Honduras

Friday, February 8, 2008

Thursday, February 7, 2008

videos

This is Norma's sister, Nancy, with her grandson.

After getting on the plane at 2 am, we had a nine hour layover in Fort Lauderdale. So, I layed a sheet down on the floor and the kids slept for several hours. Okay, I admit, I layed right down with them. Susana actually got a pretty good night's rest. She fell asleep at about 10:30 pm on the way to the airport. She was somewhat awake at takeoff because she had to sit up and put her seatbelt on. Other than that, Tomas and I took turn carrying her to show her face to passport checker people (6 times before getting on the plane in Honduras) through security in Honduras (they let me carry her through, we managed to get her shoes off, she set off the metal detector and had to be patted down - it was the clasps on her overalls- she never woke up). Then we had to go through customs when we arrived in Fort Laudersdale and I layed her down on an unused inspection table (with Adilia standing next to her) so we could collect all our luggage. Overall, this return travel was what I was most concerned about. It could have been a total nightmare being stuck in an airport for 9 hours with four tired kids, but we had fun. PTL!

February 5, 2008

Time to say ADIOS

Mayra and Myrka

Adilia

Andre and TJ

Katia and Maximo

Carlos

Bianca

Susana and Karla

Monday, February 4, 2008

February 4, 2008

We brought air mattresses, but one didn't even last a few days. So TJ came up with this idea!

Today was Myrka's first day of school. The school year here runs February through November. Myrka and all the other first cousins here go to a private bilingual catholic school. Let me tell you, I looked at their books and they REALLY put us to shame. Last year, Bianka was in second grade. She learned long division and has perfect cursive handwriting. Carlos just started his second or third year of "colegio" which is the equivilant to eighth or nineth grade. He had to go to school for exams last Friday - before the start of the school year. If you don`t pass, you have to repeat the grade! So poor Carlos spent the last week of his summer vacation (yes, December and January are considered summer here) studying.

We picked Myrka up from school today. The campus is beautiful. This wonderful education costs a whopping 1000 Lempiras per month. $55.

February 3, 2008

This tree is right next to the house. One guy climbed up it (I have no idea how), and started dropping sapote fruit down. I stood there taking pictures till one came within inches of my head and I had to run for cover. They made me try the sapote and it was gross. Very sweet, but gross.

Suyapa is the patron saint of Honduras, and today is her saints day. My sister-in-law is catholic (as are 85% of Hondurans) so we went to an outdoor mass. It was pretty interesting. They even sang 2 songs we sing at our church.