The other day while I was walking my kids back from music class, I heard, "Look Mrs. Russell, there's a guadabarranco!!" The guadabarranco is the national bird of Nicaragua. My kids and I learned about it while we were studying Nicaragua during their Independence Celebration. This picture doesn't quite do it justice. It's really pretty. But that's not the point of this post.It hit me right then, of how cool it is that I work in such a beautiful place. Never when I was working in Dallas did I see a gorgeous tropical bird in the "hallways" of my school. We never had that experience, imagine that! We sat for about 5 minutes and looked at it. At that moment, I was thankful to be in such an amazing, beautiful place that the Lord created.
On a side note: I also think this bird is cool because it has these 2 real long tail feathers. Everytime I see one or when I taught about it, the lyrics, "Shake your tail feathers..." went through my head. These kids here would not get it if I sang that, but those kids back in Dallas would for sure! :)
This is seen everywhere. If you own a nicer house then you have a huge massive gate and wall. Usually with a security guard outside. Theft here is unbelievable. We have 2 sets of friends that have been robbed in the past month. It's sad, because it makes neighbors not be able to get to know each other. But if you don't have a huge wall, your house will get broken into. Have no fear though, where we live it is uber secure! There are 3 or 4 securty guards on duty for all day and night. We know of no one having there stuff stolen here. 
Finally this is the huge gate to our apartment complex. Notice the guard signs.
