Hike #10 - Silver Creek Falls

This gorgeous hike weaved through Silver Creek Canyon past many spectacular waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park, at 8706 acres, Oregon's largest state park. The trail starts next to South Falls Lodge and descended steeply into the canyon. Immediately I had a grand view of 177 foot South Falls – one of the park's most well-known waterfalls. Before you knew it, the trail took me behind the falls in a unique basalt cave. The cooling spray from the sweeping cascade was a welcome relief on sunny and warm hiking day.

After the falls, the trail paralleled the South Fork of Silver Creek and was lined with leafy vine maple, sweeping sword fern, Oregon grape, big-leaf maple, and Douglas fir trees. At 1.1 miles, I arrived at the picturesque 93 foot Lower South Falls, and of course I had to take some pictures, lots of pictures, too bad none of them turned out too well, but I had fun anyway, and that is what it is about, right? At 1.4 miles I arrived at a trail junction. I could have taken a right turn here and headed up a steep hill for a 1 mile hike back to where I started but I decided to press on.

After about 1 more mile I passed the 30 foot cascade of Lower North Falls. Not too far up the road I could have veered off the major path for a short walk to another waterfalls, but as I was starting to lose precious daylight, I decided to go straight ahead as I still had a few miles of hiking to get out of there. I walked on for another 2.8 miles to the next waterfall, 27 foot Drake Falls (named for June Drake, a photographer whose photos were instrumental in the creation of the park). After another 0.2 miles, I then saw the 103 foot Middle North Falls. I was able to check out the side trail that lead behind the falls, worth getting off the beaten path for. It is here where I ran into a Park Ranger and she walked out part of the hike with me.

We forged on for another 0.4 miles to a bridge where there is one last chance to cut the hike short and head back...I opted for that route this time. Here the Ranger had parked her car and we parted ways. After 0.3 miles I came upon Winter Falls and then head to the Rim Trail and hiked back 1.2 miles to the lodge to end my hike. I came across some other people that were hiking back so we chatted and hiked together.

My trusty RunKeeper app said I hiked 5.5 miles. I have done a few longer hikes but none with this many waterfalls in one hike. I want to make it again and do the whole 6.9 mile loop...anybody want to go with me?

Hike #9 - Wahclella Falls

This is one of the must-do easy hikes in the Gorge. The first part of the trail is a leisurely flat walk on a closed access road. At the end of the road is a small dam/fish ladder used by the Bonneville Fish Hatchery. This was a short but sweet hike that took Katrena and I along the edge of Tanner Creek to a roaring, supposedly two-tier waterfall (we did not see two tiers but only one), which plunged into a deep rocky pool. The hike is a 2.2 mile in and out hike. There is a loop, so we went in one way and came out another way so we were able to see the whole trail and experience the best of both paths.

There are not any cliffs here, but there are some steep drop offs, so be careful. After a flight of stairs, you will come to a fork in the trail. The end of the trail is a loop, so you will hike both sides. The lower path provides better views as you approach Wahclella Falls. The lower path drops down the mountain through a couple of switchbacks to the lower bridge. The great creek views start at the bridge and continue on through a 1973 slide zone.

At the head of the canyon, you'll pass through a bit of a grotto in full view of Wahclella Falls. Wahclella is one of the more interesting falls in the gorge. The most obvious portion is the lower drop, where the water drops from a hidden, narrow gorge 65 feet into a large open canyon. Above the lower falls is a semi-hidden upper falls in the main stream. You can see this 50 footer from the end of the trail loop. In the winter months, there is a third tier visible from further back, particularly on the lower level trail. This seasonal falls, sometimes called East Fork Falls, is taller than either of the main stream tiers. This oddity makes Wahclella Falls different heights at different times of the year.

Past Wahclella Falls, the trail gains a bit of elevation and loops back toward the trailhead. There's a particularly good view of the 1973 landslide from a small bridge halfway back to the junction. When you reach the earlier trail junction, continue straight and head back to your car.

