed me in so many ways. As if I haven't been blessed enough, I felt as though this was something extra special. The air was fresh, water clear, and no other people out on the water. Its amazing how God speaks to us when away enjoying His beautiful creation. Just had to share!

2 Weeks in Costa Rica

Greetings all!

Just a quick update. So I have been in Costa Rica for the past two weeks.  For those of you who don't know I am currently working for the Earth2o Program (http://theearth2oprogram.com/). This is a sustainable study program taking place in Costa Rica. It is a new program that has some previous reputation and establishment. We are however now creating the program into an institution. What is my part in all of this? I am developing and coordinating the upcoming 12 - day program for students touring in Costa Rica. The focus of the program is focused on water resources.

How did I get here? Well in January 2014 I was a student on a Green Renewable Energy Education Network (GREEN program) taking place here in Costa Rica.  Part of that study abroad program was develop a capstone project--aka an innovative idea based off of all that I had learned on my trip. During that trip with a group of 4 of us, I presented my capstone project called "the BLUE program." As much as my team enjoyed and were passionate to learn about renewable energy, we were more passionate about our water resources. So our BLUE program was to create a similar study abroad program we were on, however focused more on water resources and its local and global issues.

After that presentation JP (one of the program owners, also owner of the Lake Arenal Hotel) invited us all to work on such a program. Over the past 1.5 years I have kept in touch with JP to create such a program.  (Here is the link to check out the hotel where I am staying: http://www.lakearenalhotel.com/)

So here I am now in Costa Rica working on developing and coordinating our upcoming Water's Program. This 12-day trip is apart of the new Earth2o Program/ Institute. So far this has been a really great opportunity for me to learn about coordinating and planning, advertising, business, sustainability, renewable energy and of coarse WATER RESOURCES! And its only been two weeks! So thankful for the opportunity.

Here is a high side view of the lake where I am staying at. This place is absolutely beautiful.

Pura Vida,

Lindsey

My Last Day at CCA

My last day in class with the kids of CCA was so sweet. All of the teachers had made me a card. Not only that but I received so many cards and pictures from many students of the school. Fifth grade decided to have a going away party for me. It was a surprise to me! During my time with Fifth grade one of the sweetest things one of the girls said to me before I left was, "Your are so special to me, and you have made a big impact on my life." This really touched me to hear this.

After my party with fifth grade I promised third grade that I would throw them a party. So when I walked into the room with the cookies and punch I had made I opened the door and was welcomed by a big "SURPRISE!" They kids had put balloons all over and had made signs to put all over the walls. Then we ate the snacks I had made. Then I gave them individually the cards I had written for them. I took this as an opportunity to speak identity into them. One by one they would come up and I would tell them and their classmates the good character qualities that I saw in the them as a form of encouragement. This was a really impactful time for all.  After this time we watch a video I had made of them all. Garret had given me a good worship song for kids called, "WE WONT BE QUIET." I had them learn this song in English and we would have fun learning new words and dancing around. One day I had video taped them dancing and singing to this song. I promised them on my last day that we would watch our class music video...so we did! They absolutely loved watching themselves on the screen. All in all it was a fun and joyous goodbye time. I received so many hugs, and notes to last me a life time! I really am going to miss these kids. They will forever be in my heart.

Me and my fifth grade class. The girl in front of me Melissa was the one who took the lead in throwing this party for me. She was keen on doing it and I appreciated her for that!

All of the cards I had written for my 3rd grade class: a means for encouragement.

Last picture with my 3rd grade class. 

