tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27475744747310645472024-03-13T23:23:49.311-07:00Guias UnidosCommunities United. Conservation United. Guides United.Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-91701326976472263762024-03-03T16:53:00.000-08:002024-03-04T14:45:46.088-08:00Projects for 2024 at Centro PUMAEach year that passes we have been able to focus more on our projects and less on how to keep our organizations surviving. After most nonprofits were closed down over the past 2 years in Nicaragua, Centro PUMA has successfully completed our first year under the legal and financial control of the tour guide cooperative, COTUCOGUITO. The majority of our funding still comes from Guías Unidos, a project of Earth Island Institute (a 501 (c)(3) organization) in the USA, but now Centro PUMA’s projects also get financial support from our café and direct environmental grant organizations such as Green Grants Foundation, as managed by COTUCOGUITO. Here’s a look at our 3 main projects for 2024, the Junior Ranger program, free English classes, and a new reforestation experiment. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Junior Ranger program</span></b><br /><br /><br /><img height="300" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ndeKenOcdnIn6mjg7oI87irAVjUhBR_8xl5yfch332P2yAMcXxEpZs7ECo581q_pxUC0sozP95P-ELkntU8xBWojKYacI3IV4w-yJ-cAxccqqXJY7ZPZRwCdAmr-bfMLwy_Lx4DhXcH93q0A8vVF_UI=w400-h300" width="400" /><br /><br /><br />Our Junior Ranger program is a year-long, environmental education program for 5th and 6th graders local to Centro PUMA. The heart of the program begins during January, the last month of “summer vacation” for 26 kids before returning to school from the holidays. We led half-day classes twice a week for 4 weeks, culminating in an all-day excursion around the island. <br /><br />Classes included daily games and teambuilding activities.<div><br /><div><img height="185" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Ol-6UBRvbBDlUaNY3_Z1twOvvPb8fRLFfEw7HVeDFqe54-cyDGAusrKpwEpfwj5bkgipWN74uB9D3xI_CnUZBeWY04l1ntyXLddwUUUUMFDfDSwyjIw1ZGd2QJG9xKTZBd775VgsYo0twlI55dK5caY=w400-h185" width="400" /><br /><br />Topics included Leave no Trace, plants, animals, water, ecosystems, and geology/volcanoes. <br /><br />Field trips are not part of school curriculum, and locals rarely are able to visit and enjoy the tourist attraction that their local island offers, so we try to change that with our excursion. So we rented a school bus for the day<br /><br /><img height="300" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Bu1j1koHRRkp5mGXWva1sa40intLtfVDqwHf1OgxE2DGiEMtAz1dzp7iZKtPHCHXjLJUqatD8kRjFAY9j9zUQLEoKZ5VHo0MfqwNUuuJPgCxWs5xneIED64FJ9Ei8MAXdgtkguQ6u7wT_uFiMwe0szw=w400-h300" width="400" /><br /><br />and took them to Finca Magdalena to visit the historic coffee farm and take a hike to the petroglyphs. <br /><br /><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioD1tjMd22KzkWLLRhw8hcFeKLUyEJvfnn-XkkyEYRQhnIqcHQYX_V1jqPjCeG-WZSqmCr4ej0HS9_92yynS2kYWeO-ou0c1jadreAAwM50Edg5KrO5Z2vebFQWB_noJdhbTzSGZBEsO6vzkrZ_tPV7SFRxy2y2Ci3DTjA-xdUL4iML-yRjeRifAG0dWxl" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioD1tjMd22KzkWLLRhw8hcFeKLUyEJvfnn-XkkyEYRQhnIqcHQYX_V1jqPjCeG-WZSqmCr4ej0HS9_92yynS2kYWeO-ou0c1jadreAAwM50Edg5KrO5Z2vebFQWB_noJdhbTzSGZBEsO6vzkrZ_tPV7SFRxy2y2Ci3DTjA-xdUL4iML-yRjeRifAG0dWxl=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next, we went to Playa Peru and took each kid individually on a kayak paddle along the bay. It was each kid’s first time, so we paired each of them with an experienced adult, but we let the kids do the paddling, of course!<br /><br /><img height="300" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/NnlS1rYtO5mCC66QK4P-7m4tupB7Fe2mxGjEsKPeirCc98oNM-Wr7zRe8MABLUU4QULy5dn3-sHbi8M-GBE8fRXtwjZS82pDc4R7kJb2zNFjr1OF4QMbxPC8ZofBIDp6BCjcNMNBIzlaVzLYR6Acvc0=w400-h300" width="400" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We visited Peñas Incultas, one of the best-preserved tropical dry hardwood forests in Nicaragua. <br /><br /><img height="300" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/mqsno3XI9YcYNFTV3KE9yEebliCf85oFu1LtnMuzxNIgml3nj3NQBK0qt9_adHOq5ecwjeF55BMk04f7P5HjqQ54z72gfqwt8QpcsrFTyAAEdKia26JesLokPw7fl53OuWB2ZLF2nObt300afWdxbqA=w400-h300" width="400" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Peñas incultas is one of the best nesting areas for the yellow-naped amazon parrot, a critically endangered species that has one of its last strongholds on Ometepe Island. Sure enough, we saw the endangered parrots and even found a beautiful feather. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/oBXUsDE_0wFKytmGooRDAsHr-E-ZjScHcRrI3VZnWmEcJBMCidutE2Pl878pHz8Z8YcO8rFuO6D01Xa7sqkCL6boNDpNleNDRkx2eV4E-hVugZQTVUXpxDA5a68ysvJQiiUz6ossFCODFhdZUqck5So=w300-h400" width="300" /><br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/hKjWxXbB41_P0Z4tz0Aa-gAcpdOrG1WVBquUs2z79qFo2AF8YSniC76yucQYIwqJD4jk33A_v34F15cbIgHq4axPzxemlkJ--yBhbk9bgpFl-6NP9JSuF4FcpVOANH4BrBTi_cP9Og-R5to6TENhth8=w300-h400" width="300" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, we ended the day on the beach where the kids got to play in the water (with 3 adult lifeguards around the kids at all times)<br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/GHtC45V-yn-nG4U1AU9faZVDt6GGoQjw6Ai0d1ukPX8l0NrovzE3D7eleOQ4vQNLb0mOchRLW_BB5LzhmRa_BErPjj4reLcM42LkaHVVwS4TMvMGyYCZwT9TtWrTPyDx8x-Uyy6abKCa9VJsh1eCoC0=w300-h400" width="300" /><br /><br /> and play games on the beach until they were exhausted and brought home. <br /><br /><img height="400" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/mRgyTdoSI4EI0cwhaMITNL4k0yLeleiNtkNSOwMrldNOOpEcuIhR_tKXklfmNNDhOHauunS6rckX2dqFZdsifAA8FCZEMUH229oofk1kyNq_6dXyBTKNRnLt8RPA_O2iQ0P4oKcZsK0p8SwZAtcS2sE=w300-h400" width="300" /><br /><br />We are continuing the Junior Ranger activites on a monthly basis until they complete a final project and graduate at the end of the year. Graduated students will continue to be invited to events and to work with the project as they grow up, cultivating a new generation of stewards of the environment. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">English Classes</span></b><br /><br />Every year we put out a call to the community for free saturday English classes. Initially, it was hard to generate interest, but as our popularity has grown each year, things really started to grow, especially by last year, when we got over 60 students. Well, we weren’t quite ready for the explosion to continue at the same rate, so when over 130 kids signed up, we had a problem as the enrollment petitions didn’t stop. As we put the latecomers on a waitlist, we still had to figure out how to more than double our capacity from last year. <br /><br />There were a few days of chaos, trying to organize the kids into classes at staggered times. Occasionally, we've had to squeeze kids into our library, which was not originally designed for classes:<br /><br /><img height="225" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/FOq3IZ2co_90QE4JWiowoxcAVNJT75371X0NlozuOf2k261Pf7p47WdYk9_Q9X9kj4hZgCXSTi8_bH9GJfArvg7AkEKAubcCpVQJeQLNJ4bB9_qW_lbSbwNTnWqCmTDtkAl3rQPXUBqJ6R8ulGyNk64=w400-h225" width="400" /><br /><br />But we eventually broke the kids into groups of fewer than 20 kids into 3 periods of the day, for a total of 7 classes. This is followed by a 4th “period” of our English Café activity open to youth and adults to practice English over a complimentary cup of coffee. <br /><br /><img height="267" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/GnvqHoclRpvRb2B00ISUY0tKdqyVd59aCc2rvafW7LX207Q3oJHdzbYbBb-9w-r5ozksz3vGMDklBGiEOT3KQ6xj663e2bhZtitRPHUCdb_5LGk6eMpWkM2pQgiTnE7wAHe-ujnjoK59a7ZcGOtnA18=w400-h267" width="400" /><br /><br />Even with staggering the classes throughout the day, it was still necessary to have up to 3 classes running simultaneously. This had to be achieved while keeping Centro PUMA’s café open. Centro PUMA has one dedicated classroom and an auditorium that can be used as café seating or closed off as a classroom. The café has a reception/dining room, library, and an outdoor shelter for clients. In the past, we held English classes in the café areas and library, but with its increasing popularity this year, we can no longer share the cafe space. So we fast-tracked a long-term project we’ve been planning, to build an additional shelter outside with a palm-thatched roof as an additional classroom area, the “Rancho.” The extra classes and the Rancho were not originally budgeted this year, but with a lot of local help and with a healthy donation campaign at the end of 2023, we were able to finish the Rancho just in time for the school year beginning in February, and we hope to continue campaigning for sufficient funds to keep our classes going. Here's our new rancho and a volunteer helping Arlin teach english classes: <br /><br /><img height="300" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/uK2V0gUyxqEaJ3FwPp5Ja63uM9MazsPwU8O16XVzFl5uVKhViwzUeTVsdqGUEzS4OIpI6w-kXNmcS2Y4OigipSKzOcWgQm9dEZXEIdPVfMjKbwhHrPjcodPVyxf6Xr2HJ7o__OLX_YVSM80-PSzdgaA=w400-h300" width="400" /><br /><br />In addition to sustaining our English classes throughout the year, we are offering English classes and tutoring during the week to the kids waitlisted after the original enrollment of 130. In all, our small center is serving up to 150 kids with English lessons. It has been encouraging to see many tourists and foreigners inquire about helping, who show up at classes to read or talk to kids. Weekly classes are not enough to fully learn a language, but we hope to inspire kids by scheduling fun activities and exposing their ears to different accents and native speakers along with our local experts who use English with tourists. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Reforestation</span></b><br /><br />We have been planting thousands of trees every year, but it has sadly become evident that just planting trees is not enough. With no actively protected areas on the island, most trees succumb to agricultural needs or are cut down for firewood. Our monitoring of our previous reforestation efforts has shown that fewer than 10% of the trees live for more than 3 years. This year, the guide cooperative of Centro PUMA is armed with a new grant from Global Greengrants Foundation to investigate new reforestation strategies. We will compare our previous strategy of planting on private and public lands upon invitation, but we will augment with 2 experimental strategies: paying landowners a yearly stipend depending on the survival of their trees, and renting land where we will plant and protect trees at our own expense. The ultimate goal of this project is not just to have better survival rates, but to identify the true cost of reforestation so that we and future projects can make more realistic budgets for true reforestation efforts. <br /><br /><img height="225" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/lVQmfVsM80xU7XwCTjXB_khEtr87gglWvsU0_zfsmLAarCLy1Kx1dpY2p1xK02-CYEqAStW3CTmQeh7Q6wJaasCn7eRN8oRXCMWWIXGNl9UqzrWyLfRzzOMBrz9ImhtQDRs5Av9glHV5f92j5rqTVbc=w400-h225" width="400" /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is a quote of unknown origin (sometimes attributed without proof to Martin Luther) that says, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” This is a good philosophy for our project. It’s hard to tell which of our trees will survive, which of our lessons will be remembered, which of our kids will be inspired. Though we hope to maximize our impact with proven methods, we take our projects day by day, creating small experiences for all our people involved no matter what tomorrow may bring. <br /></div></div>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-35065734226201835732023-04-10T17:00:00.003-07:002023-04-10T17:25:24.024-07:002023: A new normal?<p> This season was all about reestablishing Centro PUMA and its programs, and getting the café into full swing. </p><p>Some things established themselves while we were gone - the garden went from a stomped-down construction zone with a few baby plants to a tropical oasis in less than a year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMHMDaM-k29wF7ONoCZZOWKOm5dPoU591jHqOoHlwtNge9UYJzwlsSjQcRnxGA3euoyEofY43gECmbYl4SCpb7tmTGL-bTarKMODoxOMgr3wAtzmH5nKXOefXUucLO_LsUZ-C8daNzIq0YLEaI0qB1UPrOaniRBJdKLmDI0SMdit5awMnlW25vsLI0g/s1279/garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="1279" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMHMDaM-k29wF7ONoCZZOWKOm5dPoU591jHqOoHlwtNge9UYJzwlsSjQcRnxGA3euoyEofY43gECmbYl4SCpb7tmTGL-bTarKMODoxOMgr3wAtzmH5nKXOefXUucLO_LsUZ-C8daNzIq0YLEaI0qB1UPrOaniRBJdKLmDI0SMdit5awMnlW25vsLI0g/w525-h196/garden.jpg" width="525" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photos by Reese Hume</div><p style="text-align: left;">Somethings took a lot more effort, of course. These folks are who makes that happen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW7_uqITyr9ChqYvpCeOw2KC_zLroo6KVNwUD9veJDja2SLckK4iYnIFtBFKAUaLA7ZVspykCdyNiZY-WBm81sYgJAChFasIGvW05FYPmWiJ1g8GX68vALItTVjZzAKYYlUgMXYI5LZt5mvfpBV8y9rQCR9iHQ5OOU6awugULj6-zGBaBFulut4LDXA/s1600/03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitW7_uqITyr9ChqYvpCeOw2KC_zLroo6KVNwUD9veJDja2SLckK4iYnIFtBFKAUaLA7ZVspykCdyNiZY-WBm81sYgJAChFasIGvW05FYPmWiJ1g8GX68vALItTVjZzAKYYlUgMXYI5LZt5mvfpBV8y9rQCR9iHQ5OOU6awugULj6-zGBaBFulut4LDXA/w432-h324/03.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /><p>After several months of being closed due to legal restructuring of our partner organization, we reopened the café in December 2022. We quickly got noticed by tourists, national and international, and locals on a date night. We offer vegetarian and vegan meals that can't be found elsewhere in our part of the island, and the best cup of coffee in Altagracia!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="1274" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3FUmhw5Leg7Dtrt8mVmM_94XBorebpae4RAr8VX2QxQ90b274LNe3dyUL3MzODNKei_YEwU1iYem9J_Z03lS66Lzdo80eqUa1tsPEmP4pHpATZCipgXqeeP8-uSTNWWiGBddBAZShO3Q8XG2clzvSQ-41VBqgjwDLpAABnRFce48Q9OsRkC7VWooGA/w540-h135/Food.jpg" width="540" /></div><p><br /></p><p>English classes continued for local kids, growing from a couple of dozen students to 60 with a waiting list. We are adding classes at different times to accommodate the overflow. New evening classes for adult beginners are also popular.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WsXun50OSchJQOA-1tEcJy5Yu20_f9f41dMCky08c7Wy1fMnr8Ilon04XuUC_cKH9ej42M-WZQpDnO7AHAEQ4NXwDjdOYXFA5u2eO-1ElFFy0jL2B-znOhialovMWLaFNpsxQqW32zksYpFEyA7Tf5B3BWOiBCYvy0vOn15WgjxjkeoiieQUZQZLVw/s1280/06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WsXun50OSchJQOA-1tEcJy5Yu20_f9f41dMCky08c7Wy1fMnr8Ilon04XuUC_cKH9ej42M-WZQpDnO7AHAEQ4NXwDjdOYXFA5u2eO-1ElFFy0jL2B-znOhialovMWLaFNpsxQqW32zksYpFEyA7Tf5B3BWOiBCYvy0vOn15WgjxjkeoiieQUZQZLVw/s320/06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We didn't get our legal status in time to do our full Junior Ranger program this year, but we were able to do a few lessons in March, culminating in a final excursion to natural places on the island.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3fCsqy0x2T3NjhuEqOLfb2Bmk93C4TmZhDZXbhDxEJFliUvDlokxGnrTI3ifpQHF0AJJTTNucq-Whw-7rQdAM5nLCy-27N_vZ4rIfzv4g6UWRmN9N9RrYoyL0CZ3lT3ki1yNwOyPB3BIPEg_51w4jUoK0bIbNBDk98QdKEmiYQkpKn70zI4YgzNwvw/s1275/EEclass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="1275" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3fCsqy0x2T3NjhuEqOLfb2Bmk93C4TmZhDZXbhDxEJFliUvDlokxGnrTI3ifpQHF0AJJTTNucq-Whw-7rQdAM5nLCy-27N_vZ4rIfzv4g6UWRmN9N9RrYoyL0CZ3lT3ki1yNwOyPB3BIPEg_51w4jUoK0bIbNBDk98QdKEmiYQkpKn70zI4YgzNwvw/w508-h189/EEclass.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwYuOip4--rolNgCrU45GHHjvf84h7B0UGwV0ON4unbvghMXbQ6-n_N3Krb4o-0U91w3DQrh7FP904Da-GME3-zU-aq2Dkut9QaaI_yR3bEo1rHKQUd1w2_TTS2WsFeDehNRF1GcPEWbKw_69zgX6rIJwpdgycNQwgaaadCNmt2CzbJhoyzacpbMh9Q/s1017/Excursion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1017" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwYuOip4--rolNgCrU45GHHjvf84h7B0UGwV0ON4unbvghMXbQ6-n_N3Krb4o-0U91w3DQrh7FP904Da-GME3-zU-aq2Dkut9QaaI_yR3bEo1rHKQUd1w2_TTS2WsFeDehNRF1GcPEWbKw_69zgX6rIJwpdgycNQwgaaadCNmt2CzbJhoyzacpbMh9Q/w507-h358/Excursion.jpg" width="507" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photos by Reese Hume</div><p>The environmental education students also decorated the classroom with a new mural, featuring some of their favorite plants and animals:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeepWuaBa7v9YK3_5uprrKnSPby-_JhDfb5KGDSp8KTkLz_XsKbYu1ClfXqj-QpjH-Dlum6ARWlceSL07XaJ0wIqPKZ1EXBh5x-e7IiXaMYbG0MKAWbY5scwZgfoMhfb4fz-qgmGpMsKUd3k8xWM6dWgg6PVVY39Jjiy6KSHe5ByI6N3UffJC_z330FQ/s1280/Mural.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1280" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeepWuaBa7v9YK3_5uprrKnSPby-_JhDfb5KGDSp8KTkLz_XsKbYu1ClfXqj-QpjH-Dlum6ARWlceSL07XaJ0wIqPKZ1EXBh5x-e7IiXaMYbG0MKAWbY5scwZgfoMhfb4fz-qgmGpMsKUd3k8xWM6dWgg6PVVY39Jjiy6KSHe5ByI6N3UffJC_z330FQ/w516-h245/Mural.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The project is moving along, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together next year!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1suB-a9mL9rNr3Y1774To0lHJLkYlAz5xHOMo8Xbz5ZeEwR6Qw6cVKo6sAvFaz-1jjyZUXbxgQcO44Yoe2OiKyP2MeA7TXeDii0ehzMSV9ENb8aIt0bIP70_lXKoeC7KhS34e6bpWbb5c5uFTdBseopcZXs5tDXCYXLr0K-2qzcL0pe1wRVNo6P0llw/s3455/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1698" data-original-width="3455" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1suB-a9mL9rNr3Y1774To0lHJLkYlAz5xHOMo8Xbz5ZeEwR6Qw6cVKo6sAvFaz-1jjyZUXbxgQcO44Yoe2OiKyP2MeA7TXeDii0ehzMSV9ENb8aIt0bIP70_lXKoeC7KhS34e6bpWbb5c5uFTdBseopcZXs5tDXCYXLr0K-2qzcL0pe1wRVNo6P0llw/w515-h253/13.jpg" width="515" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-42430241715891220982022-12-08T14:30:00.002-08:002023-12-28T19:25:26.181-08:00A photo guide to getting from the airport in Liberia, Costa Rica to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua<div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Note: As of July 2023, COVID-19 requirements are no longer in effect for Nicaragua and Costa Rica. No vaccine card nor negative PCR test are required. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">All of this information was gathered on our trip in early
November 2022, so prices and other details may change. All prices are per
person unless otherwise noted.</span></div><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What you need before you go:<br />
- Have your passport up to date, valid at least 6 months beyond when you plan
to return to your home country. <strike>Have your COVID vaccine card with your passport
so you can show it at the border. If you’re not fully vaccinated, a web search
will help you keep up to date on what the requirements are for entering
Nicaragua.</strike></p><p class="MsoNormal">- There is a form for entering the country that usually is not asked for, but technically can be required of you to fill out at least one week in advance of entering the country. The form is found at <a href="https://solicitudes.migob.gob.ni/" rel="noopener" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-sizing: border-box; color: blue; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">https://solicitudes.migob.gob.ni/</strong></a> and more information can be found at <a href="https://nica-biz.com/entry-to-nicaragua-online-application-form/">https://nica-biz.com/entry-to-nicaragua-online-application-form/</a>. The most common difficulty in filling it out is when it asks you who invited you to the country - you can put down the contact information for a hotel or someone you know in the country. ***Update: this website seems to not be working for anyone. When you fill out the form and hit "submit," it gets hung up. No one seems to have had a problem getting through the border without the form (if you have had trouble, please let us know!).</p><p class="MsoNormal">- You need US dollars in exact change, crisp bills with no rips, stains, or
markings. You’ll have to pay $10 for the Costa Rican exit fee (unless you pay
ahead online at <a href="https://www.bancobcr.com/wps/portal/bcr/bancobcr/personas/solicitudes_en_linea/pago_impuesto_salida_terrestre/">https://www.bancobcr.com/wps/portal/bcr/bancobcr/personas/solicitudes_en_linea/pago_impuesto_salida_terrestre/</a>,
then it’s only $8, but have a receipt!), $1 to enter the Nicaraguan border
building, $13 for the Nicaraguan entry fee, and taxis will take payment in USD
as well.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
- Costa Rica requires proof of departure before 180 days is up. This is usually
a flight out within 180 days, though it can be a bus ticket to some other
country, though the bus tickets can be hard to get before you get to the bus
station… Our latest flight in November was the first time we were required to carry proof of return flight while checking into the flight, so have it ready in whichever airport you are
departing from! How to get past the 180 day limit is beyond the scope of this
blog, but web searches can help.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
- Nicaraguan immigration will want to know where you are going to stay when
you’re in country. A hotel reservation screenshot or a friend’s phone number
and address should suffice, but have those on hand when going through the
border. They will also usually ask your profession, so have a simple answer for
