Letters from Nicaragua, 4th Epistle

My class español. the instructors can understand me well..though they correct my form about 3 times per "orracion". But the housemother for Peter..a teacher of special education finds me hard to comprehend. But I keep chattering away during lessons, adding commentaries about Canada and about contrasting uses of terms. Peter finds it harder to converse, but he retains the correct "palabras" more than me. Some days I wake up with "español" in my head. It will be fun to converse with you and see also if TJ recalls enough "español" to join in. I think he would like this town, based on his descriptions of Mexico.

The "ancienes" really love to hear us read the children's books. They are quite interested in the info about "NPH" and the life of the orphans. Most of them cannot read or write, but they love to hear us read...and they laugh at our pronunciation. They are really dears. One lady made crocheted tassels for the braids of the girls at NPH, using yarn I bought her.The families here are so curious about my knitting. My housemother crochets quite well. But knitting here is difficult due to such dim lights at night. I really can't knit without daylight.

The days are so dry that the floors have dust all the time, even when it can't be seen. I have been washing my clothes in the traditional "lavandero", and my sheets too. The maid is so sweet and willing, but she has plenty other work to do.


Peter got a bout of sour stomach and indigestion that put him out for a day and a half. It worried his housemother to death. She is a wonderful cook and could not bear to have him not eating. Today he is better, and eating about a half portion. We all have so much fried food I can imagine it is hard on him. His housemother is very skilled with soups, which she prepares for lunch..the main meal.


I am taking lots of photos, and trying to not spend too much on souvenirs. But the economy here is so poor. Tomorrow I hope to see a coffee "finca" up close. Another small town excursion. They love their central parks. The one here in Ocotal has espalier and trimmed trees, labeled trees, and is quite large.