Jennifer
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October 17, 2002
Today we had a very interesting situation occur. A man brought a teenager to our home that he has been raising since the boy was six months old. The boys name is Douglas. He is 15 years old. The man is the kid’s uncle. The father abandoned Douglas when he was a baby and the mother left for the United States about 4 years ago. The uncle has a problem with Douglas running away for weeks at a time not telling anyone where he has gone. The uncle doesn’t know what to do anymore and is very worried about Douglas. Like we said, he is 15, and yet he is in 5th grade. He doesn’t show up to school so he is continually held back. He currently isn’t going to school at all. The uncle thought maybe we could talk with Douglas. He heard that I have a background in Sociology/Psychology from college and that Shawn’s had worked with juveniles in his police work. He thought maybe we could “diagnose” Douglas but was sure he wouldn’t talk to us since Douglas doesn’t like to talk to adults.
His uncle was fairly correct in him not wanting to talk. He came into our house looking like a dog that knows it has done something wrong probably wondering if we worked for the CIA and were looking for stolen cows or something. We chatted a bit, which was mostly just us guessing information about Douglas based on what his uncle had told him. Shawn had an idea to get his attention and took out the UNO cards that we play with the neighbor kids. Douglas picked up on the game quickly despite beliefs that he isn’t all that bright as he has repeated three grades so far in school. We aren’t exactly sure what is holding him back. He picked up UNO pretty quickly and liked playing. Slowly the ice started to break and every so often a grin would appear when Douglas started winning. As we played we chatted some more and after Douglas beat us two games in a row we went back to talking about his adventures. It seems that he likes to leave town, without notice and stay away for long periods of time. Having just returned from vacation with my mother-in-law, we felt for the kid and could understand why he would want to escape now and then. His uncle had told us that he has gone four times now, once he didn’t even have shoes, just jumped in someone’s truck and left town for two weeks. He’s been to Nicaragua, Choluteca, Tegucigalpa, and San Pedro Sula (a big, dirty city on the North Coast. Known to be quite dangerous). We talked a little about what he could do in the future if he wanted to run, and then brought in his uncle for him to tell Douglas how it made him feel when Douglas left. While Douglas was in Nicaragua and his uncle didn’t know where he was there was a boy his age that was killed by a gang member in Choluteca (the next major town close to us). The uncle went to Choluteca on the bus in order to check at the morgue and see if the boy killed was Douglas. He told Douglas that he cried most of the way down.
As far as we can tell Douglas is having some normal teenage issues that someone whose father and mother abandoned, and whose siblings were spread out all over Honduras would have (he has four siblings who were each given to different aunts and uncles across the country after the mother left). We’ve started meeting with Douglas to provide him with a mentor and someone to turn to when things at home are not going so well. We’ve told him to come to our house before he leaves town and we can talk about why he is leaving. We also told his uncle that they needed to talk regularly about his mother, where she might be, and how Douglas is feeling about her being gone.
Douglas and Shawn hung out yesterday at the library. He looked much different than when we saw him the other night. He was happy, energetic, liked all the books, and loved playing UNO with some of the other kids in the library. We're going to try to meet with him once or twice a week to chat, play cards, or do something fun. We would also like to work with him on his studies. Since he has missed so many days of school this year he got kicked out and they told him to try again next year. Next year he will be 16 years old and in 5th grade. We are hoping to make an impact.
Since Douglas doesn’t have much to do during the day, we invited him to hike up to the village where we volunteer at the elementary school. He had never been up there. Douglas is the FIRST Honduran that I have met that has EVER shown up early! Hondurans are notoriously known to be usually an hour late for everything. We told Douglas to come to our house at 7:45 AM because we were going to leave at 8 AM. Douglas showed up this morning at 6:00 AM!!!!!! We were shocked. It is obvious that this boy is looking for some positive attention in his life. He is known as the black sheep of the family. His cousins are younger than him and yet are in high school. This adds to his feelings of inferiority. The hour and a half hike gave us a good work out and some time to chat. Douglas was fascinated to ask us questions about the United States since that is where his mom left to go. He was also intrigued by the “snacks” we brought along. He had never had a granola bar before or even seen granola and the beef jerky was really bizarre to him.
