Such an amazing and unique experience. It’s not everyday a local cook invites you and your friends into her home to learn the art of making Nicaraguan chocolate.

I’m continually astounded by the caliber and strength of women here. One day I was attempting to chop wood preparing for the rainy season, it’s much harder than it looks. I was hacking away rather unsuccessfully sweating up a storm in the blistering sun as the kitchen was looking onwards. Clemen, the cook, was passing by; she took the ax from me, wobbled up with an awkward stance, raised the ax and destroyed the block of wood. It exploded into four perfectly cut pieces as everyone was laughing out loud, it was awesome. She is a Nicaraguan boss lady.

Much discussion about international development and microfinance talks about empowering women because they are the ones working, taking responsibility and raising the kids while the men squander away hard earned money on alcohol and drugs. It seems to me like the women here are already empowered, what we need to do is figure out how to make the men suck less. I’m kind of ashamed to be part of mankind, humanity is pretty rad though.