Me and Ms. Mierdna (3rd grade teacher)

Final Lessons in Nicaragua

Rebecca and I created a Volunteers book for all volunteers at CCA to write about their time and experience. Here is what I wrote in my pages:

During my time here at CCA I have served as the 3rd grade English teacher and also computer teacher for 3rd through 7th grades. I worked on an English curriculum for 3rd grade. For computers I also workd on a curriculum, set up a computer display, pushed to see a lap top be used in the computer lab, got the projector up and running, put in a white board, prayed relentlessly for new computers, and painted a colorful keyboard in the computer lab with Kristie Beavert. I was fortunate enough to be able to hand over my projects and ultimately class to a new Nicaraguan teacher--Mr. Giovanny. It is encouraging to see it all in his hands and to continue even after I leave CCA. The above are only the projects I performed at CCA. My experienced here however has been marked by so much more.

It has been really cool over the past 4 months to see how God had developed a passion for me to have a <3 for 3rd grade and for computer classes. The vision I had for computers was -- "Inspire through Technology." Technology is so important to the advancement of any country. But we here at CCA have the opportunity, through a Christian lens, to teach computers and t oshow these kids how technolgy can be fun, purposeful and honoring for Nicaragua and furthermore for Christ's kingdom. And through this vision I cam to recognize a greater thing. While God gave Barry and Susanna a vision for starting CCA, He gives all teachers and volunteers visions to better things within the school. What will be your vision?

The greatest thing I have learned while at CCA is the importance of relationships. For a good portion of my life I have been racing full force ahead, working hard in school and by this sacrificing relationships in order to accomplish my goals. But the funny thing is God works quit the opposite, we actually need others. We need the help of others, we need their affirmations, we need their accountability, we need their advice and wisdom, and we need their skills, we need their different personalities-- WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. We need one another, not only for ourselves, but for the glory and for the work of the LORD.

While in the In2House I got to live with many different cultures and also age groups--Koreans, Niccas, Brits, Americans from ages ranging from 19-75. One of the greatest experiences was when Auntie Joyce (beautifully and wonderfully aged), asked me (23) about any areas of her personality that need critique so she could strengthen her weaknesses.  I had been going to Auntie Joyce for advice and input many times, but her receptivity to my youthfulness amazed me. This experience was an example to show how that despite culture, age and background we are a body her to sharpen one another to become better in Christ.

I have come to find that we all hold something unique to share with our body, and if we don't embrace and reach out to
the talents and gifts of others then we as a whole won't go as far. We need to also be willing to be vulnerable with one another. Taking time to first build relationships should be the first and most important task before trying to accomplish any sustainable project here at CCA.

When you can learn to die to yourself for the benefit of your community, and ultimately for the will of the LORD, then there you will make a difference.

Picture of the colorful keyboard that Kristie and I had painted in the computer lab.

Class room set up after my time here. Now Giovany is able to use a projector, has a lap top to use, and the student's computers are as up to date as they can be ;)

Safe Trip to Costa Rica

First of all I just wanted to say that I am safe here in Costa Rica. Thank you to all of my family and friends who had been praying for safe travels for me. I came to find that many of you were far more worried about my safety than I had thought. With this I would like to take the time to better described my trip crossing the boarder.

The trip was smooth sailing with no glitches. I took a Ticca Bus, a bus much like our American Greyhound, ran under a professional Costa Rican travel service. With that being said, the service was accustomed to taking their customers across the boarder and helping us all with those processes. Rebecca took me to the bus stop at 7:30am, and my bus left at 8am. From there it took 2 hours to drive to the boarder. We spent about one hour at the boarder.  There our passports were processed and we had to take all of our luggage off the bus in order to go through a security screening.

During this whole process I had met a white lady from Alabama who spoke English. She has a family in Nicaragua and was familiar with all of the processes. I stuck with her and her family for crossing the boarder. It turns out that they actually lived in Dolores, Nicaragua, the same town I had been living in at CCA! She said I looked familiar. Anyways because of this relationship the whole transition was not stressful, and I felt like I was traveling with family.

