I got back to Honduras on Friday after more than 12 hours in airports/planes. It was uneventful except I got really excited to see that I left out of a gate in Denver that is right by the New Belgium Brewery. But since my taste buds weren't working there was no sense in getting a beer.
Colorado was great. But I didn't do most of the things I had planned. Never got to see my friend Julia. Never wished my friend Heather a Happy Birthday. Never phoned my violin teacher who is old and may not be around by the next time I get to the US. Didn't ski. Didn't take pictures of my nephews. Didn't get to see the Dooleys.
So what did I do for 2 weeks in Colorado, you may ask? Well, the first day I shopped with my Mom and the second day I shopped alone for things for people back in Honduras. That evening I got sick with a nasty flu so I spent the rest of the time on the couch or in bed. I did make it to church to see my Mom sing in the choir (barely). And I saw an old friend and met his family on NYE, which was super nice. Had a surprise party for my Mom's 70th birthday, which was a complete success. But otherwise I was asleep.
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| My Mom and her friend Monica |
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| Mom and Me |
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| Jack, Dina and Joey |
Had a few false alarms where I thought I felt better. And then it would hit me all over again. UGH!
My first day back in Honduras, Walter and Reina picked me up from the airport. They asked if I wanted to go out to lunch. I really only wanted to see Jetty, and I was exhausted so I declined. We stopped at the pulperia for juice. Then I headed home. I barely got my suitcases unpacked. The next day I got up long enough to eat lunch with my landlords and do a load of laundry. Then it started to rain and has been raining since. My sheets are thin, but they still aren't dry. I don't dare fold them for fear they'll get moldy. It has been raining non-stop for 72 hours. Cars can't make it up my driveway. It's paved, but when it gets wet it's impossible. For the past hour someone has been out there burning their tires. Not sure why they don't park below and walk up. Anyway, it is very humid.
Last night Lourdes and Jairo threw a welcome back party for me! It was really nice. We had a huge Honduran feast. Jairo made special chicken wings I have never had before. Everyone kept asking if I liked the food and it was so good! I missed Honduran cooking. We had a nice salad with snow peas, broccoli and carrots. There was Lourdes' special rice, cheese, and garlic bread. Yum! Every bite was delicious. Marcella was there as well as Walter and his siblings, Carolina and Norman. We watched the last two movies of the Lord of the Rings series. Apparently they had been having a Lord of the Rings festival all day. I didn't mind that I only caught the last two.
Jairo made a big point that they were happy to have me back and that the dinner was in my honor. It was super sweet. I think everyone had a good time. Lourdes gave me some cough medicine. She said, "Here, just like your mother." I said, "No, because if you were my mother I would scream and cry and fight with you. But I'll take it." It actually didn't taste that bad. She is buying more for me today.
So I have been officially welcomed back to Honduras. Now I am told to rest until I feel better. I have everything unpacked and put away. Lourdes sent me home with a million movies, since I have no cable and will soon have no internet.
Sorry to all of you I didn't get to talk to when I was in the states. The good news is that if I can afford it, I am hitting Salt Lake in June. It means renting a car, which is expensive, and gas... But God willing I will be in Salt Lake soon. In the meantime, I am safe in bed in Honduras. I had a great time with my family, but it is good to be back with this family too.
Jetty seemed to handle my absence just fine. She didn't seem to miss me, but now is happy that I am spending so much time in bed.
And the truck is still spinning its wheels in the driveway.
