Just so you know

Commenting publically on the current situation is something I reasonablely cannot do, but I assure you all Peace Corps is taking good care to assure the safety of all volunteers, and none of us have experienced any danger. We are calmly passing the time in our sites until the situation is resolved. I just wish school wasn't cancelled, since that is interupting my work. These things happen though. Thank you all for your concern.

Drew and Alice

Easter week memories

A picture update since we haven't written in awhile.........

We didn't go anywhere this year for Easter week, but we did get to enjoy some time in the pool with some Honduran friends. The weather was great all week, and we enjoyed just having time off as the country shut down for 5 days.

On Good Friday, I got to see the processions and even sat in the service on Sunday, though it was very crowded and hard to hear. I did get holy water splashed on me , and it was fun to see the cultural traditions that surround this week.

Drew had fun entertaining the neighborhood kids and the dogs, I came home to find a house full of balls, bats, fake swords and more , and a very exhausted bassett and Drew.

These were the processions on Palm Sunday and were very festive.

It's not my fault... I blame technology.

Blogging is far easier in the United States. Okay, not blogging so much as posting blogs. Life here is pretty good and my mood is finally coming back to normal. Being in the States for so long and then coming back was just long enough to hit the cusp of re-entry style culture shock, and then return and get a pretty big hit when I was readjusting to life here. Though for the record, culture shock isn't really a great word. I wasn't really shocked by the United States and nothing in Honduras can really shock me any more. I hope. I think it's more of culture fatigue. I find myself more prone to use the words "good god, not this again" as opposed to "oh my god what was that". You all see the difference, right? 

Easter week, or as Alice calls it, spring break, was last week, and I did as little as possible. School is out and the entire country is on vacation or doesn't leave thier house, so I followed suit and enjoyed a bit of down time with my dog. I didn't work, but I didn't go anywhere either.

Work since I have been back has been half busy. School is back in session which means we're teaching english at 2 schools, and starting in May or so we'll be doing civic ed in 3. We're also going to do some leadership classes and hopefully some "don't do drugs" talks.  

Stoves are on hold, partially becuase I can no longer walk 5 hours a day as was required, but also becuase the materials I waited for 3 months for are still not around. I doubt I will really do much more with this, since I can no longer be a daily part of the project and becuase my counter-parts decided they needed masons to build them, which is stupid and wrong.

Instead of stoves I am teaching web design class to 2 kids who will eventually do a website for my city. My brother told me my cute little mountain town is the 6th largest tourism draw to Honduras. Kinda makes me feel like we need a website, and instead of just talking about it, I actually have kids working on. They are seniors in high school and they are glad to be working with me. We'll see how it goes.

A good friend of mine has a gallery at the nation identity museum. The gallery is based on one series he did, called an Angel with AIDS. I have only seen the guide since the stupid museum was closed on Monday, but I assure you all, I will love it.

To close, I offer the following question: Has the entire US gone insane? I get a very small slice of news here. Pretty much I get yahoo! news and fark.com. If one of those 2 outlets doesn't cover it, I am prone to miss a story. But between myspace, yahoo, facebook, and this blog it seems you've all forgotten that tea bagging is a very dangerous and risky undertaking. (The blog was the only one to even hint at knowing the true dangers of unprotected tea baggery). A friend of my brothers actually broke a water bed trying to tea bag a sleeping friend. I assure you, the secret service will shortly begin looking into all threats to "tea bag" the president. I also heard there were women tea baggers. How is this even possible? I mean, I am all for womens rights, but anatomy is anatomy. 

This update was brought to you by the letter B. Because by myself boredom brings blogs.

Here in Honduras

Well, I'm back. I got in just before noon and the overly concerned medical staff had a driver waiting. Alice practically broke down the barrier to hug me. It was all very nice. I greatly appreciate all of the support offered during my time in the states, but i am back where I belong for the time.

A reserved celebration

I am sitting on the couch I've resided on for nearly a month, waiting for Alice to call, and I thought I should mention to the world my fate seems secure. I should be back in Honduras within a couple weeks. No one has made any promises, but my speedy recovery means I could be back as early as a week from Saturday. As with any medical situation there are conditions and concerns, but the good news is I will be back in Honduras in no time. 

