lunes, 1 de octubre de 2007

Numero Uno

It is official, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer! Last Thursday was the big day where all 42 of us were sworn-in as PCVs at the US Embassy in Tegucigalpa. It was quite the production. Besides the dignitaries from the Honduran government there to welcome us, there were also multiple news stations with more cameras than the paparazzi. Well, maybe not that many, but it was quite overwhelming. It was a good thing I brought a tie with me! (Although it will probably be the only time I’ll use it) If anyone happened to watch the Honduran Noticias on Friday or grabbed a news paper you probably know all about it, but I’m going to guess no one did.

As of now, I’m living in the town that will be my home for the next two years; and I’m not going to lie, it is absolutely gorgeous! The name of the town is San Luis in the department (state) of Comayagua smack-dab in the center of Honduras. There are about 2,301 people who live here now and over 10,000 in the countless aldeas (small farming towns) surrounding it. During the coffee season, which starts soon, the aldeas will swell to who knows how many.

One of the things that really surprised me was the access to technology; it seems as out-of-place as a freezer in Antarctica. It takes forever to get anywhere, the road is riveted like crazy from all the rain, and it’s necessary to cross two rivers when coming from the capital (that’s without a bridge). During the rainy season, if you don’t have ground clearance, like a SUV or truck, you can’t go anywhere (except also the buses, which are tanks here!). That said, I have electricity, internet, and a recently installed cell phone tower on top of the nearest hill. The second two have only been here for a little more than a year, which means that the volunteers before me had communicated with the central office with notes on buses. But not me, I can call, send e-mails, send text messages, or if I’m feeling hard core I can make some smoke signals.

However, everything hasn’t been only sunshine and rainbows, and I don’t think it would be best for me to list my problems, but let me just say I miss everyone a lot. If anyone wants to come visit just tell me when and I’ll meet you at the airport. Your not going to be able to pass it up once I start uploading pics onto this blog. If I can I’d like to stagger things as much as possible, for the sake of my funds and limited vacation days. So let’s plan ahead people. Drop me an e-mail anytime!

Peace out

4 comentarios:

Anton dijo...

Que puto es esto?? Mr. Oran Powell as a peace corps guy?? Wow..kind of took me bye surprise there :) But, looking back on our political discussions, it kinda makes sense...i´m really looking forward to seeing your pictures...i just returned from Israel (pictures are on facebook)..which was awesome...take care...you never know what uncivilized people might do ;)

jake, the awesome Dane !

Unknown dijo...

oh my god charlie. no puedo creer que estes en honduras. hey if u ever get time off remember my mom lives in nicaragua, go there and visit. it is very beautiful.
at the risk of sounding like a mom, it is really cool what you are doing and im sure u will love it. i am proud. i really wish u enjoy all ur aventuras en honduras. sabras mejor espanol que yo dentro de poco.
yo estoy todavia en japon. and trying to learn some japanese. it is not easy, i will probably never master it, but it is crazy here, everything changes so quickly. i love it so much some days, others i hate it. well take care love and keep in touch,

anata no tomodachi,
karen

Anónimo dijo...

Charlie...I don't know if you are keeping up with your sports. Playoffs are on. Cubs were in first--but then lost to the Diamondbacks. Screwed that up badly. But the Rockies came from nowhere---beat the Phillies. And they're playing the Diamondbacks for a chance at the World Series. Far out. The Bears are playing the Vikings Sunday. I'll inform you on the outcome.

Other than that, just doing the school thing. Should be done in November. Yea! Miss you greatly. Add more pics!

Anónimo dijo...

By the way that last comment was Emily:)