First Day of School

Do you remember the first day of school? Whether it was kindergarten or college there's still that little bit nervous, a lot excited feeling. That's the way it was in our house this morning. All of us had a great time and are looking forward to tomorrow. I didn't get to take any photos today, but will do so tomorrow. I also want you to meet my teacher, Mercedes.

Speaking of that...I have been meeting some people here that I will introduce to you soon. I haven't forgotten my Quest!

A Quiet Day

It was a quiet day yesterday for us. We were without power most of the day.  I guess this is a fairly regular occurrance. We did walk to the center of town and did a little grocery shopping and then came back and took naps.

There is not as much color (as in flowers) here as I had expected, but what there is, is very beautiful.

                           Enjoy!                                     Pictures by...don't laugh guys...Mike!

My First Attempt at Honduran Cooking

Have you ever made a deal with someone you've regretted? Have you asked yourself over and over again, "What was I thinking?" Well...I'm not at that point yet, but I may soon be. When we first got here I made a deal with Barbe. I'll cook if she'll clean up. She and I both want to eat, as much as possible, in Honduran style. Of course that style, for a Honduran, would depend on your income. Either way, beans, tortillas, plantains, fruit, eggs, chicken and beef are the staples. So, at any rate, after asking around a bit and googling "simple Honduran recipes", I cooked our first Honduran meal.

My choice, simple being the operative word here, was baleadas and platanos fritos. A "baleada" is similar to a burrito. Start with a flour tortilla (tortillas here are not like the cardboard variety Walmart sells), add refried beans, a bit of simmered beef and onion, top with the ever present queso blanco, a white, crumbly,salty cheese, a little salsa and thin sour cream, fold and eat. Many people also substitute eggs for meat. Simple!

Platanos are plantains, a naturally sweet fruit similar to a banana.
(This photo is the actual fruit of my labor)

On a side note, yesterday all of us interviewed with Delia, the director of the language school, so that she could determine at what level to start us in our studies on Monday. During my interview she asked me what I would be doing later that afternoon. I confidently told her that I would be cooking baleadas and platanos. By the surprised, bordering on shocked look on her face, I quickly realized that was, perhaps, not exactly what I had said. Based on her explanation, or at least my understanding of it, I think I may have told her I was going to have street fighters or perhaps a couple who was in the middle of an argument in our kitchen with plantains. I know the plantains where definitely there! I'm very curious to see where she starts me.

Photos by Barbe.

Friendships

One of the things I most enjoy about Central America is the early morning sounds and smells. Songbirds fill the morning air with their music and chatter. The pungent odor of smoke from wood cook fires wafts through my open window filling the room with the smell of cedar and pine. Then there are the other noises, perhaps not as pleasurable, but distinctly Central American. The sounds of people beginning their day, motorbikes, roosters, horns honking, It is different here because most people do not "commute". so beginning the day may mean coming from the back of the building to open the front of the store or repair shop.

Farmers bring their produce to town twice a week in the back of pickups. Yesterday was market day. We walked down the hill to the market, bought fresh papaya, cantaloupe, potatoes, avocados, bananas, passing by many other kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Yesterday was Micah's eighth birthday (Mark & Michelle's son). In preparation for his party, Barbe and I went with Mark across town to buy ice cream. There is a Mennonite community here in Siguatepeque. They are good people, very industrious and self sufficient. One of the things they do is make bread, cheese and ice cream to sell at their shop in town. I guess it had been a good day for them because the store had very little ice cream left. We bought what was left and drove to the small village outside of town where the family lives to pick up more. Mark's youngest son, two year old Malachi, wanted to see the baby goat.

Later that evening we gathered in the courtyard area of the seminary for games, Honduran tacos, birthday cake and some of the best ice cream I have ever had. There is the good feeling of community here. Several American families live on campus or nearby. There are also the Honduran professors and some students living here with there families. On February 10th classes will resume and the activity level will increase substantially as 25 or so students return to class. One of my prayers for my boys has already been answered, abundantly. I had asked God to bring the boys friends while were here. Watching all the children ranging in age from 2 to 16 play football and soccer last night...my heart just said thank you, Lord.

