Laguna Apoyo and Running in Nica

So 2 weekends ago before semana santa, my site mate and I were taken to Laguna Apoyo where a lot of tourist and Nicas go.  Normally people will drive down through Masaya but we decided to hike down.  It’s a 30 minute hike down through a very rocky and dirty trail.  I’m not going to lie, I was scared that I would fall, which of course I ended up doing ( I’m not very coordinated) but luckily I landed on my butt.  While we were going down young boys zoomed by us running down the dangerous trail in flip flops or chinelas or even barefoot…pretty awesome but the grown up inside me wanted to warn them to be cautious and slow down.  I’m pretty sure they would have laughed at me so I kept my mouth shut.  On the way down I was too focused on not falling and did not take in my beautiful surroundings.  We finally reached our destination and I have one word that can describe it… breathtaking!  The lake is absolutely itself is in a “crater” of land and the water is somewhat salty but so clean.   The weekend we went it wasn’t too crowded and I was able to swim out and enjoy the water without anyone really being near me.  It was so peaceful and relaxing and I’m going to have to do it again.  After we swam for an hour we got out and we were drying off when a nica mom came over to us and shared some of her desserts with us.  I forgot the name of the dessert but it was jocotes (a common fruit here) smothered in a sugary and caramel tasting sauce it was very rich but her actions totally describe the way most of the people here in Nicaragua are…very warm and inviting J.  After we devoured the dessert we were ready to attempt the hike back up.  This time I wasn’t as nervous as I had pretty much prepared myself for hiking by taking advantage of the stair master at the Rec Center.  As we were hiking up I was able to see that I was surrounded by basically a jungle that included mokeys!  This was my first time actually seeing a monkey that wasn’t in a zoo so I was pretty excited.  Our surroundings were beautiful despite a very long and tiring hike up, approximately 40 or 45 minutes straight up.  It was an amazing experience.

The day after our hike I found out that my host cousin (he speaks English really well and his job is to teach foreigners Spanish so he and I get along great) runs around the laguna every day…for the most part.  He invited me to run with him and I took him up on his offer.  Before we took off the run he asked me what difference was between running and jogging. I told him jogging is a more casual pace and you can normally hold a conversation with the other person you are with.  He told me we would be jogging and didn’t understand why anyone would waste their time running.  I chose not to answer and see why he thought jogging was so great (to be clear I haven’t jogged in 10 years…I’m a runner).  As we jogged around the top of the laguna I found out why he would rather jog then run.  If I’m jogging I can take in and appreciate the beautiful surroundings, see more monkeys, and see some pretty unbelievable sights that I’ll only get to experience for a short time.   Also, I get to work on my Spanish while we jog and he corrects me and has me repeat my sentences while we’re on our run.  It’s a pretty good way to practice my Spanish. 

We have gone on several jogs since the first time and each time I see something I hadn’t noticed before.  When I’m jogging I’m not constantly thinking about the amount of calories I have burned or how I really need to run faster and harder.  When I’m jogging I have pleasant conversations and sometimes choose not to think at all.  I’ll still continue to go for runs on my own but they won’t be everyday or as hardcore as they were in the states.  Instead I’ll prefer to enjoy the time I have here and not focus too much on training (this may change if I decide to do the marathon or half marathon around the volcano next February but for now I’m content). 

As for the food and staying healthy, well my host mom, for the most part, has figured out what I like and don’t like to eat.  I usually have a big breakfast which consist of eggs(She makes the most amazing eggs!) and a ton of fruit.  For lunch I either have some soup with vegetables and/ or chicken and some beans and more fruit.  Dinner is the smallest meal of the day for Nica’s, something I’m still getting use to even though it makes the most sense, and I normally have a small portion of gallo pinto a couple of fried plantains and a small amount of beef, eggs or chicken.  And of course fruit…I’m really lucky I get so much fruit I love it, especially the mangos. 

Because this blog is already crazy long I have a short note on semana santa…  There really wasn’t much going on during semana santa with my family unlike other volunteers we stayed home.  Our town had a procession Friday night and of course the “Bombas” were not stop throughout the week and nights.  Bombas are bombs or fireworks with no display.  Basically they are loud noises that go off throughout the entire week even during the middle of the nights.  Earplugs can’t protect you from them.  I was not a fan of the bombas.  I did get to see some pretty cool processions in neighboring towns and some really cool displays in front of the houses.

For the most part I really like being here…it would be even better if Aaron could find some star trek like contraption and magically come hang out with me on occasion but since that’s not a possibility we are dealing as best as we can and luckily I get took talk to him via text, chat or sometimes even facetime when we’re really lucky.  I have yet to have a bad day here.  I do have bad moments but they don’t fill my day.  Usually my family or even complete strangers make my days great just by stopping to say hello.  Another saving grace here is the children.  They are absolutely the most adorable kids I’ve seen in my life and they are so loving.  Even the female students give me hugs before and after class and these are middle school kids…pretty unbelievable but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.

Next week I get to visit a current volunteer for 4 days which should be pretty interesting.  Thanks for reading and after this week, I would have been here one month…26 more to go J (And only 13 until Aaron visits). 

I love and miss you all!

Mari