The end of a busy week, and a relaxing weekend
On Friday we met at the last of the satellite schools to be visited. This seemed to be in a better state than the others, but was still in need of locks and light bulbs and some repairs to the water services. We spent time talking to the teachers about the project to ensure they knew all about what facilities had been provided.They had already received and were using the cleaning materials and seemed very pleased to have received them. Hemer, the headteacher had arranged delivery the precious evening after being in Rivas all day which involved being up at 4am and returning around 8pm. This was for training for a full week. I imagine he is feeling as tired as I am!
On returning to Urbaite we purchased the last of the cleaning materials for Los Ramos and Santa Teresa ready to go in the microbus in the afternoon. After lunch there was a quick visit from Ashlee, a little girl who has been writing to me since last year. I gave her a poetry book I had brought with me as she recites poetry.
The microbus took us all, Marvin, Jordy, Jose and I plus the taxi driver and his assistant to Moygalpa. We stopped en route to order more locks for Tilgue, then continued to Moyagalpa. Here we parked up and set about collecting our purchases of stationery plus two speakers. The speakers were the best price we have obtained so far and the shop discounted our shopping which was probably to be expected since we had spent over $1400. They were very good and went through the entire order with us counting it for us and checking, then set about sorting and labeling it into sets for each school for ease of distribution. There were a lot of packs and boxes and I was quite concerned when Marvin began clutching his side. He was in a bit of pain as had forgotten he had to take care with lifting, what a pair of crocks we two are! Eventually all was loaded with that for Santa Teresa easy to unload first.
We collected the cables from Ometepe Computer Services and had another quick trip to Pali, where we bought more cleaning fluids and I did a bit of shopping, with a few bits thrown into my basket for the others! I found a lovely avocado. Jose mentioned grapes but they were rather large packs and quite expensive. But I bought some raisin bread to share when we got back.
With the van laden to the gunnels, we returned then bounced down the dirt road to Santa Teresa School, where we had to await a keyholder.
Next we headed back to Urbaite, where the first stop was at the secondary school, then the Primary school for Rafaela Herrera and the escuelitas, and then Marvelli arrived to collect her pack for El Corozal. She was thrilled! We staggered home with a couple of bits we forgot to to drop off for Santa Teresa, hot and weary. It was very late. Silvia made tea and we counted and checked the bills and cash, by which time Allan had been waiting to take me home. I was determined Saturday was to be a day of rest!
So after a really good sleep I got up to breakfast at El Paraiso, a treat I had promised myself, since the breakfast with Donald. Except I had postponed the previous night's meeting with Hemer, so we had breakfast together. And I am glad I had, as we chatted for a couple of hours and I had not been prepared for the revelations to come. He talked about his aspirations and plans for the school and the priorities and about the circumstances at the escuelitas. He gave me a full account of the history of the school and many of its staff and some of the improper practices that had occurred before, explaining why he has taken a controlling approach to managing everything at present. He is documenting the funds carefully and keeping tabs on all the equipment. I do trust him and I can see he has taken over a difficult situation, and that a few people who have come straight to me are trying to undermine him, when actually it is their practice that is suspect. So being here for longer, having time to be acquainted with both the people and the circumstances is paying off, as I shall return with a better knowledge of how things work!
By the end of breakfast I was feeling very relaxed so headed to the beach to read. My plan to go to Balgue failed as I felt perfectly comfortable where I was! At around 1pm I decided to go for lunch only to find the gates to the beach had been locked. This is not the first time I have been locked out of a hotel, I remember that happening in Canada. So I had to walk up the footpath and round the front. Fortunately I was not in a swimsuit and bare feet! Silvia was mortified when she realised what she had done. She thought I had gone out!
I wandered along the road and settled on Julia's, where I was warmly greeted, and after lunch Julia joined me and we chatted for ages, about Jose and the family, about Ometepe, Tourism, her business and life in general. I picked up a couple of things from the pulperia and headed home.
And the rest of the day continued in the same vein. I think you can safely say I've relaxed into the local culture! Tomorrow is another beach day at Santa Teresa with the family!
And I awoke to a beautiful dawn and a quiet read on the verandah.
Marvin and I walked through Las Pilas to Santa Teresa, it's a good walk but with stunning views and as usual we saw the local wildlife and a few locals including a very long, thin, but harmless snake.
On returning to Urbaite we purchased the last of the cleaning materials for Los Ramos and Santa Teresa ready to go in the microbus in the afternoon. After lunch there was a quick visit from Ashlee, a little girl who has been writing to me since last year. I gave her a poetry book I had brought with me as she recites poetry.
