Monday, September 27, 2010

A Sun Sets In San Juan

Well, folks. That's a wrap! This experience was the perfect thing for me, at the perfect time in my life. I'm most grateful for the time spent here, and leaving here so soon is such a bittersweet feeling. I know when one chapter ends, another begins, and as long as you make the most out of every precious day, you can't really go wrong. That's just me. Riding the wave. Like a surfer.

I'm juuust a little sorry I didn't get to go see the big Jesus statue that overlooked San Juan. But then I remember that I flew over it in a helicopter! So, there. Also, my zipline friend borrowed my camera to take pics up there, so technically, I also have pics. The good news is that I have a bottle of Flor de Caña and a hammock in my stuffed to the max suitcase, so a little bit of Nica will always be with me. I'm going to miss it so much!

One more for the road...
xoxo

From Just In The Nica Time

O...Masaya

Once our production wrapped last Thursday, there's been a whole new vibe happening. First, half the people just up and left. Before you know it, all the trailers are getting pulled apart, and no one is at Iguana's anymore. The rain has started and not stopped from the Hurricane that I never knew existed until a few days ago.

Yesterday I had one last free day. After packing and mourning the end of my hilltop/hammock/ocean view, I decided to bust it to Masaya. I've been wanting to go there forEVER. I thought I ran out of time, but you know what. Just do it. So I did it. The reception lady called her friend, Camilo, and my little taxi buddy drove 90 min to Masaya-- a town close to the capital, most famous for its artisan market. Unfortunately, we got there towards the end of the day, so a lot of the shops were closed. But, they were closed because of the... horse parade! Masaya was celebrating one of their Saints Days, so it was a big party in town. I mentioned to Camilo the horses seem really afraid of the music, since they were kind of jumping around and going crazy. And he's all, oh, no... they're dancing. They're trained to dance to the music. OH. RIGHT. AWESOME. So, once I realized they were dancing, I was cracking up. I'm so glad I went. It was a long drive, but that's usually half the fun anyways. You know, with the banana trucks and all.

From Just In The Nica Time


Loved every bag, purse, scarf, everything in those fabrics.

From Just In The Nica Time


Yep, dancing horses
From Just In The Nica Time


Mercado
From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Post Presents... Post

The S22 Film Festival was last night. I got really lucky with this season, in like, a million ways... but with the Art Show, Schmergen Ball and Film Festival, I pretty much hit the jackpot. People submit 4 minute films, and DAMN people are so creative here. It was a really fun event, and our little Post group submitted a cool timelapse video of us working. Basically, a day in the life of... logging and cloning tapes. Brad managed to make it totally riveting.

We had a guest of honor there who had just turned 100 years old! Don Felix. Turns out his wife is 50. We were all doing a little math there.

The winner of the film fest got $1000, and it went to a Neil Diamond mockumentary. Johnny Diamante, for the win! Last night was also somewhat of our farewell/wrap party, since most people are leaving tomorrow. Not ME!

Here are some pics from the film fest -- Which all took place in the catering area. This is where I ate my breakfast and lunches.

From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time


Don Felix is in the Top Hat. Why wouldn't he be?
From Just In The Nica Time


Probst and the Emmy made another appearance too!
From Just In The Nica Time

Totally Splurged

I totally splurged on a $2 Corona the other day. Then it came with a free Coronita. So, it ended up being less of a splurge, and more like a booya. Beers are just always $1 here. If this is wrong, I don't want to be right.

From Just In The Nica Time

That's A Wrap

Survivor 22 wraps today. This is me every 5 minutes...

From Just In The Nica Time


Tomorrow and Saturday I'm helping wrap and pack up the office. Then Sunday I'm leaving for a place called Isle de Ometepe. It's an island with 2 volcanoes. I'm really excited to go... but so many mixed feelings about this ending. You know how I am when things come to end. Ya, ya, new beginnings. But, still.

From Just In The Nica Time

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

¡Meneitos!

In addition to fake Doritos, I also found fake Cheeto Puffs-- helllz ya! Meneitos, you guys. Meneitos.

From Just In The Nica Time


So detoxing when I get back.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Ready, Set, Schmergen!

Schmergenball is the most ridiculous game ever invented, and of course I loved it.

The rules are: throw the ball in the trashcan. (While the other team throws it into your trashcan)

We played with giant rugby balls and footballs, and a ... soccer ball. Our team was all of Post-- we were the first to play and first to lose, hollerrrrr!!! The rest of the day was spent heckling the other teams, Toña-ing and a little swimming too. I even got a t-shirt and promptly lost it 2 minutes later. NICE WORK, P.

From Just In The Nica Time


Broke a nail before we even started. GD
From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time


From Just In The Nica Time


Unit built bleachers. Of course they did.
From Just In The Nica Time


Team Post and Ryan - first losers, but still awesome
From Just In The Nica Time



This place is basically one big summer camp, and I don't want my parents to pick me up and take me home. (Not literally, parents, just metaphors, you know?)