Streamming Raquel Darrian

Review

This report I report on the one about my trip to Nicaragua and the meeting of all Central American volunteers of my organization.
The other big part of this report will go over my Easter holiday, in which I have used the two weeks, learning about other parts of this beautiful country Mexico.
I hope that you as a reader, so get a glimpse of the two countries. I especially enjoyed the two trips a lot and I never saw so much, new and experienced what I will certainly never forget.
For a better idea it's nice to look at the photos. A selection is for you in uploaded Internet.
Enjoy "Travel" Nicaragua and Mexico, I wish you well ...

N icaragua - a beautiful, small country with a huge animal and plant diversity, very nice people, but also a lot of poverty!
allowed less than three weeks I spent here and the impressions that I find to take home with you and first to Mexico, no place in my brown travel backpack that accompanied me everywhere here.

began in early March, the interim meeting of WI eV, a 10-day seminar with discussions and exchange of our existing service, about experiences, about the remaining half year of further future plans, etc ... days that I very well could use and have proven to be very helpful for me. In addition, it was really nice the other volunteers see again and we spent long nights with stories about our countries of operations - the culture, our project children, landscape, travel, the people there ... Even though the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico on the world map lie so close together and all speak the same language, we could not get enough of it to learn from others. Things that belong to six months for us now on the agenda seemed unimaginable to others - just as unimaginable to us at first, perhaps seemed ... But I think it's great to see how you get used to everything and I for one can now say that Mexico is not just any country - no, I would say this country now know quite well and for his have come to appreciate the positive and negative sides. Just two weeks after my travel around, I'm once again become very much richer in knowledge about Mexico. But for 2nd Usual part of the report ...

we have the 10 days of very nice and quiet, about 20km outside of Masaya, located in a religious institution, in the midst of nature. The monkeys have quasi "welcomed" to breakfast with her screaming  I exit the building "religious institution" call, since there is neither a church nor a monastery was. The women we spoke with there hermana, which means something like a nun and they were all very nice to us.
left for various activities, we are the place and went into the nearest large town of Masaya. The Dietzenbacher should now come a little light - just, this is our sister city! Therefore these days for me were particularly interesting, because I got to know this city very well and my impression is thoroughly positive. Masaya has about 140,000 inhabitants and is a quiet little town - typical of Nicaragua, I would say. Many tourists are attracted there not here, just for the famous craft market drop by some.

One day we had completely free and I decided with three other volunteers me the "Masaya Volcano" to look at. This volcano is still active, though this merely by exiting the sulfur vapors and not by Lavaausbrüche becomes clear. The crater of this volcano is huge, I would appreciate it at least 1 km in diameter.
To visit this volcano had to book a tour or on your own you could get to the crater. We opted for the latter but had no desire along the 5km long concrete road up the hill migrants. Not long and hard about, arm outstretched, thumbs up - the old-known method. We had to wait too long and not have us picked up a nice older couple up to the crater. On the way back we made it otherwise, I went to open the trunk with the back and thus had a brilliant view of how the volcano more of us away  Also to our accommodation we made it without a cent to spend and longer with no waiting time 5 minutes. In Nicaragua, hitchhike really the method of travel at all! And anyway, since almost all pick-ups are on the road then you can enjoy its range of fresh wind and basking in the back 
Another time we went to Masaya to the dump, so looking at the big garbage problem in Nicaragua is keenly aware. For me this was a very extreme experience, because it smelled really huge, the heat did not make the whole thing more bearable and it actually working women and children in this place. Fortunately, they do not live there, but unfortunately this is quite an exception. In many places, the families even live in the mud.
This visit was for me that is a very formative experience, as well as working with street children in a poor neighborhood of Masaya. This was another day when we drove into town. With the principle of "mobile school" (who may be interested, the very much more about www.mobileschool.org read on the page - it's a fabulous thing I think) we went to the district and invited the children to play with us. Quickly explain the appearance of mobile as a school can be about 2x1 feet pull-box, which can be folded up to about 5 meters in length. On the walls of different games, tasks and images are mounted, which can be changed according to topic. If the children want to join, they look for one from this laminas and may try it. The most important thing when working with the children (and it calls the principle of the mobile school) praise, praise, praise. It is not necessarily a learning effect can be achieved at work, core point Is that the self-esteem of children is increased. At first it was for me a bit strange to praise a child too, but if the task was actually wrong. But over time you find your way around it and realize that you can applaud and serious - was the task may not be resolved correctly, but agreed to an interim step or approach, the child is just praised and so on.
My experience in this work was even more enhanced by the fact that we worked in a neighborhood where many "huelepegas" are. Huelepegas are glue sniffers. They have to work in particular. Determined three times a minute they get out their plastic bottles, which she her shirt and pull a bear with his nose the smell. The adhesive gives them a sense of the deaf one - hunger and pain be ignored, but at the same time, the children in this state very taken and can not think clearly. With them the work has really only the background that just listening to someone and they have a highlight on the day. These children live on the streets and be seen by society as a pile of crap. During the work I've been busy myself with some of the children particularly intense and what I felt when I was sitting next to them, I will never forget. A 10-year-old boy grabbed a guitar and started singing. He sang about but that it was a good child know that God let him into the heavens, that other people tend to consider it but only as the last. In the song, he also thanked that the Germans were coming over and playing with them and be there for them. This little boy has touched me so and here I realized how much the work of the volunteers really needed.
On the way home I thought a lot about whether the work of volunteers is needed there more than, say, with me in Sueniños. I came to no decision, the two projects are too different to compare them. It is clear, however, that Nicaragua is a whole lot poorer than Mexico again, which I have experienced in the two weeks. On my way home

