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Monday, May 4, 2009

NICARAGUA!!

WOW!! We actually made it to the beautiful land of Nicaragua!! It has been an exciting journey so far! We left St. George at 3:30AM on Saturday and drove to Las Vegas. After boarding our plane we flew to Atlanta where we met up with Saia and Line Hafoka. The boys were so excited!!

Waiting in the airport.



We were flying stand-by and lucky for us, all four of us got to fly first class!! It was so cool and a great way to start off our adventure!! After arriving in Nicaragua they checked everyone for Swine flu and we all passed! We waited at the airport for Hermana Flor to pick us up. Driving back to her house was crazy!! They have stop lights and lanes but it seems like they are optional. Also, the locals honk there horns every chance they get, either to say "hey I'm not stopping at this red light," or to let you know they're getting close to you and then again when they pass someone, or to see if you need a taxi. They mostly just honk a lot.


This is us at the airport and the porch at Hermana Flor's house where we stayed.


In the morning we woke up and took a taxi and a bus to Leon where we went to church. It was so neat to see the members who knew Cameron. They were all so excited to see him, they even called him fat! HAHA it was funny. After church, we went to Chichigalpa where Cameron and Saia lived in the same house. We were able to make it to meet up with the Quinantilla family before they left church. This was the sweetest family they have 5 kids who were so polite and sweet to all of us! They even took us to lunch which was greatly appreciated by us!

Cameron and with the Quinantilla's. This is there little boy, he is six and is an entertainer!


Cameron and I with President Quintantillo and his wife at lunch.


We fit 12 people in this car to go to lunch!!


"Adios!!"



After we finished eating, we went to visit some families that Cameron baptized. They lived in one of the poorest areas in the country. It was very humbling to see how these people lived. We are so lucky to have the things that we tend to take for granted at home When we finally found Elba and Malin Luz's house they were so excited to see "Elder Cook." I am so grateful that Cameron was able to teach the gospel to so many people, you can tell how much they love it!

The Luz's and all their kids!!



Cameron and Saia's house in Chichigalpa.



After driving back to Leon we split up from the Hafoka's to go visit some families. Cameron and I walked around Leon the night life here is so different than in the States. Everyone just opens there front doors and sits outside and visits. I loved it, I wish it was like that at home! After our little walk we went to Johanna's house, Cameron ate at her house often as a missionary. She made us the typical Nicaraguan dish Gallopinto (rice and beans) with scrambled eggs and it was actually pretty good!

Cameron with Johanna and her three kids.



Our Hotel in Leon, Los Balcones.



The Cathedral in Leon. It's the biggest Cathedral in all of the Americas.




This is the creepy Jesus statue inside the Cathedral



On Monday, we made the trip from Leon to Esteli. On the way we saw lots of farms, the cows don't even look like cows because they are so emaciated, I felt sad for them! The road was crazy, there were these huge pot holes and kids would fill them with dirt and stand on the side of the road expecting to get get money for their work. The bus/van that we rode in didn't really have enough room for the four of us but that never stops the nicas!!

Cameron and I aren't sitting on the actual car seats we are sitting in these homemade chairs that are balanced in the aisle. It was pretty crazy!




While in Esteli, we ate quesillo! It's a soft corn tortilla filled with onions, cream, and cheese. Cameron was super excited to eat these!!



So far we have had a wonderful trip! I'm super excited to see what the rest of the week brings! I will try to post again tomorrow! Goodnight and we send our love!

Oh yeah, Heather we found ceresas and we got come for you!!

8 comments:

red_dwarf said...

I'm so glad you guys could go visit Cameron's mission. Charles and I are still trying to get back to Guatemala. I bet its interesting for Cassidy to see where Cameron lived and served. Have you seen any of those huge rats yet?

Angel said...

Amazing! I hope some day I can go with Trevor back to his mission in Russia. Thats awesome you get to be there! Have fun on the rest of your trip!!! :)

J Fo said...

What a fun experience to have together! Looks like you're having a great time. Call us up when you get back and we'll let you babysit Emmy!

Dave and Lizzie said...

That is so cool that you guys went back to your husband's mission! So fun!

Jamielyn said...

That is so cool that you have been able to go back to see where Cameron served his mission! I can't wait until the day that Kurt and I are able to go back to Spain! I can't wait to see more pictures! How long are you guys going for?

Brett and Lex said...

Cass, these are great pictures! That's sweet you got to fly first class! WOOHOO! I hope you're having a blast! I bet Cameron was so excited to show you EVERYTHING!

Jentrie said...

It looks like you guys are having fun! It's cool you got to go to his mission! Be safe! And keep having fun!

McGuire's said...

Don't let Cameron convince you to go on the "Fun Bus". It's evil. Keep us posted. I'm loving reading all that you guys are doing. Make sure you get leche con cacao.
-Garrett