"Swearing-in" and meeting President Ortega

I’m at my new home in Chinandega laying on my queen mattress staring up at my mosquito net realizing that I’m definitely not in training anymore.  I think this past weekend’s events of transitioning from a trainee to a volunteer will prove to be my favorite memories of my time here in Nica. Thursday was spent at the US Embassy learning about their various government roles here in Nicaragua.  Friday morning we “swore in” at the very luxurious Holiday Inn in Managua.  We took an oath to serve the people of Nicaragua and simultaneously the United States Government for the next two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  Since 2011 marks the Peace Corps 50^th Anniversary our swearing-in ceremony was done up rather large and we even invited President Daniel Ortega.  Unfortunately he was unable to make the ceremony, which was accompanied by the Ambassador and VP of International Affairs.  President Ortega wanted to recognize the 50 years of service that Peace Corps has provided and supported his country so he decided to invite us to his house that evening!  All 43 of us volunteers who swore in, plus several Peace Corps staff joined Ortega in his press conference room for what turned in to a three-hour ordeal.  Ortega had a list of all of our names which he called one by one so we could stand with a mic and answer his questions…..in Spanish…..broadcasting live on TV, can we say nerve racking?!  It was quite an experience that will stick with me through out my service.  He asked me personally where I was from, what I studied in college, if I had work experience, and what I would be doing in Chinandega.  He also threw in a last minute question asking me if I liked the food I had tried here in NIca, random right?  We all left the President’s house dumbfounded by what had just happened.  I think we all figured that our invitation was for a quick chat and speech and then be sent on our way.  No one expected to be singled out and interviewed over a 3 hour time period!  It was truly an unforgettable experience.  Even though President Ortega is a socialist, I did appreciate him taking the time to make each and every one of us feel special.  It really says a lot in his efforts to work jointly with the US Government to better Nicaragua.

I think the best part about this weekend was that our hotel had a pool, which I was physically in the majority of our stay.  We played frisbee in the pool, drank in the pool, chicken fought and just plain chilled.  And when I say drink, I mean we drank, everything from champagne and wine to rum and bloody marys.  It was awesome to have everyone in the same spot enjoying each others company just chillen with a guitar making its rounds.  Our last night we all(40+) went out to an outdoor club(ranchito) which is basically a dance floor covered by a hut where we ended up drenched in sweat as we danced the night away.  It was hard to say good-bye the next morning as we departed for our different sites all over the country.  We won’t all be together again for another three months until we have another week of language training in October.

I can’t believe that I made it through the 3 months of training!  My host mom attended the swearing-in ceremony and then that was that, not a whole lot of emotion there ha ha.  I swore in at Intermediate-high level Spanish, which is higher than required so I felt good about that. I definitely treated myself for making it through that rough patch with good food in Managua and a mani/pedi in Nandasmo before I left.  Kelli’s host brother is a hairstylist and paints nails.  He did a very nice French manicure for the equivalent of $4.

Another treat coming my way is Jamie!  My girl is visiting me the last week in August and I can’t wait to see her face.  Miss and love you all!