them – teacher, lawyer, something of that sort. Sometimes Nicaragua asks for a return ticket as well, but it is variable--better to have one ready just in case!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
- Nicaraguan customs will take drones <strike>and binoculars</strike> from you, so it’s best not
to try to carry them. If you have multiple laptops or smartphones, or anything
else of great value, they may want to tax you. There were restrictions put on professional, journalism-grade cameras and on binoculars, but it seems at least the restrictions on binoculars were lifted around March 2023. Most cameras are fine.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
- The trip from Liberia to Ometepe takes many hours, so unless you land in
Liberia in the morning, you might want to plan to stay a night there. Our
favorite place to stay is Hospedaje Dodero, and reservations via booking.com
are recommended.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you land at the Liberia airport, follow the crowd
through immigration (an official will stamp your passport – they will ask about
when you are leaving the country, so be prepared to answer here too), pick up
any checked luggage, then go through customs (you’ll have to run your bags
through an x-ray, and they will occasionally ask to see your passport). No
forms are needed for immigration or customs. There are money changing booths in
the room with immigration and another with baggage pick-up. I’m sure they’re
not a great deal, but we just changed $20 to Costa Rican colones to have bus
fare.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the luggage x-ray, you’ll go through a door and be
confronted by all kinds of drivers with signs for who they are there to pick
up. There will be a person there to help you get a taxi if you want one ($20 to
town no matter how many people, 10-15 minutes) – they keep the taxi drivers
honest. Taxis are out the door to the right. If you would rather take a bus, go
to the left and to the far side of the airport (30-45 minutes plus wait time, 600
colones (about $1), pay the driver at the front of the bus – they may ask you
to go to the back of the bus if you have luggage, or to put it under the bus if
there are many people with lots of luggage).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4-1pMnUpYtNSg4s1K6CF7IFVY_FX-nKmYHZlkOD2V2uXJ6oNoxeh1SYPRbbJn9VrX1qqjGnvFUaM0ztmFC-vSDshMqZX6o_gEdx7cwzXVukpd85Hs_MgX5LGwd7iqKg-4eRWG0Om8ToIktP2q6RdTfgY3VloJVvcr8VVq5IrHuSAr0DHjG1S63VF-nw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4-1pMnUpYtNSg4s1K6CF7IFVY_FX-nKmYHZlkOD2V2uXJ6oNoxeh1SYPRbbJn9VrX1qqjGnvFUaM0ztmFC-vSDshMqZX6o_gEdx7cwzXVukpd85Hs_MgX5LGwd7iqKg-4eRWG0Om8ToIktP2q6RdTfgY3VloJVvcr8VVq5IrHuSAr0DHjG1S63VF-nw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmkNp2Z7sjPWaj1lQI_zFxAt7BZJZMSWf45HLySMSzlaHU7T0rDdP3YU77-s52Z30LxaPIkdqwzYoc4YY_luSEwaIonTH0W0o3eRXJ7EXMohXmE7BH1UI3mSdQEHd4ZVWTgjp-FRpn9aG7yrRCzcsFPLUC__N8aET7MFuz_ncmgPpfAGm_eSdqPTJFvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmkNp2Z7sjPWaj1lQI_zFxAt7BZJZMSWf45HLySMSzlaHU7T0rDdP3YU77-s52Z30LxaPIkdqwzYoc4YY_luSEwaIonTH0W0o3eRXJ7EXMohXmE7BH1UI3mSdQEHd4ZVWTgjp-FRpn9aG7yrRCzcsFPLUC__N8aET7MFuz_ncmgPpfAGm_eSdqPTJFvw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Busses from the airport to Liberia will drop you near the
main bus station, often one block east. (Taxis obviously will drop you where
you’d like.) Our favorite place to stay, Hospedaje Dodero, is two blocks north.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYvWYou70qPyqKOBqTw4CRt9UrpK-nVV0mKTrkkTamBm6UkWj7A9GJCaeKwZxfybUqoICHoXYzouuGpAH5yir8flXp4nhkcVjN1trGSUR8AwFbC7f1XBzWnP3ckYkbiLOn02XsS02NtmBB0vm4TXlOVE-dPuGLj84bM7ptV9H22YHKWGT7Ob-ekfsrOg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYvWYou70qPyqKOBqTw4CRt9UrpK-nVV0mKTrkkTamBm6UkWj7A9GJCaeKwZxfybUqoICHoXYzouuGpAH5yir8flXp4nhkcVjN1trGSUR8AwFbC7f1XBzWnP3ckYkbiLOn02XsS02NtmBB0vm4TXlOVE-dPuGLj84bM7ptV9H22YHKWGT7Ob-ekfsrOg" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: If you’re seeing this from where the bus drops you, the bus station is behind
you.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the bus station itself, the bus to the border is the
third bus in, helpfully labeled “Frontera” (“border”) in the window and “Liberia
– Pe<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ñ</span>as
Blancas” up top. If the bus isn’t there, the folks wandering around selling
food and drinks will be happy to point you in the right direction if you ask
them “Donde estar<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">á</span> el bus que va a la frontera?” You will pay the driver at
the front of the bus (2000 colones per person as of October 2023, equivalent to less than $4), and also ask them to help you with any bags you want to
put under the bus (which will be anything beyond a small bag you can keep in
your lap) – your bags are going with you to the last stop, “terminal” or
“frontera,” so be sure the driver knows that as they put them below. <o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJNMrnJNHsbWryvb90PsTo2lbBlCb-vrLPSm7kfF5xiLsBI_0mZEn5EeAlvCZ2NQm4PLmZTPeWyi6VWQPfnZG7QHv8wW6fFAjL_3ePmdGCDgAne5TdwWmNJjIbexaA41-8xuo9PxyDNWmn7bFLK38AWO1GE69IWw-6U70AaE_Zr3li15yEydYtjo9r3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJNMrnJNHsbWryvb90PsTo2lbBlCb-vrLPSm7kfF5xiLsBI_0mZEn5EeAlvCZ2NQm4PLmZTPeWyi6VWQPfnZG7QHv8wW6fFAjL_3ePmdGCDgAne5TdwWmNJjIbexaA41-8xuo9PxyDNWmn7bFLK38AWO1GE69IWw-6U70AaE_Zr3li15yEydYtjo9r3w" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY3a51q9ER34dKQpnzeePixMpT3ydoj6ThbduealB6gkGYMj4Gy5oeBulXP99WTfhaUdea4PsI2jLxBDHYKDNUyfMBPOOZ-k1DBcBpvfgk-xGvAlnQrsZZAqLHPFcIqGmzZ8E_DbG7CWk_WJ1hN9-uW8TpOKUpnuAD1QnzsaszEAqMYxA9HZZaBXfcPg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY3a51q9ER34dKQpnzeePixMpT3ydoj6ThbduealB6gkGYMj4Gy5oeBulXP99WTfhaUdea4PsI2jLxBDHYKDNUyfMBPOOZ-k1DBcBpvfgk-xGvAlnQrsZZAqLHPFcIqGmzZ8E_DbG7CWk_WJ1hN9-uW8TpOKUpnuAD1QnzsaszEAqMYxA9HZZaBXfcPg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj18v2IpjBDwNxVEJOypzOBRSwGPySsyem98I-xVaJLtUcbO2c8dgjByYH6QR44Nrwjl0PBdBd_7lxmhF2YV9ukQXrNcFAnuH-fZquLg-jY6qj6X6ScBqq1TnUNj8mYv-aLNC86zJp3Cz8_Z-XMA8ntcRjP_4DfXZv3A2SwCP3qpcHoDxMuebkBjvd_og" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj18v2IpjBDwNxVEJOypzOBRSwGPySsyem98I-xVaJLtUcbO2c8dgjByYH6QR44Nrwjl0PBdBd_7lxmhF2YV9ukQXrNcFAnuH-fZquLg-jY6qj6X6ScBqq1TnUNj8mYv-aLNC86zJp3Cz8_Z-XMA8ntcRjP_4DfXZv3A2SwCP3qpcHoDxMuebkBjvd_og" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQr_6MRGjWrdmYNnCDmTRHlztFiqjMid-8lhSpi6toJs5YF77R4_TUm7jUUdhDrKSuSxa8V1IQv0Evq_61F37nbqu0I7V3pJNPyAqQ7VjnNW7ZGRQEQa2GliDbYU38jLXP2RVrs7OePiNY2uiZ9PepDA1gtbmVTr5ueg8Ntu8Nr7fu9TtPLqt_gQE3Fw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQr_6MRGjWrdmYNnCDmTRHlztFiqjMid-8lhSpi6toJs5YF77R4_TUm7jUUdhDrKSuSxa8V1IQv0Evq_61F37nbqu0I7V3pJNPyAqQ7VjnNW7ZGRQEQa2GliDbYU38jLXP2RVrs7OePiNY2uiZ9PepDA1gtbmVTr5ueg8Ntu8Nr7fu9TtPLqt_gQE3Fw" width="320" /></a></div><br />We always do this leg by bus, as taxis in Costa Rica are quite expensive. The ride from Liberia to the border is about $80.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The bus ride takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You’ll get out at
the last stop, which is inside the fence of the Costa Rican border building.
Before you talk to the customs agents in this building, you must have a receipt for the Costa Rican
exit tax (unless you came directly from the airport to the border - this tax is waived if you spend less than 12 hours in the country). Currently there are machines that look like ATMs inside where you can pay it with a credit card, but they have not always reliably worked. It can be paid ahead online (https://www.bancobcr.com/wps/portal/bcr/bancobcr/personas/solicitudes_en_linea/pago_impuesto_salida_terrestre/). If both of those options don't work, you must go back outside the fence (back the way the bus came) to the two
houses where they will take $10, look at your passport, and give you a receipt
for your tax. Either one of the houses will do.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO-YdpDqFVPicjm0jX7lgKy2072AweUKoui7vnoaGVCZ3Q-JojzjKzu99CZMCQZOzD-j2zW5qTWdHReE5H_trwwmpJHk_Uk1YhyPhiCmSIPMt2sCkcnYU_hYuAw5dGMaS0XXPmb0DnJEkpDt0oPsarFAA7rv-V_ln4zC09PU2JpjWjJKxLG3mKJC4zHQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO-YdpDqFVPicjm0jX7lgKy2072AweUKoui7vnoaGVCZ3Q-JojzjKzu99CZMCQZOzD-j2zW5qTWdHReE5H_trwwmpJHk_Uk1YhyPhiCmSIPMt2sCkcnYU_hYuAw5dGMaS0XXPmb0DnJEkpDt0oPsarFAA7rv-V_ln4zC09PU2JpjWjJKxLG3mKJC4zHQ" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Photo: Looking back from where the bus drops you off to where the tax houses are.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBZZasqFndX7mKyc9s9Xwb1psdi_ZyDSFvgmRm0WAOSZ1QgsTUZhvz5OstEFcfRwkfH8ePHnvO6XlWiE9vhfbW2hbf_WEJCaM1K7eZ7SAJVy-5TqBgP3PFMizubEbSs9HfG4JWi8J-QODBozXjY9Q5YMlgq-mTMCzNatUkT5LVIFVTZ53sPi5JDvZyqA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBZZasqFndX7mKyc9s9Xwb1psdi_ZyDSFvgmRm0WAOSZ1QgsTUZhvz5OstEFcfRwkfH8ePHnvO6XlWiE9vhfbW2hbf_WEJCaM1K7eZ7SAJVy-5TqBgP3PFMizubEbSs9HfG4JWi8J-QODBozXjY9Q5YMlgq-mTMCzNatUkT5LVIFVTZ53sPi5JDvZyqA" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9PHzIWHT3t9QGyji-cHkQrSd0PW8DXbyn7TiY2SO4xj-zA-cJEUdR1CU06Ei2H6S1A_4c0P16nMjQznhEQTAkwBSKC65b5mgPf2KwmUEzKbB5pDhhDZjdxayBJX0T6AWP5kC6MV8Iq6t-nBMxa2MXkNS0PnTeCkgd8IjwwGQ1plMmC2wAvZw9jDQSzQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9PHzIWHT3t9QGyji-cHkQrSd0PW8DXbyn7TiY2SO4xj-zA-cJEUdR1CU06Ei2H6S1A_4c0P16nMjQznhEQTAkwBSKC65b5mgPf2KwmUEzKbB5pDhhDZjdxayBJX0T6AWP5kC6MV8Iq6t-nBMxa2MXkNS0PnTeCkgd8IjwwGQ1plMmC2wAvZw9jDQSzQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvSQd4UfbkW94RV0XF3cSoWqiUNenCn9NjjNDL_eep0MiWrjft_zlwhIN1Ss_Xgel5xYAmKBm95Ku3j-RYD2zYOpVLW6Me5vj_X0PutdZk-6wISpKlJIEiH9HPkPAx-VylpmyyqrPlFu-GMC_zzqxsuXnqsR5XNkkvcudylGofIraWe8ToXEPgiDLalw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvSQd4UfbkW94RV0XF3cSoWqiUNenCn9NjjNDL_eep0MiWrjft_zlwhIN1Ss_Xgel5xYAmKBm95Ku3j-RYD2zYOpVLW6Me5vj_X0PutdZk-6wISpKlJIEiH9HPkPAx-VylpmyyqrPlFu-GMC_zzqxsuXnqsR5XNkkvcudylGofIraWe8ToXEPgiDLalw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Inside the Costa Rican border building, you’ll need to show
that exit tax receipt and your passport, and they’ll give you a stamp. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYzAY-WlwZm1DXPdaEAE_fCmoxVD5A4xC9fo3SvlNXXsJkvaa__LNVJa4lMNrnMFZJQUqD02ikArXQQiCmrK9RqOlE3aJLKcgUDtQMY1nXO2okzUGXGlsu3i2jFbtZSXlVVANK02_SZRAVau-hKoAp8D_6UJ3HHQcmqHToG7bdCs00dHjaCy6Ty-U7RQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYzAY-WlwZm1DXPdaEAE_fCmoxVD5A4xC9fo3SvlNXXsJkvaa__LNVJa4lMNrnMFZJQUqD02ikArXQQiCmrK9RqOlE3aJLKcgUDtQMY1nXO2okzUGXGlsu3i2jFbtZSXlVVANK02_SZRAVau-hKoAp8D_6UJ3HHQcmqHToG7bdCs00dHjaCy6Ty-U7RQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Once
you’re out, you’ll be walking a ways to the Nicaraguan side with a couple stops
along the way to show random police your passport (if walking is too difficult, sometimes there are bicycle taxis who can help). Go north (the bus came from the south):<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggyJZUmnePbuifJHNWyoS6TF-bIDEEYdW4_kPhgh9pnP20E_4CnP05Mjm5_vJA0sX6ie6quy3l2JadoFwOAfd7yiTW3eqBnfF-xjxNQDWEz3qk7lndSAwTSVUM-Rf7bfp8144Bo9swJn5nEXHR99Xg7TCodGF7I06gnwCfEkWfI_D-KA1d6XdorUsv4A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggyJZUmnePbuifJHNWyoS6TF-bIDEEYdW4_kPhgh9pnP20E_4CnP05Mjm5_vJA0sX6ie6quy3l2JadoFwOAfd7yiTW3eqBnfF-xjxNQDWEz3qk7lndSAwTSVUM-Rf7bfp8144Bo9swJn5nEXHR99Xg7TCodGF7I06gnwCfEkWfI_D-KA1d6XdorUsv4A" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Cross the road just past the fence:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOxnwaevvp5l1FLpEpkjICCjB2bIoU4OctsKw5qRS4Bc6KnBoczxo0-eMVlqNh_lIlrkDYjp0kQcoQak4vadqWU5STV8uY-DrCkmNM5-viPYTLEMW4Hx-V6miV29IE8fGVWLLxmwEXN4jHCXYdPoDMgrg3wQ8m-yPvqjOvOyKN4JRnYBIWqzyVnaPbzQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOxnwaevvp5l1FLpEpkjICCjB2bIoU4OctsKw5qRS4Bc6KnBoczxo0-eMVlqNh_lIlrkDYjp0kQcoQak4vadqWU5STV8uY-DrCkmNM5-viPYTLEMW4Hx-V6miV29IE8fGVWLLxmwEXN4jHCXYdPoDMgrg3wQ8m-yPvqjOvOyKN4JRnYBIWqzyVnaPbzQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Just in case the police in the little white shed want to see
your passport – they sometimes do, sometimes don’t.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHOhpYAV_ob-dVQlsfRXo8N1UPj_ui398fBrZJBwaEieWl3srG_0uKgAziTjmB0B2HjEHN4Y32-_-mvCTRp5_Qj9H9iUXXIFvGzFwv1w-RuwyiOuimikUuA9YMqG1zA3_3Jq_y16vu0F5lEoDPdGePUxan5tk_J7wA0_C8nla3XWPXOd85CyLOtIgOLA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHOhpYAV_ob-dVQlsfRXo8N1UPj_ui398fBrZJBwaEieWl3srG_0uKgAziTjmB0B2HjEHN4Y32-_-mvCTRp5_Qj9H9iUXXIFvGzFwv1w-RuwyiOuimikUuA9YMqG1zA3_3Jq_y16vu0F5lEoDPdGePUxan5tk_J7wA0_C8nla3XWPXOd85CyLOtIgOLA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Keep going north, and cross the road again so you can show
the police on the sidewalk your passport <strike>and COVID vaccination proof</strike>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4q6OccA3Jsx7QnJT5v938CxuozO-LlQw5V-B-_kqzUgbhSmU86piTii-oqM0OBV3NZ83IMkzRlsL6WvKD1PniDpvxTJ_xX1a0xEc9gQNNQrCOZywWYwz9a3JgKkyhcReTzdwhZPX1j3ZWsGRY3LGgrOC9fU5nH-hX_0R-2pB4HW_QLdS4gsPzUFNy3A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4q6OccA3Jsx7QnJT5v938CxuozO-LlQw5V-B-_kqzUgbhSmU86piTii-oqM0OBV3NZ83IMkzRlsL6WvKD1PniDpvxTJ_xX1a0xEc9gQNNQrCOZywWYwz9a3JgKkyhcReTzdwhZPX1j3ZWsGRY3LGgrOC9fU5nH-hX_0R-2pB4HW_QLdS4gsPzUFNy3A" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">You’ll finally get to the Nicaraguan border building.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_z0G2rN3HK-thUulhTWEpr7kle3x3z6u472pD76JdFYXdz_pIIPoALewAuQJy-NGI9a5wqoZTebdBUt04XJhXxnYIIsfs8YaHxS0Bms8eUbLT8FVvT7SxevHlLVBuL8OjSf_JCT8NOS_ex-4Bk4W35QrIeZHYUIdljKv61NlBvNF_KquvontcTw_R8g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_z0G2rN3HK-thUulhTWEpr7kle3x3z6u472pD76JdFYXdz_pIIPoALewAuQJy-NGI9a5wqoZTebdBUt04XJhXxnYIIsfs8YaHxS0Bms8eUbLT8FVvT7SxevHlLVBuL8OjSf_JCT8NOS_ex-4Bk4W35QrIeZHYUIdljKv61NlBvNF_KquvontcTw_R8g" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><strike>You’ll first need to stop by the nurses’ window to show your
COVID vaccination proof. They will give you a card to bring with you into the
building.<o:p></o:p></strike></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkCnZVeHNeTS0mGasfgbzj3-_w0fMPhJYpVeqH9z0JPiXdFZ4w9mqgmJ9udiqeb3kv7iepNtfhLrmOjZE_ktZTVqIcMRw0Zfeu7XDUsOFJ9IivODY_ct1xF_KbFBL432oG4EKslcf-9puUoaXq6bWtd0Y3Gog9804Fdba5hLJKYMejno25ILmVwKAb-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkCnZVeHNeTS0mGasfgbzj3-_w0fMPhJYpVeqH9z0JPiXdFZ4w9mqgmJ9udiqeb3kv7iepNtfhLrmOjZE_ktZTVqIcMRw0Zfeu7XDUsOFJ9IivODY_ct1xF_KbFBL432oG4EKslcf-9puUoaXq6bWtd0Y3Gog9804Fdba5hLJKYMejno25ILmVwKAb-w" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Once inside the main building, someone will approach you to
pay a $1 municipal tax to be in the building. They will often refuse to give change,
so have $1 for them. Then you’ll go to one of the windows that is staffed and
get your entry stamp – they will want to see your passport and get $13, and they also often don’t give change. They will likely ask for where you are going in
Nicaragua, and this is where a screenshot of a hotel reservation or friends’
phone numbers and addresses will be useful. When done there, you’ll go to the
x-ray booth to run your baggage through.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our recent trip through the border was one of the fastest we
have done, taking 50 minutes from when the bus dropped us off on the Costa
Rican side to when we got out of the Nicaraguan border side. If lines are long
or if immigration decides to ask you lots of extra questions (which happens to
us since we have so many Nicaragua/Costa Rica stamps and typically won’t happen
to tourists), it could take two or three hours. This uncertainty is why we only
attempt the border crossing with a morning start from Liberia.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once you are out of the building, keep walking north toward
the exit of the parking lot. A couple bus companies can park their busses here,
but they are the high-cost companies. If you’re looking for a cheap ride or a
taxi, pass by these busses. Head for the exit, where you will show your
passport one last time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkr9IblBjvaqeD5yGWDSEivNN4cgGHn4JTS9weUAJfgqVhBTGX0EFZSCo5q6eHvSVU1hFeDRQI489WrJnT1hkbXg6RFr4QK-zloyQisKGHuj3YY9Bvm8TTg7QSWlGD2c_PuOThDyHP9H4PMkNwaGLRMhge8FMbB0AkgY2rTBp0jUVjbCNllFfVt0Vaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkr9IblBjvaqeD5yGWDSEivNN4cgGHn4JTS9weUAJfgqVhBTGX0EFZSCo5q6eHvSVU1hFeDRQI489WrJnT1hkbXg6RFr4QK-zloyQisKGHuj3YY9Bvm8TTg7QSWlGD2c_PuOThDyHP9H4PMkNwaGLRMhge8FMbB0AkgY2rTBp0jUVjbCNllFfVt0Vaw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO9xpjD2FYQ57EQSlO1VKRD-qmKcaxgakYog4zgUNoBgs48PPBdkJJBq8H67ncdw48MgqogVYh22Kc2zafojtTMcdrqEcuOMefwFo23aBEJTEsDp0UjA8k09xZdaJeutQwavYkBgsjBKmnS9Hlpbr27KjY_a6ifW35aWbPkQILmaOlMq7LeDdGs9J4fw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO9xpjD2FYQ57EQSlO1VKRD-qmKcaxgakYog4zgUNoBgs48PPBdkJJBq8H67ncdw48MgqogVYh22Kc2zafojtTMcdrqEcuOMefwFo23aBEJTEsDp0UjA8k09xZdaJeutQwavYkBgsjBKmnS9Hlpbr27KjY_a6ifW35aWbPkQILmaOlMq7LeDdGs9J4fw" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: In the background is the last passport checkpoint. We didn't want to appear to be taking the police officer's photo, so this is the best we've got.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As soon as you are past this checkpoint, you will be
bombarded with taxis, money changers, and phone sim card vendors. Rumor has it
these money changers offer good value, but we don’t know from experience. We
did get ripped off by a phone sim seller, so we won’t get it there again –
we’ll wait until we can get to the real shop near home. If you want to take a
taxi to the Ometepe ferry from here, the price should be $25 or less for a private taxi. A collectivo taxi (multiple people), might charge 100-200 cordobas, but they are hard to find among the private taxistas bomarding you if you look like a tourist. All taxistas will
try to sell it to you for more, so prepare to bargain. If you want to take a
bus, keep walking north a block or two’s distance until you see the bus station
on the left.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4stI4N1jtO9o6enNT7D-Rep188LdQ6nL2_PPUahRDRNnoBPfpI95cdlrOrdNdWghRo-PPx8E9-8EJMsrvlb164k46kLzgtX6vRexOoLVCklxp41LqTVxqmI_dd2MRdA7pBYlzBFAnC5z5cIntS1yoy6D_afA4xqLULx0ABDG0e7omsfhS8zfEM_CM0Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4stI4N1jtO9o6enNT7D-Rep188LdQ6nL2_PPUahRDRNnoBPfpI95cdlrOrdNdWghRo-PPx8E9-8EJMsrvlb164k46kLzgtX6vRexOoLVCklxp41LqTVxqmI_dd2MRdA7pBYlzBFAnC5z5cIntS1yoy6D_afA4xqLULx0ABDG0e7omsfhS8zfEM_CM0Q" width="320" /></a></div><br />The bus will be going at least to Rivas, and perhaps farther
north. In Nicaragua, you talk to the bus’s “ayudante” (“helper”), not the
driver. You don’t pay up front, you wait for the ayudante to come by sometime
on the ride to take your money.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6r7etxrJoaIa8ky8OveFMPFSlLLMV0rYJZv8dkyboXZ2Q3Vcmb8HhQPlH-HKpRp1iYgNnL0hrhPvG-ORfpPVb3zYUXaANkOPnpnTVwov4XanNL1zDieLR-3yrsqRz1VYPaBfMQG8zTY_03My4Wqv-tpDMmD1Cha9WwTRP_AS-DxACW4i7SRwzMn8r7A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6r7etxrJoaIa8ky8OveFMPFSlLLMV0rYJZv8dkyboXZ2Q3Vcmb8HhQPlH-HKpRp1iYgNnL0hrhPvG-ORfpPVb3zYUXaANkOPnpnTVwov4XanNL1zDieLR-3yrsqRz1VYPaBfMQG8zTY_03My4Wqv-tpDMmD1Cha9WwTRP_AS-DxACW4i7SRwzMn8r7A" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: A particularly crowded bus with the ayudante taking money. If you don’t give
exact change, don’t be shocked if the ayudante takes your larger bill and walks
away for a while – they will return with your change before you leave the bus.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will take the bus from the border to “la gasolinera” in
Rivas (40 cordobas or just over $1, less than one hour). If you say
you’re going to San Jorge (the mainland port town for the ferry to Ometepe),
they should offer “la gasolinera,” and if you ask they will let you know when
you’re near the stop so you can get off in time. It is easy to miss this stop if you are on a bus going beyond Rivas, so it's good to ask someone to help you, or take a taxi if you are not certain. Rivas-direct buses will turn into the bus station, about 5 blocks west of the gasolinera, where you will be bombarded with aggressively overcharging taxistas, so if you end up there, it's best to walk east towards the gasolinera and get a cheaper taxi.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyZTOmSLbkn260LSBNK7CHn7w5aBJVY_CADLHs_l2TrsV1nO6p0HhTy-jWFyD122zDT1s-q6tsVAlS6KY3QqBd6G1LJWFEmsqhgRJV3o9Yku9ZusCpqJWR4k5ffuonx3EGtjSTjn_cJ0G8QeeKxW4AH9ZnMCJCy9ovz5hG09hGljIALk1iXo8mUQm38g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyZTOmSLbkn260LSBNK7CHn7w5aBJVY_CADLHs_l2TrsV1nO6p0HhTy-jWFyD122zDT1s-q6tsVAlS6KY3QqBd6G1LJWFEmsqhgRJV3o9Yku9ZusCpqJWR4k5ffuonx3EGtjSTjn_cJ0G8QeeKxW4AH9ZnMCJCy9ovz5hG09hGljIALk1iXo8mUQm38g" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: The sign before the gasolinera in Rivas.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMfOm2FsIIN-OlvZ8B3fsLw7OtCZ4dfeNqciSwAF602uOHPNf3OVDTV4o0EbyRgzcVq5KsnM0CQI8MAeVHNij-I_jtnBm9Vx4cEDNY81K1Zr1MUHAr7nILsUmz4p27o7QL1gJP0r4vGy6ty37z9c0MAmSV4h1VTCZkwMV_FIdUE5icDY99-a4XCccLIQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMfOm2FsIIN-OlvZ8B3fsLw7OtCZ4dfeNqciSwAF602uOHPNf3OVDTV4o0EbyRgzcVq5KsnM0CQI8MAeVHNij-I_jtnBm9Vx4cEDNY81K1Zr1MUHAr7nILsUmz4p27o7QL1gJP0r4vGy6ty37z9c0MAmSV4h1VTCZkwMV_FIdUE5icDY99-a4XCccLIQ" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: The gasolinera at the turnoff to the Ometepe ferry.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you get off at the gasolinera, you may be lucky to have
