We survived Tormento Matthew

Matthew never became a full fledged hurricane but we sure got a lot of rain for several days.  Parts of Nica were really badly affected but we were not.  Just a lot of ¨lodo¨( mud), damp clothes, lost power etc.  All things we can live with, considering.....  We watched the news when we had power and there were lots of evaucations in Nica, most north and of course along the shorelines.  We are continuing in our training, lots of great Spanish classes...I actually feel like I am a lot better already.  We had some trainings from current volunteers yesterday and this morning and it is great to hear what their lives are like in their sites.  Also, they are lining up Embassy families for us to spend Thanksgiving with.   Usually, the volunteers are sworn in right before Thanksgiving and then there is a country wide conference for all volunteers but it has been cancelled this year.  So right after swearing in we will go to our sites or stay in Managua to spend a day with an Embassy family.   I am opting for the latter.  I have been reading a lot about the history of Nica.   Many interesting parts....I am amazed that they have survived as well as they have.....we Americans have a lot to be ashamed of when it comes to our involvement in their lives...but, somehow, they don´t seem to hate us.  I finally had pinolo, or whatever.  It is not my favorite !!!  My favorite is made with the flower Jemica...it has medicinal value supposedly, is a beautiful color and tastes really good.  They are calling for more storms to move in this weekend but so far....nothing.  We are working in our garden this afternoon, putting up the barrera ( a fence to keep out wind, people and grazing animals.)  It is located within the fenced school yard but people let their chickens peck where ever they want, there are always dogs foraging for anything they can find and yesterday I saw two pigs tied out near our garden.  Why not, lots of good grass there for the taking.  The Catholic church is nearby - an ancient one that has been abandoned, holes in the tin roof, windows out, etc and a new pre fab looking one is located right beside it.   I´ll  take a photo...another contradiction.  Got to learn how to do PICASA.    More later, adios !!!!