tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77858716444759780412024-03-12T23:34:46.991-07:00Travails and Travels!Oh snap! I moved to Honduras. I teach 9th grade English and Drama at an international school in Tegucigalpa. Here's to teaching, grading, learning, inspiring, creating, achieving, struggling, overcoming, and living life to the fullest. Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-35248943347798490502012-11-24T12:16:00.001-08:002012-11-24T12:16:21.642-08:00Thanksgiving Bonanza(s)I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I certainly did. Thanksgiving break here is great because only the international schools have days off. The rest of the city continues on, unaware. Short lines at the bank and the grocery store, no one at the pharmacy to overhear you explain your unsavory bowel issues.<br />
<br />
Vacation started on Wednesday for IST teachers. After parent-teacher conferences (during which I met all of 4 parents out of 75 students), the teachers were allowed to leave school at 1:30pm. Hooray!<br />
<br />
Estee, Kayla, and I ended having a slumber party complete with homemade chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries, The Lord of the Rings (the movie - not the flaming eye), facial masks, straight-out-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, and other slumber party-y things. The only thing that could have completed the theme was Mall Madness. Alas. I think Honduras ran out of that game in 1989.<br />
<br />
On Thanksgiving morning, we made a French toast bake in the crock pot and sat around watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I'm helpless against the forthcoming rant: BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL? ELF: THE MUSICAL? I was forced to watch Buddy the Elf do jazz squares and spirit fingers. Come on, people. Really?<br />
<br />
I mentioned in the last post that I anticipated enjoying two Thanksgiving bonanzas. It's true. The first involved around 15 or so people and was held at Green House (all of IST's houses have color names). Had a great time with my friends - especially when we played Fish Bowl, the Couch Game, and Spoons afterwards!<br />
<br />
The second fiesta happened at the Allen's house. The Allen's are a missionary family here in Tegus. Besides spreading the Good News, this family is concerned with creating jobs for folks here. They sell a number of products such as leather bags, journals, and belts from the south of Honduras as well as Hope Coffee, a delectable Honduran brew. Sales from Hope Coffee provide shelter and water for needy Honduran families. The website is <a href="http://tierralindagoods.com/">Tierra Linda Goods</a> (<i>Beautiful Earth </i>Goods) if you are interested in unique Christmas gifts. Matt also started <a href="http://www.cabrarides.com/">Cabra Rides</a>, a bike tour business which takes bikers on half-day and full-day tours of different parts of the city. This would be exceptionally appealing to me if not for mountains.<br />
<br />
Matt and Jen have 3 adorable boys and it was wonderful to spend Thanksgiving with a family. After the delicious meal (which Jen prepared almost single-handedly), we played Settlers of Catan. I had never played it but it was a blast. Basically, you roll dice and collect resources to settle around the board. The more settlements you have, the more points you get. You can also build cities on your settlements. But there is a robber card that can befall your state and other various disasters. I didn't win, but I did really well for my first time.<br />
<br />
Here's some Turkey Day photos:<br />
<br />
Table is set at Green. It looks a bit stark/bare because the walls are white and the chairs are gray, but to us it looked more like home than anything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqjVu18ZwKsAXe-Qf8NKUHTszDa7NLxPtps-iTGhCz3usiWbrzKC696UEZmvcfeN7DzwbLUMP90qC0RyumWHrPlEPRlYiY338C-4IP1qNfOYIval3o1Ru41hzRfeQ8hQ_DlI743SnlWU/s1600/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+001+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqjVu18ZwKsAXe-Qf8NKUHTszDa7NLxPtps-iTGhCz3usiWbrzKC696UEZmvcfeN7DzwbLUMP90qC0RyumWHrPlEPRlYiY338C-4IP1qNfOYIval3o1Ru41hzRfeQ8hQ_DlI743SnlWU/s640/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+001+blog.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
<br />
Green house set up a "turkey" for us. We wrote what we were thankful for on construction paper hands and these made up the turkey feathers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkYQr7AKP7dg3AmbP4tokFhQq7GqfuEmLuvwVlaphYGAscRDeiUL_JksPXPljA6sm5QzpJ9m4-HAwMkFszaXdE1ZIOsfK-MfeCnmClqVK5p2DMPv7Nyr2hy_qva4kw8zQgwNv5AvRCOE/s1600/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkYQr7AKP7dg3AmbP4tokFhQq7GqfuEmLuvwVlaphYGAscRDeiUL_JksPXPljA6sm5QzpJ9m4-HAwMkFszaXdE1ZIOsfK-MfeCnmClqVK5p2DMPv7Nyr2hy_qva4kw8zQgwNv5AvRCOE/s640/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+002+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My thankful hand. Sorry about the shadow. I was pretty hasty with the pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75ObibTXjxr4IOmH5I38G8OhnQioOnSj52vsCNfmX0RhWUlNCbFJGAzeJyOTR_7smKED8TpjQqDvOtz3Kn4sfxFxKkINq1LOsPGUz2Q3PGEEk27phtM1RnA3g4M8kxOS4drOxKNIlO_k/s1600/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+003+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75ObibTXjxr4IOmH5I38G8OhnQioOnSj52vsCNfmX0RhWUlNCbFJGAzeJyOTR_7smKED8TpjQqDvOtz3Kn4sfxFxKkINq1LOsPGUz2Q3PGEEk27phtM1RnA3g4M8kxOS4drOxKNIlO_k/s640/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+003+blog.