Day 288 May 22
I woke up feeling pretty rotten still and just bummed around the house most of the morning. I watched the Simpsons on my computer, cleaned, and did laundry. I stole some internet from Picame and saw that J had responded to the e-mails I had sent updating me on all that had happened and how he was. I immediately broke down, but it was an outburst of relief. I then noticed he was actually online and we started talking. At some point, my connection dropped out, which I would normally just let be the case, but this time I ran out into Picame and bought a smoothie so that my internet connection was a little less shaky and we could continue to talk.
Some time later J went to go nap and I started talking with the man at the table next to me. His name is Oscar and he'd been traveling for a bit more than a year, but lives about a block from my house. He heard me coughing and offered to make me ginger tea (just so you know, Mom, when I first typed the word “ginger” I capitalized it. Wonder why?) and then we split ways. Not long after he did bring me some very strong, wonderfully strong ginger tea that eased my cough for a long time.
I spent the rest of my afternoon reading, doing laundry, and then I showered. I met Megan for a granita, which was the closest thing I had to coffee all day. She then went with me to buy a bottle of wine, which was the entrance fee to a dinner party I had in the evening.
Cid came by around 7 and we got ready to go to the formal-ish dinner party at Jesse's house. I had been told formal, so we were dressed up. Most of the girls were dressed up, but most of the guys were not so much. Poor Cid. The food was wonderful and the company was great. It was fun, but around 10, I decided to head home just because I didn't want to push myself even though I was feeling better.
Sierra showed up at home shortly after me because her stomach was killing her.
Day 289 May 23
I was up and out by 8:30. I met Rachel in the park to buy food for church. We went to the office to prepare it and talk. I also made myself some ginger tea. Other folks trickled in and then church got started. We ended the sermon series on the Holy Spirit and discussed for a while. Then we sang, prayed and parted ways around 2. I left to go meet Cid, but there was a miscommunication about where, so we were both waiting for a while before we re-collaborated and I went to meet him at Mark's place. We hung around for a while. Cid had to go back to the hotel for just a minute to help and then when we got back, Mark, Cid, and I went shopping for dinner.
I cooked us a large meal and then the boys did the dishes. We talked up on the roof for a while before Mark left and I decided it was time for bed, even though I couldn't sleep well.
Day 290 May 24
I walked to school with Kristin who was still subbing for Abby who is in the States for a wedding. I had a strange Monday with no Library period and no spelling words to fill in my usual time gaps. We got along well and my amended schedule moved along smoothly.
After school I finished writing my student comments and sent them and my behavior grades to Marisol. I'm trying to prepare for next year on all fronts. My comments were very specific and detailed. I wrote a lot for each student and was very direct about the problems some of my students have. I also drafted up a letter to the parents about how learning English is not passive and next year there will be a lot of new material. If the students can't keep up in English they will fall behind in the other subjects and the ask your friends what the teacher is saying, copy your work from others meathod won't cut it next year. I won't claim that I was a perfect, next copying student in primary, but I wasn't trying to learn a second language. Not that it was GOOD, but I could still learn information by passively sitting in class. These students can't. I've started my syllabus for next year in which I outline the teacher's job, the parent's job, and the student's job in each student's bilingual education and how if any one of us doesn't do our part, then the child will not get the best education they can.
I walked home with Megan and then we got a ride with Gilda. We went by Cafe Welchez for a granita, which they did not have so we got smoothies. I then rushed off to go tutor.
While tutoring, three of my girls came by. Things were halted for a while to help Isaac save face, and then we continued on while they left. When I left, I had an impulse buy at a second hand store for 2.50$. On my way home, I ran into Chris and we planned to meet up tomorrow and then Oscar who wanted to know why I disappeared on Saturday night (to sleep, duh. It's a weekend, who stays out?)
I went home to meet Tammi and Nash, but finally I was not the late one! We went on a run up toward Hacienda San Lucas, which was lovely. It actually involved some uphill, which I'd managed to avoid on my runs thus far. When I got home I talked to Allan for a while before showering. I watched Avatar over Sierra's shoulder until Cid came.
He brought lemon grass, so we made lemon grass tea for all of us sickies and then we went to the pharmacy for cough meds and Vicks. Shortly after, I went to sleep.
Day 291 May 25
The day started well with excellently behaved students during reading assessments. I only got through 7, but that also means I finished with grades for 7 students. The rest of the day also went smoothly.
After school, I stayed and organized my papers for next year's third grade teacher. I finished up my exams and study guides and put together my student portfolios...for me. I got a ride home with Megan and Gilda and went straight to tutoring.
Isaac and I had a good session and Yoela's mom came to chat with Jaqui. The three of us talked some and they pressured me for some chisme (gossip) on the end of school, other teachers, and next year. They also commented on how I am the perfect age for having babies. A little awkward. I told them that I didn't want any right now, because I already have 19. That seemed to satisfy them. I also told them the same thing I told the cleaning girls in the morning, that I want to practice my Spanish more, but I always get too nervous. That I understand a lot and think a lot in Spanish, but always stop myself from talking because I don't like to make mistakes, even though I know it's okay.
I went to Villamil to meet Chris and waited for a long time. I saw with Kila and Sierra while I waited. I then met with Chris for a while and went home. I showered and fell asleep. I woke up when Cid called at 7:30. He had just left a birthday party. He told me a bit about it, but being all nappy, I wasn't up for much and went to sleep before too long.
Day 292 May 26
On my way to school, a young cowboy lifted his hat to me while he rode by, driving his other horses. It made me feel like a dame. I then got to school and started getting ready. There was a lot of commotion outside the room and when I went to investigate my boys were trying to catch a frog with a piece of paper. I scooped up the frog and walked it to safety. They were impressed. They also told me my hand would fall off, but it has not.
The day was rocky. My kids are largely checked and way too excited about tomorrow. I have threatened to have individuals sit out if they don't behave and will hold to it. It was my primary form of control during the day.
After school I gave recup exam study guides to my kids who I know failed. Three failed Science, and one of those also failed Math, and Spelling. I talked to her for a long time after school. She is so smart and her English is so good but she doesn't listen and she almost never does her work. I informed her that not doing her work next year will result in detention every time and that she's old enough now to be able to make herself listen even when it's hard. We talked about life and death, because she's known a few people who have died and she told me that sometimes she thinks about them at school. We talked about the natural process of mourning, and how it's okay to be sad, but that she can't stop living herself. She promised to do better, in part because she doesn't want detention but also because she wants to learn. I hope so.
I had planned to walk home with Alex, but got caught up in a conversation for Linda for a long while. It was good, but I also felt bad having him wait. We went to town and went to Yatba'lam for bagels and granitas. We talked for a while, meeting up with Eileen for a while and then Cid. Around 4 we split ways. I went home and read for a while before getting ready to go run with Tammi, Nash, and Theo. For some reason, this run hit me harder than most have been, but it was fine. We did the natural trail at the ruins and then got baleadas in Las Brisas. I got home and continued reading (I'm currently in a book of short stories, The Alchamist, and the 7th in the Great Book of Amber. I need to pick one.)
I showered and chatted with Abby for a while before Cid came. We watched The Wolf Man and then it was bed time.
Day 293 May 27
Some time back, when I was eavesdropping on my students who will say a lot around me in Spanish believing I won't understand, I heard them talking about trying to surprise me when I arrived at school, so arriving before me. I was glad to see they had listened when I told them not to do that. Michael came by in the morning and offered me some of the things in his classroom, which was nice. I'll have to look into that later.
One of my girls came in and gave me a rose. I had an old water bottle, so I made a vase for it and gave it water first thing. My kids did well to have a normal first part of the day as I told them we would. We had a slow start to reading groups, so I didn't get through as many reading assessments as I would have hoped, but that's okay. We went to recess and I got us ready for field day.
I broke the kids up into 4 teams and gave them colors for names. Red Team, White Team, Blue Team, and Yellow Team. They could earn points for their team by doing what I asked quickly and quietly and lose points if they didn't. Points were earned and lost easily. The top prize was ¾ of a bag of jelly beans and a sticker per person. The second place prize was ¼ of a bag of jelly beans and a sticker per person, the third place prize was 3 stickers per person, and the fourth place prize was one sticker per person. They wanted those jelly beans, so they were pretty well behaved through it all.
We started out with the egg/spoon relay race. The first heat didn't make it very far, but those teams got a re-do and they got a better hang of it. I kept repeating that it doesn't matter if they're ahead of you or not if your egg breaks. The 6th graders came and kicked us off the futbol field for PE class, which was fine, except for how they did it. There was no respect and they stood right in the middle of my relay race. I asked them to move, but they just continued to ask me to move for Mr. Ferjardo. I was a little ticked, but we got to redo the race and my kids didn't seem too phased by it.
We did a three legged race, an egg toss, a relay race, the hokey pokey, and telephone. It was awesome. Winning teams were awarded 4 points, and on down the scale. It was good. We then went back to the room where I told them I am going to be their teacher next year, which they took well. Only Carlos expressed any unhappiness and I heard someone remind him that he might end up with a teacher more angry than me if he didn't have me and he conceded that this is good. We played jeopardy, which I ended at lunch time. I tallied up the points to announce the winners at the end of the day.
We had lunch, during which time food and cake arrived for my surprise party. What I did not foresee is that Helen and Norma gave the kids both of those class periods to set up and practice for my party. They put all the desks against the wall, hung elephant pictures and blue balloons everywhere, and dressed in costumes for shows.
I was kidnapped before the end of my planning period, blindfolded, and sat in the middle of the room. When they untied me, they turned on the fan, which had confetti on top of it, and it snowed all around me. They then did a mime show, which was actually very coordinated and impressive. It was a 2 girl act and I was thrilled with it. Issella ended it by giving me her heart.
Then there was a 2 boy clown show, which was not as practiced or thought through, but still cute. The boys just know they're funny and expected to be able to carry the show on that. After the shows, the food started getting handed out. It was delicious. The kids were getting rowdy and Helen and Norma were busy with the food, so I decided it was a good time to do prizes from our field day. That worked out well and everyone was happy because they got something no matter what, and they were getting food and candy at a party. No downside.
We sent teachers all over primary some of the food and then they had me blow out my candles. I managed to blow them all out in one go, but 3 of them were trick candles! I had to keep blowing them out. We ate cake and the kids were given goody bags. They then got out their hollowed eggs filled with colorful confetti and broke them all over the room. They sat me down and gave me some gifts, like chocolates, another silly mug, a nice and not silly mug, and a ring. Erika and Sophia knit my bracelets. Norma helped the whole class put together a book of them and me. A huge picture of me is on the cover and then there's a picture and words from each student. In the back is the interview from a few weeks back that the kids did with me in Spanish.
The kids then rushed off late to catch the buses and I cleaned for a bit more than an hour. I walked home with Chris and we saw that the river had risen several feet in the last hour. There was a flash floor from pouring rain further up the mountain. It was the most intense I've ever seen the river and Ronnie said that sometimes it gets much higher than this. Chris and I explored a bit, in the rain. It was warm, so it was fun.
I went to the correo and had my birthday package from mom and dad! I then went by tutoring, but the door was closed up, so I turned back around. I ran into Chris again and we went to get empanadas and open our mail. I then went back to his place to exchange music and pictures. He gave me the pottery casserole dish made up in Yanitios. I went home and showered.
Cid came and we went, on my request, to eat dinner at Katia's mom's comedor. Cid had never been and now he knows it's my favorite place to eat. I was impressed to see that they had fixed up the back and it now has a real little patio and tent covering.
We then went to Tammi's to hang out with Tammi and Nash until about 9 when I decided it was time to get to bed. I got hom and found Luis sitting in my living room talking with Sierra. I had thought he'd forgotten my birthday, but he was here to wish me a good one. We talked for a while until he left and then I went straight to bed.
Day 294 May 28
The river was still high and the roads were muddy. I was glad to catch a ride shortly before the big hill just before the school. I got to school and got online and responded to the facebook world. I think this is the first birthday I've had my birthday posted on the site and the response is just overwhelming, but fun.
The kids were still a little wild from yesterday, which I expected. Art class was full of mayhem, but we got through it. Later Megan came to help finish reading assessments, but she only got through a few. I pulled kids during my planning period and finished them up. We finished our Science review packet and I've checked through them all so they can use them over the summer to study, if they will.
We ended our day with a lot of cleaning and picking certain things to take home and not bring back. Each day next week I'll send them home with a little more so they're backpacks aren't so full on the last day. I stayed after to clean, grade, and organize for next school year.
I walked home with Kathy and we ended up catching a ride with Pat from the bird park. We then chatted on the corner and split ways. I got a sandwich and drink in Picame, updated my pictures, and chatted with J. I went in and tried to nap, but couldn't. I felt a little refreshed just from trying, but made coffee. I showered and got dressed up for the party.
I met Tammi in the park and we went to pick up some earrings for me. We then got dinner and hung out for a while. She left shortly before Cid came. Cid and I talked and played in my new Where's Waldo book that Michael gave me for my kids. I've always been a child.
A bit after 9, we went over to the party. I was introduced to the pinata that's supposed to look like me. She even had a pocket in her skirt, which I loved. The party, which was an end of the year/ mariachi band/ full moon/ Nash's friend was coming into town/ Sarah's birthday party was a hit. There was a big turn out. After a while, the mariachi band came and I danced with Cid and Pedro, which was fun. Kelvin came into town for the party, Nash's friend was a lot of fun, most of the Urban Promise crew was there, Megan came, Hsuan came, and Pedro, Oscar, and Chando were there. Plus, all of the teachers that were in town and the usual party crews. More kept coming as the night went on.
Cid and I walked Megan home and I grabbed a baleada off the street on the way back. Then it was epic pinata time. I got to go first, and I started out with a Machete. I then switched over to a giant stick of bamboo. Chris got to go next, as it was his party too. He wielded the Machete. Shortly after he started, someone thought it would be a good idea to dip the pinata in the fire. This was done and it continued to be hit. All I can say is, I'm glad it's the rainy season and we live in cement houses.
After a while we all migrated to Papa Changos. I danced with Oscar once and the rest of the night with Cid. I'm such a slow learner at dancing, but it's fun. It was also a kind of mardi gras party there, so we got masks. Eventually, I went home and went to bed.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Week 41: Being Sick and Scared for J
Day 281 May 15
I was awake much earlier than I wanted to be and despite my best efforts to fight the morning—I was up. I started out with a very leisurely morning. I did some laundry, cooked breakfast, and called Rachel before I showered to let her know that Chris had told me we were taking off around 11. However, shortly after this, Chris called to ask if I could make a bus in the next 15 minutes. No, No I couldn't. Thus began the mayhem.
We found that the next bus would leave at 10. I could tell Chris was already frazzled, and my house is right next to the bus station, so I decided I would just stay home, be ready, and do as I was told to keep myself from getting anxious or frustrated. I abandoned several morning plans to leave an hour earlier, but I succeeded in buying toilet paper for the house before leaving, which was the most important. It allworked out well except that Chris and Katie left some things at my house, needed to use the bathroom, and as the three of us finally departed, Rachel had to convince the bus driver to stop pulling out. We had to run it down and hop on. The locals were staring.
We hopped off the bus just before La Entrada and right there was a truck we could catch a ride in to the park of the ruins of El Puente. When we got there we paid, signed in, and I noticed that the last visitors they'd had were a week ago.