When we got up to the school, we met a family that lives in a mud brick home. They have eight kids. All of the kids should be in school, but they can only send four because they can’t afford to buy each child a notebook and pencil, nor enough clothes. After talking to the family I commented to Douglas about the privilege he has to go to school, where most of the children in the mountains don’t have a chance to go even though they really want to. He got kind of quiet, and I can only hope he thinks about this for awhile.
I think Douglas would have stayed with us all weekend if we would allow it. He didn’t want to leave our sides. We set up a date to play UNO next Tuesday. When we told Douglas we would be gone over the weekend he told me, “I am really going to miss you both.” I just hope we can be the mentors he needs. He is 15 and yet developmentally seems more like 11 or 12 years old. He is hungry for love and attention. I was afraid his heart would be hardened and he would not open up to us, but the opposite has happened. He is warming up and I think quite happy to have two new friends.
October 16, 2002
We had Shawn’s counterpart (named Eloy) over for dinner and I was trying to make a good impression. I had told Eloy that I would make something American. I made Lasagna (from a Hamburger Helper box…these have now become “delicacies” to us), homemade dinner rolls and homemade banana bread. Dinner was going fine, the house was clean, Shawn and I were waiting patiently for Eloy to arrive and POOF…the lights go out. I couldn’t believe my luck. I ran to the little toaster oven (after I found my flashlight) only to discover the middle of the banana bread was still gooey and sticky. My heart sank. Here I was trying to make a great impression and now my dinner was a flop. I hadn’t even started baking the biscuits yet. Then Shawn came in and said that we could make an oven on the stove…just like we learned in training. So that is exactly what we did. We took a huge pot, wrapped two bricks in tinfoil and laid them in the bottom. We put the pot on a gas burner and covered it to create an oven-type effect on the inside. After the pot heated, we inserted the small pan of banana bread. It turned out perfectly golden brown. Next, we started to bake the dinner rolls which also baked evenly and without problems. I was completely delighted with our new invention and told Shawn that this would be one of my defining Peace Corps moments, when we didn’t let the circumstances get us down, rather we made the best of things and ended up pleased with the results. Eloy thought it was a great meal and was impressed with our “homemade” oven.
September 26, 2002
Mom Silvera (Bonnie) came to visit for two weeks. She arrived on the 26th (Yes, I am writing this after the fact). We had a great vacation. I really enjoyed spending time with her. At home we don't usually have the quality time that Honduras offers. Without the distractions of schedules and other commitments we could relax and enjoy each others company. I can tell Bonnie and I are going to be really good friends. I have been married for 2 1/2 years and half of that time has been in Honduras, so it will be nice when we go home to continue spending time together. We are very similar and I feel blessed to have her as a mother-in-law. We spent lots of the trip talking about family, hobbies (such as Creative Memories), planning holidays when we get back, Nicole's upcoming wedding, good books to read, nature, and dreaming about what we will be doing in five years from now. Bonnie is very easy to get along with and quite understanding. It was nice to have her visit so she can relate to our life in Honduras. When Rick and Bonnie were first married they lived in the Bahamas for a year. She has many similar stories and experiences to the life we know here. I think that is what I liked best about her coming to see us; sharing stories with one another.
September 20, 2002
We went to El Peñon this week to deliver toothbrushes to the elementary school children. Because we had so much to carry up for supplies (we gave out over 100 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste) Shawn and I got to travel via horseback. It was such a treat not to have to make the hike and enjoy the view while riding a horse. Two of the teachers own horses and let us borrow them for the day. It was very relaxing. The scenic view is perfect for meditating. We had a good time up at the school. The details I am saving for our September Update Letter.
August 24, 2002
At the party last night, I had four faithful helpers (our neighbor girls): Lili, Jelsy, Michele and Anyi. They helped me bake all the pizzas, serve our guests and clean up the mess. In exchange for their services, Shawn and I had a little party for the girls on Saturday night to thank them for their hard work. We played UNO (the card game) and had prizes after each hand. When someone won, they got to select a prize from the prize box. We made Tang to drink and popcorn. The girls' grandma, Dona Aminta came to celebrate with us and taught us how to make "tostones" and "tojadas" which are fried chips made from platano (large bananas). They were a bit greesy, but good. The girls wanted to play all night. We promised them we would have another party soon. We are thinking of making every Friday night "Game Night" at the Silvera house!
