Going out with a Bang! (or a dance)

Hola Canada!

Well folks, the team is on the last few legs of our trip, and although it has been the experience of a lifetime here, I think that we are also missing home. Okay, maybe that´s just me.

This morning omlettes were on the menu for breakfast, and then we once again all headed off to the worksite. From there we split into three groups, one for construction, one for the school, and one for the sale. We were selling some (okay, about 12 hockey bags full!) of clothing outside the clinic for a small sum of money. We found that some people prefer to buy their clothes, even if they only pay a little for them, rather than have them given to them as it saves them some of their pride.

We didn´t advertise the sale at all but let me tell you, the tables were hoarded with people flinging clothing every which way and completely demolishing our semi-sorted piles. After a couple hours of chaos, we had to end the sale for lunch. At this time we had only 1 bag of clothing left (we now have a home for it), and had raised about $330 in American to go to the clinic.

At the school, they once again did crafts and devotions, this time with grades 2 and 3. I was also informed that Jocelyn was causing a rucuss in the playground (playing with children during class time), and got a talking to from the principle. Even in a different country the Boleys can still manage to disrupt class.

After lunch at the hotel (we had delicious local shrimp!), we split into a painting and a building group. The painters made significant progress completing almost the entire front of the clinic with only small touchups needed. This may or may not include re-evaluating what a straight line actually looks like, although personally, I think the wavy border gives it some personality.

Our teams part in the building of the pharmacy is nearly complete. We have finished three walls, and only need to block around the windows of the fourth.

We came back to the hotel to shower and then were overwhelmed with joy when we saw the feast the staff had prepared for us as our last supper here in Chinandega... SPAGHETTI! I think that is description enough of how that meal went.

After dinner, the mayor and city of El Viejo had invited us to the town square for a celebration as a way of saying thanks. There were several native dances with beautiful costumes that were really entertaining to watch. Our team was then called up to the stage to show a Canadian native dance. Uh huh. Well, seeing as our highland dancer Jamie Jr. (aka sidekick) was too nervous to show off her stuff, the Boley girls took the stage with our regular flail and twitch routine. Thankfully the Nicaraguans were saved from having to watch that by the Frook´s who gracefully floated across the stage with ease. If only Jocelyn and I could do that.
The mayor then presented the team with certificates of appreciation and thanked us dearly for the work we had done for the city and its people. The whole ceremony was wonderful and really tied together the purpose of our mission, and how much it meant for the Nicaraguans.

Well, tomorrow we finsh up at the school then head back to Managua. Hopefully we can get the air conditioning in the van to work by then.

Buenas Noches Amigos!
Good Night Friends!

Jamie