Here we are on a Thursday night after a long week and here's what we got....
It started raining at 12:00 today and it hasn't let up since. I don't mean just any rain either. I mean pouring down, torrential rainfall! I was working at school grading papers and updating the gradebook thinking that the weather was going to let up like it usually does but not today. Ken ended up calling me asking me where I was because his bus was really late and the roads were beginning to flood really bad. Here in La Ceiba, the roads flood with the littlest amount of rain so I knew that it must be getting really bad out.
I ended up staying a bit longer to finish some things up and got another call from Ken saying I mine as well get wet because the roads were really bad and I might not find a taxi. He figured I should just ride my bike home. Luckily I had my workout clothes and changed into them, laced up my gym shoes, and headed out into the storm. Ken was right; there were hardly any cars on the road because they were so flooded and most people were just taking cover under awnings. After a long days work, I enjoyed getting soaked to the core even though it was hard to see at times. At points the water was up to my knees while I was on my bike and it was incredibly hard to peddle. It was so worth it though! I was able to make it home safe and sound too.
From now on though, I"ll be known as that "crazy, bike-riding, gringa" because EVERYONE was staring at me as I went by :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Self contained underwater breathing apparatus training...
Hello Internet!
Last weekend Erika and I went to the island of Utila. It is one of the Bay Islands that are a short 45 minute ferry ride from La Ceiba. It was a 5 day weekend because of the Honduran Independence Day. Well, we didn't think it was possible, but Utila is even more laid back than La Ceiba.
Immediatly upon leaving the ferry we could feel the distinct caribbean vibe. The people looked happier, the sun was shining stronger, the houses were brighter colors, and the signs pointed the way to bars instead of street names.
The main town of Utila is one long road, about the size of a single lane road in the states. But no worries, there are only about 5 cars on the island. Everyone either drives a golf cart, 4 wheeler, motorbike or bicycle.
We stayed and got our PADI (thats the organization that certifies scuba diving around the world) certificate at Cross Creek dive center. This was your typical run-of-the-mill hostel - except that it was mostly outside and we got our own room. The "room" was essentially a wooden box with a bed and shower. Imagine a sauna without the steam. We had a small problem with our fan the first night (it didn't work) and I also had to save Erika from some cockroaches. But really it wasn't that bad. We hadn't come to Utila to spend all day in the room so it was really not a big deal. Here's what Cross Creek looks like,
The diving was fantastic! Amazing! Out of this world! Like nothing we had ever done before. It is a little nerve racking at first just because you are underwater and still breathing, but we found it pretty easy to get used to after awhile. The coral was really cool to look at. So many different colors, and so many unique types of plants and little critters that where hiding in every crack. Some of the coral would even move if we got to close to it, almost like an animal would. There were also lots of fish. We saw a stingray, some lobster, lion fish, lots of parrot fish, some other fish, some more fish after that, and a giant silver fish that stared right at me and I swear I saw it lick its lips.
The farthest we are certified to dive is 30 meters, so about 60ft. Let me tell you, 60ft. may not sound that deep, but that is a whole lot of ocean above your head! We would go all the way down to the bottom, along a cliff of coral that went all the way to the surface, and we would float there and look up, straight up!, and we could just make out the surface way up there. When your 60ft down it is a lot darker and things begin to lose their color so the coral don't look as bright as they had near the surface.
All in all we went on 6 dives. We went to a just as many different dive sites and saw a lot of really cool things including a small ship wreck. One thing we thought was really nice was how calm and relaxing it was down there. There is basically no noise and if you want to communicate with someone you have to first get their attention by grabbing them or by trying to make a sound by pounding your fist really hard against your palm, and once you do that you can only tell them what you want them to know through hand gestures. So for most of the time you are left to your own thoughts and you are floating in your own world. It was really great.
One day we stopped and ate at this restaurant right on the ocean between two of our dives. Here are some pics.
Last weekend Erika and I went to the island of Utila. It is one of the Bay Islands that are a short 45 minute ferry ride from La Ceiba. It was a 5 day weekend because of the Honduran Independence Day. Well, we didn't think it was possible, but Utila is even more laid back than La Ceiba.
Immediatly upon leaving the ferry we could feel the distinct caribbean vibe. The people looked happier, the sun was shining stronger, the houses were brighter colors, and the signs pointed the way to bars instead of street names.
The main town of Utila is one long road, about the size of a single lane road in the states. But no worries, there are only about 5 cars on the island. Everyone either drives a golf cart, 4 wheeler, motorbike or bicycle.
We stayed and got our PADI (thats the organization that certifies scuba diving around the world) certificate at Cross Creek dive center. This was your typical run-of-the-mill hostel - except that it was mostly outside and we got our own room. The "room" was essentially a wooden box with a bed and shower. Imagine a sauna without the steam. We had a small problem with our fan the first night (it didn't work) and I also had to save Erika from some cockroaches. But really it wasn't that bad. We hadn't come to Utila to spend all day in the room so it was really not a big deal. Here's what Cross Creek looks like,
The diving was fantastic! Amazing! Out of this world! Like nothing we had ever done before. It is a little nerve racking at first just because you are underwater and still breathing, but we found it pretty easy to get used to after awhile. The coral was really cool to look at. So many different colors, and so many unique types of plants and little critters that where hiding in every crack. Some of the coral would even move if we got to close to it, almost like an animal would. There were also lots of fish. We saw a stingray, some lobster, lion fish, lots of parrot fish, some other fish, some more fish after that, and a giant silver fish that stared right at me and I swear I saw it lick its lips.