We weaved around the museum at a nice slow pace. There was pottery, ax heads, obsidian tools, skulls, a skeleton, maps, and other very interesting things. I liked the details that were displayed here that you can't get at our ruins.
The park had a really nice climbing tree. Rachel went up much higher than I did and stayed in it for longer while we went up the big pyramid. We did everything slowly, which was nice. We'd climb up something, and sit and talk for a while. We went through the tunnels, which showed the structure the one we could see was built over.
We went to the picnic area and had a lunch of breads, cheeses, and mango. There was winding river next to us and Chris took a dip. It was very pleasant and I was slightly amused at how accustomed to large men with large guns I've become. After lunch, we walked the short nature trail, with signs trying to encourage people to enjoy nature, appreciate it, and treat it well.
We got a truck back to La Entrada, which was one of the fastest hitchhiking experiences I've had. As we pulled up the Casasola bus was pulling out and Rachel and I jumped on. We had a nice ride back, though we both became very thirsty as we drove along because we'd finished our water at lunch.
When we got back to Copan we made a B-line toward Picame for smoothies. A young man who appeared to be, and sounded hispanic, asked us in perfect English if we lived here and could direct him to a hotel. We were both surprised. No one ever assumes we live here.
We met Megan for a smoothie, which was perfect and hit the spot. I went inside to finish all the things I'd wanted to do that morning, but fell asleep. When I woke up, there was no power, it was terribly hot in my room, and I was out of it.
I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (the second book I've read by him and am tremendously impressed. I'm not even sure when I finished reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox I was so unimpressed.) I took a shower and met Cid at ViaVia for a little while before he had to go back to work at the hotel.
Day 282 May 16
I had a lazy morning, but nice. I spent some time working on my computer and then finished The Alchemist, which I've decided I need to read again, this time writing down all the profound quotes. Which might be the whole book. I think this is a book I need to read at least once every year. Who knew about Coelho and never told me? This man is a talented writer and good story teller and he has many different styles. I will read it in Spanish one day. I think it's a book I need to read about once a year, or so.
I went out grocery shopping and picked up corn flour and flour to start getting me out of my baking shell. We'll see how it goes. I got home and cleaned up and did laundry.
I headed over to Rachel's house to learn to make scones and talk. I wrote down everything we did and we talked for a long time. I told her how much the story of the Alchemist applies to the things we talk about. We prayed and went to church with our scones.
At church, the group discussed how strong this group is and what else we can do. We discussed plans for the future and more formal things, like tithing and what we use it for, what we can do in the community, etc. It was good. In the end, as we were praying, the power cut out and we just kept going.
When I got home, there was garbage everywhere and a dog I couldn't see because of the power outage. I chased off the dog and stepped over the garbage to get in the house. The whole downstairs smelled like rot. I told Sierra what had happened and went to bed. Eventually the power came back on, but, as it's been for days, you can hear and feel it fluctuating when it's on.
Day 283 May 17
At breakfast I had the equivalent of an Honduran corn dog. It was tasty. The day was relatively uneventful, except that I kept Carlos after for a homework detention. He always does his work, but never well, and so he never learns a thing. I stayed after school to finish up some loose ends and started getting a sore throat while I was there.
As soon as I started walking home, though the sun was shining, it started to pour. The closer to town I got, the darker it was. A car picked me up and got a ride to the central park. I talked with a tourist for a while on a corner, gave her some info she hadn't yet realized and then continued on to tutoring. Jaqui gave me birthday cake to celebrate her older son's birthday, who lives in the States.
I hurried home after to get ready for a run, and this time we were joined by Theo and Beth who set a much quicker pace than we usually go on slow days, but I managed to keep up. When I got home, I chatted with Sierra for a while and cleaned the pila. When I went to refill it, because it's so slow to refill, I showered while it was filling. When I finished, I had a strong urging to go out in the hall and check it. As I peeked in the pila room, still dripping myself and only in the towel, the pila began to overflow. I turned it off and there was no harm done. I won't take that risk again, though.
I went over to the Casa de Cafe, where my sore throat began to manifest much more strongly as a cold. I had seen Mark earlier, and he came to visit with Cid too. We joked about how visiting Cid was like visiting the ill at a hospital. “Yeah, have you been to see him recently? I was thinking of going tonight.” “Yeah, I've been with him every night.” But he's not sick, he's just trapped at the hotel.
The cold came full on during the night and I hardly slept at all. It was miserable.
Day 284 May 18
I felt terrible, so I wanted to catch a taxi, but as I started up the hill, there was a visual reminder of the road being closed down, so I turned to go up the stairs by Megan's house. On the stairs, I saw Abby leaving a house she's dog sitting for. She was confused to see me there. When I got up the hill, Megan was waiting outside her house for Gilda to pick her up, so we waited together. I met Antonia, the head of archeology at the ruins while we waited. He seemed very nice.
As the day progressed, I felt worse and worse. I developed a fever which I almost never do—less than once every two years, I'd say. I told the kids how I was feeling and they did pretty well for me during the day. They also tried to send me to the school nurse, which was cute. I slept in Megan's office during my break, and let my kids go early if they promised to be quiet in the hall. I then slept on my desk until the staff meeting. Some of my kids hung around my door giggling and watching me. I cared about nothing.
The meeting was probably the most productive we've had all year. I still couldn't care about anything, as I felt like death warmed over, but we got all our closing procedure paperwork and instructions. I started planing out my next few weeks.
I walked home and watched the OC with Sierra, for hopes of a back massage, which I got. I then went to the Casa de Cafe where Cid took care of me. I developed, and maintained for several hours, another fever. Cid made me tea and took care of dinner. I was asleep before 8.
Day 285 May 19
I was up by 5 and feeling better after so much sleep, but still not great. The kids and I had a decent day, but they tried to take advantage of the fact that I was feeling better. I spent my free time making worksheets and planning my last weeks of school.
After school, some of my girls stayed to help me translate an end of the year note home to the parents. I then walked home, got a smoothie while continuing with the worksheets, and then left for tutoring. When I got back I journaled, got baleadas, and went to the Casa de Cafe where I ate the baleadas with Cid.
Day 286 May 20
My day started when I got to school and learned that J had been in a car accident. I sat at my computer and cried before my students came in. I walked to the office and told Megan. I knew very little, except that he had a depressed fracture in his skull and was in an ICU. I was scared.
The rest of the day was overshadowed and I spent my free moments trying to learn more about the accident. I walked to Scout breifly and I got some information from Lia, which was much appreciated. As Scout reminded me, He's a strong ox. He'll be okay.
I walked home with Kristin, until her street and was then joined by a man named Gustavo who tried to get me to go to his house with lour of mangos. He also asked about my amigas. I did not bite. I walked straight to the Casa de Cafe.
I wasn't able to stay long, but it was good to talk to Cid. I told him what I had learned about J and then we chit chatted with Mark before I had to leave to tutor. I went to tutoring and then met up with Tammi and Nash for a run. After the run, we grabbed some cash and went to Las Brisas for baleadas.
I spent some quiet time alone and broke down on Sierra when she surprised me in the hall. I had to explain that nothing had happened, I was just scared. It reminded me of when I stepped out of the staff room at camp and saw Kate and Louise there after I got of the phone with mom when Dad was in ICU. I was sure everything would be fine, but I was just scared.
I chatted with Sierra for a while until mom called and then I talked to her. Sierra left. Mom and I talked for a long time and Cid was never able to come over because Howard had just gotten back into town.
There was a big storm before bed, which knocked out the power and made it hard to fall asleep.
Day 287 May 21
I walked to school with Kristin and the first thing I did when I got to my room was check the internet. I learned that J was out of ICU, which was great news, but I didn't feel much relief. I was starving for a detail, to know about any long term damage, or, really, just to talk to him.
My kids and I had a solid day. I stayed after to finish up all of my grading, but two of my boys were playing around and missed the bus so the vigilante told them to go to their classroom so I could deal with it, or go to the office. They came to me asking if they could walk home with me. I let them play in the room for a while but when I saw they were getting to anxious, I packed up the rest of my papers and went to leave. I checked the internet one last time and learned that J was already home. It was a huge relief, but I still wanted to talk to him and learn the details of his situation.
I started to walk home with Nilvio, Isaac, Kristin, and Megan, when a very late bus came and we asked if the driver would take home the boys too. The bus picked us up on our way down the hill, so we rode it too.
I went home and got some clothes I could get dirty to go help clean and paint at the Urban Promise office. I scrubbed a door down so that it could be painted later and then took some time on the internet, which I have been obsessed with recently. I was not in the mood for cooking, so I got a baleada at Picame and researched planets for last days random facts.
I went in the house did the laundry, the dishes, and took a shower. I sat up in my room and finished the grading I had wanted to finish at school. I completed my grade book on my computer and worked on my student comments and behavior grades. It was a very productive afternoon.
Eventually, Cid came over. We had planned to watch a movie, but ended up talking instead. As I was still sick, I got very tired early and went to bed.
I was awake much earlier than I wanted to be and despite my best efforts to fight the morning—I was up. I started out with a very leisurely morning. I did some laundry, cooked breakfast, and called Rachel before I showered to let her know that Chris had told me we were taking off around 11. However, shortly after this, Chris called to ask if I could make a bus in the next 15 minutes. No, No I couldn't. Thus began the mayhem.
We found that the next bus would leave at 10. I could tell Chris was already frazzled, and my house is right next to the bus station, so I decided I would just stay home, be ready, and do as I was told to keep myself from getting anxious or frustrated. I abandoned several morning plans to leave an hour earlier, but I succeeded in buying toilet paper for the house before leaving, which was the most important. It allworked out well except that Chris and Katie left some things at my house, needed to use the bathroom, and as the three of us finally departed, Rachel had to convince the bus driver to stop pulling out. We had to run it down and hop on. The locals were staring.
We hopped off the bus just before La Entrada and right there was a truck we could catch a ride in to the park of the ruins of El Puente. When we got there we paid, signed in, and I noticed that the last visitors they'd had were a week ago.
We weaved around the museum at a nice slow pace. There was pottery, ax heads, obsidian tools, skulls, a skeleton, maps, and other very interesting things. I liked the details that were displayed here that you can't get at our ruins.
The park had a really nice climbing tree. Rachel went up much higher than I did and stayed in it for longer while we went up the big pyramid. We did everything slowly, which was nice. We'd climb up something, and sit and talk for a while. We went through the tunnels, which showed the structure the one we could see was built over.
We went to the picnic area and had a lunch of breads, cheeses, and mango. There was winding river next to us and Chris took a dip. It was very pleasant and I was slightly amused at how accustomed to large men with large guns I've become. After lunch, we walked the short nature trail, with signs trying to encourage people to enjoy nature, appreciate it, and treat it well.
We got a truck back to La Entrada, which was one of the fastest hitchhiking experiences I've had. As we pulled up the Casasola bus was pulling out and Rachel and I jumped on. We had a nice ride back, though we both became very thirsty as we drove along because we'd finished our water at lunch.
When we got back to Copan we made a B-line toward Picame for smoothies. A young man who appeared to be, and sounded hispanic, asked us in perfect English if we lived here and could direct him to a hotel. We were both surprised. No one ever assumes we live here.
We met Megan for a smoothie, which was perfect and hit the spot. I went inside to finish all the things I'd wanted to do that morning, but fell asleep. When I woke up, there was no power, it was terribly hot in my room, and I was out of it.
I read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (the second book I've read by him and am tremendously impressed. I'm not even sure when I finished reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox I was so unimpressed.) I took a shower and met Cid at ViaVia for a little while before he had to go back to work at the hotel.
Day 282 May 16
I had a lazy morning, but nice. I spent some time working on my computer and then finished The Alchemist, which I've decided I need to read again, this time writing down all the profound quotes. Which might be the whole book. I think this is a book I need to read at least once every year. Who knew about Coelho and never told me? This man is a talented writer and good story teller and he has many different styles. I will read it in Spanish one day. I think it's a book I need to read about once a year, or so.
I went out grocery shopping and picked up corn flour and flour to start getting me out of my baking shell. We'll see how it goes. I got home and cleaned up and did laundry.
I headed over to Rachel's house to learn to make scones and talk. I wrote down everything we did and we talked for a long time. I told her how much the story of the Alchemist applies to the things we talk about. We prayed and went to church with our scones.
At church, the group discussed how strong this group is and what else we can do. We discussed plans for the future and more formal things, like tithing and what we use it for, what we can do in the community, etc. It was good. In the end, as we were praying, the power cut out and we just kept going.
When I got home, there was garbage everywhere and a dog I couldn't see because of the power outage. I chased off the dog and stepped over the garbage to get in the house. The whole downstairs smelled like rot. I told Sierra what had happened and went to bed. Eventually the power came back on, but, as it's been for days, you can hear and feel it fluctuating when it's on.
Day 283 May 17
At breakfast I had the equivalent of an Honduran corn dog. It was tasty. The day was relatively uneventful, except that I kept Carlos after for a homework detention. He always does his work, but never well, and so he never learns a thing. I stayed after school to finish up some loose ends and started getting a sore throat while I was there.
As soon as I started walking home, though the sun was shining, it started to pour. The closer to town I got, the darker it was. A car picked me up and got a ride to the central park. I talked with a tourist for a while on a corner, gave her some info she hadn't yet realized and then continued on to tutoring. Jaqui gave me birthday cake to celebrate her older son's birthday, who lives in the States.
I hurried home after to get ready for a run, and this time we were joined by Theo and Beth who set a much quicker pace than we usually go on slow days, but I managed to keep up. When I got home, I chatted with Sierra for a while and cleaned the pila. When I went to refill it, because it's so slow to refill, I showered while it was filling. When I finished, I had a strong urging to go out in the hall and check it. As I peeked in the pila room, still dripping myself and only in the towel, the pila began to overflow. I turned it off and there was no harm done. I won't take that risk again, though.
I went over to the Casa de Cafe, where my sore throat began to manifest much more strongly as a cold. I had seen Mark earlier, and he came to visit with Cid too. We joked about how visiting Cid was like visiting the ill at a hospital. “Yeah, have you been to see him recently? I was thinking of going tonight.” “Yeah, I've been with him every night.” But he's not sick, he's just trapped at the hotel.
The cold came full on during the night and I hardly slept at all. It was miserable.
Day 284 May 18
I felt terrible, so I wanted to catch a taxi, but as I started up the hill, there was a visual reminder of the road being closed down, so I turned to go up the stairs by Megan's house. On the stairs, I saw Abby leaving a house she's dog sitting for. She was confused to see me there. When I got up the hill, Megan was waiting outside her house for Gilda to pick her up, so we waited together. I met Antonia, the head of archeology at the ruins while we waited. He seemed very nice.
As the day progressed, I felt worse and worse. I developed a fever which I almost never do—less than once every two years, I'd say. I told the kids how I was feeling and they did pretty well for me during the day. They also tried to send me to the school nurse, which was cute. I slept in Megan's office during my break, and let my kids go early if they promised to be quiet in the hall. I then slept on my desk until the staff meeting. Some of my kids hung around my door giggling and watching me. I cared about nothing.
The meeting was probably the most productive we've had all year. I still couldn't care about anything, as I felt like death warmed over, but we got all our closing procedure paperwork and instructions. I started planing out my next few weeks.
I walked home and watched the OC with Sierra, for hopes of a back massage, which I got. I then went to the Casa de Cafe where Cid took care of me. I developed, and maintained for several hours, another fever. Cid made me tea and took care of dinner. I was asleep before 8.
