I am in Nandaime.

I get up very early because I think it's time to get up since I can hear the shower running, but it's 4:00 AM. Marvin, the father, has an hour-long motorcycle ride to work in Managua, the capital. I try to go back to sleep... Finally, at 6:00 AM, I take the opportunity to do my laundry by hand—it was about time! Magaly prepares a delicious breakfast for me, which I share with Chepe and Paola.

Next, my team and I will try to find the families I photographed during an awareness workshop with students in 2016.

Luckily, my little friends are helping me with my research. Here's the result of our efforts...

Next, we take a natural lemonade in a bag to refresh ourselves.

I bought some Bermuda shorts for $3 because mine were ripped. I decided to explore the area by bike; I can't sit still, and honestly, these little kids have SO MUCH energy. So I headed towards Laguna de Apoyo, an ancient volcano now filled with water.

It's a beautiful place for lovers.

On the road I meet some young baseball players.

I also see the small park and the church of the village named Diria.

I also took the opportunity to visit Diriomo to see my friend Alicia and her husband.

I've known Alicia since 2004, during my first trip to Nicaragua. She now lives in Granada. I ate an excellent pineapple for 15 cordobas (60 cents); it was delicious.

The nativity scene and church in Diriomo are magnificent.

The scenery along the road is very beautiful. Here is the Mombacho volcano, which has been inactive for a very long time.

Sometimes there are sidewalks on the road, I take advantage of them to use them.

I eat a hot dog for 10 cordobas (40 cents).

I see shops, I think of my family. My aunt's name is Esther!

My father's name is Roch.

To get back to Nandaime I'm using another route I saw on Google Maps... It's great! I can see miniature taxis and buses to go to the small towns around.

However, the path becomes increasingly narrow.

At that moment I saw a charming gentleman on his horse.

The path is becoming increasingly special.

I finally arrive at a dry riverbed, because it's summer here. You can see the scars left when the river overflows during the rainy season.

I've finally found the right path, which looks like this.

I am finally venturing off the beaten path and I can see that all means are good for getting around.

I buy honey in an old rum bottle, long live reuse! I pay 70 cordobas (CAD $2.80).

I see a baseball game in a very confined space. Everything is in place for guaranteed fun. Life is simple.

Once in town, I attended the most popular festival, the "Quince años," meaning the fifteenth birthday celebration. The boys and girls were very well dressed for the occasion.

I finally get home and head out to do some shopping for the family. Time to pay the next person. I buy rice, sugar, chicken, soap, toilet paper, vegetables, etc... quite a haul of groceries that we obviously have to carry on foot. A very good meal...thank you!!!

David Beauchesne