Category Archives: Comayagua
Reverse culture shock
So we’ve been back here in the US for almost a year! It’s hard to believe where we stand now, when you think about where we started. With each of us working, the prospect of classes next September, a decent apartment, and nowhere to go but onward and upward… It’s easy to feel like life is full of blessings… BECAUSE IT IS!
When we first got back from Honduras, I definitely experienced a bit of a blurry reverse culture shock. It was weird to be back in an orderly place like the US. There is a lot I miss about Honduras. The laid back culture and emphasis on family values are the two biggies. When a Honduran enters the room they greet everyone with a respect and love. Even my little cousin, Napo, would greet me every time he saw me. We would hang out all night and the next morning he would come into the kitchen and still shake my hand. It takes a while to adjust to these formal greetings, but they are a must have in Latin culture. To not give some respectful recognition to their presence is just as bad as all out insulting them.
Here in the states we are a bit more casual with our visits. We can spend time with family, feeling like one greeting is enough for a 24 hour period. I remember when I first noticed the difference between our way and the Honduran way. We were spending the weekend with Karina’s family and had just been with My sister and brother-in-law all the previous day. So the next morning, when we stopped by to do some cooking, I didn’t give a formal “good morning, Candi. How are you?”
She gave it a few seconds to see if I was stalling on my salutation, and then when she was sure enough time had come and gone she exploded in a loving, but disciplinary, “Puncha! Clin, you’re not going to say hello to me in my own house?!” Followed by laughter and some understanding that I meant no harm.
Little things catch my attention like respect, traffic, eye contact, tone of voice, and interaction with strangers. In Honduras we greeted at least 20 people on the way to the bus terminal. Everyone knows everyone and even strangers share conversation like neighbors. Hondurans communicate like they know we’re all humans living on the same rock. We already have common ground, so there’s no need to ignore each other when we pass. I’ve noticed in North America (at least North East… North America) we stay in our bubble and we give these little “half hellos.” Like a smile or nod.
So all this has been a bit of reverse culture shock for me, but none of it has been negative or overwhelming.
Chrysanthemum Drink
While perusing through our local “Super Jumbo” Karina and I stumbled upon, what just might be, the oddest beverage known to man. I know that is a pretty hefty title for anything to hold, but I’m confident that chrysanthemum drink will hold it’s own against any contenders.
After discovering this I found that it completely occupied my full attention while shopping. “How strange, this Chrysanthemum drink. Why would someone create, let alone think up such an odd flavor of beverage?” After a lengthy internal debate, in which I weighed opportunity cost and gain, I finally decided to conduct an experiment involving the properties and benefits of Chrysanthemum drink.
The first step was the purchase. I placed the can in our shopping cart, gently hidden under a bag of tortillas, to avoid any premature skeptical interference from Karina. The can went unnoticed, I payed the 10 Lempira and we were on our way. So far so good. My next set of tasks came just as easy as the first. I was to chill the 11.8 fluid ounces to, what I felt would be, a pleasing temperature at which Karina (the control) and myself (self proclaimed human placebo) could conduct our own version of a double blind study.
Next I felt it appropriate converse with Karina in order to create an environment appropriate for soft drinks. Ufortunately the toilet seat had been left in an upright position, resulting in a semi-chaotic level of hostility between the two parties.
At this point I had to call a scientific audible, “Hey, you know what would take your mind off that lazy husband of yours… Chrysanthemum drink!” Success.
Step three: taste test
Subject A, Karina: Flavor is similar to that of water mixed with honey. In fact I am almost posotive that this is just honey water in a can. Doesn’t this taste like honey to you? Blahh this is gross.
Subject B, Clint: This is definitely organic. It looks like pee but it smells like a garden. Maybe we shouldn’t be drinking this… hey yeah, now that you mention it… I do taste honey. This is just honey water.
Step four was our final phase of the experiment. We focused on our evaluations and searched for any improvements that could be made. After a brief review of the scientific method, consisting of a Wikipedia search, we learned that “Failure to develop an interesting hypothesis may lead a scientist to re-define the subject they are considering.” Seeing as how we never really formed any hypothesis on Chrysanthemum drink we figured we would be better off redefining it as “Honey water,” while allowing it to maintain its title as strangest drink known to man, if for no other reason than the word Chrysanthemum.
I guess Chrysanthemum is good for circulation, helps acne and raises awareness, but (as far as this scientist is concerned) none of those medicinal properties outweigh the novelty of owning a can that says “Chrysanthemum drink.”
First day
Well well well, the sailors returned from shore leave and promptly reported to duty this morning. Teachers were supposed to report to school at around 7:00 AM, but I was getting out of my shower at around 7:15. The good news is that 7:00 Honduran time comes 20 minutes after 7:15 American time, so when I showed up at 7:50 I was right on time. Not only did I show up at the appropriate time, but I was dressed to impress. Thanks to Karina I had my dress shirt, tie and jeans all cleaned, ironed and ready to hit the streets. I got some pretty good reviews from the students and I was the only teacher in a tie…
The day only lasted a few hours, so I wasn’t able to really milk the tie like I should have. We started the morning off at a Honduran 8:00 with a formal greeting from the director. After that the kids all sang the anthem, which lasts about 45 minutes, and said the pledge. The administration tried their best to give the assembly a bit of a pep rally feel, but it didn’t muster much more than a forced applause from our groggy little crusaders. Mr.Ramon, our resident pastor/English teacher said a prayer, Ms. Roxanna shared a few words and then each grade went off with their “guide teachers.” This year I am the 8th grade guide teacher… I wonder how that is going to work out. Last year I had 11th grade and it was a breeze, I have a feeling 8th grade will be a bit more of a challenge.
