Ants in my pants. Seriously.

This week is flying by, folks. I'm soaking in every moment, and trying as hard as I can to remember what has been going on in terms of all the various projects and relationships, and practicing all the Spanish I can get my hands on.

Supposedly, I'm supposed to be following Halle around with a clipboard, and writing down the tasks we need to finish and start including...

-bury a dead bird

-trim hedges

-replace stolen toilet paper holder

-trim the trees at El Farito

-replace drain in baseball stadium (Halle... you did that, right?!)

-paint 20908098340234 different things around El Solero (the Sport's Center)

-mow the soccer field

-change the oil in the van

aaaaaand the list goes on

I'm not claiming to be a handy(wo)man, but I sure am learning. It's been a bit herky-jerky at times, a few sore arms and machete cuts, but I am enjoying all the labor that comes with this crazy internship. I'm starting to comprehend the physical labor, the program planning, hospitality, cultural differences and mission that all combine and form a really great program down here.

Today we took the team to the Mercado, in Managua. It's FULL of vendors selling Nica knick-knacks sure to please any traveling tourist. As soon as we pulled up, a man (who was very adamant about me joining him to dance meringue at a club) greeted us with a cart full of sunglasses. Everything from Chanel to "Bay Bands" were there. As we approached the entrance to the market, the anticipation of the group heightened as everything became brighter, louder and more confusing. I led a girl around the market, helping her barter and buy gifts for her family, learning new words along the way. I got a pretty good idea of fun things I want to bring back in a few months for friends and for my house in Bellingham. (Callie... birds). I love the market because of it's rush-hour feel. Although I wouldn't want to go every day, it's such a cultural experience full of color, voices and Cacao, my favorite drink here. It's amazing that people's livelihood is found in the market, because they have so many things to sell. It seems like the labor vs the payoff is not equal, but if they get to the right gringo, they could make their year's worth. :)

Tomorrow, we're taking the group to a Nicaraguan church! I'm curious to see if I will understand any of what is happening.

hasta luego.