Our Own Little Paradise

The rest of my week was filled with a number of activities and events, all sending me through a whirlwind of energy and emotion. There were highs and there were lows. There were also moments that made me want to cry out of shock and moments where I felt as though I was in Heaven. Today I am going to keep it light and sweet, leaving the heavy stuff for and up and coming post. Saturday morning we took the girls for a surprise visit around a number of little islands in Lake Nicaragua. There are 365 islands in total, some with bars and restaurants, some with private homes, and some with just a bunch of monkeys hanging around. We took two boats through and the girls seemed pretty excited to do something away from the field. After the tour the real fun began as we were set free for the weekend! Knowing all too well our need for solace and a little bit of relaxation, Allie took us to a beautiful little pool and spa with water, WiFi, and drinks. As four twenty-something year old Americans...what else do you need in life, right?! We spent the entire afternoon splashing in the water, laying out in the sun, and sipping on cold Coco Locos out of coconuts pulled down from the trees above us. In a week of uncomfortable heat and unprecedented Spanish struggles, this was the perfect solution to my exhaustion.

Just when I thought that our little pool and spa was the best that this area had to offer, Allie took us to another mini-paradise in the form of a lake called La Laguna. After the combination of a suspect bus ride and a less than ideal taxi situation, saying that we were pleasantly surprised by the view that stood before us would be the understatement of the week. We found ourselves beside a peaceful, beautiful lake with a couple of water tubes, a kitchen for cooking, and of coure, a lakeside bar. Again, we spent the day soaking up the sun and cherishing every last moment of relaxation and, more importantly, time to speak English. We lasted hours in the water laying in our tubes or messing around on a wooden raft, then took time to make a massive pan of scrambled eggs with fresh vegetables (and a year's supply of avocado). These days created the perfect balance for us as we try to make the adjustment to a world completely different from our own. I look forward to telling you all about a number of things, so here is a brief preview of what's soon to come: the most frustrating soccer game of my life (and I have played A LOT), the Bar Mysteriosa, and my new Spanish classes. Off to class as I type! Hasta luego!

LeighHow