Nectar of the Gods

As I talked about in my last communique, the city beaches in La Ceiba are not the greatest. But Erika and I found out where to go to be in paradise- and it's about 15 minutes east of La Ceiba.

Hector, one of the drivers for Mazapan & Dole, picked us up around 10am on Thursday. He drove us out to a restaurant/bar/hotel called Helen's Place at the end of a gravel road in an area east of La Ceiba called Sambo Creek. Helen's Place is one of those beach bars that you dream up in your head when you think about drinking a margarita on the beach of some lost island. Sea Turtle shells over the bar, parrot in a cage, hammocks over the sand, palm trees swaying in the wind, and just beyond the gates - the beach.

Like a couple of kids, we ran out into the waves and jumped around in the water. The water was warmer than I have ever felt the ocean. It was a little cloudy with sand and we could not see our feet but that just added an extra thrill - not knowing what was swimming with us. Then we saw a jellyfish and got out of the water faster than one of those lizards that runs on water. We didn't go back into the water after that. Wimps.
Instead, we soaked up some rays, read a bit, sipped on some of the best tasting margaritas and daiquiris we ever had.

We saw some cows on the beach as well. No! I don't mean fat gringos!

We spent about 5 hours at this beach. Collected a lot of nice shells as well. Will definitely be going back, and when paradise is so close, why not?!

Do they sell dirt in Honduras?

Ok, so, this is my first blog post. Let's see how this goes.

A couple interesting things have happened lately. Last night we went to Expatriates Bar with Erika's boss and her husband. I saw something that my dad would have thought hilarious. There was an old lady - like really old, retired old- that walked into the bar with her husband. But she wasn't just with her husband, she brought her pet parrot on her shoulder. Not only that, it was leashed to her so that it couldn't escape and when she sat down she placed a newspaper on the floor next to her for the parrot to do its business. Can't wait to see more eccentrics such as her.

When you walk past any store, bank or business that has many customers and therefore much cash on the premises it is common to see security guards stationed out front. Their weapon of choice seems to be an automatic shotgun - but most have a sidearm as well. Saw one with an AK-47 assault rifle. They are generally nice guys and we have made friends with one that we pass by everyday to walk downtown. His name is Malo and he speaks pretty good english. Just to show how light-hearted these guys usually are... Erika and I had stopped to take a picture of a neat building and we notice this sketching looking fellow walking towards a pair of guards in front of a bank. He had both is hands up near his face and was walking almost stealthily towards the guards. When he got near them he took down his hands, with both he formed the shape of a gun, and shot at them! "Bang Bang!" Then he ran passed them, "hand-guns" raised, towards Erika and I. Erika was spared but I got the final bullet as the mystery bandito took off down the street laughing manically. The guards both just laughed and when they saw the look on our faces - I actually thought we were being attacked - they made the universal "that guy is crazy" gesture.

We also went to the beach today. It isn't the best beach and were disappointed to find little in terms of restaurants or shops around the beach area.

After walking around all afternoon it was time to take it easy and stop sweating for awhile back at our casa. While I was out on the porch, smoking a cigar and reading, I noticed a battle of epic proportions taking place on a small branch. To small lizards, using everything they had -mainly biting and clawing - where locked in a feirsome battle. What was their trophy I wonder? A girl? Money? The upper half of the branch? It may never be known.



One more thing. Erika and I keep seeing people selling remote controls on the street. No electronics, no tvs, no dvd players - just remotes. And at dinner I was wondering if it would be possible to get dirt for the yard since it is rocky and needs grass and she says to me... "They sell remotes here. I'm pretty sure if they sell anything they sell dirt." Enough said.

And now the sun has gone down, a storm is rolling in over the mountains, and I am still sweating.