The microbus took us all, Marvin, Jordy, Jose and I plus the taxi driver and his assistant to Moygalpa. We stopped en route to order more locks for Tilgue, then continued to Moyagalpa. Here we parked up and set about collecting our purchases of stationery plus two speakers. The speakers were the best price we have obtained so far and the shop discounted our shopping which was probably to be expected since we had spent over $1400. They were very good and went through the entire order with us counting it for us and checking, then set about sorting and labeling it into sets for each school for ease of distribution. There were a lot of packs and boxes and I was quite concerned when Marvin began clutching his side. He was in a bit of pain as had forgotten he had to take care with lifting, what a pair of crocks we two are! Eventually all was loaded with that for Santa Teresa easy to unload first.
We collected the cables from Ometepe Computer Services and had another quick trip to Pali, where we bought more cleaning fluids and I did a bit of shopping, with a few bits thrown into my basket for the others! I found a lovely avocado. Jose mentioned grapes but they were rather large packs and quite expensive. But I bought some raisin bread to share when we got back.
With the van laden to the gunnels, we returned then bounced down the dirt road to Santa Teresa School, where we had to await a keyholder.
There was an amazing view of Volcan Concepcion!
Next we headed back to Urbaite, where the first stop was at the secondary school, then the Primary school for Rafaela Herrera and the escuelitas, and then Marvelli arrived to collect her pack for El Corozal. She was thrilled! We staggered home with a couple of bits we forgot to to drop off for Santa Teresa, hot and weary. It was very late. Silvia made tea and we counted and checked the bills and cash, by which time Allan had been waiting to take me home. I was determined Saturday was to be a day of rest!
So after a really good sleep I got up to breakfast at El Paraiso, a treat I had promised myself, since the breakfast with Donald. Except I had postponed the previous night's meeting with Hemer, so we had breakfast together. And I am glad I had, as we chatted for a couple of hours and I had not been prepared for the revelations to come. He talked about his aspirations and plans for the school and the priorities and about the circumstances at the escuelitas. He gave me a full account of the history of the school and many of its staff and some of the improper practices that had occurred before, explaining why he has taken a controlling approach to managing everything at present. He is documenting the funds carefully and keeping tabs on all the equipment. I do trust him and I can see he has taken over a difficult situation, and that a few people who have come straight to me are trying to undermine him, when actually it is their practice that is suspect. So being here for longer, having time to be acquainted with both the people and the circumstances is paying off, as I shall return with a better knowledge of how things work!
By the end of breakfast I was feeling very relaxed so headed to the beach to read. My plan to go to Balgue failed as I felt perfectly comfortable where I was! At around 1pm I decided to go for lunch only to find the gates to the beach had been locked. This is not the first time I have been locked out of a hotel, I remember that happening in Canada. So I had to walk up the footpath and round the front. Fortunately I was not in a swimsuit and bare feet! Silvia was mortified when she realised what she had done. She thought I had gone out!
I wandered along the road and settled on Julia's, where I was warmly greeted, and after lunch Julia joined me and we chatted for ages, about Jose and the family, about Ometepe, Tourism, her business and life in general. I picked up a couple of things from the pulperia and headed home.
And the rest of the day continued in the same vein. I think you can safely say I've relaxed into the local culture! Tomorrow is another beach day at Santa Teresa with the family!
And I awoke to a beautiful dawn and a quiet read on the verandah.
Marvin and I walked through Las Pilas to Santa Teresa, it's a good walk but with stunning views and as usual we saw the local wildlife and a few locals including a very long, thin, but harmless snake.
Marvin showed me a piece of land he'd been offered, stunning views, lovely position, very cheap, but a long way from the local town and the main road unless I learn to ride a horse! 😂
We arrived at Santa Teresa and the microbus had delivered the others and all the food. Everything looked good there, there appeared to be a new covered boat and there was a tour whilst we were there. This time we talked, relaxed and ate, had a little walk along the beach but didn't go out in the boats. I was pleased to find that some of the cards had been sold meaning we had raised $24 locally, this is a small step in the right direction!
Visiting the family in Santa Teresa.
Enjoying the day!
We all returned in the microbus, the fresh air making me sleep well, despite the rather noisy guests who have arrived and need their speaker at full volume. When I returned they had taken everything from the verandah and set up with their speaker on the beach, but when they returned indoors the speaker came too! Loud music seems to be the thing round here. Perhaps an audio clinic is necessary as I'm sure it must affect their hearing!
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