The farthest we are certified to dive is 30 meters, so about 60ft. Let me tell you, 60ft. may not sound that deep, but that is a whole lot of ocean above your head! We would go all the way down to the bottom, along a cliff of coral that went all the way to the surface, and we would float there and look up, straight up!, and we could just make out the surface way up there. When your 60ft down it is a lot darker and things begin to lose their color so the coral don't look as bright as they had near the surface.
All in all we went on 6 dives. We went to a just as many different dive sites and saw a lot of really cool things including a small ship wreck. One thing we thought was really nice was how calm and relaxing it was down there. There is basically no noise and if you want to communicate with someone you have to first get their attention by grabbing them or by trying to make a sound by pounding your fist really hard against your palm, and once you do that you can only tell them what you want them to know through hand gestures. So for most of the time you are left to your own thoughts and you are floating in your own world. It was really great.
One day we stopped and ate at this restaurant right on the ocean between two of our dives. Here are some pics.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Best Sunday
Today has been by far the best Sunday since I have been here in La Ceiba. It is the first weekend that Ken and I have had NOTHING going on so I was able to get up early this morning and go for a run OUTSIDE! This is the first run outside, only my second run, since we've been here. I had finally gotten my DOLE i.d. card last week and figured I would try it out across the street at the DOLE researching facility because there is a shaded walking circle there. I have been craving to go for a run and I think the hardest thing for me so far is not being able to lace up my shoes and just go. Well I got there around 7am this morning and was let in with no problems and off I went. I ran about 4 miles around the little circle which took me 1:45seconds to complete each time. Its basically the size of a track but with dirt paths and trees all around so it was much more enjoyable. It felt so good to be on my own and running of all things.
Then I came back home and started baking. Yesterday I had made some M&M cookies (because you can't find chocolate chips here! or chocolate bars for that matter...this might become a problem!) and I was still in the baking mood. I decided to make homemade banana bread, homemade apple pie (crust included!) and homemade vegetable quiche. I was slaving away in the kitchen and enjoying myself so much. I became a little bummed when I realized I no longer had my awesome ceramic rolling pin that I received from Jody last Christmas because it broke the 2nd day we were here. Luckily the Clow's had one that I could borrow though. Everything turned out really well even though I learned that our stove cooks unevenly. I started figuring out how to keep it from burning though!
It was so relaxing to be doing what I love. Our house is definitely beginning to feel more like home. I can't wait to see what I decide to bake next :)
Then I came back home and started baking. Yesterday I had made some M&M cookies (because you can't find chocolate chips here! or chocolate bars for that matter...this might become a problem!) and I was still in the baking mood. I decided to make homemade banana bread, homemade apple pie (crust included!) and homemade vegetable quiche. I was slaving away in the kitchen and enjoying myself so much. I became a little bummed when I realized I no longer had my awesome ceramic rolling pin that I received from Jody last Christmas because it broke the 2nd day we were here. Luckily the Clow's had one that I could borrow though. Everything turned out really well even though I learned that our stove cooks unevenly. I started figuring out how to keep it from burning though!
It was so relaxing to be doing what I love. Our house is definitely beginning to feel more like home. I can't wait to see what I decide to bake next :)
BBQ + Futbol
Last night Erika and I had a great time with our neighbors, the Clows (I'm like 97% sure that's how you spell their name). We spent all day preparing to go to their house for dinner. We made some pasta salad, bought some beer, and Erika made some delicious cookies. John & Cathy Clow live in the house right next door to us. They have 4 kids, 2 boys (Josiah and Evan) and 2 girls (Becca and Abby), all of which go to my school, Santa Teresa. They range from 5th grade to 1st. They have a really nice house with a great big back yard.
We had some tasty grilled chicken for dinner and a bunch of other foods including Cathy's home baked bread. Yum! After dinner, and then after a couple games of Wii Mariokart, which I dominated in, we headed to the socc....excuse me, futbol stadium. It is only a 10 minute walk from our house so it was really easy to get to and get out of later. We bought our tickets from a scalper so we didn't have to wait in line, and then, holding on to my wallet, we walked in the main gates with the crowd. The arena is so cool looking because it is all multi-colored with just concrete slabs to sit on and little kids run around and get drinks and snacks for you so you don't ever have to get up.
The game was so crazy! We were cheering for Vida, one of La Ceiba's two city teams. But the other side had a cheering section that kept shooting bottle rockets and throwing fire crackers onto the field. Oh yes, there were vuvuzela horns as well. The game was pretty good, a little boring at first but it picked up towards the end when Vida made an amazing corner kick to header goal. But really, I got just as much enjoyment out of watching the cheering sections, called the Jumping sections cause you literally jump the whole time to the beat of a drum, and of seeing everybody run for cover when it rained for about 10 minutes. It was great. The game finished with a tie 2-2. Here we are;
Oh yeah, cultural note. Water, and some other drinks, come in bags here in Honduras.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Cheers!
Haven't been thinking about posting lately. Honestly, not too much has happened out of the ordinary. Just a lot of working for both of us. Teaching is a lot of work! Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. However, I've been wanting to post this picture for awhile now so I thought I just would do it. It is from our trip to Tela 2 weeks ago. Enjoy.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Our HOUSE! Finally!
So Ken and I were finally able to finish unpacking the last few boxes and clean up the house enough so that we could do our video tour of our house. Here it is. You can now see where we live and why we love it here already so much :) ENJOY!!!
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