Nature at your front door

I just had to do a quick blurb about the animals of Copan. Like Mexico, Copan has many stray dogs that wander the streets. Unlike where I was in Mexico, Copan also has numerous other animals that wander around. For instance, the other day I went in to use the restroom at the school. No big deal, right? I closed the stall door and tahdahhhh, behind the door on the wall was one of the largest frogs I have ever seen. I have to admit the frog wasn't the only one hopping that day...I decided to wait until I got home to use the bathroom!

Thursday morning as I was walking to school at around 6:45am, and low and behold, right in front of the gates stood a rather large cow! I don't know where she came from or who she belonged to, but she wasn't going anywhere! It took some swift maneuvering to get around her! I have also seen random horses wandering around up by the school, its crazy. Cars just make their ways around them, people just ignore and walk by, I, of course am the gringo that stops to stare! I believe at that point I become the attraction.

I feel I have to pay homage to the other animals of Copan as well. There are multiple cats, the domestic dogs, which don't always look better than the ones on the street, random chickens, and the horses that are ridden around town. I have chosen not to include the creepy crawlies that I seem to encounter every night I get up to use the restroom! Ick!

Nature is everywhere you look in Copan!

How many ways can you say hello?

Honduras has to be one of the friendliest places on earth! Maybe I should clarify and say that Copan Ruinas is the friendliest place that I have ever been. Almost everyone you meet on the street nods, smiles and says in some way or another, hello. In high school we learned "Hola", and then there's "buenos dias" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon) and then "buenas noches" (good evening/night). Okay, arrive in Copan...add to those just plain "buenas" or "adios", the only problem with all of these is that no matter how hard I try I always manage to say the wrong one...

It is exciting, I am starting to recognize people that I say hello to. I am happy to say that everyday Copan feels a little more like home.

Back to school

This seems a little premature since the kids don't start until next week, but for teachers the fun begins tomorrow! I guess I can call it fun because it isn't yet 5:30 am, when my alarm is set to go off. School hours here are 7-2:30, teachers are usually there by 6:45, eeeks! So far in Copan my days have been starting around 8 followed by few hours up at school. Then home again to grab my computer and head to the cafe to chat, email and drink the ever-flowing granitas! All of this hard-work is followed by a siesta in the afternoon! Man, life has been tough!

It will all change tomorrow! Actually, I am looking forward to the change. I am ready to establish some routines. It seems like most afternoons I am searching for things to do. It's really too hot to walk around and explore. I am already sweating more than my fair share!

All Mayatan staff has now arrived. This morning a local businessman (previously from New York) put together an awesome breakfast for us. It was great to finally be altogether. We are quite a diverse group; ranging in age as well as experience.

Oh Victoria!

Well, once again I've embarked on a few new adventures! Last night I had the privilege of helping Esmeralda make baleadas (Esmeralda owns the house that I am living in). Baleadas are a probably the most popular local food. They are flour tortillas filled with refried black beans, cheese (a white, tart cheese--nothing like at home) and sometimes eggs. They are delicious, in fact I have heard that several of the teachers at Mayatan have lived on them in the past. I don't think it would be hard to do, they are quite tasty (also very inexpensive about $2.00)!

We also had the most incredible rainstorm yesterday. I don't think I have ever seen it rain quite like that! The thunder was so loud that we thought there were bombs or power breakers blowing, we couldn't find any, we're pretty sure it was thunder. It was crazy! We were running around the house trying to shut windows to keep the rain out. It didn't really help, I swear it just kind of seeps through the walls! About halfway through the storm the power went out. It was pretty fun, making the baleadas by candle light (fortunately the stove is gas). The power stayed out for about half an hour, then the lights came on, we ate, then sat down to watch "Victoria", Esmeralda's favorite novella (soap opera)! It was pretty entertaining, I understood about 50% of the words, but still completely got the storyline, who's sleeping with who, the younger man who is desperately in love with Victoria and the woman who is trying to keep them apart...it's great!!! It was funny as the show went on people kept showing up at Esmeralda's house. Her nephew Jorge came, then her daughter and her husband showed up, pretty soon there were 5 of us watching...I think it's quite the phenomenon!

So much to say...

At this point in my journey everything is new. I didn't want to over do it with the blogging, but I am afraid I am going to forget something!

Friday was my first experience with the power. Apparently it was a scheduled blackout. The power was out when we got up in the morning and was supposed to be back on "around" 4. Didn't come on at 4, but by 5:30 fans were working and could relax a little. Although I think the thing that struck me most was that it was no big deal. Some restaurants and stores didn't open, others just did all their work by hand (money, register, etc.) and the more affluent shops and cafes had generators. I was sitting in a city completely without power drinking a cafe latte, and chatting on my computer...how crazy is that?

Today was awesome. I went for a hike with Megan, Zach, Eva (a Honduran assistant at Mayatan) and her family. We hiked up a mountain for about 45 minutes. The trail was undeveloped and completely beautiful, however, it was treacherous! I think I lost about a gallon of fluids out of my pores on the way up!

When we arrived at Eva's mother's house I was amazed. Eva's mother lives there with Eva's sisters and one of the sister's three kids. Their home was made of wood, mud, grass, cardboard and some cinder block. The floor was dirt and the stove was an amazing concoction of mud, wood and fire. I was left speechless by it. Not because of the poverty, or the raw construction, but by the welcome we received. There were no apology's or shame, just the open invitation to share what they had and come be apart. It was amazing.

I think I am going to like living here. There are definitely some sacrifices. At times I feel like a spoiled princess. I want to have it both ways. The luxuries of home and the simplicity of Copan. I don't think it's possible. Oh well, I will learn from what I don't have and be grateful for what I do!

Wow, deep thoughts today!

Travel and Day 1

I finally made it here! After and 18 hour travel day full of flying and questionable Honduran highways, I arrived last night around 7pm. My host family (Esmeralda, her daughters and her adorable grandsons) is wonderful. After inspecting my room for scorpions and bedbugs all was found satisfactory and I got a fairly good night sleep. After a night full of heavy rains, it is a beautiful morning. The sun is out, and it's not too humid...yet! I'm sure that will change. From what I hear the rain is pretty much like clockwork and arrives daily at 3:00.

Copán is quaint, very hilly with cobblestone streets. There are lots of motos (local taxis) and you have to be careful not to get runover, as slippery cobblestones, large hills and three wheeled taxis can prove to be quite dangerous!

I am a little overwhelmed by the Spanish. I am telling myself that it's normal...it will pass, this is just cultural shock...I feel like everything I want to say or ask has to be processed and reprocessed as I don't want to say the wrong thing...or make someone think that I actually know what I'm talking about!

Countdown: T-2 days

Days are getting away and the good-byes are getting numerous. Tonight we did the family thing. All of mom and dad's siblings came along with Stuart and Molly, Ken and Trina. It was a great evening filled with family reminiscing and wonderful food!