to San Cristobal (which are effective 48 hours bus ride with a few breaks and a night in San Salvador) I made a stop in

*** *** GUATEMALA

I had planned long before, because I wanted to climb a volcano near Antigua.
So I went back to my own, but even in San Salvador, I made acquaintance with a nice 30-year-old Dutch people, who quit his job and now rumreist in Central America. Such people you meet here a lot and somehow it gives me always the feeling that it everything is possible if you really want it!
With him I spent the evening and strolled a bit through the capital of El Salvador. Our hotel was just outside the center, which made it even possible to move as freely in the streets. What I heard in the newspaper and others, is the capital that is really no fun and in the center should be located after dark would rather not move from a closed building when one's life is worth something. So I was glad that the next day, the bus drove on to Guatemala. Even on the trip I made acquaintance with two Canadian inside of my age who were also happens to Antigua. So ended we get together and finally I spent the entire two days with them. We shared a room together and went to the volcano Pacaya. This was a great highlight of my entire trip. Ca. two hours took us the way to the foot of the volcano. Once there, we were actually just one meter away from the glowing lava, the heat so much that they dared only for a quick photo in the vicinity. One Mitwandernden the shoe sole is smooth as melted  Gag brought some marshmallows from the bottom with bat and so we get a little "snack" before the return trip  competed To see the lava in all its glory, we had the afternoon tour selected. The name was then also that the descent took place in total darkness. A safe passage here was very beneficial.

So I spent another two days in this country and had to wear a new wonderful experience in my backpack home. One thing I did during the short time for it unfortunately in Guatemala - and that was my wallet  Maybe even a little was to blame me directly to withdraw the money in Antigua on the market out of my pocket my money bag stolen. It was just over 80 dollars - annoying, but now I just know that an open bag had no zip on a full market not a good idea ...
M We ask for - a country, what I mean now to know quite well. At least much better than any other country in Central America. Nevertheless, my last trip has been again very much more and impressions about this country and its people. The part of "Mexico as Tine knows" in my head has grown yet again.

over the entire two weeks I had consistently nice travel companion - especially from Germany flew  The first week I was traveling with Esther and Michael, in the second week, Sophie was at my side. It pleased me to watch this huge three people again that I mean every man for himself very much.