Day 285 May 19
I was up by 5 and feeling better after so much sleep, but still not great. The kids and I had a decent day, but they tried to take advantage of the fact that I was feeling better. I spent my free time making worksheets and planning my last weeks of school.
After school, some of my girls stayed to help me translate an end of the year note home to the parents. I then walked home, got a smoothie while continuing with the worksheets, and then left for tutoring. When I got back I journaled, got baleadas, and went to the Casa de Cafe where I ate the baleadas with Cid.
Day 286 May 20
My day started when I got to school and learned that J had been in a car accident. I sat at my computer and cried before my students came in. I walked to the office and told Megan. I knew very little, except that he had a depressed fracture in his skull and was in an ICU. I was scared.
The rest of the day was overshadowed and I spent my free moments trying to learn more about the accident. I walked to Scout breifly and I got some information from Lia, which was much appreciated. As Scout reminded me, He's a strong ox. He'll be okay.
I walked home with Kristin, until her street and was then joined by a man named Gustavo who tried to get me to go to his house with lour of mangos. He also asked about my amigas. I did not bite. I walked straight to the Casa de Cafe.
I wasn't able to stay long, but it was good to talk to Cid. I told him what I had learned about J and then we chit chatted with Mark before I had to leave to tutor. I went to tutoring and then met up with Tammi and Nash for a run. After the run, we grabbed some cash and went to Las Brisas for baleadas.
I spent some quiet time alone and broke down on Sierra when she surprised me in the hall. I had to explain that nothing had happened, I was just scared. It reminded me of when I stepped out of the staff room at camp and saw Kate and Louise there after I got of the phone with mom when Dad was in ICU. I was sure everything would be fine, but I was just scared.
I chatted with Sierra for a while until mom called and then I talked to her. Sierra left. Mom and I talked for a long time and Cid was never able to come over because Howard had just gotten back into town.
There was a big storm before bed, which knocked out the power and made it hard to fall asleep.
Day 287 May 21
I walked to school with Kristin and the first thing I did when I got to my room was check the internet. I learned that J was out of ICU, which was great news, but I didn't feel much relief. I was starving for a detail, to know about any long term damage, or, really, just to talk to him.
My kids and I had a solid day. I stayed after to finish up all of my grading, but two of my boys were playing around and missed the bus so the vigilante told them to go to their classroom so I could deal with it, or go to the office. They came to me asking if they could walk home with me. I let them play in the room for a while but when I saw they were getting to anxious, I packed up the rest of my papers and went to leave. I checked the internet one last time and learned that J was already home. It was a huge relief, but I still wanted to talk to him and learn the details of his situation.
I started to walk home with Nilvio, Isaac, Kristin, and Megan, when a very late bus came and we asked if the driver would take home the boys too. The bus picked us up on our way down the hill, so we rode it too.
I went home and got some clothes I could get dirty to go help clean and paint at the Urban Promise office. I scrubbed a door down so that it could be painted later and then took some time on the internet, which I have been obsessed with recently. I was not in the mood for cooking, so I got a baleada at Picame and researched planets for last days random facts.
I went in the house did the laundry, the dishes, and took a shower. I sat up in my room and finished the grading I had wanted to finish at school. I completed my grade book on my computer and worked on my student comments and behavior grades. It was a very productive afternoon.
Eventually, Cid came over. We had planned to watch a movie, but ended up talking instead. As I was still sick, I got very tired early and went to bed.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Week 40: Henry and Mommy's Birthday
Day 274 May 8
I woke up earlier than was desired and lounged around bed until about 10. I went down and discovered Henry making breakfast for Sierra and me. It was delicious. We hung out and chatted all morning until they left to go to the bird park.
I spent the rest of the late morning/early afternoon cleaning the house and doing my laundry. Around 2:30, I hopped in the shower and got ready to go to Casa Villamil to met Megan to go over applications for next year. We reviewed, discussed, and took notes until about 4 when Viki and all of her students came to hear our stories. We hung out and explained our lives, one at a time, until around 6. The application meeting then wrapped up with semi-final decisions.
Between everything I spent some time online and updated my blog, chatted with Alex Kramer, and caught up on a variety of other things. A bit before 7 I headed on home.
I created a pasta dish with, well, pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, onion, garlic, milk, gouda cheese, cauliflower and carrots marinated in jalapeno juice for spice, and olives which made the dish wonderful. I ate and washed the dishes shortly before Cid came over. I was pretty tired, so we sat around talking. We had plans to watch a movie, but I didn't make it that long. I ended up falling asleep before 9.
Day 275 May 9
Happy Mother's Day, Mothers!
I woke up feeling very refreshed and ate the leftovers of my pasta dish. I did the rest of my laundry. I sat around talking to Sierra for a while, both of us wanting to shower but first there was no power or water and then there was no water.
We went out grocery shopping, which was very productive. I saw Viki while I was out and said my goodbyes. We saw a variety of other people as I went from store to store and market.
I got back home and found Henry had woken up. He went out to buy food to cook and when he came back he had found a friend of his from La Ceiba, very randomly. They cooked and then we ate lunch, all the while practicing Spanish. His friend, Ben, is a United Statesian who was taking Spanish classes in Ceiba.
Around 1, Sierra and Carolina came back from French class and I departed to call my mom. I called as they were sitting down to dinner, so I waited around until she was available to call back. We had a nice chat and I got to see my brothers and dad also.
I went home and cooked up a new dish I've been working on. It smelled good, but I was making it for the week to come. I ate a pb and j sandwhich. The guys had come back and wanted to try my cooking, saying I had kept it a secret that I could cook. I then made banana pudding, of sorts, and went to church.
Megan wanted to make sure the guys would not still be in the house when we went to school the next day, so I called Sierra and asked if she had talked to Henry yet. She had not, she said she would. We started church up late, and as I always do when we have it in the evening, I was zonked by about 7:30. I left around 8 and discovered the guys, Sierra, and Cid up on the roof.
Cid joined me downstairs and we chatted about roommates, my past roommate situations, how little drama this one has, and the current situations being dealt with.
Day 276 May 10
Sierra left later than usual and I wasn't sure if I was being avoided or not, but I gave her her space. As I walked out of the house, however, I heard someone call my name. I turned and saw Kelvin walking down toward me. He was in town for Mother's day and had to get back to work that day so he was taking off on the 6am bus. We chatted until 6 near the bus and then said our goodbyes. He said he'd come back into town for my birthday weekend.
I got a ride when I was most of the way there from Gilda. She gave me a banana. I was later than usual also, so I didn't have as much prep time as I like to have on Mondays.
I started out the day telling them how proud I was of them from Friday and how we now have 4 weeks left of school. Four weeks to prep for being fourth graders. They told be they didn't want me to prep them to be fourth graders, they want me to teach them. Even Carlos and Isaac. I didn't say anything about it, but told them I would do a better job and that I wanted them all to do their part.
We got our new spelling words, did a mini lesson on “a” vs “an”, finished our pizza fractions, did a timed science activity on renewable resources. Norma had asked me on Friday if I would come to her class today, so I did. The kids all had questions to ask me based around my childhood, when I was in primary, becoming a teacher, being at Mayatan, being in Honduras, and my favorite things. The interview was in Spanish, which my kids didn't expect me to be able to do. Norma pointed out that I came not knowing Spanish, but now can understand questions and answer them with few (many, I think) errors. They certainly enjoyed it. The end of the day was mayhem, but a moderate mayhem.
I spent my free periods writing out recipes on index cards and color coordinating them based on the type of dish it is. Many of these dishes, some from mom, some from the internet, and some from my brain, are even manageable here! I'm excited about it.
After school, we had a house meeting, which I thought went well until the end when I discovered it had not. I just have to hope it blows over. I walked home with Megan. When I got home things were a little awkward and the angry biting ants at the door didn't help when I went to let Jesse in. Jesse and Sierra left and I went off to tutoring.
We did his homework and then finished a book we started reading a while ago. When I left, I saw Chris and we chatted for a while, making a dinner date for tomorrow. I got home and tried to talk to Sierra, but she wasn't up for it. I went upstairs and finished the recipes I had saved to my computer and my progress reports. By the time I was done, I had 27 recipe index cards, and had watched my neighbors, two young boys, try to kill each other. It made me think of David and James. I kept an eye out and decided not to intervene unless they started threatening real damage to each other. They were very angry children, though. They worked it out and then mom came out to scold them.
I cleaned up downstairs and picked up my room. Jesse came back over and I got another recipe from him. I went out to chat with Cid, Denny, Esteban, and Jessica as I'd been hearing Cid's voice from the house. Denny wants to have a cook off.
I came back in and continued on, cutting up mango for tomorrow and doing other general prep. I went to sleep shortly before 9.
Day 277 May 11
It was a hot night, and I was not able to sleep through it. This resulted in a sleepy morning and a sleepy day. Yesterday my eye was red and puffy and it was today also. It hasn't been hurting or itching, but my kids ask about it a lot.
We had reading groups for the first time in more than a week. They went well and we actually went to the computer lab, which I usually avoid like the plague. I'm always scared being the only teacher in a room with 25 computers and 20 children. The potential for disaster is too great. But today we went and went well.
We started added fractions, learning about mixed numbers, and what are fossil fuels. I also managed total control during our out of control period at the end of the day. They were pleased with themselves, too. Let's see if I can make a pattern out of it.
After school, some of the kids hung around my room for a while, but at 2:30 I rushed down the hill to get to the bank before it got a line. It was a construction day on the road, which inspired me to walk all the faster. I succeeded in getting to the bank when it had short lines and came home for a bit. I made Sierra, who had gone home sick, some tea. I discovered a spilled container of honey in the house, and cleaned it up before going to tutoring. I am scared of getting more ants.
After tutoring, I went home and was shortly called by Cid. He came over for a while and informed me that he'd be stuck at the hotel for the next 10 days because Howard and Angela were going to Guatemala and Mexico. After he left to go back, I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Sierra and went to sleep.
Day 278 May 12
My kids have literally been planning my surprised birthday party for 2 weeks. I thought they would lose steam, but now I do not believe it is the case. My birthday falls on a Thursday, which means I have no specials to break up my day. I will have 3 periods in a row, 20 minutes of recess, and 3 more periods, then the last period at the end of the day. This is the plan: play the first 3 periods normally with reading groups and a question of the day. I will inform them of my plan during this time so they do not riot. During the second long period, I will essentially give them a one manned field day. We can do trust activities, play games like telephone, have relays. I refuse to give up too much at the end of the school day, so they will all be educationally based. Telephone is practicing English skills, relays can have a question element added. I will also tell them that I'm coming back and going to 4th grade. They've started asking, and this way I won't be losing class time. That's the plan...
I've been having a harder and harder time getting out of bed, but did and walked up the hill. Sierra is still a bit sick, so she decided to take the bus. When I got to school, I got set up, set up the board, and borrowed some push pins from Anne, as I had come ill prepared. Despite this, I managed to have a good day. Wednesdays tend to be like that. I stayed late and then walked home.
At home, I watched the movie Revolutionary Road. It was well done, but one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen. I had a slow movie and then went over to Cid's. We were going to watch The Men who Stare at Goats, but he was stuck working later than expected. He was in a skype call with Howard, who's still on vacation, for some time after I got there. I actually, awkwardly, fell asleep on the couch and woke up when a guest came in, who looked at me very strangely for not just going to my room. Of course, I don't have a room there.
I did wake up and we chatted for at least a little while before I went off to sleep.
279 May 13
Happy Birthday Mommy! You are wonderful!
I was able to chat with my mommy in the morning. My kids wished her a happy birthday also. The kids and I had a good day, except for one hour. One horrible hour. I came down hard on them hard and brought order back, but it was not a delight. We ended the day with a play by the 5th graders on bullies. It was well done and my kids were listening!
I stayed a little late to finish up some work and then walked home with Megan and Beth. I was only home for a minute before I rushed off to tutoring. Isaac had been sent home with a bill, and when Jaqui saw it, she panicked. She tried to talk to me about it, but even if I had understood everything she was saying...i still don't know anything about money at Mayatan. I just agreed to take in her receipts saying she had paid each month and told her who to talk to. When I told her to talk to Alexis, she ran out the door with her recite book, came back in and said she would cook for me first. After she cooked , she went back out to sort things out. When she came back, she had sorted it all out and she was not being charged for past months, but what she still had to pay for the end of the year, which was fine. I stayed later at tutoring to help her sort it out, and to comfort Isaac since he was getting concerned.
During school, I had had a brief conversation with Nash and Tammi about maybe going for a run. While I was at tutoring, I took out my phone, in case they called, but they never did. As I was leaving Isaac's, I saw Cid and he needed to run by my house to pick up his phone charger. Isaac saw us together and gave me a curious look, but luckily he's not much of a gossip. He just likes to make sure I know he knows.
When I got to the house, Nash and Tammi were there, waiting to run. It was 30 minutes after the agreed on time, but Nash had only been there for 10 minutes and Tammi for 2. I had given up on the idea of a run, but Nash wouldn't let it go, so I dressed quickly and we went. We ran to the ruins and ran through the nature trail. I saw my first wild snake since getting here, which is a little late in the game. I don't know what kind it was, but I almost tripped Tammi when I stopped to look. Oops.
We got back from the run and I stretched, did a few more exercises, and showered. I was then late to dinner with Alex, Megan, Chris, and Rachael. Rachael came a little after I did. We had a wonderful dinner full of good company and conversation.
After, I went home and went to bed around 8:30.
Day 280 May 14
I was running late in the morning, but walked quickly to make up for it. The class spent the day on the brink of chaos, and I was constantly afraid we'd slip into it, but I managed to keep things together just enough that we didn't. We did have a major let down when Katia was expecting her mom to come with cake at the end of the day to celebrate her birthday and no one came. It was sad for the class, but mostly for Katia. I hope she was greeted at home with something or at least a reason. She handled it well, though. I get the feeling she has a strained relationship at home and so she wasn't surprised.
I stayed late and did a lot of work. I made a lot of worksheets and did planning. I'm gerring up with prep for the end of the year. We'll see how it goes. I cleaned up the room and listened to music, while Victor and Marlon brought in several very large beetles.
When I did leave, I played a little basketball with Abby and Allan before heading home. I left earlier than I normally do on Fridays because there was no power. I went into town and bought saldo before calling and meeting up with Rachael.
We chatted for a while, much more casually than most of our conversations are, but it was broken up by the need to buy tres leches cake and get it to one of the local boys who was having his 9th birthday. There's no one who would celebrate his birthday. We took him up on my roof to give it to him and he was a very good sharer. Abby was in the house by this time and she heard us up there, so we told her it was Jimmy's birthday and she brought up some shoes, shirts, shorts, and briefs her family had donated to the area, but she hadn't yet figured out how to distribute. She thought this was as good a time as any to start. After Jimmy left, beaming in his new shoes, we set up some new ground rules for future church meetings.
I went to Cid's and we watched Inglorious Bastards, which wasn't as good as the hype I had heard. I was very sleepy, and we talked for a while after the movie before I finally decided I needed to get to bed.
I woke up earlier than was desired and lounged around bed until about 10. I went down and discovered Henry making breakfast for Sierra and me. It was delicious. We hung out and chatted all morning until they left to go to the bird park.