a bus going by to San Gorge and the ferry dock, but they are much less frequent
than other busses. We usually take a “colectivo,” or a taxi that will pick up
other people on the way (30 cordoba or $1, ten to fifteen minutes). They may charge you a little more for being a foreigner, or charge you up to double if you have extremely bulky luggage, but never pay more than double the going price!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFq5WTgG6GPtQmlFTKBhK_nHfEWlq3J8TviyMmFhp2b4OhqwFO3JBt3cDrE5wkazGt1r3NMj4mEa8N6cVdQnmbF_B57GVI_HnpjjabhQIgoRm9PEx-8T93KsG562HIue4G5nynFG_eWVjqu0OgArF4dvIzXJLdlGCR2JltHQ0uQdLWWCfOMVEL-tmg4w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFq5WTgG6GPtQmlFTKBhK_nHfEWlq3J8TviyMmFhp2b4OhqwFO3JBt3cDrE5wkazGt1r3NMj4mEa8N6cVdQnmbF_B57GVI_HnpjjabhQIgoRm9PEx-8T93KsG562HIue4G5nynFG_eWVjqu0OgArF4dvIzXJLdlGCR2JltHQ0uQdLWWCfOMVEL-tmg4w" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: “Colectivos” or taxi rideshares who will take you from the gasolinera to the
ferry dock.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">**NOTE** There have been reports of fraud at the port. If
someone comes up to you here and tells you that you need reservations for
transportation on the island, or that there are no hotels with space, etc –
IGNORE THEM. They will give you ridiculous prices and dubious reservations. If someone offers to help you through the process of paying fees and
buying ferry tickets, sometimes they are legit – but as soon as they say
they can arrange transport, hotels, or tours for you on the Ometepe side, get
away from them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will be dropped off outside the gate to the port. At the
small booth next to the gate, you’ll pay a $1 (they keep up with the current
exchange rate, currently 37 cordobas) port fee. You will be given a small
receipt – keep this on you just in case you are asked for it, which rarely but
occasionally happens.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2tSqEpziX4fwTAWi2kGjQwUSVFy3cxplTVlmGuQVmWKZa7YglEX1iLiUmlxerR8s1Lc5mk2Kfrx74C_vofVG47CDP1s-q2YlOnY2Peyk6zuNoyz2IWFaP-c4eX8ULzFj8LkIlvrBCgRCdd-xRb-tDa4528NKhVjiGeq96e3IBqsTREhddekA7bGXkNw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2tSqEpziX4fwTAWi2kGjQwUSVFy3cxplTVlmGuQVmWKZa7YglEX1iLiUmlxerR8s1Lc5mk2Kfrx74C_vofVG47CDP1s-q2YlOnY2Peyk6zuNoyz2IWFaP-c4eX8ULzFj8LkIlvrBCgRCdd-xRb-tDa4528NKhVjiGeq96e3IBqsTREhddekA7bGXkNw" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Pass through the gate and walk past the parking lots. You
will see a set of buildings on the left where you can purchase ferry tickets
(50 cordobas). If the ferry is about to leave in the next ten minutes, skip
this step and buy your ticket on the ferry during the ride. If you have time,
though, they prefer you buy tickets at these windows. Check the schedule above
the awnings for which ferry company is providing the next ferry, then go to
that company’s window to buy your ticket. They are usually honest at the window and will tell you if they are the next ferry or not. We try to keep the schedule up to date at:<o:p></o:p><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation" target="_blank">https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation</a></p>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtejveOFpzwUenZA72LH-xscRC0QNTbUgo5CWe9h5i4zU2fkPFvT5OLtDYaKMrw4xlsRy--c-Is4g3l7xcXSTFeR_LP9D9rGjwxTJtrJpE12A5WT68kbGpuf1c--BlAJlXWdsEq-3tF_ATCwxOO3fXkJoR4RlAQTZBnQ1BlGLCuN1rotlNA8hKg1DHMA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtejveOFpzwUenZA72LH-xscRC0QNTbUgo5CWe9h5i4zU2fkPFvT5OLtDYaKMrw4xlsRy--c-Is4g3l7xcXSTFeR_LP9D9rGjwxTJtrJpE12A5WT68kbGpuf1c--BlAJlXWdsEq-3tF_ATCwxOO3fXkJoR4RlAQTZBnQ1BlGLCuN1rotlNA8hKg1DHMA" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuXVAQp73ohaFzRHit70AziBDgMLb3iq72zsNOHQxpoh_jqQ8be_lAu-Zkl8lKd4psTfdSzh2tcTu0M2eVRHIq2luz03moWxrpXS0YUMCbUOuqKshIKfVjMuht3E_ZztPHTOP-wVbkG2KYpBIo9WO7yXMqLesSwHjXn8j_dN4xGFqtp8UPz3Qcy5kJKw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuXVAQp73ohaFzRHit70AziBDgMLb3iq72zsNOHQxpoh_jqQ8be_lAu-Zkl8lKd4psTfdSzh2tcTu0M2eVRHIq2luz03moWxrpXS0YUMCbUOuqKshIKfVjMuht3E_ZztPHTOP-wVbkG2KYpBIo9WO7yXMqLesSwHjXn8j_dN4xGFqtp8UPz3Qcy5kJKw" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Keep walking toward the dock. If you have lots of extra time, there are a couple small restaurants that you can relax at, buying a drink or a meal. Once it’s time for the boat, you’ll pass through another gate where someone will approach you with a clipboard and ask you to write down your name and passport number. This is required by the government for everyone boarding the ferry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3mQFF18tQZzIT1wsc88srsmwHeM0UuVMBs0M6FReq_Kfi6Zr6mnsXMaj_FYJjspMY_u4-uwA7qUT_eFaeowbpky6QqJb1LlltJ61d70QoVweKpO6N0pCN-iYVjdtCCLIkqhtJHl8pF499YFSwd2H-0vSt25nsRL3faNwPyOx4WCPbZp1D0P6uCLLgaw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3mQFF18tQZzIT1wsc88srsmwHeM0UuVMBs0M6FReq_Kfi6Zr6mnsXMaj_FYJjspMY_u4-uwA7qUT_eFaeowbpky6QqJb1LlltJ61d70QoVweKpO6N0pCN-iYVjdtCCLIkqhtJHl8pF499YFSwd2H-0vSt25nsRL3faNwPyOx4WCPbZp1D0P6uCLLgaw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy the ride! It takes a little over an hour from San
Jorge on the mainland to Moyogalpa on the island. (One or two ferries a day go
to San Jose del Sur, another port on Ometepe that isn’t too far from Moyogalpa
– if you end up on this ferry, the landing is pretty simple, as there should be
a bus waiting which will take you to Altagracia, etc. For the purposes of this
blog, we’re assuming you land in Moyogalpa.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjoGWWYG7zPVdnbzpNtiAhIjf6RFCakzBkdNK62osCQX16Buf5f62Dh1itrb-iXYyzPKSJ3kgUcgUlOP-In6f1lU6aEncQCjF8RFoIzlaPls1z-w3eO1XNLMI4yGMNzd3GDerqAW5qW4Bw4JjtAJ9Dsvt24-B1HAvT_KM6EqQV-nqVadsqTuXddxcYw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijjoGWWYG7zPVdnbzpNtiAhIjf6RFCakzBkdNK62osCQX16Buf5f62Dh1itrb-iXYyzPKSJ3kgUcgUlOP-In6f1lU6aEncQCjF8RFoIzlaPls1z-w3eO1XNLMI4yGMNzd3GDerqAW5qW4Bw4JjtAJ9Dsvt24-B1HAvT_KM6EqQV-nqVadsqTuXddxcYw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">The exact dock you’ll land at in Moyogalpa depends on the
water level. They are close together, but on different sides of the bus st<span style="font-family: inherit;">op <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">(see 2023 note below - the bus stop is temporarily up one block</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">)</span>.</span><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span>If you walk off the ferry and see a large sculpture of the island’s two
volcanoes, go left to find the bus stop <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">(see 2023 note below</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">)</span>. If you walk off the ferry and see
strange parking lots and have to walk through a small gate past a building to
follow the crowd, the bus stop will be to your right <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">(see 2023 note below</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">)</span>. You are looking for a
building marked “Ferry El Che Guevara.” We try to keep bus schedules up to date at: <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation">https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu2ty9HMk3AYB2S4fzYneVs_-5TbKH-UC4mBfOfxzrpDNg7IBI7dWV2vTAapM7l7psiwbUJX_-AmZCaLkyPE6TvzWROZ6NlmH-Wxk4C2af-c6SgxFN6ZpC3-msQXId_YXTA-cWVFWJ2-wesIeha-UBtqWiRg0vo9Oce_5Fe1T8_goT7ca0Mx9AD4vaoQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhu2ty9HMk3AYB2S4fzYneVs_-5TbKH-UC4mBfOfxzrpDNg7IBI7dWV2vTAapM7l7psiwbUJX_-AmZCaLkyPE6TvzWROZ6NlmH-Wxk4C2af-c6SgxFN6ZpC3-msQXId_YXTA-cWVFWJ2-wesIeha-UBtqWiRg0vo9Oce_5Fe1T8_goT7ca0Mx9AD4vaoQ" width="320" /></a></div><o:p><br /></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZoy0zqpe9jIehlS67FcNuAYMK-q3fPL22FNVySNb_-fi6vDjbwg7KAazx1XOmuGEsswKxVhhuk5JYJPo3qRFealbi3XWkZq01BQsHzuXu3COrRjdxxUzVEO8HNnPKUE1HaBNhJGgIyOmWM9LfT9sZGdzToltGlHUMNAqDszXW3VYt2GrcBnpPH58bvg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZoy0zqpe9jIehlS67FcNuAYMK-q3fPL22FNVySNb_-fi6vDjbwg7KAazx1XOmuGEsswKxVhhuk5JYJPo3qRFealbi3XWkZq01BQsHzuXu3COrRjdxxUzVEO8HNnPKUE1HaBNhJGgIyOmWM9LfT9sZGdzToltGlHUMNAqDszXW3VYt2GrcBnpPH58bvg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Photos: Coming out of the higher-water port, <strike>with the bus stop to the right.</strike></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnoAV16SZerK1_LoHahLc1SGGT-6iQAcbqoGTBrpIyibRG1nEfzo-UF8TBeVaBh5tOJmTedjG4HPT-xeSx3lqF9dMsVYMUnDj4QOpoW14iZW4wB2OxW955tHyanstih8DjX6xrfXHBbuvS21YLRfitUM1085dzeclM1hpjrSoWRpwiMnShE2cjgSBP8g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnoAV16SZerK1_LoHahLc1SGGT-6iQAcbqoGTBrpIyibRG1nEfzo-UF8TBeVaBh5tOJmTedjG4HPT-xeSx3lqF9dMsVYMUnDj4QOpoW14iZW4wB2OxW955tHyanstih8DjX6xrfXHBbuvS21YLRfitUM1085dzeclM1hpjrSoWRpwiMnShE2cjgSBP8g" width="320" /></a></div><br />Late 2023 update - due to road construction, the bus is now picking up at Gasolinera Sta Ana, one block uphill/east/toward the volcano from the port - see photo below<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO2cjCBbY04vFV25zDGZX08r3llZMepbQptw4-nmu7uSMC7d8kwvvqsJDZkq6tk6oTT4Kq7dkvx5VzUjqVDOhdbaTvUNrvT6ycz8U0dPzOVxj1w4iGyu2Tf4LQclDIzEFZgNT81PvGfK5Y1R_07N8Ap2XLkm5pP3FErjj0R0IGwTCXnk2hj-4u0RJEOrV/s736/Peace%20Corps%20Volunteer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="736" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaO2cjCBbY04vFV25zDGZX08r3llZMepbQptw4-nmu7uSMC7d8kwvvqsJDZkq6tk6oTT4Kq7dkvx5VzUjqVDOhdbaTvUNrvT6ycz8U0dPzOVxj1w4iGyu2Tf4LQclDIzEFZgNT81PvGfK5Y1R_07N8Ap2XLkm5pP3FErjj0R0IGwTCXnk2hj-4u0RJEOrV/s320/Peace%20Corps%20Volunteer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gasolinera Sta Ana, the bus stop while construction continues<br />1 block uphill/east/toward the volcano from the old bus stop</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>
The bus will sometimes be waiting when the ferry comes in and take off shortly after, but sometimes it
won’t. We had to wait about 45 minutes for our bus.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Busses from Moyogalpa all go to Altagracia first (22
cordobas, 1 hour), and will sometimes continue on to the other side of the
island. Busses are the way to go on the island for the majority of your travel,
as taxis are expensive here, $30+ to get anywhere. Some taxistas will tell you there are no buses to trick you into buying their service--be careful!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGfbYi-XXU0F_OBGYpHKT3n4iP3Govm6hkv7dCCrdGx_1p65iRhuDlXWpZZnbH8soV1cjOjhnMbbmoGjc66EWqbQ2S9gxvO8uUSxscwe7M8O4nOGJxRw5Xfu6P60Q2h-MnxX9FhkhJURDspY3lVlOuMcrwhjB-O2STWDw_j-_ULiGJiultqmPjC_j0ag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGfbYi-XXU0F_OBGYpHKT3n4iP3Govm6hkv7dCCrdGx_1p65iRhuDlXWpZZnbH8soV1cjOjhnMbbmoGjc66EWqbQ2S9gxvO8uUSxscwe7M8O4nOGJxRw5Xfu6P60Q2h-MnxX9FhkhJURDspY3lVlOuMcrwhjB-O2STWDw_j-_ULiGJiultqmPjC_j0ag" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: The bus stop at the park in Altagracia<br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re heading to Centro PUMA in Altagracia, which we
highly recommend, you’ll get off at the main Altagracia stop at the park, then
walk one block ahead, turn left, and go one block more. We’ve got refreshing
coffee and smoothies for the weary traveler, a chill place to hang out, and
good tour info <span style="font-family: inherit;">if you’re interested. Visit our <a href="https://www.guiasunidos.org/centro-puma/" target="_blank">webpage</a>, <a href="https://g.co/kgs/7nhCLD" target="_blank">google profile</a>, or<a href="https://www.facebook.com/guiasunidosnicaragua/" target="_blank"> facebook page</a> for our updated opening hours:<br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #202124;">Our webpage: <a href="https://www.guiasunidos.org/centro-puma/">https://www.guiasunidos.org/centro-puma/</a></span><br /><span style="color: #202124;">Google: <a href="https://g.co/kgs/7nhCLD">https://g.co/kgs/7nhCLD</a></span><br /></span>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/guiasunidosnicaragua/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/guiasunidosnicaragua/</a></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEAJQ8VC5a74zqZy85y5tR7kaBmeoivvExUeR_owfnK0sVBoHGNVyysnkPuNh3xb2Yv9tbdHxH9fUiGsJwzSqQgXUrR2XBxI_85R4vCIaslvcSkjatiipIZT1wGqE1vhpmGety0QsVOjlfJQ4jYZrZVUyJ0oZpHwzz0KJg1wbm7415mCaGkKq5cC2W1g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEAJQ8VC5a74zqZy85y5tR7kaBmeoivvExUeR_owfnK0sVBoHGNVyysnkPuNh3xb2Yv9tbdHxH9fUiGsJwzSqQgXUrR2XBxI_85R4vCIaslvcSkjatiipIZT1wGqE1vhpmGety0QsVOjlfJQ4jYZrZVUyJ0oZpHwzz0KJg1wbm7415mCaGkKq5cC2W1g" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re heading to the Maderas side of the island, you can
go into Altagracia and pick up a bus at the main station at the park going to Balgue or
Merida. All Maderas busses will pass through Santo Domingo and Santa Cruz. Or if you want to
skip Altagracia, you can get off the Moyogalpa-Altagracia bus at El Quino
(pronounced El Key-no) and wait there for the next bus heading your way. Sometimes a bus is waiting at El Quino for the Moyogalpa-Altagracia bus to pass to pick up passengers transferring to the south end of the island (like the pink bus in the picture below). <o:p></o:p>We try to keep bus schedules up to date at: <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation">https://sites.google.com/view/pumatoursometepe/ometepe-transportation</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_unhDwAfINBAq5snmxTPh_Ey6oJQ0EpWepRUUeR5l_n-D7gN-07RSFSHMQVvN5KpWzAnOP39nwQZfMZqS0gIfv3ZBkBpYJ66Jvm7sQjKfbDwn5UGSa0PD6pq3Yizt6MKBIwOt9qWHeI0NKuFKuYGe4bOrBulfyudA3vfo4Mn2-_oBdDgrSFBzK9QbAw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_unhDwAfINBAq5snmxTPh_Ey6oJQ0EpWepRUUeR5l_n-D7gN-07RSFSHMQVvN5KpWzAnOP39nwQZfMZqS0gIfv3ZBkBpYJ66Jvm7sQjKfbDwn5UGSa0PD6pq3Yizt6MKBIwOt9qWHeI0NKuFKuYGe4bOrBulfyudA3vfo4Mn2-_oBdDgrSFBzK9QbAw" width="320" /></a></div>Photo: The bus stop at El Quino<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Enjoy your stay on La Isla, the oasis of peace!<o:p></o:p></p></div>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-51529404420224911492022-04-02T09:41:00.000-07:002022-04-02T09:41:31.635-07:00Reopening for a new future!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The new centro PUMA is open!</span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After 2 years in pandemic during which we moved the center to a new location that needed major restoration, we are fully back in service. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7eEgRbZ2GztoyM4c2MyujEUl9L3-ckV8Sx9NkmsZ9eagKT5b6BRDT2qSj_EXnreXy6L8Trbf_nKxlniOQVy1vVukU3ZygDisIoQdTSi_uLL9P9a95bpeHKbCBwzid0ULluE5dKmzy8j6bPvaKzohO1LtfeXHB8KB96okUbNgZVavweuoXbJo-gaPi5g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7eEgRbZ2GztoyM4c2MyujEUl9L3-ckV8Sx9NkmsZ9eagKT5b6BRDT2qSj_EXnreXy6L8Trbf_nKxlniOQVy1vVukU3ZygDisIoQdTSi_uLL9P9a95bpeHKbCBwzid0ULluE5dKmzy8j6bPvaKzohO1LtfeXHB8KB96okUbNgZVavweuoXbJo-gaPi5g" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what is Centro PUMA? Centro PUMA is our community center and cafe where locals and foreigners come together for a common cause. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFlkfPoIMzQ3tHAHzovmf_qBAQqaVs6GhaCcDsgf47Zr-vcEcgLx3GmhZmlPJX1nBntFOTpvnjmagchd2l_91nkUo53rVaLs1maKB-Nxty86cb72VGTGgi1LohrUD2A5uLTjLPpAXI5v2m_8k7eocIooDFmfctR4k88YMKfIKgz6NWJ3rAT-q9UPWxeQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="1351" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFlkfPoIMzQ3tHAHzovmf_qBAQqaVs6GhaCcDsgf47Zr-vcEcgLx3GmhZmlPJX1nBntFOTpvnjmagchd2l_91nkUo53rVaLs1maKB-Nxty86cb72VGTGgi1LohrUD2A5uLTjLPpAXI5v2m_8k7eocIooDFmfctR4k88YMKfIKgz6NWJ3rAT-q9UPWxeQ" width="160" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our cafe is run by tour guides and teachers who serve the community, so it is less like a restaurant and more like having a refreshment at a friend's house. If you are coming for coffee, a smoothie, salad, or snack, you can chat with our staff about their projects while enjoying the beautiful ambiance of our new location.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeVElCfylTyhrMOXBtRjXxTY4wTNeKKTJhe57KpVlfPNPFxg_OzOgGho_Hd1Td70nMY189CbuI604BR2-aKXsqq5ETfMWTL9w8Z8uSGhk1YovkLwasNn2c2MPjO_lRPEMt2jUpkfTBqijUTmTwhvFKwTWDAEEWkt1jW7ug1egyB2t12uQfRH-yLQxtuQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeVElCfylTyhrMOXBtRjXxTY4wTNeKKTJhe57KpVlfPNPFxg_OzOgGho_Hd1Td70nMY189CbuI604BR2-aKXsqq5ETfMWTL9w8Z8uSGhk1YovkLwasNn2c2MPjO_lRPEMt2jUpkfTBqijUTmTwhvFKwTWDAEEWkt1jW7ug1egyB2t12uQfRH-yLQxtuQ" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Know that all donations and all proceeds from our tours and cafe go to serve the community. We currently offer free english classes to the community,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgALQbBt3YMIkD7Ex8_4RDSTzX5U6mZZwUMSDh4Jgxri-OaaUjLk7_TpejwfnOplY0qJv2B5eGc4odP2IjX6oVMlojC1FIAFEBnf2zsOP1fohsq5QXWIhMIUgIsA_Z_vuPeiL5iCDXxZW-kSIyyOqqLq_cEtMLPR8KeBfOdzYH2UgtvEhaoUEBdCP46RQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgALQbBt3YMIkD7Ex8_4RDSTzX5U6mZZwUMSDh4Jgxri-OaaUjLk7_TpejwfnOplY0qJv2B5eGc4odP2IjX6oVMlojC1FIAFEBnf2zsOP1fohsq5QXWIhMIUgIsA_Z_vuPeiL5iCDXxZW-kSIyyOqqLq_cEtMLPR8KeBfOdzYH2UgtvEhaoUEBdCP46RQ" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">we offer after-school tutoring and educational games and activities for kids, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW6fcb6CJol9tj18SsB5l701Q6_oFsVB6miJP4_y_QuQZjlPS4QtVhLRR8FE26vzRW_xJCtFWjk08f_5G1FxOCc3R19HKnsV5c_okYHua09xK2SIzFA-8y7IcrqBinqd6TPD-2C28pwWcg-DymRFD-4Vr3xkvCeUfzeDuPm7rRZ7GNVCxraUIYAng0fA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2355" data-original-width="3301" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW6fcb6CJol9tj18SsB5l701Q6_oFsVB6miJP4_y_QuQZjlPS4QtVhLRR8FE26vzRW_xJCtFWjk08f_5G1FxOCc3R19HKnsV5c_okYHua09xK2SIzFA-8y7IcrqBinqd6TPD-2C28pwWcg-DymRFD-4Vr3xkvCeUfzeDuPm7rRZ7GNVCxraUIYAng0fA" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and we have a library with local reference materials, guide books, pop fiction in multiple languages, school books, language learning resources, games, and musical instruments free to all visitors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgna5kk8j5ySsTZzuiEVq-BAK_0DVDul1W28XE1_opjMxDPiRyZLVSscIFt4fA70kHIoXObbXWNmcStjpW7e6qsaOiPLfJrroUktNsZLXjQTEjB8jcdkxjIhkh-gtgFz8-sKSWoeFDCeKBDEGFwNcNrKYqyNxtg3MdRBQslmlBdRWo79XksYYYC3xLc0g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="2544" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgna5kk8j5ySsTZzuiEVq-BAK_0DVDul1W28XE1_opjMxDPiRyZLVSscIFt4fA70kHIoXObbXWNmcStjpW7e6qsaOiPLfJrroUktNsZLXjQTEjB8jcdkxjIhkh-gtgFz8-sKSWoeFDCeKBDEGFwNcNrKYqyNxtg3MdRBQslmlBdRWo79XksYYYC3xLc0g" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are Centro <span style="color: #38761d;"><b><u>PUMA</u></b></span>, <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><u>P</u></span></b>rotectores <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><u>U</u></span></b>nidos por el <b><span style="color: #38761d;"><u>M</u></span></b>edio <span style="color: #38761d;"><u><b>A</b></u></span>mbiente, or the United Protectors of the Environment. Our ultimate goal is environment. By empowering the community with locally-run ecotourism options and teaching the english language skills necessary to run this industry, we help protect Ometepe and the world. Our junior ranger program teaches kids to protect their environment and our reforestation program has been planting 2000 trees every year with the help of the kids who frequent our programs. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK4jbXTQUGOaesTfv5U_oQw3hgu2wc_fyome6ITTX4nHQ9xnSy1JhLIKRQ3yoWqmPctyFqAy76BE-zrMU2-aQ3__kocRkW8yKvRfAJ96BlGec0hs-wAXriFDvMV0_ynM1mO7sEQidBRbrTcu-mSVoGHShTrEWW54QoRi2KpHsY9QOoM6Fy0E04Tvl-Zg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK4jbXTQUGOaesTfv5U_oQw3hgu2wc_fyome6ITTX4nHQ9xnSy1JhLIKRQ3yoWqmPctyFqAy76BE-zrMU2-aQ3__kocRkW8yKvRfAJ96BlGec0hs-wAXriFDvMV0_ynM1mO7sEQidBRbrTcu-mSVoGHShTrEWW54QoRi2KpHsY9QOoM6Fy0E04Tvl-Zg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Volunteer with us, make a donation to the project (<a href="https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=384685">here</a>), or just purchase a tour or sip the best cup of coffee in Altagracia and help support a grass-roots effort to engage the community in the future!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwzZj7EWGFmylO905IVhhbZl9ECv9Ffzs1B3PoplxlHvVAJ4rgEy6rP2GiTfbtg1zihyh-29RBlm1NsPv3c3c4js2tiB9yPVwT4ioUE1SIyaULCA3JMTpaSqv3VkrwqwDk92zrQjBPcEcadgDmIUGjl9SBRY8crAYrf07H1smPvV1Hh3FSimY-OzMK_Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwzZj7EWGFmylO905IVhhbZl9ECv9Ffzs1B3PoplxlHvVAJ4rgEy6rP2GiTfbtg1zihyh-29RBlm1NsPv3c3c4js2tiB9yPVwT4ioUE1SIyaULCA3JMTpaSqv3VkrwqwDk92zrQjBPcEcadgDmIUGjl9SBRY8crAYrf07H1smPvV1Hh3FSimY-OzMK_Q" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take a tour of our new location!