Full Moon, Flash Lights and a Bat Cave - Day 5

It was our 4th day in Managua. After a full day of visiting an orphanage, zip lining, and eating more fried plantains, our bus finally stopped at the highest point of all the country, Peak Mogoton. The volcano underneath us was still active and we kept climbing to watch the sun set in the horizon. The sight was a beauty. To make things even more appropriate, we ended up performing the infamous 8-clap. The sights, the view... everything was absolutely stunning. Nature. Peace. 

We headed down the volcano before it got dark. By the time we got to our bus, the stars filled the night sky. It was a lot different here in Nicaragua. No city lights, no pollution, no congested buildings, no traffic. Barren mountains, the night sky and the animals roaming around at night. With yellow helmets and a flashlight, we split up into groups of two and headed into the side of the mountain. Climbing down the steep rocks we reached a small opening into a cave. We were asked to be as quiet as possible. As we got closer to the opening, we heard fluttering noises coming from the inside. BATS. 

I had volunteered to lead the pack in the front. I sat close to the opening of the cave with my bare legs stretched out peaking in. We all huddled really close together and turned off all of our lights. Still as a statue. Dark. Mysterious. At an instant, the tour guide turned on its flash light and directed it into the cave. As the light beamed into the cave, the bats screeched right in front of my face and flew away from the direction of the light. At that moment, we all jumped in surprise. There wasn't just one bat. There were hundreds. The opening led to a big cave where they were actively preying. After a couple of light switches, we got up and entered the bigger cave. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen and was such a remarkable adventure to go on with all of my friends. 

Bucket List #241: Explore a Bat Cave

Location: Nicaragua

Dirt Roads, Fried Plantains, & Reggaeton - Day 1

Words can't even begin to express my experiences in latin america. this post/journal entries are long overdue but necessary in order to preserve my freshest recollections of my trip.

1130am hit and i knew it was finally over... 5 gruesome finals, 2 lab reports, and 1 presentation within a span of a week. it was an intense 10 weeks of the quarter but i was done. i got home, sleep deprived and exhausted, laid on my bed and closed my eyes. i had been so consumed with studying and tests that i had not prepared nor packed for my 8 hour plane flight yet. however, excitement began to flood my system as i began to realize that within 12 hours, i would be on a plane flying to a country i had little knowledge of. but with a spanish-english dictionary in my bag and my stethoscope in the other, i zipped up my overstuffed navy blue luggage half filled with medications, stickers, candy, and coloring books. at 1030pm, we picked up nina and onward we went. 

we arrived at managua, the capitol, at around 1145am and was quickly confronted with the language barrier at the airport. luckily, we were able to find our gmt organizers there quickly alongside other trippers who were on similar flights. juan carlos (our trip doctor), dennia (the coordinator/translator), and karen (coordinator/dentist) were the ones to greet us and later on, continue to build relationships with them. using a shuttle, they took us to our first hotel within the city to wait for the other trippers to arrive. here, i meet edgard, another translator on the trip. nina and i decide to put our luggages in our hotel room and we all head towards the mall right across the street from us to have lunch. nina and i, alongside reece and rayad, share our first nicaraguan meal, consisting of fried plantains, rice, beans, and chicken. we then decide to grab some gelato since the weather was in the low 90's. since i've always been shy about speaking spanish, i've never felt so out of place before and uncomfortable. it was difficult to order food relying on edgard to order it for me and people kept staring, realizing that there were LOTS of foreigners surrounding them. i faced the harsh reality that i had to overcome my slight fear of speaking spanish the next couple of days. after lunch, nina and i decided to go back to the hotel and tan poolside while reading a book. we were so exhausted and decided to nap until dinner time. 

Hotel Express had the best accommodations since there was air conditioning, a pool, small gym, and internet access. once everyone arrived, we all headed back to the mall to have dinner; again trying the nicaraguan food and this time trying eskimo, a popular ice cream brand. we all headed towards the local grocery story where a majority of the trippers decided to buy Flor de Cana, a very popular Nicaraguan beverage. we headed home and took shots with a couple of people in the room and then all headed out to the pool to get to know everyone. despite having to wake up at 8am, we all stayed up pretty late that night -- Will and I took a dip in the pool at midnight. it was such a great way to enjoy everybody's company and just relax before we had to work. 

Breaking Molds

well i'm not trying to break a mold i'm just being me. And i thought you were really fun and really beautiful & it turns out quite the smarty pants too. That's a pretty lethal combo. So i'm not trying to change the world's mind. just yours.

I was not going to be fooled to be gullible & naive. Therefore I did not believe him when he first said this to me. 

It has been a long time since i've thoroughly enjoyed a guy's company. You constantly make me laugh until my stomach and cheeks begin to hurt. You give me my space when I need it. You appreciate my hectic lifestyle and you always attempt to visit me even at random hours of the week just to remind me that you're still here. You understand that there are certain things I'm not ready for & respect that. You explore the city with me. Introduce me to your cool friends off the bat. You are eager to cook dinner for me. You want to accompany me to bars and social scenes; have a little fun together. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You're a hopeless romantic and you're not afraid to put yourself out there. You're not afraid to let me know how you feel. You are a go getter. You're honest with me and tell me what your intentions are. But most importantly, I trust you & you keep your promises. 

Had it not been for his persistence I wouldn't have realized how guarded i've let myself be my whole life. Thank you for genuinely helping me reignite my faith in great guys. Finally, a man of his word and action. I great respect for him. He's inspired me for the better & I'm one lucky girl to have opened up to get to know him. bad timing sucks & not being able to give him what he wants despite being so great. But i've got to be honest and continue on focusing on myself.

Thank you for raising my standards and reminding me of how a woman deserves to be treated & how she should always feel.