things I'm grateful for in Nicaragua

1.  Having a microwave.  I know this should not be number one but it's 7:00 pm and I realized I was hungry while I was working on my two-month report for Peace Corps.    So, I looked at my "kitchen" and realized than my only option was an egg and feeling exceptionally lazy, I didn't want to dirty the frying pan so I made a scrambled egg in the microwave... genius!  The fresh tomatoes definitely added to my dinner.

2.  My neighbors.  I'm invited to eat lunch almost every day at a neighbor's house who cooks delicious Nica food.  I also live next door to a high school teacher who just stopped by to show me the folder she made out of old chip/cookie/milk bags after being inspired by the one I made.  And without fail, there are at least 10 different children who come into my house for a certain period of time during the day.  Sometimes I'd like some peace and quiet but it's nice feeling so loved.

3.  The Sun.  In April, this will probably be on the list of things I am not grateful for in Nicaragua but right now, I love that my clothes dry in about 2 hours.  (However, washing clothes by hand will NEVER been seen on this list.  Jeans were made to be washed in a machine.)

4.  The fact that it's okay to walk around with an umbrella when it's not raining.  This appropriately follows number 3 because although the sun is extremely strong, an umbrella does wonders!

5.  Learning Spanish for free

6.  Picturesque landscapes wherever I go

7.  Wonderfully positive people who see the beauty in everything, even a house made of tarp

8.  The person who takes it upon himself to build a bridge out of rocks and logs so other people can cross the river without getting soaked.  I'll admit, though, that sometimes I take the wading option because the bridge is slippery and I fell in the other day.

9.  Reliability of public transportation

10.  The abundance of cow manure.  It really comes in handy when you need fertile soil to plant a garden.

11.  Mango and avocado trees

12.  Buying 4 tomatoes for 25 cents

13.  Mosquito nets & headlamps

14.  Frescos - fresh homemade juice sold in a bag

15.  Tranquility