Lago de Yojoa

Our Cabin

      Right after school on Friday we left for the lake! During the week, I had checked my car from under the hood, to changing the tires, even having a mechanic take a quick look so this road trip would go smoothly! There is a cool app called WAZE that can give me directions around/out of the city. Once we had navigated the Anillo Perifico (main highway) and driven past Comayaguela then we were on the open road! The highway goes to the business center of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, so they were in fairly good condition. We passed through a couple bigger cities but as it grew dark, I was more nervous about the wet mountain roads. Along the way, I drove through several police checkpoints but was never stopped (even though I don't have license plates) thank God! We were packed in my car as Kelsey, Karishma, Amanda, Keiko, Irey (dog) and I were all on this adventure!


Map of Lago

      After I turned off the main highway to go north of the lake, we took a few wrong turns. Finally, we made it to the D&D Brewery where we were staying. The five (and dog) of us stayed in a cabin, besides a mass of resident insects it was fairly clean. We had made it to Lago de Yojoa!


Helena (blonde) making a bracelet

      Helena, who I had met a couple months ago and who is volunteering in the area, was also staying at the D&D. So we spent most of the evening exchanging stories about our children. Helena is originally from Sweden, but lives in the States. She came down with a cultural exchange program that placed her at a foundation in San Francisco de Yojoa. She works with disadvantaged boys from San Pedro and the surrounding area. The village where she works is quite small and no one speaks English, so although Helena is fluent in Swedish and English it has been a total emersion experience for her learning Spanish. It was not long before the rain started and I went to bed exhausted from school and surviving the crazy mountain driving.


Hiking Las Naglas

      We didn't have anything planned too early on Saturday morning, so after a cup of coffee and omelet, I chatted with some people from Tegus and other teachers from the countryside. Around 10am (though nothing happens on a schedule), we headed out on a hike up Las Nalgas (literally, butt cheeks) which was supposed to take a couple hours but took us much longer... We hiked with a couple who organize missionaries to come to Siguatepeque. It was a nice (very hot/humid) cimb. At the top, we could view the town of Las Naranjas and Lago de Yojoa.


Freddie making a trail

From the top: Las Narangas

...halfway there?

Success

From the Top: Lago

Actually a photo of ME!

Path of Misadventure

      So, we wanted to see the lake, right? Well, what we thought would be a relaxing evening on the water soon turned into the greatest misadventure of our weekend! We set out about 3:30p carrying all of our things and large inner tubes, on what we had been told was a 20 minute stroll. At the rate we walked, this turned out to be an hour hike down a dirt road, along a narrow trail on the bank of a canal, and through a lot of mud/ cow piles.
We did eventually make it to the lake though quite muddy and wet from the pouring rain. I was the first one in the lake, floating and swimming with my inner tube. We were in a narrow part of the lake, where I could swim across to touch the stone cliff on the other side. This part of the evening was really neat, though I didn't stay out long because I didn't want to get too tired or too far away from the shore. The others, however, did not seem to have the same apprehensions and were out of the water for a while despite the sinking sun and imminent darkness. Swimming back to shore was a little difficult due to a current from the canal, so our very patient guide had to push two of the girls back to shore. The return hike in the dark, pouring rain, carrying our gear, and avoiding cows was quite the opposite of exciting. I had brought a flashlight, but that didn't go far between seven people. Finally, we arrived back at the D&D with our hair matted, soaked to the bone, and covered in mud...i'm sure we looked like vagabonds....


At the lake

Jamaica Flowers

      After showering and congratulating ourselves on survival, I ordered their well-known hamburger and a couple glasses of vodka and Jamaica juice (a species of Hibiscus, pronounced hamaica) which was delicious. Although we stayed at a nationally renowned microbrewery, I didn't do more than taste one flavor...unfortunately, I don't like beer.


Coffee Seedlings

      Sunday morning I was up early, excited to be visiting Cascades Pulhapanzak!!! This morning I had coffee and a baleada. The coffee here is excellent as it is grown right there in the mountains and ground up fresh. The falls were only a 20 minute drive from where we were staying and very easy to find. The roads are full of holes and surrounded by people walking, livestock roaming, people travelling horseback, and lots of dogs. When we arrived at the park, we first went to view the front of the waterfall which was beautiful with a rainbow. Then we signed up to walk "behind" them.