-Ken

Happy Birthday Honduran style

This is the first year that I have celebrated a birthday away from family and friends. Ken and I enjoyed our day however relaxing and hanging around the house. We both woke up feeling a bit under the weather, I guess the stomach bugs have already gotten to us, but we were able to get out of the house for a little bit today and stop by my school and the grocery store. My superintendent and her husband ended up taking us out to dinner tonight which was a nice treat and we had some great conversations. They were very welcoming and made us feel right at home. Ken also made a great double chocolate cake for me so it was nice to be able to have that taste of home today as well. We found out today that this summer has been the hottest summer in years reaching over the 90s numerous times. I think Chicago is still warmer though so it hasn't been too bad. There was a great breeze today that went all through the house and because of it, we didn't even need the air conditioner. It felt so good and was great weather to nap in. I figure I better get my naps in before work starts next week. We saw how the streets flood as well when we get some heavy rain yesterday. Ken and I were actually in the grocery store when it started and we both thought that it was the noise from the "rainforest" in the fruits and vegetable section like we have in the states. We found out soon enough however that it was actually down pouring outside!! What a nice surprise though and the water felt good with the heat. It will definitely be a trip to bike ride to school when it rains seeing as how many of the streets flood with little rain. I think I'll definitely be sporting my rain boots.

Charlie in Honduras?

While walking to the Expatriot's Bar last night (which is only one block away from our house!! and is one of the most well known bars in the city) Ken and I passed our next door neighbors house and saw an Airedale Terrier! Yes thats right, an Airedale Terrier in La Ceiba, Honduras. It ran right up to the fence and started barking at us, just like Charlie would do. It made me wonder, is the house we are staying in now really where we are supposed to stay for this first year. Was this Airedale Terrier a sign? Who really knows but I think its awesome/crazy how this dog is our next door neighbor.

We've arrived in La Ceiba!

After arriving at Chicago O'Hare at 1:00 am (thanks to our parents!) and taking 4 flights, the first of which starting at 3 am, we finally arrived in La Ceiba yesterday afternoon. The small planes we took were really not bad at all and all of our luggage arrived which we were thrilled about! We were greeted back Hector, an employee of Dole, who helped us get to the house that my school rented for us for the first month. Our last flight flew from Roatan Island to La Ceiba and we were able to see the beautiful Caribbean Sea as well as the beautiful Honduran countryside. Ken and I were both impressed by the views.

We were welcomed at our house by the landlord, her mother, and her sister. They all seem incredibly nice and have checked up on us a few times already making sure we have everything that we need. The mother only speaks Spanish which will hopefully help us to learn something but yesterday we were both clueless. She kept talking to us, slowing down her speed, but it really didn't help much. We both looked at each other and said...what? The house is fully furnished and comfortable! There are 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room/dining room, and a big kitchen. We also have a front/side porch as well and it already has the rings needed to hang a hammock. Ken and I are definitely looking in to getting one of those soon. The landlords live right next door but there is a large stone wall that cuts the property in half as well as beautiful plants, flowers, and coconut and mango trees. We were already warned if we hear a loud sound on the roof at night to not be alarmed since its probably a mango falling on the roof. We saw some fall earlier today and boy do they crash to the ground...watch out!

We had a late lunch with a co-worker of mine and her husband at a restaurant which was located next to the beach right on the Caribbean Sea. Ken and I both ordered the local dish which was a deep fried fish with red beans and rice, coleslaw, and fried plantanes. It was delicious! I was able to de-bone the fish like a local, but Ken struggled a bit more. He'll learn soon enough I'm sure! Afterwards we got a little tour of La Ceiba and we were able to see the house that we rented, my school, and the major streets/restaurants/stores. There are plenty of American restaurants and we have already dubbed one corner the American corner since EVERYTHING there is American. So far we have seen KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Church's Chicken, McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, 3 Pizza Huts (one is really fancy), Domino's Pizza, and Quizno's. Clearly we don't have to be too far from home if we don't want to be.

The weather is actually cooler here than it is in Chicago! We were totally surprised by that one. It's definitely humid but maybe only 75-80 degrees. Its really nice right now. The house has air conditioning just in the master bedroom so we have had all of the other windows open and it is really nice right now. Ken and I walked around and did some exploring this morning walking through Central Park, my school park a little bit, and then we went grocery shopping. Ken and I were practicing our spanish vocabulary there and I'm still having him practicing those rolling R's. Hopefully those rolling R's will come soon for him...