Hike #8 - Twofer-Elowah Falls and McDowell Creek Falls

On August 23^rd, Katrena and I headed out to Elowah Falls, one of the hidden gems in the Columbia River Gorge. The falls flow year round, but are best in the late winter and spring, like many others in the area. The cliffs on either side of the falls are flanked with the colorful yellow-green lichen found throughout the Columbia Gorge, adding a lot to the aesthetics of the scene. The falls are said to stand 289 feet tall; however, it turns out the USGS had sent a survey team to determine the height of the falls in 1916 - their efforts produced a height of 221 feet. The falls were measured again in 2009 and were found to be 213 feet tall, so the only way the height of 289 feet could have materialized is if Upper McCord Creek Falls were included (because we spent SO much time photographing Elowah Falls, we did not make it to McCord Falls; that will be another hike, another blog entry). Along the trail to both Elowah and Upper McCord Creek Falls can be seen several sections of old cast iron and wooden pipes which were used to flume pressurized water water to the Crown Willamette Paper Company mill along the Columbia River.

Elowah Falls is situated in John B. Yeon State Park towards the eastern end of what is perceived to be the "waterfalls area" along the historical highway detour of the Columbia River Gorge. This waterfall reminded me very much of Latourell Falls since they were both tall slender with a basalt cliff supporting them. Perhaps there were slight variations in their shape and dimensions, but I could totally see how I might get the two confused if I was presented a photo of one or the other.

It wasn't too bad of a walk to access Elowah Falls as it was about a mile each way (2 miles round trip). The first half-mile was all climbing as we rose above the level of the noisy I-84. There was a fork in the trail leading to Upper McCord Creek Falls (which we didn't do). Shortly beyond the fork, the trail crested as it turned into Elowah Canyon where it descended another half-mile over a few switchbacks to the base of the falls.

When the original Columbia River Gorge Highway was constructed, the road crossed McCord Creek at approximately the same place Interstate 84 does today, but the falls were completely visible at the time (they can't be seen from the highway now unless the trees are bare). At the time the falls were known as McCord Creek Falls, but in 1915 the Mazamas successfully had the falls renamed to Elowah.

How did I ever miss this place? I have lived in the mid-valley for more than 30 years, but until today I had never been to McDowell Creek Park. The park is a jewel. It has three waterfalls and several miles of scenic trails through a forest with an abundance of Douglas firs, cedars, and ferns that Melissa, Maria, Briana and discovered.

McDowell Creek Falls Park might not be the most well-known destination among waterfall hunters, but this quiet and beautiful destination 10 miles north of Sweet Home is a place with waterfalls and a quiet atmosphere. It is said that McDowell is like a miniature Silver Falls without the crowds and tourists.

It is an easy, 1.8-mile loop that winds through a mossy forest and across wooden bridges that provide endless opportunities for amateur photographers to channel their inner Ansel Adams. There is little doubt about it, Oregonians are spoiled rotten by waterfalls.

With the state’s most beautiful collection of cascades 40 minutes away at Silver Falls State Park, the Shellburg Falls area within a half hour’s drive and the Columbia River Gorge just outside Portland, there’s never a shortage of falling water to be found near the Mid-Valley. Yet even within these riches, new treasures always are lurking just around the corner. Such is the case with McDowell Creek Falls Park, an unassuming Linn County destination.

The trail starts just upstream of Lower McDowell Falls — the park’s least-impressive named falls — before heading to Royal Terrace Falls, a triple-decker cascade that drops a total of 119 feet. There’s a bridge across the bottom as well as a trail that leads to the top. As you head out on the trail you will cross a gravel road and climb uphill to 40-foot Majestic Falls. Perhaps the coolest aspect of this falls is the network of wooden bridges and stairs that allow people to view the waterfalls from a number of different angles — in the distance, up close, and above.

