Hola como estas?  (Hello, how are you?) Today we had a tourist day.  First we started our day going to the volcano! We took the bus up to the volcano and then took a hike to see into the volcano.  We climbed up about one hundred steps to get to the top and then we could see into the volcano.  We could see the smoke and could smell sulfur from the active volcano.  It was so amazing to see an active volcano and we all got together and took a group picture.

After visiting the volcano we went to the museum at the volcano park.  The museum was all about the volcano and the animals that live there.  Everyone enjoyed reading and learning more about the volcano and more about Nicaragua.  After the volcano we went out to lunch at a local restaurant.  We all had the chance to pick our own drinks and we were all surprised when we saw that the soda came in bottles.  The natives all thought that we were crazy because we were so excited by such a small thing.  The lunch was so good.  It was chicken, French fries, mashed potatoes, fried plantain, and cheese. 

After the amazing lunch we took a few steps outside and went to some of the stores.  They had so many amazing things to look at and enjoy.  We all had a fun time taking a look at all the different things that Nicaragua has to offer.  After looking around for a while we got on the bus once again and then went to the market.  We dispersed into small groups and went to look at the amazing things that we could buy.  There was a plethora of things to look at.  Everyone had a great time looking at all the jewelry and fun things that the market had.  Landon, Nathan and Caity all bought hammocks.  Some of the students had more fun bartering with the people in the market than they had buying things.

After having a blast in the market we went back into the bus and headed back to the base.  When we returned all the girls went around and showed each other what they bought. We all had a fun day of just relaxing and having fun with each other and it was a great way to end the long week.  This week has been such a blessing to all of us and God has blessed us so much with such an amazing group.  Thank you all for the prayers and support! J

                Dios le bendiga (God bless you)   ~Sami Reiner