August 23, 2002
Fiesta! Today we had a party for the computer class that we taught at the high school. Around 12 noon the girls in the class came over to make pizza and snicker doodle cookies from scratch. We had a great time! In the evening we had a party with the whole class and ate six large homemade pizzas baked in an outdoor clay oven -heated by wood. It was really yummy! The cookies were pretty good, but it is hard to regulate oven temperatures with firewood! So, we had a few burnt ones and one batch that was a bit undercooked. But, that's ok, we found out our dog likes cookies, too (regardless of how they are prepared). After dinner the students enjoyed teaching Shawn and I some Latin dancing. We danced, laughed, took lots of pictures and had fun getting to know our students better.
August 21, 2002
I went to an elementary school today with my neighbor Gloria, to teach an art class. She teaches 6th grade and has been asking me for several months to visit her school which is in a village a half an hour away from Concepción de Maria. I had a fun time. The art project for the day was making telescopes. We took toilet paper tubes that I had collected at home, colored them, decorated them with stickers and glued little foam shape decorations on them that Bonnie had sent me. We tied string through the top and the kids wore them as necklaces to pretend they had their very own telescope. They loved it. Art supplies are a scarcity here, so my visit was a treat. We discussed how scientists use telescopes in their profession and encouraged the children to use their imaginations to discover things around them.
Without fail, I am reminded daily of the blessings we have in the United States. After the art class, the children had a snack break and recess. The morning breakfast was a bowl of rice with milk. For many children this would be their only meal for the day. Gloria explained to me that she likes to teach on days that the school provides something for the kids to eat, because on days when there is no food many of the children lack energy to learn. As I watched the children eat the soggy rice with attitudes of gratitude, I wondered how many children in the U.S. would enjoy the same type of nourishment.
August 12, 2002
We got together this week with some good friends, Raj and Nina Shah who have completed their 2 years in Honduras. Today is the last time we will see them before they return to the United States. We will miss their company so much. We enjoyed going to their home in Choluteca to eat dinner or hang out. Their big surprise going home is that they are pregnant! Shawn and I are getting very excited to be parents. We are waiting with anxious anticipation.
July 24, 2002
One year ago today we left for Honduras. We celebrated the occasion with our friends Michelle, Jason, Jennifer and David by going out for dinner in Tegucigalpa at Ruby Tuesdays and then staying at a hotel. It was fun to catch up with friends from our training group whom we rarely see. Tomorrow we are in hunt for chocolate cake to continue the celebration!
July 23, 2002
Today was a defining moment for us as we had our graduation ceremony for the high school computer class that we have been teaching for five months. It was a great success to hand out diplomas to 15 students who all but one passed the course with scores of 80% or higher. Knowing that we made a difference in these young people's lives makes coming to Honduras worth the effort and adventure. We never knew what to expect when we left our lives in Minnesota to join a community thousands of miles away. But, today we discovered that the experience has been rewarding. Even if we left tomorrow we feel confident that we have touched some lives in a positive and challenging way.
July 4, 2002
Celebrating the 4th of July was a calm affair. Mainly Shawn and I are still just happy to be together after being apart for a month and a half. We are starting up projects where we left off and beginning new endeavors all together. It feels like a new beginning as we start our second year in Honduras. Projects include working on a reading club with the library, starting training sessions involving administration topics at the local cooperative, volunteering at a soup kitchen and laying out initial plans to start an internet cafe in town. We have much to keep us busy and it feels good. I feel healthy to continue what we started.
June 23, 2002
I returned to Honduras today. It was a joy beyond joys to see Shawn. Six weeks doesn't go so quickly when you are counting each day! Shawn picked me up at the airport and we spent a few days at another bed and breakfast before going back to Concepción de Maria. We were so happy to be back together. Complete again. Back in our town I felt very welcomed by our neighbors. They genuinely asked about my health and smiled generously to have me back. It felt like I had truly come home. Finally, I am starting to call this place home.
