I understand that my standards, values, and expectations are probably too high for most–but that's no reason for me to change. – Andrea Vlad

The benefit of spending an extended period of time in a particular place has afforded the comforts of what I was hoping for from the beginning, which is immersing myself into a community. Walking the streets and not just recognizing faces, but having the same reciprocated smiles takes you from being a fleeting traveler to a familiar friend to both locals and extended backpackers alike. This afternoon I’ve decided to visit my oldest friend, Krista, and enjoy the view from above SJDS. The view is incredible and continues to draw me to her hostel, which she has now become the manager of, and I’m finally glad to hear that she has foregone changing her flight for the seventh time, spending more than $1,000 in change fees, and has committed to staying in Nicaragua indefinitely. Sadly she chose to ignore my supreme intelligence months ago when I told her to just cancel it the first time she was contemplating returning to Winterpeg, but she is now a permanent fixture and I’m excited that we have both made the decision to enjoy this small piece of paradise on the Pacific together. The rest of the afternoon four girls from Australia outnumber me as I am being forced to watch the movie Grease. Contemplating my escape, the oversized body pillows are too comfortable and so I continue to bear through the bouts of a constant unnecessary sing-along that tends to be right on cue with Olivia Newton Johns’ accent leading the pack. Yes, like a female wolf pack and I am left hopeless. I feel that growing up with two sisters also being forced to watch every musical known, it was these training years ago that has helped me through this particular ordeal. Thankfully the ram’s horn shuttle has sounded and the song of the sirens has broken my trance and I’m ready to return to town.