Friday, April 18, 2008

Vacation Pics with Mom

Laguna de Apoyo

Mom baking with the ladies
Firing up the horno


Friday, April 11, 2008

11 de Abril, 2008

Lounging by the beautiful pool in Managua again! My mom just arrived for her visit last night and we're stuffed on the gorgeous breakfast buffet and headed to the pool and then on to Granada for a few days of vacation.
Coming back to this hotel after a few months in my site was a weird change yesterday. Swimming pools, air conditioning, cable TV with American commercials and Will & Grace, surrounded by gringos speaking english, I felt like I have been transported right back to America.
Surprisingly I ran into a couple of Peace Corps friends also awaiting or sending off their families. Small world.
Work has been very productive since Semana Santa. I've conducted lots of meetings and PACA tools, determining community needs. Lots of hiking to see gardens, lots of presentations on nutrition, gardens, organic insecticides, and starting school gardens. Helping distribute world aid food to pregnant and lactating women. Planning for the national vaccination campaign. And of course studying and practicing spanish. And thanks to a care package from Stephanie, studying my newly acquired Merck Vet Manual, which I most likely won't get the chance to use much here, but am devouring for information just the same.
One of my latest meetings was with a government organization that's aim is to reduce hunger of the poor population by giving them animals (a cow, 2 pigs, and some chickens) and the tools they need to raise those animals. I am really excited to be working with this group, doing animal nutrition and mgt presentations and starting a chicken vaccination program.
I've also met a really excited producer who wants to build his farm up into a model farm to show the community soil coservation and better management techniques.
And I'm finally settled into my little house, complete with all plastic walls of the bano and latrine put up. Just in time for my mom's visit. My 3 friends welcomed me into my new house last weekend with a housewarming dinner and sleepover.
Thats all for now.