Hasta la proxima vez......

Well, one more night in Honduras. I’m presently in San Pedro Sula at the Casa El Meson bed and breakfast. It’s hard to think that my three weeks here are just about done. And what an amazing three weeks it’s been. First and foremost I will remember the people here. The patience, friendliness and kindness of everyone I met in Copan exceeded my expectations.  It seems if you are willing to try to speak with them in Spanish they will go beyond to help you. Store keepers, people in the rural comunties, artisans, or just people walking in your direction all seem happy to share a few words. The other night I was invited to dinner at the house of my teacher and her family. It was so much fun interacting with the whole famiy and sharing some laughs. Thanks to Dunia for being a great teacher and a really nice person;

                                          Dunia;

House "mum" Sara (left) and house "dad" Ernesto (far right). Their son Marel and his wife Zoyla (centre) with their son Ernesto'

I came here to improve my Spanish so where am I with that? I have good days and bad. Ellen, who has been here for three years, tells me that that is normal. At times I chat away and surprise myself. Other times I find it hard to string a sentence together. The other day at the canopy tour I spoke only in Spanish with the guys running the tour and understood virtually everything. My conversation with the tuk tuk driver less so but I was fascinated by his story. While I understood less, I got enough of the story to ask questions in areas that I wasn't sure about. His story was so interesting about his sister I could have sat and talked to him all day. It's been moments like that that have caught me off gaurd. Today I went back to the house of Luis the stone carver. I had visisted him yesterday with Ellen and this is a house I would never have found by myself. Luis and his wife have four children and he is tying to work enough to send his son to high school. I bought a carving fom him made from the shell of a tree called Palo de Morro. Yesterday we accessed their house through their neighbours breezeway. In this breezeway were chickens, geese and dogs as well as grandma (I think) doing the laundry from a big pila. Today I was my myself and I asked if I could pass through again. I was treated to smiles and a welcome as if I had come to see them.  Luis' wife and I chatted for a minute and it still amazes me the patience that people have here. I think overall I am probably where I thought I would be after three weeks. It's not enough time by any stretch to become fluent but I know my Spanish has improved. I am going to carry on classes here with my Spanish teacher via Skype which will supplement my lessons I have at home.

There are of course so many little stories that I just haven't had time to tell you about. Some happy stories and some sad stories all of which have added to my experience here in Honduras.The other day when I was in the village of El Barbasco some of the children asked me if I was their volunteer for the kinder school. Some schools have volunteers (teachers aids) supplies by several organisations (Global Vision International is a big one here). I was so sad to tell them that no I was only visiting. I would have loved to have stayed. Many of these children have terrible teeth. Front teeth are missing and many have black rotting teeth. There is no dental care here for the children in places such as El Barbasco. My teacher tells me that when she was at school the government educated many of the children about brushing thier teeth. She was given a tooth brush that was left at school and everyday they brushed thier teeth. Unfortunately this is no longer continued. Even now the common practive for those that can afford it is to only go to a dentist when you have a problem. It is not common to go for a "check up". Perhaps you remember me telling you about the Ramirez children. I visited them with Ellen on the first day I was here in Copan. They lost their parents a few years ago but with a little help from PSS are doing well (all things considered). Isaias was going to loose all his front teeth from decay. Ellen started them on tooth brushing and paid for Isaias to go to a dentist here in Copan. He has needed several root canals but he will likely keep all his teeth.

Yesterday I said goodbye to Twiggy. It was horrible as I have grown so incredibly fond of the little mite. She looks amazing…Although still too thin she has already put on weight. She has had two baths and is as virtually flea free as any dog can be here. She is continuing to put weight on her foot and I remain hopeful that she will at worst walk with a limp. She has been wormed, given vitamins and now has a great shot at a good life here. Ellen is very fond of her and I leave her in good hands. Twiggy is the fortunate one. Many street dogs here have a tough and awful life while some do actually thrive. Many dogs that you would assume are strays technically have an owner it’s just the owner doesn’t feed or care for the dog. Ellen knows many of the dogs well and by name. She doesn’t have the resources to adopt many in to her doggy sanctuary but she does what she can. She assesses their needs and helps those she can with medication, worming or vitamin shots.

                                         Twiggy;

And finally to Ellen…who I know will read this in the not to distance future…. A huge and heartfelt thank you. Not just for the tireless work that you do but for your enthusiasm to share it with me and the likes of me that cross your path. On many occasions, particularly after a trip to a rural community, I watched tourists walking in and out of the hotels here in Copan and I couldn’t help but wonder if they had really experienced Honduras as I have had the opportunity to do. A dear friend of Ellen’s (Anne) who I had the pleasure to get to know perhaps put it best. She said that the difference was that my experiences with Ellen had allowed me be a traveller rather than a tourist. I am eternally grateful to Ellen for this opportunity and to the friendship she offered me that I know will extend long after I get home tomorrow. Ellen has a commitment to the children and the people of the rural communities that stems from her love and caring of these very same people and her desire to try to help. She has already succeded in so many ways and that is apparent from the outpouring of love and welcome she receives as she walks in to a classroom full of little friends or by the many people that stop her in the street. There is still so much more to do though. On my last night in Copan I ran in to Ellen just before we were to meet for supper. She was buying a bag of beans for one of the teachers as the government hadn't delivered the school lunches which they are supposed to do. For many children, lunch is the only meal of the day. You won't read about things like this on her website but buying 25lbs of beans is just one of the many daily emergencies she deals with. For her it's just doing what needs to be done.

A final word;
I came to Honduras to learn more Spanish but have learned so much more than that. No matter how hard we think we have it we really don’t have a clue. We lead a privileged life and I hope that while being a traveller may not be for everyone we all look for ways that we can improve a life for someone else. For anyone that wishes, please check out Project School Supplies at http://www.projectschoolsupplies.org./

                                         Me, Ane and Ellen;

Hasta La Proxima Vez............!!

Deb Out.