The Long Road Home

In the past 10 days I've been all over Honduras visiting forts, botanical gardens, museums and parades. I've climbed a mountain and explored Mayan Ruins. I've rested in hammocks and white, sandy beaches.  I've soaked my feet in the hot springs, the river and the ocean. I am exhausted!  There's nothing quite like being at home.  But the road home isn't an easy one here in Honduras.  

Today was another bus adventure.  I bought my ticket and took my seat.  I lucked out and got on one of the nice charter buses.  Don't let it fool you though, people will still bring their chickens!  I sat across from a family of 5 squeezed into 2 bucket seats....and their pet chick.  I first noticed the chick as they boarded the bus.  The chick went tumbling down the stairs.  Probably because they were transporting it via plastic grocery bag.  Look closely and you can see the chick resting peacefully next to the Gatorade bottle...

As I waited for the bus to load, a man came by selling newspapers.  He was showing all the men the papers, and to the women, he was marketing it as a fan to cool off from the heat.  God forbid the women might actually want to READ the newspaper!  No, we just sit and look pretty and fan ourselves.

One trend that I've noticed on the bus...  It will either be a completely full bus and everyone is squeezing in the seats around me refusing to sit next to the Gringa, or it will be an empty bus and somebody just has to sit down next to me for a chat.  Unfortunately, today was the latter.  My company came in the form of a sweaty man (who was fanning himself with a newspaper I might add).  I kept trying to give him more room, but he just kept spreading out and undoubtedly his sweaty arm would be resting against mine no matter how much I shifted.  He kindly started fanning me with the newspaper (to which I politely declined). 

Then, the questions started.  Are you married?  Why not?  Well sir, maybe because the only person who has ever asked was this man.  In a park.  In Santa Rosa.  Shirtless.  I'd like to think I have a little higher standard than this.  I mean, they have to at least have 10 teeth.

As we rolled out of the bus station, I had a realization.  It never fails that when I get home from a day of bus travel I am COMPLETELY exhausted.  It has never made sense.  It's not like I'm doing anything.  And then it hit me.  As I listened to the baby chick chirping, at least 3 different cell phone conversations (in outside voices nonetheless), a baby crying, a man preaching a sermon and at least 6 bus vendors trying to sell various food products....It is mentally exhausting to ride the bus.  My senses were on complete overload.  I couldn't focus on one thing in particular.  It was like a big blur in my head. 

The bus ride would have been pretty uneventful if sweaty man would have let me get some sleep.  Instead we played 401 questions.  And at least 300 of those were asking why I wasn't married.  "You're really not married?  Why?  You're beautiful."  I felt like saying, "Oh, wait!  You know what?  I am married.  I just forgot the other 299 times you asked me. 

God does answer prayers.  When I got to Santa Rosa, I saw a family from the school.  They offered me a ride back to Gracias, which I gladly accepted.  I even got to love on their doberman puppy, Sol. 

Here are Yancy and sweet Sol.  Her stepfather is from Denver.  He moved here and married her mother and owns a coffee business here.  They are one of the sweetest families and I really enjoyed the ride back with them.  There was lots of laughing.

I arrived to find the electricity out...welcome back to Gracias!  But I am glad to be home. Tomorrow I begin teaching a Level 3 English night class in the university.  I go back to work at Minerva in the morning.  We've started registration for classes.  The new teachers start arriving next week so things are about to get busy.  I will work on updating about my trip this week.  I'm back to the land of slow internet, but I have lots of pictures and stories to share about my adventures with Deborah.  Besos y abrazos!

We're not chickens!

I love to people watch.  I do it in restraunts.  I do it in airports.  And my favorite new spot to people watch in Honduras is on the chicken bus.  Take for example, Mr. Texas.  Decked from head to toe in everything Texas.  An A&M hat, a "Don't Mess With Texas" tote bag, and a Texas Rangers t-shirt.  Or the lady with the ingenious solution to chicken bus hair.  She invented some sort of Garfield pillow case hat that covers your hair.  I think it will make millions. 

Every once in a while, you'll actually go beyond watching, and get to meet one of these characters.  I was on the first leg of my 3 bus trip to San Pedro.  I am dozing off when I feel someone sit down on my backpack.  I look up to find a young man of about 18 squeezing into the seat next to me.  He has his English homework and is waving it in my face asking for help.  Can't you see I'm on vacation?

