Gannon Volleyball Nicaragua Photo Gallery (New Photos Added Daily)
Today started off great with a delicious breakfast topped with sleeping in for the first time in awhile. We did not have to be on the road as early as usual. At 10 a.m., we left to go see the Masaya Volcano. Although the ride up to the volcano was a very bumpy one, it was well worth it for the amazing view. It was a very humbling experience to stand next to this enormous volcano and look down inside of it. You feel as if all the little things do not matter as much because you are just a small part of this huge creation. This particular creation was currently active and could erupt at any second. The fact that they instruct you to park your car facing outwards really helps the reality set in that you are standing on a volcano. There were trails you could take to go higher up on the volcano. It was very interesting to watch the clouds rise up out of the crater; the smell of sulfur filled the air. Being able to see the volcano was only the first stop of our exciting last day here.
Next, we drove to the Open Market in Masaya. The market looked like a huge gray castle from the outside, but on the inside there were countless little shops set up with items ranging from hammocks and back packs to shoes and rum. It was very easy to get lost inside the market because I did so a couple times. I wouldn’t have minded getting stuck in there because I would have loved to stay in this wonderful place. After we finished shopping, everyone piled back on the bus with the excitement of showing each other everything they purchased and explaining the meaning behind it.
Our last stop of the day was The Monkey Hut Resort on Apoyo Lagoon. We wasted no time getting into the azure water, heated by the vents of the volcano. There were many things to do at the lake including kayaking, which I did for the very first time, swimming, laying in hammocks and floating on the swimming dock. You’d think that after being in Nicaragua for the past week or so we would have got used to the bugs, but the GUVB team took on the “bee” team during lunch. The bees had the girls running around and yelling while eating lunch. It was a pretty funny sight.
For the grand finale of this amazing trip, the team was able to pull out an awesome win against the Nicaraguan national team tonight. The slippery floor and the dusty conditions did not slow us down. We took the opponent to four close games and in the end we pulled out the win: 25-22, 25-22, 11-25, 25-20. To celebrate and also prepare for our trip back home, we had pizza for dinner at Tele Pizza. The walls reminded us of home with posters of pop icons like Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe.
This trip has been such an amazing experience and a memorable one at that. Despite the language barrier, working with the kids was a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Their desire to learn is an inspiration to me and I hope that they are able to make a difference in their own lives. I have gained a greater appreciation for the life I have in the United States after witnessing the struggle that so many people endure here. I am so thankful to be able to be a part of such a great team and a great experience. Thank you to our parents, family and friends for their support and donations of supplies, clothes and uniforms. We also want to thank our tour guide, Brooke Rundle, and coach Darling for putting together a great trip.
Jordyn Thiery ‘17
Gannon University Volleyball
