Ella

This past week has been rough. I have been preparing my students for their local business competition which is their final project in my Entrepreneurship class I teach. It is this Friday October 10th. I know everything will not turn out perfect but when you strive for perfection it is hard not stay relaxed. Everything will go over well. It is the first time around my schools are competing in such an event. We are taking one team from my site to the regional competition in a couple weeks. ***deep breath*** Relax.

I met a wonderful and beautiful girl about a year ago last Thanksgiving. I was in Matagalpa Matagalpa when we met. She began speaking to me in English. She was with a friend and I was with a friend of mine. She spoke perfect English. I didn´t know what to think. If a Nicaraguan opens conversation in English, I always respond in Spanish. So this is how our conversation lasted through out the night. She spoke in English and I answered in Spanish.

We met up the next day and talked over a cup of coffee. We remained in contact through texting for the following month. I spent the end of 2013 with her. This whole week seemed to fly by. She was also learning how to drive a standard this week so she could obtain her drivers license. (And yes she is older than 21...not everyone has the oportunity to get their drivers license at 16-17 years like the majority of teenagers in the states.) Every day we would meet up with a friend of hers who was her instructor for the week. She was not sure that she would ever learn but I ensured her that with practice it would come quite easy.

We had some crazy times together. One incident occured that night at the end of the year. We had left a bar where we were hanging out with some of her friends. It was late. Her house was not too far so we thought we would be safe walking. We made it to the corner where her house was, turned the corner and seconds later we were followed by three young nicaraguans who held us at knife point two houses down from her house. They searched our pockets and stole money, my cards, and my cell phone. The three young men left us unharmed and we were soon at her house minutes later after the incident.

Several months later we were in Pearl Lagoon with some friends of mine. We had walked out to the coast and on our way back into town we were approached by a large white man who offered us a ride back into town. The trip by vehicle was only 5 minutes.  When we arrived he insisted that we hang out for a bit longer while he picks up some friends. He grew up in the coast and knew the area quite well. So we were in for the ride. It turned out to be a crazy adventure at rapid speeds! But...we made it. Alive!

Every time I was with her, I knew I was in good hands. She supported me, knowing the life of a peace corps volunteer, she cooked for me and bought me yogurt and snacks. We watched movies, talked, hung out with her friends and my friends and always made the best of times. I cannot thank her enough to express my gratitude towards her carring attitude.

The separation was mutual. I will never forget her nor the times we spent together.

Thank you for everything!

¡Nunca te olvidaré!