HAPPY 14TH ANNIVERSARY

You guys have read me talk about Ken and Brandi Venables, the couple serving here from Canada. Brandi has become a very good friend and they're at the house about twice/week. Anyway, this week was their 14th anniversary! She hid his gift at our house so after dinner they came over for a "visit" and she surprized him. It's something he'd always wanted. Watch the video to see his face when he gets it! It was nice to share this special moment with friends.

http://youtu.be/uXnuP5h3UBI

They actually had to celebrate everything a day early because on Tuesday (their actual anniversay date) we had to go to Costa Rica to renew our visas. It was kind of a mess as they changed the rules on the visa and no one knew it until we got there. Therefore, we were charged $25 apiece we weren't expecting. However, we did it all in 1 day and I'm good for another 90 days, so I can't complain. At least we were together and not trying to brave it on our own.

For those of you keeping count, you're right, I went a month early. However, everyone here is on the same schedule, so I thought better to go with everyone rather than figure this all out on my own.

WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

This house across the street from me is for rent! 2 bedroom, 2 bath, VERY new inside and modern. $200/month unfurnished or $350 furnished. However, I heard her negotiating with someone and to leave just the bed, a chair, and the appliances she was going to rent it for $270/month!! No AC and you have to pay the utilities yourself. The water, electricity, and Internet together run an extra $100/month. Calling all need greaters....

R.I.P.

I have experienced my first Nicaraguan death. A couple of weeks ago the neighbor across the street from us lost her sister. Although I don't know her I felt very bad for her. I've said before about how the houses are all open so anything loud is heard by the whole neighborhood. When this poor woman heard the news you could hear her crying down the whole street. Only once before in my life have I personally seen anyone so devastated :(

I found out that the tradition here is to do una vela or a wake the day before the funeral. Therefore, when we got back from the meeting Saturday night, this was the view in front of our house. Everyone who knew the deceased or the family of the deceased gathers in the house where the body is kept until the funeral to pay their respects. It's not a sad environment. Everyone catches up with friends and they serve bites to eat with coffee. As we walked home all the neighbors...the whole family...were sitting in front of their homes to pay respect. The entire street was packed with neighbors and friends. We did the same. Most hung around until about midnight but a few stayed all night. It was an interesting cultural experience.

Confession--I kinda wanted to sneak into this crowd with a mess of "What Hope for Dead Loved Ones" tracts and start some conversations. Something told me the neighbors wouldn't appreciate it, though.

Then the next day this black carriage pulled by horses pulled up, they loaded up the coffin, and started the procession to the church. Everyone came to the neighbor's house and followed the carriage on foot to the church. Interesting, huh?

HI MOM!

 
Here's another post for Mom. She likes to see pix of me. The only real differences are:
1) now I only wear makeup to the meetings. Why put it on in service just to sweat it off in 2 seconds?
2) I'm a little burnt as you can see
3) I'm a little skinnier as you may not see. However, between the parasites and the walking, it's doing its job. My pants fit looser and the belt on the dress I wore that night was 2 clicks tighter than it used to be!

The treat is an ojuela. It's basically a thin fried tortilla dipped in a syrup/honey made from figs. Crazy comparison but it really does taste like a crispy, sweet CornFlake.  Here in Nica it's common that people with foodstuffs to sell bicycle or walk through neighborhoods yelling out what they have...everything from fish to milk to fruits/veg and tortillas. Anyway, there's a lady who sells ojuelas too and we bought some today. They cost about 5 cordobas each which is a little less than 20cents. This was my reward for walking my rear off this morning in service. Yum!