Third Times a Charm........

And it really was a charm…..wow, what a day! I arrived at Ellen’s to get the good news that Boca Del Monte was a go. It was the best part of the morning as so far I had woken up to still no electricity which meant cold water for a shower if I wanted one. I decided I didn’t want one. We jumped in to Marel’s truck and headed off to the equivalent of I guess Home Depot. After much waiting around we were loaded with rebar which we were taking with us as it is needed for the construction of the bridge. Because the road to Boca is bad and Marel was going to have to shift gears constantly, I jumped in the back of the pickup with Hugo, the builder (sorry dad).

Home depot

Rebar galore;

Travelling the Honduran way;

The road to Boca is stunning. Along the way Ellen pointed out a Ceiba tree. This was not the biggest one we saw but I thought this one made a good picture. If you notice the road to the left that goes to the village of Chilar (where we are visiting tomorrow) and the one to the right is the one we took to Boca.

Ceiba Tree;

Gate access to Boca del Monte;

Arriving in Boca we went to drop off the rebar and then to inspect the river. It’s not much to look at now as the water has subsided. About half the children who go to school in Boca Del Monte however live on the other side of the river. As I mentioned before, especially in the rainy season the children either wade or swim to cross the river or simply don’t go. The bridge will be an unbelievable addition for the children;

Hmmm…where to build;

The river;

We then hit the school and I had such a fun time. The kids were so excited to see us but especially Ellen.

Rushing over to say hello;

PSS has repaired the roof, painted the school (with the help of volunteers and the children) and provided much needed supplies.

I grabbed a few things from my bag and the kids went nuts for a plastic rugby ball, Frisbee and skipping rope. We had an awesome time playing ball. This is of course is the time that I would post a great video, which of course I have, but technology is failing me tonight. If I figure out the problem I will post it at the weekend. When I had arrived in Copan, I had given Ellen $200 from a friend (thanks Doug). He is part of a small group of guys that run a yearly golf tournament in support of various charities. He had kindly given me $200 from their funds and Ellen had used it to buy back packs. The children have to walk to school and have nothing but cheap plastic bags for their things. It’s especially hard for those that live up the mountain. Ellen sorted out with the teacher which ones didn't have packs and they were told to go to the truck. The kids went nuts as for most of them this will be the first time they have had something new and for themselves.

A few of the happy children;

I have to post the picture below of the old lady. She was lovely. She kept thanking me…I had given the teachers just a few toys and school items but it was really very little. Her gratitude was quite overwhelming and made me wish I could have done more.

This little boy, like all the children, thought the wigs I had brought hysterical;

 I was sad to leave Boca….out of all the schools so far, the children here steal your heart. They had great fun being chased by me and were less timid. A couple of children even asked me for help in tying the straps on their backpacks. What a breakthrough for this gringa.

I returned to Copan, dirty and dusty and was glad to see that the electricity was back on at my homestay. After a much needed shower and lunch I was off to school. I arranged with the director, Enrique, to take an extra four hours of class next week.  My schedule will be Monday to Thursday, 8am – 12 am an 1:30am to 3:30pm. Friday will be a free day unless I decide to take a class. It won’t leave me much time to go on trips with Ellen but I still have week three and I have to make the most of the school while I am here. Most of the other students are from Quebec and it is so funny to hear them speak Spanish. Their French accent is very noticeable and it’s hard for me to get past that. We don’t have opportunity to converse much as we all have private lessons but when we do it has to be in Spanish. Even if we are on our break the teachers are quick to correct us on our grammar. Today’s class was on prepositions and reflexive verbs. My teacher Delmy is very strong on the grammar and keeps me on my toes. I will have a different teacher next week but in some ways that is good as it gives me the opportunity to hear different pronunciation.

I returned from school and during dinner with Sara I thought for the first time that I conversed without trying to think of every word I was saying. I am also much more aware in conversation about using the right form of a verb and can hear it more easily when I overhear a conversation or if I have the TV on in the room. It’s not that I didn’t know it before but the revision and the fact that you hear Spanish 24/7 is definitely helping. Onwards and upwards I guess!

Hasta tarde…..