Pulhapanzak

...and me again

      Prepared to be soaked, we descended with out guide to the base of the falls. It had been raining every night for several weeks, so the water was strong. The guide took the five of us girls, griping hands for dear life, through the narrow cliffs and waist deep water. Water from above was pouring down on our heads and shoulders, so we were told to keep our head down and breath through our mouth. It was so much fun!!! The spray of the water was powerful, but for those moments I could see through it, up the waterfall to the clear blue sky, it was amazing!


San Francisco de Yojoa

San Francisco de Yojoa

      After the return hike, I changed clothes and started driving north again to visit the village where Helena is living. Soon I was driving in this quaint village full of colorful buildings and cobbled streets. I was able to see the house where she lives and peer through the gates of the foundation where she works. We noticed all these fancy horses headed in the same direction, so we did a little investigation and found out that there was to be a race at 5:30p. (This "finding out" involved a lot of standing around, asking questions that we didn't understand the answers to, and being stared at.) Unfortunately, I didn't want to be driving back in the dark so after snapping a few photos I said goodbye. 



Malcom and Rolando

      Monday morning we were up super early to go out bird watching on the lake. This is the event that is the "thing to do" on Lago de Yojoa. It was such a neat experience to be rowed out on the lake just after sunrise. Although I don't know anything about birds, I can see that it is a fascinating environment for naturalists to observe. Our guide, Malcom, a life-long nomad originally from Britain, is a bird specialist who could tell you anything about local weather patterns, wildlife, and life in general. We were out on the lake for several hours, identifying many species that I cannot remember and six species of cranes. Our rower was very experienced and patient. I took a turn rowing and zig-zagged across the canal several times before settling into more of a wavy forward direction. Our group returned to the D&D, packed up, and started the trip back to Tegus. I don't think any of us were ready for school to start the next day.




So I need some practice

    








 I wanted to stop at Cuevas de Tauble on the way back. It was an ok walk to see the caves, but I think Missouri has better to offer in that department. We arrived safely back in Tegus before dark! Successful weekend!!!



Weekful of Info

     The week at school went well. Of course, it was crazy busy but still nice to get back into the normal routine. We are studying the human body for a couple weeks in science. The kids seem to be enjoying it, but the vocabulary is difficult (and so abstract). As the second quarter has started, I thought it was about time for another prayer. Ms. Cuty and I prayed for strength and patience in the coming quarter, because Lord knows I need it. Then she dropped the heart-wrenching bomb on me that she was leaving me for TWO WEEKS! I almost cried! She is travelling to Europe with her husband, which is so exciting. However, I am broken hearted about this ordeal! How am I supposed to survive without her!
      The high school choir is coming along! They are close to memorizing two songs and polishing two others. It's exciting to see them understand the music and interesting to learn about teaching high school anything. A couple weeks ago I had a group of girls for sectionals, that was an experience. I don't often get the chance to touch a piano, so that made it even better! Tuesday there was a huge soccer game in San Pedro Sula. I didn't have to be watching to recognize the moment that Honduras won as fireworks went off for 30 minutes in Tegus. Honduras beat Jamaica to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.
      By Wednesday I was scrambling to have several weeks worth of lesson plans. This way my assistant could have all the materials prepared for the substitute. Kelsey and I finally started with a Spanish tutor. This was a much needed start! His name is Victor and he used to teach Spanish to the Peace Corp when they were stationed in Honduras. Salsa lessons are going slowly, mainly because we are a class of horrible dancers...but we are trying! I never understand what is going on though because all the instruction is in Spanish, so I nod my head and pretend like I am learning something. Also, I was quite proud of myself for getting new tires put on my vehicle! The mechanics looked at me like I was crazy as I carefully watched what they were doing, like I had any idea what was going on.

      We had our apartment fumigated, which meant I came home to all the cabinets emptied and their contents scattered across the dining room table, laundry room, and floor. We still haven't cleaned that up...good thing the maid comes on Tuesday!


      Friday was a colors days which means the students can wear whatever they want instead of their uniforms. They are so cute in colorful dresses and their favorite shirts! It was also Dallas' 20th  birthday! After school, we left for the long weekend!!