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Close-up of the googly eyes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae6pnhnVS-M80wDliVzDCSYOvZuMvVFN6Uqri4QHi9qqSYlEqLvsWcKMyU8AZfW4xkCaP6Ko4XW6VFAAJo13g17bW3soZn44BhumsfReanA2-ymbIEFG9DdINcBPj8WRQdhW8u_BbMQo/s1600/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae6pnhnVS-M80wDliVzDCSYOvZuMvVFN6Uqri4QHi9qqSYlEqLvsWcKMyU8AZfW4xkCaP6Ko4XW6VFAAJo13g17bW3soZn44BhumsfReanA2-ymbIEFG9DdINcBPj8WRQdhW8u_BbMQo/s640/Thanksgiving+at+Mint+House+004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well done, Green! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Estee and I are chillaxing at home today. Later, we're heading to a local <i>restaurante </i>to eat some <i>comida tipica. </i>A Christmas-y movie and jewelry-making tonight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Julie</div>
Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-48942363577680085212012-11-20T17:51:00.001-08:002012-11-21T04:11:00.549-08:00That's My KidRight now, I have a love-hate relationship with my students.<br />
<br />
Ok, about 30-60% of them are awesome at doing their homework and participating in class at any given moment. They deserve much more of my time than they actually receive. The other 40-70% seem to drop off at a steep incline.<br />
<br />
"Forgetting" homework.<br />
Copying homework.<br />
Sleeping in class.<br />
Failing quizzes.<br />
Disrupting class<br />
(Doing everything they can, in fact, to get away with making every kind of noise).<br />
Goofing around.<br />
Speaking Spanish left and right.<br />
<br />
Ay no.<br />
<br />
But I do <i>love </i>them. I really do. They're hilarious and smart. (They have so much potential. They just need to apply themselves. - the old teacher adage is so true!) They are creative and sneaky and goofy and passionate and dramatic and - Good Lord! - are they sassy. The other day, after I reprimanded one student for speaking Spanish, another student told me, "You're wrong, Mees." Really? Am I now? Today, I caught two students copying when they both wrote the word "reaten" instead of "written." Ah HAH! <br />
<br />
I just love 'em.<br />
<br />
And how about that student who simply decided not take a quiz last week? Hmmm? He is the same student who, in response to the question, "In Honduras, what does it mean to be a "real" man?," announced that a man is someone "who has a penis." This was after I announced that the answer should not be biological. Did not get the memo, apparently. I love you, too, Oh Quiz-less One.<br />
<br />
How about my last class today in which TWO students completed the homework out of 20. Yes! I love even you, 6th hour! <br />
<br />
They are funny, though. So funny.<br />
<br />
For example, I graded journal entries today. In one of these entries, my students had to draw pictures that represented the vocabulary words for that week. For the word "tentative," one student drew a man with one hand on his beer belly next to the quote, "I'm fat and I want chocolate." Tough decision. For "loquacious," one student drew Hamlet with a speech blurb which read "Blah, blah, blah." They haven't even read that yet, and they already understand it. Also, in reference to "verbatim," another student drew a New York Times issue with the title, "George Harrison Dies - 'Love Each Other.'" I'm pretty sure that's an actual quote from a 2006 New York Times issue.<br />
<br />
Finally, I had my students write monologues from a different person's perspective (an old lady, a child, a movie star, etc). I asked them to write about what this person would be thankful for. One delightful journal entry read:<br />
<br />
<i>OLD LADY: "I'm thankful because my husband is not here . . . that old man! I'm also thankful for my kids, they give me clothes and money" </i><br />
<br />
I laughed out loud. And, yet, the "George Harrison" student above wrote this impressive response:<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"I am thankful for many things, um, for example for the short years I passed and lived with my mom. For the Great Years we had in Hamburg with John and George. For meeting Ringo. For all the experiences we had in The Cavern. For all the friends I made. For having 2 or 3 meals a day. For all the LP's and the EP's we recorded together. For the lovely 10 years we stuck together. Though the last 3 years where tough, we made it through. I am thankful for my wife and for my kids, for Linda will always be in my heart. For the chance of having this awesome band. The Drop T drumcase, for my life." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sir Paul McCartney, from Liverpool</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
That's my kid.<br />
<br />
In the end, I love them and I am <i>thankful </i>for them. I need to remember that when yet another student tells me that he or she forgot to do the homework. If not, my drama class always makes up for it.<br />
<br />
