This is just a HUGE thank you to those of you reading who are so kind as to send me things from the wish list I posted! Honestly, it makes me day when I pass by the Post Office and Patty (the woman who runs the small 6x6 room PO here) yells at me I have mail. I've gotten CDs and DVDs from the father of another PC volunteer in the Health project from the East Coast and another case full of CDs from an old Army buddy of my dad's, whom I don't think I've seen in years. I'm sure more will come in the future and I just thank you all very much. I do, truly, appreciate it!
And while posessions are nice and I love the goodies, the best thing yet came in the mail today. It was one of those greeting cards that plays music and you can also record your own personal message. My sister and two nephews recorded a note and hearing their little voices broke my heart! As I teared up and got a little misty eyed, Patty had no clue what was going on. I told her how much I miss my two little men and then she understood. So, thanks Vera, Cade and Reed! I love you all so much and miss you too!
Oh and one last update on the computer. It actually arrived to my mom and stepdad. However, they said it did get a little external damage, so we're mot sure if Costco will take it back. Also, still trying to save my files off it. We'll see...
Hasta la proxima vez...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Proud to be an American!!!
Happy 4th of July to all you back in the US!!! I hope you celebrate my favorite holiday right and also take time to remember the true power and meaning of the holiday. Take it from me, as someone who has lived in two other countries, the US truly is an amazing country and we take so much for granted. I wish I was back home poolside, with the grill sizzling, sun shining, kids screaming, ice cream melting and radio blasting ''I'm proud to be an American...'' But, I have to remember that what I'm here for, is the hopes that someday the rest of the world will be able to be as stable as the US. Talk of the American Dream won't be necessary because people will have the same opportunities in their own homeland and won't have to leave family behind to work a minimum wage (or less) job in the US. Here's hoping...
Anyway, my laptop arrived home! Can you believe it? My mom said the box was pretty beat up, but the computer is ok...minus the condition I sent it in. Still hoping my info can be saved and I will have a new laptop (or the same one) back soon!
So, the main point of this is to share about my trip to the North coast. I traveled with about 55 high school ''seniors'' (the Honduran equivalent to seniors) and all of 2 teachers from the high school. I don't know that I counted as a chaperone... Tuesday, there was a parent meeting, which I went to. All of 2 days before the trip. The two teachers were there and the school principal. The teachers said they hadn't made the hotel reservations yet. When one father asked if any male chaperones were going, I wanted to slap him, but that's not the point. The principal explained that the two (female) teachers going were the two with the most expereince in thew hole school and then somehow got off on a tangent about politics in Honduras. (I already dread meetings with Hondurans. It seems there is a competition of who can get the most off topic for the longest time. It drives me insane!)
Thursday we were supposed to leave at 5AM. I think we actually left by 5:30, which isn't too bad. Before we even made it to Teguz, 90 min away, we already had our first pit stop, in which nearly every girl had to use the bathroom...with one toilet. Of the 55 students I think it's about 80% girls...so yah, that took forever! Traveling on Honduran highways is an experience in itself. The highways are derserving of a 3rd world country...in great need of repair, more potholes than decent paved lanes. That takes forever to traverse, then throw in the random department of transportation roadblocks, which are just scams, I believe, your trip takes FOREVER. So roadblocks: Supposedly these guys are department of transportation of the police, but as far as I can tell they're part of the corruption issue down here. Most big rig trucks and buses get pulled over. The guys act like they're doing something important, but they just want a bribe so they can make a little extra money along the way. They make up some lie, about the papers don't have the right info, or some garbage and they can call the police or the driver can slip them 100 lempiras. Obviously, most people will slip them the L. 100. It's ridiculous and I wanted to yell at every guy who did this 'Look retard, you're part of the problem with this country.'
I remember that when we traveled on buses during school trips, we had to keep the noise down, stay seated and respect others. Not on Honduran school trips. It seems as if the kids are encouraged to make noise. They yell, play their annoying reggeton music on their cell phones w/o headphones, walk up and down the aisle, stand on the stairs by the door of the bus, sit on the dashboard and talk to the driver. Safety...what's that?!
Oh and the driver...I think he may have been seriously mentally handicapped. We get to San Pedro Sula, the other big city besides Tegucigalpa, where there are a few interchanges and he goes, 'I've never been to Puerto Cortes.' He basically says, he doesn't know how to get there and admits he didn't bother to find out before hand. Hello dummy...that's your job! So, they bring up one of the kids who used to live in that area and together with one teacher, they read road signs to the bus driver and tell him which roads to take, since he apprently can't read (which is a possibility, but I would think a licensed driver should be able to read). You think that the way home would be easy right? Just backtrack. No, we pass right under a sign that says Tegucigalpa with an arrow to the right and the dummy goes straight. The teacher yells at him, ''Joel, pay attention!'' As he does a 3 point turn in the middle of the road. Ridiculous!