On another note, Thanks to Stephanie for being my first follower. I follow 13 different blogs, and hers was previously left off the list and she was the only one who took the time to "follow my blog". All you lazy folk should do the same. The more people who follow the blog, the less likely I am to ignore it for long periods of time assuming that no one is reading it.

Well, my sister in law is in the shower, and my nephew's butt just made a terrible noise, so I think Uncle Drew has some nasty work to do.  I hope your day is filled with less stink than mine.

E. Hippie

Alice update while Drew is away.....

As you guys know, Drew is in the states recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery. Unfortunately, Peace Corps doesn't pay for spouses to be with their husband or wife unless it is an emergency situation. However I am very greatful for the great medical service they are giving Drew throughout this process. So, what have I been up to these first two weeks he has been gone? I was lucky enough to have my dad come visit!

He came to keep me company for a few days so I didn't have to be alone the whole time Drew is gone. We started off the trip by going to the Harley Davidson shop in the capital, Tegucigalpa. We bought 24 shirts for his harley riders group, from sizes medium to 2xL. Sorry Dad, they don't have 3x or 4x here, people just aren't that big in Honduras! It was fun to pick out all the shirts, and the owner gave us two free as well. Dad presented him with a HOG flag from his Tulsa group and he promised to put it on display.

After that, I introduced him to my eccentric group of Honduran friends and we had a couple of Honduran brews and a typical bean and cheese snack. The next day, the people I work with took us out to eat pupusas, kinda like cheese filled cornmeal pancakes. In the morning I took him to the small poor puebo where I teach my young ladies an alternative ed version of primary, and he got to see some of the work I do.

That evening we ate "plato tipico" and relaxed. Next, I took him to the beautiful Lago Yojoa where we enjoyed the beautiful lake scenery and saw numerous types of birds. We sat on the large patio overlooking the lake and enjoyed food and drinks. Our second day there, we headed off on an adventure. We took the local old school bus to the closest town, where we switched to a nicer, more modern bus to the exit for a nearby waterfall. We took about a 15 minute walk to the village where the waterfall is located. The waterfall itself is quite impressive and we were able to see it from above and below. They have a zipline over the waterfall ,but at about 50 meters down, there was no convincing Dad or I to do it. Plus, you can walk under the waterfall, literally thru the water ,but after seeing how big and strong it was we opted not on that as well. In the states, they'd never let you do either, so at least Honduras offers a bit more adventure for the strong hearted. We headed back via walking and bus to the local town and caught a "tuk tuk" or what we call mototaxis, small 4stroke engine carts that will take you around locally, and headed to another village where they have a brewery owned by an Oregonean ex-pat. The food and brew was fresh and delicious, dad tried the porter and I went with mango. We were able to get a ride afterwards all the way to the hotel with a few other ex-pats that were dining there as well. The next day we headed back to my site in the mountains and relaxed from our trip. The final day we got up early, made coffee and eggs, and took one last walk around my town before heading off to the airport.

It was such a wonderful gift to have him here, have the company, but also show my Dad how I live and work. He was impressed with my pila, aka washing machine, and how in a lot of ways, Honduras isn't too much different than when he was in Central America 20 years ago. But some things have changed too for the better, and the people were just as friendly and welcoming as he remembered them being in the past. He was a great sport, took all types of wonderful Honduran transportation, dealt with the lack of water in the house most of the time, and the slight smell of mold in my house from the continuiosly damp environment. (see below pic, I had scrubbed it off only a month or so ago and it quickly grows back). And, most importantly we had a great time. He found my shower endlessly entertaining, and showed the following picture to the ladies in his office to remind them "they have it good", their response was of course "eewwww". But honestly, my shower is still better than scout camp! :) Especially when we have water and that little device on top makes it nice and steamy. Hey, bathing is a gift I don´t take lightly!

Now, it's back to work and try to keep busy and sane until Drew comes home. Will keep you all updated on how life goes!

Post op

Well, all updates as promised.

I had ACL reconstruction Tuesday and all went well. The surgeon was great, though giving anyone directions while on pain meds is a mistake. I already messed up once and changed the dressing, when I should have just layered more band aids on top. I've had a few instances of pain, but for the most part I'm not doing to bad. Feel free to send well wishes, I'm feeling a bit like a bum, since I am pretty much a resident of my brother's couch.

All shall be well, and I don't question I'll be able to make it back to Honduras within my time limit.

Drew