Day Uno in Nicaragua

Day one began with individuals attending a morning church service. Unbeknownst to us the priest blessed our mission trip during the service! The rest of the morning consisted of orientations regarding our mission and assignments here in Nicaragua starting with a mindfulness presentation by Dr. Jody Gundrum. We had the pleasure of indulging in traditional savory Nicaraguan food and culture all while learning about the country by playing a trivia game about the country's history. We were pleasantly surprised that the prize were traditional Nicaraguan chocolate that was made just last week.

Later in the evening we were treated to a performance by a nationally known local youth dance company who showcased dances highlighting the culture of the many regions of Nicaragua, broadening our understanding of the diverse history of this nation. The dancers eventually incorporated us into their performances, teaching us some of their signature moves. Saying "no" was not an option which was a perfect introduction to the Nicaraguan culture, as they were able to encourage even the most reluctant among us to participate. The night culminated with a delicious meal and celebration of what is to come in the next two weeks. Tomorrow we head out to our clinical sites so stay tuned for more posts to come!