Saturday I went to the mall for the first time by myself. I set it up so that my cab driver dropped me off and came back later to pick me up. Even got some grocery shopping done in the end. Malls here all have supermarkets inside.
I got some embroidery floss to make bracelets to give to my class for The Day of the Child. I browsed through all of the enormously high heeled shoes. Found a pumice stone, a welcome mat for my front door and a cookie sheet. After more than a month of searching I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as a heating pad here. Nor are there daily vitamin packs. My hair has been falling out by the hand full for more than a month. I did some research on-line and I think it was caused by losing too much weight a few months ago. I am eating everything they recommend - except broccoli. I can't find any broccoli in the super. Nothing seems to help. Pharmacies only carry Centrum.
It felt nice to have some independence, even if I was still relying on my taxista. He is so kind. He dropped me off at home with my groceries and new doormat and told me to call him any time I need him - that he is "at my orders".
Sunday everyone was late for church so I took the extra time while I was waiting for them to get dressed up and even put on makeup. A number of people said I looked like a Honduran woman. I'm not sure if it was the high heels or the makeup. In any case it was nice to receive the compliments.
Lourdes took time during the service and asked the whole church to pray for Pat Pike in the US. He did not heal as doctors expected. The whole church stood and prayed. It was really cool to me, that a whole church would stand and pray for someone when most have never met Pat. Lourdes explained that the kids from the Breakfast Program are praying day and night for Pat and invited the church to do the same. I took pictures and sent them to Pat's friend so that when Pat is conscious he can see them and also so that the people who are in Salt Lake know they have support here in Honduras.
About 15 minutes later my phone vibrated. There was a message from Pat's friend that he woke a little bit. He was shown the pictures of the kids from the breakfast program and he smiled. This was huge progress. I stood up and went over to where Lourdes was seated. She was teary eyed as she read the text.
After church I had planned to treat myself to Chinese food. I haven't eaten out, except as a guest of someone else, since I came to Honduras. In Honduras most people either make homemade soup or buy Chinese food every Sunday after church. Hondurans eat a LOT of Chinese food. I planned to follow the tradition, but fell asleep before I could walk down the street to the Chinese restaurant. By the time I woke up I thought of a million things in the house that I should eat and it was thunderstorming again. Maybe next Sunday.
Lourdes got permission from the head of the church elders to take Mondays off from now on. Today there were not many kids at the Breakfast Program because today is The Day of the Child, which is a big deal here. The kids showed up with lots of little candies and some small toys. People had pick up trucks FULL of piñatas. The kids' big joke was to wish all of the adults a happy Day of the Child, pointing out the childlike side that each adult has.
When the program was over, Jairo made his special chilis with lime. I was standing too close and got squirted in the face by a really hot pepper. My forehead had a burning spot which didn't go away for a few hours, even after I scrubbed it with soap and water twice.
Walter was kind enough to drive me all over the city for hours today. The internet I've been using from the neighbors hasn't worked for a few days now so I figured it's time to invest in my own internet connnection. There was a GNC across from the internet store, so I got some vitamins finally. Those were expensive, so I got enough to last until I can get back to the states where I can stock up. We got Science Diet cat food for Jetty. They even had a special hairball formula, which is helpful because Jetty has had a lot of hairballs since she moved here. I was shocked at how inexpensive the cat food was here. We found the only store in town that sells hot water bottles. In Honduras there is no such thing as a heating pad. There is not even a word for it! But I now have a vibrating hot water bottle which will feel awesome on my sore neck tonight.
Tonight I got home and called people in the states with my new, stronger internet connection. I got a special deal through Skype with unlimited calls anywhere for only $2.99/month. Until now I haven't had a strong enough connection to call anyone. I talked with my Mom, my Aunt, and my friend Jody in SLC. It was nice to talk on the phone for free! I didn't have to feel rushed to squeeze everything in as quickly as possible. It will be nice to be able to call the US whenever I want to.
Today I realized that I will not be in the US for September 11th this year. It feels strange to be in a different country for September 11th. In a selfish way, it feels nice to be away from all of the media. But on the other hand I feel a little guilty. My Uncle Alan was in the pentagon on September 11th. He was not able to call home until 2:30 pm that day. For many hours the family was not sure that he was alive. For me, September 11th has a slightly bittersweet feeling, because my family all came out alive and I am grateful for that.
Jairo may have found a car for me. His brother called today to say that there is a car which might be perfect for me. It is being shipped from the US right now. I don't know when it will get here, or if it will really be a good car once it gets here, but Jairo seems hopeful. Jairo is also looking into relocating me to the mountains. I have wanted to live in the mountains since the first time I ever visited Honduras. When I got off the plane in March I asked Jairo if I could move to the mountains, but he said there was not a way to keep me safe there and safety has to be the first priority. I love my little house in my gated community in the city. But today I learned that there is a house in the mountains which is even more safe than where I currently live. It is on the gated property of a family from the church. They live in a house on the same property. I will be happy if I can move up to the mountains. But if I end up staying in this house I will be happy too. Moving will mean a longer commute to church and it will also mean that I will struggle financially to furnish the new place. My house now was fully furnished when I moved in. Homes in Honduras don't have stoves or refrigerators so that will be an immediate expense if I move. In this house my dining room is also my living area, so I don't have any living room furniture at all... But those things will come if I am suppose to be in the mountains.
Must get some sleep. Tomorrow the sister of the First Lady is throwing a pizza party for the Breakfast Program. I am a little worried about all of Los Pinos trying to invade the party, but the kids have all been told that only those who attend regularly are invited to this event. I will not be wearing a tank top and yoga pants tomorrow, in case I am pulled in front of tv cameras again. I'll be sure to get a lot of pictures and post them for you. Blogging should not be a 3 hour ordeal now that I have my own internet!
Pat continues to do better and better. Thank you to everyone who is praying for him. He is breathing on his own and is responsive when people speak to him. Doctors say his body has started to heal, his vital signs have improved, and his white blood cells count is much better. Praise God!
