As always, let me open up by informing those of ya'll who live under rocks (or live in a country where they don't broadcast or follow college football--Costa Rica) that Alabama beat Florida on Saturday and now sits at #2 on the AP poll. Nick Saban doesn't care what we are ranked. I kind of do. Roll Tide. Sadly, I was unable to watch that game because...
I WENT TO NICARAGUA LAST SATURDAY!
I am not exaggerating when I say that Saturday of last week through Tuesday of this week was, hands down, the greatest adventure of my life thus far. Packing a backpack and crossing Central American borders via public transportation is how the adventure began. This was a 7 hour bus ride with a 2 hour stop while we were "processed and searched" at the Nicaraguan border. Fun fact: Nicaragua is the second poorest country on earth behind Haiti. (That information was given to me by Alex Ridenour- I have no idea if it's true). Turns out, the bus didn't stop at the beach town we were trying to reach so we were dropped off on the side of the highway, and our backpacks were tossed out of the bus. I knew our destination was San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, but I had no idea where that was on a map. It's a strange feeling not knowing where you are in the world...and nobody else, other than the 3 of us, really did either. I just knew I was on the Pacific coast of Central America. Don't worry- we made it from the side of the highway to the beach, but I won't tell you how.
After finding our hotel, that had "never received" our reservations, we were at the beach! This wasn't the Gulf Shores or the Destin that we know as Americans...The sand was brown, the water was clear, there were mountains directly behind the beach, and there was NO ONE there- literally, no one. It's rainy season, but it only rained once while we were there. We were also the only three people in the restaurant every night when we went out to eat. Our own private beach vacation!
Our activities while at the beach in Nicaragua included:
-Laid out: That's what three girls at the beach do...but it's amazing how much stronger the sun is at the equator. I consider my skin to be pretty tolerant to sun exposure and I was spraying on the SPF 70 by day 2.
-Read books: I read Tony Dungee's autobiography cover to cover throughout the trip, and I was captivated my his approach to coaching and life in general. What a baller. I would plop down on my towel and say to the girls, "Let's see what Tony's doing today."
-Paddle boarding: We rented a paddle board so we could all try paddle boarding in the ocean. The only time I had tried it previously was in a river, and it's 10x's harder in the ocean- trust me. This is Nicki paddling away...
-Eskimos: This was the ice cream shop on the beach. We were at the beach for 3 days, and I ate there 6 times. Their coffee ice cream was to die for, and a double-scoop cone cost less than a dollar. What a deal! Did I mention everything is dirt cheap in Nicaragua?
-Exploring: We explored the rocky coast just beyond the sandy beach. This was my favorite part, by far. You just don't see places like this in the States. It was beautiful!
-Played Soccer: One of the things I love most about the game of "futbol" in Latin America is that it's such an immediate connection to anyone and everyone. If you show up with a soccer ball, you're automatically the most popular person on the beach. Everyone's always down for a game. I had a blast playing soccer on the beach with the local kids.
-Drank Coffee: This is was Alex & I do best. I'm proud to say Nicki is picking up on it, too. Every morning- 2 cups. Afternoon- another cup. You just can't compete with the coffee in Central America...incredibly addicting.
-Watched Sunsets: I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
-Enjoyed locals surfing: Apparently right before dusk is the best time to surf, because after we were fried to a crisp and ready to call it a day...the local surfers came out to play! I want to learn sometime while I'm here!
More than anything, the greatest part of the trip was getting out of town, taking a break, spending time with sweet friends, and having lots of alone time with the Lord. While it was certainly an exciting adventure, it was also a much needed renewal of energy. I had lots of time to focus on what I'm being called to do here, how I can continue to be faithful in that, and what the Lord is teaching me along the way. Now, I'm back in San Jose, and we've already hit the ground running again...I will walk by faith, not by sight.
Coolest part of my time back thus far: Giving my first YoungLife talk in Costa Rica at an Outback Steakhouse. We hosted a YL dinner event, and it was my week to talk. What a blessing it was to have a different setting to work with; it was almost like having a conversation at the dinner table at home rather than standing in front of a crowd to speak. First time for everything, right?
Finally, I hope this makes you smile. This woman was running with 8 dogs in one hand and a bird in the other. She gave the bird kisses every several yards also...Incredible.
I WENT TO NICARAGUA LAST SATURDAY!
