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Volcán Masaya & A Few of My Favorite Things











Yesterday I saw my first volcano. Near to my training town is Volcán Masaya, and there’s a museum with information about tectonic plates and the geology and biology of the volcano. Then, you drive up to the volcano, literally the edge of the crater. It’s not active in the sense that there’s no lava spurting out of it, but there are many warnings about rock expulsions (you should hide under your car), and they ask that you back into your parking spot to aid evacuation in case of emergency. Flying rocks are less of a risk I think than the sulfurous gas that spews out of it constantly. This gas does not smell good,

and actually burns when you breathe it in. Did this stop us? Not at all because we are fearless Peace Corps volunteers, or something.












At the edge of the volcano, there’s a stair path thingie that leads up to a giant cross and some good views. We climbed up there, took two pictures, and then climbed back down because the smoke makes you cough and such. This wasn’t my favorite activity thus far in Nicaragua, but… Right next to the volcano is a giant crater. It’s totally inactive and covered in trees, and there’s a trail around the edge of the crater. The crater itself is beautiful, and the views in every direction are different. That was one of my favorite things so far, and anyone who visits me will definitely get to experience a volcano hike because it’s an extraordinary experience.











Also, revised my Amazon wishlist today with books that I will be more than happy to receive from anyone. There’s a “library” in Managua at the PC office where volunteers trade books in and out, but of course they don’t have everything I want to read, and so, here I am begging for reinforcements.

Other items I wouldn’t shake a stick at (a more complete list than provided in my last blog):
Chocolate – you can get it here, but it’s expensive and variety is limited.
Peanut butter – same as above although I’ve decided once I’m at site, I’m going to learn how to make it!
Annie’s Mac & Cheese – white cheddar
Uno cards
Dried fruits such as apples, banana chips, cherries, etc.
Yarn – I can’t find it anywhere here!
Funny stuff that would make my day and anything else you feel like sending. Anything from home makes a day feel like Christmas.

My current address is
Denise Strickland, PCT
Voluntario de Cuerpo de Paz
Apartado Postal 3256
Managua, Nicaragua
Central America

Be sure to include all required customs forms, etc. as I live in fear of receiving a package that will require me to pay a million dollars to retrieve from customs. Once I figure out where my site is, I’ll provide an address where stuff can be sent directly to me there. And finally, please be aware that I am not being presumptuous by requesting loot. Multiple people have asked me about stuff I want, and so I’ve provided some helpful hints. Now, bring on the loot!

Comments

Briana said…
Hi DENISE! it is MORGAN! we saw the pikchers we thought that the pikchers wer BUTIFULL!i like the flower pikchers the best.we hope that you are having a good time.
October 10, 2007 at 5:41 PM
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