It’s interesting how rapidly the mind adapts to new stimuli. Sometimes I feel as though I’m watching a cartoon… like my mind has temporarily suspended my sense of reality for the duration of my stay here. I was walking home from school yesterday passing middle-aged men on their porches with their T-shirts pulled up above their protruding bellies (as seems to be the fashion here) and half-naked children running through the trash that litters the sides of the road when a rooster stepped out onto the road and joined us for part of our trek home… and it took me a minute or so to realize how odd the whole thing was. Roosters are just one of the many things that have become part of our daily scenery. There’s also the bull that frequents the road to Ben’s house, pregnant stray dogs on every corner, machetes EVERYWHERE (men, women, even older children… but then, “childhood” here seems to end around 14), men with rifles strolling around the school grounds to ward off intruders... all a part of daily life. The oddest part of it all is that not only is this becoming normal, but enjoyable. I am truly beginning to enjoy my time here.
Before I left Boise I made comments, half-jokingly, about encountering machetes down here, but I had no idea how prevalent they would truly be. Although, they no longer instill the fear in me that they once did, because I’ve now realized them for what they are: a tool. Yes, they can be used in violence, and, naturally, that’s the only exposure we tend to have to them at home. But, here they are the most multi-purpose instrument you can get… they slaughter animals, prune trees, chop wood, and, of course, serve as protection. I’m checking into buying one before I come home. Odd, I know, but I think little would symbolize the lifestyle here better.
As many of you know, besides coming to teach, I had a second mission in my journey to Central America of lesser but, nonetheless, significant importance: dance. I had a dream of moving once again to a country, like Costa Rica, where dance was a way of life; a place where salsa and merengue dancers instinctively flocked like the salmon of Capistrano… as far as I can tell, this is not that place. We went out dancing on Saturday night to a local restaurant/bar called Coco Loco’s. We danced all night long with the creepy and (often) old men… practically none of which knew how to dance. NO salsa played. Bachatta music played, but no one knew how to dance to it and so defaulted to the basic merengue step. A lot of merengue played, and, while here they had mastered the basic step, they had little more than that. I think the most exciting point of the night was when they played Michael Jackson, no doubt, for the 10 gringos that had graced their bar that evening. It was still a lot of fun, but my goal of improving my dance skills is not likely to be realized in Cofradίa. I’m hoping to try my luck in the nearby San Pedro Sula soon.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating things that I’ve encountered thus far, second to the incredibly inconsistent water pressure, is an opportunity to better my Spanish. I knew that on campus Spanish usage would be infrequent since the primary goal of the school is to teach the students English, but I had higher expectations of the locals… though perhaps I shouldn’t have. It’s not that I’m not speaking Spanish, but, rather, that their Spanish is so poor that I fear mine may be getting worse from speaking with them. For example, one of the things that I struggle with most is verb conjugation, a skill that the people here seem to have disregarded entirely. I’ve been completely shocked by the number of times I’ve heard things like “no gustar” or “no entender” from both children and adults alike. And, since my last proper Spanish lesson took place in Costa Rica two years ago, I’m finding it difficult to remember the basic conjugations of a lot of verbs. It’s incredibly frustrating. But, hopefully it will come back. Either that or maybe I’ll have to splurge on a basic Spanish book.
Well, I suppose that’s it for now. I miss you all like crazy, but I am really doing well. I’m very happy with where I am and with all the experiences I’m having here… as odd as they may be. Oh, and one more thing – a short advertisement: if any of you are interested in teaching this spring, half of our teachers are only here for the semester and will, therefore, be leaving in December. We could definitely use the help. I won’t sugar-coat it and say it’s easy, but I can promise it will be a learning experience at the very least. If you’re interested let me know!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
One week down...
I’ve now been out of the states for a full week, and, as of midnight tonight, I will have been in Honduras one week. It seems like an eternity. So much has happened in so little time. But, as I said before I left, once I get through these first weeks it should be pretty smooth sailing, and that seems to be the case. Now that I’m getting used to the area, the people, the school, and everything that comes along with those, a routine is beginning to develop and I’m growing comfortable with where I am.