On a side-note, here's a glimpse of the sun highlighting a portion of Tegus' beautiful mountains.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz-HQsxK20rSV-KDzv7Xqku8XAerWnRho-V18HxdgtPjHTs9w_nWq8i_F2foZwpFMsCKheS8IN_4Su2jHQYGS0k5wM0euBPIOsus3q-6ksmfkQkNmBWPHncOnY8egRdotzNZvP9ip8Q0/s1600/View+-+Pancakes+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz-HQsxK20rSV-KDzv7Xqku8XAerWnRho-V18HxdgtPjHTs9w_nWq8i_F2foZwpFMsCKheS8IN_4Su2jHQYGS0k5wM0euBPIOsus3q-6ksmfkQkNmBWPHncOnY8egRdotzNZvP9ip8Q0/s640/View+-+Pancakes+002+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I see this everyday from my classroom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6Ou1qeA_W6rzjN0kd2cw43zRVkJD4nOT4eMlPm36NiVFhFnkq-j27sxn8pBsCgm7euSApnzW3PWoO4zIIFiH5BxwO4G0M89dY5B9L2C2fEEYELjk0PsDsDxgtnYPONx6czKaPkrIR3M/s1600/View+-+Pancakes+003+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6Ou1qeA_W6rzjN0kd2cw43zRVkJD4nOT4eMlPm36NiVFhFnkq-j27sxn8pBsCgm7euSApnzW3PWoO4zIIFiH5BxwO4G0M89dY5B9L2C2fEEYELjk0PsDsDxgtnYPONx6czKaPkrIR3M/s640/View+-+Pancakes+003+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I will be attending two Thanksgiving feasts (I'm quite popular these days). This is mostly because everyone else is heading to some beach on some coast of some country. Who needs the beach anyway? I am getting over a sinus infection, so I decided to rest this weekend. We don't have school on Thursday or Friday so, hopefully, I can keep working on my novel which is just over 10,000 words and 22 single-spaced pages.<br />
<br />
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,<br />
<br />
JulieTravails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-31242440147775368862012-11-03T09:56:00.002-07:002012-11-03T10:01:06.340-07:00Sweaters, Hot Vanilla Chai, and a Gentle GapeThe weather in Tegus has been chilly lately. I enjoy this weather because I enjoy sweaters and hot vanilla chai. I would much rather be chilly than overheated any day of the week. This is possibly my Michigan upbringing showing itself.<br />
<br />
For example, when I unlock my classroom in the morning, it's usually the temperature of a well-kept sauna. The air is heavy and the windows are fogged up. When I stepped into my classroom yesterday, it was pleasantly warm, but not so warm that I expected to see wooden benches and sweaty people in towels. I opened the windows and a chilly breeze swept in. I welcome this cold front, because the first few months here were sweltering, mostly because the classrooms were designed to keep the air in (for when the high school gets air conditioning in 2016). Plus, we do not have classroom fans yet. Of course, my students complained of the cold, but I told them that they will concentrate better this way. I made that up.<br />
<br />
Speaking of concentration, my students took my exam yesterday. Weirdly enough, the worst section for them so far has been the vocabulary section. I have 15 fill-in-the-blank vocabulary words and many students are getting 8-12 of them wrong:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Read the following lines out loud to yourself like everything you read is completely normal. The boldfaced words are the words my students put in the blanks. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"When the shocked little girl saw the Christmas presents under the tree, all she could do was stand there and <b>peppered</b>."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"She was given a gentle <b>gape </b>from her father after jumping in the lake without a life jacket."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"She was walking around dressed like Winnie the Pooh. What a weird <b>augment</b>!"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"When Jim received the news, it didn't affect him at all. His face was <b>gape</b>."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"His hair is always messy and his clothes are wrinkled. He always looks <b>gibe</b>."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"The teacher is so stern and <b>augment</b>; she never lets me turn in late work."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"After my career was taken from me, I felt <b>insidious </b>of a life.</i>"</span><br />
<br />
How creepy would it be to receive a "gentle gape" from anyone, let alone your father?<br />
<br />
Curiouser and curiouser. Well, I've graded about four pages of 40 exams out of 80 eight-page exams. Not sure how that figures. One-fourth of my exams are done? This is why I don't teach math.<br />
<br />
I will leave you today with some pictures of a football game in Santa Lucia from a few weeks ago. Some of us teachers were walking the winding, cobblestone way to the bus after a get-together, when we came upon this soccer game. I managed to snap a few photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuTqumxTqhghE2-BFSNSQ2gq6OKQCyeYWV4VH9Xv2iBSNZD0D1HrUtHuPCnI56chLGUmOtcKAWu_Z50BI_fbUToQAlw56mUrnUvCE755REESD5Be_u09eVrru6tH9ac5vrWAE3VvQpr4/s1600/Santa+Lucia+futbol+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuTqumxTqhghE2-BFSNSQ2gq6OKQCyeYWV4VH9Xv2iBSNZD0D1HrUtHuPCnI56chLGUmOtcKAWu_Z50BI_fbUToQAlw56mUrnUvCE755REESD5Be_u09eVrru6tH9ac5vrWAE3VvQpr4/s640/Santa+Lucia+futbol+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It gets pretty foggy in the mountains. Can you imagine playing soccer in this cloud?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH9PTFK44VFm1gCoviiu4GHguaLT4_5dbpamt537VOXmmdUe8_vdytfZ9GA2YgTl-BPNKABCVRRhjvo-GiI4VbuW1lECmHSv8FFg3MiGMEDuebfWrVWRgX0Yuunzr-oKb-lhtFmrWqco/s1600/Santa+Lucia+futbol+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH9PTFK44VFm1gCoviiu4GHguaLT4_5dbpamt537VOXmmdUe8_vdytfZ9GA2YgTl-BPNKABCVRRhjvo-GiI4VbuW1lECmHSv8FFg3MiGMEDuebfWrVWRgX0Yuunzr-oKb-lhtFmrWqco/s640/Santa+Lucia+futbol+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On a side-note, Last night I experienced "Skyfall," the new James Bond movie, at an IMAX theater. It was excellent! The theater is located at the brand-spanking-new City Mall in Tegus. This mall is so modern, it has a large, below-ground parking garage which has a green and red light over each parking space. When one is searching for a parking spot, simply look for the green lights and avoid the red lights (those spaces are filled). AND the president of Honduras funded the whole thing, or so I'm told.<br />
