life-ful

When I lived in the US, there were a lot of things I got used to having, doing and buying on a regular basis. Moving to Honduras and living on an MCC budget has  forced me to cut back and live with a lot less, but in many healthy ways.

This is not to make you think that I am above impulse purchases--that hard find, often dreamed of chocolate bar that randomly shows up in the grocery store?? In the basket, in under 2 seconds. Nor is this meant to give the impression that I live in austerity. My life in Honduras is rich and varied, always with new things to be discovered and joy to be found in surprises along the way.

Take for instance, what used to be my morning drive to work…in my own car, with my own choice of radio station, and climate controlled interior. A wonderful luxury to have my own car, perhaps even a necessity in a place where public transportation is very limited.

Now, I walk 3 blocks to the office, assaulted by many noises, smells, and sights along the rutted cobblestone street of Santa Rosa. Talking parrots at the corner, the smell of fresh tortillas from the ladies down the block, hammering, sawing, taxi horns and reggaeton music all meld together to serenade me on my way to work.  

And when work requires leaving town to head for the campo? Even better. Fresh air, the cool fog leaving its mark on us as the moto slices through the mountain passes, dust, cattle, trucks, bicycles, bright sunshine, shady coffee plantations and rolling green hills set the backdrop for the ride.

My life here in Honduras is a lot different than my life in the States…

Can I just google a new restaurant on my iPhone and drive there for dinner? 

Nope. I have to ask 4 different people if they’ve heard of the restaurant, and where (in their opinion) it is located, then figure out where the former Copan Dry factory used to be (that was at least 15 years ago) then locate Don Mario’s house that is a block “up” from there, turn where the lady is usually selling tamales (is she today? Who knows?) and hang a left…and maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll find some kind of restaurant (probably not the one I was looking for).

Can I just go to the store and buy cottage cheese when I want cottage cheese? 

Nope. I have to check 3 different grocery stores (one requiring a taxi ride), scour the shelves for any kind of cheese or cream that resembles cottage cheese, try to describe what cottage cheese is to a Honduran store boy who has no idea what I’m talking about and finally resign myself to finding a manageable substitute.

Can I just walk down the road to clear my head and get some fresh air? 

Nope. First of all, if there is a road that doesn’t have much traffic and leads to a forested area, it’s probably not safe. And as a female, if I walk anywhere, I am bombarded by stares, cat-calls and general annoyance from most male presence.

Would I say there are a lot of things I miss about living in the U.S.? Certainly.

Are they all necessary to me living a full life? Not really.

Oh sure, there are things that would make life easier, but there are so many things I enjoy about life here.  And despite all the drama, there is a surprising amount of normalcy in my weekly routine. The ups and downs in my job that everyone experiences on some level or another; sharing with friends and co-workers the funny (and not so funny) moments in life; going to the gym, cleaning, cooking and going to the movies. But what keeps me on my toes is the never ending learning curve of living life in a culture that is not your own.

new and different

Every year brings new changes to our MCC team, mostly in the form of new service workers. We had to say good bye this year to the Stephens and the Troyers, but now we have been able to welcome new workers and get to know them.

Our September retreat for MCC Honduras was in the central location (central for all but me ;) of Siguatepeque. We were tucked away in a nice retreat center and were able to enjoy cooler temperatures and time together as a team.

What I was not aware of was this retreat center boasts a world-class co-op course and high ropes adventure course.

I would just like to say that in many years of liberal arts college-ing, camp counseling, admissions staff-ing and youth retreat-ing I have had my FAIR share of co-op courses. And I really really really don't need anything like high ropes. I would also like to preface this by saying that I had a bad experience my first weeks in Honduras with a tree, a hammock, and a nasty, um, tree-trapped situation.

So. Day 1, what do they want me to do?? Sit on the edge of a 8 meter high platform and "fall" off to swing and feel like I'm in a hammock. I tried to tell Kike (the guide, pronounced key-kay) that I would be much happier in a real hammock, about 2 feet off the ground, and still happy to reflect on taking risks and what we learn about trust from said situations...but he was not having it. I ALSO tried to get him to push me cuz I was too scared to throw myself off the ledge...and he told me firmly that he never pushes anyone. Ok Mr. I-eat-raw-eggs-for-breakfast-and-probably-walk-on-high-ropes-with-no-safety-ropes. You are of no help to me in my moment of need.

But since I had already climbed the 7 meter ricktey ladder that only Hondurans would tell you is completely safe, I had no choice. I wasn't going back down that thing!

So I fell off the ledge.

And I screamed.

And I was terrified.

And then I sat in a swing for a few minutes to take in the view.