We cleaned up our house, which is referred to as “Casa Grande” by those in the program simply because it’s so much bigger than the other volunteer house (don’t confuse big with nice – that it’s not – but it’s a free house and I’m glad to have it). I'm starting to be a regular around town, which is certainly a welcome change. My first day here I went to the supermarket where everyone stared at me as though I had some awful birth defect: “oh my gosh, she’s Caucasian…” That, too, is beginning to change. People recognize me and say hello. It’s not a large town, but it’s not too small either. Actually, I don’t think they have any idea what size it is nor where the borders of the town lie. Two recent consensuses were taken: one stated that Cofradίa has 40,000 citizens while the other claimed 90,000. So, naturally, when I asked Ben he simply stated, “There are between 40,000 and 90,000 people that live here.” Uh huh…
My favorite is when I see one of our students around town. Granted, in a city of 40,000 to 90,000 people, it’s not the most frequent occurrence, but it’s always fun to hear “Miss! Miss! How are you?” Every now and then we’ll get a ride in the back of someone’s truck to or from school, which is really nice with all the rain we’ve gotten lately. In fact, there’s been so much rain these past few days that the town is flooding and school has been cancelled for the day. Crossing the road in front of our house is like wading through an ankle-deep, muddy river. It’s quite the experience.
I’m starting to get used to the food, too. It’s not quite what I expected. Apparently even rice and black beans is a little to classy for this town. Meals include refried beans, yuca, macheted chicken (bones and all), plaintain chips (they don’t even have corn chips)… not the most appetizing selection. They’re most common dish, however, is quickly growing on me: the baleada. An elegant compilation of refried beans, matequilla, and goat cheese inside a warm tortilla... yum! There’s a local restaurant called Iguanas about a block away that makes them to order with eggs, tomatoes, onions, avocadoes, the works… and all for about a dollar a piece. A visit to Iguanas has become a daily routine… and the addiction begins…
Lastly, I’m beginning to get used to the school as well… though not quite as quickly as the baleada. The middle schoolers are a breeze. There are only about 10 of them, they stay in their seats, and they speak English moderately well. I had them each write me a paragraph about their weekends in class yesterday so that I could get a feel for their writing skills, and I’m definitely working with a range of abilities. It should be interesting, but I’ll take it over the insanity of the first grade classroom, which is where I’ve been the rest of the day lately. Wow… I had no idea first graders were so much work! Likewise, we’re dealing with a range of abilities in there too… only instead of 10 students we’ve got 20 hyperactive, screaming children. Jeremy has put me in charge of their English lesson since I can help them in Spanish, but getting them to sit quietly for an entire lesson and actually do what I’m asking is a story in itself. I’ll need more time to complete this adaptation.
Overall, things are looking pretty good. Am I homesick? Yes. I miss you all like crazy! But, I’m happy where I am and looking forward to this final adaptation… I so hope that I can have a lasting influence on these kids and their education.
P.S. I know some of you had expressed an interest in donating to the school. I’ll come up with a more formal list of things that are needed, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far: dry erase markers, paper (lined, white, colored, all of the above), pencils, pencil sharpeners, markers, crayons, etc. What we need more than anything right now is a copier that is designed for humid conditions… either that or a new air conditioner. The air conditioner in our office broke, and the humidity is causing the papers in the copier to stick together… which has left us copier-less… a pretty crippling state to be in. :p
I’ll keep you posted on anything else I think of. Love you guys!
We cleaned up our house, which is referred to as “Casa Grande” by those in the program simply because it’s so much bigger than the other volunteer house (don’t confuse big with nice – that it’s not – but it’s a free house and I’m glad to have it). I'm starting to be a regular around town, which is certainly a welcome change. My first day here I went to the supermarket where everyone stared at me as though I had some awful birth defect: “oh my gosh, she’s Caucasian…” That, too, is beginning to change. People recognize me and say hello. It’s not a large town, but it’s not too small either. Actually, I don’t think they have any idea what size it is nor where the borders of the town lie. Two recent consensuses were taken: one stated that Cofradίa has 40,000 citizens while the other claimed 90,000. So, naturally, when I asked Ben he simply stated, “There are between 40,000 and 90,000 people that live here.” Uh huh…
My favorite is when I see one of our students around town. Granted, in a city of 40,000 to 90,000 people, it’s not the most frequent occurrence, but it’s always fun to hear “Miss! Miss! How are you?” Every now and then we’ll get a ride in the back of someone’s truck to or from school, which is really nice with all the rain we’ve gotten lately. In fact, there’s been so much rain these past few days that the town is flooding and school has been cancelled for the day. Crossing the road in front of our house is like wading through an ankle-deep, muddy river. It’s quite the experience.
