Second week at La Mariposa

All progressing well and am now doing lots of revision in my grammar class. My conversation class has been varied; one morning we walked through the grounds and up the hill to see the views and on Thursday we walked to Paulette's ( the owner) finca where she keeps even more rescued dogs and cats and grows lots of butterfly friendly plants, just like an English country garden.

Paulette with one of my teachers, Elisa.

The cats and dogs were a bit preoccupied as it was the day of the vet's visit and they were all having their injections. A certain amount of cajoling and capturing went on! Paulette told me some of her story of purchasing the land and moving here. She previously came out with an aid organisation but her recent move was only about 10 years ago.
The Mariposa language school and its philosophy
I have visited San Juan a couple of times, one in the rain. Well at least I returned in the rain and my umbrella  hadn't helped much! I noticed no one else was walking, they just sheltered somewhere and waited!
I have also been to La Concha a couple of times and found a little shop where you can buy various snacks and also cool things from the fridge such as yoghurt, and cold drinks. I sat in the sun on Monday with a cold capuccino and packet of cakes!

Street vendors have in La Concha.

I have joined some of this week's trips but on a couple of aternoons, have just done my local walks, homework, reading and washing. I have found a Spanish app that sends me daily exercises, which I have got quite hooked on!  And my borrowed Pilates mat means I can do my exercises each morning.
Yesterday's trip to Managua was interesting although the Palzzio Nacional was closed in preparation for a ceremony celebrating the presidency. Therefore they were painting the inside of the museum, setting up stages and generally getting organised. However we saw memorials to the Sandinistas,the old cathedral that was damaged in the earthquake, and other important buildings. We visited a couple times of areas of the lakefront, one of which had a model of Managua before the earthquake, ( most buildings did not survive) an old aeroplane, since most Nicaraguans never fly and are fascinated to see it. We also visited a viewpoint and another political museum housed around the old prison, home of activities it's probably best not to dwell on.

We also saw some very expensive metal trees that have been erected throughout the city to make it more attractive to visitors. These are not popular due to the cost, the use of power and the lack to of contribution to the environment. Let's hope they encourage more spending so the population can benefit in the end!

On Tuesday we visited a couple of artesan workshops in Masaya, one a hammock maker ( too big to put in my suitcase) and an artesan who works with recycled wood. 

Following that we went to a market which I was pleased to escape from due to the heat and the rather claustraphobic organisation of the goods and stalls.

The most interesting part was the shoemakers, who when they saw me taking photographs encouraged me back to take another!

Today I had my next history talk so now have the history up to 2006
We have had some turnover of students; I have spent a little time with Allison from San Francisco, with whom I had a rather nice cocktail on the lakefront yesterday afternoon before we returned from Managua.

Tomorrow is an outing to Mombacho volcano and the national park.