*****2009 is upon us and if my time leading up to it and the last 9 days are any indication of the coming year, I am in for lots of fun, challenges, progress with my projects and the most beautiful natural landscapes I have ever laid my eyes on. The first two pictures were taken about a month ago when we received inches upon inches of rain in about a day. At some depths it was up to my thigh. The family pictured is the family of Caloi, a man who works for Susan and Scott, a missionary couple who lives here in town. The most amazing part of the experience had nothing to do with the water level, but the strength of the people who were effected. We did what we could to get everything off of the ground and to block the water where we could, but then, as you can see, we made lemonade with those soggy lemons, busted out the canoe and row row rowed the boat gentley down the street.
*****The next set of pictures were taken at a waterfall on a river called Rio Zacate. After about an hour hike just into Pico Bonito the jungle revealed the steaming falls as the light shed through I felt like I was on a movie set, it was just so unreal. We swam for a bit, had a snack, soaked up the glorious view and headed back through the lush green forest. The pictures tell the story far better than I ever could.
*****The motley crew after the waterfall pics are some friends who visited over the holiday season. Chilling on the beach, swaying in some hammocks, enjoying each other, I couldn´t have asked for a better way to ring in the new year.
*****Speaking of chillin on the beach, as you can see I really hated swimming and soaking up some rays on Christmas and New Year´s Days. Definately something I have never done and will not soon forget.
*****Next, Santa and Mrs. Claus, aka Susan and Scott caught on their way to spread Christmas joy with some Hondurans. They do incredible things for El Porvenir and other aldeas all over this region of Honduras from helping the fishermen build forest friendly boats to running 10 feeding centers. I don´t know how they do it all, I am half their age and they run circles around me.
*****The remaining pictures are from a half day hike I did up Pico Bonito. A Honduran guide took me and showed me the flora and fauna, including some tucans. Being quite the nature guy, at one point my arm brushed a cocoon which had natural defense spineys all over it and the pain shot through my forearm. Although I´ve never been stung by a jellyfish, for some reason I feel like thats how this felt. He jumped into action, sliced open the cocoon with his machete until it oozed a clear liquid which he slathered onto my arm where the pain was. Immediately the pain was relieved, good thing he was there. At one point I commented that the mosquitos were biting pretty bad, in no time he tracked down a specific plant, ripped off some leavesl, smashed them up and then handed the mash to me to spread the natural repellent on my body. Deet free and a a fresh woodsy scent, who needs Off??
*****As for work, it´s really starting to take off. I gave my first English test on Thursday and they did really well. Coming up we are having a community meeting to discuss the uniform exchange program. School is going to start back up at the beginning of February so we will start the Healthy Living Program where we go into each classroom with puppets, games and activities teaching the kids about oral hygiene, general healthy living and HIV-AIDS. Also, I can´t wait to work with the already existing environmental groups in the schools to really concentrate on getting a workable recycling program going in our town. After a fun and restful holiday break I am so ready to sink my teeth into the meat of my work here.
