well, let's start with are you back-that one is the easy. yes, i am back from HONDURAS. the second question...well, it seems pretty obvious that indeed, i am alive. and as for the third question, i don't know that i had any huge expectations, therefore it was MORE than i hoped it would be.
i think i will post this in a mini series so that it is not completely overwhelming. i had hoped to write some posts while i was away, but alas, the recharging cord that i specifically set aside to bring with me on the trip for my tablet is probably still setting aside in my apartment. boo. i was rather disappointed at that turn of events, because it handicapped me to using only my phone (not ideal by any stretch of the imagination). sheryl was great about taking me to stop in at every electronics place that we could think of, but sadly, surface tablets aren't a big market in sps.
the trip was a bit long, as i left from springfield; when i got to miami, everything looked great right up to flight time, when it started to storm and lightning. grr. the worst part was being right there, knowing that i have several friends in the miami area from sps who i would have LOVED to see...in fact, when i posted something about that, karla, one of my friends said that she was at the airport! she was actually in a plane on the tarmac, waiting to deplane, but they were waiting for a space-bummer! how devastating would it have been if she had deplaned in the same gate where i was waiting to board (with the glass there separating us, it would have been like a sitcom or something).
so, eventually the lightning strikes subsided and we were able to depart, placing us in sps about a little over an hour later than the original schedule; sheryl was there with the kids and it was SO good to finally meet them!
the last time i left sps, i had to walk outside to the tarmac, and the whole customs thing was a bit messier coming in. it was at that point that i began to realize that yes, indeed, San Pedro Sula had gone and grown all up without me! and of course, as we went on a night tour of the town, it was very apparent that SO much had changed! but then, what do you expect after 23 years?! it was so late that one of the few places that was open to eat was denny's, and that was perfect by me, because once again, it was an opportunity to laugh and begin on the catching up!
the next morning, we got up, and yolanda, sheryl's maid had cooked the most amazing plato tipico-i was in heaven! she really can cook! and i was dying for some platano maduro, eggs, beans with crema, salchicha...coffee-blessed coffee! yes, in short (or maybe i am being long-winded...deal wit it), it was as typical as i ever remembered it! thank you, sheryl, for thinking of the best way to start off a welcome home vacation!
and then we were off to la ceiba, one of the thriving coastal cities-the drive was surprisingly smooth and the road was in great shape (which cannot be said of all roads in HONDURAS!) the scenery was soothing to my soul. there is nothing more beautiful than the honduran mountainside. the various shades of green from the abundant varieties of flora are impressive, and seeing some of those trees against the backdrop of the gray-blue sky was pure artistry! my favorite part of the trip to la ceiba was learning about the connection between red clay and pepto bismol-long story, but a good one!
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| home |
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| sweet home |
once we arrived, we were greeted by her aunt, who is one of the most hospitable ladies i have met (it must run in the family!) and she really did make us feel at home! we were only in la ceiba for one evening before we took the ferry out to roatan, but it certainly seemed like much longer, because we got to see sheryl's cousin and her husband, and a couple of friends from our EIS days (hector, carolina and jo ann) for dinner that evening, which was delicious and just plain fun. not to mention, they paid for our meal, which was completely unexpected! the only problem was: IT WASN'T LONG ENOUGH!
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| friends and family in la ceiba |
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| another classmate was celebrating her bday in sps, so we were celebrating from afar |
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| cheers! |
the next morning, we were up early and off to the ferry. perhaps it might've been better to sit out in the open air, but we opted for the ac on the lower deck. unfortunately it was rather choppy and that causes motion sickness. fortunately we were prepared for the worst and then things got a little better. but when all is said and done, a "rough day at sea" is exhausting! so once our taxi driver got us to our destination: Splash Inn Dive Resort, West End, Roatan, the check in was painless, and came with a little complimentary fruit juice (which was refreshing), but for real, i think the only thing on the immediate agenda was to take a nap!
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| like i said...rough day at sea... |
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| swan, you're cute and all, but you must move so i can take a nap! |
Splash Inn Dive Resort is a comfortable little motel with clean rooms and bathroom. the staff was very friendly and helpful. we didn't do any diving, but the outfit had a little diving training and equipment available for rent, and they also had a restaurant in front. i need to go to their website and write a review. it was perfectly situated in the middle of everything.
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| the view from our little in-spectacular #postcardsfromroatan |
once we got up from our naps, we went to a restaurant on one of the piers, and of course, ordered seafood-how do you order anything else when you are on an island?? even if you're allergic, c'mon! live a little! (or die a little?) what's a little swelling and difficulty breathing?? then we did a quick little scouting of the area so we'd have an idea of what was going on. and down the way, toward the end of the yellow brick road...or the grayish cement road, as it were...there was an area called el boske, which was rather intriguing, so we went in to check it out. it seemed to be a happening little area, with a variety of food vendors to choose from and a dance club at the top of a very steep hill-nothing like being completely winded before you get out on the dance floor! maybe that is the prerequisite test: must be able to make it to top of hill without passing out to enter.
after that, it was back to the inn to be ready for day 3.
more to come,
julie
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