<br />
Today and tomorrow, I plan on grading, snacking, napping, and working on my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us3dQ0nnlHY">NaNoWriMo</a> novel. Every November, thousands of people around the world strive to write 50,000 words of a novel. I'm about 4,286 words in.<br />
<br />
Wish me luck. :)<br />
<br />
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,<br />
<br />
JulieTravails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-13756773436385418352012-11-01T17:09:00.000-07:002012-11-02T21:55:01.432-07:00I got Bieber fever.Hope everyone is enjoying the start of November! I . . . am. Mostly. Sort of. Ok, barely. This week is exam week at IST and it's been strangely relaxed and stressful at the same time. I don't have to teach five classes a day but I am proctoring exams, running review sessions, and giving my own exam.<br />
<br />
The thing is, doing work while proctoring exams is like trying to do work while driving. You constantly have to keep your eyes on the scenery. So I read one line and then scan the room, read another line, another scan. You get the picture.<br />
<br />
As for my English exam, it happens tomorrow. It's 8 pages front and back, which is standard, but I'm nervous for my students. In fact, I was extremely frustrated today. I hosted two review sessions, neither of which I got through with much success. Plus, many of my students have failed to print out/look at the study guide that I posted on our page last week. Yikes!<br />
<br />
Sigh. Honestly, I feel like I've tried most of the means at my disposal to help them study (we are not allowed to give our students copies of the study guide). We even had two days of review in class. Needless to say, I was disappointed when they could not properly identify a verb and resorted to shouting out all of our grammatical concepts, and even some terms they made up themselves: <i>Pronoun! Indefinite! Phrasal! Predicate! Subject! Relative adjective! </i>What?!<br />
<br />
However, it is what it is. I will accept the advice of my colleagues and "shake it off."<br />
<br />
At least my students still have the arts. This is one student's rendering of my face (along with a kiss from Lucia):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6Usu56HnrmgkQwd1FGFb738arouXfrvQpcCzqQZdohqD64c5aysgZJcucEDqQD9Xw93u6Wp-NrbRUcohIIof1nxKw35jsz_sK81X2wTVWtbu5muDK6s5_7JECs6xS1Sk8r34_dt7ur0/s1600/Exam+Fun+001+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6Usu56HnrmgkQwd1FGFb738arouXfrvQpcCzqQZdohqD64c5aysgZJcucEDqQD9Xw93u6Wp-NrbRUcohIIof1nxKw35jsz_sK81X2wTVWtbu5muDK6s5_7JECs6xS1Sk8r34_dt7ur0/s640/Exam+Fun+001+blog.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
<br />
This is what my students think about instead of classes of nouns and cases of pronouns:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yKYFd53xDl_HB4Ci2tP2005A-78u7cI9vmWd8jnpoYVwlyC1ozJpZm0I1ok1wuQ2Kv8RO9uMo-prNs1nAHN_Bquu1EKEhjOgBeODc1hPkby4UFuQ23PZ1PjYSNwo1pzF4TdLKuD3foo/s1600/Exam+Fun+002+blog+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yKYFd53xDl_HB4Ci2tP2005A-78u7cI9vmWd8jnpoYVwlyC1ozJpZm0I1ok1wuQ2Kv8RO9uMo-prNs1nAHN_Bquu1EKEhjOgBeODc1hPkby4UFuQ23PZ1PjYSNwo1pzF4TdLKuD3foo/s640/Exam+Fun+002+blog+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The egg-shaped Justin Bieber face was drawn by the same student who created the lovely drawing of my face. Danna added her two cents later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bFbX7Gs2ZhRt5FQ4OAFwmGS66WAikOv8OWHwEs6W0mUvQEmymquy85nf8ndNTdRgBAa0j6ACzp4CIr72y7_CsGHFJ3CQucivWWur7APczGnzvpnty6gPkZK2C4Gstr-nYZMiuF818wo/s1600/Exam+Fun+003+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bFbX7Gs2ZhRt5FQ4OAFwmGS66WAikOv8OWHwEs6W0mUvQEmymquy85nf8ndNTdRgBAa0j6ACzp4CIr72y7_CsGHFJ3CQucivWWur7APczGnzvpnty6gPkZK2C4Gstr-nYZMiuF818wo/s640/Exam+Fun+003+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Double sigh.<br />
<br />
Big plans this week: grading exams, going to the mall to see Skyfall (the new James Bond movie), and then getting a hair cut. Hope your weekend is equally as glamorous.<br />
<br />
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,<br />
<br />
