For 20 Million Rupees and a "Special Party"

New developments? Not too many (That was my monologue.) Not too much has occured since my return from Nicaragua. I am back on site and and enjoying the regiment and balance of work, gym, prayer and leisure. I felt a little off kilter for a while when the ministry site was on summer vacation; but school is back in session and the year has begun full swing.
With that said, the parties with work companions has picked back up, for better or for worse...On Thursday, after work, Yerilyn (pronounced "jerilynn") called to invite me to a party at her house on Friday after work. I graciously accepted the invitation. On Friday I asked more details such as where are we going, when are we leaving and should I bring anything. The party, I was told was for Sylvia (who happens to be pregnant) so I asked if I should pick a small gift in her honor..."if you'd like." So picked up a bib and hopped on the bus with some co-workers. We arrived, and it was chock-full of coworkers of the school...all of whom were women. Yes. I arrived to a baby shower disguised as a "fiesta." The first hour or so made me feel like a pork chop in a synogogue. But as the time passed, it proved to be somewhat comical and cultural. At all baby showers or "un te" as they call here, the first gift selected by the closed-eye soon-to-be-mother indicates the person who will have a baby next...without fail my gift was selected which proved for a laugh and some discussion.
I redeemed myself on Saturday evening by catching a viewing of "Slumdog Millionaire" before The Oscars. I enjoyed the movie; but perhaps more, I enjoyed the half caramel corn/ half salt popcorn in my lap. It was solid; but I am a Ben Button fan and I wanted that to win. Please, feel free to comment. I hope you who are reading this are all well!

Rica to Nica

This past weekend, Mike Joyce and I set off to Granada, Nicaragua. Every 90 days in country, one must leave for 72 hours, so that was the main purpose of the trip. I had never been to Nicaragua before, but luckily Mike had and therefore knew the bus line to take and a solid, clean and central hostel. We departed Friday morning at 6:00am hoping to arrive at the border a little before noon, then pass through swiftly and arrive in Granada at 2:00pm; we hoped...Unfortunately, efficiency at central American borders is not a priority. I understand that border passing needs to be done with efficiency and security perhaps in exchange for speed; however this border lacked all three. It was a good lesson in patience and to enjoy some solid "man talk" with Mike. It was interesting to see the contrast in poverty between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; but then again I suppose we live in the US with the same situation with Mexico...perhaps more contrast.
When we arrived, we checked into the hostel; dorm rooms being half the price of private rooms, so without hesitation dorm rooms were opted. The hostel called "oasis" was well operated and central to the "colonial" town of Granada. It was a relaxing weekend; eating, conversing, walking and people watching. I imagine that when Marty, Mike Sweeney and my Dad head to NYC, it is a similar outing except in English and perhaps a little better food in Little Italy. On the last night, I enjoyed a hand rolled Nicaraguan cigar...hard to get a fresh one of those in NYC. Today was the first day back on site at the deaf school, so it feels good to get back to a regimen and see all the familiar faces, now bronzed from recent "paseos" to the beach during vacation. Until next time...

Friar That on for Size

The weekend was a relaxing one, filled with much movie watching, mostly which took place in the house but we, as a community did go to the movies together. We saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" which is an awesome flick; highly recommended. Brad Pitt kills it...solid style, good acting and a hint of life lessons.
On Sunday we went to the Friary at Alajuela to support two Friars who were professing vows. I have never been to a ceremony like this, so it was neat to see a "marriage ceremony to God." What made it so special was that there was a conference for the western hemisphere of Friars, which represented all of Latin America, Canada, US, and the UK. The ceremony was very long, but it was a most energetic mass due to the fact that there were 60 Franciscans from all over the world singing their hearts out. The man in the picture above is exactly that..."the man." His name is Fr. Marco Tasca, and he is the General of the Franciscan order based out of Rome. It was historical to speak with the, for all intensive purposes, the "pope" of the Order of Friars Minor, Conventual.