We are approaching week 3 in Honduras and I feel as though I'm really starting to get settled. I'm still trying to find my daily routine but its becoming clearer and I feel like I know my way around now. It is still a little odd to think of Talanga as home but we have certainly been welcomed here. We bought new curtains and plan on painting the inside of the house this weekend, so concretely, it is becoming home. Father Lucian headed back to the states on Monday and Mike is leaving on Friday to go home for a month (he has been here for a year already) so the 5 of us new volunteers will be on our own for the first time this weekend. Its exciting to realize that this isn't a short experience where we are being led by Father Lucian and Mike, but rather, a new part of our lives that we are just getting accustomed to.
There are a lot of potential projects on the horizon for us, but its important for us to first get to know our community and the people in it. It is incredible to me that my "job" right now is simply to spend time with people. We do have some scheduled "work"... helping at the radio show, tv program, domestic violence group, having a variety of community meetings or meetings for past or future projects and other things. But so much of my days consist of going to school, visiting my family, playing with neighborhood kids, hanging out with neighbors or driving out to the aldeas to spend time with people there.
Any time spent with people is valuable and well spent. Yesterday, a few of us drove down to a river. We took 3 of the kids who live down the street from us with us and spent the afternoon swimming in the river and then washed our truck there. The day before, I went to the park with some of my roommates' host brothers to play basketball. It is rare to walk through town without being stopped to chat and be invited in for a visit. Our house is constantly full of neighbors, host families, kids and friends.
I am constantly being taught how to do things here. While visiting the aldeas, I have shaken mangos out from the top of a tree, beat beans out of a bush with sticks and grinded corn kernels to make tamales. This afternoon my "dad" taught me how to eat a fish (head included) using a tortilla for silverware. And of course, I am constantly learning more Spanish.
I wish I could more fully describe all that is happening here. Being in a new culture awakens your senses in every way. Although I've been to Talanga twice before, living here is an entirely different experience. Every day I am seeing both heartbreaking things and beautiful things. I am constantly being challenged. Though in my frustration I sometimes forget it, I know that I am learning and growing everyday, with Spanish and in many other ways.
I feel so blessed to be able to be here. I miss everyone at home but am thankful for all your updates. I know I don't respond to every email but please, keep them coming!! Its great to know how things are going at home.
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