Sunshine!

The weather has changed significantly over the days I have been here, from quite wet to dry, windy and occasional showers to really hot with clear blue skies. I have even been airing my legs and on Saturday quit my lace ups for my alternative summer shoes to go to the restaurant. However I wouldn't go far as the roads are so rough. I have been sitting on my balcony in my spare time and watching the beautiful sunsets.

Spanish is going well with some interesting encounters and gaffes. This area was settled by Quakers but the local pronunciation is quackers! On Sunday I had a waffle and maple syrup which the waiter called a mapply waffley. But worst of all was in my class when I described our government as conservativo and this morning said preservativos for preservatives, both of which mean a condom. Oh well. But it's been great with my new teacher Mayra, as we have talked about gardening, cooking, travel, all the time with my vocabulary and grammar being extended. It's just like my lessons with Paloma. I don't know if it will be the same next week.

We have some new people in school. At lunchtime I sat and chatted to a young man from California, and at the beginning of the day met a chap of my sort of age from Alaska. There are a couple of youngsters from Switzerland, and an English couple I met on the bus from San Jose have arrived and are staying where I am, but not having lessons. Yesterday in the shop I met and chatted to a couple from Shalford, small world!

Just so you can see that I'm alive and well I got one of the other people staying here to take a photo on my return from work last night!

On Sunday I went to Santa Elena to the orchid garden where I went last time and spent the morning painting.

In the afternoon I went to the Mariposeria to see the bugs and butterflies, after meeting Judy and John for lunch. I was shown around by a lovely US student, volunteering there and saw spiders, cockroaches and various bugs in addition to the butterflies. On the way back I gained a furry friend.

Today I went to the bank to change some money, I am almost a regular there now. It's interesting as a security man lets you in and locks the door, I had to take off my sun hat and you are not allowed to use a phone. I have discovered  I can buy my Nicaraguan currency here before I go. My teacher says it is lovely there, really clean and good for tourists although a lot of street vendors. I will be with a guide most of the time so not so much of a problem.

My next plan is to go on a skywalk Saturday and there is a possibility of some yoga on Thursday. I am keeping up my daily exercise regime together with all the uphill walking!