JulieTravails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-14838916828831295592012-10-28T15:37:00.004-07:002012-10-28T20:24:27.854-07:00My wife! My love! Mi amor! How you doing'?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I walk around in public here, I avoid wearing sunglasses despite the ginormous ball of fire in the sky. Big, Hollywood sunglasses scream<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>GRINGA!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>MUG ME! I HAVE MONEY.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Either way, I still get more catcalls than I can count on four hands. In Honduran culture, men are more forward, if I may say, in expressing their satisfaction with a woman's physique. A lady can expect to hear anything from kissing noises (this is a common one) to the Honduran noise for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>I want your attention (</i>which sounds like a "ch ch" sound) thrown in her general direction. My first day in Honduras, for instance, we went to the grocery store. I was perusing the ever-flashy candy aisle when I heard the word "<span style="background-color: white;">muñeca</span>" whispered around me. I looked up and a few feet away from me was a middle aged man staring at me. He said it again<i>, <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">muñeca</span>, <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">muñeca,</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>with an odd sort of smile. I thought to myself<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>I don't see any dolls in this aisle.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Later, I realized that that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>was in fact the <i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">muñeca</span>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Babydoll. </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since then I've heard:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My wife! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mi amor!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marry me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">How you doin'? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Welcome to my country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love you, baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mmmm. (Gross).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mmmm. Que rico!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(<i>How hot/lush/rich! -<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>This word is actually used most
often with food, as in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>How delicious!</i> Double
gross). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">
Now, I try my best to notice the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>differences<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>between my home culture and the
Honduran culture, not the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>negatives<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>about Honduran culture. For
example, time is more relaxed here. This is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>different,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>not wrong or foolish<i>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Because
I'm accustomed to U.S. culture, it's easy to say that it's the best
and the North American way of doing things is the <i>smart</i> way of doing things. This would be incredibly arrogant of
me. However, as a woman, I struggle with this aspect of Honduran culture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
You would think it would feel nice, receiving attention from men, but catcalls
are never the attention that you want. Sometimes, a bus or a car will pass me
while I'm walking and from the vehicle a guy is literally staring me down,
intense and unblinking, from the time I enter his line of vision until he can't
see me anymore. I know this because I try to glare at men who do
this. Unfortunately, they remain undaunted and seem to enjoy
uncomfortable eye contact. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QelCh38n2bI">This video, although taken by accident and completely unrelated, gives a pretty literal portrayal of this phenomenon.</a></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It's difficult for me to not get
upset because in the States, if a guy kissed at me from a two-story roof, it would be completely rude. I would be
justified in getting offended, but here it seems like no big deal. In fact, the other day, I went to the bank and the security guard
outside kept staring at me. He knew I was aware of him and he slowly looked me up and
down . . . as I watched. Then he gave me the eyebrows. Goo. This security guard is not unlike taxi driver the other day who saw a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>gringa </i>walking
down the street and suddenly pulled up so close to me, a tire may have brushed my shoes.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Taxi?!
Taxi?!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>No, sir, I will not be
requiring your services. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This discomfort is augmented
somewhat by the fact that I have to keep all my precious possessions - my
credit cards, my phone, my keys, my cash, my insurance card, my grocery list - in my bra. So when
I need them, I have to go digging around under my shirt. It’s a
nice visual, I’m sure, and especially awkward when I pull out that sweaty
credit card and hand it directly to the cashier or the teller. Sorry 'bout that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Also awkward is getting my MoneyGram slip from the bank and the designated recipient is “Crandy Kehr," instead of "Randy." </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Did I mention awkward? Check out
this picture on the back on my cereal box, meant to encourage self breast exams.
