5/27/09 - 

 We woke up this morning and after eating at the hotel restaurant, we took the yellow bus to San Juan del Sur.  We were stopped by an official who checked all of our passports.  After dropping our bags off at the hotel Casa Blanca, we headed to a school in the community of El Carizal to play with the children.   During our school visit, we split into small groups consisting of the following: a creative corner for painting and coloring, finger nail painting, english lessons with flash cards, sidewalk chalk murals outside and lots of sporting activities.   It was a great experience to see the kids light up when we brought out the sports balls and games.  They loved our presents and enjoyed the time we invested in them.    After taking a group photo, we walked down the dirt road to have lunch at a house across the street.   The lunch was an authentic Nicaraguan style home-cooked meal.  It was delicious!.  AFter lunch we visited Casa Llanta, which translates to "House of Tires".  The home is literally made from all recycled materials and completely off-grid.  After the tour of Casa Llanta, we returned to the hotel to change into our bathing suits and grab our swim gear to visit a resort overlooking the bay of San Juan del Sur.  For dinner we enjoyed a peanut alfredo style spaghetti that was delightful.  In celebration of my 21st birthday coach ordered us a round of Macua's, Nicaragua's national drink.  The resort also brought me a birthday brownie dessert.   This day was the most unique and memorable birthday I've ever experienced.