The Characters!

Well, its pretty important that you know the characters here in Nicaragua, so all our trips and stories make sense.

First, we have David, he's our "Margarita Man". Loves Margaritas, the Yankees, is a good rapper, loves eating meat and by far has the best laugh I have ever heard. He is the 2nd best at speaking Spanish in the house. These are pretty impressive qualities.

Next is Jeanne, she's our "Egg Queen". She eats veggies and eggs like it's no body's business, she loves to run, and has the best hand motions for communicating with Nicaraguans who don't speak English. (Not for long since she is rocking at Spanish)

My man, Cullen. He is the guy "that makes things happen". Papi of the house..he loves beans, rocks out on the guitar so loud it doesn't matter what room you are in, plans sweet trips and activities to do on the weekends, and he makes us all laugh. Oh and how can I forget without his sweet Spanish speaking skills we would be lost.

Then there is me, Kathryn. What can I say I love the granola bars here, I try to take in all the small things and enjoy them, I'm known for knowing my Spanish vocab of objects, and food. I also am a chocolate fanatic...doesn't matter where I am living.

Our Bread and Butter

Every time you move to a new place you discover new foods to eat, or you find foods that you didn't eat that often and cling to them. I live with 3 other people and between the 4 of us there is one main thing we eat plenty of...EGGS

Jeanne is the "Egg Queen" and somehow she has used her powers to make us all want eggs. There are 8 dozen eggs in this picture. This is the normal amount Jeanne eats a week..given she is a vegetarian so her options are slim..but the rest of us are constantly trying to keep up with her.

Then there are the other necessities..Beans..If you know Cullen he loves beans. Last week we ate so many beans that we had our Maid Rosa go to the market and get 6lbs of bean. We asked her to get 12lbs but I think it was too much to carry. 

RICE is a staple with every meal. Nicaraguans eat it for breakfast with beans mixed in, it's called " gallo pinto"

Don't forget sugar we go through a pound of that every week and a half..who knows where it goes. Maybe it's in the mean fresh squeeze lemonade or orange juice (jugo de naranja) Rosa makes for us.

Lastly, a new favorite food that is everywhere is, PAPAYA

Rosa says that if you open a papaya and throw it's seeds on the ground there will be a tree there next year.

We have two papaya trees in our front yard and I have never seen papaya's that big!! I mean growing up there are pictures of me holding huge zucchinis but never papayas.

Once you choose your papaya you have to cut slits down it length wise so it will ripen. Then you let it sit in the sun a little longer.

Then it's time to eat!