It took about another 2 hours to get to my stop in Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (I arrived at approximately 12:30pm). There was no formal bus stop here so I had to ask the driver to let me off here. Because I didn't have a cell phone I asked a man on the bus if he would let me call JP who was on the other end to pick me up. The man was very kind, and even though I offered to pay to use his phone, he refused. Because of the man's kindness I was able to talk to JP and let him know exactly where I would be dropped off according to where the bus driver had described. Upon being dropped off, JP was there within one minute.  It was all smooth, no glitches, and completely safe. From Cañas we drove 30 minutes to Tileran.

Again thank you for your prayers. I was confident that my God was protecting me the whole way through, and here beyond.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Adventure in the Classroom

Today in English class we went on an adventure! The lesson for this week was learning vocabulary of various natural locations including: Sea (el mar), Rainforest (la selva), Beach (la playa), Mountains (las montañas), Desert (el desierto), Tree (el arbol), River (el rio), Island (la isla), Land (la tierra), Junge (la jungla). I drew some of these various locations in chalk in the outdoor auditorium. Others like mountain, and desert there were places around the school property where the kids could pretend that they were at these locations.

When I told them we were going on an adventure yesterday they all grew big ears and gave me the most attention from them I have probably gotten thus far. I assigned each a location and asked them to bring one thing that they might need for their destination. So at the beginning of the class they all shared their item. Then we hopped aboard a ship...aka a parachute...to set sail to a new land! They were all about the pretending and so thrilled.

When we jumped off of the ship they all ran to find their destinations. I had given them a map and once they found their locations they were to write the names of them in English. It was all quite a blast. I showed up to class in a safari hat and sunglasses and they started beaming.

My motivation for this creative lesson was a few things. One, there is a boy named Matthew who wants to be an explorer when he grows up. So this was primarily dedicated to him. Today he brought binoculars and I had him wear my Go Pro on his head (he loved it!). Two, learning can and should be fun, I wanted to continue to show the kids and Ms. Mierdna that. Three, I love the outdoors, natural resources, and adventures so why not one in the classroom?!

I love that I am so free to be creative with my lessons and kids. It has made it all that much more fun. Tomorrow is my last day with them and we will have a fiesta!

Isla de Ometepe

On April 24^th- 27^th Kristie and I had journeyed to Ometepe Island. This is an island located in the middle of Lake Nicaragua and has two volcanoes.

We arrived to the Island Friday afternoon and left Sunday afternoon. We took a bus from Jinotepe to Rivas, and then got on a ferry boat to the island. The trip in total was about 4 hours. As we were on the boat Kristie and I asked any of the gringo travelers if they were up to share a tour guide for climbing Volcán Concepción.  A guy from Sweden was interested in doing the same thing so we all instantly became friends. His name is Adam. That day us three went out to a point called Punta María Jesús.  It was so hot that day so we were all anxious to get wet and cooled off after our muy caliente boat ride. The point is a long point that extends from the island and enabled us to see a good view of the big volcano we would be hiking in the next couple of days.

Saturday was my favorite day. For as long as I had been anticipating our trip to Nicaragua I have been dreaming of riding dirt bikes around all of Ometepe Island. Saturday was our day to do just that! The hostel we stayed at set us up with motorcycle rentals and we left first thing in the morning. We had from 8am to 5pm to have the bikes. We ended up touring around 2/3 of the island, around Volcán Maderas because this is what our time frame had allowed. We also stopped to take a splash in a place called Ojo de Aguas which is a cool spring of water located in the middle of the island.

Sunday we hiked Volcán Concepción. We had to leave our hostel at 5am that morning. It was definitely a long and treacherous hike, considering there was no path. But that is just Kristie and my style, taking the less beaten and traveled path. It was illegal to not take a guide so we paid a local guide $15 to hike to the top. We were accompanied by our friend Adam (the Swed) and two others who were actually from Oregon! Because of the strong winds and sulfur, we were only to hike about 100 m shy of the top…this is an active volcano after all!

Our time on Ometepe would be our last GRAND adventure. We loved every bit of it. Here are some pictures to show you just that.

Punta María Jesús

Los Tres Amigos!