June 13, 2002
After my surgery I stayed in the U.S. for 4 weeks of follow-up therapy. During this time the doctor allowed me to go home for a few days to Minnesota between therapy appointments. Since I didn't have much time, I was advised to rest and just see immediate family. Walking with a cane decreased my mobility to be overly active. Mentally the trip home was exactly what I needed. I felt very loved and cared for by both my family and Shawn's family. It was wonderful to see my nieces and nephew and spend some quality time with them. While I was home I tried on my bridesmaid dress for Nick and Nicole's wedding next July, which worked out perfectly. And I rested and recuperated with those who love me dearly. TLC...just what the doctor ordered!
June 4, 2002
Before my knee surgery I enjoyed many of the sites to see in D.C. The monuments are beautiful and the museums are incredibly detailed. I was impressed with how clean our capitol is. That was the first thing I commented to Shawn when I got back to the states was how clean and crisp everything smelled. I loved the sharp, spring scents and the vibrant colors of changing seasons. After being gone for so long I had a new appreciation for efficiency, time and purpose in the United States. I watched the many people around me appearing to have keen direction in their lives; they all seemed to know where they were going or at least pretended to know. It was refreshing. My other fascination was the grocery store and deli shops. Choice! We have a billion choices in the U.S. I stared in awe down the cereal aisle and continued finding treats to pack in my suitcase to bring back for Shawn! The best sandwich I had was a 98% fat free turkey hoagie with all the fixings including sprouts (one of my favorites!) Over and over again during my six weeks in D.C., I continued to learn how fortunate we are to live in such a vast land of freedom.
May 30, 2002
Today I had the actual knee surgery. The doctor waited two weeks to try therapy, but after no improvements were made an operation was necessary. The hardest part about going to the hospital was feeling very much alone. I missed Shawn terribly and wished he could be with me. It was the first time I had ever been put under anesthesia before. I was nervous, but everything went so smoothly that I really had nothing to worry about. The most difficult part was fasting for 37 hours. I was happy to have chicken noodle soup when the procedure was finished. My doctor was a specialist in working with knee patients and has worked with various professional hockey players concerning a variety of knee injuries. This gave me confidence going into surgery. I appreciated the quality of care I received under Peace Corp's advisory while I was in Washington.
May 14, 2002
Today I was sent to Washington D.C. on a medical evacuation for arthroscopic knee surgery. Due to a fall I had during training I had torn cartilage that needed to be repaired and Honduras did not have the resources to assist me. Flying to the states after nearly one year of service in Honduras was an akward feeling. It was the first time I had flown since September 11th. Most of all it was very difficult to leave Shawn not knowing when I would be back.
May 12, 2002 ~ Our Anniversary and Mother's Day
Today we celebrated two years of marriage. Last week we made a special dinner of homemade fajitas, cheesecake and wine for dinner in our home in Concepción de Maria. On our actual anniversary we came to Tegucigalpa and stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast. We enjoyed a fun dinner at TGIF's Restaurant with a huge chocolate sundae for dessert. The weekend was relaxing and quiet. When we reflected on this past year of our marriage we asked each other what we had done in the previous 12 months to improve our marriage. Together we agreed that coming to Honduras has strengthened our relationship. We have been reading marriage books together as one of our goals to grow closer together and have found that we are learning and growing stronger each day. It is exciting to feel true love for one another that doesn't fade away.
May 6, 2002
Mangos are my new favorite fruit. They are in season during the end of April and the beginning of May. This fruit is mouthwatering. It tastes like a juicy peach/orange/nectarine all combined together. They are delicious and very sweet. Our neighbors have a mango tree in their back yard. The fruit dangles from the tree appearing to hang by a long green string (its stem). The trees are so tall that our neighbors use long sticks to knock the fruit down. Unfortunately, we recently discovered that Shawn is allergic to mangos. The poor guy, his health in Honduras is like a roller coaster. Each time he eats this fruit he breaks out in a rash throughout his body. His eyes become irritated and itchy. He is very disappointed, because he loves mangos. The Peace Corps medical nurse said she sees a lot of volunteers who have rash reactions to cashews and mangos in Honduras. I wonder if they are stronger here or something, because Shawn said he never had trouble with this in the past. His dad loved mangos, from growing up in Jamaica and Shawn’s mom would buy mangos when they were little. The mangos are in great abundance so our neighbors and students frequently give us mangos to share. I guess I will just have to eat them all! Sometimes Shawn will take just a little bite from mine because he can't resist the taste.
