Sand Volleyball Blog: Dispatches from Nicaragua
3/2/2015 7:05:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
WE'LL MISS YOU, NICARAGUA (MARCH 8)
By: Catey Warren
CHARLESTON, S.C. – After a long travel day, we are finally back in the states. Some people are happy to be back while others are sad, but one thing is for certain: we're all going to miss the warm sun, beautiful beaches, and rich Nicaraguan culture.
It has been one of the most memorable spring break experiences of our lives and a great team bonding experience. We will always remember the fun times we had zip lining, surfing, playing on beautiful beaches, and meeting new people.
We'll miss you, Nicaragua.
(Caption: An evening on the sand, with friends)
RUMINATIONS OF A BACHELOR FANATIC (MARCH 7)
By: Liz Theesfeld
SAN JUAN DEL SUR –After a long day on the beach playing against the Nicaraguan national team, Catey and Mel (ballers) took first place at the Playa Hermosa tournament!
After the tournament, we enjoyed the Pitaya Festival – a local event created to raise awareness for the Casa Llanta Fund and other community projects.
Mel also managed to jump on stage with the festival's feature band, "Juan Pablo the Terrible"… just kidding. But speaking of the Bachelor, a few of your favorite Cougars met Brooks, a previous Bachelorette contestant that denied the final proposal on Dez's season (very scandalous episode). The Cougars ended their final night in Nicaragua by spending quality time with good friends, dancing and living out some good stories that we'll be bringing back to the good ole U.S.A.
So for tonight, we say "gracias" and "buenos noches" to all! "Thank you" and "goodnight" to everyone.
(Caption: The girls hanging with some guy from The Bachelor, or Bachelorette, or Real Housewives of Sowewhere... or something)
(Caption: Playing sand with the Nicaraguan national team)
TURNING 22 ON A ZIP-LINE (FT. PABLO THE INSTRUCTOR) (MARCH 6)
By: Krissy Mummey and Britney Vallez
SAN JUAN DEL SUR –This morning we all packed into the back of a pick-up truck and rode up a mountain to the start of a canopy tour…
With harnesses snug around our waist and helmets strapped on our heads we started our fun adventure down 17 different zip lines that cascade down the mountain overseeing scenic San Juan Del Sur. Along the way we got to see a beautiful aerial view of the city and it's gorgeous beaches, sleeping monkeys in trees, and a fast and furious Jake, flying down the mountain with no brakes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Maddie rode her brakes a little too seriously and soon found herself stuck half way down a zip line needing the assistance of Pablo the instructor (thanks goodness for Pablo the instructor). In the end though we all made it to the bottom safe and sound, and left with fun memories.
After a nice lunch break we realized that coach Jason needs to brush up on his Spanish after we showed up to the beach two hours before our scheduled play time. However, it wasn't so bad as a little free time always makes for good team bonding. The rest of the afternoon was spent playing the Nicaraguan national team as we began pool play for our two-day tournament. The team came out with a few really good wins and the back drop of the last few games of the day was breathtaking as we watched the sun set over the ocean right next to the courts.
Following our games, both the Cougars and the Nicaraguan national team met up for dinner at a local restaurant to get to know each other. It was a great cultural exchange filled with fun conversation and lots of google translate. The night ended with all the girls from both teams getting ice cream together.
But most importantly today was an exciting day because our very own, very beautiful, Liz Theesfeld turned 22! It's not everyday people get to celebrate their birthday in Nicaragua, and we're happy we were able to spend it with her. Happy Birthday, Liz!
(Caption: Zip-lining in the mountains above San Juan Del Sur)
(Caption: Another beautiful Nicaraguan sunset)
SAND, SUN, SURF & SALSA (March 5)
By: Megan Quigley
SAN JUAN DEL SUR – Another adventurous day in Nicaragua started with a 9:00 a.m. practice on the beach, just seconds away from our hotel. Fresh from practice, The Cougs then (In what seems to be a recurring theme) all jumped in the back of pick-up trucks and enjoyed a winding, bumpy ride to the beautiful Playa de Hermosa – one of the best surf spots in the country. Along the way, we got up close and personal with wandering cows and even spotted monkeys hanging from the trees along the road. Once we arrived, we were served a delicious Nicaraguan meal and drank the juice of the day, a refreshing piña.
Next, we began surfing lessons with our salty surf instructors, Edguardo and Pancho. The coaches quickly began placing bets on which players would succeed at standing first. Bailey was a standout, catching waves left and right with true California ease. Out of the coaches, Jake seemed to shine, while on the other hand, Coach Kepner scored a small personal victory when he managed to stand for a few seconds. Most importantly though, the team did a splendid job applying sunscreen today and avoided sunburn.