The entire route is almost finished too soon — an easy trail of less than two miles will do that — and before you know it, your car comes back into view.

Bubble Run, August 9, 2014

GOOD CLEAN RUN

Who knew that getting covered with colored foam every half-mile could be so therapeutic? The Bubble Run was a 5k of frothy goodness that made my face hurt from perma-smile. I participated in an event where the most competitive aspect was comparing smiles and amounts of foam still clinging to me post race.

Are you living in a bubble?

If you’ve done a traditional 5K, you know they can be a bit lackluster. But the BUBBLE RUN was like running through Willy Wonkas’ factory. Clad in white t-shirts, participants ran, walked, danced, and played across 3 miles of absolute fun! At each kilometer, participants ran through the Foam Bogs where there was enough colored foam to cover you from head to toe! Each of the four Foam Bogs were represented by different colored foam.  So what if you should accidentally “taste the whimsey?” It did not taste as great as it was fun, but not to worry, the foam was 100% safe.

What does living in a bubble feel like?

Like a giant, effervescent party. The race itself was amazing, but once we crossed the finish line, there was still plenty of excitement and activity. You could jam out and dance to the DJ’s, get some free swag, and get ready to get a serious dose of extra foam! Then strut around like a peacock sporting your boss finisher’s status.  Or perhaps you simply want to chill and take in the sight. Believe me, you’ve never seen anything like this.

Nicaragua, dia siete

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Sorry that I have fallen a little behind in my blogging...I was literally 'pooped' out. Sadly, Tuesday while sitting in the airport for my 7-hour layover, I started not feeling so well. God is good though, I did not really get sick until Tuesday night after I got home. I was down and out Wednesday with Montezuma's revenge, but I am feeling better each day.

 

When I first realized I would be going to Nicaragua, I began journaling some things and had planned on using them throughout my blog while away. However, due to 'technical difficulties,' I was not able to access them. This will be my last blog post about Nicaragua, kind of a wrap up if you will. I will interject many of those thoughts, perspectives, etc., here. 

I just returned from a one week trip to Leon, Nicaragua touring and learning about the city and our sister church, as well as being a photography adviser to Issac. The point of my blog posts is my observations about Leon, the people, the culture, and anything else I may find relevant. 

As I mentioned at the beginning of this journey, this was an eclectic group. We had been invited to go to Nicaragua because of our time here at Mid-Valley, our diversity, our unity, and because we have grown. It was thought that we would benefit from visiting Leon.

Objectives:

Hannah would be spending most of her week teaching local leaders her ESL curriculum at the church.

Lisa will be working with the students at many projects some of the time as well as working with many of the ministries in the church.

Jess, Brianna, and Juan will be mainly working with several non-profit ministries as well as the church.

I spent my time touring with the group while learning about Nicaragua and our sister church and the city of Leon. 

Issac worked on completing 120 hours of his communications internship. He took pictures and working closely with Pastor Pedro to develop a website for the church in Leon. He may also be working the students some days and he may be touring with the rest of the group as well. 

Ministries:

Living Water – Well drilling, Evangelism, Pump Repair, Community Health Classes.

Voice of Hope – Feeding Programs, VBS, Cooking and Serving Food,

Worship – Youth (Friday nights and youth group), Children (Sunday mornings), Worship (Wednesday nights Sunday morning).

Blessing the Leadership – Helping Felix (Pedro's brother/second in command) with projects for his house that he is building.

I am a 54 year old mom. I personally have never gone on a missions trip before, but I have been intrigued and often wondered, why do people keep returning on trips? What is the draw? How has it captured their heart in a way that they cannot forget about the kids, special people, and the rich presence of Jesus that dwells here? NOW I KNOW!!!  