May 1, 2002
Weight. The concept of a woman’s weight is much different here than in the United States. I have recently started walking with my good friend, Ruth. It is nice to have a walking partner and it is good to get some exercise. Her husband often teases us to not exercise too much because he likes his wife a little chubbier and does not want her to lose any weight. I told him that in the U.S. people place a great emphasis on being thin and in good shape. In fact, our society through its media, goes to the extreme of placing unrealistic ideals on women that “thin is beautiful” to the point of near anorexia. It is an unhealthy message. Ruth and her husband, Mario, explained to me that in Honduras if a person is too thin it is actually viewed as ugly. Having a little extra weight is seen as healthy and beautiful and desired. I have also noticed here that people accept a person the way they are. Blemishes, scars and birthmarks are seen as a sign of uniqueness, whereas in the U.S. we try to hide our imperfections.
April 18, 2002
Cockroaches. This is one insect in Honduras that I will definitely not miss. I found one in my kitchen today and another in my dresser draw. They are ugly and creepy and over-sized. I try to be brave, but they still make me jump. Luckily Shawn is very good about coming to my rescue.
April 14, 2002
Some days are tougher than others. We spent the weekend in Choluteca visiting our friends, Raj and Nina, another married couple. We went out for pizza, watched a movie and went swimming after Mass on Sunday. It was a lot of fun. On the way home we were on the bus when we heard some drunk guys talking in the behind us. They were making insulting comments about the "gringos" - the U.S. foreigners and kept laughing because they didn't think we could understand. We knew the best thing to do was ignore them since they were not in any mental capacity to reason logically. It was still very frustrating for us. I felt angry and annoyed and a little scared that they may try to do something before they got off the bus. They ended up being harmless and left about an hour before we got to our town. But, the emotions I was feeling wouldn't go away so easily. There are days when being different wears on me, it tires me, it is exhausting. We stick out completely with our blond hair and fair skin. We don't speak the same, act the same or look the same. And sometimes being laughed at hurts.
The Peace Corps commercials to recruit new volunteers (over the last 30 years) quoted the Peace Corps to be the toughest job you’ll ever love. Shawn and I joked about this before we left. One person we met who was in the Peace Corps about 10 years ago said it is the easiest job you’ll ever hate. The truth is I have found that it isn’t so much that our job is tough. The more difficult challenge is discovering the intricate things about one’s own character. I am learning while we are here what I like and what I don’t like, what I can tolerate and what I can not tolerate, what I want and what I don’t want and what is really important and what is really not. Maybe these are the tough lessons we are learning. But, I believe they are preparing our characters for when we return.
April 8, 2002
We just got back from Costa Rica. It was beautiful. We had a wonderful vacation with my sister Cindy, my college roommate Andrea and two of Cindy's co-workers, Kim and Danielle. Cindy and Andrea met us in Honduras to see our house. They brought many wonderful gifts from the states. The most amazing was a blow up sofa and chair set that Andrea got for us so that we could have furniture. She brought an air pump and all! I was in shock. I am so excited to have a couch. Cindy brought us some great books to read, which is a favorite pastime. And of course our mothers sent lots of fun treats. I enjoyed getting to know Kim and Danielle. I can tell Cindy works with some wonderful people. The thing I noticed the most about them was their sincerity. We connected immediately, which isn't always easy to do when meeting new people. When the vacation was over, I had a hard time leaving. Shawn and I enjoyed our American company!
To get to Costa Rica we took a 2 day bus ride through Nicaragua. It was a tiring journey and we were all glad to finally arrive. The most relaxing part of my trip was the sound of ocean waves in a place called Manuel Antonio. It was peaceful place with white sand beaches and ocean side restaurants. We enjoyed great sea food and luscious fruit. We spent a lot of time reading, going for walks and talking. The whole trip was very soothing for me. One day Andrea, Kim and Danielle went on a canopy tour in the rain forest. Shawn wasn't feeling too well after pulling a muscle in his neck during a body surfing escapade, so that same day he, Cindy and I went to the Manuel Antonio National Park. It was fun to spend a day with my sister and hike in the park. We saw geckos, iguanas, chameleons, various birds, a white-faced monkey and a howler monkey. It was very intriguing.