I was interested to see if I would have any new students, but instead it seems as though I lost a few. This year’s enrollment is about half of what it was last year. I’d say, on average, I lost about 3 to 5 students in each class. The good news is that it weeded out a few of my problem students. Some have been given yet another chance to shape up. I guess they are expelled for good if they get kicked out of just one class…
Another bit of good news was my schedule. After two weeks of the director avoiding any and all teacher’s concerns with the excuse of “Right now we are working on the schedule” the administration handed me last year’s schedule. 
The only difference is that now I teach 6th grade phys. ed. on a Tuesday. Other than that everything stayed the same. I wonder how many 8th graders will show up for their old 7th grade double period on Tuesday morning. I think I might end up with a few seeing as how they were greatly upset when they found out I only teach 8th grade Reading and Mr.Ramon will be teaching them 8th grade English. “No, Meester,” They cried, “Mr. Ramon ripped up my work last year, he hates me! Did you know that?”
“He hates you?” I asked them. “Yes Meester, he calls me stupid and makes me sit outside in the cold.”
At that point I knew I was back at school. It felt good to be back, but it was also a bit stressful. I expected mixed emotions on the way to school so I wasn’t surprised when the students were both happy to see me and eager to leave my class. Likewise I was excited to talk with all the students, but I couldn’t wait till they left my room. I think it was all the vacation working its way out of our systems. Everybody was wild today, no doubt they were all working out the sugar cane and cotton candy they had for breakfast. It is a good thing we only had a two hour day or else I would have had to tie a few of them down or splash them with cold water. I guess I’ll save that for tomorrow when we start the full schedule.
So here is to the new school year at El Alba, remember:
my door is always open if you need anything.
Last call
It s officially the last weekday of summer vacation! “Oh no, did I finish my summer reading requirement?” Luckily I haven’t had any flashbacks, nor have I woken up in a cold sweat, panicking over an unfinished project from the 9th grade.
Summer vacation was, and still is, sweet. Other than the awesome trip up to the North coast, Karina and I have done some exploring here in Comayagua. A few weeks ago we went up into the bell tower of the Catholic church. It is great up there, you can see the whole town and its completely free. If you’re ever in Comayagua you need to check it out.
In addition to exploring the city, Josh and I have been scouting out some locations for a movie we will be making. There is a film festival up in NY that we will be submitting two short films to. Last weekend we had casting and round two of casting will start next weekend. It was a trip to see the local actors come in and show there stuff. Some were great and others were horrible. Production will be starting soon and I will keep you updated as things happen.
We also stumbled across some traveling hippies playing music in the park. The majority of the group were alright with letting us film and take photos, but there was one girl greatly opposed to the idea. She called us “paparazzi” and started a viscous torrent of curse words whenever we took out the camera. Once Josh and I got the footage we wanted we split and bought some ice tea. Josh tends to have a bit more patience than I do when it comes to a loudmouth hippie chick telling someone what they can and can’t do. He argued with her a bit about this and that, but even he lost interest after about a minute. Regardless the others in the group were ok with the exposure and we took photos of them playing.
What is a home without love?
Karina and I are back from the luna de miel and we have the cool garifuna jewelry to prove it. I bought a necklace, but the shells gave my neck a rash so I had to take it off. I think that is about as “un-cool” as I can get, but I’m married now and that means I don’t need to be as cool as I was before. I hear that once I become parent all my remaining cool goes out the window; I see this neck rash as a pre-game scrimmage, just preparing me for the super bowl of un-coolness.
Like I said, I’m fine with it. The honeymoon was plenty cool for me, we stayed in quite a few breezy beach towns. First we left Comayagua to meet up with tio Tom and tia Barb, in a little town called Peña Blanca. If you are ever passing by La Guama, near the lake, Peña Blanca is worth a night’s visit. Karina and I looked all over town to find a place to stay and finally settled on La Finca Hotel. It was right on the main road and pretty comfortable. There was no water in our room so the guy gave us a 50 Lempira price cut. Peña Blanca is surrounded by tall mountains; Tom and Barb told us that they had explored some of the jungle in the national park there. They both said it was clean and well taken care of.
After Peña Blanca we all piled into a bus and went to San Pedro Sula to catch a bus to Tela. It was a couple long bus rides, on which Karina and I slept most the way, but we eventually got to Tela. Karina and I checked into a pricey hotel, 450 Lempira a night, while Tom and Barb looked for something cheaper. I guess at the cheaper hotel there were drunks singing and partying all night, outside their room. Our hotel wasn’t quite as loud, but definitely not worth the 450 Lempira a night. If your ever in Tela give me a buzz and I can give you a run down on all the places to stay; Karina and I must have checked
rooms at every single hotel in that town looking for a better deal.
