Volcano Evacuation Vacation

That's what we've been calling this time spent evacuated out of Chinandega for the last 4 nights.  It all started about a week ago when a 7.6 earthquake shook northern Costa Rica that could be felt in southern Nicaragua.    We received tsunami warnings on the Pacific Coast through out the week and there was knowledge that the northern volcanoes were heating up.  Saturday morning around 10 am I noticed the rain clouds moving in quite a bit earlier than normal and with a brown tinge to them.  It wasn't until I glanced at my phone and saw the 13 missed calls and inbox full of text messages, that I registered what was happening.  The largest and most active volcano in Nicaragua, which happens to be right outside my city, was erupting and spewing ash.  The missed calls were from my boss, my site mate, long distance friends and the head of security checking in to see my status.  We were to evacuate Chinandega immediately to Leon city about 45 minutes south and then on to Managua.  At the time I was actually north of Chinandega traveling with some Nicaraguan friends for the day.  If I had been in my house in Chinandega I could have easily gotten on to a bus and out of there.  In this case being north away from any danger, there was no chance I was getting on a bus to return down in to Chinandega were all the action was.  Since I was actually out of the zone that was being effected I was instructed to stay put and wait for someone to come get me.  As the day chugged along the volcanic ash cleared with the wind and things seemed to settle, but Peace Corps continued to gather volunteers all around the Chinandega and Leon departments to bring them to safety.  Around 4 pm the head of safety and security picked me up in the middle of a rainstorm to bring me down to Managua where my fellow volunteers were gathered.  Although the action had wound down, its still Peace Corps' priority to keep us safe and accounted for.

The first two nights after the explosion we were put in a nice hotel in Granada which was plenty far from the volcanic activity and the earthquake prone epicenter of Managua.  After 2 nights of just hanging out, eating good meals and catching up with friends we thought the action was over.  Monday morning the Leon department got the ok to head back to their sites, but the Chinandeganos had to spend the following night in Managua until they were positive that nothing more was going to happen.  The following Tuesday morning we packed up or things to head home.  I decided to do some work before heading back, but just as I called a cab to head out we got the update to stay put in Managua because the volcano was showing some activity.  Unfortunately 5 volunteers had already gotten a head start to their sites and were ordered to stay put in route as yet another mini explosion took place.  Not minutes after that we were all called back to Managua once again.  So here I am in a hotel in Managua starting to go stir crazy.  When you only have a short period to pack up your things, I went for the passport, rain jacket, computer, toothbrush and wallet.  Hind site is 20/20, but right now I'm wishing I had some running shoes, a yoga matt and more clean clothes!  I had no idea that I would be peacing out of my site and not able to go home for 5 days now.  It's not looking good to return tomorrow....