I pray that I remember the spiritual significance of my experience with the work that was accomplished this past week, and even after I left. While my time in Nicaragua has come to a conclusion, there is still one very important part of the mission left for me to do. I must tell my story! It’s not enough that I experienced God’s near presence in mission, I need to share the Good News message of my experience with others whom God brings into my life and who need to hear precisely what I have to share. I can never underestimate the power of the Spirit’s work through me and in the hearts and lives of persons whom I talk to about my mission experience. In many ways, each of us who went have gained an authentic mountain-top experience and are now called by God, as we return to the mission fields in the valleys of everyday life, to tell our story. I must remember also, that only I can tell my own personal story and the story I share, no matter how seemingly insignificant or unimportant, is worth telling. I am certain that there is at least one person that I will come in contact with who needs to hear what I have to share.

History:  Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It is rich in historic Spanish colonial churches, secular buildings, and private residences. As of 2007, the city had an estimated population of 191,076. Leon is located along the Río Chiquito, some 56 miles northwest of Managua, and some 11 miles east of the Pacific Ocean coast. Leon has long been the political and intellectual center of the nation and its National Autonomous University of Nicaragua UNAN was founded in 1813, making it the second oldest university in Central America. Leon is also an important industrial, agricultural (sugar cane, cattle, peanut, plantain, sorghum) and commercial center for Nicaragua.

Nicaragua's economy has historically been driven by agriculture, and in recent years, the tourism industry has grown, drawing visitors to the beaches, architecture, and landscape. Despite these resources, the country struggles with underemployment and Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America, second to Haiti. Many Nicaraguan families lean on foreign remittances, where family members in the US send funds home.

Living Water's work in Nicaragua began when Richard Bell, a long time Living Water volunteer, had a heart to know and serve the people of Nicaragua. Through his leadership and vision, Living Water began sending drill teams to León, Nicaragua in August 2005. Living Water in Nicaragua currently works in and around the cities of León, Granada, and Rivas. Each year many teams from North America work alongside our drillers and hygiene team to make generational change through the gift of safe water and the grace of the living water that is Jesus.

• Largest country in Central America.
• Spanish and Indian Ancestry.
• Named for the Indian chief Nicarao.
• Cotton and bananas are the leading produce.
• Winter (rainy season) May to October. Summer (dry season) November to April.
• 15% tax rate (IGV).
• National currency is the Cordoba (26 C's to the dollar).
• 90% of the population is nominally Catholic.
• Current capitol is Managua (since 1851). Leon was the capitol previously.
• The Cathedral of Leon is the largest in Central America.
• The Momtomobo volcano destroyed Old Leon tn the 17th Century.
• Know as the land of lakes and volcanoes, 14 active volcanoes pose a constant threat.
• Average household income is $450.00 per year.
• 44% of population is under 15 years old.

He never stops teaching me:

Each night of our mission, our team would come together to share dinner and process the day. One of the things this had me thinking was “Where did I see Jesus today?” It made me actually start looking for Jesus throughout the day. It is amazing what can happen when you slow down and pay attention long enough to actually “look” for Jesus. What is even more amazing is where I found Him.
One of the villages we visited, was a small village close to Leon. On the second day when we took a walking tour of the village, I was in shock. Seeing photos of what dwelling conditions can look like in a third world country and actually being there are two totally different things.  Honestly, it was some of the worst conditions I have ever seen, and yet the people were some of the most gracious.

God proved that he never stops teaching me. He shows me profound truths that my mind would tell me that I already know but my heart has never really understood. My relationship with God seems to be in a constant balance between knowledge and understanding. I know things to be true but my heart just does not get it. The beautiful thing about Nicaragua is that God is so present and moving there that it is impossible to escape him and the ways he wants me to understand…Truly understand.

Community:
Real community, the kind where a group of people love each other so well that through the ebb and flow of the relationship God interacts with us. Personally, for me I am all about community when I can control it. When I can control how much and how little of the true “me” people get. I have always had a passion for service. It is a very natural thing for me to do. Being served is something different all together. I am okay if I can decide when and where I am to be served. As long as I can control how much I am vulnerable. Unfortunately for my pride God doesn’t work like that and this place has a way of bringing that to my attention.

