I'm going to try and keep this more up to date so I don't have to write lengthy epics again! Since Christmas it's all be kinda quiet. More football watching etc - am getting very into the league and this was the first week we didn't lose!!! Didn't win either but heh!
Today I have been invited to a birthday party. It's Karina's mums birthday and she has invited me to her party!! It's the same family I spent Christmas Eve with - only this time it will be the whole entire extended family...and me! Her mum has said I am now part of the family...yay I've been adopted into a Honduran family!!
So..I'm off to a party at a place I don't know (a field somewhere!) with people I pretty much don't know apart from 2 or 3, all speaking in a language I don't know (well am not great at!). All thigns considered....am quite nervous about going!! But If I'm to be a part of this culture, community and accepted then I have to make the effort. It will be hilarious if nothing else....will let you know!
Monday, 29 December 2008
Friday, 26 December 2008
Christmas Week 2008.....
Friday
Amanda left for Canada on 19th December. The same day as our Christmas Concert at school. The concert went...well lets just say it went! I had some of the food the Grade 6's were serving...this proved to be a mistake...I ended up with horrendous food poisoning!! Friday and Saturday I was so so ill it was awful!
Monday
Monday morning at 6am I went camping with my friends from Youth Group. We just went for the night as an end of year trip together. We went to the beach (yes the Caribbean!). We all piled into the back of a Camion - cattle truck to you and me!! 15 of us in the back, our bags and a guitar! Legs were just piled everywhere on top of each other. It was a 5 hour trip but an excellent way to really get to know each other. We went to a beautiful place by the beach with a river and private beach access. We swam in the sea, had a bonfire on the beach at night, fireworks etc. Was just so much fun. I felt I got to know people better those 2 days than I have the whole year. The whole time was just relaxed...for example we got there with the food and realised we'd forgotten to bring anything to actually cook with! So I was sent to someone's house to ask if we could borrow a pan as they said we'd more likely get it as I'm white - my friends hid round the corner telling me what to say! Very amusing! The next morning we had no breakfast as we had cornflakes but no bowls or spoons and the milk had gone off!! It was all just exactly what I needed - fun, relaxing time with friends. Then 5 hour trip back, stopping to buy coconuts by the side of the road for a drink (the coconut milk!)
I haven't really done it justice describing it like this!!
Here is a link to my photos....
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194662&l=12a1c&id=876635272
Wednesday - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is when Christmas is celebrated in Honduras. I had arranged to go to Lorena's house for Christmas Eve dinner and to see in Christmas with her family. During the day I had a phonecall from my friend Karina who invited me to join her family too - it was Fredi and his wife who were inviting me as it was at their house. I pointed out I was going to Lorenas but that I would come on to her house afterwards!
We had our Christmas Concert in the evening which I really enjoyed. I'm thankful that my flute duet went well with no disasters!! Then, having greeted and kissed the entire church I went back to Lorena's. By this time it was about 9pm and I was starving! However - her brothers (my friends) never showed up!!! One went into town and the others to different friends houses. Seems Christmas isn't such a big thing here! So...I looked at Lorena and we both went to Fredi's! Calling Karina to tell her to save us some food! We got there about 10pm and had dinner. The entire family was there - and Lorena's brother!! It was nice to be with such a big family. The kids all played in the street (dirt road!) with fireworks. At midnight they turned on the radio (similar to New Year in UK) and counted down to Christmas Day. Then lots more hugging and excitement!
I then found out about another tradition my friends have and that is that every year at 1am the guys all go and play volleyball til 5am at the church! I had nothing else to do so went and watched them play volleyball. 7 guys playing and then 2 of my friends turned up to watch and so I randomly stayed up. At 4am Adony, Catalina and I went into the road and set off my fireworks - something to do. He put one under the electricit cables so we'd get more sparks!! Oh my! Was all pretty safe though, throwing fire crackers everywhere! It's great - there is an entire market set up for fireworks here - where you can buy anything and everything!! And I do! It's only here for December - there are only 3 cities in the country where it is legal to buy fireworks and I'm grateful here is one of them. Tomorrow I am off to buy enough for the year! My guess is they'll last for 2 weeks!! Anyway, after the fireworks we went back for more Volley! Was just such fun watching and messing around, one guy had a guitar and serenaded me with his bad singing - never met him before, was hilarious!!! I left at 5am as they were threatening to come to my house for breakfast and I had to be at Sue's house by 9am for Christmas with her. I had to try and get at least 3 hours sleep! The others all went off to find food til 6am - nothing really closes for Christmas! The atmosphere for the entire night was amazing, just a party, excited atmosphere, with everyone out and about.
