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I'm going to...

the island of Ometepe!!! I'm not kidding, and I can't believe how lucky I am. I am going to the town of Merida, which has about 1500 people. I am going to be working in 4 schools. I have two counterparts, who I met today. One from the Ministry of Education, and one who works with MARENA, which is the environmental ministry. Tomorrow I am visiting my site for a week, so when I get back I will be spending a lot of money to upload A LOT of cool pictures. It's 2 hours by bus from Managua, 1 hour on a ferry, and then 2 more hours on a bus. It's remote, but lovely. There's also a biological field/research/education station there. Here's the webpage, and there's a Hacienda associated with them in Merida, and on their webpage there's a sort of map with a big arrow pointing at my house. There's also a tiny islet off the coast at Merida that I can kayak to apparently, and I might get to ride a horse to one of my schools, and the island has petroglyphs, honey production, and coffee!! Yes, I am the luckiest person alive.

There is also a lot of cool info about the island on the Bainbridge sister island page.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Denise, so happy you got the site you wanted!!! What an adventure! You will have to introduce me to your horse in March.

T
October 27, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Rani said…
Congrats! Be sure to post your new mailing address when you're settled.

Maybe I'll order some Ometepe coffee! I've decided to become a coffee drinker in Oregon. I'm brainstorming ways to survive the dreary rainy winter, and I'm crossing "hibernation" off the list. Sure, coffee makes me jittery, but it will wake me up, and help me fit in with the natives (caffeine and/or crystal meth addicts).

The websites look promising! Lots of smiling pale people. No one appears to be suffering from exotic parasites. Vegetarian-friendly buffet very enticing...
October 28, 2007 at 5:03 PM
Briana said…
Denise,

That's great! The website for the lab says they teach primate behavior and ethnobotany. Too cool!! Hope you get to take some classes as well as teach in your schools.

We sent you a care package yesterday (the 29th of Oct) hope it reaches you before you leave Managua.

Can't wait to hear more about what you're doing and going to be doing!

hugs,
Briana and company
PS - it hit 36 F here last night - eeks! Cold!
October 30, 2007 at 5:38 PM
Jenice said…
Hi Denise,

I am so happy that you got what you wanted. You will have to give me/us your address so that I can send you a care package. You will have to fill me in on your new town because I may just have to visit you and the field station;) Miss ya...j
November 2, 2007 at 8:44 PM
Anonymous said…
So you will be going from well to do to the real rural! You can do it! Will send chicken wire if needed!!!! You know I love you!!
November 3, 2007 at 5:37 PM
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