<b>WARNING: ADULT CONTENT BELOW.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEk4RNZRh2JVObwUDXvj-aYbA3j5USTBMYAMoGy7S-g0FaNI6_PMwsIpkSt4I1dyvGysuTeBWaYM5jZa0RwK7HPxqrUCnxpUIfNoedObVfZXDL9Ob_nMcmjutvith723YSAQSpp9Q66c/s1600/001+cura+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEk4RNZRh2JVObwUDXvj-aYbA3j5USTBMYAMoGy7S-g0FaNI6_PMwsIpkSt4I1dyvGysuTeBWaYM5jZa0RwK7HPxqrUCnxpUIfNoedObVfZXDL9Ob_nMcmjutvith723YSAQSpp9Q66c/s640/001+cura+blog.jpg" width="460" /></a> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Auto-examine your boob! Now, I
support caring for one’s breasts but this particular breast definitely looks
enhanced. Look at her tiny hand! FYI: In Honduras, it's generally ok to whip out your boob as long as you're breast-feeding. I've seen many a nipple in public here and that’s the truth of it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On that note, hope you're enjoying the weekend. Today, we lost power from about 9am to 3pm and now that it's back on, I think I will commence with making potato soup in the crock-pot and grading. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras!</span></div>
<br />Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-59004538726339235642012-10-19T21:05:00.002-07:002012-10-20T04:22:57.813-07:00Organized Playtime for Thinking Adults<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About a dozen or so students have approached me to ask me if they could switch out of their current elective and into my drama class. It's great to hear that students have an interest in my class. However, I wasn't sure how to reply. On one hand, I hate to turn students away, especially because the selection process for the electives was really unclear. On the other hand, my students have spent the past 8 weeks learning and growing and acting and playing and learning how to express themselves. I didn't think it was fair to bring other students into our group now that we've become so close. We are our own circle of trust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I decided to ask my drama students about it. <i>Their class, their experience, their choice</i>, I thought. First, I asked them if they would be willing to allow new students into the class. Then, I proposed that we hold auditions to fill however many new spots we are willing to allow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At first, they weren't sure about these new people. They agreed that it would difficult to catch up after all this time. One student said, "We learn and progress each week and a new person could never catch up." Another student said we shouldn't allow anyone new because "they might think that we don't do any work and that it's just an easy A." And yet another student said that we are like a "family" now and it would be weird to invite new people into the family. "More people might mean more boys for our scenes," argued someone else. In the end we decided to allow a maximum of three new people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As far as the auditions go, my students had a few opinions about that as well. They were really concerned about why students wanted to switch electives. They said that each auditionee should fill out a form before auditioning. These new people must take drama class seriously. Also decided by my students was the fact that we need to be on the lookout for groups of friends that want to join. No slackers! During the audition itself, it was decided that the students auditioning need to complete a few distinct types of exercises that we've done in class, not just one kind, because we need to see what skills they have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basically, my students inadvertently expressed to me how important drama class is to them. It's meaningful. It's important. It's not just an easy A. This is a personal triumph for me. I've often wondered if I treat theater too lightly: allowing for too much fidgeting, too much chatting, and too much laughter. Turns out, theater is meaningful and life-changing no matter how one teaches it. For example, I enjoyed hearing my students defend the serious nature of theater class, despite how everything we do in class is play with our voices and move our bodies in new ways. This is the power of theater.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, I got a little teary eyed while the students weren't looking. English class is definitely all-business this year (until we get to <i>Romeo and Juliet </i>that is), but drama has been refreshing. It's all the things I love about literature and characters, but with zero grammar! In fact, a number of my students have told me how different of a teacher I am in English class than in drama class. Apparently, I'm really "shy" and "reserved" in English class, but in drama I let loose! I'm glad I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Really, isn't that the point of theater? Organized playtime for thinking adults.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* * * *</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now for some GOOD NEWS!