Some random blurbs about life in Honduras, because I'm a little sparatic in writing.
Today it's pretty darn cold. I did not anticipate a whole lot of cold weather when I packed my bag. A hoodie is about the warmest article of clothing I have; I ditched the long sleeve shirt when I packed.
I sleep on a concrete floor with a crumbly cement wall next to me.
Ear plugs are quite nice— when you get used to them.
I lifted up my backpack one night and found two nice sized roaches scurrying from my head lamp.
We get fed three meals a day, which I am very thankful for.
Our team has hot sauce and I have chili-lime seasoning, which I am also thankful for.
Washing clothes by hand can really do a number on your hands.
Our bathroom consists of three stalls and two showers— co-ed.
Co-ed bathrooms are only as awkward as you make them…
It's not uncommon to encourage your pooping squad mate with cheers, the occasional improv guitar song, or an original acapella song of “ca-ca fiesta in el baño”— sure to be a World Race Billboard Top 10 I'm sure.
Dutch Blitz and cards in general become something you do more and more…
You can fit 18 American sized passengers in a van meant for Hondurans.
If you don't like Wal-Mart, you will appreciate it outside the States.
You catch yourself referring to the United States as 'The States.'
You can find all sorts of unique flavors for things from brands you know…
Like Yoplait Nancite yogurt drink… whatever a nancite is…
or Tang Horchata mix…
I have to admit, that though I would consider myself a home body, when I'm in the States at least, it's a different story when you aren't given much options to leave the property here. Signing up for the World Race, I gave up some rights, such as coming and going wherever I please. When we get to leave the property, even for a walk outside, it can be exciting and interesting, especially when you are being led entirely by some Honduran boys. When they start tipping over barbed wire fences in the middle of a valley, you can't help but wonder where you're being taken.
Machetes & rakes are ancient cousins of the modern day lawn mower.
And a lot more fun…
Kids are curious with foreigners and seem to love you for no reason at all, but simply because you stopped to say hello. These three are triplets: Genesis, Cynthia, and David.
English classes are cute. I wonder if accents are perceived the same whether it's English with a Spanish accent or vice versa.
Puppies are also cute, and fit in you bag easier than cute kids do.
It never hurts to be a kid at heart,
whether it's playing in an arcade…
or being a bus driver who likes to swing…
Sometimes kids are really sweet off the bat. Other times, you have to work for it… one girl in specific, kept coming up to me and would just randomly hit me and punch me. It got old, really fast. Especially paired with screaming “chino! chino! ching-chang-chong!” I figured it wouldn't hurt to correct her. So, I had to restrain her from hitting me and explain to her that it wasn't funny anymore. When she agreed to stop, I was able to have a conversation about her and learn more about her. She told me about her favorite food and subject at school. She told me she wants to be either a doctor or a lawyer when she grows up. And then I asked about her family. She didn't mention a dad at all, and she mentioned that she had two uncles who, on separate occasions, had been shot to death. It broke my heart to hear that and just know that it's not uncommon for people to have family members who were killed by someone. Tony told us a story of a boy who he knew who he was driving in his car one day and stoned to death the next. I guess I take for granted what a blessing safety is in the States.
Time's a little limited for internet, sharing it with 51 other people or so.
We leave for Nicaragua in about four days or so. I'd like to get another blog out before leaving Honduras, sorry if this is kinda random, but I wanted to get some photos out there for y'all and share just a little bit about what things look like in my current neck of the woods.
[God paints the best sunsets.]
Love you all,
God bless!
Stay tuned.
-Dan²