I’m starting to get used to the food, too. It’s not quite what I expected. Apparently even rice and black beans is a little to classy for this town. Meals include refried beans, yuca, macheted chicken (bones and all), plaintain chips (they don’t even have corn chips)… not the most appetizing selection. They’re most common dish, however, is quickly growing on me: the baleada. An elegant compilation of refried beans, matequilla, and goat cheese inside a warm tortilla... yum! There’s a local restaurant called Iguanas about a block away that makes them to order with eggs, tomatoes, onions, avocadoes, the works… and all for about a dollar a piece. A visit to Iguanas has become a daily routine… and the addiction begins…
Lastly, I’m beginning to get used to the school as well… though not quite as quickly as the baleada. The middle schoolers are a breeze. There are only about 10 of them, they stay in their seats, and they speak English moderately well. I had them each write me a paragraph about their weekends in class yesterday so that I could get a feel for their writing skills, and I’m definitely working with a range of abilities. It should be interesting, but I’ll take it over the insanity of the first grade classroom, which is where I’ve been the rest of the day lately. Wow… I had no idea first graders were so much work! Likewise, we’re dealing with a range of abilities in there too… only instead of 10 students we’ve got 20 hyperactive, screaming children. Jeremy has put me in charge of their English lesson since I can help them in Spanish, but getting them to sit quietly for an entire lesson and actually do what I’m asking is a story in itself. I’ll need more time to complete this adaptation.
Overall, things are looking pretty good. Am I homesick? Yes. I miss you all like crazy! But, I’m happy where I am and looking forward to this final adaptation… I so hope that I can have a lasting influence on these kids and their education.
P.S. I know some of you had expressed an interest in donating to the school. I’ll come up with a more formal list of things that are needed, but here’s what I’ve come up with so far: dry erase markers, paper (lined, white, colored, all of the above), pencils, pencil sharpeners, markers, crayons, etc. What we need more than anything right now is a copier that is designed for humid conditions… either that or a new air conditioner. The air conditioner in our office broke, and the humidity is causing the papers in the copier to stick together… which has left us copier-less… a pretty crippling state to be in. :p
I’ll keep you posted on anything else I think of. Love you guys!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Welcome to CBS
I had my first day of work last Thursday, and what a day it was! I had been warned that this place was disorganized, but what happened Thursday was a step above what anyone had warned. I spent the morning observing some of the classes and just kind of getting to know the school. After recreo I joined my roommate, Jeremy, with the first grade class. Apparently, during recreo some of the colegio kids (7th-9th grade students) had gotten permission to watch a film. I´m not entirely sure what they were watching as the title was in Spanish, but it was some horror film by the makers of Saw... clearly something most children in the states wouldn´t be allowed to watch. Besides being given permission to watch the film, they were also given permission to use this as an "organized" activity to raise money for the school... an organized activity that none of the teachers actually knew about, of course. So, they began charging the children 5 lempira a piece (approximately $0.25 and all of their lunch money) to watch this film. Once they´d admitted a good number of 1st through 3rd grade students, the children started acting like children do... being rowdy. So, the colegio students kicked them out... then began the UPRISING! A good 20 kids storming the door and the colegio classroom screaming "el dinero! el dinero!". I´ve never seen anything like it! After the kids took down a colegio kid and left him with a good goose egg on his forehead and one of the colegio kids punched a 2nd grader leaving him with a bloody nose, things finally calmed down. I addressed the principal about it (who speaks no English) and told him that they should give the money back, and he said that it was the kids fault for being rowdy.... THEY´RE KIDS! Unreal! This place is crazy!
I found out what I´m going to teach: In the mornings I´ll be helping Jeremy with his kids, before lunch I will work with the colegio kids on reading, and after lunch until the end of the day I will work with the children with especially low levels of English. I´m really looking forward to it.
There´s truly no way to explain all of the things that I´m experiencing down here. The poverty that I saw on the bus ride to San Pedro yesterday was heart-wrenching. The poverty here is almost as bad. I knew what I was coming down to, but I don´t think there´s any way to truly be ready. Nonetheless, I´ll do my best to relay some of my experiences to you all back home, but no matter what I say there´s no words to explain it.
I miss you all already! ... as well as good food, good meat (that´s not hacked up with a machete), hot showers, paved streets... this will be a long 5 months. But, I´m excited about everything to come, and I know this will be an incredible experience! Until next time: I love you guys!