And the little assistant man was like: "ok, but really...you liked it right? "

"NO!" I firmly responded, not smiling.

And it was in this moment I realized...I have spent a lot of my life pushing myself to do scary things. To step out of my comfort zone. To be brave and try something that makes me tremble inside.

But sometimes, you feel no different after you've done it. You think you will, but you don't.

And I've just decided that I'm not an adrenaline junky, and I don't like heights.

So eat that for breakfast, Kike!

Fast Forward to Day 2. Our whole team is to participate in the high ropes team building activities.

I was sick to my stomach. I was praying for rain. I wanted to do ANYTHING but that course.

Thankfully, life is not always as it is in summer camp, and you can say no. And people will respect you.
So, I calmly declined (after chatting with my supervisors) and was content to swallow my fear and watch all of my MCC colleagues from below. On terra firme. Oh, but of course I took lots of photos.

 Being brave is important. But knowing your limits can also be just as important. And I think I grew a lot in finally giving myself permission to be afraid and say "no. not this time!"

before the fall, with my newly un-afraid adrenaline junky "twin" Elise

the longest climb OF MY LIFE.

on the platform, kickin' it with with Keeks...we aren't really friends.

after the "fall" swinging around "enjoying" the view. but check that face.
 I am cosa seria!

to give you an idea of how the platform was ON THE SIDE OF A FREAKING MOUNTAIN

after the fall, had the feeling back in my hands, enjoying time with Mari,
a new MCC friend from Nicaragua

Mari's fall. It's about a 1/4 second after that you feel the ropes holding you

having fun with co-op games

the high ropes course!!

the brave ones. I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU ALL!

they had the hardest climb to get to "starting" point. Of course, Kike was their team leader...

a fall. exactly what I didnt want to happen to me. but she pulled through. so proud of Emily!!

one small step....

repelling down to safety ;)

2 happy 2 be done... 1 wanting more....

our new MCC team for 2012-2013 :)
love you all!

county fair

It's been a busy week and a half and I just wanted to share some pictures and updates.

The month of August is the annual fair in Santa Rosa and it has a lot of traditions. I was able to go the last weekend and enjoy some time at the fair with Henry and his family. I also took in a parade and a "carrera de cintas" or a "tape race" (ok, doesn't really translate).

It was fun to eat some good fair food, play the shooting game (yes, I rocked it, much to Henry's dismay) and take in the local tradition of an old-fashioned campesino horse race.

chuleta at the fair...complete with mariachi band serenade

i know, so pacifistic, right??

having fun at the shooting game

his "annoyed" face when I was doing better than him ;)

we won so many prizes! and they are all lame!

with Henry's parents at the fair

Henry and Oscar...about to enjoy the horse "race"

setting up the rope for the race...very official

there were so many horses from the campo...

setting up the rings on little velcro "hooks." The contestants take a running start
and try to get their "pencil" through one of the rings to win a prize.

its hard to catch good action shots, but this is much harder than it looks.

lunging for the prize

enjoying some cotton candy

All in all it was a fun weekend, though I was still battling my cold. I enjoy having new and interesting things to do that don't happen every day. The race with horses lasted several long hours...but at least it was some good clean fun in the pueblo.

Coming later...updates and photos from our MCC team retreat this past week.

in a small town

It has been a pretty good week. Lots of ups and downs...of course, nothing new to my faithful readers and friends, but some pretty sweet stuff happened.

First, I was visited by a new MCC Honduras colleague, Elizabeth, who came to see the life in Santa Rosa (and some new parts of Honduras). E is the new regional disaster coordinator for all of Central America & Haiti, and we are excited to have her here in Honduras.

Not only did these 4 days together give me a chance to get to know E a bit better, but it gave me an excuse to take some time to relax, enjoy the scenery of where I am privileged to call home, and process lots of things about my work and life in Honduras.

We made some delicious meals together (quiche-mania as we both discovered that pie pastry isn't so intimidating after all) and we even got a chance to take a dip in the nearby hot springs.

Yesterday E went with us on a short visit to one of the communities where I work, Plan Grande. The point of the meeting was to have the women's group meet with the Caja Rural (like a community co-op that lends money to members) and ask them for some space/land/use of their building for their bread-making business.

My co-worker O took the lead and told the men of the Caja what our organization is all about, what we have been doing with the women for the last 18 months, and why we were asking for their help.

Then, the president of the women's group, Dona Rosaura, stood up to explain to the Caja why we were all there. She began to talk about the process they have gone through with ACDIM and why this small business means so much to them.

