My apologies: havent found postcards or stamps, Im sorry!!! Ill be home soon. : ) Please let me hear your comments... Happy New Year to everyone! and good luck to CORA in the marathon.....

Thursday ----->
It's hot here in Leon, Nicaragua!
Monday night we did Chanukah with the Arguetas, who were fascinated. Then we sat around and played Hebrew music until 1 or 2 am. The sons (Walters cousins) are extremely talented. Oren said some of the best guitar playing he had ever seen. I have to agree.
After a final celebratory evening at the mall and an arcade with the Arguetas, headed south to Nicaragua. Another long bus ride and border crossing, but the seats are amazingly comfortable and I got to sleep and read.
We're now in Leon, a student town, known for its liberal and revolutionary spirit. We spent today walking around town and enjoying the many murals of the city. One featured a CIA snake reaching up and biting the hands of people trying to vote. In the local cultural center, theres a prominent painting of Reagan, sitting - grinning - on the head of an indigenous woman whose hands are bleeding. On either side of her are two little peons - I think local government officials - who are dressed as clowns.
Weve met up with three Israelis and a guy from France. Wev'e spent the last 2 days together. Last night, for Chanukah, about 8 of us gathered and I told the story of chanukah - a sort of dramatic interpretation complete with sound effects. We sang some songs and talked about our favorite holiday foods.

Let's backtrack....
Tuesday night we went out to see a revolutionary band play at a local bar. They were fantastic! They were so excited about the crowd, and so passionate about the music. A lot of people were signing along and I got to dance with some very special Nicaraguan men. Oren has some funny pictures to prove it. That night I stayed up late talking about Israeli politics etc... which was really interesting in light of Sharon's new party and the elections in the Spring.

I love having the time to think again and to get into lengthly discussions... After a week, Im feeling again like mysely and am a bit envious of those around me who are traveling for months. Most people here are planning on travelling for at least 4 months...

Yesterday, we went to the cerro negro, an amazing volcanic formation about an hour away. Flavio drove us in a Jeep through dirt roads. We negotiated our way past ox drawn carts, chickens, dogs and some hungry looking horses. The landscape is incredible - desert like with flat fields. There are scattered huts, and in the distance are several volcanoes that pop out suddently from the ground.

AtCcerro Negro, quite literally a black pile of ask, we climbed up the moon-like surface to the top of the crater. Oren, Uri and I explored the crater which was smoldering. There were patches of white, yellow and red from sulpher and iron. You could feel the heat coming from the volcano and I collected some rocks to show my students. After walking all around the rim of the volcano, we got to slide down!

Leaping through a steep pile of volcanic ash isnt really comparable to any other experience Ive had. We could jump really high and land softly in the deep tiny rocks. We could stop at any time, but could leap down gathering speed and decent lift off as we went. You could also glide your feet along the dust and ski down. I recommend this activity, next time you have the chance. ITs better than skiing, although a lot dirtier!

Although I havent been in nature nearly enough, the trip has been amazing and already I am so so glad that I did this! Tomorrow we're off to be beach bums for a few days in San Juan del Sur. Next time Im here, Ill need several months to see the jungle and the lago de nacaragua - a lake the size of El Salvador with volcanic islands in the center. This brief trip has inspired me to come back - shocking, I know.

Much love
Happy New Year!