Kristie and I both have our motorcycle license and have been capable of driving dirt bikes for some time. Adam story is different. Many people who saw us three said it was funny to see two chicks on dirt bikes and one guy on a scooter ;)

Yep, I ate it once! When turning off of this road behind me onto the dirt my back tire slipped and I ATE THE DIRT! Thankfully a man driving saw me and offered for us all to go to his house to clean up. His wife and him lived right down the road and were from Southern California. They were very hospitable and it was nice to get the dirt out of my teeth. The bike was fine but I did have to pay $10 for some scratches.

Riding around the Ometepe. UNFORTUNATELY  the chest strap I had bought to take Go Pro videos point at a low angle. This was the best shot I got showing an upward view. The rest were all of my legs and the front of the bike :(

In the clouds, at our peak on Volcán Concepción.

A cool splash in Ojo de Aguas.

Us three Amigos!

The Jinotepe Market

Today was my last day at the Jinotepe market. Every Tuesday Kristie and I have taken the responsibility to go shopping for groceries for the house.  Let me describe our system to you first. Five days a week dinner is prepared for the whole house. During those days, one pair of volunteers (Kristie and my day was Wednesday) cooks dinner for all of us. On Tuesday mornings before we head to the market each pair writes their grocery list.  Those lists, combined with the grocery lists that our housemaid Doña Corina makes for all lunches throughout the week, are compiled.

The market is busy, loud and full of culture. Going to the market has been a time for us gringas to absorb and build relationships with the vendors. We love shopping with Doña Corina because she knows who sells the best vegetables, and who sells them for less. We often find ourselves paying more for food because we are white and foreign. To add to this, when shopping with Doña Corina we often have to hide ourselves so she (Nicaraguan) can get the best deals! Its quite funny but at times frustrating.

As I was strolling through this fast paced vending place, I began to process all that this place had taught me.  1) I give much respect to the people of Nicaragua for getting up every morning willing to earn money by selling vegetables, fish, q tips, flash lights, and any other random items we privileged can find at our local Wal-Mart. I don’t think I would ever have motivation to sell such things. But this is how they provide for their families. 2) Time at the market is time for people to converse and get to know one another. 3) When the men say “good-bye” they are really are meaning to say hello and converse to us in English. 4) Prices for vegetables in the states are outrageously out of this world in comparison to food here in Nicaragua. 5) Taking time to buy and prepare food shouldn't be seen always as a "waste of time," or something to slow us down. Take time to enjoy the fruits of life!

Below I have included some photos that I took today on my last day. One is with a man named Fernando.  We always stop at his vegetable stand because it is the best and he gives us great prices. Today he saw me noticing a new fruit to me called granadia and gave it to me as a gift. It’s a fruit that is often used to make juice and it was very nice for him to give it to me.

At Fernando's Vegetable Stand.

I will miss this wonderful place, its food, its people, and its lessons.

Taking A Moment

As I take a moment today I am reminded of all of the blessings I have been given.  Just recently I graduated from Baylor, started a relationship with a wonderful man, moved to Nicaragua to serve, and got to spend the past three months living, learning and laughing about life with one of my best friends. My time here is soon coming to a close. It has all been a lot to happen in the last 5 months, a roller coaster in many ways, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I have impacted and have been impacted by my time here in Nicaragua. I see myself maturing, and have been affirmed by my community to have been maturing in my faith, attitude and communication with others. I am stronger, better, and have a clearer vision ahead of me because of my time. My prayer right now is that no matter what comes my way, no matter what disappointment, no matter what good distraction, no matter what path I walk down, no matter what that I am always unwavering from the person whom God has called me and the things he is calling me to.

Standing Firm,

Lindsey

3rd to Last Week

I can't believe how quickly my time here in Nicaragua is coming to a close. I have three full weeks of school left here at CCA. My biggest question: where has the time gone?