We ended up finding a place right on the beach and rented a room. We spent the whole day back and forth from the beach to the room, swimming in the ocean and then washing off all the sticky salt water. I hate the feeling of salt water when it dries.
We never ended up sleeping at the beach hotel in Tela because Tom and Barb called and told us they were in Tornabé, and that they had found a beach hotel for 150 Lempira. So Karina and I ditched on our Tela hotel and took an 80 Lempira Taxi ride to Tornabé.
The hotel in Tornabé was a very simple concrete room, with only the bare necessities. There was a bed, a fan, a table, a place to wash, a toilet and a bucket to flush it with. 
I was happy there because it was cheep; Karina was happy there because we were right on the beach. Tornabé is a nice town, because it is quiet and the beaches are clean. We were also visiting during the off season, when tourists stay at home. Not to mention the current political situation. At night we were able to sit on the beach and we spent all the next day in the water.
I was content in Tornabé, but Karina wanted to move. That was fine with me, all the beaches look the same so I’m happy wherever you put me. She didn’t want to leave because she saw how much I liked Tornabé, but I told her that people from Buffalo will love any beach you take them to as long as it isn’t lake Erie. So we decided to head over to Triunfo de la Cruz for our next leg of the trip.
At Triunfo we found a third little beach hotel with AC and it was very comfortable. The owners were grumpy, but I’m used to that attitude when it comes to the North coast. Karina said that they might not like seeing crackers and brownies together. However, there were a few really nice people in the places where we stayed, especially in Tornabé. What the Triunfo Hotel lacked in friendly service it made up for in location. Karina and I were able to walk out to a big rocky point and take pictures. After that we swam some more and then went out to dinner.
I think we ate fried fish the entire time we were on the honeymoon… I’m still craving a little right now.
After Triunfo de la Cruz we headed over to San Pedro Sula to stay with Fany and Alfredo for a few days. Fany is Karina’s sister and Alfredo is her husband. We ended up staying there until the next Monday, 
I think we were there for about five days. It was nice being with family, but by then I was ready to come home. I was starting to miss our house in Comayagua. Karina said I just missed the Nintendo and she is partly right.
So we eventually made it back to Comayagua, the bus ride took us four hours, and when we arrived we both collapsed on the couch and passed out. The honeymoon was fun, but it was a lot of ocean swimming and sun soaking. I still feel a bit worn out. Karina and I are thinking of taking a serious staycation to recover from the vacation.
Married
Well well well… Karina and I are married and settling in to the home. Mom and Dad took us out for some serious shopping and the old bachlor pad now resembles a cozy little home, fit for two. We are both very happy here in Comayagua and in the next few days we will be going up north for our Honeymoon. We are thinking of going to Tela, Triunfo de la Cruz or Tornabe. I won’t be blogging until I get back.
In fact the only reason I am blogging now is because Karina is playing MarioKart… But the only reason she is playing MarioKart is because I stole the computer away from her… Any-who while we are off enjoying Central America take a gander at Julie Chen’s flickr page. Julie is my sister in law and she took all of our wedding photos. She did a fantastic job and really captured the life down here. I will post a few stories in a couple weeks. Just let me get settled into a nice rut and I’ll be back online in full force. God bless!
“Karina, what does golpe mean? …Ohhh.”
So… just before our wedding you’re going to order a military coup? Thats not cool on so many different levels, but at least we will have a topic to fill any awkward silences during the reception. Karina and I are thinking of cancelling our honeymoon to Omoa and instead burn tires in the streets of Tegucigalpa. She makes a great Molotov cocktail.
In all seriousness, most everything is OK. However, It is hard for me to say, I’m staying in a small little coffee town and I am watching the same news you are. The military presence is a slight difference and there is always the looming threat that Hugo Chavez will invade us and turn the country communist. Lets hope for the best. Right now I’m focused on getting my family tomorrow morning at the airport.
Once were all back in Comayagua I will let you in on some more updates. Until then keep us all in your prayers and enjoy the summer. Also – If you care to celebrate with us durring our wedding then give a toast at around 6:30 - 7:00 Honduran time, 9ish Buffalo NY time. That is when the ceremony goes down, so tip a glass for your homies in Central America! Peace out.
Welcome
So it’s official, this is going to be the new home for the TravelBlog started back in July 2008. Make sure to subscribe, by e-mail, using the link found above my profile photo on the right hand side.
There are a few new additions to the Blog. To the right you will find links to reader comments, you can follow me on Twitter, or check out my latest Flickr uploads. I have also included a feed to my TravelBlog, so you can check out any old entries by clicking on the link. Finally, towards the bottom, a link can be found for Jacob Perrello’s blog. Perrello and I went to school together, back in the day, at Christian Central Academy. If any other readers have a blog, I would be happy to post a feed. Everybody loves free promo.
As time goes by I will make small changes here and there. Hopefully this blog will be as successful here as it was on TravelBlog.org, and (as always) I love your feedback.
