Work

Yup, I've finally started my job! This new chapter of life in Honduras started a week and a half ago when I arrived at my host parents' house on the evening of Sunday the 15th.

With my host mom Aurora; host dad Gustavo says hola from the hammock

I've really felt welcomed into the fold here. My new sister Valeria gives the best hugs, and I'm teaching niece Kari how to make scrubbies, at her request. I've had some wonderful conversations with the aunts Karla and Vilma, including during a trip to the walking boulevard, and of course with Aurora and Gustavo as well!

My mamita is an amazing cook (she let it slip that she went to culinary school!) so I'm definitely well-fed on a variety of dishes. Tonight I had sopilla de frijol which actually had more banana in it than beans, but it was tasty -- never expected banana in soup but it's pretty good! One of my favorite meals was on Saturday when I was served this delicious number: 

I'm definitely a fan of see-food... Aurora convinced me to try the eye 😱

(and how 'bout that, emojis can be italicized)

Monday the 16th wasn't a typical work day since Keyla, Kara, and I needed to open our local bank accounts. Rudi helped us with that process, which took about an hour for each one of us. K & K had to leave as I was opening my account to go catch their bus down to Tegus. I'm missing them, but we'll get to see each other during Morazánicas next week 😊

So Tuesday the 17th I finally started work! First order of business was to put together the Facebook captions in Spanish and English (link in the previous post) documenting the retreat. I've also made some good headway on our September newsletter and today finished the first draft of the CODESO story I promised. I'm hoping to submit it to the LACA blog in time to include it in the newsletter, but I'll definitely share the link here when it's published.

Something I'd been wondering about since my interview half a year ago was how my commute was going to be! Turns out, I'm super lucky -- it doesn't take long at all. I've learned the rapidito and biking routes and have completed both successfully. They take about the same amount of time, so for now I'm opting for the bike. For the time being, I'm borrowing Gustavo's, but I'm planning to find one of my own this weekend.

Church was lovely as well -- I sat next to Aurora; Cesar gave a compelling guest message; and afterwards, I was invited to lunch with Mary who Fernando (MSMC co-coordinator of interculturality) had connected me with. She had also invited her two nephews, niece Jasmín, and another young adult, Henry. It was lovely to connect with some of the other young people of the church.

Turns out dried yucca is delicious... also salad, but I knew that already

I'm surprised I haven't fallen asleep at my computer yet, but I'm getting to the point where I'm nodding off. The bilingual life really takes a toll on the mental energy levels! I don't notice it as much during the day, but I usually feel ready to crash at 8:30 or 9pm. So... goodnight!