Thursday - Christmas Day
After my 3 hours sleep I was somewhat tired but managed to get through the day! The day was a stark contrast to Christmas Eve. Jorge had also been invited by Ken as his mum doesn't celebrate Christmas. So we went up together and got there for present opening time with the kids. Was like being back home, Sue had cooked a full English style Christmas Dinner! Was great. In the afternoon/evening they had invited all their Honduran friends round for drinks and so yet another party!
Photos....
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=195644&l=6ac9d&id=876635272
Friday - Boxing day
Have slept and chilled out in the house by myself! Has been lovely calling all the family and getting to finally speak to them all. My landlady sent me over some Tomales (traditional Christmas food) and home cooked sweet bread - very sweet!
It has been go go go here. Apart from yesterday I spent the week speaking Spanish, which has been great for me! It's been a great time to get to know my friends better and hang out with people I don't normally. We'll see what next week brings!!
Sorry this is so long and boring but I think we're up to date...if you want more details email me!
Amanda left for Canada on 19th December. The same day as our Christmas Concert at school. The concert went...well lets just say it went! I had some of the food the Grade 6's were serving...this proved to be a mistake...I ended up with horrendous food poisoning!! Friday and Saturday I was so so ill it was awful!
Monday
Monday morning at 6am I went camping with my friends from Youth Group. We just went for the night as an end of year trip together. We went to the beach (yes the Caribbean!). We all piled into the back of a Camion - cattle truck to you and me!! 15 of us in the back, our bags and a guitar! Legs were just piled everywhere on top of each other. It was a 5 hour trip but an excellent way to really get to know each other. We went to a beautiful place by the beach with a river and private beach access. We swam in the sea, had a bonfire on the beach at night, fireworks etc. Was just so much fun. I felt I got to know people better those 2 days than I have the whole year. The whole time was just relaxed...for example we got there with the food and realised we'd forgotten to bring anything to actually cook with! So I was sent to someone's house to ask if we could borrow a pan as they said we'd more likely get it as I'm white - my friends hid round the corner telling me what to say! Very amusing! The next morning we had no breakfast as we had cornflakes but no bowls or spoons and the milk had gone off!! It was all just exactly what I needed - fun, relaxing time with friends. Then 5 hour trip back, stopping to buy coconuts by the side of the road for a drink (the coconut milk!)
I haven't really done it justice describing it like this!!
Here is a link to my photos....
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=194662&l=12a1c&id=876635272
Wednesday - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is when Christmas is celebrated in Honduras. I had arranged to go to Lorena's house for Christmas Eve dinner and to see in Christmas with her family. During the day I had a phonecall from my friend Karina who invited me to join her family too - it was Fredi and his wife who were inviting me as it was at their house. I pointed out I was going to Lorenas but that I would come on to her house afterwards!
We had our Christmas Concert in the evening which I really enjoyed. I'm thankful that my flute duet went well with no disasters!! Then, having greeted and kissed the entire church I went back to Lorena's. By this time it was about 9pm and I was starving! However - her brothers (my friends) never showed up!!! One went into town and the others to different friends houses. Seems Christmas isn't such a big thing here! So...I looked at Lorena and we both went to Fredi's! Calling Karina to tell her to save us some food! We got there about 10pm and had dinner. The entire family was there - and Lorena's brother!! It was nice to be with such a big family. The kids all played in the street (dirt road!) with fireworks. At midnight they turned on the radio (similar to New Year in UK) and counted down to Christmas Day. Then lots more hugging and excitement!