One thing I have learned on the trip to Leon, Nicaragua, is that my impact on the people there was small. Their impact on me was eminent; the joys, the smiles, the community. Vision trips are appropriately named. It’s a vision of what life could be like and in many ways, what life should be like. The people there gave me so much more than I gave them and I now understand that is okay.

Nicaragua, dia seis

Monday, July 28, 2014

After I blogged last night, I went to Jessica's blog (http://jessieinnica.tumblr.com/) as she too is blogging her adventure while here. I was deeply moved by what she wrote, her insight. She may be young, but she has had some moments beyond her years. She summed up her feelings, as well as mine very well, and we all know that imitation is the best form of flattery so I stole a few of her words: I feel a fire, a passion, burning in me that I have not felt in a long time. I want to and will learn Spanish before I come back, hopefully, next year to reconnect with the people here. I love our sister church, La Iglesia de Comunidad. I love what God is doing in my heart. The only thing holding me back from really experiencing Nicaragua to its fullest is my inability to speak Spanish. 

Sadly, today is my last day in Leon, Nicaragua. I thought I had all day Monday, but I only have a few more hours left here as it is a long drive to Managua and we have to find a motel, etc., before a very early morning and long day, so we had breakfast before the group arrived and then off to the coffee shop for our usual morning caffeine and talk about what we have seen and experienced while here. Some of my thoughts and writings may be a bit unorganized, a jumble, it is kind of how I am feeling today. If my forgetfulness this trip has been any indication, here is just another example of it...I walked out of the coffee shop and left my camera sitting on the table. Gracias Dios, I was NOT the last person in our group to leave the coffee shop. I was so happy to see Pastor Jesse walk out with my camera in hand. Seriously, as soon as I get home, I have to go and get a new strap so I can wear that camera again.

Today is an emotional day, the feelings are overwhelming. "What am I/we doing here?" "What can I/we do?" As you have heard me say, "I cannot change Nicaragua, but God can change me!" The church in Nicaragua needs to be a light (just like at home). If Leon's church is successful, they will attract others in. "Will I experience church differently in Woodburn since I have been in Nicaragua? Will my worship be changed after this experience?"

Jesse spoke about dreaming, how important it is to dream and to dream big,  We talked about many tangible ways we could help the Nicaraguans; the specialized teams that could come in the future, the many different projects we could implement, etc. Jesse and Paul came to check out business opportunities as well as internship possibilities for the locals. Hannah came to teach English to the teachers. Juan came 2 years ago and had already established relationships with many in the community as well as church members and was able to pick right up with those upon his return. Lisa, Brianna, and Jessica came to serve others in several different ministries. Isaac came to photograph the experience and to make a website for the church. From the get go, I kind of felt like I had no purpose on this trip. I struggled to find "my place on the team." I felt like I did not fit in - this in no way was a reflection on the team, as they did not make me feel that way, but I knew since I was coming home after only 5 days there I felt I had no real purpose. I may not have been there to serve in a specific ministry, but I feel this was a good experience for me. I feel something stirring in me that I have not felt before.

Speaking of dreaming, La Iglesia de Comunidad has a wide variety of attendees; one of which is a doctor who has a dream. Reynaldo (the doctor) has a dream of a medical clinic first run out of the church and then taken into the smaller communities just out of reach of town, who have no means of transportation to get into town. There are many opportunities of serving, dreaming, and it all flows from the church. I suspect us at Mid Valley will be hearing about those opportunities as Jesse and the rest of the team reflect on what we all saw and and experienced in Central America, and we all want to be a global church. 