Anyway transportation differences aside, I had an amazing time. The high school kids are pretty fun to hang out with. Our hotel was right on the beach and there was a pool. (Yet agagin, the amazement factor of me being able to swim came up.) I only had to share a room with one of the teachers because the other had taken her husband and son. I enjoyed a nice double bed and AC for two nights. Livin' the high life! We visited a fort in a town called Omoa, which was built by the Spanish. Brought back all the good times of Spain. The port visit wasn't all that interesting, but it's very important for the country. On some list, it's the 3rd. I don't know if it's biggest, most traffic or what. I'm going to try and research it. We also passed by Lake Yojoa on the way up north. We stopped for lunch along a strip of nearly 2 dozen restaurants and ALL offer fried fish and tajadas (fried plantain chips). Product differentiation is seriously lacking here. Welcome to my world as a business advisor! Anyway, for 30L we took a little troll on the lake and it was nice. At the beach in Omoa there were 2 fishing boats towing what they called 'The Banana'. It was basically a banana shaped raft with two smaller tubes on the sides to stabalize it. Along the top are straps to hold on. You basically straddle the middle raft, kinda like riding a horse, hang on to the strap in front of you and hold on, until you get thrown off when the boat makes a sharp turn. It was so much fun! The kids all paid 20L a ride, but the weird Honduran dude rockin' his jerry curl, let me ride for free, since I was 'the teacher'. I told him, I will most likely be back with my gringo friends, because it was a sweet beach and I saw a backpackers hostel just up the road from the beach.
So, that was the trip. A good chance to get away and refresh. In a couple weeks, July 15, will be my two month mark in site. At that point we are allowed to use what they call Whereabouts time. With that we are allowed 2 nights and 3 days out of site, without having to use our annual vacation leave. That first weekend I plan on returning to visit my first host family (who are still my favorite, after all 3). Then a few weeks after that in the beginning of August, I will head back North again to visit some other PC friends. Got enough travel to keep myself grounded. No matter how much I love my site, I'm the type who has to be on the go! Anyway crew, take care back home!
Hasta la proxima vez...
Anyway, my laptop arrived home! Can you believe it? My mom said the box was pretty beat up, but the computer is ok...minus the condition I sent it in. Still hoping my info can be saved and I will have a new laptop (or the same one) back soon!
So, the main point of this is to share about my trip to the North coast. I traveled with about 55 high school ''seniors'' (the Honduran equivalent to seniors) and all of 2 teachers from the high school. I don't know that I counted as a chaperone... Tuesday, there was a parent meeting, which I went to. All of 2 days before the trip. The two teachers were there and the school principal. The teachers said they hadn't made the hotel reservations yet. When one father asked if any male chaperones were going, I wanted to slap him, but that's not the point. The principal explained that the two (female) teachers going were the two with the most expereince in thew hole school and then somehow got off on a tangent about politics in Honduras. (I already dread meetings with Hondurans. It seems there is a competition of who can get the most off topic for the longest time. It drives me insane!)
Thursday we were supposed to leave at 5AM. I think we actually left by 5:30, which isn't too bad. Before we even made it to Teguz, 90 min away, we already had our first pit stop, in which nearly every girl had to use the bathroom...with one toilet. Of the 55 students I think it's about 80% girls...so yah, that took forever! Traveling on Honduran highways is an experience in itself. The highways are derserving of a 3rd world country...in great need of repair, more potholes than decent paved lanes. That takes forever to traverse, then throw in the random department of transportation roadblocks, which are just scams, I believe, your trip takes FOREVER. So roadblocks: Supposedly these guys are department of transportation of the police, but as far as I can tell they're part of the corruption issue down here. Most big rig trucks and buses get pulled over. The guys act like they're doing something important, but they just want a bribe so they can make a little extra money along the way. They make up some lie, about the papers don't have the right info, or some garbage and they can call the police or the driver can slip them 100 lempiras. Obviously, most people will slip them the L. 100. It's ridiculous and I wanted to yell at every guy who did this 'Look retard, you're part of the problem with this country.'
I remember that when we traveled on buses during school trips, we had to keep the noise down, stay seated and respect others. Not on Honduran school trips. It seems as if the kids are encouraged to make noise. They yell, play their annoying reggeton music on their cell phones w/o headphones, walk up and down the aisle, stand on the stairs by the door of the bus, sit on the dashboard and talk to the driver. Safety...what's that?!
Oh and the driver...I think he may have been seriously mentally handicapped. We get to San Pedro Sula, the other big city besides Tegucigalpa, where there are a few interchanges and he goes, 'I've never been to Puerto Cortes.' He basically says, he doesn't know how to get there and admits he didn't bother to find out before hand. Hello dummy...that's your job! So, they bring up one of the kids who used to live in that area and together with one teacher, they read road signs to the bus driver and tell him which roads to take, since he apprently can't read (which is a possibility, but I would think a licensed driver should be able to read). You think that the way home would be easy right? Just backtrack. No, we pass right under a sign that says Tegucigalpa with an arrow to the right and the dummy goes straight. The teacher yells at him, ''Joel, pay attention!'' As he does a 3 point turn in the middle of the road. Ridiculous!
