I was wonderfully reminded last Thursday just how small our world is. While returning from an informative afternoon activity through my language school learning about Nicaragua's abundance of natural medicinal plants, (they even have a book cataloguing the different species and their medical benefits that I had to buy) I ran into none other than our fellow CANista David on the side of the Pan-American! Had either of us had any idea of each other's stay in Estelí, our sudden meeting would have been less incredible, yet there we were, clearly not in Santa Cruz and absolutely ecstatic to have found each other in such a coincidental manner. We spent the afternoon at the serene and beautiful cafe la casita drinking juice, sharing bread and cheese, and discovering just how connected our lives are at this point in time. He was in Nicaragua travelling with a group of his childhood friends, and I happily agreed to join them for a weekend trip to the nature reserve Miraflor. While the sights and sounds of Estelí are certainly exciting, I was ready for a few days of serene beauty and farm life that characterizes the population within the reserve.

However, I was not prepared for the sensational beauty of the Nicaraguan countryside. To the north of Estelí lies a nearly untouched landscape; the only signs of human existence consisted of a few free roaming cows and the occasional campesino driveway. We passed a never-ending blend of evergreen and green, stunning and expansive plains broken by cookie-cutter hills and mountains, lush forests and fincas growing bananas, beans, corn, and various agricultural products. The bus, not surprisingly, was stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey, with passengers eventually forced to ride on the roof. We arrived in Miraflor and made the mildly short trek to our home-stay. And what a hike it was! Every hill and turn presented another spectacular sight. White horses dotted the hillsides, happy cows munched on an endless supply of greenery (California cows have nothing on these guys), and a lone pig snorted happily as we passed despite being hopelessly tangled to his fence-post. This truly is a farmers paradise, I thought to myself as the sunset wrapped it's final rays around us and we arrived at our home-stay.

The family was polite and very hospitable, providing endless smiles and the best food on the trip to date. Every ingredient was grown on their farm, save the eggs, which I discovered the next morning had made the short trip from a neighboring farm. That night David and I had the first of many beautiful conversations with Jose, who contains an endless array of knowledge about medicinal plants and organic farming. While talking about the importance of organic farming and the need to preserve the natural harmony and symbiotic roots of organic farming in the region and beyond, I was struck by the pure poetry of his words. This place truly is a land of poets; David and I were giddy with anticipation for the opportunity to learn more as we fell asleep to the sounds of the finca.

The next morning, following another delicious meal, we assisted Jose in the planting of young coffee shoots using organic fertilizer and compost (!). Every few minutes he would stop to point out this plant or that, listing the various medicinal properties they held. There were even plants that we recognized from back home, plants considered nothing more than a weed by most accounts. I was sad to leave after such a short visit, but quickly remembered that I have ten weeks of finca life to look forward to in the very near future. David and I parted ways yesterday, but our mere acquaintance has blossomed with just a few short days into an exciting and promising new friendship. I wish him the best on the rest of his travels, including his eventual arrival to the Yucatán for a magical CAN internship experience of his own.

I can't thank CAN enough for the wonderful opportunity I have been provided, for the friends I have already made and will continue to make over the next 10+ weeks. My life is changing before my very eyes, and I wake up everyday excited for what lies ahead in this beautiful country that feels more and more like home with every passing moment.

Abrazos, besos, y la pura vida,

Taylor

P.S. I recently recalled a song titled "Sandinista" off of one of my more listened to CD's Drums and Guns by the group Low. It felt like a more appropriate time then ever to look up the lyrics while here:

Where would you go if the gun fell in your hands?
Home to the kids or to sympathetic friends?
Oh sandinista, oh sandinista
Oh sandinista, take my side

Deep through the clouds hear them marching up slowly
Fresh with the blood of your father so holy
Oh sandinista, oh sandinista
Oh sandinista, take my side