After about a week in the states, I have to admit that while it was fun, I was feeling anxious to get back. I loved seeing friends, eating good food, but it really did not feel like home. For one thing, I was not independent - I was staying with friends and they were taking me out and paying for me. It is wonderful to have friends that want to take care of you, but for me I hated being so dependent. Right now Honduras is home, and I don't really have plans on going back until I finish my service.
I also wish to apologize to the friends I was not able to meet with - there just did not seem to be enough time for me to do everything. I wish I was there longer to meet with everyone and to get more accomplished, but it became very expensive. Essentially, that means everyone will have to come down here to visit and see me.
Since I've been back, we have had Halloween, a training session, and school is out now. Thanksgiving is coming around the corner as well as Christmas and New Years. I am looking forward to the beginning of next year where there will be no activities and I can just relax. Halloween was over a weekend, and I'll have to say that I was very impressed at the creativity of some volunteers. I took the easy way out and just put on Avatar face paint I picked up in the states. I looked more like urban warfare smurf than Avatar; more than several people asked me what the heck I was supposed to be, but kudos to the people (one or two) that actually guessed. Pictures are on Picassa.
The Olanchoers really outdid themselves. There were 4 guys that dressed up as the 4 Honduran beers and they won best contest. Sexiest costume went to the 6 female volunteers dressed up as Lady Gaga. Truly impressive. My personal favorite was a volunteer that dressed up as Mario Kart. With the bar raised so high, I have no idea what I will do for next year.
One of the activities from Halloween was outdoors, with beer, volleyball and ziplining. I think this was one of my favorite days so far in my service - peace corps guatemala came out as well, so we had a great time outdoors. Guess I'm getting older, but these outdoor activities are preferable to the drink and party events at night.
After Halloween 2 volunteers stayed one night at my place before we headed down to the capital for training. They lived far away and did not want to go home just to travel all the way back again, so we went down together. It was fun catching a ride from the mayor as he had a training event as well. Being back in Valle De Angeles (our first training site) brought back great memories, but it was COLD! The weather is definitely getting colder now, and I'm glad that I brought back a sleeping back and did not take back my winter jacket - with no heating and insulation, it gets very chilly in some places, especially at night.
Thanksgiving is coming up soon as well, so probably will visit a friend's site in Olancho to celebrate with other volunteers and several of us have tentatively planned to go to the islands after christmas and into new years to get scuba certified and to relax.
well, lunch is here, so until next post...