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Misty, the fifth-grader who was kidnapped last Friday, was returned home yesterday, safe and sound. She is doing well according to Mark, her teacher. Her kidnappers kept her for nearly a week, but Misty seems comfortable sharing about her experience, so it seems that like no physical harm was done to her. Also, there is a possibility that Misty was with other kidnapped kids. It's very strange to feel glad that she wasn't alone, but horrified at the idea of a group of kids hanging out at the kidnappers' lair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flashback! I never posted pictures from my trip to White Cloud, MI to visit my brother, Mike, and his wife, Tracy. They're stained glass artists:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuBjGmOcoi79Wj6ldCVrzZzjl1hgm1bLYyoygcyuMjo7XVYENweoQMdjsAc3_7MO3eIXIOkIJdNpQNGb3LDhbkkacV97o508452uXwI0hUO6wgbs_H8hwCSDtirqoWUiYXttpIwsEwPM/s1600/White+Cloud+(Summer+2012)+072+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuBjGmOcoi79Wj6ldCVrzZzjl1hgm1bLYyoygcyuMjo7XVYENweoQMdjsAc3_7MO3eIXIOkIJdNpQNGb3LDhbkkacV97o508452uXwI0hUO6wgbs_H8hwCSDtirqoWUiYXttpIwsEwPM/s640/White+Cloud+(Summer+2012)+072+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfBPzsPrFZH7KVGKluEsftdZkXdqiGMuTPv0o1UW83f2m0FFT8emMwJlqLJHrlhqqiqEH-vgzCrlIvrSkRXp9ElSzWG0OE3Bnew3A-TyFTfR-25om0KR3FDiSiTSZlHQZC_falHNShgo/s1600/White+Cloud+(Summer+2012)+074+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfBPzsPrFZH7KVGKluEsftdZkXdqiGMuTPv0o1UW83f2m0FFT8emMwJlqLJHrlhqqiqEH-vgzCrlIvrSkRXp9ElSzWG0OE3Bnew3A-TyFTfR-25om0KR3FDiSiTSZlHQZC_falHNShgo/s640/White+Cloud+(Summer+2012)+074+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These pictures were taken at their studio, where all the magic happens. I miss them and all my loved ones in the Mitten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take care!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie</span>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-22859929911809957842012-10-16T19:07:00.001-07:002012-10-16T19:07:38.606-07:00Riots and RuckusToday, Honduras played Canada in a soccer world cup qualifier in Tegucigalpa. For those of you who are not aware, Hondurans love soccer. That is an understatement. Hondurans <i>live </i>for soccer. I believe they vaporize soccer paraphernalia and inhale the fumes.<br />
<br />
Every time there's a big game (Is there ever really "just a game?") there is some serious halabaloo all over the city. Last year, during the Montagua v. Olimpia game, I was riding in a taxi that accidentally drove into the middle of a riot in el Centro (downtown Tegus). The riot was, of course, just some cheer sessions on account of the Olimpia/Montagua game. I had agreed to meet a friend downtown completely unaware of the face-off between Honduras' two premier soccer teams.<br />
<br />
When taxi man and I arrived downtown (he might have been the only Honduran man unversed in soccer lore), we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by people. They weren't congregating towards our taxi on purpose, really; the crowd simply evolved into a general mob of yelling, flag waving, chanting, fist pumping, pistol shots, and ruckus. The taxi driver started freaking out and yelling at me to lock the doors and close the windows as people started pounding on the car. His fears weren't unfounded. My students have told me that these sorts of rowdy gatherings have resulted in deaths. With that in mind, I slunk down into my seat, afraid that my <i>gringa</i> red hair would induce more ruckus directed at our taxi. For a few jarring moments, we held our breath hoping that the horde wouldn't fixate on us. Finally, the taxi driver was able to pull into a side street and out of the downtown area.<br />
<br />
This dramatic retelling explains why many students were pulled out of school today (to see the big game, of course), why there was an amateur student ruckus happening at the after school (to support our country, of course), and why so many pistol shots and firecrackers were heard throughout the city (to commemorate the game, of course). Honduras killed it 8-1. I bet the Canadians wished they weren't "oot 'n a boot" today. Ha!<br />
<br />
On a random note, here's a picture that never made it into my blog last year. I miss the view at my apartment. And I miss Lil' geck! See if you can spot him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxPr3j3HPvNvMyp2Ajpi_MVofBonC4GJsD9msJWBbGkMGboqjXFrHm8X9jfVSR8OSbh-tlPkl7USG_DayI1aWhl9fX4vjhpA20Vk_8-ijKYPnxi9VdM9skEcuqupXp5gxCOPNSl8Grw8/s1600/lil+geck+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxPr3j3HPvNvMyp2Ajpi_MVofBonC4GJsD9msJWBbGkMGboqjXFrHm8X9jfVSR8OSbh-tlPkl7USG_DayI1aWhl9fX4vjhpA20Vk_8-ijKYPnxi9VdM9skEcuqupXp5gxCOPNSl8Grw8/s640/lil+geck+edit.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
<br />
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,<br />
<br />
JulieTravails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-89657497054268107212012-10-15T19:51:00.001-07:002012-10-15T19:53:33.812-07:00Mop Hair and the Unisex SalonThe long weekend is over. I'm back to work tomorrow after watching the "Santa Clause," baking oodles of chocolate chip cookies, spending time with Osa the puppy, and enjoying a hearty serving of pumpkin spice coffee from Target. If you're in the States, do not hesitate. BUY THIS DELICIOUS GOURMET COFFEE NOW!<br />
<br />