Anyway transportation differences aside, I had an amazing time. The high school kids are pretty fun to hang out with. Our hotel was right on the beach and there was a pool. (Yet agagin, the amazement factor of me being able to swim came up.) I only had to share a room with one of the teachers because the other had taken her husband and son. I enjoyed a nice double bed and AC for two nights. Livin' the high life! We visited a fort in a town called Omoa, which was built by the Spanish. Brought back all the good times of Spain. The port visit wasn't all that interesting, but it's very important for the country. On some list, it's the 3rd. I don't know if it's biggest, most traffic or what. I'm going to try and research it. We also passed by Lake Yojoa on the way up north. We stopped for lunch along a strip of nearly 2 dozen restaurants and ALL offer fried fish and tajadas (fried plantain chips). Product differentiation is seriously lacking here. Welcome to my world as a business advisor! Anyway, for 30L we took a little troll on the lake and it was nice. At the beach in Omoa there were 2 fishing boats towing what they called 'The Banana'. It was basically a banana shaped raft with two smaller tubes on the sides to stabalize it. Along the top are straps to hold on. You basically straddle the middle raft, kinda like riding a horse, hang on to the strap in front of you and hold on, until you get thrown off when the boat makes a sharp turn. It was so much fun! The kids all paid 20L a ride, but the weird Honduran dude rockin' his jerry curl, let me ride for free, since I was 'the teacher'. I told him, I will most likely be back with my gringo friends, because it was a sweet beach and I saw a backpackers hostel just up the road from the beach.
So, that was the trip. A good chance to get away and refresh. In a couple weeks, July 15, will be my two month mark in site. At that point we are allowed to use what they call Whereabouts time. With that we are allowed 2 nights and 3 days out of site, without having to use our annual vacation leave. That first weekend I plan on returning to visit my first host family (who are still my favorite, after all 3). Then a few weeks after that in the beginning of August, I will head back North again to visit some other PC friends. Got enough travel to keep myself grounded. No matter how much I love my site, I'm the type who has to be on the go! Anyway crew, take care back home!
Hasta la proxima vez...
Monday, June 28, 2010
Brief...
Status update on my computer: In the mail on the way to my mom and stepdad, wrapped in my favorite Raiders sweatshirt, taped many times with a shipping label reading ''clothes and books''. I am praying it gets there in the same condition and not worse.
Work has slowed, not as many charlas with the high school kids. Going out to the rural communities more to do the caja rurales thing. Today, I haven't done anything more than be online...well I hand washed clothes this morning. That's gotta count for something!
Later this week I'm going on the field trip with the high school kids to Puerto Cortes on the North Coast (Atlantic). I'm excited to get outta town and see some more of the country, visit the beach and hopefully get to see a PC friend who is kinda near there. We'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to get a quick something for everyone out there, so you know I'm still alive down here...haha.
Hasta la proxima vez...
Work has slowed, not as many charlas with the high school kids. Going out to the rural communities more to do the caja rurales thing. Today, I haven't done anything more than be online...well I hand washed clothes this morning. That's gotta count for something!
Later this week I'm going on the field trip with the high school kids to Puerto Cortes on the North Coast (Atlantic). I'm excited to get outta town and see some more of the country, visit the beach and hopefully get to see a PC friend who is kinda near there. We'll see.
Anyway, just wanted to get a quick something for everyone out there, so you know I'm still alive down here...haha.
Hasta la proxima vez...
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Off line :(
Hi friends!
I just wanted to update everyone on the status of my computer. It has decided to take a sabatical, without my permission. AKA - Windows has died and I´m working on the computers in my counterpart´s office these days. My blogging will be on hold until I can get things fixed. (Who knows what that timeline will be like down here...)
Other wise things are great! Work is good - still giving classes at the high school, went to an aldea to work with the women`s group and also working with the local center for people with disabilities (and getting to help with their Special Olympics team!). Next week I will travel to another aldea to help women who have organized a caja rural (micro credit union)...kinda excited! Social life is good too! World Cup is in full swing and it`s exciting watching it in a country where people actually care about football. Tomorrow at 5:30AM local time Honduras has their first game against Chile. Everyone will be an early bird tomorrow...myself included! I spent the past weekend enjoying my host sister´s quinceñera and another b-day party for my friend`s 2 year old. The beginning of July I get to go on a field trip with the students and staff from the high school to the North Coast. We will visit the port there to learn about transportation and the likes. I`m just excited to see the ocean!!! :) Oh yah, I did meet the President of Honduras last week. I`m hoping to save my computer because I had written an amazing blog about it.
Keep your fingers crossed that I can salvage my computer so I can keep you guys up to date!
Hasta la proxima vez...
(Whenever that may be...)