Esther and Michael came Wednesday even here in San Cristóbal, and was a little bit to get to know my life here. I introduced her to my friends and they arrived a day with the work.
Friday night we went to go already - we took the night bus to Puebla. It is a beautiful city, in the center are many old buildings that are all still very well preserved. Rather, we could not offer this town at first glance, but also. We visited an "African Safari" just outside and took in the evening already another bus to Guanajuato. We arrived at two o'clock, but already out of the windows of the taxi, this place was so magical, that we even the sluggish fatigue could not get into bed. Guanajuato is often as the most beautiful city in Mexico sold and I can not say much about it. It is related to San Cristobal, just like me to live my town but something better, because it simply "real" effect. Guanajuato is very rich, if not the richest city in Mexico, everything is extremely clean, poverty is completely covered up or does not exist and it could also be located in a colonial city in Spain. Guanajuato is built in a valley and the colorful houses as they decorate the entire city move to the outskirts to the very high along the slopes. The atmosphere, this results in is fantastic - we enjoyed this photographic Picture the next morning from the roof terrace of our hostel. Otherwise you could spend hours walking through the narrow streets, drinking in every corner coffee shop or watch the hustle and bustle of the city. The two days were very relaxing for us, and after two long bus trips a good variety. After
Guanajuato was the next target Guadalajara, a city about 8 hours drive northwest of Mexico City. But what we really drive as far to the west was not even Guadalajara, but Tequila, a small village two hours to the west. And what this village is well known I need not mention  to grow All around the green-blue agave plant from which tequila is won. However, only use a certain kind are used and also the maturation process is strictly specified. We visited a distillery, let us explain the various steps and finally was allowed to be tried, of course! From very young up to 4 years long stored tequila and liqueurs of all flavors - the selection was great! Esther and I did not try to really take us all again, when would we come back there again next time? And our tip for all who do not know what age is best: We were the 8-month Tequila best 
tasted Then it went back to Guadalajara, from where drove our night bus to Mexico City. I was absolutely excited for the capital - on the one hand it would be the first time for me to be in such a great city and on the other hand, I was very curious to see what impression I would get from the capital of Mexico.
the Mexicans, the city simply "DF" (pronounced "de-effe") called, that is as much as federal districto. And the surface of this city is really huge. Also due to the smog that the city takes about yourself, you can rarely see until the very end. This happiness should not be granted to us as we are on the "Torre Latinoamericano" - a very tall building in City Center - stood. The six days were spent largely in the town strolled through various quarters, we looked at several museums, and put us in different parks. The city seemed to me not nearly as nervous as I was previously told. Also, it came to security, there was no situation in which to me mau was mute. Of course, we moved mainly in downtown and in the tourist areas and I am sure that I would not have had that sense of security in most suburbs. imagine how well-meant tips "go to the hostel just not four blocks to the east, as it is dangerous ..." it left a feeling, but not really ... My impression, as I could win it in the short time, was thoroughly positive. The only thing I was missing something in this great city were cozy cafes to sit and relax. Since I may be spoiled by San Cristobal but also a bit much?!
Rather, there was the typical Mexican restaurant with a loud swing and dance music called banda, plastic chairs and cheap, but very tasty food. Generally the food in Mexico is really good and very varied. Varied I can say probably not, because here are really getting tortillas (which are the small round flat bread made of maize) and hot sauces (salsas) for refining for the It may be a bit spicy! From tacos to tortas, tamales, platano frito, carne asado, ... the palate has a choice. The main thing tortillas are mitserviert! Especially in my three weeks in Nicaragua the merits of the Mexican food I have become very aware of. Where there is some early lunch and dinner were the same - namely, rice and beans, called gallo pinto, fried banana and fried chicken with a lot of fat, but here I can enjoy a good selection of food, too much with vegetables. I can not let it take me to eat frequently times on the road - and for ridiculously low prices. At first it was me with diarrhea or a stomach grumpy thanks, now this happens only very rarely 
Three other highlights in Mexico were the Easter processions, a wrestling match and the visit Aztec ruins at Tenochtitlan. The latter we made as a day trip from Mexico City. The two most famous pyramids Piramide del sol y la luna de piramida, the highest 60 m high were very impressive. Especially when one considers t when they were built with much care at that time the Aztecs were at work.
One day we looked at each other as mentioned, the Easter processions. I thought it would be celebrated here like in Mexico as in Spain, but ultimately a bit disappointed, or better said, a better informed. The Whole thing was pretty cheesy and it seemed to me as if wanted to dress people easily and that the idea is gone at all, something is lost. However, was that a new impression, which I could gather.
And last we went one evening to the lucha libre yet. Then I was in the front got into it already huge! My children have told the project has always been of the fighters, and every Mexican was probably at least once already in a fight. Unfortunately, I had lost Esther and Michael, so I had to watch the show alone. But once again I was lucky and was invited to the reporter balcony. I had great vision and I will also lead an interview, which was later broadcast on the radio. The best thing was that I was on struggle behind the arena, had been listening during interviews and can make two photos arm in arm with the wrestlers  Actually, I like martial arts and general information such scenes of violence, not at all, but the evening was great! Especially fun I had out the suggestions and comments from the audience to listen 

