The adventure begins

As I look at the photo of my rather wrinkly face in the departure lounge at Heathrow airport , I am thinking,  how is it I have reached the age of 68 before embarking on a trip and project like this?  And I suppose there are several reasons...Firstly I think, having spent time learning Spanish, gave me the confidence to be a more inquisitive tourist and therefore engage with the people I met. Then, significantly, that chance encounter with José, who motivated me to take action. And the circumstances were right, which made it easier in many ways. After all, I have a home, a car, a pension, the necessities of life and my experiences recently made me feel I could easily forgo the luxuries, even curtail what we see as necessities, to share around some of life's comforts in a more equitable way.

This year has been a huge learning curve and an emotional roller coaster, feeling at times elated and at times dejected, sometimes confident and sometimes inadequate, in the process of trying to solve the problems of obtaining help for these communities in Ometepe. I have had to learn to depend on someone else, and I am not good at that.  And the most terrifying thing for me, to live with uncertainty and allow things to unfold without my control. In a few weeks time I will know if I have been brave or foolhardy, but for certain I will have learned a lot about myself and made a different to some little lives and hopefully futures too.

Stayed at Las Mercedes in Managua, the last bit of luxury for a while. Arrived at San Jorge courtesy of Marlon's taxi, with his aunt Marta. They were both very encouraging and interested in our project.

Jose met me in San Jorge and we had lunch before the ferry arrived. It was a very rough crossing, it always windy in January. Luis met us for the drive to the hotel, where we discovered there had been a management crisis, someone had left and they could not accommodate me. Pity as it was a lovely spot by the lakeside. Anyway Jose and the taxi driver went into action contacting their local connections, and negotiating good deals.  After weighing up the pros and cons, we went to Hospedaje  El  Bosque where I was offered a simple ensuite room for the princely sum of $10 with breakfast for an additional $2. It's near enough to the school and Dreamland Tours, and is also an area where there are plenty of places to stay and to eat.
I am adjusting to a simple life, cold showers being the first but by the time I return I will be quite used to it all and once again will appreciate all those things we take for granted.

Had breakfast of scrambled eggs, Gallo pinto and a bowl of fruit. Have my own tea teabags chia seeds, bee pollen and purple veg powder as dietary supplements to ensure I keep fit and well. And later the moped gets delivered and Jose will show me round the locality to get my bearings, then we have a meeting with Amada from the school who has been sending me lovely welcoming  messages.