Shawn and I spent a couple days alone in Costa Rica before heading back to Honduras. We enjoyed a fun day touring the capitol, San Jose. It is relatively clean for being a big city. We ate lunch at Papa John's and had dessert and coffee at the National Theater. We got to see a cultural dance in the park the night before we left. On our way back through Nicaragua we stopped to see the Presidential Palace and fountain. At night the fountain has a light and music show that is quite extravagant. We enjoyed taking our time to get back to Honduras.
Overall the vacation was a lot of fun and I was reminded on the trip of how many good people I have in my life. It really is a blessing.
March 10, 2002
Last night two students from my English class, Maria and Henry, came over to ask if I would come to the park and play basketball. I feel so un-athletic, but I thought the exercise would do my spirit some good, so I agreed. We played for over an hour and I had a great time. After the score was past 10 points for each team, I asked how far we were playing up to, and they responded, "Up to 31 points!" I thought I was going to die. I pretended like this sounded reasonable and asked if we could take a water break. The competition was right at my level. I found out that I will have to play with 7th graders more often! The girls, Maria and myself, won the game against the boys, Henry and one of his friends. The final score was 31 to 30! I came home physically exhausted, but emotionally energized. I had to explain the game blow by blow to Shawn, who was laughing at my new found love for the game of basketball.
March 9, 2002
More celebrating for Shawn's birthday! The neighbor kids decided to throw Shawn a "surprise" party. They were extremely sneaky...whispering their plan loudly in my ear with Shawn standing close by. He did a great job pretending not to hear a word or act suspicious. The party consisted of lots of music, a cake and piñata. As the party was winding down, Shawn went to relax in the hammock. We were talking with our neighbor Gloria, when Lili, her niece, came up behind Shawn with a pail of water. She quietly poured it over his head. I watched everything happen as if in slow motion. Shawn started laughing loudly from the cold, chilly surprise. What a good sport my husband is! He didn't mind one bit, I think he may have even enjoyed it. Lili was proud of her "practical joke". Especially one that tricked Shawn-Miguel!
March 7, 2002
Shawn's Birthday. I woke up early to make Shawn some freshly baked, apple, cinnamon muffins. During breakfast he opened his gifts. We spent the morning reading and relaxing. At noon we were invited over to the high school for a birthday lunch with all the teachers. Around 1:00 PM our friends, Nina and Raj, another married couple who are volunteers in Choluteca, came to spend the day with us. Our plan was to spend the afternoon making Shawn an exquisite birthday dinner. The menu included hummus and crackers as an appetizer with a main dish of butternut squash soup, homemade pasta sauce, pasta and wine. For dessert we planned on making apple crisp. Let me emphasis these were our plans. Then the electricity went out and we weren't able to cook at all!
I wasn't sure what we were going to do for dinner at that point. My next option was to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But, I should have known not to worry. My friend, Ruth, came to our rescue. She invited us all over for dinner and cake to celebrate Shawn's birthday. She had an excellent meal prepared - potato salad and grilled chicken. This is Shawn's favorite. We had a lot of fun joking around, eating by candlelight and conversing in Spanish.
February 28, 2002
We have been working so much the last couple weeks. It is like everything picked up and now I feel super busy. We are teaching computer classes in the high school 3 days a week, Shawn is also teaching computer classes at the library. The English teacher has asked me to help tutor once a week at the high school. We meet once a week with the librarians to have a “board meeting”. We are showing them how the make the library into a “not-for-profit business”. Even though they aren’t trying to make money, they still have to treat the library as a business so they have money for supplies, ink cartridges, office supplies, repairs, monthly expenses, etc. They are not familiar with the concept of making a work plan, but are excited to learn. They are even playing BINGO tonight with the community for a fund raiser! BINGO doesn’t make much of a revenue, but we are happy with their enthusiasm and will be expanding our ideas as we go.
