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Author's Note 7/21/08: When I wrote this post, I changed my blog colors to red and black. What I didn't think about is how awkward these jokes would be after I changed my colors back to normal. Please excuse the next few poorly planned jokes.

I know what you're thinking... Red and Black?? What happened to the hippie tree-hugger earth tones symbolizing the never ending crusade to save the environment using renewable energy? WHAT'S THE DEAL

Well, readers, this past Saturday was the 29th anniversary of the 19th of July 1979, when the Sandinistas took power ending the revolution. Think of it as 4th of July for the Sandinistas. Black and Red are the official colors of the FSLN (initials of the Sandinista party). Now that I have an excuse for my hideous clashing colors*, let's get on with the SECOND TO LAST(!) TWI...

The Second To Last(!!) TWI: 7/14 - 7/20

• This Saturday, my host Dad, Jessica (another volunteer), one of the Mexican Nuns, and I went to the celebration of the anniversary of the evolution in the plaza in Managua. It was filled with hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans with red and black scarves, flags, clothes, etc. Notable speakers included Daniel Ortega (the current president, a Sandinista [of course]), Hugo Chávez, Evo Morales, and the wife and daughter of Che Guevara.

• Cute story: One of the revolution songs is sang to the tune of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." Ready to learn a socialist revolutionary song? Here goes, with Lennon's lyrics on top and the Sandinista remix under (roughly translates to "what we want is work (as in jobs) and peace"):
• All we are saaayy- iinnn, is give peace a chaannce
• Lo que quereee-mmmos, es tra - bajo y paazz

• While at this rally, a passing Nica (ok he could've been from another country, we'll call him a spanish-speaker) noticed that maybe I'm not from Nicaragua, and asked if I'm studying in the UCA (Universidad Centro America) and I said no, the UNI (Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería). All this, of course, in Spanish. Here's what happened next: He understood me, and FIST BUMPED ME! Let me say that again, I talked with a strange Spanish speaker and communicated well enough that I got fist bumped! I'm practically fluent.

• And now, pictures! First of the celebration:

One of the Mexican Nuns, Me, and my Host Dad, ready to go with my FSLN Flag


Jessica in her FSLN hat, with the stage in the background


Cerveza para celebrar

• Now, a few pictures from my trip to León (not actually this week).

Climbing up the volcano, while the dog looks out for predators or lava


What a view! I don't know who that is.


The crater


Walking along the ridge


So maybe orange jumpsuits and goggles need an explanation... it's safety gear because we're about to SLED DOWN A VOLCANO


A Cathedral. The largest in Central America.


The indoor market


People eating in said market


Fruit


More Fruit


Pigs (not real)

• Okay now back to Managua, here are some pictures from my Barrio (Barrio = Neighborhood).

My Barrio (Not Pictured: My House)


This dog tried to bite me. We're no longer friends. He didn't break skin. I call him Kujo.

• Finally, not related to Nicaragua, but I found a place to live in California. Now you can all start planning your visits!