I spent the rest of the late morning/early afternoon cleaning the house and doing my laundry. Around 2:30, I hopped in the shower and got ready to go to Casa Villamil to met Megan to go over applications for next year. We reviewed, discussed, and took notes until about 4 when Viki and all of her students came to hear our stories. We hung out and explained our lives, one at a time, until around 6. The application meeting then wrapped up with semi-final decisions.
Between everything I spent some time online and updated my blog, chatted with Alex Kramer, and caught up on a variety of other things. A bit before 7 I headed on home.
I created a pasta dish with, well, pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, onion, garlic, milk, gouda cheese, cauliflower and carrots marinated in jalapeno juice for spice, and olives which made the dish wonderful. I ate and washed the dishes shortly before Cid came over. I was pretty tired, so we sat around talking. We had plans to watch a movie, but I didn't make it that long. I ended up falling asleep before 9.
Day 275 May 9
Happy Mother's Day, Mothers!
I woke up feeling very refreshed and ate the leftovers of my pasta dish. I did the rest of my laundry. I sat around talking to Sierra for a while, both of us wanting to shower but first there was no power or water and then there was no water.
We went out grocery shopping, which was very productive. I saw Viki while I was out and said my goodbyes. We saw a variety of other people as I went from store to store and market.
I got back home and found Henry had woken up. He went out to buy food to cook and when he came back he had found a friend of his from La Ceiba, very randomly. They cooked and then we ate lunch, all the while practicing Spanish. His friend, Ben, is a United Statesian who was taking Spanish classes in Ceiba.
Around 1, Sierra and Carolina came back from French class and I departed to call my mom. I called as they were sitting down to dinner, so I waited around until she was available to call back. We had a nice chat and I got to see my brothers and dad also.
I went home and cooked up a new dish I've been working on. It smelled good, but I was making it for the week to come. I ate a pb and j sandwhich. The guys had come back and wanted to try my cooking, saying I had kept it a secret that I could cook. I then made banana pudding, of sorts, and went to church.
Megan wanted to make sure the guys would not still be in the house when we went to school the next day, so I called Sierra and asked if she had talked to Henry yet. She had not, she said she would. We started church up late, and as I always do when we have it in the evening, I was zonked by about 7:30. I left around 8 and discovered the guys, Sierra, and Cid up on the roof.
Cid joined me downstairs and we chatted about roommates, my past roommate situations, how little drama this one has, and the current situations being dealt with.
Day 276 May 10
Sierra left later than usual and I wasn't sure if I was being avoided or not, but I gave her her space. As I walked out of the house, however, I heard someone call my name. I turned and saw Kelvin walking down toward me. He was in town for Mother's day and had to get back to work that day so he was taking off on the 6am bus. We chatted until 6 near the bus and then said our goodbyes. He said he'd come back into town for my birthday weekend.
I got a ride when I was most of the way there from Gilda. She gave me a banana. I was later than usual also, so I didn't have as much prep time as I like to have on Mondays.
I started out the day telling them how proud I was of them from Friday and how we now have 4 weeks left of school. Four weeks to prep for being fourth graders. They told be they didn't want me to prep them to be fourth graders, they want me to teach them. Even Carlos and Isaac. I didn't say anything about it, but told them I would do a better job and that I wanted them all to do their part.
We got our new spelling words, did a mini lesson on “a” vs “an”, finished our pizza fractions, did a timed science activity on renewable resources. Norma had asked me on Friday if I would come to her class today, so I did. The kids all had questions to ask me based around my childhood, when I was in primary, becoming a teacher, being at Mayatan, being in Honduras, and my favorite things. The interview was in Spanish, which my kids didn't expect me to be able to do. Norma pointed out that I came not knowing Spanish, but now can understand questions and answer them with few (many, I think) errors. They certainly enjoyed it. The end of the day was mayhem, but a moderate mayhem.
I spent my free periods writing out recipes on index cards and color coordinating them based on the type of dish it is. Many of these dishes, some from mom, some from the internet, and some from my brain, are even manageable here! I'm excited about it.
After school, we had a house meeting, which I thought went well until the end when I discovered it had not. I just have to hope it blows over. I walked home with Megan. When I got home things were a little awkward and the angry biting ants at the door didn't help when I went to let Jesse in. Jesse and Sierra left and I went off to tutoring.
We did his homework and then finished a book we started reading a while ago. When I left, I saw Chris and we chatted for a while, making a dinner date for tomorrow. I got home and tried to talk to Sierra, but she wasn't up for it. I went upstairs and finished the recipes I had saved to my computer and my progress reports. By the time I was done, I had 27 recipe index cards, and had watched my neighbors, two young boys, try to kill each other. It made me think of David and James. I kept an eye out and decided not to intervene unless they started threatening real damage to each other. They were very angry children, though. They worked it out and then mom came out to scold them.
I cleaned up downstairs and picked up my room. Jesse came back over and I got another recipe from him. I went out to chat with Cid, Denny, Esteban, and Jessica as I'd been hearing Cid's voice from the house. Denny wants to have a cook off.
I came back in and continued on, cutting up mango for tomorrow and doing other general prep. I went to sleep shortly before 9.
Day 277 May 11
It was a hot night, and I was not able to sleep through it. This resulted in a sleepy morning and a sleepy day. Yesterday my eye was red and puffy and it was today also. It hasn't been hurting or itching, but my kids ask about it a lot.
We had reading groups for the first time in more than a week. They went well and we actually went to the computer lab, which I usually avoid like the plague. I'm always scared being the only teacher in a room with 25 computers and 20 children. The potential for disaster is too great. But today we went and went well.
We started added fractions, learning about mixed numbers, and what are fossil fuels. I also managed total control during our out of control period at the end of the day. They were pleased with themselves, too. Let's see if I can make a pattern out of it.
After school, some of the kids hung around my room for a while, but at 2:30 I rushed down the hill to get to the bank before it got a line. It was a construction day on the road, which inspired me to walk all the faster. I succeeded in getting to the bank when it had short lines and came home for a bit. I made Sierra, who had gone home sick, some tea. I discovered a spilled container of honey in the house, and cleaned it up before going to tutoring. I am scared of getting more ants.
After tutoring, I went home and was shortly called by Cid. He came over for a while and informed me that he'd be stuck at the hotel for the next 10 days because Howard and Angela were going to Guatemala and Mexico. After he left to go back, I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Sierra and went to sleep.
Day 278 May 12
My kids have literally been planning my surprised birthday party for 2 weeks. I thought they would lose steam, but now I do not believe it is the case. My birthday falls on a Thursday, which means I have no specials to break up my day. I will have 3 periods in a row, 20 minutes of recess, and 3 more periods, then the last period at the end of the day. This is the plan: play the first 3 periods normally with reading groups and a question of the day. I will inform them of my plan during this time so they do not riot. During the second long period, I will essentially give them a one manned field day. We can do trust activities, play games like telephone, have relays. I refuse to give up too much at the end of the school day, so they will all be educationally based. Telephone is practicing English skills, relays can have a question element added. I will also tell them that I'm coming back and going to 4th grade. They've started asking, and this way I won't be losing class time. That's the plan...
I've been having a harder and harder time getting out of bed, but did and walked up the hill. Sierra is still a bit sick, so she decided to take the bus. When I got to school, I got set up, set up the board, and borrowed some push pins from Anne, as I had come ill prepared. Despite this, I managed to have a good day. Wednesdays tend to be like that. I stayed late and then walked home.
At home, I watched the movie Revolutionary Road. It was well done, but one of the most depressing movies I've ever seen. I had a slow movie and then went over to Cid's. We were going to watch The Men who Stare at Goats, but he was stuck working later than expected. He was in a skype call with Howard, who's still on vacation, for some time after I got there. I actually, awkwardly, fell asleep on the couch and woke up when a guest came in, who looked at me very strangely for not just going to my room. Of course, I don't have a room there.
I did wake up and we chatted for at least a little while before I went off to sleep.
279 May 13
Happy Birthday Mommy! You are wonderful!
I was able to chat with my mommy in the morning. My kids wished her a happy birthday also. The kids and I had a good day, except for one hour. One horrible hour. I came down hard on them hard and brought order back, but it was not a delight. We ended the day with a play by the 5th graders on bullies. It was well done and my kids were listening!
I stayed a little late to finish up some work and then walked home with Megan and Beth. I was only home for a minute before I rushed off to tutoring. Isaac had been sent home with a bill, and when Jaqui saw it, she panicked. She tried to talk to me about it, but even if I had understood everything she was saying...i still don't know anything about money at Mayatan. I just agreed to take in her receipts saying she had paid each month and told her who to talk to. When I told her to talk to Alexis, she ran out the door with her recite book, came back in and said she would cook for me first. After she cooked , she went back out to sort things out. When she came back, she had sorted it all out and she was not being charged for past months, but what she still had to pay for the end of the year, which was fine. I stayed later at tutoring to help her sort it out, and to comfort Isaac since he was getting concerned.
During school, I had had a brief conversation with Nash and Tammi about maybe going for a run. While I was at tutoring, I took out my phone, in case they called, but they never did. As I was leaving Isaac's, I saw Cid and he needed to run by my house to pick up his phone charger. Isaac saw us together and gave me a curious look, but luckily he's not much of a gossip. He just likes to make sure I know he knows.
When I got to the house, Nash and Tammi were there, waiting to run. It was 30 minutes after the agreed on time, but Nash had only been there for 10 minutes and Tammi for 2. I had given up on the idea of a run, but Nash wouldn't let it go, so I dressed quickly and we went. We ran to the ruins and ran through the nature trail. I saw my first wild snake since getting here, which is a little late in the game. I don't know what kind it was, but I almost tripped Tammi when I stopped to look. Oops.
We got back from the run and I stretched, did a few more exercises, and showered. I was then late to dinner with Alex, Megan, Chris, and Rachael. Rachael came a little after I did. We had a wonderful dinner full of good company and conversation.
After, I went home and went to bed around 8:30.
Day 280 May 14
I was running late in the morning, but walked quickly to make up for it. The class spent the day on the brink of chaos, and I was constantly afraid we'd slip into it, but I managed to keep things together just enough that we didn't. We did have a major let down when Katia was expecting her mom to come with cake at the end of the day to celebrate her birthday and no one came. It was sad for the class, but mostly for Katia. I hope she was greeted at home with something or at least a reason. She handled it well, though. I get the feeling she has a strained relationship at home and so she wasn't surprised.
I stayed late and did a lot of work. I made a lot of worksheets and did planning. I'm gerring up with prep for the end of the year. We'll see how it goes. I cleaned up the room and listened to music, while Victor and Marlon brought in several very large beetles.
When I did leave, I played a little basketball with Abby and Allan before heading home. I left earlier than I normally do on Fridays because there was no power. I went into town and bought saldo before calling and meeting up with Rachael.
We chatted for a while, much more casually than most of our conversations are, but it was broken up by the need to buy tres leches cake and get it to one of the local boys who was having his 9th birthday. There's no one who would celebrate his birthday. We took him up on my roof to give it to him and he was a very good sharer. Abby was in the house by this time and she heard us up there, so we told her it was Jimmy's birthday and she brought up some shoes, shirts, shorts, and briefs her family had donated to the area, but she hadn't yet figured out how to distribute. She thought this was as good a time as any to start. After Jimmy left, beaming in his new shoes, we set up some new ground rules for future church meetings.
I went to Cid's and we watched Inglorious Bastards, which wasn't as good as the hype I had heard. I was very sleepy, and we talked for a while after the movie before I finally decided I needed to get to bed.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Week 39: Celaque and Mother's Day at Mayatan
Day 267 May Day!
I was up before the alarm and showered. I was feeling more sick and finally had it manifest, which did not make me feel better. I packed up and water proofed my bag while I waited for the others to wake up. We still had to distribute the food before I could finish packing.
We got breakfast and checked out of the hostel once everyone was awake. I picked up some Imodium in a pharmacy to make hiking possible and then we got a ride up to the visitor's center of the mountain. The car had a hard time making it up the gravel road, so we walked the last bit.
There was a crew of Gracias teachers getting ready to head out. Liam, whom I met on my way back from Antigua in November, and I recognized each other. We exchanged pleasantries and then they headed up while we were getting situated and signed in.
We started out along the river. There were a few small waterfalls and a lot of pines. Some of the flora reminded me a lot of VA, but mostly it was the pines. Though, the bromeliads and giant ferns would periodically remind me that I was not in VA.
We decided to take a detour and go to the mirador to see the giant waterfalls, though from a great distance. We lunched there, at about 2000 meters above sea level and then hiked back down to start going up again. We'd been playing a bit of a leap frog with the Gracias teachers, and our jaunt up the hill gave them the advantage.
By the time we made it to the first campsite, Don Tomas, I was still feeling alright. We took a little break and I noticed bees all over the campfire stones, which I took pictures of. After that, it got much harder for me, though. It was steep, long, and unending. I went slowly, both to keep my heart from beating out of my throat and to enjoy the view, which was looking less and less like VA as we ascended into the cloud forest.
We had to take a short pit stop to doctor up what I thought was a hot spot waiting to become a blister, until I took off my sock to discover that the blister had formed and popped and was rather large. We bandaged it up and it didn't give me too much trouble from there on out.
Everything became green and soft. The world was covered in moss. Giant fiddleheads a little smaller than my first sprang up among the branches of tree ferns. And though everything was changing into a type of forest I've never seen before, the only consistent bird song I heard was either a Wood thrush, or a close cousin. It was one of those days which was filled with moments of beauty or awe and I knew that they were just small enough they would be lost in memory to more momentous moments.
The higher up we got, the less consistent the signs were with where we were and how far we had come. But, after one last set of steep steps, passing the Gracias teachers, and continuing up for what seemed forever, we reached the second campsite. It was wetter and colder than the first and there were already a host of tents.
It was starting to rain, so we quickly got up the tents. Mine was a little leaky, but it was still better than sleeping on the ground.
We went about collecting wood, all of which was wet, but the rain was petering out. Anywhere that remotely not soaked wood could be found, we took it. As we were, the other folks who were already set up in the camp site started coming back and it turns out they were a camping club from El Salvador. I never knew enough campers/hikers existed in CA to make a club, but they were really cool. We set to work splitting up larger pieces to try and take advantage of the dryness inside. Most of the guys worked on that, especially after the Gracias teachers arrived and Cid helped them put up their tents. The fire prep was a long endeavor because we needed to make sure we had enough to burn before trying. It was going to be finicky. We could hear the El Salvadorians taking bets on the likelihood of us succeeding with fire in this wet place. However, with everyone working on it, we did make fire.
We then kept it alive with a metal rod we used to blow air under the fire and after some time started using a blower for an air mattress someone had. It worked like a charm. The Gracias teachers had soup for dinner, and it was a group effort to hold up the soup and keep the fire going for long enough for it to boil, but through much trial and tribulation, it was done.
We then cooked up our food on the coals. Satisfied and exhausted, shortly after dinner, I went to sleep in my slanty bed.
Day 268 May 2
I had heard that there are two species of monkeys that live in this forest and that they come down at night to pick the campsite clean. Ever sound I heard in the night I decided was a monkey, whether is be true or not. The night was long, cold, and wet. There was a root under me that I spent the night maneuvering around and the trails of water from when it rained got the sleeping bag a bit wet. Mostly, I spent the night sliding downhill toward the bottom of the tent, waking up, and inching my way back up.