Special thanks to Barbe. Many of the pictures you will see have been taken by her. She has recently taken up photography and digital scrap booking and is finding that she not only really enjoys it, but has talent!

 

We Arrive in Honduras

I was six months old the first time I visited Central America and though I obviously don't remember that event, I am convinced that I must have, even at that young age, left a part of me here because each time I return there is something in me that says "home". Along with that feeling comes the initial shock of being in a country where traffic laws mean little, horses pull carts on the edge of the roadway, taillights are optional and you can still ride in the back of a pickup with 20 of your friends. And of course the poverty.

We arrived in San Pedro Sula after an uneventful flight, but minus one suitcase. Fortunately American Airlines was able to find it in Miami and get it on the last flight in that evening. This same flight brought the Campbells, another family of 5, from Minnesota who will be staying here for two months also. In an amazing turn of events we also discovered that their 12 year old son Jeremiah may be Thomas' long lost twin separated at birth (joking). We report, you decide.

By the time we collected everyone it was too late to travel. Travel after dark is dangerous, partially because of crime, but primarily because of things to collide with. Animals, slow moving unlit vehicles, pedestrians and pot holes. We spent the night at a hotel in El Progresso, got a decent start in the morning and arrived in Siguatepeque around 10 am CST. We were warmly welcomed by Mark and Michelle Fitzz and Tim and Julie Nelson. We spent the afternoon getting settled in to the multi purpose "casita" we are renting. It is very nice with the unique feature of having six toilets and six showers, one for each of us including a spare. I hope this is not an indication of our future sanitary needs.

Mark and Barbe went grocery shopping with two of the ladies while the boys and I explored our new surroundings. There are several families living on campus, some Honduran and some American, most with children. The boys quickly made new friends.

It is very beautiful here. The weather was warm today, about 80 F, with relatively low humidity.

On a very sad note, we learned today of the passing of a dear friend. Our love and prayers go out to the Dubuc family as we mourn your
                                                          loss with you.

The Journey Begins

Although the seeds of this adventure where planted several years ago, Dec. 28, 2011 marks the actual kickoff date for us. Winterizing our home in Maine, we head back to Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Jacksonville, FL where we spent the previous winter.  With the constant coming and going of travelers, each with their own tales of the road, life in an RV park is never dull. There are also many seasonal regulars and full timers as well. The atmosphere is sociable, especially when the weather is warm as people stroll through the park exchanging pleasantries. We have found RV living enjoyable and relaxing. Since our arrival on New Year's Eve the weather has been exceptionally beautiful. A bit chilly at night, but warming up nicely in the afternoon.

 

One of the great things about my job is that I can bring it with me. Jacksonville has one of the largest port facilities for inbound and outbound cars in the US. On arrival I immediately picked up where I left off last year hauling new Mazdas for Hansen & Adkins. They were very happy to see me back, especially as the new car market is booming, at least for the moment.

Our departure date (Jan 24th) for Honduras is fast approaching. As excited as we are to be going, the time we’ve spent here is almost too short. Renewing friendships from last year, both at NGF and here at the park, has been awesome and we hate to leave so soon. The last few days have been busy. I, finishing up year end paperwork, making arrangements for the storage of the truck, RV, car and 6’ by 10’ enclosed trailer we use for transporting and storing necessities like a BBQ grill and bicycles, Barbe and the boys packing schoolwork, clothes, etc.  The boys have still found time to engage in the Great Airsoft Battle and a fundraising event for Acquire the Fire.  

The Quest

I

don’t know about you, but when I think of a quest it brings to mind Nicholas Cage in National Treasure or Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s searching for something of extreme value, rare, lost, noble. Something worth risking everything to find. Quest…the very word brings with it Thoughts of Adventure, the Taste of Danger seasoned with the Spice of Life. All great tales ever told, every lasting movie ever filmed…each has at its center a quest.

S

o, you say, “What is this great Quest you embark upon?”  “Ohhhh no” I reply, “That would be like reading to you the last page of the book or telling you the final scene of a movie.” But, I do invite you to make the journey with me. What will be written in this blog is unapologetically me. It is journal, personal diary and record keeping first and foremost. I invite you to participate, to share your thoughts by using the comment button below. However, I do reserve the editor's right to determine what is published.