Day 13

Sunday morning I woke up around 6 as usual and started reading for a class. My host mom got up around 7 and asked if I would like to go to the market with her. We walked the seven blocks to the market and I watched as she bought all kinds of fresh fruit and fish. We took a cab (a bicycle with a bench on the front) back to the house and she showed me how to prepare the fish with onions and seasoning. She put it on the stove and started cooking it so that it would be ready for dinner. Church was crazy. People here pray at the same time, dance around during church, and sing as loud as they want regardless of whether they can sing or not. It is pretty typical to be late, and we were 45 minutes late to a three hour church service and it was no big deal. How crazy is that?!

After dinner we took a bus to the beach. It was a beautiful day and the breeze was wonderful. My host family brought the Uno cards that I gave them-I love that they play it everywhere. It makes me wish that I had brought more card games along. We stayed on the beach for a few hours and then took the bus back. I am getting used to the whole idea of "public transportation". I think it is good for me, but I really don't like squishing next to strangers in 90+ degree temperature. I have to remind myself to enjoy the journey. This trip has been a good reminder that I often confuse my wants and needs...I still would like to argue that I need my car, but who knows what I'll think in three more months.

Today we headed back to Managua for class which is great because then I have internet and time to catch up on assignments. There was a break in the heat which has been amazing. Not too much new, just plugging away at the Spanish.

Today in class we discussed the implications of developing a country. It was really interesting to read about all of the different ways to measure development. We usually measure development by economics, but is that really a good indicator? What really makes a country "developed"? Is it our responsibility to help these countries such as Nicaragua develop, or should we simply let them develop on their own and in their own time? I have a lot of questions, so hopefully I can gain some insight over the course of the semester. Any thoughts? Let me know :)

Watching Mama make fish for almuerzo