I then found out about another tradition my friends have and that is that every year at 1am the guys all go and play volleyball til 5am at the church! I had nothing else to do so went and watched them play volleyball. 7 guys playing and then 2 of my friends turned up to watch and so I randomly stayed up. At 4am Adony, Catalina and I went into the road and set off my fireworks - something to do. He put one under the electricit cables so we'd get more sparks!! Oh my! Was all pretty safe though, throwing fire crackers everywhere! It's great - there is an entire market set up for fireworks here - where you can buy anything and everything!! And I do! It's only here for December - there are only 3 cities in the country where it is legal to buy fireworks and I'm grateful here is one of them. Tomorrow I am off to buy enough for the year! My guess is they'll last for 2 weeks!! Anyway, after the fireworks we went back for more Volley! Was just such fun watching and messing around, one guy had a guitar and serenaded me with his bad singing - never met him before, was hilarious!!! I left at 5am as they were threatening to come to my house for breakfast and I had to be at Sue's house by 9am for Christmas with her. I had to try and get at least 3 hours sleep! The others all went off to find food til 6am - nothing really closes for Christmas! The atmosphere for the entire night was amazing, just a party, excited atmosphere, with everyone out and about.
Thursday - Christmas Day
After my 3 hours sleep I was somewhat tired but managed to get through the day! The day was a stark contrast to Christmas Eve. Jorge had also been invited by Ken as his mum doesn't celebrate Christmas. So we went up together and got there for present opening time with the kids. Was like being back home, Sue had cooked a full English style Christmas Dinner! Was great. In the afternoon/evening they had invited all their Honduran friends round for drinks and so yet another party!
Photos....
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=195644&l=6ac9d&id=876635272
Friday - Boxing day
Have slept and chilled out in the house by myself! Has been lovely calling all the family and getting to finally speak to them all. My landlady sent me over some Tomales (traditional Christmas food) and home cooked sweet bread - very sweet!
It has been go go go here. Apart from yesterday I spent the week speaking Spanish, which has been great for me! It's been a great time to get to know my friends better and hang out with people I don't normally. We'll see what next week brings!!
Sorry this is so long and boring but I think we're up to date...if you want more details email me!
November catch up..!
Now I've been meaning to write this blog post for weeks now to keep people up-to-date!
However, as I sit to write this - I can't actually remember what it was I was going to write!
November proved to be very busy in the end. I had the dogs spayed - at the same time which proved to be quite an experience I am grateful I never have to repeat....
On the day I took them in I decided I shold probs have a dog house for htem to sleep in so they could recover in the dry if it continued with the bad weather. So, Enoc helped me draw a plan for it and my friend Kulicha was going to make it! That left me buying all the materials - wood, lamina etc...! Hmmm... I went to the wood store and had such a laugh, I dind't have a clue how much I needed. Then the lamina....I went to the fereterria and showed them my plans...told them it was for a dog house...they worked out how much I'd need for me. It was the most expensive I'd known, I couldn't work it out. They also said it wouldn't fit in my car but they'd deliver it. I didn't think any more of it...until they delivered it..hmmm...seems feet and metres were confused and I eneded up with 7 sheets of the stuff instead of 1!! No wonder it was so expensive! I went back to teh store and spoke to the manager...played the dumb white girl card and miraculously got my money back!! Turned out that I had a nice dog house in the end!
Now, I took one dog in on a Friday and the other on the Saturday. In my mind I imagined England...where you walk your dog in and then at teh end of the day you walk your dog out. Not so much here! So I took Delilah in first, I have to hold her whilst she is injected and goes to sleep. I leave her there and get a phone call 2 hours later to pick her up! There is no nurse, no oxygen etc - just the vet and his table. In fact, when I got there she was still on the table with her legs tied to the wall - I had to untie her before we could lift her onto the stretcher!! I then had an unconscious dog on a stretcher in the back of my car!! She then slept in my house til she came round - all very traumatic as she came round wailing and in shock - all things that are meant to happen at the vets! After Jezebel was done too the vet sent me home with 28 needles/injections! I had to inject them both with 2 needles every day!
This proved to be traumatic as well as it wasn't something I could do by myself as they needed holding still. All my friends became involved in this whole process! Amanda went away for 3 weekends in November and one of these was when the dogs were operated on and so I was calling on friends to come help me lift stretchers out of the car, hold the dogs etc! The dogs then became violent for 2 weeks and hated each other so one had to be tied at the front of the hosue and the other at the back! Was awful!
All went well, they both survived and are now completely fine, friends and no problems! Actually turned our well because I got to see more of my friends!! Amanda away at weekends meant that I saw more of my Honduran friends as I would invite them round more and hang out more - so a bonus really!