The project I am most excited about is that we started walking to a village that is 1 ½ hours away from Concepción de Maria to visit an elementary school up in the mountains of El Pinon. The plan is that I am going to teach an art class to kindergarteners once a week and Shawn is going to teach a cross-cultural class to the 5th and 6th graders about “life in the United States”. I am looking forward to working with these children. These kids have nothing in their school except four cement walls and wooden desks. No exaggeration. I think it will quite rewarding for both the students and for us.
February 21, 2002
My mom flew back to MN today. We spent the last two days in La Tigra, a National Forest of Honduras located in the town of San Juancito. We enjoyed our time up in the mountains where we stayed at a cabin owned by a German couple. It was very relaxing. My mom especially enjoyed their homemade breads and jam for breakfast and hot, black coffee. The food was excellent. One night we had lasagna and the other night a Chinese vegetable and rice dish. During the day we did a lot of hiking and went exploring for the main waterfall within the park. At night we played "travel SCRABBLE" and spent time reading. Mom thought this was a perfect ending to her trip.
February 14, 2002
I had a very fun birthday. It was great having my mom here to celebrate. She brought me my favorite board game - SCRABBLE! I felt like the whole day was full of celebration. At 5:30 AM my little neighbor girls came to my door and woke me up by singing the Honduran version of "Happy Birthday". Then my mom, Shawn and I ate breakfast and opened up presents that my mom brought from home. In the afternoon we had a grand birthday party with my English class. The students were excited to celebrate with me and brought little presents for me to open. I received stuffed animals, bars of soap, a T-shirt, candy, flowers, two glass plates, five glass bowls, one espresso coffee cup and my most unique gift from someone was a bra about 3 sizes too big! Quite an interesting combination of gifts.
My favorite gift was my birthday cake, which Jelsy, our 12 year old neighbor proudly spent most of the day making. It was a beautifully frosted two tiered cake. After more singing, the class had many giggles over tipping my face into the top tier of the cake. This is a famous Honduran birthday tradition. I have seen a person's whole face smashed into the cake before for their birthday. I was fortunate that my guests were gentle with me and just got a little frosting on my nose and chin. Our entertainment for the party was an oversized pinata of Tweedy Bird. The kids had a fun time trying to break open the piñata, but after about 15 minutes with little success they gave up and attacked the piñata in one big herd. I didn't dare try to take part in grabbing any candy from the mob pile that had formed. I decided to stay out of the danger zone and let them devour the prizes and each other!
In the evening we were invited over to the Mayorga's house for cake. Ruth, my good friend who works with me at the high school, surprised me by buying a big cake and we celebrated with her entire family. It was a great way to end the night. We were all tired by the end of the day, but it was nice to know so many people in town went to the trouble of making my birthday memorable.
February 1, 2002
We had our first exam with my English class today. There were two parts; written and oral. My class was a bit nervous because the oral exam was with Shawn. One by one they had to go speak with him using what they have learned to initiate a conversation. Overall, they were very excited and Michele asked me, "how much is this exam worth?" I answered, "20 points", which really doesn't have too much meaning being that we haven't had any other tests or graded homework. But, it is Michele's over exaggeration and facial expressions that make me laugh. With eyes wide open she gasped and threw her hands in the air exclaiming, "Oh my mama! Mamita! 20 points!". I love her enthusiasm. My class is preparing to speak to my mom when she comes to visit for my birthday. I am so excited to have my mom come to Honduras. She is coming February 6th for weeks.
January 22, 2002
We are finally back. Exhausted from being out of our sight for nearly two weeks. Living out of a backpack can be tiring in and of itself. The bus ride back home was hot and miserable. Why is it that the bus rides never seem to improve? There is never any room to move. My knees became extremely sore from pushing up against the seat in front of me for so long. I now have bruises on my knees from the pressure. As we drove along the route towards home, the bus driver picked up more and more passengers to the point of having to sit three in a seat. It made me Closter phobic. I really started to worry when I saw the bus driver make the sign of the cross on a certain pass where we drove. To make matters worse we had groceries with us. The orange juice I so desperately wanted no longer seemed like such a precious item. We also found Dr. Pepper - an amazing surprise treat. We convinced ourselves the extra weight of a 6-pack would be worth it. Not long after starting the bus journey up our mountain, I started having doubts. Trying to balance the weight on my aching legs squished between two strangers was not my idea of fun. The dust has only worsened with the dry season setting in. I am happy to be home. To recover a bit before the next bus ride.
