Arrival Day Pictures

Traveling from Nicaragua

Hello comrades!

This post is dedicated to our adventure back to the States.  It was already sad since we had to leave this amazing place, but it just became depressing when our plane was delayed due to mechanical problems.  While we were able to spend a little more time in Managua with Matt and Vernon, we had to sit around for a few hours wondering if our plane would even make it to our destination.  

It started with us discussing multiple ways in which to arrive home by talking with the workers at the desk.  We then had to come to the hard conclusion that we would have to stay in Miami for a night.  With this in mind, we quickly changed our connecting flight to a later time.  Accepting our fate, we quickly grabbed a bite to eat.  To our delight, a Subway stood in our midst.  All of us received much needed subs as well as a soft drink.  While most of the girls were about to finish their beverages, someone posed the question whether the ice contained pure water or not.  This stopped us in our tracks and caused us to panic a little bit.  Our day could only get worse if we had to sit through a whole day of traveling with the knowledge that we had drunk the water we had successfully avoided all trip.  Luckily, this was not to be, and we all relaxed.

After playing with our cameras for a while and discovering that our flight would be taking off, we trekked sadly through the security line.  We had been touched so much by the people that live in the community of Reina Sofia.  They live in some of the worst conditions in the world, having to gain their living by sifting through the garbage dump, yet they are the richest.  They are the richest in the kindness and love that they shower onto us as well as each other.  They work hard and are thankful for the small things.  They genuinely enjoyed our help for our few short days, and we know that there will always be a special place in their hearts for us.  As we have given them hope, they have given us the tools to dedicate our lives to helping them and others in similar situations.  It is important that we continue to help them in any way we can.

Within about an hour of saying farewell to Matt and Vernon, we trudged onto the long awaited flight.  During this rather speedy flight, we were blessed with watching the movie Big Miracle.  Both Mr. Keiper and Madison absolutely loved this riveting film.  Their laughter definitely made the flight go by much faster since they found movie so humorous. With the conclusion of the film, the plane made a quick descent to Miami airport.

Our time in Miami proved to be very memorable.  To start off the fun journey through the airport, we waited in line to get into the country for about an hour.  We then were all treated by a very slow security guard that asked the strangest of questions.  For example, Madison was given the question of whether she was drunk.  It was about 10:30 pm by this point, and everyone, including Madison, were very tired from our long and eventful day.  Although he was trying to be humorous, he just made the trip that much more interesting by his strange questions of cheese and whether we would party or not.  He obviously was being paid by the hour.  

After this hiccup, we quickly grabbed our luggage and waited in line to know our hotel assignments and to see if we had the benefit of a meal.  After waiting for a longer time, we discovered that things were going our way once again.  Quickly, we followed the yellow dots, until we came to a dead end.  We were intent on getting food, since we had not eaten since lunch.  After getting lost a few times, we found that Subway was the only thing open, and the service group of many coming from Haiti had filed into the line before we were able to get there.  While we waited about 45 minutes to an hour for a shuttle, we held onto the slim hope that room service would be open at the hotel for us to eat.  

Standing at attention at the curb, we swiftly ascended the steps to enjoy a nice little ride to the hotel.  Upon arrival, we frantically used the phone to find a pizza place that was close that would take airport vouchers.  We first tried Domino’s...with absolutely no luck.  It directed us toward their headquarters.  We then were all overwhelmed with excitement when we called a pizza place (from a place the hotel provided in our room) and found that they accepted airport vouchers and were able to deliver so early in the morning.  After making sure multiple times that they accepted airport vouchers for food, we ordered about $50 worth of food for a very hungry set of girls.  Miki, Catherine, Lauren, and Courtney went down to receive the delicious cuisine.  We pulled out the vouchers and thrust them at the delivery guy hungrily.  He gave us quite a mean look and proceeded to tell us that they did not accept airport vouchers.  We fumed in anger and assured him that we had asked MANY times whether they accepted vouchers. Getting ticked, Catherine said, “Bro, it is two in the morning.”  Why could he not grant food to people that had already been through so much on this day?  We then proceeded to talk to the man at the desk, who talk our side; however, the delivery guy stormed out of the hotel with food and all.  We all then resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be sleeping on very empty stomachs.

After a restful night in very comfy beds, we literally ran down to breakfast to get some grub in our stomachs.  This was almost not to be since our vouchers were for only $7 and the very simple continental breakfast consisted of cereal, fruit, bagels, yogurt, and danishes for $10.  Since most of us just wanted to eat, our saintly leaders graciously paid $3 extra dollars for each of us.  We were so thankful to have Mr. Keiper, Senora Tansey, and Dr. Burlingame on our trip.  They kept us in line and were great to talk to and play cards with everyday.  They were a comforting presence, and honestly, the trip would not be as amazing as it turned out to be without their participation.  Thank you, Senor Keiper, Senora Tansey, and Dr. Burlingame it truly meant a lot to all of us that you came with us.