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;">Check out the before and after of the restored building, winner of the oldest house on Ometepe competition: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3TstpAIDWpYjYeJewNBuup-J34c_LwsXBpgttV4lAkaU8-A4_ubYo5a_kJKmObGCyAaJdQdHpcdHtAOhyIyQxZ6YQlKXEQ0wX7oWvyBd2V7uUFa6KhswUbEinn3opSiUT9nIRpFToXf0AEISphImc17Ci0orKdWvJ3Whp2PmRgCiPUWfpbTHigcUgJw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3TstpAIDWpYjYeJewNBuup-J34c_LwsXBpgttV4lAkaU8-A4_ubYo5a_kJKmObGCyAaJdQdHpcdHtAOhyIyQxZ6YQlKXEQ0wX7oWvyBd2V7uUFa6KhswUbEinn3opSiUT9nIRpFToXf0AEISphImc17Ci0orKdWvJ3Whp2PmRgCiPUWfpbTHigcUgJw" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXK_IybjfyO4xSFfbXUenJcqOtwyKhSkZgE8cPNCadWOV2CaSGeM4gvH3A_fz7K24g4JlmRq9Px7939_D3_g4_4jF07wMPH2_fHg3C2T1zC_jMmxYYwCTx9_KkN1ACE6slF5KMSwbV1kSMpzrxp_jt5FdhJ7phaCYMWBMNavtaeEKMA6lYwm2CsdZTkA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="2544" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXK_IybjfyO4xSFfbXUenJcqOtwyKhSkZgE8cPNCadWOV2CaSGeM4gvH3A_fz7K24g4JlmRq9Px7939_D3_g4_4jF07wMPH2_fHg3C2T1zC_jMmxYYwCTx9_KkN1ACE6slF5KMSwbV1kSMpzrxp_jt5FdhJ7phaCYMWBMNavtaeEKMA6lYwm2CsdZTkA" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Inside the coffee shop, notice the recycled posts and doors from the old place:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1P0yyn0upKnSk1YxGFblGN-z2-rqntPr-QFkRZqJ9KFvYiUdOvMjI4_TTK9rj2Fd68cRBUbCka-RtxXJr5ghByT9zARRVdTOtf0W-_bUbizTsjfGFr6QLgh6_u8T0UfpH_O4LoaaQtRti_jWRk8It0rXxhnyqfkh5wxVfr17yrCaZUF2dIQyC3BWc7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1P0yyn0upKnSk1YxGFblGN-z2-rqntPr-QFkRZqJ9KFvYiUdOvMjI4_TTK9rj2Fd68cRBUbCka-RtxXJr5ghByT9zARRVdTOtf0W-_bUbizTsjfGFr6QLgh6_u8T0UfpH_O4LoaaQtRti_jWRk8It0rXxhnyqfkh5wxVfr17yrCaZUF2dIQyC3BWc7w" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our walled-in garden, safe and private, will be stunning after establishing more plants in the following wet season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIC7oS06R-QGz4M4yoo-CqQa-rGkXgjsRVxm2mS4kcYf_g5JrrC9LunxcLuXgaw91KkrJ6KiKa8LaO66MWKdYPu7WvVQFzUYRkQ5byJ6AJulJo5jM34eyqZbtX0G7qQ5ng2bBXmHDZAoNrrwinnTGhFkP2Pvk599eeMXeO-_E2rhCPSb3xu8OhlP5mgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIC7oS06R-QGz4M4yoo-CqQa-rGkXgjsRVxm2mS4kcYf_g5JrrC9LunxcLuXgaw91KkrJ6KiKa8LaO66MWKdYPu7WvVQFzUYRkQ5byJ6AJulJo5jM34eyqZbtX0G7qQ5ng2bBXmHDZAoNrrwinnTGhFkP2Pvk599eeMXeO-_E2rhCPSb3xu8OhlP5mgA" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcrzBEp1sLMqPz-vPvcu-2exLOTYufV24xMrdzg9eaZr6jY6CleG7WJqMKtZ3WNMqHqiV4R6CR5gLdzv8AHcueies6wAM3hNssGHsvfVk0_fkAwQ0f3lBGIeK16GJ6-1s2Qa0si9a0ArxmIfGgQzlEXhh7YRUvabO6PjJB30G7QAZV_nxLNZ6aNDF5dA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1699" data-original-width="2544" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcrzBEp1sLMqPz-vPvcu-2exLOTYufV24xMrdzg9eaZr6jY6CleG7WJqMKtZ3WNMqHqiV4R6CR5gLdzv8AHcueies6wAM3hNssGHsvfVk0_fkAwQ0f3lBGIeK16GJ6-1s2Qa0si9a0ArxmIfGgQzlEXhh7YRUvabO6PjJB30G7QAZV_nxLNZ6aNDF5dA" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our conference room for events, classes, and expanded cafe seating space:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRFd-YQdhnV7Zf93EA0Qxi5me1ZXXbDwbQkCf_STU-bR9xXaYp16CYu651EpEduLa6Inm1Nx9HTL58QzMtMJKGC9rIuXGUEIHAxJbxI7eEdK27VKHQKYKVsZstQomiRHemb7p-i6KTAxSLcdjLHhnMsgyd862U7PzkmsChwAaqD-0OP9lusN0Koj5EAw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRFd-YQdhnV7Zf93EA0Qxi5me1ZXXbDwbQkCf_STU-bR9xXaYp16CYu651EpEduLa6Inm1Nx9HTL58QzMtMJKGC9rIuXGUEIHAxJbxI7eEdK27VKHQKYKVsZstQomiRHemb7p-i6KTAxSLcdjLHhnMsgyd862U7PzkmsChwAaqD-0OP9lusN0Koj5EAw" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our classroom annex for extra capacity:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy0tNybBxwAbjQv6ZwMF1PHyearZl3CEfzm7OHYYHrfgAJURpcxuFnR9gbfrJd4SQ0JV_uZC7sgQwBGFpK7JxCf5X0H_Dt5mFCJde1fdOtlm6MNvCd6pS2VDCq5EAMV4MKvB1FJ5yz9ufe73LaAV6VUQ3OtgdYyUkCCT89I0D0VX7rJDluPhB_aQnlgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy0tNybBxwAbjQv6ZwMF1PHyearZl3CEfzm7OHYYHrfgAJURpcxuFnR9gbfrJd4SQ0JV_uZC7sgQwBGFpK7JxCf5X0H_Dt5mFCJde1fdOtlm6MNvCd6pS2VDCq5EAMV4MKvB1FJ5yz9ufe73LaAV6VUQ3OtgdYyUkCCT89I0D0VX7rJDluPhB_aQnlgA" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and a focus on our tourist information area: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGJNFKpsja9cqf4lGawQYEJfJl2loYlS4UQ_i943nwiKczKJLQkln3Jbo4XblkaF9hXLm1HHybtlL7Z0X8S-Vn4YkkxRJ5XbGBIX3CmfBqfMqnCEgweYjBNWOnepgcY2Kd6wGG4CygV4liH0LaOnCEVgkaiWTgfwoCj2sdSFMD6xuQfI02AdMW8D5wqw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGJNFKpsja9cqf4lGawQYEJfJl2loYlS4UQ_i943nwiKczKJLQkln3Jbo4XblkaF9hXLm1HHybtlL7Z0X8S-Vn4YkkxRJ5XbGBIX3CmfBqfMqnCEgweYjBNWOnepgcY2Kd6wGG4CygV4liH0LaOnCEVgkaiWTgfwoCj2sdSFMD6xuQfI02AdMW8D5wqw" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Come visit us in Altagracia! Hang out locally, engage globally!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-31020558786068480332021-10-27T14:04:00.001-07:002021-10-27T14:04:57.060-07:00Pulling through another tough year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pandemic kept a hold of our lives for longer than we hoped. Although then international shutdowns have stymied progress, we cannot emphasize enough how your continued support continues to help lives and protect the environment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nicaraguan guides have effectively lost international tourism, which supports the majority of their profession, so many returned to their family farms or left Ometepe to seek employment elsewhere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Through all this difficulty, Centro PUMA has continued to support our cadre of guides leading community endeavors. We continue with weekly english classes:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyDZYJ4rJ4c/YXm7t7PTHQI/AAAAAAAAA4o/S_HM_XRPpR8f6M5zy7cseuwOylEMN68WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1032/02%2BCWZJ6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyDZYJ4rJ4c/YXm7t7PTHQI/AAAAAAAAA4o/S_HM_XRPpR8f6M5zy7cseuwOylEMN68WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/02%2BCWZJ6553.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and english classes at our partner location in Las Pilas:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SqYR5uYYbAA/YXm81kObr2I/AAAAAAAAA6M/gWRcnBa9Y2IvbpB3VWzULESYVcb7mAxbACLcBGAsYHQ/ATHF2393.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SqYR5uYYbAA/YXm81kObr2I/AAAAAAAAA6M/gWRcnBa9Y2IvbpB3VWzULESYVcb7mAxbACLcBGAsYHQ/ATHF2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have also focused on outdoor activities, including hikes with the graduates from our Junior Ranger program. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TKZEMjzroA/YXm7uMZAhqI/AAAAAAAAA4w/7LToY0ApwR4dvUVLj3D7d4ZQ478o5CQbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/04%2BWZRI2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TKZEMjzroA/YXm7uMZAhqI/AAAAAAAAA4w/7LToY0ApwR4dvUVLj3D7d4ZQ478o5CQbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/04%2BWZRI2164.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are also very proud to continue our native tree program. During the summer of 2021 we planted another 2000 trees. Our guides collected native seeds in the spring and set up our tree nursery in a new location. Here they are preparing the planting soil:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3OEee5aicE/YXm7uNNU29I/AAAAAAAAA4s/BjBFz_eSDaUIP9NfOOKMXSqXacxKHq5-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/06%2BXLNT3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3OEee5aicE/YXm7uNNU29I/AAAAAAAAA4s/BjBFz_eSDaUIP9NfOOKMXSqXacxKHq5-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/06%2BXLNT3234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Elieth shows some of the newly planted tree seedlings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be57JNsDBLU/YXm7ut3FK6I/AAAAAAAAA40/JqqFUNwn_10et28EYEMh2arjS2ZIpg0VACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/08%2BSIKY9978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Be57JNsDBLU/YXm7ut3FK6I/AAAAAAAAA40/JqqFUNwn_10et28EYEMh2arjS2ZIpg0VACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/08%2BSIKY9978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, the most important part are the local children who help us plant the trees</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6C03_HxtuM/YXm7u8hylFI/AAAAAAAAA44/XoOrHQ5_Cbkw3BG0D97buOj9kHtt6U1wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/10%2BIZZT4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6C03_HxtuM/YXm7u8hylFI/AAAAAAAAA44/XoOrHQ5_Cbkw3BG0D97buOj9kHtt6U1wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/10%2BIZZT4218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aS_Ik4a1AyE/YXm7vZ6gZFI/AAAAAAAAA48/p-tt6E4w2CY17YzfWjPmFLVWhBPgtwFegCLcBGAsYHQ/s1032/12%2BBXGV3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aS_Ik4a1AyE/YXm7vZ6gZFI/AAAAAAAAA48/p-tt6E4w2CY17YzfWjPmFLVWhBPgtwFegCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/12%2BBXGV3597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9FDNcPLBZ4/YXm7v2y6UgI/AAAAAAAAA5A/6Fq67OMzAHgyyLJbblHgypAW97a8H0fiACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/14%2B9f886f37-b12e-44af-8197-c6b20d6c3def.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9FDNcPLBZ4/YXm7v2y6UgI/AAAAAAAAA5A/6Fq67OMzAHgyyLJbblHgypAW97a8H0fiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/14%2B9f886f37-b12e-44af-8197-c6b20d6c3def.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We always reward them with a healthy meal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JrTMq4hpsg/YXm7wXbJSnI/AAAAAAAAA5E/YAfh3kZVCqUMWWl-2Y45OmlSiHYzM3tCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/16%2B8581e3c0-4d69-4fdd-9a7f-e1109cd8ec0f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JrTMq4hpsg/YXm7wXbJSnI/AAAAAAAAA5E/YAfh3kZVCqUMWWl-2Y45OmlSiHYzM3tCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/16%2B8581e3c0-4d69-4fdd-9a7f-e1109cd8ec0f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">a fun outing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJVw8fRdIwE/YXm7xbPGELI/AAAAAAAAA5M/uUHmoiqFZFU5y_2ottZTGxiovGKIeUj2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/18%2BKFTM6991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJVw8fRdIwE/YXm7xbPGELI/AAAAAAAAA5M/uUHmoiqFZFU5y_2ottZTGxiovGKIeUj2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/18%2BKFTM6991.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and end with a swim to cool off and clean up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9KkNtVuoVg/YXm7xhbFfdI/AAAAAAAAA5U/RKzOtyHqSEAKEaeriYNNQKIpAxIb1zN6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/20%2B2c2d0cb1-6c42-402b-9bb9-4f82ca37292f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9KkNtVuoVg/YXm7xhbFfdI/AAAAAAAAA5U/RKzOtyHqSEAKEaeriYNNQKIpAxIb1zN6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20%2B2c2d0cb1-6c42-402b-9bb9-4f82ca37292f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We hosted multiple tree-planting outings with dozens of kids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIrPL_z0by4/YXm7xtSmPYI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/5r_MCDhUo4ANAZQocyFFIDLmrM1lfJ5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/22%2B83237b45-3b2b-4263-b099-3ee602cb74ac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NIrPL_z0by4/YXm7xtSmPYI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/5r_MCDhUo4ANAZQocyFFIDLmrM1lfJ5ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/22%2B83237b45-3b2b-4263-b099-3ee602cb74ac.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We also had families "adopt" a native tree to pledge to plant in their home care for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxuHCKBiak/YXm7yZuNpXI/AAAAAAAAA5c/8hlV6_c8Aakm8KLxmbB2UqI-98CkC-fkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/24%2BOYOK8641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="780" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxuHCKBiak/YXm7yZuNpXI/AAAAAAAAA5c/8hlV6_c8Aakm8KLxmbB2UqI-98CkC-fkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/24%2BOYOK8641.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As everything was more difficult this year during the pandemic, so was travel. We, Kate and Jeff (directors of Guias Unidos who sponsor Centro PUMA), were not able to visit the project over the past 1.5 years. Instead, we worked hard at seasonal guiding jobs in the USA. When the National Parks laid off thousands of employees due to Covid, we got jobs as telescope guides at Dark Ranger Telescope Tours in Utah.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omK_Py5BiO0/YXm70avAYWI/AAAAAAAAA5k/6sZGwRut0fUyp2Bpd0b8sRpC4xa1GAMGACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/26%2BIMG_5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omK_Py5BiO0/YXm70avAYWI/AAAAAAAAA5k/6sZGwRut0fUyp2Bpd0b8sRpC4xa1GAMGACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/26%2BIMG_5086.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We then returned back to the park service for a winter season at the Everglades and a summer season at Sequoia National Park. At the Everglades, during the height of the pandemic, we ran entirely virtual tours of the park, either rangering in the field with iPads to students around the country</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-je0LImEDPJs/YXm71xYXmUI/AAAAAAAAA5w/JmyrVsbibGo5AphM7F5KFcyJMwQSxbQ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/28%2BIMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-je0LImEDPJs/YXm71xYXmUI/AAAAAAAAA5w/JmyrVsbibGo5AphM7F5KFcyJMwQSxbQ_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/28%2BIMG_6182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">or moderating the programs via computer in an office, always social distanced and masked when in groups together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBCdQgaQvws/YXm71IlFOQI/AAAAAAAAA5s/iqZEplNaJKsDFgkDIt3en61b0h8YCxlywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/30%2BIMG_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBCdQgaQvws/YXm71IlFOQI/AAAAAAAAA5s/iqZEplNaJKsDFgkDIt3en61b0h8YCxlywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/30%2BIMG_6066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, fully vaccinated and itching for adventure, we are heading back to Nicaragua in November. We are looking forward to seeing how much the kids have grown, to working with our fellow guides again, and to setting up our new location. Did we mention we have a new location? It's just a couple blocks from the old location, now 1 block south of Altagracia's Central Park, in a historic house with a large property. Although there's a lot of work to fix up the new place, we will have autonomy over the yard and garden, which is integral to our project, and the new premises is much more secure and safe than the old one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-poV6vCuumkI/YXm71EURc4I/AAAAAAAAA5o/3e_6WAuYq3IQIMk_6Q9OBpbvXnm7QIAXACLcBGAsYHQ/s1040/32%2Bnew%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-poV6vCuumkI/YXm71EURc4I/AAAAAAAAA5o/3e_6WAuYq3IQIMk_6Q9OBpbvXnm7QIAXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/32%2Bnew%2Bhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We will be open in November to local classes with kids, and after some interior renovation and decoration, we hope to reopen Centro PUMA to tourists in early 2022. Come and visit, there will be volunteer/guest quarters!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-85809575232019306772020-12-24T13:35:00.002-08:002020-12-24T13:35:44.747-08:00Still going! <p>Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! We may have put some new ideas on hold due to the global pandemic, but our fantastic crew in Nicaragua is continuing the good work thanks to your support! Here's the latest scoop: </p><p>Although social distancing and mask wearing are especially difficult in Nicaragua, where many families don't have the means to buy special equipment or the choice to work from home, we tried to encourage mask wearing and hand washing at Centro PUMA</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FD9XeW4UHFU/X-UGTkiQUKI/AAAAAAAAAwc/8OfFBfWXGDsvR4o4L7hls1VJARJQM6ypQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/01FQMK2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FD9XeW4UHFU/X-UGTkiQUKI/AAAAAAAAAwc/8OfFBfWXGDsvR4o4L7hls1VJARJQM6ypQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/01FQMK2449.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We tried to outdo ourselves with tree plantings for the wet season (June-October), and with the help of our kids, our staff raised and planted about 2000 native trees, starting from seed: <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKrPFjfT4NQ/X-UGUbg7SNI/AAAAAAAAAwk/LGx657cI1Q4xSvKl2uXqNdgxwZfN2XdLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/02PEUH8234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKrPFjfT4NQ/X-UGUbg7SNI/AAAAAAAAAwk/LGx657cI1Q4xSvKl2uXqNdgxwZfN2XdLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/02PEUH8234.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The kids got some tree-planting excursions around Ometepe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqd22PjA-98/X-UGTym7jNI/AAAAAAAAAwg/BkdqC902uZkzEo5_hOBuzIEA9HpYXA-2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/03AEIJ0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Aqd22PjA-98/X-UGTym7jNI/AAAAAAAAAwg/BkdqC902uZkzEo5_hOBuzIEA9HpYXA-2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/03AEIJ0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And everybody got to enjoy the happiness of starting new life in the ground. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWoL9K8EP1w/X-UGVEAO6BI/AAAAAAAAAwo/Z10f0wxGw-sL7dWuyRh2cokHg5Niw3gyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/04AAPO4929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWoL9K8EP1w/X-UGVEAO6BI/AAAAAAAAAwo/Z10f0wxGw-sL7dWuyRh2cokHg5Niw3gyACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/04AAPO4929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Kids are always a big part of Centro PUMA!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDY5Da4OcoQ/X-UGVB-EQYI/AAAAAAAAAws/O61DPXSS22wrichcyUClLGQetgZ2plDIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/05MMGQ1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDY5Da4OcoQ/X-UGVB-EQYI/AAAAAAAAAws/O61DPXSS22wrichcyUClLGQetgZ2plDIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/05MMGQ1735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our weekly English classes and daily tutoring continues, and although the classes are designed for kids, all ages can and do attend. An older lady wanted to learn English because she sells goods to tourists from her house: <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG11AuygfQI/X-UGVJV7fJI/AAAAAAAAAww/9ZzEkhvgB5kAv7rctpUVaFEHFAHnuSqfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s779/06YDELE3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="779" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QG11AuygfQI/X-UGVJV7fJI/AAAAAAAAAww/9ZzEkhvgB5kAv7rctpUVaFEHFAHnuSqfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/06YDELE3041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We continued our family garden project with 2 new family gardens. One of our challenges this year was the lack of viable seeds for many of the plants we wanted, so we are partnering with another local group to develop a seed bank for family gardens. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUQQHaJ_Kg/X-UGV4gMxJI/AAAAAAAAAw0/fwNpJi5zdq0FhP_7OSnpm-AQvSFDQiDswCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/07OUZO1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUQQHaJ_Kg/X-UGV4gMxJI/AAAAAAAAAw0/fwNpJi5zdq0FhP_7OSnpm-AQvSFDQiDswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/07OUZO1204.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And although we haven't been making a lot of noise on the fundraising side, we continue to apply for grants and seek donations. The latter half of this year has been almost entirely supported by private donations from people like you. We took advantage of our "viral" comet photo to start a photo gallery, and you can still purchase photos with a donation to Guias Unidos. Visit our gallery at https://guiasunidos.shootproof.com/<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aliD6g8QbKY/X-UGWqKxHtI/AAAAAAAAAw4/uSostOSRdhEG41R1OwFYpeqWpcG-htP1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/08Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aliD6g8QbKY/X-UGWqKxHtI/AAAAAAAAAw4/uSostOSRdhEG41R1OwFYpeqWpcG-htP1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/08Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you in 2021! If you are a donor, we will be sending out our end-of-the-year card and newsletter in the early new year. <br /><p><br /></p>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-35012633266000384872020-03-16T20:40:00.000-07:002020-03-16T20:47:32.004-07:00Whirlwind of a new year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been a whirlwind of a new year so far. Between a family death that took us back home and the coronavirus now threatening to shut down the world, it all seems like a blur. But thorough it all we have been busy developing Centro PUMA to take advantage of Nicaragua's uptick in tourism. </div>
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In addition to continuing our regular community programs, we are developing a tourist information and service center to help support and grow alongside our education components. Let's take a look!</div>
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Kids still come in droves for educational activities including lots of games and drawing. We recently put up some chalk boards to doodle on:</div>