I just wanted to update everyone on the status of my computer. It has decided to take a sabatical, without my permission. AKA - Windows has died and I´m working on the computers in my counterpart´s office these days. My blogging will be on hold until I can get things fixed. (Who knows what that timeline will be like down here...)
Other wise things are great! Work is good - still giving classes at the high school, went to an aldea to work with the women`s group and also working with the local center for people with disabilities (and getting to help with their Special Olympics team!). Next week I will travel to another aldea to help women who have organized a caja rural (micro credit union)...kinda excited! Social life is good too! World Cup is in full swing and it`s exciting watching it in a country where people actually care about football. Tomorrow at 5:30AM local time Honduras has their first game against Chile. Everyone will be an early bird tomorrow...myself included! I spent the past weekend enjoying my host sister´s quinceñera and another b-day party for my friend`s 2 year old. The beginning of July I get to go on a field trip with the students and staff from the high school to the North Coast. We will visit the port there to learn about transportation and the likes. I`m just excited to see the ocean!!! :) Oh yah, I did meet the President of Honduras last week. I`m hoping to save my computer because I had written an amazing blog about it.
Keep your fingers crossed that I can salvage my computer so I can keep you guys up to date!
Hasta la proxima vez...
(Whenever that may be...)
Monday, June 7, 2010
Third Goal
The title of this blog refers to the third goal of the Peace Corps; that us volunteers can educate the people in the US about the people of the country in which we serve. Today, you’ll get a little more insight to Honduran life through the eyes of a foreigner living within her borders.
Let’s start with a list. There are a few things that Hondurans ask me about/find out I can do and are amazed/awed/shocked/surprised/flabbergasted (you get the point). They are:
- Swimming – For a country that gets ridiculously hot, there aren’t many pools and therefore a lot of people never learn to swim. They just know how to wade in their local river, if they’re lucky to live close enough.
- Shuffle a deck of cards – By shuffling, I mean closer to the casino dealer style. Most Hondurans I’ve played cards with do the two hand loose shuffle, there’s no adequate way to explain this, sadly. Anywho, when I shuffle cards and then do the bridge to close the deck again, it’s like I just did an amazing card trick. Yes, I’m that talented down here!
- Driving – Also in a country where most people don’t have cars, a woman who can drive is slightly astonishing.
- Riding a bike – I don’t think this is up there on the list, but I’m asked a lot about my ability to ride a bike. Don’t we just assume in the US that everyone can ride a bike?
Now, this list has an opposite too. These are things I’m asked if I can do/like to do. They are:
- Washing clothes by hand – Yes, I hand wash my own clothes here. Am I good at it? Not so much. I’ve learned the trick is to use less soap, so it’s easier to get a clean rinse. I just hope that the sloshing I make in my 5 gallon bucket of cold water and detergent does the job almost as well as my washing machine back in the US. I’ve become quite the optimist. (Dry sarcasm, in case I didn’t convey that well enough.)
- Cooking – I’m asked this only by my women friends/counterparts. Every Honduran woman knows how to cook. When I explain that I don’t really cook either because: a)I’ve never really had to, b) I don’t really like to, or c) I’m just kinda lazy, it’s quite a shock. I explain that I serve a killer bowl of Corn Flakes (pretty much the national cereal of Honduras), fry a mean egg and make an even better sandwich, but they fail to see the humor in this. Heaven forbid I can’t make a tortilla or refried beans. I know they’re worried I’ll be a horrible wife someday.
Which leads me to some other things, which don’t pertain to skills or lack thereof, rather things that are other FAQs.
- Are you married/Do you have a boyfriend? – No/No. I often follow this response with “and I’m ok with that.” Mainly because people feel it is then their right to find someone for me to marry. And for which I have another response of, “I don’t want to get married.” Which is partly true, but 100% true in the terms of marrying a Honduran. The old school gender roles in this culture make me sick. I really wish that the women here would stand up for themselves, but I don’t see that happening.
- Do you ever wear skirts/dresses/heels? – Sometimes, but there is absolutely no need for that here. I already get enough attention and highly annoying cat calls for being a white woman here wearing gender neutral clothes (jeans, polo, tennis shoes). Am I really gonna dress up and make it a million times worse?
- You are Christian, right? – Luckily for me, this isn’t an awkward question. I am and the people love it. I even tell them I’m Adventist and most of the time they know what I’m talking about. They then proceed to invite me to their church, which here there are more than just Catholic churches. Lucky for me, because I got over the whole Catholic experience with my first two host families (no offense to my Catholic friends, but it’s just not my preferred church experience). So far, I’ve taken one friend up on her invite (declining invites is a tricky situation here), but I’ve also found the small (about a dozen people) Adventist group, so I’m a happy camper.
