Nicaragua 2-Week

The indigenous Nahuatl people called Managua, Mana-ahuac, the "city surrounded by water." We'll learn quickly how this city earned its name as fly into the city and get our first glimpse of the majestic Lake Managua. From there, we'll travel on to the colonial city of Granada. We'll settle into our hostel and get an introduction to this land of revolution, poetry, and wonder. A visit to the city center will treat us to a blend of colonial architecture, contemporary art, and monuments to the national heroes and inspirational leaders of Nicaragua. The spirit of this city provides the backdrop for us to bond as a group, learn some key Spanish phrases, and prepare for the community service adventure that lies ahead!

We’ll take a bus south to Lake Nicaragua and a beautiful ferry ride to the island of Ometepe.  The island was formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua.  Its name also comes from Nahuatl words: ome (two) and tepetl (mountain).  The people of the island are stoic and lively, and will be sure to share their love of music, art, and life with us. Here we'll also work alongside villagers on community-initiated endeavors to repair water systems. Groups last year improved clean water access for the community by installing pipes for a new water source. We’ll have time to explore the island and the lake and participate in cultural exchange and educational activities with local school children.  It will be impossible to leave un-touched by the energy and beauty of this location and the people that you meet.

We travel to the Pacific Coast and the town of San Juan del Sur, famous for its unique combination of tropical dry forest and ocean settings. We'll spend a full day with options to enjoy boogie boarding and snorkeling. This is a major sea turtle nesting area, with some turtles present year-round. In addition to turtles, other common marine life seen in the area include scorpion fish, noisy parrot fish, rays, eels, anemones, and star fish. The beach and smooth wave conditions in this area also provide the perfect opportunity to unwind on a boggie board!

With a new perspectives, and open hearts, we'll prepare for our trip to come to an end. Departing is sad, but the final trip back to our hotel in Managua allows us to share our memories before we fly home. A celebratory dinner at a nice restaurant and an 'awards ceremony' allows us to reflect upon the past weeks together. We realize that the Nicaraguan friends we have made will always be with us!