I am not exaggerating when I say that Saturday of last week through Tuesday of this week was, hands down, the greatest adventure of my life thus far. Packing a backpack and crossing Central American borders via public transportation is how the adventure began. This was a 7 hour bus ride with a 2 hour stop while we were "processed and searched" at the Nicaraguan border. Fun fact: Nicaragua is the second poorest country on earth behind Haiti. (That information was given to me by Alex Ridenour- I have no idea if it's true). Turns out, the bus didn't stop at the beach town we were trying to reach so we were dropped off on the side of the highway, and our backpacks were tossed out of the bus. I knew our destination was San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, but I had no idea where that was on a map. It's a strange feeling not knowing where you are in the world...and nobody else, other than the 3 of us, really did either. I just knew I was on the Pacific coast of Central America. Don't worry- we made it from the side of the highway to the beach, but I won't tell you how.
After finding our hotel, that had "never received" our reservations, we were at the beach! This wasn't the Gulf Shores or the Destin that we know as Americans...The sand was brown, the water was clear, there were mountains directly behind the beach, and there was NO ONE there- literally, no one. It's rainy season, but it only rained once while we were there. We were also the only three people in the restaurant every night when we went out to eat. Our own private beach vacation!
Our activities while at the beach in Nicaragua included:
-Laid out: That's what three girls at the beach do...but it's amazing how much stronger the sun is at the equator. I consider my skin to be pretty tolerant to sun exposure and I was spraying on the SPF 70 by day 2.
-Read books: I read Tony Dungee's autobiography cover to cover throughout the trip, and I was captivated my his approach to coaching and life in general. What a baller. I would plop down on my towel and say to the girls, "Let's see what Tony's doing today."
-Paddle boarding: We rented a paddle board so we could all try paddle boarding in the ocean. The only time I had tried it previously was in a river, and it's 10x's harder in the ocean- trust me. This is Nicki paddling away...
-Eskimos: This was the ice cream shop on the beach. We were at the beach for 3 days, and I ate there 6 times. Their coffee ice cream was to die for, and a double-scoop cone cost less than a dollar. What a deal! Did I mention everything is dirt cheap in Nicaragua?
-Exploring: We explored the rocky coast just beyond the sandy beach. This was my favorite part, by far. You just don't see places like this in the States. It was beautiful!
-Played Soccer: One of the things I love most about the game of "futbol" in Latin America is that it's such an immediate connection to anyone and everyone. If you show up with a soccer ball, you're automatically the most popular person on the beach. Everyone's always down for a game. I had a blast playing soccer on the beach with the local kids.
-Drank Coffee: This is was Alex & I do best. I'm proud to say Nicki is picking up on it, too. Every morning- 2 cups. Afternoon- another cup. You just can't compete with the coffee in Central America...incredibly addicting.
-Watched Sunsets: I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
-Enjoyed locals surfing: Apparently right before dusk is the best time to surf, because after we were fried to a crisp and ready to call it a day...the local surfers came out to play! I want to learn sometime while I'm here!
More than anything, the greatest part of the trip was getting out of town, taking a break, spending time with sweet friends, and having lots of alone time with the Lord. While it was certainly an exciting adventure, it was also a much needed renewal of energy. I had lots of time to focus on what I'm being called to do here, how I can continue to be faithful in that, and what the Lord is teaching me along the way. Now, I'm back in San Jose, and we've already hit the ground running again...I will walk by faith, not by sight.
Coolest part of my time back thus far: Giving my first YoungLife talk in Costa Rica at an Outback Steakhouse. We hosted a YL dinner event, and it was my week to talk. What a blessing it was to have a different setting to work with; it was almost like having a conversation at the dinner table at home rather than standing in front of a crowd to speak. First time for everything, right?
Finally, I hope this makes you smile. This woman was running with 8 dogs in one hand and a bird in the other. She gave the bird kisses every several yards also...Incredible.
hahaha love it! Correction so your peps aren't confused Nica is the 2nd poorest country in this hemisphere!! There are tons of other poorer countries in the other hemisphere. Loved reading about our journey!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I was thinking that exact thing, Alex :) Loved reading your post Sydney and feeling caught up on your sweet time at the beach. I'm SUPER jealous I missed out on it and we have to do it again juntas pronto :) So glad you all had so much fun, stayed safe and got some rays!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh...big difference there! I was wondering where Africa came in the line-up..thanks for clearing that up. Haha, I'm full of false quotes...
ReplyDelete