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After Ramon finishes his English tutoring with kids, they always find a way of having fun:<br />
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Our last regular meeting with last year's Junior Rangers included comparing our compost pile to a trash pile that we made a year ago. Guess which one biodegraded and turned into soil for the garden?<br />
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We ended the meeting with a beautiful graduation ceremony where the kids walked a passage of candles where Arlin gives them their patch:<br />
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Doña Gladys's garden that we helped build is looking fantastic! She says that now her family is producing much more healthy vegetables at home, which has helped them financially as well as health-wise.</div>
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And now that tourism is returning (or at least it was until the coronavirus started), we are offering new services at Centro PUMA. It has taken all of our time over the last couple months to get these services going, but we are so proud of the successes!<br />
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We are partnering with Altagracia Spanish School where you can see Elieth teaching lessons in our beautiful garden:<br />
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We are exploring new, off-the-beaten-path tours, such as the "Cueva del Duende" lake shore cave:<br />
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Our garden has been producing daily bounties of fresh fruits and veggies<br />
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which our guides such as Serafin are now serving as incredible salads:<br />
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In addition to serving many types of coffee and smoothies in our "coffee garden," we offer traditional fire roasting of locally grown coffee. Here, Edgard leads a toasting session,<br />
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followed by tasting, of course!</div>
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We offer chocolate making, from fresh cacao beans--toasting, grinding...</div>
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to forming into bite-sized pieces:</div>
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Finally, we have developed a small visitor center with maps, brochures, naturalist books, tour info, a coffee and refreshment menu, and even a small sales area where you can buy locally produced goods such as spices and fruit wines.<br />
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There is still a lot left to do, but we wanted all of our supporters to know that we are working hard and we will keep you updated. If you have visited us and want to help, please make a donation at guiasunidos.org and put in a good word for Centro PUMA on Tripadvisor, Facebook, or Google Maps!<br />
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Stay safe and healthy!Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-46400854471249180652019-10-24T20:26:00.000-07:002019-10-24T20:32:26.161-07:00A garden for Doña Gladys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A new project the PUMAs have been working on is creating organic gardens for families who have an interest in growing, using, and selling produce beyond the typical stuff found in markets on the island. One PUMA guide, Edgard Condega, has a degree in agronomy and is very excited to share his organic gardening knowledge as a way to bring better nutrition to the island's residents and visitors through more sustainable farming.</div>
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Edgard and the PUMAs started building the first garden as a pilot project recently, but have done an immense amount of work already.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First order of business: a stout fence. Chickens and <br />
pigs roam freely here, so penning in plants is the only <br />
way to guarantee they'll grow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMhx9fIhyk4/XbJhk3iiuuI/AAAAAAAAAoA/T08d1rzMsDUyfkf90zRC0RWqzDA0vtgGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_092813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMhx9fIhyk4/XbJhk3iiuuI/AAAAAAAAAoA/T08d1rzMsDUyfkf90zRC0RWqzDA0vtgGgCEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_092813.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the reasons for the fence <br />
visited us while we worked...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Most of the beds had been prepared in the previous weeks, but it definitely is a process to build them.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGLDsGtVrE/XbJg8W5PJ9I/AAAAAAAAAnM/Q_2bfUlDMo094liyir1OlJaIhXrS7iC0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191024_084004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGLDsGtVrE/XbJg8W5PJ9I/AAAAAAAAAnM/Q_2bfUlDMo094liyir1OlJaIhXrS7iC0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20191024_084004.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
First, loosening the dirt is a must on this volcanic island. Fortunately, this particular spot had been a farm for plantains (a large monoculture crop here), so the ground was relatively easy to work.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RFZzfCPxMQ/XbJg5Zgo8UI/AAAAAAAAAng/lc3n-JeZWCcwMIm7g5RYDtPPbhsYK7aZACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_085248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5RFZzfCPxMQ/XbJg5Zgo8UI/AAAAAAAAAng/lc3n-JeZWCcwMIm7g5RYDtPPbhsYK7aZACEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_085248.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elieth breaks soil with a <br />
barra (spud bar).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the soil is the proper texture, other additives are mixed in as needed including sand, compost, and ash.<br />
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ejy6oXzMySc/XbJhek1ExmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/G8TudHVilF0b9pH-zYi3sykwV4vb1ln5wCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_091411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ejy6oXzMySc/XbJhek1ExmI/AAAAAAAAAoE/G8TudHVilF0b9pH-zYi3sykwV4vb1ln5wCEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_091411.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volcanic rock here produces <br />
soil that usually needs its pH <br />
raised, so here, Edgard adds ash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some plants go in beds:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vvfrml9kKM/XbJhT4TD9-I/AAAAAAAAAns/tTvGLocvXIw3e0Bv_XqxCgzqYzg2TE4BwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_090814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vvfrml9kKM/XbJhT4TD9-I/AAAAAAAAAns/tTvGLocvXIw3e0Bv_XqxCgzqYzg2TE4BwCEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_090814.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TLgclvA9JQ/XbJhRbZ30wI/AAAAAAAAAno/bF_4xIADFI8A56Y1WhK7w2xMMV_AouzgACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_090711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3TLgclvA9JQ/XbJhRbZ30wI/AAAAAAAAAno/bF_4xIADFI8A56Y1WhK7w2xMMV_AouzgACEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_090711.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doña Gladys plants some <br />
eggplant seeds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But larger plants like vines, shrubs, and trees usually go in their own small holes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CocVDe2BRcQ/XbJhtMmXPqI/AAAAAAAAAoE/8AtVkhOWwW8uLnZjzNJI8jMLXo4TC0_cgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_093652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CocVDe2BRcQ/XbJhtMmXPqI/AAAAAAAAAoE/8AtVkhOWwW8uLnZjzNJI8jMLXo4TC0_cgCEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_093652.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edgard, Elieth, and Ramon Ivan<br />
plant pepper starts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgHEWa5VZus/XbJhIHV_yzI/AAAAAAAAAng/gE4rNTLniPAMlXtZYOHgICMx_CJrBR-QwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_085908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MgHEWa5VZus/XbJhIHV_yzI/AAAAAAAAAng/gE4rNTLniPAMlXtZYOHgICMx_CJrBR-QwCEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_085908.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elieth adds stones around the <br />
seedlings to protect them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is a fair amount of work to put these together, and nothing is cheap - especially the fence. But if this project works out well, the PUMAs hope to have a stall where the garden owners can sell some of their produce. This garden is our first attempt, so we'll keep you posted on what happens!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkYCjKujuRg/XbJhuXBdjtI/AAAAAAAAAoI/4lgt_o3tF2w1y_Aj0HTDbXox4ecbEFjyACEwYBhgL/s1600/20191024_095853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkYCjKujuRg/XbJhuXBdjtI/AAAAAAAAAoI/4lgt_o3tF2w1y_Aj0HTDbXox4ecbEFjyACEwYBhgL/s320/20191024_095853.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The benefits of hard work on a <br />
garden - Doña Gladys let us have <br />
some green coconuts. Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-91657580524769438222019-07-27T13:22:00.002-07:002019-07-27T13:22:37.051-07:001000 trees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Remember the 1000 bags of dirt from a month ago? </div>
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They have grown: </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1IgNgA3_qI/XTypOUIsVVI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/imvuvvJx0g4sQ4aetnmlghNiZL7VdIJOACLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Btrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1IgNgA3_qI/XTypOUIsVVI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/imvuvvJx0g4sQ4aetnmlghNiZL7VdIJOACLcBGAs/s320/01%2Btrees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We started out giving trees to the kids from our Junior Ranger program to plant and care for at their homes:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acfE_tgXwg4/XTypMpAjjTI/AAAAAAAAAlE/TKF-yWh46uIkZkPWA8g5d8z_I6xq9cB3wCLcBGAs/s1600/05%2Bcesar%2Band%2Bhis%2Btree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-acfE_tgXwg4/XTypMpAjjTI/AAAAAAAAAlE/TKF-yWh46uIkZkPWA8g5d8z_I6xq9cB3wCLcBGAs/s320/05%2Bcesar%2Band%2Bhis%2Btree.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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But there are still a lot of trees to go! Next, we are working with local partners to plant the trees in areas that need restoration. Our partner organization, <a href="http://www.asalv.org/">Si A La Vida</a>, has a working farm with a forest that was destroyed in the 2017 hurricane Nate. So our Centro PUMA staff gathered kids from our Junior Ranger program, and partnered with kids and staff from Si A La Vida to plant trees.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWi6K6eMH6w/XTypMYpxPEI/AAAAAAAAAlA/IC3O8QHvrzIyfa8DP7jWMdf8idimhlPLwCLcBGAs/s1600/10%2Ball%2Bkids%2Bwith%2Btrees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWi6K6eMH6w/XTypMYpxPEI/AAAAAAAAAlA/IC3O8QHvrzIyfa8DP7jWMdf8idimhlPLwCLcBGAs/s320/10%2Ball%2Bkids%2Bwith%2Btrees.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They planted a total of 120 trees, plus donated an extra 30 to the farm workers to replace losses or plant elsewhere. Their farm is part of a network of forested areas that are habitat to many animals including the endangered yellow-naped amazon parrot. Every native tree here adds a positive benefit to the environment.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_OXKtL4PfE/XTypOM71K9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/UduSD56zGcE34HA1C6cBhx5XyV2dvjzLQCLcBGAs/s1600/12%2Bfarm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_OXKtL4PfE/XTypOM71K9I/AAAAAAAAAlI/UduSD56zGcE34HA1C6cBhx5XyV2dvjzLQCLcBGAs/s320/12%2Bfarm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was a day of very hard work in very rocky soil, so many adults came and helped the kids.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFzZVA7-bng/XTypOZFzo_I/AAAAAAAAAlM/VFXqFOFWb_MCbjInXIJKHFYGTyFMvolWACLcBGAs/s1600/15%2Bantonia%2Band%2Bgirl%2Btree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFzZVA7-bng/XTypOZFzo_I/AAAAAAAAAlM/VFXqFOFWb_MCbjInXIJKHFYGTyFMvolWACLcBGAs/s320/15%2Bantonia%2Band%2Bgirl%2Btree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But a great experience for the kids to take part in restoration of their local habitat.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKquc61JnRc/XTypPTumrpI/AAAAAAAAAlU/_hwuolDoy3gXOgwft-Q6oqv4R2cXdIJ-QCLcBGAs/s1600/20%2Bplanting%2Btree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HKquc61JnRc/XTypPTumrpI/AAAAAAAAAlU/_hwuolDoy3gXOgwft-Q6oqv4R2cXdIJ-QCLcBGAs/s320/20%2Bplanting%2Btree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is still a time of great uncertainty in Nicaragua, so we are proud to be able to create tangible results while offering practical skills to our participants.<br />
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And it's fun to see these bags of dirt:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3AKNeIEeng/XTypPzUIWsI/AAAAAAAAAlY/hD6d3DHafeAHa1PBMvMKjWEjhQ9Y73y7ACLcBGAs/s1600/23%2Bbags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3AKNeIEeng/XTypPzUIWsI/AAAAAAAAAlY/hD6d3DHafeAHa1PBMvMKjWEjhQ9Y73y7ACLcBGAs/s320/23%2Bbags.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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become this beautiful nursery in a short time with a small investment.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6mofvEmIqM/XTypQsW3aKI/AAAAAAAAAlc/USGQ0QI3szokOdEeTP64lR-Hl9wr7QFSgCLcBGAs/s1600/25%2Btrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U6mofvEmIqM/XTypQsW3aKI/AAAAAAAAAlc/USGQ0QI3szokOdEeTP64lR-Hl9wr7QFSgCLcBGAs/s320/25%2Btrees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are still many more trees to plant this year, and we are working on ideas to fund this project next year. Thank you to Si A La Vida, New England Biolabs Foundation, and all of you for your financial and moral support! You can donate to our project <a href="https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=384685">here</a>. </div>
<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-51208877481672504122019-06-11T19:55:00.000-07:002019-06-11T19:55:09.399-07:001000 bags of dirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Why are we filling up 1000 bags with dirt?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mdHcHfTWhU/XQBm2lWXXxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/jmIrKUDW66UJDw6tkyti9yUZuRa2w4LVgCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Bbags%2Bof%2Bdirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8mdHcHfTWhU/XQBm2lWXXxI/AAAAAAAAAkE/jmIrKUDW66UJDw6tkyti9yUZuRa2w4LVgCLcBGAs/s320/01%2Bbags%2Bof%2Bdirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And Why are we enclosing them in chicken wire?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gS42AthmNK0/XQBm3unYz0I/AAAAAAAAAkM/sbQiH-NioOQXtT0wvhpnhGaOM7CVQF9KQCLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Bchicken%2Bwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gS42AthmNK0/XQBm3unYz0I/AAAAAAAAAkM/sbQiH-NioOQXtT0wvhpnhGaOM7CVQF9KQCLcBGAs/s320/02%2Bchicken%2Bwire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have collected native seeds, and hand-sifted over 1000 liters of potting soil into planting bags to create a tree nursery at Centro PUMA.<br />
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Deforestation is an issue in Nicaragua that can be solved with community effort. The guides of Centro PUMA together with our Junior Rangers are planting 1000 native trees to help offset habitat loss. We aim to plant these trees later this year or next year in yards, farms, and in protected areas to restore lost habitat.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFZTKDS2vQc/XQBm3qmu1wI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Q6IfG4PGiecgUN3HZTQ26az7lg-537_ewCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2Bkids%2Bplanting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFZTKDS2vQc/XQBm3qmu1wI/AAAAAAAAAkI/Q6IfG4PGiecgUN3HZTQ26az7lg-537_ewCLcBGAs/s320/03%2Bkids%2Bplanting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of the many species that may benefit from these trees, the endangered yellow-naped amazon parrot finds one of its last hopes for recovery on Ometepe island. We are exploring how to work with the community to restore its habitat while combating poaching through education and through economic incentives of ecotourism. </div>
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Come visit Centro PUMA to see our new tree nursery and to check out our other community projects! If you are too far away to visit, you can still be part of the effort by sustaining our project with a donation: about 20 cents helps us grow a tree in our nursery. </div>
<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-17140868186708784512019-03-30T23:54:00.000-07:002019-03-30T23:54:19.141-07:00Weathering the crisis, Winter 2018-2019<b><span style="font-size: large;">Weathering the crisis</span></b><br />
Tourism nearly ended in Nicaragua this year. Since ecotourism and volunteering was an original focal point, we had to refocus on the education part of our mission.<br />
<br />
Our project's resource center, Centro PUMA, has been staffed by Nicaraguan tour guides since last April. When Jeff returned from his summer job in October, the difference after 6 months of political crisis was stark. Hotels were empty or boarded up,<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RWpOuTjMZk/XKBaI6Lp8DI/AAAAAAAAAhk/8tzQG4VkVeo2USD9QCcNEF3uBAQGrDudACLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Bhotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RWpOuTjMZk/XKBaI6Lp8DI/AAAAAAAAAhk/8tzQG4VkVeo2USD9QCcNEF3uBAQGrDudACLcBGAs/s320/01%2Bhotel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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no tourists crammed onto the ferry, and Jeff found himself one of the few remaining "gringos" in town. But arriving at Centro PUMA, bicycles lined the street; inside it was teeming with people. The project is thriving.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdy079hzT6c/XKBaIReXATI/AAAAAAAAAhg/LZtdQ-Y6Jc825_znX-IGtQfDVfgZwZeqwCLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Bbikes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdy079hzT6c/XKBaIReXATI/AAAAAAAAAhg/LZtdQ-Y6Jc825_znX-IGtQfDVfgZwZeqwCLcBGAs/s320/02%2Bbikes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We saw two initial opportunities for education this season, teaching English and leading environmental education (EE) with children. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Environmental education with kids</span></b><br />
Inspired by a "Junior Ranger" program by a partner organization, Paso Pacifico, and by a summer day camp that we ran with Peace Corps last year, we initiated our own "Junior Ranger" program to take advantage of "summer" vacation that kids have between December and February.<br />
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We visited Paso Pacifico's program on the nearby Pacific coast, where we were inspired by kids releasing sea turtles from a hatchery to protect them from poaching.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HCMiC8pQg_M/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HCMiC8pQg_M?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Also, a former Peace Corps volunteer who was evacuated last year decided to finish her EE project through a master's degree program. Kari designed a book of EE activities specific to Ometepe and then returned to her neighboring village, Balgue, to teach her program. In January, with Kari's curriculum and funds that were donated last year through our "Nature Libre" campaign, we began biweekly Junior Ranger events, one class at Centro Puma in Altagracia, and one class at the local grade school in Balgue. In case you didn't see it, here is one of our campaign videos from last year, featuring Kari and Amanda before Peace Corps evacuated:<br />
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This year, our Junior Rangers were led by Jeff, Kari, and 5 local guides, Elieth, Arlin, Ramon Ivan, Roxana, and Levis. January was filled with adventures. We held workshops and local walks, learning about plants, animals, and geology of the area. For example, since we live on a volcanic island, the kids built baking-soda-and-vinegar volcanoes<br />
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and used soft boiled eggs to learn about plate tectonics and magma.<br />
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On their last weekend of vacation, we took them on a bus excursion to explore their island.<br />
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We visited one of the last remaining patches of old growth lowland forest,<br />
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saw a bat colony living in a tree,<br />
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Visited ancestral petroglyphs,<br />
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took part in climbing demonstrations with our endangered parrot researchers,<br />
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Performed a trash pickup on the beach,<br />