I found out what I´m going to teach: In the mornings I´ll be helping Jeremy with his kids, before lunch I will work with the colegio kids on reading, and after lunch until the end of the day I will work with the children with especially low levels of English. I´m really looking forward to it.
There´s truly no way to explain all of the things that I´m experiencing down here. The poverty that I saw on the bus ride to San Pedro yesterday was heart-wrenching. The poverty here is almost as bad. I knew what I was coming down to, but I don´t think there´s any way to truly be ready. Nonetheless, I´ll do my best to relay some of my experiences to you all back home, but no matter what I say there´s no words to explain it.
I miss you all already! ... as well as good food, good meat (that´s not hacked up with a machete), hot showers, paved streets... this will be a long 5 months. But, I´m excited about everything to come, and I know this will be an incredible experience! Until next time: I love you guys!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I'm heeeere!
Well, after a 17 hour flight, I'm finally in Honduras. As I got in so late last night, I slept in this morning and have kind of been lounging around the dirty house all day. Took my first shower with a bowl of water (the shower doesn't work so far), found out that the phone in the house doesn't work, learned that I'm living with three guys only one of which I've met so far, and realized there's no food in the house... so I haven't eaten since Fort Lauderdale last night... STARVING! Nonetheless, I'm doing really well! I'm so excited to be here! I know this will be an amazing experience.
I get to go to the school for the first time tomorrow, and then Friday is a holiday so I have a three day weekend! If I'm smart I'll spend it studying for the GRE, but if any of the other 9 volunteers has some sort of travel plan... well, I'm not sure how smart I'll be. We'll see.
Anyways, I'm starving and have a few things I need to buy and a new city to explore. I'll post more later. Love you guys!
I get to go to the school for the first time tomorrow, and then Friday is a holiday so I have a three day weekend! If I'm smart I'll spend it studying for the GRE, but if any of the other 9 volunteers has some sort of travel plan... well, I'm not sure how smart I'll be. We'll see.
Anyways, I'm starving and have a few things I need to buy and a new city to explore. I'll post more later. Love you guys!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Four days to go!
Well, four days left until I depart for Honduras! I'm new to this whole blogging thing, but I'm fairly certain the majority of you, especially family (yeah, you know who you are), would kill me if I fell off the face of the earth again. I think Costa Rica was excusable because I made it home for Christmas. So, this time we'll make a trade: Christmas for blogging. Deal?
Ah! I can't believe how soon I leave! I'm kind of a roller coaster of emotions right now... which should be fun for all of you coming to my farewell party tonight (I promise, I'll try to keep it together!). Fear, excitement, anxiety, sadness... I've got a little bit of it all. Mostly excitement, but some definite nerves about all the unknown that awaits me: What will it be like? Who will I work with? Who will I live with? What age group will I teach? What subjects will I teach? Who's going to win this presidential election while I'm gone?!!! So much unknown! But, I'm overwhelmingly excited as well. This is something I've wanted to do for so long. And, after spending the past 18 years of my life focusing on me, my education, my aspirations... I can't wait to set aside my selfish ambitions and do my best to make a difference in the lives of these children whether it be by teaching or simply by being a part of their lives. I so look forward to making them a part of my life, and I anxiously await the personal growth and changes that lie ahead.
Well, my farewell toga party begins in hours, so I suppose I should get some more packing done! I'll see many of you very soon!
Ah! I can't believe how soon I leave! I'm kind of a roller coaster of emotions right now... which should be fun for all of you coming to my farewell party tonight (I promise, I'll try to keep it together!). Fear, excitement, anxiety, sadness... I've got a little bit of it all. Mostly excitement, but some definite nerves about all the unknown that awaits me: What will it be like? Who will I work with? Who will I live with? What age group will I teach? What subjects will I teach? Who's going to win this presidential election while I'm gone?!!! So much unknown! But, I'm overwhelmingly excited as well. This is something I've wanted to do for so long. And, after spending the past 18 years of my life focusing on me, my education, my aspirations... I can't wait to set aside my selfish ambitions and do my best to make a difference in the lives of these children whether it be by teaching or simply by being a part of their lives. I so look forward to making them a part of my life, and I anxiously await the personal growth and changes that lie ahead.
Well, my farewell toga party begins in hours, so I suppose I should get some more packing done! I'll see many of you very soon!
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