Full Circle

So my trip has come full circle, and I am back at Casa El Meson in San Pedro Sula for the night. Time has flown especially this second week. When I visited for the first time in 2011, I knew I wanted to return to Copan Ruinas but wasn't sure if I would be able to. Now at the end of my third trip, I know I will be back on a somewhat regular basis, the next time I hope with Brent. So how is my Spanish. I still have good days and bad. Last Saturday in the villages of Amate and Buena Vista it seemed like I couldn't string a sentence together. However, I was reminded that the villagers use completely different words for things, use local expressions and often don't pronounce or articulate thier words. So I won't judge myself on that day. I can hold a decent conversation especially with Dunia. I still struggle in a conversation at normal pace especially if I don't know what the topic is about. And yet I have days when things fall in to place and I feel like I have made good progress. The exam on day one at the school showed me that I need to improve on my grammar. So I am returning with a new enthusiasm to pick up my books and do more homework. My reading has definatley improved. Each morning this week I bought the paper on the way to work. I would read several articles then we would discuss them. I had wanted to learn more about the political situation in Honduras and the upcoming election so we chose articles that spoke to that. The election takes place on Sunday and I will follow the results with interest.

I had a great time with Dunia and her family. It is a true immersion experience made more special by the fact that they include me in everything they do. I was also able to catch up with Ellen and again witness, first hand, the awesome work she does here. Ellen often talks about the small things that give her the most joy. I see her point. For me, it's the moments that catch you off guard that often mean the most. A few days ago, sitting in Cafe San Rafael, one of the young boys from La Pintada walked in carrying his bag of corn husk dolls to sell to us tourists. I explained to him that I had visisted his village the week before and bought dolls and scarves. He didn't say much, then eyed my water. "I'm thirsty" he said. He accepted my offer of the glass of water and made himself comfortable on a chair at my table. He told me his name was Raul and that he liked to go to school as he liked his teacher. Then began a word game with us each taking turns to name everythig in the restuarant as he slowly sipped up two glasses of water. Cute.

So it's off early to the airport tomorrow. Hopefully you have enjoyed the blog and/or the photos.

Travelling Honduras style with the Amigos of Honduras.

Hasta la proxima vez......until the next time.......!