- You like chili? – AKA hot sauce. Every Honduran dining room table has a bottle of hot sauce on it. I’m not sure why, because I’ve rarely seen any Honduran use it. However, when I proceed to put a generous amount on my food, you wouldn’t believe the shock this causes. I explain it to them by the fact that I’m from California. Much of our cuisine is influenced by Mexican food and I tell them, “I’m pretty much Mexican.” Not true at all, but it gets the point across to them, that yes, I can handle my food spicy because they know that Mexicans like spicy food. And this reminds me of another thing about food. So many Hondurans are amazed that I eat their beans at most meals. Either refried beans or just normal beans, not yet refried. I again use the Mexican reference. I eat lots of Mexican food back home and they too, eat beans. They like that explanation.
Aside from the FAQs, most Hondurans are pretty blunt in what they ask. Today, a teacher of one of the groups I’m giving the business charlas to invited me to the school because they were having a soccer tournament. I quite enjoy hanging out at the school when I’m not teaching. It gives me a chance to get to know the kids better, so I’m not as nervous when I’m up front fudging my Spanish and praying they learn something from me. The staff at the school is great too. Anyway, the teacher (a woman) says as we’re walking along, “Emily, you’re taller than me?” Um, well…I guess I am. “Emily, you’re also more gordita than me.” Hmm, trying to not take offense to that I said, well yes, that’s obvious. And she finishes off this string of randomness by saying, “Emily, I’m also more triguena than you.” (Meaning her complexion is darker.) Now, all of that is kinda insulting to your average American woman. Minus the height thing. (Hondurans are pretty short. I’m certainly taller than most women and am eye level with many men. I’m 5’4” for those who don’t know.) Anyway, no American woman likes to be told she is pale and chubby. I’m certainly aware of these things, but sheesh. You just gotta roll with it down here though. And yes, this teacher phrases many of her questions/statements with my name at the beginning even in the middle of a conversation. It makes me slightly uncomfortable, yet I’m not sure why. I guess it’s just weird to hear my name so much.
And as if one awkward conversation wasn’t enough, there was one that got me heated and I had to keep my cool. Sitting in the office having a conversation with two male staff members we somehow got on the subject of the difference between Honduran and American relationships. One of these guys has spent time in the US, so he feels he is an expert on both cultures. Anyway, he was sitting here, telling me, an American woman, that Honduran women love their husbands more because they take care of the home and children. American women can’t love their husbands that much if they go out on their own each day and leave the household. He was trying to be somewhat tactful about it, but I knew what he was getting at. He had started with the bit about American women and then as he was explaining why Honduran women were better he was kinda beating around the bush, so I jump in and say, “You think Honduran women are better because they don’t do anything all day but cook, clean and care for the kids?” He and the other guy both had to agree that’s what they meant. My response? “And that is exactly why I won’t have a boyfriend here for the next two years.” The sick part is, they don’t even realize how insulting that was. Now, it’s not to be said that there aren’t Honduran women in the workforce. However, if they are they just work on top of still having to do all the work in the home. My friend invited me to her house for dinner last night. After she cooked dinner for us, she had to fold the clothes she had hand washed that morning before leaving for work, chase around her 2 year old son and then when “the father of her son” (that’s how she introduced him to me) got home she had to go cook him dinner as he sat on the couch and watched TV. This was all after she worked 8-5. Like I said earlier, I really wish these women would put their foot down and demand some equality.
Yet, Honduran women are really generous, even if they have very little. It’s part of the culture, that whoever throws out the idea of getting ice cream, coffee, whatever has to pay. (This is a really hard thing for me to adapt to, because on my income here I can’t invite to do much and anyone who knows me, knows I love to get out and do things.) Anyway, there’s one girl in the mayor’s office that I walk home with because we live in the same barrio and she’ll buy sodas, ice creams, paletas, churros, whatever on the way home. Then yesterday, I mentioned I was craving something sweet, so another girl in the office says, “Let’s go to the corner store.” As, I’m digging through my backpack for money, she’s like, “No, I invited you.” It’s pretty awesome, but I miss the days of going dutch and not feeling like I owe something to someone.
I hope you feel enlightened now! It really is a different culture down here and I’m trying to deal with it the best I can. They say we’re supposed to adapt, but quite honestly, I only want to adapt so much. It’s certainly possible to live here and still be respectful while holding on to my beliefs/views. Anywho…
Hasta la proxima vez…
Let’s start with a list. There are a few things that Hondurans ask me about/find out I can do and are amazed/awed/shocked/surprised/flabbergasted (you get the point). They are:
- Swimming – For a country that gets ridiculously hot, there aren’t many pools and therefore a lot of people never learn to swim. They just know how to wade in their local river, if they’re lucky to live close enough.
- Shuffle a deck of cards – By shuffling, I mean closer to the casino dealer style. Most Hondurans I’ve played cards with do the two hand loose shuffle, there’s no adequate way to explain this, sadly. Anywho, when I shuffle cards and then do the bridge to close the deck again, it’s like I just did an amazing card trick. Yes, I’m that talented down here!