After spending hours relaxing in canopies and hammocks at the beach, we headed to dinner back in town where we experienced an authentic taste of San Juan Del Sur, watching traditional local dance and listening to Latin American and Nicaraguan music. Soon after eating, the team and Coach Tiff received salsa lessons. Liz was then summoned to the dance floor by waiters for a birthday-eve dance and the team soon joined in on the festivities.
Great day; can't wait for tomorrow!
(Caption: Hang ten, brah)
(Caption: Skills courtesy of Edguardo and Pancho)
(Caption: Spicing up the night with a little salsa)
WARRIOR II (March 4)
By: Maddie Hills and Melissa Morello
SAN JUAN DEL SUR – Today was a day just like any other...
The team woke up at the crack of dawn to attend an outdoor yoga session; led by our fearless, tattooed, and double jointed yogi, Alex. It was nice to see Krissy and Maddie really tap into their inner being, getting loose and limber in the Warrior II pose.
Cut to 9a.m. (while most Charlestonians were still fast asleep) when the freshly meditated, spiritually-centered group trotted over to a fun practice on a beautiful Nicaraguan beach located just a block away. The sun was hot and Megan DEFINITELY did not put on sun screen. After a quick dip in the ocean, we hopped in the back of a few pick-up trucks that drove us to a nearby school where we spent some time reading English books to elementary school children. Coach Tiffany (Fisher) taught her reading buddy a traditional American handshake while the Cougs learned about the local Women's Jam co-op, a crucial part of the Casa Llanta Fund. (More information, here: http://bit.ly/1AMs0FO)
To top off the day, the team headed to a beautiful resort where we cooled off in the pool and enjoyed a dinner overlooking the sunset beyond the mountain tops.
Another resplendent day in Central America.
SURFER'S PARADISE (March 3)
By: Grace Rebarchak
SAN JUAN DEL SUR – Today got off to a great start! Just as we were about to make our way to our final destination of San Juan del Sur – an idyllic surf town in the southwest of Nicaragua – our coach, Jake, locked his suitcase in his room for 45 minutes. Well done, Jake.
After the hotel maintenance crew dismantled the door and retrieved Jake's belongings, we were on our way to surfer's paradise. Once we arrived, the team explored the city and its beautiful crescent shaped bay, ate lunch, and shopped at one of the local surf shops. Later in the afternoon, we taught English to young Nicaraguans and concluded our evening with a delicious dinner right on the beach!
More to come tomorrow!
(Caption: Senior Bailey Humes, literally, embracing a new culture)
(Caption: Es un hermoso país.)
(San Juan del Sur's iconic crescent shaped bay)
VOLLEYBALL, MONKEYS AND VOLCANOES (March 2)
By: Lauren Hollman and Mackenzie (Mack Daddy) Cooler
GRANADA – This morning we packed up our bags in Managua and headed to the sand where we met the Nicaraguan national team to play beach matches. It was a fantastic morning of volleyball and we managed to pull out several wins against a very good team. We also got our first real feel of the blistering Nicaraguan heat!
After the matches we drove 45 minutes to the colonial city of Granada, entertaining both ourselves and the locals on the street with (possibly obnoxious) singing and dancing. Intent on immersing ourselves in the local culture, we decided to pick up lunch at a local sandwich shop called Subway. It was equal parts familiar and delicious.
After checking into our new hotel, we explored the city's vendors, tested out our Spanish and admired the beautiful colonial architecture that flows throughout the city. In what was perhaps the highlight of the day, we took a boat tour of the 350 islands that emerged following a volcanic eruption many years ago. Along the tour, we even met some monkey friends hanging out on their own private island.
Our night ended as all nights should… with dinner at a local cafe followed by a heated game of cards and catch phrase.
Stay tuned for our next adventure to the beach town of San Juan Del Sur!
(Caption: A Nicaraguan monkey, just hanging out. Photo Credit: Quiggles)
RISE AND SHINE (March 1)
By: Bailey Humes
MANAGUA – In my experience, there are not a lot of things in life worth waking up at 4 a.m. for. However, a trip to Nicaragua with some of your best friends certainly makes the cut.
We left Charleston this morning for Central America and after some delays and a hectic trip through customs; we finally made it to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. Contrary to popular Canadian theory (as articulated by teammate Maddie Hills), the people in Nicaragua do not speak French. Glad we got that cleared up.
Back to the volleyball! Today we had the opportunity to play against the Nicaraguan national team. We met the team at an outdoor venue about 20 minutes from our hotel and for most of our players; this was the first time playing an indoor match outdoors. It was great to be back on the court and we managed to win the match, 25-18, 19-25, 26-28, 25-20, 22-20!
We'll be back tomorrow from beautiful Granada and we're looking forward to playing our first beach matches. Stay tuned!
(Caption: On their first day in Nicaragua, the College of Charleston volleyball team defeated the Nicaraguan national team at an ourdoor facility in Managua)