Around 5:30 I woke up and decided to go wandering while I waited for the others to wake. I explored around, hoping to get a good view. There was a good cliff, but there were so many trees that I could only kind of see the patterns of clouds below us. I circled back by the latrine, and went out through camp the other way as to never get too far from the others.
I was in the process of taking a picture of a large, fallen tree with a lot of growth on it when I saw a pair of legs appear behind it. Chris came out of the woods as he too had gone out on a morning stroll. We decided to head back and wake the others to start getting ready to get out.
We packed up, ate a breakfast of powdered milk with granola. We used our green-ish algae water for the milk. Then, we left our tents and our main bags in the campsite to return to after we came back from the peak. We brought our most valuable items with us, just in case, and headed out before most of the camp-club members, or any of the Gracias teachers were up.
The hike up was rough on my now very sore, swollen knee. However, we were only 300 or so vertical meters from the peak, so it wasn't too long of a trip. There was a bit of up and down to it. This forest makes me think of faerie tales.
When we got to the top, we were in the midst of a cloud and could see nothing. There was no view at all except for gray. Periodically, the wind would pick up and our cloud would disappear for a few seconds, then the clouds below, the town of Gracias, and the mountains in the distance were visible. The cloud tops in particular were cool.
We did a number of things claiming, “I am the highest person in Honduras doing...” just for fun. We ate the last of our chocolate and then we hiked back down. On the way down, we came across the Gracias teachers who had all of their bags with them and we recommended that they stash them on the side of the trail to pick up on the way back down, which they did. We chatted a little, said our last goodbyes, and continued on.
We stopped by the campsite to finish packing up and refill on water before continuing down. Going down was surprisingly easier for my knees, but we decided to take a trail we heard was nicer, called El Gallo, to go back to the visitor's center. It started out going down, but then it started to go up. It went up for a long time, and before we had connected with the trail we had already come down a long ways. The trail lead to a mirador at 2300 meters above sea level. When we finally peaked it, the view was nice and we stopped to lunch, but it was really the end to my knee.
The descent was long, but pleasant. The small plants growing along the path seemed like they were the same as in VA, again. I couldn't get the idea out of my head. The forest was obviously recovering from a forest fire, which added a beautiful element to the hike since it was recovering so well.
When we got back to the visitor's center, there was a bus of school girls just about to head back to town. We decided to skip taking showers and take the convenient ride. We chatted with the girls, who seemed very impressed that we had done the whole thing.
When we got to town, we got a new hotel. This one had hot water, fans, quiet rooms, free coffee and water, private bathrooms, and better beds. I enjoyed a warm shower and watched Animal Planet in Spanish until everyone was ready.
We hit the town looking for a pizza place that doesn't exist and ended our wild goose chase with a Chinese dinner. The plates were immense and so we ordered to share. I filled up and it was good. We also saw our fellow teachers as they came in, still unshowered, to eat as well. We had exchanged numbers on the mountain (except Liam and I had exchanged numbers back in November) and told them they were welcome in Copan any time. One of the younger teachers, who was enthusiastic about everything, promised he'd see us this coming weekend.
After dinner we got a cab to take up our to the hot springs in Gracias. They are very different than the ones in Copan. They're about 15-20 minutes outside of town and only cost 20 lemps to get in. It felt really nice to relax in one of the pools. They had several, of different sizes and temperatures. One was large and obviously meant for swimming.
When we were ready to leave, we called our taxi. He said he “had a flat tire” and couldn't come. It was about 9:30 and the hotel closed at 10, so I was a little anxious. We waited around and asked a number of people as they were leaving if we could get a ride but they were all full or going the other way. Finally, we did catch a ride in a back of a truck and made it to the hotel at 10:05.
I went straight to bed and the room had no window, so with the lights off the only thing you could see was the red light on the TV.
Day 269 May 3
After 10 hours of sleep, I felt great. My legs and knees were sore, along with my back and arms. Something about this trip felt like a full body workout...hmm...
I re-situated the clothes that had been hanging out to dry to continue the process as much as possible during breakfast and the morning hours. I took a shower and we headed out to breakfast at the same place we ate two mornings ago.
While we were eating, a drunk beggar came in and started asking for tortillas. Because, he said, he was drunk. One of the most burly men I've seen in Honduras was eating with his wife and son and he told the man to leave. To leave right now or he would remove him. That, really, it would be a good idea for him to leave.
The man continued to hang around our table and tried to argue. I remember being grateful with the burly man got up to escort him out and then shocked when he simply chucked him down the stairs and out the door. Even the waitress and his wife jumped a bit. There was a silence, and we said nothing about it for a little while. I heard his wife telling him that it was a bit excessive, and he looked at us and asked if we were okay with it. We said yes and he said, “See, they're tranquil.” It was a little uncomfortable, but the beggar did not come back in and was gone when we left so I can only assume he was not too badly injured.
We went back and finished packing up our things before catching a bus out. The bus was crowded, but fine. Cid and I continued into Santa Rosa when Katie and Chris split to go to La Entrada so that we could return the sleeping bags and tent.
We got a taxi up the hill to his mom's house, where is brother was just waking up to let us in. This time I actually got to chat with his brother. He showed me in foreign currency collection, which was impressive. He is only missing one quarter, Delaware I think, from the 50 States quarters, so I said I would get that for him when I was home. He also has a large library of books, including a lot of Tolkein, Clancey, and C.S. Lewis.
We cleaned out the tent and wiped off all the dirt before heading into Santa Rosa to the pizza restaurant. We left the sleeping bags at the house, but brought the tent for his dad to pick up later. I got to meet his mom while we were having lunch at her restaurant. She was very friendly and looked through all my pictures on my camera. Unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to be as talkative with her. Both my nervousness about Spanish and about her made me quiet, but I answered all of her questions to the best of my ability. I'm kind of counting on Hamlet to let her know that I'm okay when I speak English. It just reaffirmed my need to improve my Spanish and, even more, my confidence.
Lunch was delicious, but around 2:30 we headed out to catch our bus to La Entrada. We caught a taxi and stopped to flag down the bus as it was going. We paid and ran onto the bus. It was a very full ride and Cid and I were separated. When we got to La Entrada, we arrived just as a bus was pulling out and jumped on it too (part of the luck with buses is that they are pulling out for about 15 minutes to ensure they are as full as possible.) Our ride to Copan was with a young man I see every morning on the way to school.
We got home and Cid went off to work. I stayed in and started on my laundry immediately. I cleaned up the house a little bit but spent most of my time on the clothes, which were smelling pretty awful. The power was out, and I gave up on holding out for a hot shower so I went in for a cold on and went to Picame for a baleada. While I was eating and reading my book by candle light, the power came back on. Shortly after, Cid came over and we went up on the roof and talked about our travels.
Around 9 I made it down to bed.
Day 270 May 4
I was up and out early to get set up in my classroom. I was horribly let down to discover that the coffee maker was still broken. Luckily, I had tea, but it just isn't the same.
We had no reading groups because Megan had to sub for Caroline. That gave us time to cover a lot of material we needed to get through. We had a relatively good day and ended with singing practice with Beth's class.
Of course, as is the way of my mystery curse, my mug broke during lunch. It was situated between Sierra and myself and a soccer ball landed right there. Between us and smashed the mug all over the place. 'Tis luck, or a lack of luck.
I walked home with Megan and her friend after school. I did a little grocery shopping with Sierra and then rushed home to get my bag, turn around, and go to tutoring. Tutoring was fine and uneventful. Though, I noticed Jaqui was walking differently and I wonder if she's not 5 or 6 months pregnant.
I rushed home and Tammi called right as I came up on them standing at my door step. We had a running date and so I changed very quickly and was ready to go. We wanted to go on the nature trail at the ruins, but it was closed up early. We tried to go in anyway, since the gate wasn't actually locked, but the guard stopped us. We then ran back to the road and ran out to Las Sepulturas. I did better than I expected and was able to talk the whole time. I find that when my muscles are sore I am more motivated to exercise as I don't want to let the growth go to waste.
I got home and sweat more than I think I ever have before in my life. As my body cooled down I just dripped. It was gross, but it made showering feel wonderful.
I spent the rest of the evening doing all the cleaning I didn't get to do over the weekend. I swept the house, organized and leaned my room, finished my laundry, did the dishes, edited and went through my photos, and cleaned the bathroom. It was satisfying. I fell asleep around 8:30.
Day 271 May 5
I was up and out early again. Miss Norma had warned me that they would be taking a class picture with me for a project in Spanish class, so I put on a little bit of makeup, which my girls noticed immediately. I started out with tea again, but part way through the day, when I went to make more, I discovered that the coffee maker had been replaced with a new, working one. Yay! It is my friend.
We had a good morning and I was having a very energetic and involved Science class with Nora Welchez walked by with a guest. The kids were even giving good call and response. I love it when that works out.
Beth has a friend in town, so she left early and Abby subbed for her last class when they came to practice Baby Beluga. Things did not go as smoothly as usual, but it was manageable.
After school, I packed up quickly to go to a meeting with Megan in which we would review the latest applications for folks who want to work here next year, but the room was empty. I grabbed some copies so that I could meet her in the office and walk with her, but her office was locked. I had noticed that she was not here in the morning, but I thought it was because her friend was in town and Ann had said she didn't need her in reading groups. I stopped by Linda's office, but she didn't know anything. Instead we got to talking about some of my students, one we feel we have to let go to the public schools next year and one who's sponsor wants a write up on her. I went back to my room, wrote the write up, and sent it to her.
I walked home with Abby and Allan and we were picked up part way down the hill and rode the rest of the way in the back of a truck. Once home, Sierra invited me for a smoothie, so I dropped my bag and sat down with her in Picame. Before I could order, I got a call from Megan asking if I could come be a nurse. I said yes and asked what had happened, “My friend Kristin...” Then the phone cut out.
Megan had tried to call me twice when I was still at school, but I had no saldo to call her back, now I was concerned so I ran in the house, grabbed my first aid kit and ran up the hill.
Megan and Kristin had spent all night and all day with doctors or by toilets. Kristin had both a bacterial infection in her stomach and a parasite. Now with all the medication, lack of sleep, lack of food, lack of water, and still being ill...she was a mess. Megan, who also hadn't slept, didn't feel equipped to deal with the situation alone and just wanted someone else around in case something more happened.
Megan went into town to talk to a few local doctors, get some things that Kristin needed, run a few errands of her own, and left me in charge of Kristin. We watched “Becoming Jane.” The only thing I really needed to get done that afternoon was print pictures of my students, so I gave my zip drive and money to Megan so she could do it while she was out. I had hoped to do a ton of grading, but it was at home and could wait.
I stayed and helped and cleaned, and prepared emergency buckets, and mopped when the bucket wasn't around, and cooked until a while after seven. Anne came around 7 and Rachael was going to come around 9 to stay the night with them. Megan had calmed down considerably and we talked. I tried to get her to sit and relax but she was too wired and too tired to relax. Hopefully she could sleep later.
Cid came by to see the house, as it's where I want to live next year, and then we went back home and sat on the roof talking until about 9:30 when we realized neither of us had really eaten. We went into Picame to see if they would do us a favor and make baleadas after hours, which they did. I then went to sleep.
Day 272 May 6
I had a late start to the day, but I managed to get in 2 cups of coffee before the power went out. I had a nice chat with Rony about my Spanish.
The kids had a good day. We behaved well and spent a lot of our time finishing up our mother's day frames, cards, and songs. We took a quiz on paragraphs, which went horribly. We shall try again later...
After lunch, I discovered that my key no longer worked for my classroom. I ran to get Rony, who used his magically powers to make it work again. It took some tricks. Social Studies started 10 minutes late. I spent my break on grading, which I'd fallen behind on and then we finished the day singing outside, which lead to a lot of distracted kids.
After school, Marlon and his brother were hanging out in my room and when Patona came to clean my room, Marlon was so proud of his picture frame he wanted to show her. He's never been proud of much of anything he's done in class. It made me really happy.
I got sub plans from Ann to give to Cid later, as she'd be missing school tomorrow to go to a mother's day event at her son's school, which is the Honduran public school. We walked home together.
When I got home, I found a very drunk and unhappy Josue laying on the floor of my house. Sierra was in Picame trying to decide what to do about it. I rushed through and left for tutoring, managing not to deal with the situation much.
Tutoring went well, and as I was leaving I saw Viki, from the first semester, which a batch of students in the park. I gave her a big hug and we chatted a while before I headed off. I found Hsuan, who is having some real problems with the orphanage and may not be able to stay to see his project through, which is sad. I saw Josue drinking in the street, so I at least knew he was out of my house.
I went home and showered and then walked to Casa de Cafe to drop off the sub plans with Cid. Josue stopped me in the street to inform me that he was dying and would be single for the rest of his life. It was awkward. I saw saved by Tammi who was touring around two of the folks from Viki's group.
I got to Casa de Cafe and Cid was in and out. Suna, his 4 year old cousin, came and told me all about her chicken pox, which she is recovering from. I kept up mostly, but my Spanish has gotten noticeably worse since I stopped taking classes.
I ate pasta with Cid and we chatted a while before I headed home at 8:30 to go to sleep.
Day 273 May 7
I woke up an hour late, panicked. It was not a nice feeling. I called Cid to see if he wanted to walk together now that I wasn't leaving at an ungodly hour, but I was still leaving too early. I ended up meeting up with Chris on the way and then we got a ride with Gilda, so I only arrived 20 minutes late. I was also greeting with some sugar cane from my student Yaira, which is a rare treat in Copan. Cid arrived as the bell ran, which made me a little nervous, but I was glad he already had his plans and key to the room.
We had an energetic morning and the behavior was better. We made our Beluga puppets for the mother's day celebration and fraction pizzas. We practiced our song on the stage with our props and then went to lunch. It was the most productive, well behaved half day I've ever had.
I had more than 4 hours until the mother's day event started, and I decided to stay at school the whole time. I put grades in my computer for the first time this quarter, planned for next week, cleaned my room, and made my worksheets for next week.
While I was working, I got a call from Zoltan, from Gracias that I met on the hike last weekend. He was in Copan, on his way to Antigua, and wanted to see the Copan night life since there is none in Gracias. I invited him up to the school to see Mayatan and the mother's day event.
He arrived as I was finishing my work and as others started to arrive for the event. I showed him around as I got to work on prep for the event. I was surprised to find myself nervous for my kids to perform. I knew they were nervous and I wanted them to do well. We'd practiced so much, so I knew they could do it, but I was afraid we wouldn't have enough students, or they'd be too quiet in their nervousness.
They were pretty crazy before hand, and after, but the performance went really smoothly. They were among the louder, more composed performances. I was so proud of them! This must be why people have children...
After the performance, I took them to the room, we got our picture frames and cards and I told them how proud I was of them. I was a little sad later to see that Juan had pulled apart his picture frame, thrown it away, and just had his picture.
Shortly after the acts ended, it began to rain, which cleared people out quickly. We cleaned up in the rain and then I started to walk home with Zoltan. We got a ride in the back of a truck, which had my student Katia and her mom. Katia is one of my more outgoing students, but she is shy around her mom. We had talked before the performance about how much her mom wanted to hear her singing loudly and if she would do it for me. She promised and had done a good job.
I went home and showered. While I was waiting for Zoltan to come back from his hostel for us to get dinner, Sierra, her friend Henry, Carolina, Jorge, and eventually Cid came over. After an hour or so, Zoltan came and we had baleadas, which he previously claimed not to like. I changed his mind. We can be friends.
