Honduras shuts down and people go to the beach, go visit their families, or stay in town and go to church. By the end of the week, public transportation even shuts down! I went and spent the week in the city of Comayagua with 14 other of the 17 youthies from my training group. I was there all week. One group rotated out while another group rotated in before the busses stopped running. It was a lovely week, and included a trip to a gorgeous waterfall, a day lounging at a pool, an interesting trip to a Honduran “waterpark”, the biggest baleada in the Central America, a night of dancing, and some pretty crazy religious processions throughout the city.Comayagua is known for its impressive display of “alfombras” (“rugs” made out of sawdust) that people make all through the night before Good Friday. Then, the religious procession walks right over them, essentially destroying any remaining evidence of the hard work people put into creating such awesome works of art. It was quite the event!
My friend and I also got our hair braided at a Garifuna salon! I got beads in all of my braids! That was quite the event too, as my friend is part African-American, she fit in pretty well, but yours truly was the whitest person in that room, but I think the ladies doing hair enjoyed our company very much- they let me pick out all the beads to put in my hair! Having a head full of braids was fun…. But I finally took them out so I could wash my hair after a close call lice incident at work. The day after I took them out I was walking down the street and a woman I’ve never seen comes out of her house and says “Y las trensitas???” (And the little braids????)…. I guess I really do stand out of people I don’t know keep themselves up to date on my latest hairstyles. Even “big” towns here are smaller than you can imagine.
Needless to say, it was a perfect week, and I am so grateful for all the wonderful friendships I've made among the volunteer community- they are my support system in country, and I couldn't have asked for more awesome companer@s.
Next week I’ve got an E-Zone coordinators meeting! What is E-Zone? Emergency Zone. Whenever there is an emergency (weather related, strike/protest/civil unrest related, safety related) all volunteers are separated into different “E-Zone’s” depending on their geographic location. My site mate who finished her service a few months ago was the E-Zone coordinator out in my area, and I am taking over for her! I will be the first one to get important safety and security information, and will be responsible for relaying the information to volunteers nearby. Wooo!
As far as work in Gracias goes, we are halfway through our Yo Merezco/Yo Tambien Merezco classes and will be looking into finding other groups to work with and implement the same program. We’ve been painting the recreation area at IHNFA all week, where we are also continuing with Colgate and Story Hour. The kids are still fascinated by the whole “brushing your teeth” phenomenon.I am giving the English class for teachers another try; I had an introduction/sign up session planned in March, but no one showed up because it was the same day they went on their 5 week strike. We’ll see who shows up this Tuesday! I also know the counterpart that came with me to the math/business workshop is eager to start something, but we’ll see if I can find time.
It might not seem like I have a lot on my plate, but when you add in preparation time, working with Honduran counterparts (everything seems to take twice as long), still trying to focus at least a little bit on community integration (I go hang out with a little boy and his grandmother 3-4 afternoons a week to help him with his homework), trying to coordinate my exercise schedule around the cat-call schedule, AND the fact that I am in a country where you really should return home before dark for your own safety… well… It’s a lot! But I’m glad to keep busy. It puts missing life back in the states (where miraculously there is always running water, and for the most part giant gross bugs stay where they belong OUTSIDE) on the back burner, and forces you to focus on the here and now.
I’m only here for 2 years (only?!) I’d hate to finish my service feeling like I’ve wasted my time. Sometimes projects won’t work out or won’t be sustainable, but giving them a shot goes a long way, even if all you do is remind host country nationals that not all US citizens are power-hungry capitalists who love war and hate immigrants (just some of the many stereotypes we’ve been given). That’s 33.3% of this job.I’ve been in Honduras just over 10 months now. Sometimes it feels like I just got here, and I still am taken aback by the cat calls, shocked by the state that people’s teeth are in, and constantly tripping on the same streets I walk down everyday. Other times I feel like I’ve been here forever, that the kids I work with are like my own, of course there’s no water to shower with, and that its normal to carry a whistle with me whenever I travel.
I can’t wait to see how the next 16 months go…. But to sum up the past ten months, I will say that now I truly understand the Peace Corps slogan (“The toughest job you’ll ever love.”)
Hope those who celebrate had a nice Easter, and to three of my dearest friends, Sarah, Stef and Jen, I hope you had amazing 23rd birthdays!
I love and miss you all MUCHISIMO!
Un Abrazo Fuerte,
Lisa
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