bowed with these and other highlights of a trip filled weeks, the holiday of Esther and Michael, unfortunately, to have an end. With one last breakfast on the roof terrace of our hostel with views of the cathedral I had to have Sunday and Monday by Michi then adopt by Esther.
I was not alone, but still ... I had no sooner adopted Esther, Sophie was already through the doors of the arrivals hall and marched with her I spent the last week of this trip to Mexico. In any case, quiet, but by no means better or worse - just different just as nice 

says it took her directly from the airport to the bus terminal. We took the night bus to Oaxaca, which brought us to a rather winding route in 7 hours to our destination.
Since we planned not to spend a night in this city, but directly on the beach would, this day was pretty packed ... When the city was just on awakening, we already ran through the center and rattled the most important monuments such as churches and squares off. Oaxaca is a really beautiful city and my impression is very quiet. When we were there the city was but a little getrügt by various construction sites.
From Oaxaca we made a day trip in the surrounding small villages. Breakpoints were a powerful and very old tree in Tule, Mitla ruins, one Teppichknüpffabrik, a mezcal distillery (like tequila) and "El Agua Hierva" - nothing more than hot springs.
This took the whole day, so we only have time for a quick dinner in mercardo remained. I enjoyed this with "mole", one of my favorite food Mexico and Oaxaca especially famous, because there comes the good chocolate, which is part of a minimum of 30 ingredients of this court. After
Oaxaca was our next planned Busstopp actually been Pochutla. We must have felt the fatigue from the previous day, however, very strong - with the result that we missed our stop, and only two hours later woke up in

Puerto Escondido. As luck had probably wanted it and we decided to stop us one day at this beach town. That was a really good decision as it turned out. We expected a white sand beach, beautiful palm trees, small cabañas - and a little cottage by the sea super cute join out that we welcome direct hit from a coconut tree. Here it could live, after all the stress we relaxed on the beach first, and left us with a delicious breakfast go well. We were really active the day not more, for the next we had booked a surfing lesson started. Puerto Escondido is known for its good waves and swarms of surfers from all over the world. That we would get two, but once the board, we had previously envisaged. With the teacher, I agreed a deal: if we had been to the class a few seconds on the board when a wave comes, would fail to pay, and instead there was only a common beer in the evening. Agreed! And actually, especially Sophie was in such good form that the payment could not be dismissed merely by a beer and we had two really brilliant one morning with many waves, bruises on their hips and a lot of fun!
much longer we were lack of time in this place not able to spend at midday and took the bus south to Mazunte to another slightly smaller beach. Something very special was our accommodation here - called the hanging beds "estrellas". I can not really say had a good night to have, due to the large number of mosquitoes and the swings that this bed caused, but how many times you fall asleep in life is possible on a cliff overlooking the sea and waves crashing?

From Mazunte we drove two beaches further south to spend the last two days in Zipolite our wonderful vacation. For almost 8 € a double bed in a small room in the first place with the beach just outside the window. We were only there in Paradise!
And from that heavenly place the bus took us safely back in 12 hours back to San Cristobal ...


And here I have arrived and are still happy - in a slightly different, but for me at least as beautiful paradise ...