I have photos of all this but I'll get them up eventually!
However, as I sit to write this - I can't actually remember what it was I was going to write!
November proved to be very busy in the end. I had the dogs spayed - at the same time which proved to be quite an experience I am grateful I never have to repeat....
On the day I took them in I decided I shold probs have a dog house for htem to sleep in so they could recover in the dry if it continued with the bad weather. So, Enoc helped me draw a plan for it and my friend Kulicha was going to make it! That left me buying all the materials - wood, lamina etc...! Hmmm... I went to the wood store and had such a laugh, I dind't have a clue how much I needed. Then the lamina....I went to the fereterria and showed them my plans...told them it was for a dog house...they worked out how much I'd need for me. It was the most expensive I'd known, I couldn't work it out. They also said it wouldn't fit in my car but they'd deliver it. I didn't think any more of it...until they delivered it..hmmm...seems feet and metres were confused and I eneded up with 7 sheets of the stuff instead of 1!! No wonder it was so expensive! I went back to teh store and spoke to the manager...played the dumb white girl card and miraculously got my money back!! Turned out that I had a nice dog house in the end!
Now, I took one dog in on a Friday and the other on the Saturday. In my mind I imagined England...where you walk your dog in and then at teh end of the day you walk your dog out. Not so much here! So I took Delilah in first, I have to hold her whilst she is injected and goes to sleep. I leave her there and get a phone call 2 hours later to pick her up! There is no nurse, no oxygen etc - just the vet and his table. In fact, when I got there she was still on the table with her legs tied to the wall - I had to untie her before we could lift her onto the stretcher!! I then had an unconscious dog on a stretcher in the back of my car!! She then slept in my house til she came round - all very traumatic as she came round wailing and in shock - all things that are meant to happen at the vets! After Jezebel was done too the vet sent me home with 28 needles/injections! I had to inject them both with 2 needles every day!
This proved to be traumatic as well as it wasn't something I could do by myself as they needed holding still. All my friends became involved in this whole process! Amanda went away for 3 weekends in November and one of these was when the dogs were operated on and so I was calling on friends to come help me lift stretchers out of the car, hold the dogs etc! The dogs then became violent for 2 weeks and hated each other so one had to be tied at the front of the hosue and the other at the back! Was awful!
All went well, they both survived and are now completely fine, friends and no problems! Actually turned our well because I got to see more of my friends!! Amanda away at weekends meant that I saw more of my Honduran friends as I would invite them round more and hang out more - so a bonus really!
I have photos of all this but I'll get them up eventually!
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Bodyguards!
We had our school Christmas dinner tonight, was actually really good. Singing Christmas carols, good food and then fireworks, sparklers and roasting marshmallows on the bonfire! My kind of Christmas dinner.
However, I had to leave my car there as I have no clutch fluid and there is a problem with the pump - basically I can't change gear! The funniest part of the evening was that Dr Lazama (Gladys) our Director of the board offered to give Amanda and I a lift home. However, she had heard about where we live and would only take us with 2 men in the car as bodyguards!! So Hermes was put in the boot as the car was full (was an estate car!)
It's not the point I normally drive around by myself!
I really will put an update of the goings on in November very soon.....
However, I had to leave my car there as I have no clutch fluid and there is a problem with the pump - basically I can't change gear! The funniest part of the evening was that Dr Lazama (Gladys) our Director of the board offered to give Amanda and I a lift home. However, she had heard about where we live and would only take us with 2 men in the car as bodyguards!! So Hermes was put in the boot as the car was full (was an estate car!)
It's not the point I normally drive around by myself!
I really will put an update of the goings on in November very soon.....
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Little hope!
My Spanish teacher counterpart, Alba,(teaches Grade 1 and 2 Spanish side) had cotton wool in her ear yesterday...(we all have colds)....
...one of my Grade 1's asked her out of the blue if she was pregnant.....when she questioned why he thought that, he said she must be pregnant because she had cotton wool in her ear!!! Natural assumption you have to agree?
What hope have I got with them in English!!!?
...one of my Grade 1's asked her out of the blue if she was pregnant.....when she questioned why he thought that, he said she must be pregnant because she had cotton wool in her ear!!! Natural assumption you have to agree?
What hope have I got with them in English!!!?
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