Trip Start Jan 04, 2008
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40
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Trip End Jul 16, 2008


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Where I stayed
Roli´s Place
(Tegucigalpa hotels)

Flag of Honduras  ,
Monday, April 28, 2008

My balance of work and play is at a perfect balance right now.  I spent the weekend in Omoa at "Roliīs Place" which is a really sweet little hostel owned by a quick tempered Swiss man.  The place is a shady, grassy garden for camping and hanging out.  There is an outdoor kitchen and ping-pong table also.  He has bikes and sea kayaks to use for free!  I bet you will never guess what I did all weekend- biked and sea kayaked!  His place is about a block from the Caribbean.  Unfortunately, a few years back there was an electrical plant of some sort constructed right on the ocean (out of the view of the bay) but it somehow caused the beach to be washed away into the sea.  I had heard how bad the beach was in Omoa but people neglected to tell me that the bay is gorgeous and the water is clear, clean, deep and dark blue.  It was awesome!  All you have to do is jump of the kayak or off the dock and swim from there.  Who needs a beach?  In addition to the biking around town and sea kayaking around the bay, I went creek walking out to a waterfall Rol`´s
Rol`´s
 .  I love climbing over rocks and jumping into big pools of water.  It made me miss rock climbing.  The jungle canopy hung over our heads but I didn't see any interesting wildlife. 

Omoa has a huge fort that settlers used to protect themselves from pirates.  I went with a sweet-talking German girl that managed to get us in when it was closed!  Three of us had the whole fort to ourselves!!!  It had a quite impressive garden inside. 
 
I had my first negative encounter with a girl from New Zealand who basically hates America and everyone associated...  We got along fine but then she would throw in these jabs directed at ME not just the USA.  Apparently she hates our politics (most people do...) and she hates our culture (which is ignorant to say because there are probably thousands of cultures within the diverse United States).  She would make comments like, "I am surprised that you are accepted in Central America after all that you did to them."  ME?  All that I did to them?  She acted like I was alive during the time of the United Fruit Company (exploitation of Honduran people and resources to develop the company that is now Chaquita) and that I make all of the decisions for the country.  When she started talking about the war I think she wanted me to give the go-ahead to G.W. to pull out of Iraq.  I apparently have a lot more power than I thought.  And, for the record, Hondurans love Americans.  I have been warmly welcomed by everyone except for this kiwi girl.  A third of Hondurans live America and young boys here aspire to go to America for jobs.  The "American Dream" is still very much alive in this part of the world. 
 
My Nana sent me a book called "Three Cups of Tea" about this guy, Greg Mortenson, who builds schools all over Pakistan the bay
the bay
 .  The book is an awe inspiring account of how this man has managed to build 55 schools and countless community centers, bridges, alpine schools for porters, etc.  Whatever they need he finds a way to provide them with.  He gets to the bottom of their issues by simply talking to people and listening to what they need.  It started off as a promise to get a school for one town that he stumbled upon mountaineering and it has ended up his career.  Many wealthy older people encouraged his work by donating large amount of money to fund his projects and to also pay him a salary.  His young ambition and ideas combined with the wealth of several donors (equally noble ways of helping) has managed to benefit thousands and thousands of kids that would otherwise be going to military schools (Al Quida) or learning addition and subtraction with mud and sticks.  Plus, he alone has brought education to girls in Pakistan which has never happened in all of their history.  I could write a whole paper on this book so I will stop rambling, but you should definitely read it! 
 
I have been thinking a lot lately about my future.  Even though I have some direction for the near future, I really have no idea what I am going to do with my life.  I donīt believe that I get to make that decision but it still brings up interesting debates in my mind.  Right now, I keep thinking globally.  I want to see global outcomes the dock
the dock
 .  I want to speak Spanish and help the poor.  I want to work with kids.  I want to teach nutrition.  I want to travel.  There is a big debate between local and global assistance and a great importance in both.  In some ways it seems silly to think so globally when there are problems right under my nose at home.  At the same time, I have my whole life to work at home so why not travel and gain experience while helping at the same time?  What can I do???  In some ways I want to be the person that can write a check for $20,000 and donate it to my favorite organization but on the other hand I am more likely to be the ambitious young person that will go out and spend the $20,000 on a new project.  Who knows what Iīll do?  Probably a little bit of everything. 
 
Be full of joy in the Lord always.  I will say again, be full of joy.  Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind.  The Lord is coming soon.  Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.  And Godīs peach, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise.  Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.  Do what you learned and received from me, what I told you, and what you saw me do.  And the God who gives peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:4-9
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