- Driving – Also in a country where most people don’t have cars, a woman who can drive is slightly astonishing.
- Riding a bike – I don’t think this is up there on the list, but I’m asked a lot about my ability to ride a bike. Don’t we just assume in the US that everyone can ride a bike?
Now, this list has an opposite too. These are things I’m asked if I can do/like to do. They are:
- Washing clothes by hand – Yes, I hand wash my own clothes here. Am I good at it? Not so much. I’ve learned the trick is to use less soap, so it’s easier to get a clean rinse. I just hope that the sloshing I make in my 5 gallon bucket of cold water and detergent does the job almost as well as my washing machine back in the US. I’ve become quite the optimist. (Dry sarcasm, in case I didn’t convey that well enough.)
- Cooking – I’m asked this only by my women friends/counterparts. Every Honduran woman knows how to cook. When I explain that I don’t really cook either because: a)I’ve never really had to, b) I don’t really like to, or c) I’m just kinda lazy, it’s quite a shock. I explain that I serve a killer bowl of Corn Flakes (pretty much the national cereal of Honduras), fry a mean egg and make an even better sandwich, but they fail to see the humor in this. Heaven forbid I can’t make a tortilla or refried beans. I know they’re worried I’ll be a horrible wife someday.
Which leads me to some other things, which don’t pertain to skills or lack thereof, rather things that are other FAQs.
- Are you married/Do you have a boyfriend? – No/No. I often follow this response with “and I’m ok with that.” Mainly because people feel it is then their right to find someone for me to marry. And for which I have another response of, “I don’t want to get married.” Which is partly true, but 100% true in the terms of marrying a Honduran. The old school gender roles in this culture make me sick. I really wish that the women here would stand up for themselves, but I don’t see that happening.
- Do you ever wear skirts/dresses/heels? – Sometimes, but there is absolutely no need for that here. I already get enough attention and highly annoying cat calls for being a white woman here wearing gender neutral clothes (jeans, polo, tennis shoes). Am I really gonna dress up and make it a million times worse?
- You are Christian, right? – Luckily for me, this isn’t an awkward question. I am and the people love it. I even tell them I’m Adventist and most of the time they know what I’m talking about. They then proceed to invite me to their church, which here there are more than just Catholic churches. Lucky for me, because I got over the whole Catholic experience with my first two host families (no offense to my Catholic friends, but it’s just not my preferred church experience). So far, I’ve taken one friend up on her invite (declining invites is a tricky situation here), but I’ve also found the small (about a dozen people) Adventist group, so I’m a happy camper.
- You like chili? – AKA hot sauce. Every Honduran dining room table has a bottle of hot sauce on it. I’m not sure why, because I’ve rarely seen any Honduran use it. However, when I proceed to put a generous amount on my food, you wouldn’t believe the shock this causes. I explain it to them by the fact that I’m from California. Much of our cuisine is influenced by Mexican food and I tell them, “I’m pretty much Mexican.” Not true at all, but it gets the point across to them, that yes, I can handle my food spicy because they know that Mexicans like spicy food. And this reminds me of another thing about food. So many Hondurans are amazed that I eat their beans at most meals. Either refried beans or just normal beans, not yet refried. I again use the Mexican reference. I eat lots of Mexican food back home and they too, eat beans. They like that explanation.
Aside from the FAQs, most Hondurans are pretty blunt in what they ask. Today, a teacher of one of the groups I’m giving the business charlas to invited me to the school because they were having a soccer tournament. I quite enjoy hanging out at the school when I’m not teaching. It gives me a chance to get to know the kids better, so I’m not as nervous when I’m up front fudging my Spanish and praying they learn something from me. The staff at the school is great too. Anyway, the teacher (a woman) says as we’re walking along, “Emily, you’re taller than me?” Um, well…I guess I am. “Emily, you’re also more gordita than me.” Hmm, trying to not take offense to that I said, well yes, that’s obvious. And she finishes off this string of randomness by saying, “Emily, I’m also more triguena than you.” (Meaning her complexion is darker.) Now, all of that is kinda insulting to your average American woman. Minus the height thing. (Hondurans are pretty short. I’m certainly taller than most women and am eye level with many men. I’m 5’4” for those who don’t know.) Anyway, no American woman likes to be told she is pale and chubby. I’m certainly aware of these things, but sheesh. You just gotta roll with it down here though. And yes, this teacher phrases many of her questions/statements with my name at the beginning even in the middle of a conversation. It makes me slightly uncomfortable, yet I’m not sure why. I guess it’s just weird to hear my name so much.
