Tela
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
February 6, 2008
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
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.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
February 1, 2008
This is a Ducha. It makes your shower water warm. The first day I was here, my sister-in-law told me it works great, just don't touch it when you're wet.
January 31, 2008
We left La Libertad at 6 o'clock this morning. It is an hour drive to paved road. We had already passed most of the cows before taking this picture. They did not want to move, it was quite amusing.
We saw these more often than cars. In fact, when we came on Tuesday, in one hour of dirt road, we saw 5 cars and at least 20 horses, countless cows, and loads of pigs, goats,and chickens too.
We went to San Juancito on the way home. This is Tomas's Uncle Toñio. Apparently he looks just like Tomas's father. In the bag are coffee beans. They look just like cranberries. We went across the street to a cousin's house and cut down a sugar cane to eat.
January 30, 2008
I am in heaven. I have been saying for a long time that I wanted to live like Little house on the Prairie. I thought that wasn't possible. And since high school I have watched Feed the Children typè programs and wished I could go and help. I have found both in one place. (I actually saw a Feed the Children sign). Max, TJ, and Susana told me they want to live here. Adilia said "bye"!
Tomas's father grew up here. He was one of eight children. Some of them still live here. His aunt, Matilde, who lives in the house below had 15 children. This morning the boys were playing with a group of about 10 boys. I asked if any of them were Bonillas, 4 said yes! All day Tomas was introducing me to his cousins. This house is over 150 years old. When it was built, it was the only house around. Today it is in the center of La Libertad, population a few hundred.
We borrowed a horse, grabbed some kids (who were probably relatives) and walked to the river. This picture does not do justice to the view!
The family still owns 4 manzanas of land outside of town. We asked around and were told that a manzana (spanish for apple) is about 4 acres. We walked up the mountain property and picked green mangoes. They weren't too bad.
Tomas paid a little boy 7 Lempiras for these iguanas. His aunt made soup. Tomas's wife and children ate tortillas and rice. :^)
I don't think you can see this in the picture, but there is steam coming up from the water. It is burning hot. In fact, they bring pigs and chicken here to kill them.
These kids were sitting on the rock wall near the "aguas caliente" - hot waters. I started talking to them and found out that they are the children of Tomas's cousins cousin.
Here is Susana with her cousin Viviana (and the biggest pig I`ve ever seen). Viviana lives with her grandmother, Tomas's aunt, in the house we stayed at. Susana and Viviana really hit it off. It's amazing how little kids can play together all day and not understand a word each other is saying.
At the end of the day, we drove to the next town, San Miguelito, to see a huge boulder. The kids had to go to the bathroom, so we stopped and asked someone who let us come in. Of course, when we explained that we were family of Tomas Bonilla (Tomas's grandfather), the old man knew exactly who we were talking about and decided to accompany us. Luckily it was just up the next hill, because at this point there were over 20 of us in the van. So, we all climbed the steps up to the top of the boulder. We sat down on the benches and Cousin Oscar, the preacher from Comayagua, began to preach. Then we sang, and it was absolutley incredible. The perfect end to the perfect day.
Tomas's father grew up here. He was one of eight children. Some of them still live here. His aunt, Matilde, who lives in the house below had 15 children. This morning the boys were playing with a group of about 10 boys. I asked if any of them were Bonillas, 4 said yes! All day Tomas was introducing me to his cousins. This house is over 150 years old. When it was built, it was the only house around. Today it is in the center of La Libertad, population a few hundred.
Inside the house, we hung hammocks to sleep in. Susana and I slept in a "bed" that I wish I had gotten a picture of. It was made of a nice wooden frame, but the mattress was a woven mat. And it was short. But what an experience.
We borrowed a horse, grabbed some kids (who were probably relatives) and walked to the river. This picture does not do justice to the view!
The family still owns 4 manzanas of land outside of town. We asked around and were told that a manzana (spanish for apple) is about 4 acres. We walked up the mountain property and picked green mangoes. They weren't too bad.
Tomas paid a little boy 7 Lempiras for these iguanas. His aunt made soup. Tomas's wife and children ate tortillas and rice. :^)
I don't think you can see this in the picture, but there is steam coming up from the water. It is burning hot. In fact, they bring pigs and chicken here to kill them.