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And, of course, ended the day playing on the sun-soaked beach.<br />
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We returned the kids back home by bus, tired but elated.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">English!</span></b></div>
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Summer was over for the kids, and though we are continuing junior ranger classes on a monthly basis, in February we began to focus on English teaching. Our guides speak better English than most English teachers, so when they proposed to use Centro PUMA for lessons, we were able to fill a community education need while employing tour guides.</div>
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Our adult English classes are called "English Cafe" where we practice informal conversation with the incentive of free coffee and snacks. Designed by Chelsea, another master's student who partnered with us this year, English Cafe was designed to augment the formal, grammar-based English classes that are offered locally to motivated adults. The local classes generally don't have enough opportunities for speaking and listening on a conversational level. Eventually we hope to have more foreign tourists and volunteers join in, putting the Unidos (united) in Guias Unidos.</div>
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English Cafe remains a regular program we offer, but our English classes for kids really hit a community need. As word got out about free English classes, demand exploded, and we had to deal with growing classes with limited teachers.<br />
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As Jeff's seasonal stay came to an end and he worried about how to help with English classes (not his specialty) and how to manage the crowds, word got out to the small group of tourists and expats who were slowly repopulating Ometepe. Foreigners with native or fluent English, many with experience teaching second-language speakers, started volunteering with our guides. We are so thankful to all of these people for their help.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Guide education</span></b><br />
We haven't forgotten our original project idea: teaching tour guide skills. We led 6 workshops on skills including interpretation, environmental education, visitor needs, and natural resources.<br />
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One of our workshops was a birding excursion, led by a local expert, to explore the possibility of leading a Christmas Bird Count in the future.<br />
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And Kate came down for a week to help with a class on learning styles, using multi-sensory and audience-centered approaches.<br />
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Although much of our focus this year was on education, we are looking at grants and opportunities to work on reforestation, endangered species conservation, and community projects such as healthy gardens and backyard habitats. Our focus for next year will depend partially on where we can secure funding, but we always have big ideas.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">A note on the political crisis</span></b><br />
We would like to stay politically neutral, a delicate position during the worst political crisis that Nicaragua has faced in over 30 years. We therefore encourage you to do your own reading on the situation to form your own opinions. But the crisis has deeply affected the country and therefore our project and partners. It has also affected us on a very personal level. Many tourism-dependent families are in despair, some falling into mental health and substance abuse problems. We have seen marriages end, friends consumed by alcoholism, and Jeff attended a friend's funeral; one of the few crisis victims on Ometepe happened to be a close neighbor.<br />
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We believe that social and environmental projects such as ours can be a light and hope for the future if they are thoughtfully integrated into communities, as we believe we are doing. But during this time, ecotourism income will not be as available for our project as we had intended. We are grateful to New England Biolab Foundation for renewing their grant with us this year, and for all of you who have sustained us with your donations.<br />
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Please be a part of our project by continuing to support us! Any donation you can offer makes a difference. For example, a donation of just $11 pays a sustainable day's work for a local guide or partner, $150 pays our Center's monthly rent, or $800 keeps our entire project running for a month. Tax deductible donations can be made online at this link <a href="https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=384685">here</a>. Thank you!<br />
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<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-68814141100377913662018-08-01T00:19:00.002-07:002021-10-27T15:48:39.484-07:00Esperanza - A Ray of Hope<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have good news and bad news.</div>
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The bad news:</div>
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The political situation in Nicaragua has declined since Jeff
left in April, with violence erupting in protests in cities around the
country. We wish our projet to remain politically neutral, so we encourage you to do your own reading on the situation. </div>
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Ometepe Island, however, is living up to its nickname, Oasis de Paz
(oasis of peace), and has had no major violence and only a few, mostly peaceful
protests. There are still huge impacts on the island, however, such as fuel and
food shortages, commerce slowing to a halt, and tourism all but drying up. The
tour guides we work with are used to not having 100% reliable income, but many
are having real trouble with a complete lack of tours. Some <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2018/7/5b601e4f4/unhcr-steps-its-response-thousands-flee-violence-nicaragua.html" target="_blank">consider migrating to Costa Rica as tens of thousands of Nicaraguans have done already</a>. Keep in mind
that Nicaragua’s population is 6 million normally, so current refugee numbers
are as if over a million people were to flee US –
and that is just to one country. Many other countries are seeing refugee
applications from Nicaragua, including Panama, Mexico, and the US.</div>
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So what do we do? How can we help? Nicaragua has <a href="https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nicaragua_2005.pdf" target="_blank">in its constitution (Article 27)</a> that foreigners may not interfere in Nicaraguan politics. A quick
review of Nicaraguan history quickly explains why that might be. Foreign
meddling, <a href="http://pronica.org/history/" target="_blank">most especially by the United States</a>, has caused many problems for
the Nicaraguan people. Political interference is really not appropriate. But if
citizens have to leave the country due to violence or resulting economic
distress, who will be there to rebuild?</div>
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The good news:<br />
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<a href="https://www.brown.edu/Research/Understanding_the_Iran_Contra_Affair/timeline-nicaragua.php" target="_blank">Nicaraguans have done this before in living memory</a>, and are
working hard to keep their lives on track. Their resilience is inspiring.</div>
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We had arranged for three guides to keep the resource center
open to the public three days a week after Jeff left, paying them a general
worker’s day wage to do so (a guide can earn much more in a day, but then has
to hustle for business a lot of the time – less secure, but potentially more
money). Due to tourist high season coming around during this time, we spread
the work out so three people would work one day a week each. They are
encouraged to do whatever community outreach they feel appropriate, using the community center as a base.</div>
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Now that they have so much time on their hands
since there are no tourists to guide, they have started more community outreach
than any of us anticipated happening. They are providing English
lessons, computer services, environmental education, art classes, and the like –
all on their own time and free to the community.</div>
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People are flocking to the center, especially children but even
adults.<br />
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They are inviting in school classes to introduce local kids (and
therefore their families) to what is available in the center.</div>
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And they’re taking students out for environmental education
trips in their backyards.</div>
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Beyond our resource center, they’re lending equipment we
brought down to do research into local endangered species, just as we intended.
Shout out to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Loreros2016/" target="_blank">LOCOs (Loreros Observando Conservando Ometepe)</a>, who study the Amazonian yellow-naped parrot, and a group of generous
birders in Minnesota who donated the binoculars!</div>
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What we can do is to continue supporting these amazing folks
in their community work. We have increased the open hours of the resource center to five days a week. We are hoping to pay folks for more hours of instruction for community workshops. They refuse to give up hope, and so do we. We have grant money from New England Biolabs Foundation and hope to renew that grant for next year, as well as donations from wonderful friends and family. If <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">you have
the means, please consider donating to help keep our resource center open and
wages paid to keep these am</span>azing people working. You can find donation options
at our website, <a href="https://www.guiasunidos.org/contact-donate/">guiasunidos.org/contact-donate/</a> (<a href="https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=384685" target="_blank">or more directly here</a>).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With all the chaos of the news, I have found
hope in our work with the good folks of Ometepe. A huge thanks to Elieth
Alvarez who manages our books and timesheets on top of giving English classes
and keeping the center open, and to Arlin Hernandez, Edgard Condena, Ramon
Ivan H.G., and Diego Hernandez for their hard work and infinite patience.</span></div>
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Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-37240779396056910332018-05-15T23:14:00.003-07:002021-10-27T15:43:58.718-07:00A look back on Winter of 2017-2018<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been 6 months since Guias Unidos came back to Nicaragua
as a project of Earth Island Institute, our first time abroad as part of a
registered nonprofit organization. Time has flown by so quickly that we want to
look back and answer the question, “what have we accomplished?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Unifying resources<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Our mission is to inspire community based,
conservation-minded tourism, by unifying local and international expertise and
resources. Here are a few highlights of how we did this:<o:p></o:p><br />
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Trever, a National Park Ranger from the USA, volunteered
with us for 5 months (read his blog post <a href="http://guiasunidos.blogspot.com/2018/01/living-on-ometepe.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Trever spent his first couple months primarily taking
Spanish classes. He worked on Trail projects and helped with general needs such
as training and renovating our Resource Center. Here we are working with the guides
on a beach trash pickup,<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTrx2njq6-A/WvvFKzEx9hI/AAAAAAAAAdA/FK5n6BF60WkjB_SuHY3nf5k2N1sDhAprwCLcBGAs/s1600/01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTrx2njq6-A/WvvFKzEx9hI/AAAAAAAAAdA/FK5n6BF60WkjB_SuHY3nf5k2N1sDhAprwCLcBGAs/s320/01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A truck full of trash is the result of a community trash pickup along the beaches of Santa Cruz.</td></tr>
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And here’s Trever with local guide Yilmer building a new trail on Volcan Maderas
National Park,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FMO4WrMyLZQ/WvvFN7iA1VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/wldYGK790YwZovJFARe3-Cw7FFVnZmvZgCLcBGAs/s1600/02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FMO4WrMyLZQ/WvvFN7iA1VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/wldYGK790YwZovJFARe3-Cw7FFVnZmvZgCLcBGAs/s320/02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trever and Yilmer forge a new trail through the cloud forest.</td></tr>
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and being the photographer on a field trip with the kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--arVlkRnRhk/WvvFOsrp_7I/AAAAAAAAAdI/XOE6nkt4R-Eh8_nsRYhTLc3ENw1Yw1aBgCLcBGAs/s1600/03.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--arVlkRnRhk/WvvFOsrp_7I/AAAAAAAAAdI/XOE6nkt4R-Eh8_nsRYhTLc3ENw1Yw1aBgCLcBGAs/s320/03.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trever manages multiple cameras while photographing the field trip.</td></tr>
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Chelsea, a former park ranger and currently a master’s
student with University of Montana, spent January partnering with us in
developing educational tools and training. In addition to organizing a geology hike up Volcan Concepcion,<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dycbWoUbNl0/WvvGZLI29EI/AAAAAAAAAeg/_18U0SBghTEeq9drPNNszgbgQku7WA99gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dycbWoUbNl0/WvvGZLI29EI/AAAAAAAAAeg/_18U0SBghTEeq9drPNNszgbgQku7WA99gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea enjoys the view near the top of Concepcion.</td></tr>
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she helped teach summer camp with Peace Corps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TE1TnH0qP0/WvvFSZHZIeI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0o2lq5og9NMzB9IBqYdCmiMNlbr6YgSQACLcBGAs/s1600/04.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6TE1TnH0qP0/WvvFSZHZIeI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0o2lq5og9NMzB9IBqYdCmiMNlbr6YgSQACLcBGAs/s320/04.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea collects trash with kids from Balgue, Ometepe. That's Kari from Peace Corps photobombing in the background!</td></tr>
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Chelsea set up a fantastic training trip to visit Volcan
Masaya National Park, to learn more about local geology at the park’s museum and
to look into the active volcano at nighttime: <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agv-VH7Pc6k/WvvFTE2LofI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/a02tucaspB4YmHED68hQWWMEzu2yZU2KACLcBGAs/s1600/05.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agv-VH7Pc6k/WvvFTE2LofI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/a02tucaspB4YmHED68hQWWMEzu2yZU2KACLcBGAs/s320/05.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the fiery pit of Volcan Masaya at nighttime</td></tr>
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She then hosted a geology training session. Here you can see
Chelsea and Trever tag-teaming the training.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pA-xZnnyS-0/WvvFUBleDYI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Of5H85a__CEoDaAzb8_K2ClMi6S0tpbYgCLcBGAs/s1600/06.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pA-xZnnyS-0/WvvFUBleDYI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Of5H85a__CEoDaAzb8_K2ClMi6S0tpbYgCLcBGAs/s320/06.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chelsea and Trever teach a class on geology</td></tr>
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Chelsea plans on returning later this year to help develop
more educational materials and community education. Chelsea also set us up with
a meeting with Victor Vereb, a European geographer who is interested in creating
a Geopark on Ometepe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRXZNfjssvY/WvvFYguPvkI/AAAAAAAAAdg/DMqXnCqjAwciEDtVCEgX6-ov051nN3u0QCLcBGAs/s1600/07.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BRXZNfjssvY/WvvFYguPvkI/AAAAAAAAAdg/DMqXnCqjAwciEDtVCEgX6-ov051nN3u0QCLcBGAs/s320/07.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victor discusses Geoparks with a group of locals and Guias Unidos' volunteers</td></tr>
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On a more local level, Guias Unidos set up an exchange visit
with Fundacion Colcibolca at the Mombacho Nature Reserve. The rangers at Volcan
Mombacho near Granada have arguably the most developed system of trails and
guides in the country. We funded 4 of the Ometepe
guides to take a day trip to visit and learn about their training and
resources. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRSqSlEvb7E/WvvFXqxcjTI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nplwS-IKjm4deqB9cpKuN01TR0zvaAhjQCLcBGAs/s1600/08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRSqSlEvb7E/WvvFXqxcjTI/AAAAAAAAAdc/nplwS-IKjm4deqB9cpKuN01TR0zvaAhjQCLcBGAs/s320/08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guias Unidos guides (PUMAs) and Fundacion Colcibolca guides get together on Volcan Mombacho</td></tr>
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In exchange, the Mombacho guides took a trip to Ometepe to visit our new
Resource Center and take a volcano tour. As the tours on Ometepe take a little
longer than those on Mombacho, we hosted our guests for the overnight visit. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Training guides<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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In addition to our exchange learning trips and Chelsea’s geology
classes, Trever and I were able to organize two classes on interpretation (how
to develop engaging tours and presentations). We had a lot of fun in the classes,
and we hope to do more. We lost the camera that took these pictures, but if we
find a picture, we’ll post it soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Community Education<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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School “summer vacation” takes place between late November
and early February, making our winter season ideal to focus on programs with
kids. With our “Nature Libre” campaign (see our December <a href="http://guiasunidos.blogspot.com/2017/12/help-nature-libre-and-friends.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>), we raised $1300 for experiential education for kids, with a focus on field trips. With these donations, we were able to rent buses for 3
separate field trips, bringing about 100 kids to the local nature reserve,
Charco Verde.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Abn-PKEpxoo/WvvFV2H4KDI/AAAAAAAAAdY/ETB6lrohpaUCVPh2xcZVPAH5g41SJMNcACLcBGAs/s1600/10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Abn-PKEpxoo/WvvFV2H4KDI/AAAAAAAAAdY/ETB6lrohpaUCVPh2xcZVPAH5g41SJMNcACLcBGAs/s320/10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 very happy groups of kids visiting Charco Verde nature reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For most of these kids and the parents who chaperoned, it
was not only their first time to Charco Verde, but it was their first educational
field trip ever. As promised, we made a video of our trip, in the spirit of the
last scene of the movie Nacho Libre:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SA2KaCX4fjY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SA2KaCX4fjY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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As these trips cost less than $100 each (less than $3 per
kid), we still have funds for more programs. We plan on doing more camps next
year, and we are also working with Peace Corps to create a “Junior Ranger”
program for kids to learn about nature and go on more field trips.</div>
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The highlight
of our contribution to community education is our Resource Center and library,
which we founded this year. We chose the name PUMA for our center and the group
that works there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuEj3LSdiME/WvvFjvHSWmI/AAAAAAAAAdw/_n9Hxsejgo4sO4kpR1EhJyNM7fjoThd-wCLcBGAs/s1600/11.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wuEj3LSdiME/WvvFjvHSWmI/AAAAAAAAAdw/_n9Hxsejgo4sO4kpR1EhJyNM7fjoThd-wCLcBGAs/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Centro PUMA!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Although there are no pumas who live on the island, they are
a species that spans the entire Americas, representing our unity across borders.
