Hola! Today was another action-packed day in Nicaragua. Per usual, the group started with a gourmet breakfast courtesy of Hotel Villa Isabella. My breakfast included banana pancakes, one of my new favorite foods! After another early breakfast, most of the group went back to the Elixir spa to finish painting. We were so excited to finally have Zacker join us, and with some additional students the painting was finished in no time. The green, yellow, and black fence really stands out against the other store fronts and should do a great job in attracting new customers. We also learned from our earlier mistakes and didn't get as much oil-based paint on ourselves, which really shortened the toxic cleanup using paint thinner. I plan to post some before and after pictures tomorrow!

While most of the group helped to paint, the remaining students went on a tour of Jane Mirandette's local library, Biblioteca Movil. Students learned that over 6,000 people have library cards, a very impressive number! It is clear how alive the passion for reading  is here in San Juan del Sur.

After some free time, students were very excited to work with their local entrepreneurs for the first time! The four entrepreneurs included Elixir spa, Noelia and Mirna's jewelry business, Captain Fransisco's new boating venture, and Margarita's microlending and cosmetics businesses. Most groups focused on marketing the products, which included a facebook page and business card for the spa, connecting with local businesses for the ElizaMar jewelry business, a new brochure and website for Captain Fransisco, and a flier and business plan for Margarita. It is awesome to interact with local businesses; it really helps to put our business education and ideas in action! We also really appreciated the translation skills of Valentine and Marcus, two German students working at a local Nicaraguan clinic.

We enjoyed another fabulous dinner courtesy of Roxanna, Edwin's sister who has been our go-to man this entire trip. Dinner was fabulous, and the entrepreneurs came and brought their families. It was a great time, filled with fantastic food, as always. Some of the students remarked today that we wont be fed nearly as well when we're back at college, and its very true. Thanks for tuning in again!

Sincerely,
Kat Liebler