The Depths

Contrary to popular belief I have not died. I´m still alive, and still in Honduras. I´m just bien haragan, that´s all. So, let´s see what has happened since my last post shall we?

Thanksgiving came and was celebrated in true American style. Most of the volunteers in the south of Honduras came down to my place (it being the most beautiful spot in the region, thank you) for a turkey day bash. And even though none of the family was there it still felt rather familiar. We had all the standard thanksgiving fare, right down to the pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce complete with the can ridges. Mmm. Delicious. Thank you very much massive Americanization that makes these products available.

The next holiday to come down the pipeline was of course the big one, Navidad. I had big plans for this year´s too. I was going to travel up to Monte Redondo to visit my former host family and to do the Santa Claus thing for the kids and give them some regalos. Well the universe just wasn´t having all that noise. The night before I was to go I got ghastly sick with a touch of the ole´Honduras stomach. So instead of spending Christmas surrounded by the closest thing I have to a family here  the only company I enjoyed was that of my peace corps medkit. Oh well. The truth is it wasn´t all that bad. Hondurans don´t really celebrate Christmas like we do. It´s just not that big a deal around here. While some families in San Marcos did have lights and the occasional decorated tree (or just branch really) it was nowhere near the level of the States. And the celebration here largely falls on the 24th. And all they really do that day is eat lots of tamales and set off little fireworks. No one does anything on the 25th, its like any other day really. So in that sense, I didn´t even really feel like I missed Christmas. It just feels like it didn´t even happen.  I´m sure that sounds really sad to the people back home, but don´t fret, it just means I will look forward to Christmas 09 all the more, which barring any unforseen change will take place in the States.

On the bright side, New Year´s Eve almost made up for the complete lack of Christmas. About 15 other volunteers and myself waved goodbye to 2008 from the shores of beautiful Lago Yojoa. Needless to say it was a good time, as it always is when Gringos get together to celebrate something here. In addition I got to see some friends of mine I hadn´t seen since training, which was wonderful. Furthermore on the way back to our towns some of us made a little stop over at the mall in the capital. It was like being back in America. All the consumerism, all the materialism, it was wonderful. And no, that is not sarcasm. It really did make me feel at home, and quite happy.

On the work side of life, things continue to go pretty smoothly. Rutilia and I have started work on an eco-fogon project for the area. That´s a stove that burns less firewood and produces less fumes in the home. We´re hoping to get these things out to more than 5oo families, so a pretty big project all and all. Also even though school is still out I´ve been doing a bit of environmental ed training with a group of high school kids. The idea is that in the school year to come they will help me do the enviro ed thing with the elementary schools so they can continue on doing that after I leave. Sustainability ya´ll.

So now here I am in San Marcos looking forward to the new year that is 2009.  I´ve got high hopes for this year, lots to do, lots to see. And hopefully some people will be visiting me…You know who you are. Actually anyone who reads this blog really. You are all more than welcome to come. Even the mothers of other volunteers who apparently keep up with this.

And of course les extraño a todos, especially you.