After dinner, the whole group went to ViaVia for a while. We were also joined by Jesse, for a short time, Zeya, a Peace Corps volunteer I've known since my first month here, and a friend of Cid's we didn't know would be in town named Rob. We eventually migrated to Barcito to meet up with Mark who is back in town. We stayed there until they closed and the whole bar moved to Papa Changos, which has changed location slightly. I was confused at first, but we figured it out. I'm not sure I like it as much. It has a bigger dance floor, but there was a man who was insisting on teaching me to dance and would neither let me leave nor allow Cid to cut in. Three times he told Cid to wait. It stopped being fun quickly, but eventually I got away and Cid smoothed things over to make sure there were no hard feelings. It was awkward, but things got better after that.
Eventually, Cid, Sierra, Henry, Zoltan, and I decided it was time to go and got everyone dropped off where they needed to be before making it to bed.
I was up before the alarm and showered. I was feeling more sick and finally had it manifest, which did not make me feel better. I packed up and water proofed my bag while I waited for the others to wake up. We still had to distribute the food before I could finish packing.
We got breakfast and checked out of the hostel once everyone was awake. I picked up some Imodium in a pharmacy to make hiking possible and then we got a ride up to the visitor's center of the mountain. The car had a hard time making it up the gravel road, so we walked the last bit.
There was a crew of Gracias teachers getting ready to head out. Liam, whom I met on my way back from Antigua in November, and I recognized each other. We exchanged pleasantries and then they headed up while we were getting situated and signed in.
We started out along the river. There were a few small waterfalls and a lot of pines. Some of the flora reminded me a lot of VA, but mostly it was the pines. Though, the bromeliads and giant ferns would periodically remind me that I was not in VA.
We decided to take a detour and go to the mirador to see the giant waterfalls, though from a great distance. We lunched there, at about 2000 meters above sea level and then hiked back down to start going up again. We'd been playing a bit of a leap frog with the Gracias teachers, and our jaunt up the hill gave them the advantage.
By the time we made it to the first campsite, Don Tomas, I was still feeling alright. We took a little break and I noticed bees all over the campfire stones, which I took pictures of. After that, it got much harder for me, though. It was steep, long, and unending. I went slowly, both to keep my heart from beating out of my throat and to enjoy the view, which was looking less and less like VA as we ascended into the cloud forest.
We had to take a short pit stop to doctor up what I thought was a hot spot waiting to become a blister, until I took off my sock to discover that the blister had formed and popped and was rather large. We bandaged it up and it didn't give me too much trouble from there on out.
Everything became green and soft. The world was covered in moss. Giant fiddleheads a little smaller than my first sprang up among the branches of tree ferns. And though everything was changing into a type of forest I've never seen before, the only consistent bird song I heard was either a Wood thrush, or a close cousin. It was one of those days which was filled with moments of beauty or awe and I knew that they were just small enough they would be lost in memory to more momentous moments.
The higher up we got, the less consistent the signs were with where we were and how far we had come. But, after one last set of steep steps, passing the Gracias teachers, and continuing up for what seemed forever, we reached the second campsite. It was wetter and colder than the first and there were already a host of tents.
It was starting to rain, so we quickly got up the tents. Mine was a little leaky, but it was still better than sleeping on the ground.
We went about collecting wood, all of which was wet, but the rain was petering out. Anywhere that remotely not soaked wood could be found, we took it. As we were, the other folks who were already set up in the camp site started coming back and it turns out they were a camping club from El Salvador. I never knew enough campers/hikers existed in CA to make a club, but they were really cool. We set to work splitting up larger pieces to try and take advantage of the dryness inside. Most of the guys worked on that, especially after the Gracias teachers arrived and Cid helped them put up their tents. The fire prep was a long endeavor because we needed to make sure we had enough to burn before trying. It was going to be finicky. We could hear the El Salvadorians taking bets on the likelihood of us succeeding with fire in this wet place. However, with everyone working on it, we did make fire.
We then kept it alive with a metal rod we used to blow air under the fire and after some time started using a blower for an air mattress someone had. It worked like a charm. The Gracias teachers had soup for dinner, and it was a group effort to hold up the soup and keep the fire going for long enough for it to boil, but through much trial and tribulation, it was done.
We then cooked up our food on the coals. Satisfied and exhausted, shortly after dinner, I went to sleep in my slanty bed.
Day 268 May 2
I had heard that there are two species of monkeys that live in this forest and that they come down at night to pick the campsite clean. Ever sound I heard in the night I decided was a monkey, whether is be true or not. The night was long, cold, and wet. There was a root under me that I spent the night maneuvering around and the trails of water from when it rained got the sleeping bag a bit wet. Mostly, I spent the night sliding downhill toward the bottom of the tent, waking up, and inching my way back up.
Around 5:30 I woke up and decided to go wandering while I waited for the others to wake. I explored around, hoping to get a good view. There was a good cliff, but there were so many trees that I could only kind of see the patterns of clouds below us. I circled back by the latrine, and went out through camp the other way as to never get too far from the others.
I was in the process of taking a picture of a large, fallen tree with a lot of growth on it when I saw a pair of legs appear behind it. Chris came out of the woods as he too had gone out on a morning stroll. We decided to head back and wake the others to start getting ready to get out.
We packed up, ate a breakfast of powdered milk with granola. We used our green-ish algae water for the milk. Then, we left our tents and our main bags in the campsite to return to after we came back from the peak. We brought our most valuable items with us, just in case, and headed out before most of the camp-club members, or any of the Gracias teachers were up.
The hike up was rough on my now very sore, swollen knee. However, we were only 300 or so vertical meters from the peak, so it wasn't too long of a trip. There was a bit of up and down to it. This forest makes me think of faerie tales.
When we got to the top, we were in the midst of a cloud and could see nothing. There was no view at all except for gray. Periodically, the wind would pick up and our cloud would disappear for a few seconds, then the clouds below, the town of Gracias, and the mountains in the distance were visible. The cloud tops in particular were cool.
We did a number of things claiming, “I am the highest person in Honduras doing...” just for fun. We ate the last of our chocolate and then we hiked back down. On the way down, we came across the Gracias teachers who had all of their bags with them and we recommended that they stash them on the side of the trail to pick up on the way back down, which they did. We chatted a little, said our last goodbyes, and continued on.
We stopped by the campsite to finish packing up and refill on water before continuing down. Going down was surprisingly easier for my knees, but we decided to take a trail we heard was nicer, called El Gallo, to go back to the visitor's center. It started out going down, but then it started to go up. It went up for a long time, and before we had connected with the trail we had already come down a long ways. The trail lead to a mirador at 2300 meters above sea level. When we finally peaked it, the view was nice and we stopped to lunch, but it was really the end to my knee.
The descent was long, but pleasant. The small plants growing along the path seemed like they were the same as in VA, again. I couldn't get the idea out of my head. The forest was obviously recovering from a forest fire, which added a beautiful element to the hike since it was recovering so well.
When we got back to the visitor's center, there was a bus of school girls just about to head back to town. We decided to skip taking showers and take the convenient ride. We chatted with the girls, who seemed very impressed that we had done the whole thing.
When we got to town, we got a new hotel. This one had hot water, fans, quiet rooms, free coffee and water, private bathrooms, and better beds. I enjoyed a warm shower and watched Animal Planet in Spanish until everyone was ready.
We hit the town looking for a pizza place that doesn't exist and ended our wild goose chase with a Chinese dinner. The plates were immense and so we ordered to share. I filled up and it was good. We also saw our fellow teachers as they came in, still unshowered, to eat as well. We had exchanged numbers on the mountain (except Liam and I had exchanged numbers back in November) and told them they were welcome in Copan any time. One of the younger teachers, who was enthusiastic about everything, promised he'd see us this coming weekend.
After dinner we got a cab to take up our to the hot springs in Gracias. They are very different than the ones in Copan. They're about 15-20 minutes outside of town and only cost 20 lemps to get in. It felt really nice to relax in one of the pools. They had several, of different sizes and temperatures. One was large and obviously meant for swimming.
When we were ready to leave, we called our taxi. He said he “had a flat tire” and couldn't come. It was about 9:30 and the hotel closed at 10, so I was a little anxious. We waited around and asked a number of people as they were leaving if we could get a ride but they were all full or going the other way. Finally, we did catch a ride in a back of a truck and made it to the hotel at 10:05.
I went straight to bed and the room had no window, so with the lights off the only thing you could see was the red light on the TV.
Day 269 May 3
After 10 hours of sleep, I felt great. My legs and knees were sore, along with my back and arms. Something about this trip felt like a full body workout...hmm...
I re-situated the clothes that had been hanging out to dry to continue the process as much as possible during breakfast and the morning hours. I took a shower and we headed out to breakfast at the same place we ate two mornings ago.
While we were eating, a drunk beggar came in and started asking for tortillas. Because, he said, he was drunk. One of the most burly men I've seen in Honduras was eating with his wife and son and he told the man to leave. To leave right now or he would remove him. That, really, it would be a good idea for him to leave.
The man continued to hang around our table and tried to argue. I remember being grateful with the burly man got up to escort him out and then shocked when he simply chucked him down the stairs and out the door. Even the waitress and his wife jumped a bit. There was a silence, and we said nothing about it for a little while. I heard his wife telling him that it was a bit excessive, and he looked at us and asked if we were okay with it. We said yes and he said, “See, they're tranquil.” It was a little uncomfortable, but the beggar did not come back in and was gone when we left so I can only assume he was not too badly injured.
We went back and finished packing up our things before catching a bus out. The bus was crowded, but fine. Cid and I continued into Santa Rosa when Katie and Chris split to go to La Entrada so that we could return the sleeping bags and tent.
We got a taxi up the hill to his mom's house, where is brother was just waking up to let us in. This time I actually got to chat with his brother. He showed me in foreign currency collection, which was impressive. He is only missing one quarter, Delaware I think, from the 50 States quarters, so I said I would get that for him when I was home. He also has a large library of books, including a lot of Tolkein, Clancey, and C.S. Lewis.
We cleaned out the tent and wiped off all the dirt before heading into Santa Rosa to the pizza restaurant. We left the sleeping bags at the house, but brought the tent for his dad to pick up later. I got to meet his mom while we were having lunch at her restaurant. She was very friendly and looked through all my pictures on my camera. Unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to be as talkative with her. Both my nervousness about Spanish and about her made me quiet, but I answered all of her questions to the best of my ability. I'm kind of counting on Hamlet to let her know that I'm okay when I speak English. It just reaffirmed my need to improve my Spanish and, even more, my confidence.
Lunch was delicious, but around 2:30 we headed out to catch our bus to La Entrada. We caught a taxi and stopped to flag down the bus as it was going. We paid and ran onto the bus. It was a very full ride and Cid and I were separated. When we got to La Entrada, we arrived just as a bus was pulling out and jumped on it too (part of the luck with buses is that they are pulling out for about 15 minutes to ensure they are as full as possible.) Our ride to Copan was with a young man I see every morning on the way to school.
We got home and Cid went off to work. I stayed in and started on my laundry immediately. I cleaned up the house a little bit but spent most of my time on the clothes, which were smelling pretty awful. The power was out, and I gave up on holding out for a hot shower so I went in for a cold on and went to Picame for a baleada. While I was eating and reading my book by candle light, the power came back on. Shortly after, Cid came over and we went up on the roof and talked about our travels.
Around 9 I made it down to bed.
Day 270 May 4
I was up and out early to get set up in my classroom. I was horribly let down to discover that the coffee maker was still broken. Luckily, I had tea, but it just isn't the same.
We had no reading groups because Megan had to sub for Caroline. That gave us time to cover a lot of material we needed to get through. We had a relatively good day and ended with singing practice with Beth's class.
Of course, as is the way of my mystery curse, my mug broke during lunch. It was situated between Sierra and myself and a soccer ball landed right there. Between us and smashed the mug all over the place. 'Tis luck, or a lack of luck.
I walked home with Megan and her friend after school. I did a little grocery shopping with Sierra and then rushed home to get my bag, turn around, and go to tutoring. Tutoring was fine and uneventful. Though, I noticed Jaqui was walking differently and I wonder if she's not 5 or 6 months pregnant.
I rushed home and Tammi called right as I came up on them standing at my door step. We had a running date and so I changed very quickly and was ready to go. We wanted to go on the nature trail at the ruins, but it was closed up early. We tried to go in anyway, since the gate wasn't actually locked, but the guard stopped us. We then ran back to the road and ran out to Las Sepulturas. I did better than I expected and was able to talk the whole time. I find that when my muscles are sore I am more motivated to exercise as I don't want to let the growth go to waste.
I got home and sweat more than I think I ever have before in my life. As my body cooled down I just dripped. It was gross, but it made showering feel wonderful.
I spent the rest of the evening doing all the cleaning I didn't get to do over the weekend. I swept the house, organized and leaned my room, finished my laundry, did the dishes, edited and went through my photos, and cleaned the bathroom. It was satisfying. I fell asleep around 8:30.
Day 271 May 5
I was up and out early again. Miss Norma had warned me that they would be taking a class picture with me for a project in Spanish class, so I put on a little bit of makeup, which my girls noticed immediately. I started out with tea again, but part way through the day, when I went to make more, I discovered that the coffee maker had been replaced with a new, working one. Yay! It is my friend.
We had a good morning and I was having a very energetic and involved Science class with Nora Welchez walked by with a guest. The kids were even giving good call and response. I love it when that works out.
Beth has a friend in town, so she left early and Abby subbed for her last class when they came to practice Baby Beluga. Things did not go as smoothly as usual, but it was manageable.
After school, I packed up quickly to go to a meeting with Megan in which we would review the latest applications for folks who want to work here next year, but the room was empty. I grabbed some copies so that I could meet her in the office and walk with her, but her office was locked. I had noticed that she was not here in the morning, but I thought it was because her friend was in town and Ann had said she didn't need her in reading groups. I stopped by Linda's office, but she didn't know anything. Instead we got to talking about some of my students, one we feel we have to let go to the public schools next year and one who's sponsor wants a write up on her. I went back to my room, wrote the write up, and sent it to her.
I walked home with Abby and Allan and we were picked up part way down the hill and rode the rest of the way in the back of a truck. Once home, Sierra invited me for a smoothie, so I dropped my bag and sat down with her in Picame. Before I could order, I got a call from Megan asking if I could come be a nurse. I said yes and asked what had happened, “My friend Kristin...” Then the phone cut out.
Megan had tried to call me twice when I was still at school, but I had no saldo to call her back, now I was concerned so I ran in the house, grabbed my first aid kit and ran up the hill.
Megan and Kristin had spent all night and all day with doctors or by toilets. Kristin had both a bacterial infection in her stomach and a parasite. Now with all the medication, lack of sleep, lack of food, lack of water, and still being ill...she was a mess. Megan, who also hadn't slept, didn't feel equipped to deal with the situation alone and just wanted someone else around in case something more happened.
Megan went into town to talk to a few local doctors, get some things that Kristin needed, run a few errands of her own, and left me in charge of Kristin. We watched “Becoming Jane.” The only thing I really needed to get done that afternoon was print pictures of my students, so I gave my zip drive and money to Megan so she could do it while she was out. I had hoped to do a ton of grading, but it was at home and could wait.