And as if one awkward conversation wasn’t enough, there was one that got me heated and I had to keep my cool. Sitting in the office having a conversation with two male staff members we somehow got on the subject of the difference between Honduran and American relationships. One of these guys has spent time in the US, so he feels he is an expert on both cultures. Anyway, he was sitting here, telling me, an American woman, that Honduran women love their husbands more because they take care of the home and children. American women can’t love their husbands that much if they go out on their own each day and leave the household. He was trying to be somewhat tactful about it, but I knew what he was getting at. He had started with the bit about American women and then as he was explaining why Honduran women were better he was kinda beating around the bush, so I jump in and say, “You think Honduran women are better because they don’t do anything all day but cook, clean and care for the kids?” He and the other guy both had to agree that’s what they meant. My response? “And that is exactly why I won’t have a boyfriend here for the next two years.” The sick part is, they don’t even realize how insulting that was. Now, it’s not to be said that there aren’t Honduran women in the workforce. However, if they are they just work on top of still having to do all the work in the home. My friend invited me to her house for dinner last night. After she cooked dinner for us, she had to fold the clothes she had hand washed that morning before leaving for work, chase around her 2 year old son and then when “the father of her son” (that’s how she introduced him to me) got home she had to go cook him dinner as he sat on the couch and watched TV. This was all after she worked 8-5. Like I said earlier, I really wish these women would put their foot down and demand some equality.
Yet, Honduran women are really generous, even if they have very little. It’s part of the culture, that whoever throws out the idea of getting ice cream, coffee, whatever has to pay. (This is a really hard thing for me to adapt to, because on my income here I can’t invite to do much and anyone who knows me, knows I love to get out and do things.) Anyway, there’s one girl in the mayor’s office that I walk home with because we live in the same barrio and she’ll buy sodas, ice creams, paletas, churros, whatever on the way home. Then yesterday, I mentioned I was craving something sweet, so another girl in the office says, “Let’s go to the corner store.” As, I’m digging through my backpack for money, she’s like, “No, I invited you.” It’s pretty awesome, but I miss the days of going dutch and not feeling like I owe something to someone.
I hope you feel enlightened now! It really is a different culture down here and I’m trying to deal with it the best I can. They say we’re supposed to adapt, but quite honestly, I only want to adapt so much. It’s certainly possible to live here and still be respectful while holding on to my beliefs/views. Anywho…
Hasta la proxima vez…
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wish List
For those asking, I´ve finally put some thought into it and know what I would like should anyone feel like sending me a care package!
1) Magazines - Cosmo, People, Newsweek, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Women´s Fitness, or other ones along those same lines.
2) Food bars - as in ODWALLLA; CLIFF; AND OTHER BRANDS THAT I can´t think of right now.
3) Cinnamon gum - my fave brand is Dyntene Fire, but any would do!
4) Burned CDs and DVDs - I love music and the selection here is lacking, burn me CDs of what´s currently on the radio of any genre or even classic stuff. And DVDs, well they may be illegal, but I´m already sick of the horrible dubbed movies in Spanish. It´s like they purposely pick the people with the most annoying voices ever.
5) Easy microwavalbe food - instant oatmeal, cream of wheat, easy mac, whatever you just need to add water to, I´m ready to cook and eat it!
That´s all I can think of for now. Thanks guys!
1) Magazines - Cosmo, People, Newsweek, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Women´s Fitness, or other ones along those same lines.
2) Food bars - as in ODWALLLA; CLIFF; AND OTHER BRANDS THAT I can´t think of right now.
3) Cinnamon gum - my fave brand is Dyntene Fire, but any would do!
4) Burned CDs and DVDs - I love music and the selection here is lacking, burn me CDs of what´s currently on the radio of any genre or even classic stuff. And DVDs, well they may be illegal, but I´m already sick of the horrible dubbed movies in Spanish. It´s like they purposely pick the people with the most annoying voices ever.
5) Easy microwavalbe food - instant oatmeal, cream of wheat, easy mac, whatever you just need to add water to, I´m ready to cook and eat it!
That´s all I can think of for now. Thanks guys!
Another Hit
Perhaps the drug reference isn’t the best comparison for my Peace Corps service, but I’m on such a high I don’t know how else to describe it! Before coming down, I only looked forward to volunteering every afternoon. It was what gave purpose to my life pre-PC. Now, I’m living that high on a daily basis, 24/7.
