Nicaragua? Why? Where?

No, we don’t know anyone there. Yes, it’s the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. Where? South of Honduras, north of Costa Rica. Is it safe? people ask. Reasonably so, we think.

Why go to Nicaragua? We like to meet people from other places; we like to try to see the world from different vantage points. We want the children to learn some Spanish.

Mostly, though, we’re impressed with the look of La Mariposa, which we only know from Betsy's rumpled surfing of the web (see below).

Highlights include: four hours of Spanish lessons a day (half grammar, half conversation); a willingness to accommodate families and children; volunteer projects to help us (James especially) connect with the local community; a commitment to sustainability, with solar panels and organic garden; horses and dogs and monkeys and parrots to delight Zoë and (we hope) Jeremy; afternoon trips to learn more about the country and culture of Nicaragua.

Check it out: maybe you’ll follow us there. http://www.mariposaspanishschool.com/

We like adventures—the way they turn our workaday world inside out, making us recognize the choices we take for granted—and we think Jeremy may be ready to share in a beginner’s escapade.

Start small; make it easy on the children, says Betsy. Hmm, says James.

Wish us luck!