Last night was my first night back in Honduras. Although I was very tired after traveling the night before, we stayed up until midinight talking and getting to know each other.
I will try to explain where I am living. Tony took a dirt road which seems like an alley because I saw mostly garages. Then we stopped at a basketball court where some men were hanging out. Tony said that because we had two computers between the 2 of us, and so much lugggage it would be best for us to call Jose and ask him to come out to help us. He said that way people would know we were with Jose.
So Jose came out to Tony´s truck and seemed very excited to have me here. Later he explained that he really enjoys hosting people, in fact 2 Canadian girls stayed here very recently. Inside I met Jose´s wife, Karla, who at first seemed very quiet. But later, and today when we are alone I see that she is not. Tony and Jose went to pick up Tony´s wife, Nidia, who was visiting her mother in the hospital and left karla and me alone to speak only spanish and we did just fine. I showed her pictures of Jack and we only got hung up on one word, cunada, which means sister in law. I won´t forget that one now.
So we ate a really yummy dinner. It was spaghetti baked in a pan with a sort of alfredo sauce, some diced chicken and lots of spinach. Right up my alley! Karla also served some carrots marinated in vinegar and something that made them spicey. Today we talked about what foods I like and I am in the right house. They don´t like a lot of meat here. In Karla says the children pick the meat out of their food just like I used to when I was a kid!
Speaking of the girls, I haven´t met them yet. They are with Karla´s parents because they have a vacation from school. Karla says we will go and spend a weekend with her parents if I want to, so we will do that while I am here. Also with the girls is Karla´s sister, Karina. I will be sharing a bedroom with her. (I took a picture of it last night but have not had luck uploading pics yet. I´ll figure it out.) Karina stays here and goes to college nearby, but she also is a big help with the girls. Karla not only is a mother, but is also getting her bachelors degree in psychology and working. Busy lady! Karla has been staying up until 3 or 5 a.m. every night lately with school work.
After dinner last night Jose emphasized how he wants me to feel at home here and to help myself to what I need. He also said he hopes I will talk to him or Karla about how I am feeling whenever I need to. He and Karla have been married for 6 years. They are in their late 20´s.
One of my favorite things so far is that they have a big enclosed back yard which is shared with a neighbor. It has a mango tree, but Jose said we will buy mangos at the store, I´m not sure why, as he also said this is the time for the mango to be ripe. His English is perfect, by the way.
I had been wondering where I would find to escape to for private time, but I think the answer is the hammock in the back yard. I´ll take a picture of it soon.
Last night I was worried that I would not sleep well. It was very hot and I brought heavy pj´s as I was used to the cold nights up in the mountains. However, I slept just fine and wasn´t even bothered by the dogs or the kids outside this morning. I was exhausted. After 11pm Jose let me speak just in English, asking me about my jobs and where I lived. By that point I was lucky to follow a conversation in English. Spanish seemed impossible. But starting today the rule is no more English for me. Only Spanish will be spoken to me and by me. I´m doing ok so far, but I can see it will be hard when I am tired. And Karla talks FAST!
Must shower and get dressed. It´s almost noon. I was supposed to meet Tony at the church today to observe the English classes, but he called to say that he has to stay at his house and fix his roof, so I will have a day of rest. Karla will teach me to use certain cabs run by men she knows and she will ride with me the first few times until I am comfortable. I am spoiled here!
More later...
I will try to explain where I am living. Tony took a dirt road which seems like an alley because I saw mostly garages. Then we stopped at a basketball court where some men were hanging out. Tony said that because we had two computers between the 2 of us, and so much lugggage it would be best for us to call Jose and ask him to come out to help us. He said that way people would know we were with Jose.
So Jose came out to Tony´s truck and seemed very excited to have me here. Later he explained that he really enjoys hosting people, in fact 2 Canadian girls stayed here very recently. Inside I met Jose´s wife, Karla, who at first seemed very quiet. But later, and today when we are alone I see that she is not. Tony and Jose went to pick up Tony´s wife, Nidia, who was visiting her mother in the hospital and left karla and me alone to speak only spanish and we did just fine. I showed her pictures of Jack and we only got hung up on one word, cunada, which means sister in law. I won´t forget that one now.
So we ate a really yummy dinner. It was spaghetti baked in a pan with a sort of alfredo sauce, some diced chicken and lots of spinach. Right up my alley! Karla also served some carrots marinated in vinegar and something that made them spicey. Today we talked about what foods I like and I am in the right house. They don´t like a lot of meat here. In Karla says the children pick the meat out of their food just like I used to when I was a kid!
Speaking of the girls, I haven´t met them yet. They are with Karla´s parents because they have a vacation from school. Karla says we will go and spend a weekend with her parents if I want to, so we will do that while I am here. Also with the girls is Karla´s sister, Karina. I will be sharing a bedroom with her. (I took a picture of it last night but have not had luck uploading pics yet. I´ll figure it out.) Karina stays here and goes to college nearby, but she also is a big help with the girls. Karla not only is a mother, but is also getting her bachelors degree in psychology and working. Busy lady! Karla has been staying up until 3 or 5 a.m. every night lately with school work.
After dinner last night Jose emphasized how he wants me to feel at home here and to help myself to what I need. He also said he hopes I will talk to him or Karla about how I am feeling whenever I need to. He and Karla have been married for 6 years. They are in their late 20´s.
One of my favorite things so far is that they have a big enclosed back yard which is shared with a neighbor. It has a mango tree, but Jose said we will buy mangos at the store, I´m not sure why, as he also said this is the time for the mango to be ripe. His English is perfect, by the way.
I had been wondering where I would find to escape to for private time, but I think the answer is the hammock in the back yard. I´ll take a picture of it soon.
Last night I was worried that I would not sleep well. It was very hot and I brought heavy pj´s as I was used to the cold nights up in the mountains. However, I slept just fine and wasn´t even bothered by the dogs or the kids outside this morning. I was exhausted. After 11pm Jose let me speak just in English, asking me about my jobs and where I lived. By that point I was lucky to follow a conversation in English. Spanish seemed impossible. But starting today the rule is no more English for me. Only Spanish will be spoken to me and by me. I´m doing ok so far, but I can see it will be hard when I am tired. And Karla talks FAST!
Must shower and get dressed. It´s almost noon. I was supposed to meet Tony at the church today to observe the English classes, but he called to say that he has to stay at his house and fix his roof, so I will have a day of rest. Karla will teach me to use certain cabs run by men she knows and she will ride with me the first few times until I am comfortable. I am spoiled here!
More later...
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