From being in Kenya, I know bed bug bites when I see them. I guess I’ll take the small, red, round markings on my arms, legs and chest as a ‘welcome’ from the little critters that have been dwelling in [what is now] my bed.
Anyway- yesterday’s travels from Portland to Boston, Boston to Houston, Houston to Managua and from Managua to Granada, is almost a blur. Though I took a sleeping pill on Friday night so that my anxiety about this adventure wouldn’t keep me up, I woke up on Saturday still exhausted. The abundance of emotions that have come over me over this past week became so draining that it wore me down until I felt like I had nothing left.
My flights went smoothly, and I finally arrived in Nicaragua at 9:30ish. Stepping off the plane was sensation overload; though I was expecting all of these changes, the heat (it was 84 degrees when I arrived), the smells, the language, everything... became overwhelming. I was excited to finally be here, but still so nervous and anxious to get my visa, find Felipe (the driver who would be waiting for me with my name on a sign), get ‘home’ safely, and to see this house that I’ll be living in for the next several months. Many times, I felt as though I needed to hold back my tears... and managed to do so until my head hit my pillow last night.
My house is a lovely place, large and very open. I’m here with 14 other girls (yikes!) but thankfully it is spacious enough that it doesn’t quite seem like there are that many of us here. I share a bedroom with three other girls, only one of which I have met yet. Everyone seems extremely friendly, but since I am not quite comfortable here, I have been more quiet than my usual self. It is definitely going to take me a few weeks to really feel at home here...
Granada itself is a BEAUTIFUL place. The city is colorful, as every building is painted a vibrant color. As my mailing address said, I am just a few blocks from the lake, and am also just a few blocks from the center of town, the market, the bank, and right next door to the office of La Esperanza.
This is just the short of it- but I think it’s time for me to go mingle with everyone, to stop being the new girl who can’t yet disconnect herself from her friends and family at home...
Later, when I’m heading to bed, I’ll fill everyone in a bit more on my first day here...
Mich!
ReplyDeleteI find that when I am feeling a little bit distraught and lonely that only a dance party can help me. Yes, I am being completely serious!! So throw in some headphones, put on some good tunes, and zone out the world. In a half hour, everything will be alright.
BTW, we won 8-0 tonight. E and I played the whole game together and ripped it up. We had a middle schooler play goal (Will was playing on his other team) and he got the shut out.
Keep your head up killer. You're going to be just fine!
Luke
Just keep breathing my dear (and I do like Luke's idea of dancing!!). I'm guessing that getting rid of the bedbugs would be a great thing to prioritize . . . after that, just take a day at a time. There are lots of us out here who love you and are surrounding you with love and support.
ReplyDeleteDad
Cant wait to hear about your first day of classes! Ill be checking for updates :) talk to you soooon...
ReplyDelete-Erik
if you are going to have a dance party you will need some new cds... what is your address there??? i have a package made and ready to be in your hot sweaty little hands. could you put it up on your next blog... i feel like your famous becuase you have a blog... i legit feel like im writing to mick jagger.weird. speaking of weird i have been wearing my st lawrence lacrosse pinny and skiing goggles for the last 3 days...
ReplyDeletei think of you more than multiple times a day. it will only be a matter of time before that entire village falls in love with you... they way everyone does when they get to know you...dont worry about a thing... ill still emotionally over-eat for you and the anxiety you are feeling right now. thats not an offer i throw out there all the time (right). anyway im so happy that you are SAFE and are beginning to settle. i have lots of superficial garbage to entertain you with. ill be like your own personal "star", "national enquiorer", or "us" magazine. i love you so much... i already cant wait for you to come back (selfish ha).
ps as i was walking to the LIBRARY to type this... i fell on ice. it was right ard. noon so half of campus was out and ready to watch it. i looked to their faces to laugh (asuming i knew everyone) and quickly realized my friends graduated years ago. i miss you being in whitman. ill be here living in the past loving you.
ReplyDeleteHii! so I just discovered your blog! oh my gosh I am so proud and happy for you, what an adventure you will have! miss you Michaela, I admire all that you do! miss you xoxo Ellen
ReplyDelete