We then headed out for one last 'adventure.' Pedro and Jesse took us for a walk to the open market. Wow, that was an experience. It was in the 90s and 50% humidity and the market, while called an open market, is a ton of booths in a huge building that was so hot and not technically open at all. They cut up meat and fish in the booths, no refrigerators, no ice, just salt to preserve it. Yuck! There was a woman that was pacing through one area screaming loudly. Pedro said she had mental health issues, and they do not have any facilities there for people to go for help. Lisa and Brianna tried mamoncillos, a Spanish lime. The faces they made were...priceless. Some of the fruit was so ripe, I doubt anybody would buy it.

On our way back to the hotel, there was time for one more lesson. We saw some murals on the walls outside of El Sesteo. Augusto César Sandino was a leader of the resistance to the US military occupation of Nicaragua in the 1920s and 1930s.  He was assassinated in 1934 by the US-supported Guardia Nacional, the national police force of the Somoza dictatorship.The Sandinistas took his name in the 1960s. At that time, the US government was still backing the Somoza dictatorship and, later, the US supplied the Contras (the counter-revolutionary forces composed mostly of the Guardia Nacional).  In July 1979, the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza was overthrown through violent civil strife. The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) had played a major rile in defeating oppression. Sandino’s image became a symbol of the Sandinista movement and, as such, was banned during the later Somoza years. In the first image, Sandino is stepping on Anastasio Somoza.  The mural was restored in 1993, and the banner currently reads “Sandino Vive” (Sandino lives). This mural was originally done in 1983 by a US muralist, Mike Alewitz.  He describes himself as a Marxist agitprop artist, and his work focuses primarily on labor issues.  I am surprised and totally fascinated that the Sandinista government commissioned a US artist to create this mural. 

It was now time to say good-bye. I really was not ready to go, I wanted to see more, to experience more, to help more, but it was time to go. I am jealous that the others get to stay and I have to go, that they get to stay and serve others, get to experience a whole new level of Nicaragua. After hugs all around, Pedro drove Jesse, Paul, Isaac, and me to Managua. During our long drive, we talked with Pedro about ministry opportunities in the future. We also learned more history about Nicaragua. Outside of Managua is an absolutely massive fresh water lake; however, the whole thing is polluted and cannot be used at all. So sad, especially since there are many crops along the countryside that are dying because of drought. It has been almost a year since the area of Leon has had any significant rainfall. The hotel where Jesse wanted to stay did not have enough rooms, and I was bummed. There was a bird sanctuary out front that had HUGE parrots that I was looking forward to shooting and hopefully having my picture done with. Oh well, we went down the road a bit and stayed right across from the airport at the Best Western. 

I pray that the first, the passion I feel right now does not die. I understand after a trip like this many times there is a fire, a passion, and I suppose it is normal that those feelings would subside some in time, but I pray that I do not forget the feelings I am having right now. It can be truly amazing what God can do if we step out of His way and let Him lead us. I really had NO idea God would change my heart on this trip, but He did. I honestly believed I would just go and take in the culture and take pictures, many pictures, but I really had no idea that I would fall in love with Leon and the people and want to come back.

Nicaragua, dia cinco

Sunday, July 27, 2014

It was a very rough night for me...I blogged and uploaded photos until just after midnight, but that did not mean I would sleep :(  Once I settled in for the night, I started hearing very loud Spanish music coming from the plaza, which is a few blocks away. The last time I looked at the clock, it was 1:37 am. While it was still dark outside, 2:43 am, I was awoke by the stupid rooster that Jesse had so much trouble with that he asked to be moved to another room. It is my conclusion that el gallo (the rooster) should be taken to Tip Top (a restaurant that sells chicken dishes). It was after 3:30 am before I fell back to sleep and then woke yet again at 6:30 am so I figured it was time to get up. After getting ready for church, I went out to the courtyard and had breakfast before Pedro picked us up for church about 8:30.

