Living day to day

One thing that's very interesting in Copan is that advance planning doesn't really exist, at least not socially! That wouldn't quite work at school! I don't know why it is, but life happens in the moment. I kind of like it. This fits my personality type, I think.

I was thinking about this as I was walking home from school today. I was walking with a friend and we were talking about what we were doing tonight. I came up with my typical response, "I don't know, I haven't really thought about it". I decided maybe I should figure out what I am going to do for dinner. Dinner and cooking are quite the event. Partly because all I have is one pan, one pot, one dish, one plate...catching on to the pattern??? Oh, I do have a two burner stove. Actually, living here is kind of like camping. My fridge is so small I can't fit much in it, and the door doesn't close tight so I can't really have long term plans for any food that I purchase anyway!

Then there is the adventure known as the market. The town market takes place down by the central park. It is always a little crazy. First of all, it smells BAD! The smell comes from the meat venders. Yes, there is meat just sitting out on a counter, no refrigeration, no rack, just on the wooden counter being sliced for the taking. It's gross, I haven't been able to bring myself to buy meat yet. I'll let the restaurants deal with that, I don't want to know all the details! Also the market is very crowded. It's not that there is a lot of people, but venders are crammed in and there is hardly any room to walk. I also don't get the flow of traffic, or the lack of flow. People just stop in the middle of an walkway...saying excuse me doesn't work, so the only other alternative is barreling through, and I always manage to have my backpack on.

Weekends are pretty relaxed. I usually devote one day to cleaning and one to planning for school. I also have to take my laundry to the lavanderia and go to the market. Saturday is the big day at the market. Then I have to squish in there my time on the internet. It's interesting, even though there is not a lot of planning there are a lot of routines established.

The the great things about Copan!

I feel like I am quite often complaining, and I know from talking with my parents, many of you may think that I am not enjoying myself. At times, this may be true, but for the most part, I love Copan.

Copan is a very quaint town. The people here are lovely. I feel like most people work hard and enjoy their lives. As an obvious outsider in the town I feel welcomed by all; granted, most are aware that I am a teacher at Mayatan School, which does come with some prestige and recognition. None the less, I rarely feel like I'm on the outside. I love that people are very helpful. Most people know very little, if any English, however, they are all very patient with me as I try to muttle through Spanish.

Copan is in a beautiful part of Honduras. Surrounded by rain forest there is a surplus of areas to hike. I have yet to visit the ruins, but I can't wait. Right up by the school is a great bird park, full of Macaws, Tucans, and other tropical birds it's cool. There are coffee plants growing all over. It is so different from home. I am always amazed by the beauty.

So you see, I do love that I am here and what I am doing, even if daily events often frustrate me and get me down.