Puma also stands for Protectores Unidos por el Medio Ambiente, or protectors
united through the environment. As I and all of the USA volunteers are
gone for the summer, a group of PUMAs is operating regular public hours of the "Centro PUMA" library.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvbd7c3KjmQ/WvvFmmbGKgI/AAAAAAAAAeA/33t3C1YIaPIElAoCb-G4k_7c_ionNQzrwCLcBGAs/s1600/13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cvbd7c3KjmQ/WvvFmmbGKgI/AAAAAAAAAeA/33t3C1YIaPIElAoCb-G4k_7c_ionNQzrwCLcBGAs/s320/13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the PUMAs sport their new t-shirts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In addition to being open to the public 3 days per week, Centro PUMA has hosted events, such as story time in partnership with Peace Corps Nicaragua. In one memorable event, we read “El Lorax” to a group of kids before watching the movie together.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciBrFXuQyHU/WvvFgFUStlI/AAAAAAAAAds/meSbSvwR0kso-bLOifqJl-XMP_xAZMk9gCLcBGAs/s1600/12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciBrFXuQyHU/WvvFgFUStlI/AAAAAAAAAds/meSbSvwR0kso-bLOifqJl-XMP_xAZMk9gCLcBGAs/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda reads "El Lorax" to piles of snuggling kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Thanks to donors</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Thanks to all the families, friends, and strangers who
believed in us and donated over $5000 in cash and needed items to our project this
year. This includes a group of generous Minnesota birders who
donated 2 suitcases full of (about 20) binoculars to our project. Finally, a huge
thanks to New England Biolabs Foundation (<a href="http://www.nebf.org/">http://www.nebf.org/</a>)
who awarded us a $7000 grant that has made the majority of our work possible
this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWhg4RaRWXo/WvvFnc2ghHI/AAAAAAAAAeE/YannHAERd5M7a5c8H6RFzEieWxK6bcmFgCLcBGAs/s1600/14.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tWhg4RaRWXo/WvvFnc2ghHI/AAAAAAAAAeE/YannHAERd5M7a5c8H6RFzEieWxK6bcmFgCLcBGAs/s320/14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids have fun with the donated binoculars on their field trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>A word about the political situation in Nicaragua:</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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It was a coincidence that I (Jeff) happened to fly out right as
political unrest spread across the nation, but it will give us some time to observe
developments from a distance. Protesters started in mid-April with a
demonstration against social security reforms, but soon grew in numbers to
protest against the government. In the past month, there have been dozens of deaths as protesters
clashed against counter protesters and shots were fired into crowds. Many people fear the beginning of a difficult time in
Nicaragua. Since the protests began the unrest has continued. We understand that the situation is complicated, but we hope that Nicaragua can
continue find a peaceful resolution. In the meantime, we
plan on continuing with our project, but we intend to proceed with caution, especially
as pertains to our volunteers. For those of you interested in volunteering,
please keep in touch with us as we assess the developing situation.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peZcYMQKMPc/WvvFlL_QZWI/AAAAAAAAAd4/5c5tn1CL8S0QeM3raEvzHbvhkqQYnrwiQCLcBGAs/s1600/15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peZcYMQKMPc/WvvFlL_QZWI/AAAAAAAAAd4/5c5tn1CL8S0QeM3raEvzHbvhkqQYnrwiQCLcBGAs/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April 23 march (Reuters photo)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-22670294098944945602018-04-10T22:19:00.000-07:002018-04-25T17:27:40.982-07:00A tour of our new Resource CenterOne of our goals for this year was to establish a central office that can be used as a learning center, classroom, library, visitor center, and housing for our volunteer directors. It's been a long journey and it's not done - but we've made enough progress over the past 5 months that it's time for a virtual tour of our Resource Center.<br />
<br />
In December we located a rental house available that is just a block from Altagracia's central park and the main bus station in town. It is a large house with a gigantic plantain orchard out back, but it needed a lot of work. We spent the next 3 months cleaning up hurricane debris and planting a garden, fighting termites, fixing walls, repairing doors, furnishing, and scraping endless expanses of flaking paint. Sometimes neighbor kids would come and help us out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3KzkKYQFIw/WsKqAvBY-6I/AAAAAAAAAaY/4eu3PFG9z2IJrIKhJmwKY0RR_X5iavcRQCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3KzkKYQFIw/WsKqAvBY-6I/AAAAAAAAAaY/4eu3PFG9z2IJrIKhJmwKY0RR_X5iavcRQCLcBGAs/s320/01%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that pile of sticks in the left-hand corner and guess what it might be for!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After months of removing paint, our guide partners came over for a work party, and we got most of the main room painted in one day.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DWy8uUgHtY/WsKqIEX8huI/AAAAAAAAAa0/MNQtj7uNGfQ5P6wUjFX-mgwAiq9PJTnTQCLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1DWy8uUgHtY/WsKqIEX8huI/AAAAAAAAAa0/MNQtj7uNGfQ5P6wUjFX-mgwAiq9PJTnTQCLcBGAs/s320/02%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kate and the kids pose in front of the newly decorated wall.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30JrlZiHqtM/WsKqJuCXvBI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Cxf0IX2-1-Ubnw8CFF_WT5aDrKqNcG4NwCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30JrlZiHqtM/WsKqJuCXvBI/AAAAAAAAAa8/Cxf0IX2-1-Ubnw8CFF_WT5aDrKqNcG4NwCLcBGAs/s320/03%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We decided to make our main-room library shelving and furniture out of scrap wood from the hurricane, which saved us money but required a huge amount of work. Some new friends from <a href="http://www.connactglobal.org/" target="_blank">CONNACT global</a> helped us for a day of sanding.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hOikfqz6bM/WsKqBhSKlaI/AAAAAAAAAac/UkPySRfULRE35J8UkkMIZRcQO1SxdENRwCLcBGAs/s1600/04%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hOikfqz6bM/WsKqBhSKlaI/AAAAAAAAAac/UkPySRfULRE35J8UkkMIZRcQO1SxdENRwCLcBGAs/s320/04%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And so our main room was transformed into a mini library.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-eF7xDWPkI/WsKqCnZzEvI/AAAAAAAAAag/8-K3JsEcTl0m3QxE9XqT6MHHooR8_gY0QCLcBGAs/s1600/05%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v-eF7xDWPkI/WsKqCnZzEvI/AAAAAAAAAag/8-K3JsEcTl0m3QxE9XqT6MHHooR8_gY0QCLcBGAs/s320/05%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The mountains painted on both sides of the room are on the same sides as their corresponding volcanoes on the island: Concepcion (below) and Maderas (above). Below is the kid's section of the library with kids books in Spanish and English, crafts, games, and a high throne. Recognize the bench we were sanding before?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oeXWk9OAN8/WsKqDcnzLjI/AAAAAAAAAak/hHdyR3ivwcAq708IJpPTT_aOYBVL2oi9QCLcBGAs/s1600/06%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7oeXWk9OAN8/WsKqDcnzLjI/AAAAAAAAAak/hHdyR3ivwcAq708IJpPTT_aOYBVL2oi9QCLcBGAs/s320/06%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the help of Amanda from Peace Corps, our library was available for our first storytime event with local kids.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYOpnIWYR8Y/WsKqFVkYGSI/AAAAAAAAAas/ILKmRmABIvwUKZ3uleG96B907GQnLnahgCLcBGAs/s1600/08%2Btransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYOpnIWYR8Y/WsKqFVkYGSI/AAAAAAAAAas/ILKmRmABIvwUKZ3uleG96B907GQnLnahgCLcBGAs/s320/08%2Btransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although we have not officially opened with regular business hours, we have hosted test openings on a few random days. The neighbor kids quickly find out and enjoy reading books and doing crafts in the kids section. Yes, they do sit on the throne!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oT87N8svyyg/WsKqGoNgPGI/AAAAAAAAAaw/uMXyKaRtjVgtKcENN9haeiuARyx21ORWwCLcBGAs/s1600/09%2BTransform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oT87N8svyyg/WsKqGoNgPGI/AAAAAAAAAaw/uMXyKaRtjVgtKcENN9haeiuARyx21ORWwCLcBGAs/s320/09%2BTransform.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After months of clearing debris out of the garden, we landscaped around a stubborn tree stump and added a large trellis. A line of young passion fruit vines line the left side of the trellis, and we hope that they will provide shade and lots of fruit within the next year or so.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pLYow-O3DE/WsKqIDUcjwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/p8ALmHLnu-AHYai733LxXNr0HrKMu4L-gCLcBGAs/s1600/10%2Btransform%2Bgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pLYow-O3DE/WsKqIDUcjwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/p8ALmHLnu-AHYai733LxXNr0HrKMu4L-gCLcBGAs/s320/10%2Btransform%2Bgarden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also fenced in a smaller garden to keep neighborhood chickens away from the more delicate edible plants and seedlings. We have a bunch of herbs and greens planted, and there is still more room for some rows of veggies or other fun foods.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-faxy5ShQo/WsKqKC6LeuI/AAAAAAAAAbE/EetLO9xHO_M2nog7eJZClOgVTzWn97CjwCLcBGAs/s1600/11%2Btransform%2Bgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-faxy5ShQo/WsKqKC6LeuI/AAAAAAAAAbE/EetLO9xHO_M2nog7eJZClOgVTzWn97CjwCLcBGAs/s320/11%2Btransform%2Bgarden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back to inside: the kitchen was the first room we furnished. It may look humble, but it's quite a luxury by Ometepe standards.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aF08CRmvsN0/WsKqKYFykJI/AAAAAAAAAbI/S9-VLfPBrL0oNi9HUaCk9hZJ4O825z_bQCLcBGAs/s1600/13%2Btransform%2Bkitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aF08CRmvsN0/WsKqKYFykJI/AAAAAAAAAbI/S9-VLfPBrL0oNi9HUaCk9hZJ4O825z_bQCLcBGAs/s320/13%2Btransform%2Bkitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our office space is still developing in the room between the kitchen and library, but we finally have a desk and shelving for the guide books and materials.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDzi2ARDo2s/WsKqJ5GECpI/AAAAAAAAAbA/vfYJlFI0_cUKg53g6Otx7KB2YG0W5UohQCLcBGAs/s1600/12%2Btransform%2Boffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QDzi2ARDo2s/WsKqJ5GECpI/AAAAAAAAAbA/vfYJlFI0_cUKg53g6Otx7KB2YG0W5UohQCLcBGAs/s320/12%2Btransform%2Boffice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the other side of the office is the door to the bedroom. We added a deadbolt to the door for privacy and security, and we also raised the wall to the ceiling--before, you could climb over the wall into the bedroom (look at the first picture of the blog to see the same type of half wall). An open wall is fine if it's in a private house, but being part of a public office and library, the bedroom needed to be fully closed.<br />
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The bedroom may not be large, but it has everything a bedroom needs. This enables us to include housing for our volunteer directors or project managers.<br />
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We're still working on the last room. We've fixed the doors and added a giant cot that can be stowed in the new storage closet. It still definitely needs to be painted. This extra room off to the side can be a reading room for the library, a classroom, and a temporary bedroom for guests. It's currently being used as a guest bedroom.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnmLztW467E/WsKqLY7EDlI/AAAAAAAAAbU/J1RNdZyjNzUPlhdqM1Wl8KZtiZT-kUBogCLcBGAs/s1600/16%2Btransform%2Bguest%2Bbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnmLztW467E/WsKqLY7EDlI/AAAAAAAAAbU/J1RNdZyjNzUPlhdqM1Wl8KZtiZT-kUBogCLcBGAs/s320/16%2Btransform%2Bguest%2Bbed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Renovating the Resource Center has taken a large amount of the time this season in Nicaragua. We hope that it will require a lot less work next year and will enable us to focus on and develop our other projects. We are very encouraged by the positive attention our library has earned with the neighbors, and we hope that it also appeals as much as a center for learning and administering our project.<br />
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Update: As of April 20th, we have finished all of our major painting and renovating of the Center, which we are calling Centro PUMA for our crew, the "Protectores Unidos por el Medio Ambiente", or the "United Protectors of the Environment." Our last touch on the center before inaugurating it was to paint the outside and add signs. Here's the before and after:<br />
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Now come visit us at Centro PUMA on Ometepe!<br />
<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-60771507549526402792018-04-02T22:29:00.002-07:002018-04-02T22:29:54.691-07:00Volunteer opportunity!<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are looking for a volunteer for sometime between May and September 2018 - could it be you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We need someone to coordinate our program in Altagracia for at least 10 weeks. This position's main responsibilities are to staff and maintain the Resource Center, communicate and organize programs with our partner organizations on the island, and keep track of the finances. You will have your own secure room in the Center, with wifi, kitchen, and garden. You must speak English and Spanish, and have basic internet and office computer skills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Contact us for details! guiasunidosnicaragua at gmail dot com - </span><a href="http://www.guiasunidos.org/volunteering-with-guias-unidos-summer-2018/">www.guiasunidos.org/volunteering-with-guias-unidos-summer-2018/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Para el invierno de 2018 (Mayo hasta Septiembre, calendario flexible pero por favor trabaja a lo menos 2.5 meses), quiserimos a alguien para coordinar la programa en Altagracia. Necesita mantener y dotar de personal el Centro de Recursos, comunicar y organizar programas con organizaciones asociadas, y dirigir las finanzas. Vivirá en su propio cuarto seguro en el Centro, con wifi y una cocina y jardin. Necesita hablar español y ingles, y saber cómo utilizar las computadoras.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 16px;">Contactarnos por detalles! guiasunidosnicaragua arroba gmail punto com - </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.guiasunidos.org/en-espanol/">www.guiasunidos.org/en-espanol/</a></span></span></span></div>
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Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-32026961128189523292018-01-26T20:42:00.001-08:002018-01-26T20:42:16.441-08:00Living on Ometepe<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Hey
everyone! My name is Trever and I am a new volunteer here at Guias Unidos. I
met Jeff and Kate as an SCA intern in 2015 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
and I returned to THRO for my first official NPS gig the following summer. I
spent the summer of 2017 working as a Ranger in Kings Canyon National Park in
California (pictured above). This is my first ever blog post, but over the next few months I
want to explain what I am doing for Guias Unidos as well as some of the
everyday life here in Nicaragua.</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">For those of you who are new, Ometepe Island is the
frontline of our Guias Unidos work. Ometepe is located inside of the large Lake
Nicaragua and is comprised of two different volcanos connected by a thin strip
of land called an isthmus. The volcano on the left, Conception, is still active
and Maderas to the right is a dormant volcano. The two make life on the island
very interesting!</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> This photo was taken from a ferry
on its way to Moyogolpa, the only port currently active on the Island.</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">My main goals here are to help with the education of the local guides and to work on diffrent trail projects around the island. The Guias Unidos work takes us all over the
Island, even to the top of the volcanoes! The picture here was taken during the
hike up Conception. Which is a very steep scramble up with a wonderful views of
Maderas along the way. The plant life on Conception is much less forested than
Maderas, which is covered with trees all the way up, and into the volcano. So
this view is only one way. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPITwmgDOoQ/Wmv6DdeUitI/AAAAAAAAAZA/UUeSy_kCW4gE9LthdUamGfwTi4VFdnDigCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPITwmgDOoQ/Wmv6DdeUitI/AAAAAAAAAZA/UUeSy_kCW4gE9LthdUamGfwTi4VFdnDigCLcBGAs/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The view at the top of Conception are awesome
but also a little scary. Here Chelsea poses at the top of Conception with a
view of Maderas in the background. The hike back down the volcano seemed longer
than I remembered it being on the way up but it did have a neat surprise! A
little switch in the trails on the way down leads to a kilometer of sand that
allows you to skip/jump/ski down the side of the mountain. 10/10 I would definitely
recommend the going down the sand trail.</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Si a la Vida in English means Yes to Life. It’s
an organization that works with local children and runs a farm that I as well
as some of the other volunteers stay at. It has puppies, a kitchen, volcanic
views and a cat, that we named Senior Gato, or for our English speakers: Mr.
Cat. The farm is cold showers only though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Most
of the land at the farm is used to grow plantains, which are a very starchy
relative of the banana. So we got more plantains than we know what to do with.
Here we get a view of conception volcano over the farms plantain field. The
farm also has chickens and cattle occasionally running about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This
photo is a little bit of a sneak peek into the daily life here at the farm.
