The Trip and First Day

August 31st 2009 10:00pm

Looking out from my balcony, I can see most of the western side of Tegucigalpa. The lights spread out like a blanket over the mountains, the yellow and white hues mix together to form beautiful patterns sliding down the slopes. I wish you could see it for yourself. A few short hours ago, I had no idea what this place was, but now I feel the calm serenity of home. I also enjoy that I am drinking Pepsi out of a glass bottle.

The trip today was pleasant, and the company upon my arrival even more so. I’m not as good at Spanish as I had hoped, but my new friends quickly learned to accommodate for me. After a mouth watering lunch of the most flavorful chicken fajitas, Freddy and Maricela took me apartment hunting. We first checked the building where the intern before me, Kevin, had lived. They were full, but the apartment down the street from Freddy had several openings. After looking at 4 different apartments, we settled on apartment 12. It is on the very end of the building, and so I have a balcony that overlooks a good portion of the city. Tegucigalpa does not tower above the sky, but rather stretches out as far as I can see.

After getting things squared away with my living quarters, we visited the office of the CCD to meet the rest of my co workers. They were all very pleasant, and I look forward to getting to know them better. Once we finished our tour of the office, Freddy took me and my things to the apartment so that I could get moved in. I spent the next hour or so getting all of my stuff in order around the apartment.

Shortly after I had most things squared away, I went to go lay down. It was fairly hot and I had just taken my shirt off when I heard a knock on the door. I was unsure as to who it could be, but with the keys turning in the lock, I guessed that it must have been Lady, the woman who showed us the apartment earlier. Much to her surprise, a half naked American was lying in the bedroom that she was passing through in order to fill the bathroom with toiletries. After a good laugh from me, and a mildly awkward moment from her, Lady and I chatted a little bit about what to do around the city. She admitted that she didn’t know much as she spent most of her time working either at the apartments or at home, but that she was looking forward to visiting more with me over the next year.

The nap that I took after Lady left was short lived as I had to meet Freddy and his girlfriend Jasmine around 7:00 for pizza. It was a very nice meal and I felt as though I was able to come out of my shell a little bit more with the two of them. We talked about sports, bands, things to do in the country, and about how the Spanish soap operas were all of our favorite shows.

I am back in the apartment now, and am simply taking in the day as I stare out over the city. I feel that there is poetry here yet to be seen. Tomorrow I meet Freddy for our morning commute at 7:40, so I am heading to bed shortly. The beauty of the city speaks to the beauty of my day.

September 1st 2009 8:00pm

I did not have internet yesterday, so I copied and pasted from my journal that I am trying to keep.

Today was another amazing day. I think in reality it was perhaps a rather mundane day, as there is nothing in particular that stands out, other than the fact that I am still very overwhelmed with being here.

I woke up around 6:45 and got ready for my day. I met Freddy at his house at 7:40 and we headed off to work. We caught up about the rest of our nights, and briefly talked about what I would be doing at the CCD, but he didn't seem to have a very good idea of what all that entailed. Driving here is very different from driving in the states. The best way that I can describe it is as a free for all, but I'm sure that you can only really understand if you experience it.

When we got to the center, I was taken to the computer of a man who is on vacation this week, and sat down. Shortly we were called in to a morning meeting where I was introduced to everyone and briefed on what all I would be doing for my tenure here. One day I will work with the Theological Seminary here developing some work on the class about values and faith. One day I will work on some of the Solidarity Program's finer points and paper work. Another day, I will travel outside of the city to a small suburb where I will work with at risk youth to try and get them job placements. The other two days I will work on updating the brochures, slide shows, and website for the CCD. I am very excited to begin working on all of these tasks.

I was told that typically I would spend most all of my time with the Solidarity Program preparing for groups coming in from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Because of the coup, however, the international media has presented an unstable situation in Honduras, resulting in the cutback of many groups which would typically be visiting during these months. An influx in groups is expected to return this January, where my job will largely shift towards its original purpose.

I spent most of the rest of my day translating a couple of documents. I made a few jokes with some of the staff, and they seemed to warm up nicely to me. I feel terribly though, because I cannot remember names to save my life. We left around 4pm, and Maricela, Freddy, and I drove to the Plaza Mira Flores, which is the most famous mall here in Tegucigalpa. It is only three blocks or so away from my apartment and it is very nice to have it so close.

Freddy went home from there, but Maricela helped me to shop for an internet cord and some groceries. She is very funny and kept letting me know all of the stuff that I would want to cook for myself. Needless to say, I have all of her favorite brands now lining the inside of my cupboards. We stopped and had coffee for a minute before I returned to my apartment, and she took a taxi back to her place.

I cooked myself breakfast for dinner, and just finished cleaning up. I doubt that I will continue posting this frequently, as I doubt I will find every day to be filled with such awe that it must be captured in writing. I am planning on heading up to the roof for a little bit tonight. It is a very relaxed atmosphere, and I am told that there are parties up there occasionally.