Having been in Honduras for 3 weeks, I think I can summarize my experience with one word – ¡TORTILLA! I have eaten about 100 hundred (4-6 per day) of these amazingly delicious hand made maiz goodness. When served a plate of spaghetti by my host family, I am asked in Spanish “How many tortillas would you like?” But the word is also appropriate cause as tortillas are the basis of about every meal, just like how these first week are the foundation my Peace Corps service.
Right now as I am going through the 11 week intensive training, I definitely feel like I am being mixed up with some local maiz flour and molded into a Municipal Development volunteer. Training is Monday thru Saturday, 7:30-4:30, and includes 4 hours of Spanish, technical/development training, cultural awareness, health and safety.
I am enjoying learning about and adjusting to Honduran culture here and also sampling all the great dishes and fresh fruit juices. My host family is absolutely amazing, sweet, and so welcoming. I am living with my host mom, dad, little 13 year old brother, a raccoon, 2 geese, a squirrel, 2 turtles, and 2 dogs.
Random things I have learned thus far:
· Out of the group of 57 volunteers being trained there are 0 republicans.
· I have discovered my favorite word in Spanish: Matapasión literally translates to `kills passion’ but is Honduran for granny panties
· Honduras is the third poorest country in the western hemisphere (sometimes placed as second depending on index)
· 42% of Hondurans complete grade 9 and only 21% complete grade 12
· 90% of Honduran agriculture exports go to the U.S. so you can probably thank the Hondurans for that salad you´re chomping on
· Honduras has the second largest reef in the world –the Mesoamerican Reef
· There are more than 100 protected area here (27% of the territory) including mangroves, forests, waterfalls, and other beauties. Friends, family get ready to come see it!
· During an HIV info session, the presenter explained that volunteers have access to unlimited number of condoms in every color, size, flavor, texture, etc. An excellent investment of US tax payer dollars!
I am new to this blog world, so please give me feedback on my nonsense scribbling or just write me! :D
LOL I can just imagine you enjoying all those quality tortillas. I'm so happy that your host family is so wonderful AND you have so many animals hanging around your home; YAY! :)
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that you are there! Now you can teach me about my culture because I never really knew!
ReplyDeleteYou're quite a good blogger Lisette! Haha, you're first random trivia is pretty funny. I wish you the best of luck! Yay! And bring me some tortillas ;)
ReplyDeleteMatapasion! Awesome..we use that in Nicaragua also.. but never heard it referencing granny panties.. I love it! I loved your blog! I am so jealous you are having such yummy tortillas. You know you will have to make it as soon as your home : ) Have you tried any of the cheese? I am curious if they are like Nicaraguas" Cotija, Cuajada, Crema, Quesillo mmmm Keep sharing. I have been meaning to write you and tell you all about your Cousin that happend to have a lot of the same experience as you are having now.. it will be fun to compare notes.. of course mine was in the days pre-computer blogs and pre-Iphones.. ha ha ha Be safe, Enjoy every ant, mosquito, and flower as they are very special : ) Muah! Tu prima, Indiana
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