After eating, we hurriedly ascended the steps of the shuttle again and zipped off to go home.  Once we arrived, we found that they were not letting us check our baggage in at curbside check-out.  So much misfortune from our travels can only stem from having one of the greatest experiences we have ever had with the people of Managua and Reina Sofia.  The airport staff then forced us to check in our bags and obtain new boarding passes before we were able to stow our luggage away.  We filed through security and arrived at our gate after taking the airport train, which proved to be very enjoyable.  Because we obtained the feeling of hunger during this trip, we promptly discovered a Haagen-Daaz equipped with milkshakes and very cute, flirtatious boy.  After speaking with him and getting our milkshakes, we walked onto the plane to end our journey.  Even though the plane took a half hour longer than it was supposed to, most of us were happy to be home.  Despite the most unfortunate travel home, we successfully made it.  

We would just like to take this time to thank all that made this possible for us- Notre Dame Academy, Mrs. Pryor, International Samaritan, our parents, Paolo, Vernon, Jose Carlos, Ralmon, Matt, Mr. Keiper, Senora Tansey, Dr. Burlingame, and the community of Reina Sofia.  We are so grateful that you sent us on such an eye opening and fulfilling experience. We hope that we can go on more like this in the future.  It has truly changed our lives, and that is thanks to all of you.

See you soon!

The NDA Nicaragua Team

Hello all!

We have run into problems with our departure this afternoon.  It has been delayed, and we will be lifting off for Miami at 7:30 pm US time.  We will not get in until around 9:30 or 10.  We will not be making our connecting flight, so American Airlines has given us vouchers for a room and food.  Our flight home will be at 12:30 pm US time on Sunday.  We will not get into Detroit until 3:30 pm. We are all well, safe, and fed.
See you tomorrow! :)

Hello all!

Our time at the school ended yesterday, and today we saw our last day in Nicaragua.  Because we had been working so hard for the last few days, Matt took us on a tourist trip through Nicaragua.  We all dressed up and enjoyed our last day in this magnificent country to its fullest. 

We began our day in the midst of the market.  We all needed gifts for the people at home as well as for our own pleasure.  It was rather overwhelming that each of the stalls housed a very talented salesperson; however, many of us succeeded in persuading the vendors to lower the prices on many occasions.  We milled around for about an hour and a half through the maze of shops, almost successfully finding everything.  While it contained a wide array of souvenirs, the marketplace failed to contain the famous soccer jerseys that most of us had been dreaming about through the duration of the trip.

 

From the marketplace, we traveled to Lake Apanas.  This body of water had a most amazing view.  The water is of the most beautiful, deep blue surrounded by thick forests of green.  A nice outlook provided the best viewing potential for us.  This also allowed for spectacular pictures. We took many of ourselves as well as of the breathtaking display of nature.

After this venture, Vernon drove us to Granada.  It was quite different than Managua.  It definitely appeared to be geared towards tourists.  Before enjoying the boat ride that would come our way, we suggested to take a break from the scrumptious Nicaraguan cuisine.  Matt took us to the most delicious pizzeria place.  We purchased way too much pizza- one whole pizza to two people (and Mr. Keiper received his own), with eight slices in each pizza. This resulted in six pizzas, which is 48 slices.  Somehow between the eleven of us, all of the pizzas magically disappeared. Within minutes each pizza pan had been completely cleaned off. In order to eat our last bit of rice, eating delicious Italian pizza proved to be a necessary evil that we all enjoyed so much.

From here, Vernon picked us up to go on our awaited boat ride.  This boat ride took us on Lake Nicaragua, where sharks are said to be lurking.  Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to interact with these delightful creatures.  On the voyage, we proceeded to take a tour of a few of the 365 islands located on the lake.  The size of these islands proved to be the perfect size for a house to be on each one.  Beauty surrounded as we gazed at the cute houses. It took a lot of self-control not to call the number on the “Island for Sale” sign that we found.  Along with the estates, a petite island enjoyed the company of monkeys.  These monkeys were so delightful, especially in their names and demeanors.  They were very playful and did not seem to mind our gazes. It was very nice to learn that one was named Michael Jackson.

Before returning to the retreat center, Matt and Vernon heroically transported us to a street vendor that sold a wide array of soccer jerseys.  Although they are nowhere near authentic, we were pleased that we could walk away from Nicaragua with ties to our soccer games still clutched in our hands.

With the sun smiling down, it proved to be a grand day for all of us.  We ended the day with our usual reflection. After pondering about the week, we were all filled with a passion.  All of us very much desired to do more for our school, community, and the world.  Leaving will be the hardest thing tomorrow, but within ourselves we have awakened beasts that will stop at nothing to bring our change of heart back to all of those at home. It is our duty to the children and this community to help all of those in need with all of our strength, minds, and hearts.  With great comfort, we know that we will continue working for others to the best of our abilities for a long, long time.

More Pictures! :)

Day 1 at the school: Getting ready to work on the kindergarten room!

Our sadistic looking father.

Senora Tansey helping to distribute the donated clothes to the children.