In Santa Rosa, I switched to the bus I deemed "The Death Trap."  All was going well and suddenly you could feel the driver floor the pedal.  We were barrelling around the curves and literally being tossed around like ping pong balls.  Not wanting to be the paranoid Gringa, I tried to keep my cool as I held a death grip onto the seat.  All of the sudden I hear a yell, "We're not chickens!  Sir, slow down or we're going to get off of this bus!" (paraphrased from Spanish).  This little lady started an all-out revolt against the bus driver and soon the majority of the bus was chanting for the driver to slow down.  It was outrageous!

About 5 minutes later we squealed into La Entrada.  Luckily, the bus had emptied out, so the bus driver sent us all to a new bus to continue on towards San Pedro.  I am happy to report we arrived in one piece.  I killed time waiting to pick up Deborah from her 1 a.m. flight  by going to see "Arthur" at the cine.  It was cute and so nice to be in the "big city" again.  Fast forward 2 chicken buses and 2 taxi rides and we're back in Gracias.  I'm looking forward to showing Deborah all of the sites and doing a little traveling together.  This weekend the big celebrations kick off for Dia de Lempira.  I'll keep you posted on our adventures.

This Little Gringa Went to the Market...

It all started with the gift of bananas.  People here like to gift fruit.  You see, almost everyone has a mango, banana, orange, lime, avocado, or some fruit-bearing tree at their home.  Students regularly give me bagfulls of produce. I LOVE it!  Well, this week Orson brought over some bananas.  And when you give Julie bananas, she'll want to make banana bread.  But first she'll need the eggs... (I feel like I just stepped out of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie...)  So off to town I went.

There are days, like today, where I miss just "running" to the store to grab a few things.  Don't get me wrong.  I love my peaceful, quiet neighborhood.  I live in the outskirts of Gracias in a neighborhood called Colonia Borjas.  There are lots of kids playing in the streets and families around.  We're far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.  I regulary walk outside to find random wildlife parked outside of my house.  Just yesterday, I got a good scare when I opened the door to sweep and found a giant cow chilling literally in front of my door staring back at me.  (I have developed an unnatural fear of cows after watching a dog get speared by one last year). 

Anyway, going into town is a big ordeal.  I try to make only one trip a day in the blazing heat.  I find myself checking and rechecking my list before I head out of the door.  It's not like you can just run back if you forget something.  Then, I make the treck up the big hill into town.  Sometimes, if I'm feeling particularly lazy, I'll catch this sweet ride...

Although usually it involves having to make small talk with some over-zealous man who asks questions like "Do you dye your eyes?" or "Do you have a boyfriend, doll?" (To which my response is always, Yes!  A big, mean, jealous one) 

So my day today started with a trip to the bank. I made my way past the 3 guards armed with rifles and went to pay my internet.  I still do not understand how it takes an hour minimum to complete any sort of transaction.  I stood in line and counted 30 patrons and 12 tellers.  And it still took me an HOUR!!!  I would first recommend mandatory typing lessons for all of the tellers.  Hunt and peck is just not acceptable.  Second, there is the issue of "the fila."  They don't know how to make a line.  I kid you not, each person walks in and heads right up to the counter, ignoring the weaving snake of people.  Oh, that's a line?  Oh, I have to go to the end of that?  One thing I will say is that the bank is one of a handful of places in town that is air-conditioned.  :)

Next, I have to head to the fruit stand.  (They don't sell produce at the supermarket.)  I love that the produce here has so much flavor.  Of course, you'll only find the things that are grown locally and in season, but there's nothing better than a nice, ripe pineapple or mango.  Better than candy. 

On the way back to the market, a man tries to sell me ibuprofen, telling me that it is a cure for upset stomachs from eating spicy food.  Haha.  I am from Texas, sir.  I LOVE spicy food.  And I have a giant bottle of Advil.  For headaches.  And swelling.  Really though, people who aren't educated will believe anything.  It's quite unfortunate.  There are often travelling pharmacists on the bus selling the cures for ADHD, pregnant women whose husbands work too much, and insomnia all in ONE PILL! 

2 hours and miles of walking later I am finally back at home with one chicken breast, 3 mangoes, a pineapple, a bag of milk (yes, milk is sold in bags), a carton of orange juice, and a paid internet bill.  It's exausting! 

Life Lately

My quiet, boring summer took a 180 degree turn this week.  Things got busy really fast.  I've been working a little from home on some things for the school.  For those of you who have worked at Minerva, you will understand what a big deal it is that I GOT THE KEYS TO THE SCHOOL!!!  In fact, I have the only key to the library in my possession.  Well, I went up to the school last week to get some  things from the library that I needed for the unit maps I am writing.  I ALWAYS leave the key in the lock so that I don't misplace it.  Well, guess who forgot to leave the keys in the lock?  And guess who locked the keys to the library, school and HER HOUSE in the library?  And guess who was locked in the school?  Luckily, I managed to grab my phone and I called the principal (who literally lives next door).  She sent her grandson over with a screwdriver and we broke in and rescued the keys.  I am very thankful that it wasn't a bigger issue. 

