For the 12 pics from Christmas, Nicaragua showed to me:

12 Old Colonial Churches (This is Central… I actually didn’t see all 12, but I love seeing the beautiful churches strategically placed throughout the city)

11 Pelicans Fishing I love watching the flocks of pelicans flying up the coast in a line- skimming along each wave- rising when the wind current changes- Fascinating

bonus pic: the sunset over the Pacific was breathtaking

10 Cottons Snowballs Deborah found cotton snowballs in the supply closet and we had quite a few rounds of battle during my visit. Here the troops (neighborhood children) are advancing fearlessly.

9 Hunted Geckos Every night Deb picks up her beloved cat Moron, and proceeds through the house. Both of them craning their necks to the ceiling hunting Geckos. They really have put a hurting on the population too..

8 Launched Bottle Rockets I think this number was closer to 8,000…. The city exploded day and night with fire crackers. And, thanks to my little sis who thought it was necessary to set off a few herself- in the house while I was cooking- Pretty sure I lost some hearing. I’m sorry, were you saying something?

7 Stands of Fresh Produce I love the action and the colors of the market place- so much takes place here and it’s so different than what I’m used to… I do not love the smell…

bonus pic: the meat part of the market is hard for me to deal with. Guess how far it’s possible to walk without breathing?

6 Exploding El Veijo We sent 2016 out with a bang again… This year was almost more traumatic because we just missed witnessing a motorcycle wreck, and the ambulance came rushing through the crowd, and a bunch of drunks set off their dummy at 11:53 and THEN we discovered that our truck was parked between 2 firecracker strips- a hissing snake of fireworks that shot explosives back and forth and cinders flew through the air and we smelled like a firework factory. More hearing loss for KH. (Last year’s version of this tradition can be read here : Out with the Old )

5 Excited Children We went visiting through one of the neighborhoods, and I loved watching Deborah interact with the children from Children’s Church. When the little guy in the orange was younger, he dipped his hand in hot oil, and wiped it off quickly on his shirt>>>which melted into his skin… He has a pretty decent scar that he was sure to call to our attention.

4 on a bicycle This pic needs no explanation

3 Smoking Volcanoes I was reading Ps 104 in my devotions while I was there. I think the Psalmist had Nica in mind: