Adios America

Staging in Miami

Staging in Miami was basically a pre training to our pre training service in Nica and it was quite a long day of flip pad lessons and group activities. We were able to discuss a lot about expectations for departure and it gave great time to get to know the people that I’ll be working with for the next 27 months. I have to say, I don’t know what the other groups have been like, but the Nica65 (we are the 65th group to enter Nicaragua and it is what we are referred to as by Peace Corps) family is incredible and I feel super lucky to be a part of such a great team of individuals. We are a combined group of about 40 people working in the health and small business sectors. After the meetings finished, a group of us went and got some pretty fancy shmancy dinner together. I don’t know about you but sometimes I just have to have a big steak and mashed potatoes and last night was one of those nights. Luckily, the group followed along with the idea and we ate like royalty at a steak house a block away from the hotel. I think what made the meal even better was that Peace Corps paid for it (well more like… thank you for paying your taxes so that my friends and I could eat 12 oz. steaks and be merry together).

Arriving in Nica

Well, I have officially made it to my new home country! While I was on the plane awaiting take off out of Miami, I had the initial panic of “oh my goodness gracious this is actually happening” **deep breathing/heart pounding** but I’m not sure if it has totally set in yet. I’ll keep you updated… Stepping out of the airport into the 91 degree, humid weather was a little intense, despite coming from Miami. Getting out of the airport was a little stressful from some miscommunication but fortunately we all made it out and to our hotel. We are staying in a gorgeous, and somewhat famous, hotel across the street from the airport for the next 3 nights and honestly, I feel pretty spoiled with the accommodations (but you KNOW I’m gonna soak up the beautiful pool and air conditioning while I can get it). We were served a delicious lunch and welcomed into the country with a few current PCV’s as well some from in-country PC staff. CRUCIAL THOUGH: I finally got to take a nap today after getting only about 10 hours of sleep in accumulation over the past few days [Praise God from who all blessings flow]. Tomorrow we are going to have our Spanish Proficiency Interviews and I’m seriously shakin’ in mah boots! These interviews are going to determine where we will be placed in our training community and are kinda a big deal. I don’t know why I get so nervous to speak Spanish because I know my stuff and have had plenty of sweet experience… I guess it comes from the not-so-well-hidden pride of not wanting to make mistakes; I just don’t want to seem inadequate, that’s fair isn’t it? Well maybe fair but definitely silly and I’ll need to get over that fear real quick. Pray that I’m able to get used to wearing pants in this weather… holy moly. I’m also starting to realize that these busy schedules are going to require me to be super intentional with my free time. 

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” 
Proverbs 16:3

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