This past weekend Kristie and I took a trip to Ometepe Island, located only about an hour and a half south of Dolores. Like always we were sure to make it an adventure. On Saturday we rented dirt bikes and toured the entire island. This was something I had been looking forward to for the past 9 months of us talking about this trip. It was also neat to take my go-pro and get some good footage of all that we saw on our bikes. On Sunday we hiked to the top of Volcan Concepcion, 4,500 m. It was for sure an adventure, the only way we like to take our breaks and we are definitely tired from it.

This week I will continue my transition with Ms. Mierdna and Giovany. Giovany has been doing great and I am looking to come up with a better plan to help Ms. Mierdna feel more comfortable with teaching english, but we are sure on our way. Also this week we will be having teacher training sessions after school. On Tuesday and Thursday I have been asked to lead more team building exercises. This will play two roles. One is to help the teachers work better as a team, the other is to encourage the teachers to incorporate team building exercises of their own within their classrooms.

Thank you to all who have been praying for me during this time. It is so encouraging to get random e-mails from those of you who have been reminding me of your prayers for me.

Much Love,

Lindsey

SCUBA and Snorkel

On Friday morning Kristie and I had set up to go Scuba diving. We are both Open Water PADI certified and scuba diving in paradise sounded just too tempting. In the morning I took a quick refresher course since it has been 3 years since my last dive. This was well worth it. At 11 am we set out for our big dive.

While doing the refresher course I was a bit nervous. It had been a while since I had breathed under water like that. Unfortunately my goggles kept filling up with water too. This is the one thing I despise when being under water. Thankfully my instructor swapped me googles and I got to get new ones for the dive. There was a moment during my refresher when I was in the mind set that the refresher ws good enough for me…after it I didn’t need to go for the big dive. I think it was because everything was feeling so unnatural and I wasn’t trusting myself enough to take on the dive.

After recognizing my train of thought, I got over it and I went on that dive! I was proud of myselrf for doing so. Breathing under water is so unnantural. Big inhale in and another out. Using your lungs to adjust your buoyancy. Equipmet: BCD, regulator, oxygen gauge, goggles, fins, weight belt, and oxygen tank. Diving is inclusive of maintaining all of these apparatus’, breathing under water, and enjoying God’s wonderous water world. It is so surreal!

Beyond the beauty of the nurse sharks, colorful fish, lobsters, coral, algae there was something further for me to see and learn from this incredible experience. I learned when everything seems impossible to control and is uncomfortable, choosing to see the beauty is far more important. I was worried about my amount of oxygen, worried about equalizing, and especially worried about water getting in my goggles. But if I would continue to worry about these things then I would miss out on what was in front of me. THE MAGNIFICNCE OF GODS WATER WORLD! So I chose to put the worries behind and to focus on the fish, focus how wonderful of an opportunity it is to breathe under water. How cool it was to swim with those fish and sharks.

This lesson, I see, will be applicable to an upcoming transition period of life for me. My time here in Nicaragua is coming to a close. When I return I will be deciding where I am to plant myself. Back to school? What job? There are so many factors to consider in my decision making process. My diving experience was a great reminder that I could choose to focus and worry about the factors effecting me, or I could choose to see it as a journey to not be missed and enjoyed.

On the boat ride out to the dive site. 

So excited!

Before our big dive! Unfortunately I didn't bring my Go Pro for some cool underwater pics because I didn't want to have to juggle more things while underwater. It was after all my first dive since three years. 

Some fun beach pics on our hike back from Scuba diving.

Climbing a palm tree is not as easy as it looks :)

We also went snorkeling on the Big Corn Island. We found a sunken ship!

Hey O! Sunken Ship!

ON BOARD and Reaching Paradise

Wednesday was our day! We got in line extra early to get in line for the same boat tickets to the Corn Islands. We were approximately 10^th in line. However after 2 hours of selling tickets we still didn’t have tickets. Many people began cutting in line. Then people would come to the people cutting and tell them they would pay them in order to buy their family tickets. Lesson B) order is non-existent. Even the workers working for the boat were allowing the cutting to happen and not moving to change anything. This whole situation was extremely frustrating. We literally had to push to hold our place in line.

