http://www.youtube.com/v/u_dKIJIZ9tg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01
Every morning i grab my surfboard and 4 dogs follow me down to the beach to play in the shorebreak while i paddle out and hopefully score a few tubes.
Music: http://www.motherhips.com
Getting supplies isn’t quite as easy in Nicaragua as it is in the states. In California I can hop on my skateboard and choose between several grocery stores. In Nica, stocking up on essential items takes quite a bit more effort.
Click “play” below!
http://www.youtube.com/v/hhwNCj3Ud8Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6
It’s always an adventure in Nicaragua….
http://www.youtube.com/v/uQe8yyemyLg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6
Since filming this video I have learned that Medy is actually Ducha’s daughter from her first litter of puppies, which makes me love the silly little thing even more…. Even if I keep having to rescue her from the trash pit!
When I started my Surf and Yoga Retreat in Nicaragua, I wanted giving back to be a key component. See below for photos and a short video from our day at the dump.
After hurricane Mitch, the Nicaraguan government relocated newly homeless villagers next to the dump. Without land to farm or any way to sustain themselves they took to scavenging. Anything still with life in it is put to use. Bottles and cans are sold for pennies per pound for recycling. Clean water, like most other resources, is scarce.
Despite their unfortunate situation, the people are beautiful.
A church group sets up a food kitchen at the local school once a week to feed community members who show up with bowls, buckets, anything to hold the little bit of food. The day we visited the meal consisted of chicken noodle soup, with chicken heads and feet as meat. The kids made a line, said a prayer, and were grateful for the food.
We brought clothing to donate and plenty of smiles to share. It was an important reminder for all of us of how good we have it.
For a short video clip of the experience, click play below:
http://www.youtube.com/v/U2z9ntFn2sM&hl=en_US&fs=1&
http://www.youtube.com/v/7QTzbqoBJsk&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6
For the full post, check out my other blog: SurfLifeNicaragua.blogspot.com
SYRV is a non-profit dedicated to making good happen. After several projects to bring more clean water to villagers in Nicaragua, SYRV filled a shipping container with donations to send to the country. The container was then hauled ashore, and will now be turned into a community center where locals will have access to sewing machines, computers, composting toilets, and clean water.
I showed up for the day to work with a crew of volunteers to paint the container. Check out the video above and the photos below!
The plans for the finished community center.
Lara, the architect, and Monique go over the plans.
A 3D model of the center.
Getting the painting party started!
By the end there was paint everywhere, including in my hair, but at least it was an awesome color!
After a morning of painting, we cruised back for lunch but the surf out front looked like this!
Overhead, super hollow and offshore, no one out!
I was devastated that I hadn’t brought a surfboard, but Moniuqe suggested I take out one of the 4’10” INT foam surfboards donated by Quiksilver. It had super flexible fins, no leash, no wax and was definitely not the right board for the conditions, but I paddled out and got a few anyways.
After painting and surfing, it was time for a little yoga session.
To find out how you can get involved, check out SYRV.org.
After four long months of painful waiting, we are home again!
: D
Holly Beck 