Managua family

So it's officially December, and although it's still warm here, the christmas decorations are out in full force in the rotundas and you can't get much sleep because of all the "bombas" (translates to "bombs" but actually means very very loud fireworks).  Though I guess technically Managua has been gearing up for the holidays before all of you back in the States...  be thankful you've got Thanksgiving to keep it at bay.

All of these holiday festivities have made me very very excited to come home and see all of my family and best friends, but I have to say it's also made me realize that I've now got a sort of family here too.  So it's probably about time I told you all about them.

The gang over at Joseph & Andres for Thanksgiving

First, let's start with my neighbors.  Joce, a Nica chica wise beyond her years, lives 5 steps from my front door in the next studio.  Her boyfriend Chris lives with Robbie, Bob and Carlos.  They're all friends with my other gringo neighbor Joseph and together this pack of boys makes up my new group of older brothers to hang with.  Joseph lives with Andres, the son of Amalia who lives in the main house and gave me all the furniture I needed, even though I moved into an unfurnished place.  Joseph might possibly be the best neighbor ever because he gives me rides and teaches me just about everything he knows ( how to drive stick shift, how to cook and how to play guitar).

Then there's Pete, my partner in crime and the only other expat in the office who couldn't be a better coworker except for the fact that he's gone half the time traveling to El Salvador and Peru.  Lucky guy.

Then there's a whole church of gringa missionaries and my biblestudy girls.  And Neil and Kristen from Chaka Market, Amira & Lori from Manna Project, Emily from the Peace Corp, Eliza and Bridget from Fabretto... and all the other gringos from the embassy, other non-profits and other small businesses they've started.  I don't think I could have put together a more inviting or more diverse group if I tried.



Eliza & Bridget, and "Amigos" bottle of wine

Last but definitely not least, there are my taxi drivers, who are more aptly called my chauffeurs or just plain friends.  Javier, Ricardo, Jorge, Ramon and about 4 others constantly watch out for me- picking me up on time, taking me to my little "casita" without asking for directions, taking me to the bank and the grocery store, opening my doors for me, locking my doors whenever there are people walking around...  it's like my own personal bodyguards/assistants.  They know the ins and outs of everything... where to get the best exchange rate, what time the bank closes, where to go to catch a bus for each destination location, etc. 

So I couldn't be more blessed or more taken care of.  And while I'm so excited to see all of you back in the states, I'm definitely indebted to my new family here for making life so easy and keeping me from getting homesick.