I stayed and helped and cleaned, and prepared emergency buckets, and mopped when the bucket wasn't around, and cooked until a while after seven. Anne came around 7 and Rachael was going to come around 9 to stay the night with them. Megan had calmed down considerably and we talked. I tried to get her to sit and relax but she was too wired and too tired to relax. Hopefully she could sleep later.
Cid came by to see the house, as it's where I want to live next year, and then we went back home and sat on the roof talking until about 9:30 when we realized neither of us had really eaten. We went into Picame to see if they would do us a favor and make baleadas after hours, which they did. I then went to sleep.
Day 272 May 6
I had a late start to the day, but I managed to get in 2 cups of coffee before the power went out. I had a nice chat with Rony about my Spanish.
The kids had a good day. We behaved well and spent a lot of our time finishing up our mother's day frames, cards, and songs. We took a quiz on paragraphs, which went horribly. We shall try again later...
After lunch, I discovered that my key no longer worked for my classroom. I ran to get Rony, who used his magically powers to make it work again. It took some tricks. Social Studies started 10 minutes late. I spent my break on grading, which I'd fallen behind on and then we finished the day singing outside, which lead to a lot of distracted kids.
After school, Marlon and his brother were hanging out in my room and when Patona came to clean my room, Marlon was so proud of his picture frame he wanted to show her. He's never been proud of much of anything he's done in class. It made me really happy.
I got sub plans from Ann to give to Cid later, as she'd be missing school tomorrow to go to a mother's day event at her son's school, which is the Honduran public school. We walked home together.
When I got home, I found a very drunk and unhappy Josue laying on the floor of my house. Sierra was in Picame trying to decide what to do about it. I rushed through and left for tutoring, managing not to deal with the situation much.
Tutoring went well, and as I was leaving I saw Viki, from the first semester, which a batch of students in the park. I gave her a big hug and we chatted a while before I headed off. I found Hsuan, who is having some real problems with the orphanage and may not be able to stay to see his project through, which is sad. I saw Josue drinking in the street, so I at least knew he was out of my house.
I went home and showered and then walked to Casa de Cafe to drop off the sub plans with Cid. Josue stopped me in the street to inform me that he was dying and would be single for the rest of his life. It was awkward. I saw saved by Tammi who was touring around two of the folks from Viki's group.
I got to Casa de Cafe and Cid was in and out. Suna, his 4 year old cousin, came and told me all about her chicken pox, which she is recovering from. I kept up mostly, but my Spanish has gotten noticeably worse since I stopped taking classes.
I ate pasta with Cid and we chatted a while before I headed home at 8:30 to go to sleep.
Day 273 May 7
I woke up an hour late, panicked. It was not a nice feeling. I called Cid to see if he wanted to walk together now that I wasn't leaving at an ungodly hour, but I was still leaving too early. I ended up meeting up with Chris on the way and then we got a ride with Gilda, so I only arrived 20 minutes late. I was also greeting with some sugar cane from my student Yaira, which is a rare treat in Copan. Cid arrived as the bell ran, which made me a little nervous, but I was glad he already had his plans and key to the room.
We had an energetic morning and the behavior was better. We made our Beluga puppets for the mother's day celebration and fraction pizzas. We practiced our song on the stage with our props and then went to lunch. It was the most productive, well behaved half day I've ever had.
I had more than 4 hours until the mother's day event started, and I decided to stay at school the whole time. I put grades in my computer for the first time this quarter, planned for next week, cleaned my room, and made my worksheets for next week.
While I was working, I got a call from Zoltan, from Gracias that I met on the hike last weekend. He was in Copan, on his way to Antigua, and wanted to see the Copan night life since there is none in Gracias. I invited him up to the school to see Mayatan and the mother's day event.
He arrived as I was finishing my work and as others started to arrive for the event. I showed him around as I got to work on prep for the event. I was surprised to find myself nervous for my kids to perform. I knew they were nervous and I wanted them to do well. We'd practiced so much, so I knew they could do it, but I was afraid we wouldn't have enough students, or they'd be too quiet in their nervousness.
They were pretty crazy before hand, and after, but the performance went really smoothly. They were among the louder, more composed performances. I was so proud of them! This must be why people have children...
After the performance, I took them to the room, we got our picture frames and cards and I told them how proud I was of them. I was a little sad later to see that Juan had pulled apart his picture frame, thrown it away, and just had his picture.
Shortly after the acts ended, it began to rain, which cleared people out quickly. We cleaned up in the rain and then I started to walk home with Zoltan. We got a ride in the back of a truck, which had my student Katia and her mom. Katia is one of my more outgoing students, but she is shy around her mom. We had talked before the performance about how much her mom wanted to hear her singing loudly and if she would do it for me. She promised and had done a good job.
I went home and showered. While I was waiting for Zoltan to come back from his hostel for us to get dinner, Sierra, her friend Henry, Carolina, Jorge, and eventually Cid came over. After an hour or so, Zoltan came and we had baleadas, which he previously claimed not to like. I changed his mind. We can be friends.
After dinner, the whole group went to ViaVia for a while. We were also joined by Jesse, for a short time, Zeya, a Peace Corps volunteer I've known since my first month here, and a friend of Cid's we didn't know would be in town named Rob. We eventually migrated to Barcito to meet up with Mark who is back in town. We stayed there until they closed and the whole bar moved to Papa Changos, which has changed location slightly. I was confused at first, but we figured it out. I'm not sure I like it as much. It has a bigger dance floor, but there was a man who was insisting on teaching me to dance and would neither let me leave nor allow Cid to cut in. Three times he told Cid to wait. It stopped being fun quickly, but eventually I got away and Cid smoothed things over to make sure there were no hard feelings. It was awkward, but things got better after that.
Eventually, Cid, Sierra, Henry, Zoltan, and I decided it was time to go and got everyone dropped off where they needed to be before making it to bed.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Week 38: Getting on in the Heat and Leaving for Celaque
Day 260 April 24
I woke up around 6 and couldn't go back to sleep. I went to breakfast at ViaVia with Sierra and Liz after a long chit chat in the living room. I went back home and showered. I cleaned up some and read. It was very hot very early in the day, so everything felt strenuous and dragged out. I spent most of my day cleaning, doing school work, working on my notes, and doing laundry. I took a break to watch Shutter Island with Sierra and Liz.
At some point I fell asleep, but even with both fans going, I woke up several times just disgustingly sweaty. I was also in and out of sleep because the neighbor's kids were playing futbol in the hallway and my window is the goal. I was too out of it to move downstairs or wake up fully. I felt gross when I woke up.
At some point I headed downstairs and did more of the cleaning. Judie came by to pick up her laundry and gave me a little grief for spending my Saturday evening cleaning, but it was really nice. Cid came over a bit after 7 and we watched Blindside, after which, I went to sleep.
Day 261 April 25
Today was even hotter than -even hotter than yesterday! I was up at 7 and showered, cleaned, made breakfast, finished my laundry, and got the house ready for a lot of guests. I went shopping with Abby and Allan and then we finished getting ready. Folks actually came on time and everything, cooking included, went on schedule. I hoped over to a plaque near Casa de Cafe with Megan for some information for her paper (which she is almost done with so I can start spending more than 15 minutes at a time with her again!)
Urban Promise has a crew in town for the week and so our “church” went from it's usual 4-7 people, to 17. It was intense, but fun. Francisco brought balloons which we used to replinish our tinseled strings and then just let the rest float all over the floor of the house. However, it is hot, so the full ones would burst at random as they expanded. The guests decided they wanted to organize the program, so they picked the song and gave a little talk and lead the prayers. It went nicely. When it was done, Noah, a tourist, taught us a Hebrew praise song. Before she left, I planned a new coffee date with Rachael.
We all ate lots of food and I think everyone left feeling generally satisfied.
Once they left, I cleaned up. Balloons were still popping everywhere. I then worked on my computer some, which is experiencing a little bit of trouble, until it started storming and then I ran out to grab my still mostly-dry laundry from the line.
Chris had just gotten back into town from Cofradia and was meeting some bikers in Picame who would be sleeping on his couch that night. When the storm started they came in my house for a while and I let both the bikers take hot showers before they went to Chris' for dinner. It was fun to talk to them. They had a two person bike and had come all the way from Alaska.
Cid came over a little after 7 and we watched the Love Guru, which reminded me a lot of Austin Powers, which I haven't seen in forever. Shortly after, I went to sleep.
Day 262 April 26
I woke up, showered, and made lunch for the day. I had ripe mango for the first time since the last mango season and it was heavenly. Sierra came by and asked if I wanted a ride to school with Josue, which I accepted. We picked up Chris and Alex on the way too.
We spent a good bit of the day starting our units on fractions, which my kids are excited about because 5th and 4th grades are also working on fractions right now, and energy. We're having fun so far. My productive streak from last week has carried into this week and it's making for better plans, more energetic lessons, and better prepared work for the kids.
Since the Ceiba flowers have popped open into this cottony substance that attracts and hatches small red insects that appear to be hemipterans, my students claim that if they bite you, you will die. I was alarmed, but also noticed that the insects were all around our feet and no one was running or panicked. I asked if the bites itched or hurt and the kids say hurt, but no one can really explain it to me. They call them chinches, and there is apparently one variety of chinches that can carry chagas disease. That's the best I got right now, however, I don't think this species of chinches carries chagas, but I will avoid being bitten anyway.
After school I had tutoring, which went well. Before I went home, I checked my e-mail and I had received and e-mail from my friend Tony, informing a group of us that a friend of ours had a missing boyfriend, since Friday, and that yesterday they had found a suicide note. We were asked not to contact our friend for the time being because she was not up for talking. I can't even imagine the kind of grief that would give. To know what had happened, but be unable to move forward and mourn because there's still that hope.
I took my make-up ITBS tests to John and asked if I could grade them because that kind of mind-numbing checking seemed right up my ally for the mood I was in. I walked home with Megan and went to tutoring.
Tutoring was pretty uneventful, except that Goofy the dog took a leak on my backpack and now I have to be careful of every other dog who comes near my backpack.
I was aware of how bad I smelled because of the heat, but immediately after tutoring, I had a date wit Rachael. I was surprised to see Luis sitting in the office when I went to pick her up, maybe he'll have time to talk later. Rachael and I went to San Raphael to order 80 pounds of coffee for an emergency business transaction for her friend who sells coffee in the States, but his usual source in El Salvador was robbed of all of their coffee.
When then went to a chain coffee place because it has AC and we were sweltering. However, the power went out, so we stayed until it had warmed up enough/gotten dark enough for us to move on to the park and then Cafe Welchez.
We stopped by the office to see the tarantula they had caught and they I started to head home. I got an invitation out while I was headed home, so I just turned and went to Barcito for about half an hour before turning back and going to bed.
Day 263 April 27
I woke up to discover that there was no water. This was not good news. I still smelled terrible from the day before. I took my first bucket shower from my pila water and hoped for the best. I also knew it would only amount to so much since the temp predictions were between 42 and 45 C (I imagine this was for Tegus, because it never got that hot here, but it was hot.)
I had a wonderful day of spills. I spilled coffee on books and papers and the kids spilled glue on a desk and books. Excellent.
My day took a turn when I got word of Ian Smith-Christmas. His body had been found. I tried to keep my kids from feeling my mood shift, but I don't think it worked.
We did, however, have a good end to the day. I told them a series of vocab necessary jokes, which I explained the necessary vocab in advance, like “What do you call a fly with no wings? A walk.” They loved it.
It tutoring I discovered that my low student is even lower than he realized. He didn't know the days of the week in English, so I asked him to give them to me in order in Spanish and he gave them to me in the wrong order. I don't even know where to begin.
I walked home and jumped in the shower, though there was no power. I didn't care, we had water again. Half way through my shower, the power came back on so I had heat, 5 candles, and a lightbulb.
I trucked to tutoring in a downpour. I ate with the Mormons, who were marooned at the restaurant in the rain. The power was in and out, but the rain was constant. Isaac and I read a book.
I went home and wrote for a while before cooking a lot and doing my dishes. I put my prepared lunch in the fridge. Shortly after, Cid came over and Hsuan came over for a shower. Cid and I went through my music library and talked about it for a while until I decided I was dead and needed to sleep.
Day 264 April 28
I slept in half an hour, but still got to school in decent time. We had a relatively easy day, though Ferjardo wasn't there and I discovered this 7 minutes into the PE class I had come with a stack of journals to grade, but oh well.
It was almost as hot as yesterday, but I was thrilled when I saw that one of my kids had picked out an old favorite from the library. The Great Kapok Tree is a book I haven't thought about in a long time, but I read it to the kids in the same voices as it was read to me. Most of my kids really liked it and were actually disappointed when I stopped so that we could go to lunch.
The story sparked in my the realization that there are tons of books I read growing up that I adored, but that have slipped from my memory. Since I've been working with kids, books like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel have resurfaced and I don't want to forget them again. Someday I hope to have kids and I want them to be able to read these books. I started a list.
We ended our day by practicing our mother's day song with Beth's class: Baby Beluga. I sent the kids off and was going to tackle those journals that I didn't get to do during PE, but Juan wandered into my class. He usually isn't very talkative and kind of avoids me, but he was hanging around my desk. I asked him what music he likes and we listened to some. He said he liked it all and I tried to explain that it's okay if he doesn't. After a little while I asked him he wanted me to help him with his homework and he said yes. So, we had a surprise tutoring session. It went well.
I caught a truck back with Megan, stopped by the bank with her, and then we swung by Cafe Welchez for granitas. I headed back to the house and ran into my buddy from the orphanage, Marlon, and his friend. Though, when we asked him what his friend's name was he said, “He's not my friend.”
I went out with Sierra and Liz for smoothies and internet. Mango is so fully back in my life that I had a mango smoothie and it was heaven. I now know what heaven tastes like. While we were at Yat Balam, Megan, Cid, and Josue all passed by.
I finally heard from Luis, so I headed home to get ready to go out and get baleadas with him. We met at Guacamaya, and because I had no saldo on my phone to respond, I made sure I was there early so he wouldn't slip away thinking I had stood him up. We headed to Katia's mom's place, where I saw both Katia and Edgar and pestered them about their homework.
After we had talked for a sufficient amount of time, I headed home and did a lot of cooking. Cid called in the midst of it because he was out with a friend from Santa Rosa, and I went out to meet them later, but by the time I got there she was gone. I didn't stay out long then, because I was really coming to meet her, and as always, I was exhausted.
Day 265 April 29
This morning I was greated with an notice that Lucy Crook is engaged! She sent me a message so I wouldn't just find out on Facebook, which I appreciated. She also asked about Cid and I filled her in.
I had a very productive Thursday, and most of the day went well, but the afternoon was hard and I got impatient quickly. I need to hone back in on my patience. I started tutoring but quickly realized that my lack of patience was going to be detrimental to them. Instead, I helped them with their home work and sent them off.
I did work in my room and then swung by Chris' room to see the beautiful and large lizard he had just captured. I walked home with Beth which was nice. I headed straight for tutoring, where I tried to regain my patience. We did a Where's Waldo activity, which seems to help his vocabulary. The boy has perfected non-verbal communications so forcing him to communicate with words is a struggle.
I got home and did all my laundry for next week. I know I won't have another time to do it and I will need these shirts for work. I headed over to Chris' to swap music and make liquados. After a while, Cid came over and we all made spring rolls for dinner. We ate and planned. With enough of the detials hammered out, I went home, packed, and went to sleep.