Somehow we got a ticket after about 200 people got tickets before us standing 10^th in line. We apparently got one of the last tickets sold! Walking infront of the Immigration official with a boat ticket and my passport in hand felt so good! And then to finally get on the boat. Finally!

The boat ride was a trip in itself.  Kristie and I parked ourselves in the most available area: the front of the boat. I wish I could have the words to describe the people we met, the experience we had while on the boat. It was loud, full of culture, full of fun interaction, and free on the sea. The joy of it all didn’t last too long for me though. Once we started out on the rougher Caribbean waves, my stomach couldn’t handle it. I began my sequential vomit for 6 hours :( I had just finished eating a new fruit popular in Nicaragua called Aguacote. This fruit ended up all over my T-shirt, life vest, pants, sandals and the side of the boat! LOL. It was so disgusting!  I can’t remember the last time I had been so sick in my life. I remember hurling over the side of the boat looking down at the beautiful blue ocean and thinking, “I would rather be home RIGHT now.” I found somewhat comfortable sleeping position on the bottom of the front deck floor. This let me rest and gave me a good position to throw myself over at any moment. To make things brighter the whole front of the deck was getting splashed. I was soaking wet, in vomit, sleeping on the floor.  It is hilarious writing about it now because I can only laugh hysterically. Then not so much!

Kristie was such a kind friend to remember to take a picture of me in my misery.

Out at sea!

When I woke up near the shore everyone was taking pictures with Kristie. Apparently this girl was having a ball loving the waves and engaging with others. It was such a hilarious contrast to me being so sick. I’m glad no one wanted pictures with me at that moment!

Our first goal when getting off that boat was for me to take a shower! We cleaned up in our hostel, then headed to the hotel that Auntie Joyce and Rebecca had been staying at, Paraiso Hotel. There Rebecca and Auntie Joyce bought me a birthday dinner. It was really nice getting to spend some time with them considering our time was shortened because of a change of events. Dearest Kristie…That girl stood up in front of the whole restaurant and announced it was my birthday and asked everyone to sing happy birthday to me. She really went out for it and I was happy that such a great friend would do that for me.

The next morning, Thursday, we had breakfast with Auntie Joyce and Rebecca before they left back home from the Island by plane. Kristie and I would move on to the Little Corn Island. It was only a 45 min boat ride from the Big Corn to the Little Corn. We had arranged a hostel to stay at called Ensuenos. This hostel was on East side of the Island, farther away from the small village near the boat dock we go off at. Since there are no cars present on the island, it would take us a 20 min walk to our hostel. 

Breakfast with these ladies on the Big Corn Island, just before we headed to the Little Corn Island.

I love my Auntie Joyce!

We traveled to the other side of Nicaragua to see its greater beauty, to the Big Corn Island to see a glimpse of paradise, to the Little Corn to see a greater paradise and to the more secluded East side of the Island to see the best of the best of the Island. Our destination was worth the journey and was truly paradise!

Yet, another boat to the Little Corn Island.

Hike to the eastern side of Little Corn Island.

Almost there...paradise in sight!

A jelly-fish we found on our walk around the island.

The first thing we did when we got there was to put on our snorkels and get in that water! I then wanted to walk around the whole entire island so we began that trek as well. We found so many treasures, and our trek confirmed that our hostel location was indeed on the best part of the island.

Finally in paradise. Am I dreaming?

Two happy girls in their Caribbean ocean!

Alas!

Here is the bungalo beach house we stayed in. It was at a place called Ensuenos located right on the beach.
The view from our window was impeccable.

Not going to lie the room seemed like a honey moon suit. lol!
It was nice to have lots of space after all of that traveling.

Ensuenos!