Nicaragua Cook Stove Project

[Sarah Yoder]

We are in the middle of week three of the Nicaragua Cook Stove Project and I can't believe how quickly time has flown by. It seems like there's always something exciting going on, whether that's going out to the field or exploring Nicaragua. There are eleven of us living in a great house (which includes a mango tree) and heading off to El Fortin each day to do research. The women in El Fortin are lots of fun to work with and very understanding and helpful when I try to speak Spanish. My main role is to conduct a secondary questionnaire (for the women that cook, but are not the main cooks in the houses). I also usually do a lot of the health endpoints--height, weight, exhaled CO, piko, etc. I really like to do the health endpoints, particularly those involving lung function. Doing the questionnaire is a bit difficult for me at times, mainly because my Spanish could use some work. Luckily, it gets easier the more I do it!

Nicaragua is awesome, but can be very crazy at times. It is so different from the U.S., and I see something new everyday. Granada is a beautiful city, and most people are very friendly. Granada always seems to be on the move. People start their days super early here to avoid the hot afternoon sun. I don't need an alarm clock here! The honking taxi drivers, horse-drawn carriages, and the vendors wake me up every morning. There is a particular women who always sings out the names of the food she is sellling. She seems to be the most effective at waking me up! There are also random processions that go down the streets at all hours. I love watching them go by, particularly the school bands that are prepping for an upcoming competition.

Okay, I'm getting eaten by mosquitos, more to come later!

[Erin Reichert]

Hey Sarah! Say hi to all for me! I'm really enjoying your updates so keep 'em coming. I understand you all have a video camera in Nicaragua, so it would be great to see the project in action. Enjoy your last 3 weeks!