Day 266 April 30
I woke up half an hour late again, but managed to snag a ride with Dona Olga. Win! I had all my stuff for the trip with me, so I'm sure I was a sight walking up to school. However, when I got to school I discovered that there was no coffee and the caseta coffee I was so excited about tasted very...off. I didn't even finish a cup and the coffee maker in the teacher's room was never fixed.
One of my students gave me a wonderful smelling flower that I put in my hair and continued to forget about all day. My kids were the worst they'd been all week and so when two of my boys claimed stomach troubles, I wanted to call paja. However, a few moments later one approached me with a very distinct, “I'm going to vomit” walk and said, “I'm going to vomit.” Oh, well then, lets get you outside. He retched, but was not ill. The other boy was also holding his stomach. I left the room in search of Nilvio's mom, as he sat outside trying to empty his stomach, or Gilda who's kind of the school nurse these days. I found them both in Norma's room. I told them and got some pepto and went back to deal with my now out of control class.
Fact learned: They had a gatorade drinking race. They were sick from it. Ugh. I went back during PE to tell Norma that her son was fine, just stupid and the boys and I talked about not playing games like this anymore.
I had all my worksheets done yesterday to be copied for Tuesday and today I had all my grading done before lunch. Though, my own stomach was starting to feel unsettled, which made me nervous as I was about to venture by bus across the country to go hiking up the largest mountain in Honduras, with cold, due to elevation, and rain, due to it being a cloud forest. I do not want to be sick.
When I got back from my lunch break, my kids had written me a variety of love notes, thank you notes, and we're sorry notes for the behavior earlier in the day. However, the last period was still not good. We cleaned up, during which time one of my girls bumped Isaac into the sharp corner of a chair and his eye brow was split open. I sent the two of them to sort it out with Gilda. We then sang Baby Beluga until Chris came to my door at 1:40 and then we bolted to catch a taxi down to the bus station.
I ended up with two tickets for the bus as both Chris and Cid bought me one in the rush to make sure everyone was situated. We got one returned and away we went on the bus. I actually slept on a bus.
There were some tourists on the bus who were headed to Santa Rosa, so we let them follow us to the next batch of buses. We chatted a while on the bus.
When we got to Santa Rosa, we found out when the last bus out to Gracias would leave, in 40 minutes, and went to the grocery store to get our supplies for the trip. Katie hadn't arrived yet, so if she came in time, we'd go to Gracias, and if she didn't, we'd stay in Santa Rosa.
Cid's father came with the tent and his brother came with the sleeping bags. I got to meet them both, but only very briefly. We were busy shopping and rushing to a bus and they were taking just a few minutes out of their days to meet us in our tight time frame.
Katie arrived, we checked out with our camping food, and hopped on the bus as it was pulling out. We arrived in Gracias around 6:30 and then had to search for a hostel. After a while, we settled on Corazon de Jesus. We later discovered that they had no water, no fans, warm rooms, cold showers, and were noisy.
We headed out to dinner, ate, and went to sleep. I was still feeling sick.
I woke up around 6 and couldn't go back to sleep. I went to breakfast at ViaVia with Sierra and Liz after a long chit chat in the living room. I went back home and showered. I cleaned up some and read. It was very hot very early in the day, so everything felt strenuous and dragged out. I spent most of my day cleaning, doing school work, working on my notes, and doing laundry. I took a break to watch Shutter Island with Sierra and Liz.
At some point I fell asleep, but even with both fans going, I woke up several times just disgustingly sweaty. I was also in and out of sleep because the neighbor's kids were playing futbol in the hallway and my window is the goal. I was too out of it to move downstairs or wake up fully. I felt gross when I woke up.
At some point I headed downstairs and did more of the cleaning. Judie came by to pick up her laundry and gave me a little grief for spending my Saturday evening cleaning, but it was really nice. Cid came over a bit after 7 and we watched Blindside, after which, I went to sleep.
Day 261 April 25
Today was even hotter than -even hotter than yesterday! I was up at 7 and showered, cleaned, made breakfast, finished my laundry, and got the house ready for a lot of guests. I went shopping with Abby and Allan and then we finished getting ready. Folks actually came on time and everything, cooking included, went on schedule. I hoped over to a plaque near Casa de Cafe with Megan for some information for her paper (which she is almost done with so I can start spending more than 15 minutes at a time with her again!)
Urban Promise has a crew in town for the week and so our “church” went from it's usual 4-7 people, to 17. It was intense, but fun. Francisco brought balloons which we used to replinish our tinseled strings and then just let the rest float all over the floor of the house. However, it is hot, so the full ones would burst at random as they expanded. The guests decided they wanted to organize the program, so they picked the song and gave a little talk and lead the prayers. It went nicely. When it was done, Noah, a tourist, taught us a Hebrew praise song. Before she left, I planned a new coffee date with Rachael.
We all ate lots of food and I think everyone left feeling generally satisfied.
Once they left, I cleaned up. Balloons were still popping everywhere. I then worked on my computer some, which is experiencing a little bit of trouble, until it started storming and then I ran out to grab my still mostly-dry laundry from the line.
Chris had just gotten back into town from Cofradia and was meeting some bikers in Picame who would be sleeping on his couch that night. When the storm started they came in my house for a while and I let both the bikers take hot showers before they went to Chris' for dinner. It was fun to talk to them. They had a two person bike and had come all the way from Alaska.
Cid came over a little after 7 and we watched the Love Guru, which reminded me a lot of Austin Powers, which I haven't seen in forever. Shortly after, I went to sleep.
Day 262 April 26
I woke up, showered, and made lunch for the day. I had ripe mango for the first time since the last mango season and it was heavenly. Sierra came by and asked if I wanted a ride to school with Josue, which I accepted. We picked up Chris and Alex on the way too.
We spent a good bit of the day starting our units on fractions, which my kids are excited about because 5th and 4th grades are also working on fractions right now, and energy. We're having fun so far. My productive streak from last week has carried into this week and it's making for better plans, more energetic lessons, and better prepared work for the kids.
Since the Ceiba flowers have popped open into this cottony substance that attracts and hatches small red insects that appear to be hemipterans, my students claim that if they bite you, you will die. I was alarmed, but also noticed that the insects were all around our feet and no one was running or panicked. I asked if the bites itched or hurt and the kids say hurt, but no one can really explain it to me. They call them chinches, and there is apparently one variety of chinches that can carry chagas disease. That's the best I got right now, however, I don't think this species of chinches carries chagas, but I will avoid being bitten anyway.
After school I had tutoring, which went well. Before I went home, I checked my e-mail and I had received and e-mail from my friend Tony, informing a group of us that a friend of ours had a missing boyfriend, since Friday, and that yesterday they had found a suicide note. We were asked not to contact our friend for the time being because she was not up for talking. I can't even imagine the kind of grief that would give. To know what had happened, but be unable to move forward and mourn because there's still that hope.
I took my make-up ITBS tests to John and asked if I could grade them because that kind of mind-numbing checking seemed right up my ally for the mood I was in. I walked home with Megan and went to tutoring.
Tutoring was pretty uneventful, except that Goofy the dog took a leak on my backpack and now I have to be careful of every other dog who comes near my backpack.
I was aware of how bad I smelled because of the heat, but immediately after tutoring, I had a date wit Rachael. I was surprised to see Luis sitting in the office when I went to pick her up, maybe he'll have time to talk later. Rachael and I went to San Raphael to order 80 pounds of coffee for an emergency business transaction for her friend who sells coffee in the States, but his usual source in El Salvador was robbed of all of their coffee.
When then went to a chain coffee place because it has AC and we were sweltering. However, the power went out, so we stayed until it had warmed up enough/gotten dark enough for us to move on to the park and then Cafe Welchez.
We stopped by the office to see the tarantula they had caught and they I started to head home. I got an invitation out while I was headed home, so I just turned and went to Barcito for about half an hour before turning back and going to bed.
Day 263 April 27
I woke up to discover that there was no water. This was not good news. I still smelled terrible from the day before. I took my first bucket shower from my pila water and hoped for the best. I also knew it would only amount to so much since the temp predictions were between 42 and 45 C (I imagine this was for Tegus, because it never got that hot here, but it was hot.)
I had a wonderful day of spills. I spilled coffee on books and papers and the kids spilled glue on a desk and books. Excellent.
My day took a turn when I got word of Ian Smith-Christmas. His body had been found. I tried to keep my kids from feeling my mood shift, but I don't think it worked.
We did, however, have a good end to the day. I told them a series of vocab necessary jokes, which I explained the necessary vocab in advance, like “What do you call a fly with no wings? A walk.” They loved it.
It tutoring I discovered that my low student is even lower than he realized. He didn't know the days of the week in English, so I asked him to give them to me in order in Spanish and he gave them to me in the wrong order. I don't even know where to begin.
I walked home and jumped in the shower, though there was no power. I didn't care, we had water again. Half way through my shower, the power came back on so I had heat, 5 candles, and a lightbulb.
I trucked to tutoring in a downpour. I ate with the Mormons, who were marooned at the restaurant in the rain. The power was in and out, but the rain was constant. Isaac and I read a book.
I went home and wrote for a while before cooking a lot and doing my dishes. I put my prepared lunch in the fridge. Shortly after, Cid came over and Hsuan came over for a shower. Cid and I went through my music library and talked about it for a while until I decided I was dead and needed to sleep.
Day 264 April 28
I slept in half an hour, but still got to school in decent time. We had a relatively easy day, though Ferjardo wasn't there and I discovered this 7 minutes into the PE class I had come with a stack of journals to grade, but oh well.
It was almost as hot as yesterday, but I was thrilled when I saw that one of my kids had picked out an old favorite from the library. The Great Kapok Tree is a book I haven't thought about in a long time, but I read it to the kids in the same voices as it was read to me. Most of my kids really liked it and were actually disappointed when I stopped so that we could go to lunch.
The story sparked in my the realization that there are tons of books I read growing up that I adored, but that have slipped from my memory. Since I've been working with kids, books like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel have resurfaced and I don't want to forget them again. Someday I hope to have kids and I want them to be able to read these books. I started a list.
We ended our day by practicing our mother's day song with Beth's class: Baby Beluga. I sent the kids off and was going to tackle those journals that I didn't get to do during PE, but Juan wandered into my class. He usually isn't very talkative and kind of avoids me, but he was hanging around my desk. I asked him what music he likes and we listened to some. He said he liked it all and I tried to explain that it's okay if he doesn't. After a little while I asked him he wanted me to help him with his homework and he said yes. So, we had a surprise tutoring session. It went well.
I caught a truck back with Megan, stopped by the bank with her, and then we swung by Cafe Welchez for granitas. I headed back to the house and ran into my buddy from the orphanage, Marlon, and his friend. Though, when we asked him what his friend's name was he said, “He's not my friend.”
I went out with Sierra and Liz for smoothies and internet. Mango is so fully back in my life that I had a mango smoothie and it was heaven. I now know what heaven tastes like. While we were at Yat Balam, Megan, Cid, and Josue all passed by.
I finally heard from Luis, so I headed home to get ready to go out and get baleadas with him. We met at Guacamaya, and because I had no saldo on my phone to respond, I made sure I was there early so he wouldn't slip away thinking I had stood him up. We headed to Katia's mom's place, where I saw both Katia and Edgar and pestered them about their homework.
After we had talked for a sufficient amount of time, I headed home and did a lot of cooking. Cid called in the midst of it because he was out with a friend from Santa Rosa, and I went out to meet them later, but by the time I got there she was gone. I didn't stay out long then, because I was really coming to meet her, and as always, I was exhausted.
Day 265 April 29
This morning I was greated with an notice that Lucy Crook is engaged! She sent me a message so I wouldn't just find out on Facebook, which I appreciated. She also asked about Cid and I filled her in.
I had a very productive Thursday, and most of the day went well, but the afternoon was hard and I got impatient quickly. I need to hone back in on my patience. I started tutoring but quickly realized that my lack of patience was going to be detrimental to them. Instead, I helped them with their home work and sent them off.
I did work in my room and then swung by Chris' room to see the beautiful and large lizard he had just captured. I walked home with Beth which was nice. I headed straight for tutoring, where I tried to regain my patience. We did a Where's Waldo activity, which seems to help his vocabulary. The boy has perfected non-verbal communications so forcing him to communicate with words is a struggle.
I got home and did all my laundry for next week. I know I won't have another time to do it and I will need these shirts for work. I headed over to Chris' to swap music and make liquados. After a while, Cid came over and we all made spring rolls for dinner. We ate and planned. With enough of the detials hammered out, I went home, packed, and went to sleep.
Day 266 April 30
I woke up half an hour late again, but managed to snag a ride with Dona Olga. Win! I had all my stuff for the trip with me, so I'm sure I was a sight walking up to school. However, when I got to school I discovered that there was no coffee and the caseta coffee I was so excited about tasted very...off. I didn't even finish a cup and the coffee maker in the teacher's room was never fixed.
One of my students gave me a wonderful smelling flower that I put in my hair and continued to forget about all day. My kids were the worst they'd been all week and so when two of my boys claimed stomach troubles, I wanted to call paja. However, a few moments later one approached me with a very distinct, “I'm going to vomit” walk and said, “I'm going to vomit.” Oh, well then, lets get you outside. He retched, but was not ill. The other boy was also holding his stomach. I left the room in search of Nilvio's mom, as he sat outside trying to empty his stomach, or Gilda who's kind of the school nurse these days. I found them both in Norma's room. I told them and got some pepto and went back to deal with my now out of control class.
Fact learned: They had a gatorade drinking race. They were sick from it. Ugh. I went back during PE to tell Norma that her son was fine, just stupid and the boys and I talked about not playing games like this anymore.
I had all my worksheets done yesterday to be copied for Tuesday and today I had all my grading done before lunch. Though, my own stomach was starting to feel unsettled, which made me nervous as I was about to venture by bus across the country to go hiking up the largest mountain in Honduras, with cold, due to elevation, and rain, due to it being a cloud forest. I do not want to be sick.
When I got back from my lunch break, my kids had written me a variety of love notes, thank you notes, and we're sorry notes for the behavior earlier in the day. However, the last period was still not good. We cleaned up, during which time one of my girls bumped Isaac into the sharp corner of a chair and his eye brow was split open. I sent the two of them to sort it out with Gilda. We then sang Baby Beluga until Chris came to my door at 1:40 and then we bolted to catch a taxi down to the bus station.
I ended up with two tickets for the bus as both Chris and Cid bought me one in the rush to make sure everyone was situated. We got one returned and away we went on the bus. I actually slept on a bus.
There were some tourists on the bus who were headed to Santa Rosa, so we let them follow us to the next batch of buses. We chatted a while on the bus.
When we got to Santa Rosa, we found out when the last bus out to Gracias would leave, in 40 minutes, and went to the grocery store to get our supplies for the trip. Katie hadn't arrived yet, so if she came in time, we'd go to Gracias, and if she didn't, we'd stay in Santa Rosa.
Cid's father came with the tent and his brother came with the sleeping bags. I got to meet them both, but only very briefly. We were busy shopping and rushing to a bus and they were taking just a few minutes out of their days to meet us in our tight time frame.
Katie arrived, we checked out with our camping food, and hopped on the bus as it was pulling out. We arrived in Gracias around 6:30 and then had to search for a hostel. After a while, we settled on Corazon de Jesus. We later discovered that they had no water, no fans, warm rooms, cold showers, and were noisy.
We headed out to dinner, ate, and went to sleep. I was still feeling sick.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)