These kids were sitting on the rock wall near the "aguas caliente" - hot waters. I started talking to them and found out that they are the children of Tomas's cousins cousin.
Here is Susana with her cousin Viviana (and the biggest pig I`ve ever seen). Viviana lives with her grandmother, Tomas's aunt, in the house we stayed at. Susana and Viviana really hit it off. It's amazing how little kids can play together all day and not understand a word each other is saying.
At the end of the day, we drove to the next town, San Miguelito, to see a huge boulder. The kids had to go to the bathroom, so we stopped and asked someone who let us come in. Of course, when we explained that we were family of Tomas Bonilla (Tomas's grandfather), the old man knew exactly who we were talking about and decided to accompany us. Luckily it was just up the next hill, because at this point there were over 20 of us in the van. So, we all climbed the steps up to the top of the boulder. We sat down on the benches and Cousin Oscar, the preacher from Comayagua, began to preach. Then we sang, and it was absolutley incredible. The perfect end to the perfect day.
January 29, 2008
We left for La Libertad today (which is why I haven`t updated till now.) We picked up Tomas's cousin Oscar (the pastor/Marta and Javier`s brother) in Comayagua, and Uncle Amilcar in Tegucigalpa (the capital). Let me tell you, Honduras drivers are CRAZY!! To anyone who thinks Tomas needs driving lessons (as several of you have told me), he is a great driver for a Honduran. I bought him a shirt with the "Honduran rules of the road". Number one is "blind curves are ideal for passing". We did have a pastor and a reverend (Tito's brother's wife) in the car, so I kept telling myself that we had extra angels around the car.
We stoppped at a restaurant that had animals out back. This monkey was really cute. He swung around the bar with his tail.
I love this. Take some paper before you go in the restroom.
We stoppped at a restaurant that had animals out back. This monkey was really cute. He swung around the bar with his tail.I love this. Take some paper before you go in the restroom.
January 28, 2008
We didn`t do a whole lot today. We visited some family, and Tomas ate a baby chick. (just kidding)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
January 27, 2008
Today we went to Tela, a beach town about an hour and a half from El Progreso. It was the same group of 18 from yesterday. The water was fabulous, warmer than the air in fact. It was a bit strong, and someone drowned there yesterday, so we stayed pretty close to shore. Probably a good idea anyway, because my kids are the only ones that can swim. Most Hondurans can`t, simply because there is no place to learn. Anyway, this is what happened when we first got to the beach. I was so impressed by the number of people who came running to help. They actually had to lift the van up out of the whole!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
January 26, 2008
Today we went to a crocodile farm.
Tomas put this toad on me after Max found it in the bathroom (actually he tells me it was IN the toilet!) Eww - I just realized this thing was in the toilet- ugh - hopefully not this one, there were three. Anyway, Tomas put it on my leg expecting me to freak, but I didn't. Not till it jumped up, that is.
Tomas put this toad on me after Max found it in the bathroom (actually he tells me it was IN the toilet!) Eww - I just realized this thing was in the toilet- ugh - hopefully not this one, there were three. Anyway, Tomas put it on my leg expecting me to freak, but I didn't. Not till it jumped up, that is.
In order: Tomas, Carlos (Tomas's brother`s son), the next three are technically only neighbors-but they are more like family, TJ, Katia (Tomas's brother's daughter), Susana, Suyapa (Tomas`s brother's wife), Myrka and Bianca (Tomas's sister's daughters), Myra (Tomas's sister), Andres (Tomas's brother's son), Max, Nelson (Myra's husband), Adilia and Karla (Tomas`s brother's
daughter)
Friday, January 25, 2008
January 24, 2008
We rented four horses for half an hour and took turns riding. I even rode. We had a blast.
Susana and Katia
The kids found tons of shell on the edge of the lake.
We bought pineapples for 10 lempiras each. That's about 55 cents!
We went to Lago de Yojoa today. It`s the largest lake in Honduras - 16 kilometers long.
Susana and Katia
I love this bridge. The sign says they are not responsible for any accidents, hold on to the rope.
The kids found tons of shell on the edge of the lake.
I love this van. It's a Nissan Urvan. It's probably smaller than the van I have now, but it seats 15. And it's diesel with a manual transmission.
We bought pineapples for 10 lempiras each. That's about 55 cents!
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