Nicaragua: Peace Corps Training Begins

This is the true story 

of five gringos

picked to live in Nicaragua, 

work together, 

and share their experiences.

Read what happens when people stop being polite

and start being real.

Okay, so I believe we are still in the partial honeymoon, get-to-know-each-other phase, still familiarizing ourselves with our new home for the next three months. Therefore my drama report is basically non-existent, contrary to what the spin-off "Real World" introduction suggests. The five of us are getting settled in with our host families, learning more about our assignments during the three-month training period, and discovering a new meaning of teamwork. 

On the gringo side of the equation, the team consists of a sweet lady born in Mexico/raised in Texas, a New Mexican dare devil, a blues-loving, harmonica-playing Portland fellow, a 6'8" Arizona basketballer, and your average Minnesotan (that's me). We are two guys and three ladies in total.

Besides joining in games of soccer and baseball on the neighborhood streets, learning how to really dance salsa and merengue, and trying an authentic bowl of mondongo (aka cow stomach soup), our goals include team-teaching entrepreneurship in two local high schools and forming a community entrepreneurship youth group. The task presented before this group will be to create a product, gain community sponsors, develop a business plan, and and present their product and plan at a local competition in May. The project is intended to be completely student-driven with us Peace Corps trainees acting as advisers. Should be fun.

In other news, my host family has two dogs, two birds, and a cat, and they do not cease to impress me even more each day. First, let me introduce you to Lola the parrot. She loves to repeat the phrase "un besito" (a little kiss) and she makes a hearty, puckering, kiss sound. She always provides dinnertime entertainment. Then there is Andres, the cat. He comes out of his resting spot (either on top of the roof or in the trees) at the same time each evening, making the rounds throughout the house. He inspects each nook and cranny of every room, always crying his loud kitty meow, making sure any intruder in the form of a mouse, rat, or other rodent knows to stay away...or else.