The next day, I was working on my computer, and I hear a knock on my door.  This was very strange because I don't get many unannounced visitors.  One of my co-workers teaches classes in the university and had become ill.  She asked if I could cover 3 beginning English classes for her that weekend.  I was nervous:  a) because the first class started in 30 minutes and I had never seen the material before,  b) because this was my first time teaching adults, and c) I had never taught 4 HOUR class before.  I am happy to say that I survived and that the director has even asked if I want to teach more English classes.  Teaching adults is much different than teaching kids.  They whined A LOT!  I kept having to tell them that my 1st graders could do that work!  They are also a lot more nervous to speak than my 1st graders.  Children are such risk-takers.  They aren't afraid to make mistakes.  I think bilingual education at a young age is such an incredible opportunity.  But it was nice to have students who sit quietly.  I didn't have to give them something to do while I was writing on the board or after they finished their quiz.  It was amazing.  They just sit!

I came home from class Sunday to to find that the electricity had gone out.  This isn't out of the ordinary.  During the heat of the summer, we lose power frequently to conserve energy.  Black-outs are pretty routine here.  It was a little frustrating because my computer was completely without battery.  I couldn't work, I couldn't watch movies, so I just worked on some crafting for my classroom.  8 1/2 hours later the power finally decided to come back on.  By that time I was working by candlelight.  I hope we don't have any more days like that in the near future.  I can handle a few hours here and there, but yesterday was a bit excessive.  I've learned my lesson and will make sure that my battery is always fully charged from now on. 

Thursday I'm headed to San Pedro to pick up a friend, Deborah, who is coming to visit me!  She'll be here for all of the Dia de Lempira festivities so I should have a lot to post this week.  It's going to be a lot of cultural celebration and I am looking forward to experiencing it for the first time.  I've enjoyed getting to Skype with some of you lately.  If you have Skype add me:  juleschristinepace.  I would love to catch up with everyone.  Hasta luego!

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

I introduce to you some of the eligible bachelors of Gracias...

 

Have you ever seen a bunny in a dress? (Yes it is real!)

This little guy is always making me laugh.  Look at his take on "healthy snack"...

I need to start being better about carrying my camera around.  Here are some photo ops I missed out on...

• A baby jaguar chained to the hood of a MOVING pick-up truck.  I kid you not!!!

• A man riding his bicycle down a steep hill with 5 dozen eggs balanced on the handlebars.

Oh, the things you will see in this world :)



Everything I Need to Know I Learned in First Grade

It was a rainy 4th of July here in Gracias.  We are in the middle of the rainy season.  It is very predictable.  The afternoons are scorching hot and right about 2 or 3 the sky opens up.  It has been a nice break in the heat.  It really cools things down and everything is so green right now.  I had intentions of going into town to do some shopping, but it started raining earlier than usual.  Instead I decided to get a start on all of the ideas that have been running through my head for the next school year. Many of you know I have gotten hooked on Pinterest.  I have gotten so many great ideas for things to try.  Here's a peek at some of the crafting I've been up to.

I found this idea for a giant Boggle game and adapted it by putting velcro on the letters so that I can change them out.  This will be great for earlier finishers to play in their notebook!

I saw this idea originally used for spelling homework.  I thought it might be a little much for first grade, but it is perfect as another activity for early finishers.  Students can choose any 3 activities to do in their spelling notebook that make a Tic-Tac-Toe.  If they get a "blackout" they will get a prize...

Another good idea was to write out the minutes around the clock to help with telling time.  The teacher had used circles, but my clock was a little small and I thought it looked cuter to make it a sun...

I am so tired of my students turning my Legos into guns, so I re-purposed them as a game for our literacy centers....

This isn't quite finished, but isn't this going to be a fun puzzle for my mathmaticians?

And finally my class rules....

What if everyone followed the rules of first grade?  We all know the popular poem "Everything I needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."  Now if we could just remember it, wouldn't the world be so much nicer?

May-June 2011: El Fin del Año Escolar

May and June were a blur of end of school activities and exams, so I figured I would just wrap up with one post.  Mid- May we had the annual Minerva Sports Day planned by the fabulous Miss Karen.  The kids came all prepared for a day of fun in the sun.  Don't they look adorable in their little hats?

Except we need to get this guy a TCU hat ASAP!  Doesn't he know better than to show up to my class wearing an OU hat?

  

In the morning we played buddy games with the older students. 

Sponge Relay...

Piggyback Races...