Only a few short months ago, Dona Rosaura was so shy, she would barely speak in front of the other women in the group. Little by little she has been taking part in the trainings and sharing her opinions. And in this moment, I saw how far she has come. That she wasn't afraid to stand by herself in front of 35 community members and tell them that she wanted a change. That she hadn't gone through this 2 year process of organization and training for nothing. That she is confident her small group of neighbors and friends will start this business, and they want to see it grow into something beneficial for the community. Hearing her speak her piece almost brought me to tears.

And right there,
In that moment,
Sitting on that bench in a small cinder block community center,
in small-town Honduras (Plan Grande to be exact),
surrounded by the rolling green hills,
I knew what moment I never want to forget.

And in that moment,
I knew why I do what I do.

It helps me live with some of the frustration and discouragement I feel
because I can see that it is making a difference in the lives of these women.
It may not seem like a lot to you, but to me, it is enough.

And some days, that is all that you need.

when friends come to call

On the very last day of July one of my best friends arrived in San Pedro Sula to spend a week and a half with me. I was so very excited to see Harmony and to welcome her back to Honduras for her second visit. She is a dear friend and we have shared so many hilarious/scary/wonderful/difficult moments together in our travels and in life.

Since we had done some tourism the last time, this visit was more focused on her spending time in Santa Rosa, seeing my daily routine here and getting to know my work, church, and lets be honest, the bf.

It was a lot of fun showing her all around Santa Rosa, hopping from restaurant to cafe to market. We drank lots of coffee, cooked some fun meals together, went to the gym, watched the Olympics and did a lot of random things together.

Unfortunately she got sick towards the end of her time her :( I felt rather responsible, but it is hard to avoid when traveling in Central America. Although our beach plans had to be nixed, I tried to do my best to nurse her back to health.

And we never ran out of things to talk or laugh about!  Here is a brief view of our time together.

pizza making fun

Harmony seeing what I do at a community meeting w/ the women
and she got to try  a Western Honduran specialty- Ticucos (tee-CU-co)!

"Armon-ee-ah" (as they say in Spanish) becoming a fast favorite with co-worker Oscar, and my boss Ruth 

Central Park in Santa Rosa

A random parade to announce the fair that is starting in Santa Rosa

grocery store hilarity...finding toilet paper as a "promo" to sell more cereal. Or a free plate :)

of course, snow cones!!!!

learning to make tortillas, from scratch, from Henry's mom.

the most perfect tortillas we could muster after many hard fought attempts...

lunch at a local restaurant with strawberry smoothies and lemonade

 Thanks for coming Harmony! Your visit meant so much to me :)

a wedding and a funeral

It's been a bit of a busy week, but with mostly good stuff going on.

Well, I'll start with the bad news first...
One of my turtles died! I couldn't even believe it. And it took me awhile to confirm his death...but he gave up the ghost on Wednesday evening. He was awkwardly positioned against the side of the aquarium, and the littler one was tucked in beside him...I think she knew he was gone for good.

 So on Thursday Henry helped me bury the little guy in the garden of the private home he is remodeling. I think the girl is lonely now, but still haven't decided if I'm going to get another one or not.

But on to the better news...

Earlier in the week, a friend who was a volunteer in SRC but moved back home to Canada came back to Santa Rosa to celebrate her wedding. This time with her Canadian family who came down south. It was really nice to have her around again!


And I got to join in the festivities and sight-seeing with her family. On Friday we went to La Campa and Gracias so they could enjoy they newly installed zip-line and hot springs.


I did not get involved with the zip-line affair...but after watching them do it, I think it might be fun... :) Any takers??

I got to know Gaetane's family, who are about as crazy as she is, but they welcomed me warmly and we had a lot of fun joking around together. It was really nice to be with a group of fun-loving Canadians (come to think of it, what Canadians aren't fun-loving??) and feel like part of the family.

On Saturday I got to play tour guide and help my lost visitors find their way around Santa Rosa...they shared some lunch with me, and I even took them for snow cones.

at the reception with part of the Canadian crew

In the evening, we celebrated Gaetane and Humberto's wedding with both families (Honduran and Canadian) and it was a lot of fun. Good food, a live band...and even pinatas!! I was also pulled in at the last minute as a translator for some speeches. It was really great to be part of their special day. I didn't want to say good bye to all my new "family" but they are heading to Copan Ruins today. When I told them to enjoy the rest of their Honduran adventures they assured me it "wouldn't be the same without me!" Always nice to feel appreciated :)

dressed up and ready to help celebrate :)

Bride and groom pinata fun

ready for the pinata!

the pinata action got a little crazy!!

me & Gaetane....wishing she'd come back for good :)

being gifted some Canadian necessities to help with his cultural transition :)