January 12, 2002
I am glad to be feeling better because today on our Month-a-versary we went to visit Megan and Ryan (other volunteers here - actually St. Olaf graduates like me!). They live in a town called "San Juancito".at the base of a mountain in Honduras called La Tigra. It is a beautiful National Park. We hadn’t been there yet and wanted to check it out as a possibility to bring Mom there when she comes. We spent all day Saturday hiking! It was incredibly fun. The landscape is amazing. All you can see for miles and miles are mountain ranges. Before you reach the National Park there is German couple who built a house on the side of the mountain. They have a stellar view. They have built a bed and breakfast log cabin for hikers to stay at. I want to bring mom there! Then they make breakfast which includes: fresh homemade bread and homemade jams. There home is beautiful…simple…but, rustic and comfortable. They just live off the land basically…running the bed and breakfast, selling jams in San Juancito and growing food in their garden. It is really impressive. They have been here about 3 years and they don’t know if they will go back to Germany any time soon. I hope they go and sell us their home! San Juancito is known as “heaven on earth”. It really is gorgeous! Their life seems so carefree and peaceful. It is interesting to see what some people do with their lives. On Monday we headed to "Valle de Angeles" to stay with our old host family, Erika and her children. We attended our 3 month "Reconnect" conference all week.
January 11, 2002
We are in Tegucigalpa this week for our 3-month training with Peace Corps. I came down with the stomach flu and spent over 3 hours in the 1950's decorated hospital. It grossed me out when I went to the emergency room and the bedding on the patient's bed was dirty. If there is one thing I hate it's dirty sheets. Shawn put my jacket on the pillow to help me tolerate the situation. I was hooked up to an IV because the doctor said I was dehydrated. This is the first IV I have ever had. I guess there is a first time for everything! We were staying at a friends house in Tegucigalpa, so I went back there and slept for 24 hours. I have 3 medications to take to "kill" whatever bug I encountered. I am starting to feel better already. This is my first real illness in Honduras and it makes me appreciate my health even more.
January 4, 2002
GUESS WHAT? I crocheted a dish cloth! I am so proud of myself. I was determined not to let the project get the best of me. I am so excited. It wasn’t that hard after I got into the pattern. I don’t think I used the right techniques, however, but oh well. Watch out MN, I am going to graduate to learning how to crochet scarves, afghans, and maybe even some wool socks! Peculiar that I pick up this talent in Honduras!
January 2, 2002
Lunch Report: Beans (sautéed with garlic, onion, tomato and green chili pepper), rice, scrambled eggs and platano (from the banana family. Larger than the banana's we are accustomed to). The Hondurans eat this every day. I try to make it about 3x a week and be creative the other days. Actually, I try many variations with the beans and rice as to have some variety. It is really healthy, economical and cultural! Hence, all my efforts to perfect this menu. I am not going to include menus every day of the year, but, I thought it would be interesting to read after we return to the states and be reminded of the foods we ate.
For Christmas Bonnie, my mother-in-law, sent me a book, yarn and hooks to learn how to crochet. So, last night I tried deciphering the material to learn how to crochet…a complete disaster. Why must woman crafts sometimes be so difficult???
Well, at first I loved the idea. I read the history of crocheting at the beginning of the book. It was started in the sixteenth century in France by nuns who would crochet (French word for “hook”) beautiful lace by using hooks. This art was taken by nuns who went to Ireland, where Irish girls copied the patterns. Crochet became a refined accomplishment required of well-bred young ladies. (Aren’t my journal entries so educational???) Well, after learning the history, I was even more excited to start. However, after starting, I wish I would have had one of those French or Irish nuns here to show me. Learning from a book is a challenge.
January 1, 2002
Lunch Report: Beans, rice and corn tortillas served with homemade guacamole, salsa and a Honduran sour cream. It was quite delicious, nutritional and cheap as can be. I think I will save up money for a couch! We are trying to find someone to make us one, since they aren't too popular.
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