Enrique, one of the farm workers, clears brush while a Magpie Jay fly’s
overhead. It’s generally calm and pretty here at Si a la Vida.</span><br />
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</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Speaking of Magpie Jays they are all over Ometepe and they are totally gorgeous. The locals
treat them like a nuisance. The problems they have given me so far is that they
seem to be a little camera shy.</span><br />
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">About a kilometer
and a half from the farm is the Altagracia port. The ferries that used to bring
people to the port stopped coming several years ago when lake levels were to
low. The port still gets some usage by fishing boats and seems to be a hangout
for some of the locals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Here
a man fishes at the pier during the sunset. We didn’t see him get anything big
but he kept going for the whole hour that we were there.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRzIGF4OckU/Wmv9ZPQVdDI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Flf4pypjpgQt4qSSyDBW12Qq4zp5epbTgCLcBGAs/s1600/PC310064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRzIGF4OckU/Wmv9ZPQVdDI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/Flf4pypjpgQt4qSSyDBW12Qq4zp5epbTgCLcBGAs/s320/PC310064.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span>I have been here for almost 2 months now and I
have been pleasantly surprised by how welcoming most of the Nicaraguan people
have been. This place offers so much to do, not only with working with the
environmental aspects, but with the people as well. I am looking forward to my
next few months here on Ometepe and the work it will bring. One thing is for
sure though, this view will never get old.<o:p></o:p></div>
Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-64916405982779940352017-12-29T19:53:00.004-08:002017-12-29T19:53:59.803-08:00Help Nature Libre and friends!We have a new campaign going through January 2018. Nature Libre would like your help!<br />
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Learn more and help Nature Libre and friends at <a href="http://naturelibre.causevox.com/">naturelibre.causevox.com</a>Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-21102380874117000182017-11-19T18:09:00.000-08:002017-11-19T21:30:18.416-08:00Back in Nicaragua for 2017/2018A blog by Jeff:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyDbO1uTPg8/WhIwVjvxQUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/OBuWjB0ztqwENGI2pImD41KJOhcumn28wCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Bsouth%2Bridge%2Bsunset2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gyDbO1uTPg8/WhIwVjvxQUI/AAAAAAAAAXg/OBuWjB0ztqwENGI2pImD41KJOhcumn28wCLcBGAs/s400/01%2Bsouth%2Bridge%2Bsunset2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's not Nicaragua, it's Denali National Park.</td></tr>
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We're at it once again. The seasonal park jobs are over, and we're back to working full time with Guias Unidos. At least as full time as we can. It's been a challenging year--professionally the timing has been good, but personally the timing has been a tough. Because of family needs, Kate had to decline her job in Denali this summer and is living in Seattle permanently. I had to rove Alaskan Range by myself. Well, maybe not by myself, but without Kate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5TJQIK8T-I/WhIwd7cAljI/AAAAAAAAAXk/6GQfCKTaX8s_6dhBkpKdo-4FqPqRq_z_ACLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Bdisco%2Bigloo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5TJQIK8T-I/WhIwd7cAljI/AAAAAAAAAXk/6GQfCKTaX8s_6dhBkpKdo-4FqPqRq_z_ACLcBGAs/s400/02%2Bdisco%2Bigloo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranger Jeff leads a "Discovery Hike," an off-trail wilderness trek in Denali</td></tr>
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Not tied to the intense ranger schedule, Kate has been involved with the National Association of Interpretation, NAI. She went to their international conference in Mexico (boondoggle, baby!) and she just returned from their national conference in Spokane (must be legit if it's in Spokane?). When I came back to Seattle in October, we were just in time to take NAI's Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer course to become certified trainers. That means we'll be official soon!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WaBsZiwtqOo/WhIwUyw9b5I/AAAAAAAAAXc/PCKIWvMeFckZmkdYHSFWlHgX8NIv3VLFwCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2BCIGT%2BSeattle%2BOctober%2B2017.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WaBsZiwtqOo/WhIwUyw9b5I/AAAAAAAAAXc/PCKIWvMeFckZmkdYHSFWlHgX8NIv3VLFwCLcBGAs/s400/03%2BCIGT%2BSeattle%2BOctober%2B2017.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CIT class of 2017, at Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Seattle</td></tr>
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Timing has been good to not migrate back to Florida for the winter, even though we will miss our alligator-infused river of grass. The National Park Service (NPS) was never designed for the oxymoron of the "permanent seasonal" employees that we used to be. They are cracking down on rehire if you work more than 6 months per year. That means this is the right year to do something different for the winter, both for me and potential volunteers.<br />
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I am working with lots of partners in Nicaragua to get new activities up and running, and Kate is running administrative support from the gray chill of the Pacific Northwest. And speaking of chill, after having spent a summer in Alaska, Nicaragua feels very hot to me right now! But the cool trade winds blow over Lake Nicaragua and between the volcanoes at night, making it livable. Let's not discuss the bugs right now, though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the view of the farm from my bedroom. That's Volcan Concepcion in the background.</td></tr>
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Guias Unidos has a lot of new things planned in Nicaragua this year. New England Biolabs Foundation awarded us a grant to set up a resource center and pay some guides to help with our programs. We've also gotten some generous donations from friends, family, and a few strangers to help with all the expenses. We've also hand some generous equipment donations from a network of people. Amy Simso Dean and some generous birders from Minnesota donated a suitcase full of binoculars to us. Kate's cousin, Leah Schedin, transported them to Seattle, from where I took them to Nicaragua. So even though our budget is tight, we think we can get a lot done with it. We're planning on having a few volunteers/students join from the USA, so that will help out.<br />
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Well, that's the news from Lake Nicaragua, where all the bull sharks are strong, all the birds are good looking, and all the volcanoes are higher than average.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The twin volcanoes of Ometepe Island.</td></tr>
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<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-16813708821543207752017-08-23T21:58:00.002-07:002017-08-23T21:58:32.013-07:00Recruiting volunteers!We've been quiet lately, but we've been plugging away in the background, we promise! We have some big news about a grant coming up soon, but first, please check out our new recruitment video for volunteers:<br />
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We'd really appreciate what help we can get from skilled folks. One major project coming up (more in the blog about the grant) is starting a guide-ranger program to help compensate guides for work in the Maderas Protected Area that in a US National Park would be done by rangers - trail design, search and rescue, and understanding the use patterns in the Protected Area to prioritize what should be done. There will still be guide training opportunities, as well as many others. A big change is that Kate may not be able to go to Nicaragua for a long period of time due to family commitments in the US, so Jeff will really need any help he can get down there!<br />
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If any of this is of interest to you, check out http://www.guiasunidos.org/get-involved.html. If you think someone you know might be interested, please pass this on! We appreciate your help.Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-35245238268188057312017-02-06T11:01:00.001-08:002017-02-06T11:01:30.533-08:00Donations are now tax deductible!Due to our new status as a project of a non-profit (501 c3) organization, we can offer tax deductible status for donations. You can donate at our new Acceptiva page by <a href="https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=384685" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. All information about tax deductions comes to your email once you put your information into that site.<br />
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Thanks in advance!Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-91442509132985240612017-02-02T17:16:00.000-08:002017-02-02T17:16:06.827-08:00Earth Island InstituteWe have big news! Guias Unidos has been accepted as a project of Earth Island Institute (EII). EII is a "fiscal sponsor," which is a less-than-clear name for an umbrella organization that helps small projects like ours with the administrative parts of being a non-profit organization. So now we can officially get tax-free donations and apply to grants that are only for non-profit organizations, but we don't have to go through all the complicated business and law messiness to become a non-profit ourselves.<br />
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This also means that we have been "vetted" by an organization, EII, that has a more than 30 years of experience in what they do. They currently have about 75 projects under their watch, and some past projects have spun off to become their own major players. EII was started in 1980 by the first president of the Sierra Club, David Brower, and is to this day run by a group of people with lots of experience in social and environmental work.<br />
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We spent a couple days with the EII team in Berkeley, CA getting aquainted to their resources and work, and we're pretty excited to be working with them. If you'd like to see what they do, check them out at http://www.earthisland.org/index.php/support/, and especially the Earth Island Journal at www.earthisland.org/journal/.<br />
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Speaking of journals, Jeff got an article published in Ranger Magazine, the journal of the Association of National Park Rangers. You can read it on pages 15 and 16 (pdf pages 17 and 18) at https://aonpr29.wildapricot.org/resources/Documents/Ranger/2016Ranger_Fall_4C.pdf. We're hoping to get more word out there about our project soon.<br />
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For now, we're still applying for funding for the next steps. Some ideas include to create a resource library in one or two locations on the island (an office, basically, with computer training and guide books, etc.), and paying guides to be like rangers on the trails, keeping track of who is there, what is being done, and helping out where necessary. Likely, we won't have enough funding (the goal being $15,000) to go in June, so we're also applying to summer park jobs in the US. Not a bad backup... We'll likely be going back to Ometepe in October, and staying through March or early April.<br />
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And, of course, we're still having fun. We took the opportunity of being in the Bay Area to spend a weekend in San Francisco. So beautiful!<br />
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<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-53454932093066406632016-11-01T20:19:00.001-07:002016-11-01T20:19:34.372-07:00Finishing in Nicaragua for 2016We knew the fun had to come to an end, so we made sure to squeeze in one more project before our time was up.<br />
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After our first-aid training course we took with the Ometepe Guides in June, we decided that the theory was helpful, but we wanted more practice (and more tourist-specific topics, such as heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sanitation), and we thought the guides should have first aid kits to go along with their training. In the USA you may be able to stop by your local convenience store and buy a first aid kit, but it's not so easy in rural Nicaragua. We were able to get lots of supplies from the local pharmacy, and using our sewing skills and some ideas from the internet, we put together our own custom kit--well stocked for the wilderness.<br />
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We then hired a local tailor to make us 18 more (Gracias Angel Vela!).<br />
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The kit rolls up and fits in a small bag.<br />
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It ended up costing $27 per kit, which would be a great deal for US standards, but we had to consider that this kit costs about an average week's wage in Nicaragua. Would you spend a week's wage on a small first aid kit? I wouldn't! Since we had some funds left over from the generous donations of our supporters, we subsidized the costs of the kits down to $7 each, and we put together a refresher course and practical training workshop for the guides who signed up. We had a nice crowd that afternoon, especially as our last workshop doubled as our despedida (good-bye festival).<br />
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We put together kits<br />
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Then used them to treat simulated injuries.<br />
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Then went straight for the piñata (which happened to be a yellow-naped amazon parrot--one of the threatened species that finds refuge on the island).<br />
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By the end of the night, the parrot's head was on Willmore's head.<br />
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We also had our last classes with the Si a la Vida kids. We read The Giving Tree again.<br />
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And we read the Lorax.<br />
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Both of these books we also bought with your donations, and left behind with our partners in Nicaragua.<br />
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The school put on another big despedida for us, just two days after our first despedida with the guides. The kids danced for us,<br />
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and we had another piñata!<br />
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And after a beautiful morning spent together on the beach, we had to say good-bye to the kids as they left on their "school bus."<br />
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We also said good-bye to our home on the farm. Kate planted some interesting plants with the hopes that they will grow and bring us food next year when we return. You can also see the doors that Jeff varnished in the background.<br />
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We left our island home, with hopes of returning to see all of our wonderful friends there again soon. We'll leave out the details of how Jeff managed to get another stomach bug the night before leaving, oddly similar to the stomach bug he got the night before leaving the USA to come to Nicaragua.<br />
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It wasn't over, however. We still had 5 days (or so we thought) to do some sightseeing in Masaya and meet with some folks at the Embassy before flying home.<br />
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There's an active volcano in Masaya, so we couldn't turn down seeing that. There's an active lava lake in the volcano--even better! For health and safety reasons, you can only visit for 15 minutes, but we designed our tour around it. We hired transportation that brought us to the edge. We looked down into the glowing caldera.<br />
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listened to the glowing-red smoke spew out of the depths,<br />
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and we saw the lava lake bubbling and sloshing in the bottom. We took some video of the event and put it on youtube:<br />
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Due to a strange twist of luck and unluck, the very same night as the volcano we noticed that there was a hurricane heading to Florida on the day our flight was to arrive. We had tickets with one of those discount airlines, you know the ones that don't have mutual agreements with regular airlines, so you can't just reroute your flight. I won't name the airline, but let's just say it rhymes with "Schpirit." Anyway, they only have one flight every other day, so if a flight is cancelled, displaced travelers could spend a week or more trying to squeeze into the following flights. Well, on our way to the volcano, "Schpirit" put in a travel advisory that allowed for free ticket transfers. The only flight available for us to change to was two days earlier than our planned departure. In other words, it was that very night, just a few hours after our volcano tour. And we booked it. So on the way back from our lava lake excursion, Jeff found a taxi would take us to the airport in Managua (about a 50 minute drive). Suffice to say, the next morning we woke up in Fort Lauderdale, and the Nicaragua chapter of our 2016 adventure came to a close.Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-30541113428003848012016-09-26T17:05:00.000-07:002016-09-26T17:13:05.515-07:00More workshops and teaching<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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One of our big goals in our Guias Unidos project was to
perform guide training workshops. We haven't written a lot about this yet, but
we've been busy with workshops and other projects. In August we set up a pair
of interpretive method training workshops--The basics of presentations one day,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff gives an example of using audience participation techniques</td></tr>
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and then practice presentations on a separate day. Kate and
I both came down with the zika virus (not officially diagnosed, but extremely
likely according to our symptoms) in the middle of our workshop series. Kate
was bedridden with an intensely-itching, full-body rash and some aches.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate's back with the zika rash</td></tr>
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I (Jeff) got a light
rash with aches and swollen joints. Kate couldn't even wear clothes, so since I
was just sore but decently attired, I completed the workshops on my own. I
admittedly did not do a good job, but we were on a tight schedule. I hooked
them up to microphones and filmed their talks so that we could watch them later, when we would be in a better state of mind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yilmer tells us a story about the crazy Magpie Jays here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willmore shivered in his coat when as temperatures dropped into the mid 70s. </td></tr>
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As soon as we felt better, we had to go to Costa Rica for our visa run and to visit the projects we had planned (see our previous blog post).<br />
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After returning to Ometepe, we got back to teaching. We did a couple birding workshops in the field, one taking place at Charco Verde, and the other at Peñas Incultas, both popular birding and hiking spots. Some of the guides were experienced, and others were complete beginners with birding. We did a basic intro on how to use binoculars, how to use bird books, then we went out for a couple hours and helped each other out with identifications.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding at Charco Verde</td></tr>
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Each day we were able
to identify 25-30 bird species. This would not have been possible without your
donations and the grant from Idea Wild that supplied us with binoculars and
books. Thank you to everyone!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birding at Peñas Incultas</td></tr>
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Although we've been busy, we've tried to help Arlin with his
free English classes for the kids of Altagracia.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arlin teaching English</td></tr>
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We co-taught a few classes (though Arlin is doing most of
the work), and we took the kids on an environmental education outing one
weekend. We looked at birds, bugs, and monkeys,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids stop to look at howler monkeys in the trees</td></tr>
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And we made animals in the sand at the beach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the sand at the beach</td></tr>
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Both English skills and environmental awareness are
important skills to have in this area where ecotourism is a growing economic
force. So we applaud Arlin for this endeavor, and we hope to support the
classes more next year.<br />
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We also took a day trip with the folks who work at the Finca
(Farm) Si a la Vida (where we live now). We visited Finca Bona Fide, the
permaculture farm where we worked 3 years ago. We bought a few plants
and we’re going to use some of their techniques on our farm's volunteer housing area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Si a la Vida crew visits Finca Bona Fide</td></tr>
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Next, Kate put together a Geology 101 workshop after spending
nearly a week studying her favorite subject. Kate also spent a day preparing
with a local Peace Corps Volunteer (Thank you Lindsay!) who is a geologist
working on local risk maps for our volcanoes. Kate gave us a basic intro,
geology 101, took us out on a "timeline of the earth" walk,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hopped from shady spot to shady spot during the timescale walk--it was hot out!</td></tr>
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then gave us a nice slide show about some local details of
the geology on Ometepe (Thank you Angelica from Fauna and Flora International
for lending us the projector!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like rocking chairs in a colonial house for our classroom!</td></tr>
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We also put together a short video of some of our experiences this summer and watched it with the guides. I hope to make a better one when I have more time and a better processor, but you can see what we put on Youtube:<br />
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For our last week here, we have one more workshop planned:
first aid kits, but we’ll tell you more about that next week.<span id="goog_1134881034"></span><br />
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Since I don't have a good conclusion, let's just end with a
picture of our farm's newest addition, a puppy named Duquesa (Duchess)! She's cute, and
she now officially likes our hammocks!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-11564412267432376782016-09-11T14:35:00.000-07:002016-09-11T14:35:21.354-07:00Being TouristsNicaragua has a couple of high seasons, times when tourists flock to the country and guides have plenty of work. August is the peak of high season, so our work on Ometepe was more of a strain for the guides than a help. It was the perfect time to take off for a couple of weeks to see some other tourism hotspots in the region, to learn about how they work - and to have fun, of course!<br />
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We have a long list of places in Nicaragua that we have yet to see, and Rio San Juan was one. It is a river that feeds from the southeast side of Lago Cocibolca, the lake our island is in (but we're on the western side of the lake), to the Caribbean coast. Nicaraguans take a special pride in Rio San Juan - those who have been tell of its beauty, those who have not generally want to go. It's on the border of Costa Rica, and is strategically important, so I'm sure politics have something to do with the pride.<br />
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The trip starts in San Carlos. It is less of a tourist town and more of a hub for transport, especially for produce, as evidenced by these plantains recently arrived from our island.<br />
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We grabbed a seat on a fast boat to El Castillo, a famed tourist town on the river, known for its nearly 350 year old fort.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town is quite pretty, and the fort above makes for an impressive arrival.</td></tr>
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We got there late, but were immediately impressed by the calm and beauty of the town - and its sunsets.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad place to work for a bit.</td></tr>
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Our original plan was to stay one night, check out the fort, and be on our way. But El Castillo captured us and kept us for three nights, so we could enjoy the place a little more.<br />
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Our guide for the tour of the fort, Holga, has been guiding for twenty or thirty years, most of those in El Castillo, so she really knows her stuff.<br />
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She is also quite aware that a lot of her job consists of taking photos of tourists :-)<br />
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The fort has incredible views of the river and town.<br />
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It has quite a nice little museum, as well.<br />
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Town isn't exactly huge, with perhaps a couple thousand residents, but we could just walk around for hours. One reason it's so walkable is that there are no vehicles at all - you boat in, then you walk. Period.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No exceptions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Street.</td></tr>
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But the main attraction of Rio San Juan is the huge tracts of untouched rainforest, including the Indio Maiz reserve. It's not somewhere you can just walk to, however. You have to take a boat to get there, and that means hiring someone. The rules in many Central American national parks and reserves are very different than what we're used to in the US - you can't just go anywhere you like. You must have a guide with you (it's illegal not to), and you must stay to very specific trails. Most of the reserve is completely off limits to the public, only open to biologists by permit and the native people who have always lived there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqvYUznTPlI/V9XDC_jhp1I/AAAAAAAAANw/mw7RA1NTv-Ysh0JzEyrdoyhPu7-u2oWSACEw/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqvYUznTPlI/V9XDC_jhp1I/AAAAAAAAANw/mw7RA1NTv-Ysh0JzEyrdoyhPu7-u2oWSACEw/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The red dot on the map is where the open trails were. <br />The dark green is the reserve - it's bigger than Yosemite.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two trails, for a total of 3.5 miles.</td></tr>
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So, we found a guide and booked a tour. Jeff chanced upon Juan Ardilla, who turned out to be one of the best guides in town.<br />
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Juan was excited that Jeff wanted to look for birds, and planned a tour for us leaving at 6 am. Oh goody! We took a relaxing float down the river in a canoe, looking for birds along the banks and enjoying the early-morning quiet. When we arrived at the reserve, we found armed military soldiers protecting the trailhead - also a little different than our US parks, but whatever works. They apparently practice their skills at their camp in the reserve, as there were several pits dug around the place for them to lay in and shoot from.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not expected, but interesting.</td></tr>
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We put on our rented mudboots and got going on the trail. Mudboots are a good thing, let me tell you.<br />
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As any of you who have hiked with birdwatchers know, you don't work up much of a sweat. We stopped a lot to look up, and to look things up.<br />
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But looking down was important, too. Juan found a bullet ant nest, and a few wandering bullet ants, who are famous for their unbelievably painful sting - and he made sure to display a little of the Latin machismo by getting one to walk on his arm for a photo op.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hombre!</td></tr>
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There were other poisonous critters about, this being the jungle and all, but some were awfully pretty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poison dart frogs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicknamed Rana Jeans (jeans frog) because it looks like it's wearing blue pants.</td></tr>
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Spikey plants should be avoided, as well.</div>
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But some critters that looked dangerous weren't at all - although this lady was at least the size of a US quarter.</div>
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There were suprisingly few flowers, for how Hollywood likes to depict the rainforest, but this one was abundant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Labios calientes" - hot lips. No kidding!</td></tr>
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By far more abundant were the fungi, which I found fascinating.</div>
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Humid, much?</div>
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Lunch was to be provided by the river - with a little effort put in.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Juan's catches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow tourist Lieve caught one, too, <br />although she was a little creeped out by it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff had less luck, but fed a lot of worms to the fish, so someone scored.</td></tr>
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Alas, the weather had other plans. While fishing, a true jungle downpour dumped on us. We were fishing, bailing out the boat, laughing, and just sitting and watching it all.</div>
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Our ride home, a motorboat, showed up, so we hitched the canoe to the back, climbed in, and took a "cold" ride home. Juan was cold, anyway, and Jeff was getting there. Kate was finally feeling comfortable.</div>
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Then, it was off to Costa Rica, the more famous, more visited, and economically better-off southern neighbor of Nicaragua. Eight years ago, we visited Costa Rica for a short vacation, back when we had "real" jobs with only two weeks' vacation time per year. We were the typical tourists from the US, wanting to see everything in a short time, speaking almost no Spanish, and amazed by palm trees. (The palm tree thing hasn't changed, actually.)</div>
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We remembered from our first trip the tiny town of Tortuguero, another place with no vehicles and a small-town vibe. As the name implies, turtles come to lay eggs there every year, which brings in a lot of tourism in turtle season. The first time we went, it was off season, so there was hardly anyone there. This time, however, there were a lot more tourists - partially because of the season, partially because tourism has grown.</div>
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We went in the way we came out last time, considered the "back way," and then only used by locals. Things have changed...</div>
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It was cool to be in Tortuguero to see the turtle nests. The beach looked like it had been dug up by excavating equipment, complete with tractor tracks.</div>
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We did see one turtle - dead, unfortunately, but dang, it was big.</div>
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The one we saw was a green - but the really big ones are the leatherbacks:</div>
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Whoa!</div>
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We didn't go out on a night tour to watch the turtles nesting. Something seemed a little strange about standing around in a group while some poor turtle laid her eggs. But we did go on a canoe tour one morning, again with a lot of birding.</div>
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It was lovely out there, so peaceful in the canoe, except when we came upon a caiman. Just like in the Everglades, they were easy to find - just look for crowds of tourists:</div>
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Again, like Nicaragua's Indio Maiz reserve, there was just one walking trail tourists were permitted on, and it was a bit short. But we did go. Jeff got a bit muddy in the process (Kate used her rented mudboots).</div>
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There was only a little wildlife on the trail, since it was so close to town, but we did get a good look at a Golden Orb Weaver.</div>
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We got better looks at wildlife at our hotel, as it turns out. The owner came around one evening to bring everyone back by the laundry station to see the famous Red Eyed Tree Frogs, which happened to be en flagrante at the time.</div>
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We also found this little guy on the wall of our room - never did figure out his species, but he's big for a tree frog!</div>
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We spent a fair amount of our time on this trip discussing training with the guides we toured with and other guides we met along the way. The difference between Nicaragua and Costa Rica was distinct - there are no real regulations for the guides in Nicaragua, but training was mandatory in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government requires two years' training, but makes it relatively easy by bringing teachers to each place to train the local guides. Several years ago they had been to Tortuguero, where they stayed for two years. This is quite a surprise to me, as Tortuguero is pretty out of the way, and there are about 150 guides there. But Costa Rica takes its tourism economy very seriously.</div>
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Now that we are home, we are taking some of the lessons we learned from the guides and community in Tortuguero (and in Ostional, where we visited the projects of Paso Pacifico in July) to the guides of Ometepe and seeing what we can do to adapt them to the realities of guiding here. It is unlikely that we could (or would need to) require so much training time from our guides, as they are already guiding and have families to support. But hopefully we can create some in-between solution that will provide enough training to bring Ometepe's visitor service standards up, while acknowledging what our guides already know from experience.</div>
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Our last month here is during the slow season for tourism, which means we have a schedule packed with workshops and meetings. Birds and rocks and first aid, oh my! Look for blogs soon detailing the work side of our work - we don't just travel, we promise :-)</div>
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Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2747574474731064547.post-41740772724387970042016-08-13T11:37:00.000-07:002016-08-13T11:37:25.521-07:00Jen was hereYou may have noticed our previous post asking for future volunteers. How do we know people might come? Because one already has!<br />
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A friend and co-worker in the Everglades, Jen, came to visit in July, and we put her through the paces:<br />
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For her first day on the island, we worked with the kids of Si a la Vida, and she jumped right in. Settling in is, apparently, for the weak.<br />
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Through our ... fame ... as educators with that program, we were invited to be judges for a English-language singing competition. It was quite interesting:<br />
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Each group not only had singers in English, but also had choreography that was supposed to demonstrate something about the song.<br />
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It's not all about the kids down here, of course. The guides of Ometepe had arranged a first aid class with a firefighter from the mainland, so we attended to see what they were learning and if we could follow up with anything useful.<br />
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The overview of first aid was actually quite good. The fourth line on there is "No luchar con la imposible" - "Don't fight the impossible fight" - a crucial point in a place like Ometepe. We practiced as much as you could in a group of forty attendees, including carry-outs:<br />
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CPR practice without dummies was an interesting part.<br />
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Jen got the full Nica experience, with lots of rice and beans, bugs, and crammed busses:<br />
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But she also got to hang out with some of the chillest people in the world, beach time, and the freshest fruit juice imaginable:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiter: "What would you like to drink?"<br />Jen: "What kind of juice do you have today?"<br />Waiter: looks at orange tree: "Orange juice."<br />Jen: "I'll have one of those, then."<br />Waiter: grabs stick, gets oranges, runs to kitchen...</td></tr>
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We spent a fair amount of time at home on the farm, too, doing domestic things. Jen usually hates the kitchen, but she now has some serious chocolate making skills.<br />
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And door refinishing skills! That's domestic, right?<br />
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One thing she hoped to find here was street raspados (like snow cones). No problem, we said. We find the guy with his raspado cart in town all the time, we said. Two weeks into her stay, and no raspados. Until...<br />
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Hooray!<br />
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But it can't all be work all the time. Ometepe brings in tourists for a reason, so we made sure to hit a couple of the touristy places.<br />
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How could you not, right?<br />
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We're planning our future trips now, and looking into getting funding and sponsorship for our projects. If all goes well, we hope to have Jen back for an extended visit, and many more friends, too!Guias Unidoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00465999692536039789noreply@blogger.com0