Yes, Im still in Honduras

It has been a while since my last entry, but that’s not say nothing has been going on in THE HONDURAS. The past few weeks have been full of exciting happenings.

For one, this week I am starting an English class at the library near the central park downtown. Apparently, and without my knowledge, the women that works there is another one of my counterparts, which makes her lucky number 4. Volunteers have offered English classes with her for the past five years, so she is very much familiar with the life of a volunteer. However, I was still told that she will push for class everyday of the week, and frankly that’s going to be impossible. Luckily, the water and sanitation volunteer down here has agreed to help out with the classes, so we will each teach the same class one day a week.

As for the other work I’m up to, a few weeks ago I got in touch with some British Christian missionaries who have been working down here for the past year and plan on being here for a total of five years. Unfortunately, I met with them the week of their return to England for a 3 month vacation. I was able to at least see their project, and it seems pretty amazing. Essentially, they are building a self-sustaining community for the poor and people living with HIV/AIDS, which more often than not are the same people. I was a little nervous about meeting with them because I wasn’t sure how religious they were and whether or not conversion tactics were going to be in play. Needless to say, Im now Christian.

In all seriousness they were really relaxed about the whole thing and didn’t pressure me at all. When they actually asked me if I was Christian my stomach dropped a little. After I answered no, it dropped a little more when they replied with, “Oh that’s alright, we’ll get yah soon enough.” Nervous laughter followed, as well as a quick scan of the nearest exits. But they were just messing around, and I appreciated their candor and sense of humor.

As for their project, there are definite Christian values interlaced, which are very important to a lot of people in this country. My only hope is that religious differences don’t marginalize high risks groups that need help. Fortunately, a couple of things made me feel better about this concern. Number 1, religious groups are the most active in HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, and services. They have done a lot of great work, so there is no reason to doubt them yet. Number 2, I was worried about their response to condom use for HIV prevention, and was pleasantly surprised when there was talk of including it in there trainings because, ¨no matter how devout you are, people sin¨.

Needless to say, I am keeping a critical eye on the group, partly because I feel it’s necessary and partly because they asked me to. It was a great experience and I really liked the missionaries a lot. What I’m really interested in seeing is the politics of a Christian based aid program and HIV/AIDS programming. I am looking forward to working with them when they get back from the homeland. My only true fear of working with them is slipping into a British accent when talking to them and seriously offending one of them. In the short time I spent with them I realized that I was already over annunciating so as not to accidentally use the accent…they may now think that I have a speech impediment...

On a completely separate topic, I have started looking for an apartment and I couldn’t be happier about it. I have enjoyed my time with my host family, but I have to get out of that house. This family has been very nice and helpful, but they are very different from my previous families. The relationship is more like landlord/tenant. With that being said, I would much rather have my own place, with my own kitchen and living room, instead of feeling uncomfortable when spending time in their house. Keep in mind, my room has its own bathroom and is separated from the house, where they rent out another room. Sometimes I get the feeling that I am intruding and am expected to spend all my time in my room…and I just can’t have that.

So, the apartment I found is in the middle of downtown in a safe neighborhood above a paint store. The place is pretty big and has a nice roof deck where I can wash my clothes and what not. It has two bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. My favorite part is that it has hooks in the walls of the living room to hang a hammock. That’s right, a hammock! Hammocks are a way of life in Honduras, and not surprisingly, a volunteer’s best friend. In almost every Honduran living room you will find, a couch, chair, TV, coffee table, and huge hammock swinging over everything. Some of you might be thinking that it sounds ridiculous, maybe even tacky, but it truly adds a theatrical feel to the room that nothing short of a tightrope could provide. I’m pretty excited about it and will definitely post pictures once my fortress of solitude is complete.

Other than that, things are going well. Over the next few months, through Sept, I will be traveling quite a bit for Peace Corps related stuff. I’m basically trying to use the trips as time markers. Before I know it, it will be September and I will have spent 7 months in country. Crazy, I can’t believe its already mid-June.

Love you and miss you all so much.

J