Day 23

What an interesting Friday!

Today I was able to sleep in again, mainly because I had forgotten to ask Brad what time he wanted us up. But it was fine because we didn't have too much to do today with running around anyways. So I got up at around 9am and got ready and for breakfast made myself some cereal, Trix again! Brad came down shortly after to talk to me about what has to be done. 

Brad had a lot of work that he himself had to do and I knew that I had to update some information for Dylan on the google drive. I also had to work on some of the VISEDAL blog and get the next post ready. I also have been working on my project and continuing to build it as well as deciding how to implement it. So today has been full of busy work. 

I made lunch for myself today and it was the same thing I had for dinner last night except this time I added a fried egg on top of the pasta and fried up a tortilla, because I was very hungry. Again it was so good and so easy too! Then it was Oreos again after! Got to love those Oreos! :) 

So after lunch I finished up a lot of the work that needed to get done today and Jessie and I had wanted to check out the huge parade and celebration going on today. You see on the first of August it is a holiday every year. The Catholic culture is very big in Nicaragua. Today is the celebration of one of the saints, Santo Domingo or Saint Dominic. It is a big celebration! They close off streets and everyone comes to party and watch the horse parade and parade of the floats which had dancing girls on it. The festivities are very sexualized and this holiday involves a lot of drinking and partying, so not really my type of thing, however I went not knowing at first that it involved all of this but also to experience the culture of Nicaragua. 

So Brad was unable to go because he had a lot of work so he called Sonia one of our scholars. She is a year younger than me but is so tough! I definitely felt safe going with her that's for sure! She is also very protective of us and watched us the entire time! I felt so safe with her, probably safer with her then Brad, which may sound crazy but she is a local and also she is probably a lot tougher than Brad honestly. So Sonia and her friend took care of Jessie and I. We took a taxi to the festivities and were able to see all that went on. There was a lot of loud music and a lot of people! It was fun to experience but I wouldn't ever fully indulge in the celebration, but I think it's important to go and see what makes a culture but that doesn't mean you have to take part in it. 

Myself, Sonia, Jessie, and Sonia's friend

We saw a lot of interesting things and a lot of horses! The parade is huge! If anything else, people come for the parade. It was really neat to see all these people riding on horses from young to old. I also enjoyed spending time with Sonia. She has been through a lot but she really is a sweetheart and you can tell she really does care about family and friends. I think she is truly a great young lady in-spite of all she has been through. So it was a great time with her. Jessie was getting a little uncomfortable with the crowd so we left and Sonia took the taxi with us back to the house. I had a good time and definitely found it interesting to see the festivities and how these people celebrate holidays. It's so fascinating how each culture is so different but also similar. It's the bringing of people for a common purpose that each culture has in common but what that cause is differs from culture to culture. It is truly fascinating and I hope I will be able to explore more cultures in my lifetime. People fascinate me! 

Little boy on a horse in the parade

Yea it was an interesting thing to see, but it's like one of those things you go to once and that's it. You've seen what it's about and that's all you need. Almost like when I went to New York City for New Year's Eve. I saw it and probably won't go again unless in the future when I have a family I might take them to see it. But anyways I hope you get my point. It was also nice to get out of the house after working and to be able to see new faces and it's exciting to see how my spanish has been improving so much! WIth understanding and speaking as well. Sometimes I even catch myself talking in my head to myself in spanish! I am going to miss that when I go back to the states, spanish all around me. Well I guess when I go back to TCU I am just going to make friends with the native spanish speakers so I can use my spanish all the time in normal everyday use like I do here.

So a busy and interesting day that's for sure. It was so great to see Sonia and I can't wait to see all of them tomorrow at our open house party! :) It's going to be so great! Dinner tonight was in the house again and I made quesadillas. So a pretty relaxed night which is nice. Well I should probably get some rest seeing as I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow! But before I go to bed I wanted to show ya'll the person who is writing these blog posts every night!

Yes ladies and gentlemen that is me basically every night! A pack of Oreos and iTunes, which is always playing Spanish worship music, while blogging and sharing my days with all of you! :) Just thought I would unveil the crazy person behind the computer! :) Well I pray ya'll have a blessed night!

Until next time, buenas noches