One week from tomorrow I will be in Nicaragua! I can't believe that the time has finally arrived. For the last six months, Nicaragua has occupied my thoughts and my energies, and most of my correspondences as well, perhaps to the chagrin of my family and friends who would like to hear about the rest of my life.

We made it!!!!

Just a quick recap of the events so far...

Yesterday, we loaded up the bus and took off for Philadelphia at approximately 1 p.m. The beginning of the bus ride was loud - everybody was excited that classes were finished, bags were packed, and, of course, we were on our way to Nicaragua! After a while, we all pretty much slept or listened to music. After an easy check-in and some serious airport shopping, we took off for Miami on a pretty smooth flight. Landing in the airport was great. It was actually warm outside - quite different from good old Lewisburg, Pa. By the time we got to the motel everybody was exhausted, except for a few true warriors who held out for a half past midnight pizza delivery. A 6 a.m. wakeup call and a 7 a.m. shuttle and we were on the last leg of the trip!

It's been a long 36 hours. We left BU early on Friday afternoon, so most of us got up and around very early that day. A bus took us to Philadelphia for an evening flight. We landed in Miami and, by the time we arrived at the hotel, it was nearly midnight. Up again for an early flight to Managua, and we made it to the Jubilee House compound just in time for lunch.

Spent most of the day meeting the staff and learning about their work here.

After what seemed like a very long trip (all after very few hours of sleep and lots of writing papers at Bucknell during the week), we arrived in Managua around lunch time today.

We became familiar with the awesome school bus, picked our bunks, and listened to some people from JHC tell us a little about the JHC community and Nicaragua itself. Luckily, it cooled down a little around 5 p.m. and there has been a nice breeze ever since. The thermometer in the dorm read 88 degrees all afternoon! Now, it's a crisp 83. After taking a brief dip in the pool, I was greeted by Bella, the monkey. I can't say I've ever had a monkey wrap its tail around my ankle before!

This morning, we all piled on the bus again and got a tour of Ciudad Sandino and Nueva Vida. It was mostly a drive-through because it is too dangerous to get out and walk around. Some of us feel torn about taking pictures. On one hand, we want you to see what we are seeing in order to understand the depth and breadth of poverty, and the need for everyone to help in his or her own way. But the people lingering in the doorways and picking through garbage in the dump are not photo ops. They are our fellow human beings who have lost much hope and most of their dignity. It seems intrusively rude to stick cameras in their faces. But document it we must. So, we try to do that with respect and sensitivity.

For the second time.

I didn't think too much about how this was going to hit me until we finally got on the little yellow bus and drove through the capital city, Managua. It was then that all the smells of this country burst into the windows and all the memories came rushing back. The dust. The trees. The exhaust from the school buses that compose the entire public transportation system. The smell of the food cooking on the street, on the medians, and sidewalks.

After a yummy lunch of rice and beans, salad, fried cheese, and fried plantains, we headed off for the second half of our day of sightseeing to Managua. My favorite activity of the afternoon was the church service we attended. It is a Catholic church that makes it its mission to accept all people from all denominations. Before the service, we had a chance to look at some of the beautiful murals on the walls. They really integrated the people's religion into their daily lives in Nicaragua. I couldn't help but be amazed with all of the bright colors included in these paintings.

Today was our first work day and everyone was at the clinic. Some people worked in the clinic and pharmacy and lots of us worked on finishing up the new dental clinic for the dedication later this week. Five of us worked on painting the bars outside the windows to cover up the rust. It was amazing how quickly time flew before it was time for lunch.

We just returned from a day at the clinic and most folks are in the pool cooling off. I went straight to the shower! Can't believe how incredibly sweaty and dirty I get down here. The wind blows most of the time, and it kicks up so much dust that my mouth feels gritty and my nose is full 24-7.

As I sit here in the back corner of the building thinking of what I could possibly write to relay to you all the incredible atmosphere, I am graced with the musical stylings of Keith, Rio, and two Nicaraguans. A little girl named Abril is swinging from the banister directly above me, shrieking happily any time one of us comes over to talk to her. She just came over to tell me that she fell down the stairs and that playing with the computer would make her feel better.

I have never been this dirty in my life, and I consider this effort to be covered from head to toe in filth a personal best!

I spent this afternoon translating for Dr. Stechschulte in the clinic. It was my first experience in the clinic and it was such a great experience.

Hard work! Have you ever tried to mix concrete by hand? And by "by hand" I mean with a shovel. It's really grueling. Blisters, sore muscles, dust in the eyes. It's a beautiful thing. My favorite part was working side by side with the Nicaraguans making concrete cinder blocks.

I said in my last blog that we were taking a trip tomorrow, but that is today because I typed my entry yesterday, which was at that time today. Got it? So, this time I mean it for real when I say that we are taking a trip tomorrow to El Porvenir, the coffee co-op, where we will meet the CEO - the president of the co-op - do a little hiking, maybe buy some great organic coffee, though I don't know for sure that they sell any there. These cordobas are burning a hole in my pocket, let me tell you!

This morning started with a talk given by the Vice Mayor of Ciudad Sandino. He told us about all different aspects of the city, its history, and current issues. After the talk we set out to work on the compound. I worked with Rio making rebarb ... basically twisting pieces of wire around metal rods. A couple hours and some impressive finger pricks later our group finished about five columns and played with the kids before lunch.

So, apparently co-ops are the business model of choice here in Nicaragua. About 50 or so local Nicaraguans are starting a new spinning co-op to supply the cotton thread necessary to make the fabric for the already-established women's sewing co-op here, which everyone knows about. That is who we have been working with - making the cement blocks and bending steel reinforcement to build the walls!

Early Friday morning, students just beginning to stir.

Well, this morning, my immune system threw up, if you will pardon the expression ... and I had to miss the morning activities while I regained my equilibrium. So, everyone piled onto the bus to head for the clinic and I hit the sack...

Well, we definitely just had an AWESOME afternoon! We had the dedication of the new facility at the health clinic, and it was packed!

Today was definitely the hottest day we've had here so far. Ironically, it was also our busiest day. As for tonight, we are about to head out on the bus to a Nicaraguan discoteca!

A still morning, with a rare rain.

It is early Saturday morning. Breakfast will come along in about half an hour, then we do a group photo, pile on the bus, and start the long journey home. It is long in every sense of the word. Not only are our blogs unable to capture the experience for you, be prepared for looks of consternation and bafflement when you see us in person and ask, "How was it?"

Before I start my last blog entry, I'd like to give a big thank you on behalf of the Brigade to a friend of the Bucknell community and father of first-year student George Hingson. George's father works with Brother's Brother, a non-profit that focuses on gathering medical donations to be sent to places in need around the world. The Brigade received more than $200,000 worth of medical donations this year from Brother's Brother. This is a HUGE help to the people of Nueva Vida and it will, quite honestly, save lives and better their community! Thanks so much to Brother's Brother on behalf of all the Brigadistas!

On to the blog...

After a long trip home Sunday, we arrived in Lewisburg at about 3:15 Monday morning. The rumors were true. We were welcomed by about a foot of snow on the ground! I think all of us made a gasping noise as we stepped off the bus without winter coats. At least two of us literally ran home pulling our suitcases because we were so cold while some of our fellow Brigadistas had to shovel out their cars before heading home.

I don't think I've ever been asked so many questions from so many different people in my life! Since I have gotten back, every single person I've seen has wanted every single detail of my trip. But can you blame them? I had the experience of a lifetime, and who wouldn't be interested in it?