And Potato Sack Races....

Later we walked over to Villa de Ada for some tournaments and field games.  My kids LOVED frisbee golf!  Unfortunately, I didn't get any more pictures.  Thinking ahead, I brought my charger to school to charge in the morning.  Of course it would be a day we were without electricity.  Typical.  I should know better by now.  Anyway, the kids had a great time.  Of course my wild boys created their own games, too.  Have you ever played throw the dead frog around the field?  It's a blast! 

The last day before exams we had a big celebration at school.  No classes- all fun, all day! In First Grade we held our 2nd annual Pajama Day.  I think this picture perfectly sums up our school year...

We wrote notes to our friends...

And celebrated a birthday...

After all of the excitement, we settled down with blankets and pillows to watch a movie...

 

The next week was 4th partial exams.  We finished the school year with an End-of-Year program and Art Show at Villa de Ada.  Here is the First Grade art display...

Each grade prepared a presentation for the parents.  Look how adorable Miss Petra's little Kinder barnyard was singing "Old McDonald"...

First grade recited a poem titled "A,B,C- Ya Later First Grade."  Each student represented a different letter of the alphabet and talked about things we've learned this year...

One of my favorite acts was the older students performing a traditonal dance...

It was a great end to the school year.

I want to wish each of you a very Happy 4th of July today!  I have done a little celebrating here in Honduras.  The Peace Corps volunteers in town hosted a BBQ on Saturday and invited all of the volunteers who are stationed in Honduras.  I was asked to make good, old American apple pie.  My original plan was to make 40 mini pies.  That plan was soon scrapped when I realized that one recipe of dough required 2 sticks of butter.  This wouldn't be an issue in the homeland.  But here, yellow butter is hard to come by.  In fact, there was only one box in town this week and I bought it!  Needless to say, the mini apple pies became a giant apple crumble.  It was devoured within 5 minutes of arriving to the party, so I would say it turned out to be a success. 

 Thank you to all of the men and women who defend our country and protect our freedom, including my "baby" brother, Drew (pictured here with his beautiful wife, Meredith, on their wedding day)...

Living here, I have come to appreciate how lucky and proud I am to be an American.  God bless the U.S.A!

Beans for Breakfast?

No, I have not fallen off the blogging bandwagon again.  I had to reformat my computer this week.  Back in April, for some unexplained reason, my Microsoft Word suddenly stopped working.  It wasn't a HUGE deal.  I could still work in publisher and create things I needed for school. 

My sweet friend offered to reinstall Microsoft Office on my computer.  First, he unintalled the previous edition.  Well, when he went to install the new version, an error message popped up.  So we tried again.  Still nothing.  I borrowed another CD thinking that maybe the disk was just bad.  Nothing. So now I was left without access to ANY of the Microsoft Office programs.  After many months of looking online for possible solutions, I decided it would be easier to start over. 

Fast forward to Thursday and my same sweet friend came over and reformatted my computer.  It's great!  I haven't had my computer running so fast in a long time.  The only catch...the version of Microsoft 7 he installed was in Spanish.  If you don't know, the keyboard is different in Spanish.  I have spent the past couple of days switching all the settings  back to English....thus the break in blogging.  But I'm still here and, besides the fact that all of my websites now come up in Spanish (google, Facebook,msn, etc...), everything is back to normal.  I figure it will do me a little good to think while I'm surfing the web :)

Speaking of surfing the web, I was on Facebook earlier this week and saw a post from a friend that gave me a good laugh.  She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Gracias when I first came to Honduras:

Went for a run, and when a cat started hissing at me from someone's yard I *obviously* had to feign a kick in it's direction.... the woman on the porch was not amused.
Ahh yes, a year back in the US and still making awkward cultural mistakes. :)

It really made me think about how accustomed to the culture I have become.  I woke up this morning and what did I fix for breakfast?  Eggs and refried beans of course!  I cannot remember a day when beans were not a normal breakfast food.  I went for a run last week and there was a man walking carrying a rifle and a machette.  It didn't even phase me.  I politely greeted him and kept running. 

I often wonder how the adjustment will be when I make it home.  I know this experience has changed me.  I have seen a level of poverty that should not exist in this world.  It has made me grateful for the life and family I have been given.  I could be the naked child in the street who hasn't eaten today.  I could be the 11 year old girl nursing her baby at the bus stop.  I am so blessed.  I'll leave you with this article I read the other day about food waste.  I don't consider myself a "green" person, but the part that struck me was how much good food is being thrown away every day and yet I see families struggling to get by.  I don't know if there will ever be a solution to world hunger, but I feel like we can all do our part to get by with a little less so we can share a little more.