Christmas

Sorry about the delay in this blog, but computers were scarce to come by this weekend due to the h0liday, so im gonna have to issue a belated christmas greeting to everyone out there. I hope everybody did a down home christmas, complete with brandy slushes and 24 hours of Christmas Story. Also, im fighting off stomach cramps and a cold, so please excuse my spelling today.

Our christmas was unsual, but very cool also. Our friends david and desire (other married couple) and Delfo came up to the lake for some companionship, celebration, and familiarity during christmas. We took them to the brewery for lunch, took turns making dinner, and all colaborated on our Christmas dinner, which came pretty darn close to being the real thing given the circumstances. The big day here is the 24th, which involves an all day preperation for midnight, at which point everyone blows off fireworks and celebrates with a party, traditional food, and even homemade egg nog. Standing in the middle of our street filled with kids whipping m-80s at each other was a weird xmas, but strangely statisfying as well. Yesterday, Dave and Dez returned to La Ceiba, where we will be visiting them for new years, coincidentaly the party capital of Honduras.

Finally, i want to share a little story that really put everything so far in perspective for me. Foremost, i´ve been trying to maintain emotional distance between honduras and myself; as a defense mechanism to stop myself from being truely influenced by some of the heartbreaking stuff we encounter down here. For example, our next door neighbors are probably amongst the poorest people in town. Their house is perhaps 10 feet by 12 feet, has a dirt floor, and the one room which serves as the kitchen, dinning room and bedroom is wallpapered using the newspaper. We hang out there from time to time, and play with their kids. On christmas eve, they insisted that the five of us come over for nacatamales and coffee. The actions of these people who have nothing and yet give food to a group of americans is truly moving. Last night as well, we were waiting for the last bus in san pedro sula (a kinda dangerous place at night) that never showed up, essentially leaving us stranded. However, a woman waiting with us called her brother who gave us a jalón (hitchhike) all the way home, and even stopped to give us coffee and food at his house. During this season particularly, it amazing to know that people will give an help those better off then themselves, and refuse any payment in return. Also, my attempts to remain emotionally netural are impossible, I only hope that our work and help will make payment for the actions we have received.
merry christmas. ( and happy festivus)