They definitely are not as hung up here on time as we (specifically me) are at home. If it is stated that church starts at 9, it is my opinion that it should begin at 9. I am finding that is not the case here with anything concerning time. I think church finally began about 9:20-ish. The worship music was beautiful. Even though I did not know the words in Spanish, much of the music was the same songs we sing at home. However, I cannot explain why the exact same songs sound so much sweeter in Spanish than in English. Some of the songs were a bit more lively than we do but they were great...it was such a sweet spirit of worship, worshiping with brothers and sisters in Christ yet knowing that my brothers and sisters at home were worshiping the same God was an absolutely amazing feeling. 

Pedro had us come up as a group and tell our name, age, and what we were learning while here in Leon. It would have been nice to have a little more notice so that I could have given some thought to what I wanted to say; however, I had to make due with the few moments I had to prepare. I told them that through the lens of my camera, God was teaching me so much about the people of Nicaragua, that my world was becoming so much larger. Pedro's sermon/teaching was great. The church was very thoughtful in that they had a translator as Pedro did his teaching in Spanish. We may be young/old, serious/silly, Latino/American, but we need to be one church, a healthy church. The church is so much more than a building, a religion, even a relationship. We can all go to church in a building but church is Christians coming together for God's purpose to do His work, globally. 

After Pedro's teaching, we got to watch Pastor Jesse dedicate Pastor Pedro and Maria's sweet baby. It was wonderful watching this specific baby dedication in our sister church. I felt such a connectiveness to them, their family, and their church, our church. 

After church, the team, as well as Pedro Maria, Paola, Rachel, Laura, and PJ went to lunch. Can you guess where?  For those of you who have traveled to Nicaragua with Jesse, you know that he enjoys El Sesteo so we went back there for lunch today. I had the opportunity to sit with Pedro and Maria and talk about some of the ministries here and some ways for tangible help. My mind has been racing pretty much the whole time I have been here and is still going.

My time here is winding down so very quickly as we well be heading to Managua tomorrow because we have an early flight and it is a long drive, but I am glad that I was able to come. In many ways I sure wish I could stay longer. I am so thankful though that the days were spent the way they were - seeing the culture - getting a feel for the way of life. While my accommodations here are humble, they are tremendously better than how the majority of the people here live. While the poverty level has improved even in the last 5 years, it is still second in the nation. Only Haiti's poverty level is higher. I thought I had seen poverty at home in the states, but I really had no idea what poverty truly was until this trip. 

After lunch, it was once again siesta time. I like the down time in the afternoon to work on my blog, pictures, meditate on what I have learned that day. 

I am not usually an irresponsible person, but I think my brain is a little on overload with all of my surroundings. There is a lot to take in here. Today, I lost two things, one of my cooling cloths and unfortunately, my camera strap/sling. I love that sling and when I get home I will have to replace it. I do not like the traditional strap that hangs around the neck as it hurts my neck so I invested in the sling, I love that sling.

I have learned that time is truly a relative term here. As I have stated, Jesse does not like having a firm 'plan,' but sometimes having a plan can be a good thing. Somehow, we believed Pedro was bringing the team in for some afternoon time together as well as dinner and debriefing. After waiting until 6:15 pm and Pedro and the team were still not there, we decided to walk to the square for some dinner. We were just enjoying walking around the plaza observing the people and low and behold the rest of the team showed up about 7:30. There were some vendors out in the square so we went to make a few bargains for souvenirs. I did find a few things, a few treasures. It is kind of hard to try and find bargains when you do not speak the language but gracious a Dios (thank goodness) for Hannah as she got us some bargains. After some discussion, Jesse, Paul, and Pedro decided to have dinner at El Sesteo. After 4 meals there already, I was ready for something different. When the team chose pizza I thought that sounded pretty good so I opted to go with them. The place was packed, no tables available, so we opted to get the pizzas to go and took them back to the hotel to eat them. After the men came back and Pedro and the team left, Jesse, Paul, and I called it a night...it was time for post yesterday's adventure.