leder legends

Pensamientos (thoughts) it is SOOOO hot this year but it finally rained last night…more than a 10 minute shower… and so it’s cooler today. 5 and ½ days seems very short (Arie’s visit) time flies…how long is this semester? next week is our excursion to Guatemala , then Ed comes for a week and before you know it will be vacation time (and Arie’s next visit) it is very strange to think that this is the last time I will be doing all of these things!! Skype is incredible! I talked with Sarah and Nathania at the same time the other day. digital cameras…what can I say? there are 22 fantastic students here in Honduras this semester they speak Spanish with each other ALL the time (like they promised -way back in April) they work hard and are dedicated to their studies they are patient and flexible or try to be! (When things don’t work out as planned, when someone doesn’t show up… etc) they all have a Honduran conversation ...

Hi Tamsin, We thought of you a lot during our visit to Roatan. Here's why:

Arie and I had a good visit...5 and 1/2 days is much too short! We flew to the island of Roatan and spent three days at an all-inclusive resort called Fantasy Island. It was the first time we had ever been at an all-inclusive and although it was a very nice place and the food was good, I don't think we would do that again. The setting was incredible...warm, blue, clear water, white sand , lots of sun, music, hot weather (33-34 C) and air-conditioned rooms etc I must say it was relaxing and it was hard to get back to work yesterday. The students all survived without me but yesterday I spent what seemed like hours talking with students about a variety of personal issues. At least there were no emergencies. I must say I enjoy this group of students! Last night 16 of them took me out for dinner- I got to choose the restaurant. It was a Mexican one...and the waiters all sang Las Manaitas while I had to wear a huge sombrero (mariachi type) and hold a mini beer keg that had a baby bottle...

I can't believe we've been here three weeks already and yet we've done so much that it's also hard to believe that it has only been three weeks. Besides the trip to La Tigra we have also visited the US Embassy and the Honduran Congress. One of the girls got a photo of me.

It is a warm Saturday. The heat has dissipated somewhat by the recent rain showers. The fans in my apartment are all on, filling the air with that white noise that fans make. Above all of that is the music of a very good mariachi band that came to serenade the neighbors for a special occasion…probably a birthday. We walked out (like other neighbors) to watch and listen for awhile to this group of singers and guitar and trumpet players. It seems so strange to hear mariachi music here in Honduras because this is a very MEXICAN thing. It gives the whole night a festive air.