Time Flies!
As of Saturday, I have been in Central America for four weeks. Wow.
It feels like a very very long time ago that I was in the Portland airport getting ready to head out. At the same time, I can't believe how quickly time has passed. It does not seem possible that I have already been gone that long.
I know I'm going to be saying the exact same thing in 12 months. All of the departing volunteers have said that you should hit the ground running, because before you know it, you will be leaving.
In honor of that advice, I need to set up some goals/plans for my coming months. That way I can leave knowing I did everything (or at least most everything) I wanted to do down here.
Stay tuned for a goals post.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Sopa de menudo
… Also known as chicken feet stew.
Every few weeks the Ranch serves Sopa de Menudo, which is essentially all of the organs of the chicken AND the feet, cooked up in a very slimy broth.
It is so clearly my food limit. I made a valiant effort this week, but I just can’t get past the feet. The girls were unimpressed.
The kids trade certain organs for extra tortillas, like we traded fruit snacks for chips in elementary school.
This week, after chicken feet stew, I taught the girls some yoga moves. I think I earned a few points back when I showed off my yoga headstand.
Every few weeks the Ranch serves Sopa de Menudo, which is essentially all of the organs of the chicken AND the feet, cooked up in a very slimy broth.
It is so clearly my food limit. I made a valiant effort this week, but I just can’t get past the feet. The girls were unimpressed.
The kids trade certain organs for extra tortillas, like we traded fruit snacks for chips in elementary school.
This week, after chicken feet stew, I taught the girls some yoga moves. I think I earned a few points back when I showed off my yoga headstand.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Virgen de Suyapa
Today we celebrated the patron saint of Honduras, the Virgen de Suyapa.
The day started out with a 6:30 procession through the ranch, followed by an early morning mass.
The most interesting part? The firecrackers! This country loves firecrackers. Any time of the day!
Unfortunately, this meant firecrackers started around 5:15 this morning to celebrate Suyapa. I briefly thought we were under attack when the first one woke me up.
They pretty much continued straight through the morning. Including an especially loud round to wrap up mass. This was new to me.
The day started out with a 6:30 procession through the ranch, followed by an early morning mass.
The most interesting part? The firecrackers! This country loves firecrackers. Any time of the day!
Unfortunately, this meant firecrackers started around 5:15 this morning to celebrate Suyapa. I briefly thought we were under attack when the first one woke me up.
They pretty much continued straight through the morning. Including an especially loud round to wrap up mass. This was new to me.
How to eat a baleada
A VERY common food in Honduras is a baleada. It is very similar to a burrito with refried beans, egg, and mantiquilla*, except it is usually served more like a very large taco.
Last night, I was informed by one of the girls that I was not eating my baleada like a Honduran. In fact, several of the girls commented on the fact that I even bothered to bring a fork to a table. Gasp!
So, here is how to eat a baleada:
1. Put down that silly fork.
2. Pull off a piece of the tortilla.
3. Using the tortilla (and your hand) as a sort of spoon, scoop up the egg bean, and mantiquilla mixture.
4. Lick your fingers.
Yep, that is how you eat a baleada. The power went off as I was being instructed, so I hope your learning process goes smoother than mine did.
Oh, Honduras.
*Mantiquilla was explained to me once as “sour cream that didn’t quite make it.” It really does look like super, super runny sour cream.
Last night, I was informed by one of the girls that I was not eating my baleada like a Honduran. In fact, several of the girls commented on the fact that I even bothered to bring a fork to a table. Gasp!
So, here is how to eat a baleada:
1. Put down that silly fork.
2. Pull off a piece of the tortilla.
3. Using the tortilla (and your hand) as a sort of spoon, scoop up the egg bean, and mantiquilla mixture.
4. Lick your fingers.
Yep, that is how you eat a baleada. The power went off as I was being instructed, so I hope your learning process goes smoother than mine did.
Oh, Honduras.
*Mantiquilla was explained to me once as “sour cream that didn’t quite make it.” It really does look like super, super runny sour cream.
And the winner is…
We got our Hogar assignments tonight! This is the group I will spend the remainder of the year with, ever night and every other weekend.
I got exactly the group I wanted – Hijas de Maria. Girls, ages 7-11.
Remember the lice story? Yep, those girls.
I’m really super excited. I’m already working on what books I want to read with them, and planning out some pretty sweet sleepovers. Yay!
I got exactly the group I wanted – Hijas de Maria. Girls, ages 7-11.
Remember the lice story? Yep, those girls.
I’m really super excited. I’m already working on what books I want to read with them, and planning out some pretty sweet sleepovers. Yay!
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