Something about Politics

      Even though this was a four day week, it seemed to drag on and on. This week was evaluation of quarter 1 material for the students, which meant a lot of important worksheets, individual assessments, and imputing piles of grades into the computer. Unfortunately, we had also scheduled to complete an authentic assessment with the students for this week. The students took it all really well though and we survived. This means...we are finished with first quarter!!! My assistant says "Thank God!" And so do I!
      Saturday I took Frances to the market for her first time and I didn't get lost at all this time! In the afternoon, a group of us teachers went to el centro (downtown) to visit some of the secondhand stores. It was such a different experience than the first time, when we went with the embassy surrounded by security guards. I didn't feel at all threatened and we went to several stores on the calle peatonal (pedestrian street). On the square, there was demonstration after demonstration from different political parties as we are just over a month from the presidential election.


National Party

Liberal Party

      The election process should be quite an experience down here, or so I am told. The embassy has been making plans for how to validate the election and provide security for it. Some main streets are closed most weekends for political rallies and vehicles drive down the road with megaphones to advertise their political party. The two main parties that are running are National Party of Honduras (liberal/blue) against Liberal Party of Honduras (even more liberal/red). We haven't been affected too much except for a 30% tax on electricity. As we get closer to the election in late November, traffic is expected to get even worse than it is and more widespread rallies take place. It will be the first presidential election since the violent (but not full-out war) political coup that took place in 2009, so everyone seems a little on edge.
      On Saturday evening, Keiko and I went to Frances' house for dinner. She introduced us to a friend from the embassy who works in the Economic Department. So, of course, I started a persuasive discussion (argument) about how American agricultural policy is detrimental to the natural resources of a country and should not be pursued in Honduras.
      Sunday Frances, Max, Megan (outdoor school/leadership), and I went on a strenuous hike up to some cascades at Parque National La Tigra. It was an amazing hike through cool-temperature cloud forest. It was only about 5 miles, but there was also a couple kilometers difference in altitude. Wasn't entirely sure that I was going to make it...but I kept huffing and puffing along until I caught up with them on the flat sections.
      So grateful to have internet to Skype home to my family and friends! On to 2nd Quarter!



Nathan turned 17!!!

     

Peaceful Weekend

      Thank goodness we have an extra day off this weekend, I needed it! So we all survived Friday and then we were off! Or at least Keiko was...she traveled to Guatemala to visit friends. Stacey, Keiko, and I went to Chilies for dinner on Friday. The food was good, but the drinks were better!

      Saturday morning, I went to the market to pick of a few (or a lot of) things. I drove all by my self and only got a little lost on the way back. We were supposed to head out to Casa Campo, but Frances (who works for the Embassy) got called in on some emergency business. However, by noon Stacey, Frances and I were headed that way. Casa Campo was great! We lifted weights is a very nice gym, then went swimming and even got some sun by the pool. That evening, Stacey and I went to listen to a jazz band called Hibriduz Jazz at Sala 33. It was very nice and made for a peaceful evening.





Lenca Pottery

Wire Ring

      Sunday I went to Union Church. I was finally brave enough to play Ultimate Frisbee with the army/embassy guys in the afternoon. It was rather intense, and I am not fit to run that much! Later, Frances, Stacey, Eileen, and I drove to Valle de Angeles, where I bought some cool stuff. Today I was supposed to head out to Zamorano, an agricultural valley. The drive was beautiful but the school was closed.






Valle de Angeles at Dusk

Preparing for Fall

      Well this certainly has been a week of ups and  downs. Right now, the mechanic has my car, in order to tint the windows, install an alarm, and change the oil. Hopefully all of that really will get done! The all I will have left is to get new tires! Still waiting to get the paperwork back from Gina about changing the car title. The new teachers are trickling into the immigration office to fill out paperwork for our residency cards. It went surprisingly smoothly for a government office!
      At school, this week has been busy with redecorating for Fall and Halloween. Apparently Halloween is a big deal at the school. Ms. Cuty changed all the bulletin boards, Mr. Fernando drew leaves and pumpkins on the windows for us to paint. I only got to paint a little bit before Ms. Cuty forced me to resign and told me to go do something more important. Haha, as if! I have one student whose parents are divorced and he comes to school most days crying. However, he does it all as an act for his mother who gives him everything he wants...And this week he refused to behave for me either.
      Ms. Cuty was nervous this week because she had to give a presentation to the staff. Of course, she was great as she spoke about how to engage students and provide differentiation. She has a gift for telling stories, especially when talking about the kids. Usually, I am laughing so hard that I am crying by the end of her stories.
      The good news is that there is only one more day, then we have a three day weekend!