Picture this if you will: Yours truly in front of a class of 27 students giving a presentation on marketing, SWOT analysis and market research in Spanish. Yep, today was my first real act as a PC volunteer. Up until now, I’ve been getting acquainted with my new town and building relationships with my counterparts (which has been ridiculously easy, because they’re all amazing people). Now, it wasn’t exactly as PC as you would expect. I made a Power Point presentation and made handouts for the kids and everything. This isn’t JFK’s Peace Corps anymore! Admittedly, I had an assistant who is a compañera from the alcaldía. Doris is just two classes away from finishing her Bachelor’s in Business as well and she wanted to help me (I think mainly to get out of her normal work…). I somewhat reluctantly agreed because I wanted to do it on my own and really make my mark, but at the same time I wanted to collaborate with a Honduran and see how they work. It was a learning experience for sure. I would say she spoke more during the presentation than me. Maybe it’s my nature or the American culture, but Hondurans like to talk a lot and give a TON of examples. I felt bad for the poor kids at times. Although, maybe I bore them with my bad Spanish, few examples and mainly reading the slides (which I know is a horrible way to present, but I’m making do in my second language). Anyway, this isn’t just a onetime thing. Over the next few months I will be giving a series of charlas to the kids about other business basics and eventually they will break into small groups and create their own small businesses. After teaching them I will be able to act as a business advisor and help them (hopefully) sustain their business. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my local high school does not have traditional hours. Most Honduran schools have two sessions, morning or afternoon and kids go to one of the other. Well, as my luck goes, the high school where I’m working has no morning classes. Instead the classes are afternoon and evening. This means that today I gave one charla in the afternoon, had a few hours to kill, then went back and gave the same charla to the evening class kids. Therefore, I imparted knowledge on to 52 Honduran youth today. It is such an amazing feeling to stand there and have the kids repeat the information that you taught them. I sincerely hope they are all successful in this small assignment but can later turn it into something positive for the good of their country.
Besides that, I feel things are going really well and the people I’m working with are glad I’m here. The teacher from the high school and my compañera were really boosting my ego the whole ride home (it’s a five minute drive…ha). There was another PC volunteer here about a year ago for medical reasons, this wasn’t actually her site, and apparently her Spanish wasn’t the best, she was pretty shy and not very social. According to my two Honduran counterparts I’m about the complete opposite of her and they predict our next two years will be good. Believe me, it’s a HUGE encouragement to hear these things.
Well, better wrap this up. I just KNOW I will be super busy next week. I’ve told everyone that I will start helping them with their projects in June and I’m sure come Tuesday, June 1 my phone will be blowing up like crazy. Time to work with the women’s groups and the caja rural (micro credit union), along with planning my next charla for the kids. Oh, which reminds me! They invited me to go on a field trip with the kids to the North coast at the beginning of July to do some sort of business study on the port up there. I’m stoked! Anywho, you know the drill…thanks for reading and…
Hasta la proxima vez…
Picture this if you will: Yours truly in front of a class of 27 students giving a presentation on marketing, SWOT analysis and market research in Spanish. Yep, today was my first real act as a PC volunteer. Up until now, I’ve been getting acquainted with my new town and building relationships with my counterparts (which has been ridiculously easy, because they’re all amazing people). Now, it wasn’t exactly as PC as you would expect. I made a Power Point presentation and made handouts for the kids and everything. This isn’t JFK’s Peace Corps anymore! Admittedly, I had an assistant who is a compañera from the alcaldía. Doris is just two classes away from finishing her Bachelor’s in Business as well and she wanted to help me (I think mainly to get out of her normal work…). I somewhat reluctantly agreed because I wanted to do it on my own and really make my mark, but at the same time I wanted to collaborate with a Honduran and see how they work. It was a learning experience for sure. I would say she spoke more during the presentation than me. Maybe it’s my nature or the American culture, but Hondurans like to talk a lot and give a TON of examples. I felt bad for the poor kids at times. Although, maybe I bore them with my bad Spanish, few examples and mainly reading the slides (which I know is a horrible way to present, but I’m making do in my second language). Anyway, this isn’t just a onetime thing. Over the next few months I will be giving a series of charlas to the kids about other business basics and eventually they will break into small groups and create their own small businesses. After teaching them I will be able to act as a business advisor and help them (hopefully) sustain their business. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my local high school does not have traditional hours. Most Honduran schools have two sessions, morning or afternoon and kids go to one of the other. Well, as my luck goes, the high school where I’m working has no morning classes. Instead the classes are afternoon and evening. This means that today I gave one charla in the afternoon, had a few hours to kill, then went back and gave the same charla to the evening class kids. Therefore, I imparted knowledge on to 52 Honduran youth today. It is such an amazing feeling to stand there and have the kids repeat the information that you taught them. I sincerely hope they are all successful in this small assignment but can later turn it into something positive for the good of their country.
Besides that, I feel things are going really well and the people I’m working with are glad I’m here. The teacher from the high school and my compañera were really boosting my ego the whole ride home (it’s a five minute drive…ha). There was another PC volunteer here about a year ago for medical reasons, this wasn’t actually her site, and apparently her Spanish wasn’t the best, she was pretty shy and not very social. According to my two Honduran counterparts I’m about the complete opposite of her and they predict our next two years will be good. Believe me, it’s a HUGE encouragement to hear these things.
Well, better wrap this up. I just KNOW I will be super busy next week. I’ve told everyone that I will start helping them with their projects in June and I’m sure come Tuesday, June 1 my phone will be blowing up like crazy. Time to work with the women’s groups and the caja rural (micro credit union), along with planning my next charla for the kids. Oh, which reminds me! They invited me to go on a field trip with the kids to the North coast at the beginning of July to do some sort of business study on the port up there. I’m stoked! Anywho, you know the drill…thanks for reading and…
Hasta la proxima vez…
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