My dad has wisely suggested that I posted most often with fewer pictures in each post. I see the sense in this. Each post is turning out to be ginormous. Plus, I tend to leave out the fun details when I post 1,200 pictures. I'm hoping include more minor cultural incidents.<br />
<br />
For example, if this post included 1,200 pictures, I wouldn't have time to tell you about my short search for hair products at the local salon. Ever since I returned to the blonde scene, my hair has been difficult. It's upset with me for dying it so much and for moving to a country where the water is more harsh. It's all grown out now and the layers have disappeared. To me, it looks more or less like a mop.<br />
<br />
Even though I wash it maybe once every three days, it still feels dry and frizzy. Three days, people! Moreover, my hair now devours hair product like Pac Man. I put conditioner in my hair and by the time I go to wash it out, it's like there's nothing in my hair. It's weird. I've actually started putting baby oil directly onto my hair like conditioner. Times are tough.<br />
<br />
So, I decided it was time for some professional help. I headed to the mall today and stopped into a salon. I ask for<i> algun tipo de aceite para pelo</i>, "some sort of hair oil." I figure I should at least get oil that's <i>meant </i>to go on my scalp.<br />
<br />
The lady talks to a stylist for a moment. She returns with a huge shampoo bottle which features on its label a giant bulb of garlic. The shampoo is named, unceremoniously, "Garlic Shampoo." Estee, who was there for emotional support, bursts out laughing. She cannot take the bottle seriously, even though it's obvious that the ladies at the "unisex salon" truly do.They assure me that the product smells <i>rico, </i>"rich/good." To prove it, they open the bottle and hold it in front of my nose. They mean for me to smell it, and it actually does smell quite nice. I ask <i>Cuanta cuesta?</i>, "How much?" Thirty bucks. Really.<br />
<br />
I can mash up garlic myself and put it on my scalp for less than a dollar. Is that wrong?<br />
<br />
Also of note, the grocery store is now in full-blown Christmas mode. Decorations, candy, wrapping paper, Santa hats. This is what happens when one does not celebrate Halloween! Although, it's nobody's fault that Honduras doesn't really enjoy an autumn season. More on that later.<br />
<br />
Here's a few pictures of Osa and I. She was uncooperative.<br />
Included in the background: Brittany's legs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9M1Wlah2kCf2we8mcmYNLGE-Ih86IN5SM6gmHW1ikWVqDSBdTwYTD36WzZpLc2-EabnVk6mHDf-HZs4oyTxhWWlUZy6MuaF6tCUYBuQjSzGb6RjqkGZ8cllKPmeO8lnosSBfzn2MGZA/s1600/collage+OSA+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9M1Wlah2kCf2we8mcmYNLGE-Ih86IN5SM6gmHW1ikWVqDSBdTwYTD36WzZpLc2-EabnVk6mHDf-HZs4oyTxhWWlUZy6MuaF6tCUYBuQjSzGb6RjqkGZ8cllKPmeO8lnosSBfzn2MGZA/s640/collage+OSA+.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
Enjoy your week!<br />
<br />
All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras,<br />
<br />
JulieTravails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-8428631337110154652012-10-13T21:20:00.001-07:002012-10-14T08:53:44.479-07:00Lago de Yojoa<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last weekend, I had the pleasure of traveling to Lago de Yojoa with my fellow teachers. This lake (<i>lago</i>), as previously stated, is <i>the </i>lake in Honduras, the only one, in fact, to be of volcanic origins in Honduras. Here, the ancestors of the <i>Lencas, </i>one of Honduras' still-living native peoples, lived and thrived. Apparently, archeologists now think that 2,800 years ago, <i>Los naranjos </i>was an ancient city that preceded Jesus Christ and even Honduras' largest ancient city, Copan, by 1,000 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here in 2012, however, the serene body of water is now a major tourist attraction, although, it doesn't feel very "touristy." Lago affords many different lodging options, including a brewery tucked right into the lush forest. We opted to stay in some beautiful cabins very near to the water. Unfortunately, we only stayed one night, but the short duration of my stay definitely makes me want to go back.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bridge near the cabins/resort area.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJjt0GlvV47ED4OTTg7bB568-AWtuJUDi0n5TSnIjKAH5_j4cOqvs4WKBWHoPZg_uS6GqTCoIN8lr_o3EKC_z0p5YDXPeNKAzrXuoRJTa0yskJeYqnNysILKZIbnmNaTMdLaVrVKYbw0/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJjt0GlvV47ED4OTTg7bB568-AWtuJUDi0n5TSnIjKAH5_j4cOqvs4WKBWHoPZg_uS6GqTCoIN8lr_o3EKC_z0p5YDXPeNKAzrXuoRJTa0yskJeYqnNysILKZIbnmNaTMdLaVrVKYbw0/s640/Lago+Yojoa+004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbL8W2Yj3gz8oNKVG44HFzZ8IEAvhhdDmvTOTEuDGr3GiT3xgtqh_-_XNTl9s50ZTl7mbOEroOuD3Ijf4SlHm4cocMIHIyJvIEIhANaRg9GHzvVwX0_i65GYH7KSC94vUQCt84Dl1wV4/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+005+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbL8W2Yj3gz8oNKVG44HFzZ8IEAvhhdDmvTOTEuDGr3GiT3xgtqh_-_XNTl9s50ZTl7mbOEroOuD3Ijf4SlHm4cocMIHIyJvIEIhANaRg9GHzvVwX0_i65GYH7KSC94vUQCt84Dl1wV4/s640/Lago+Yojoa+005+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This cabin was right on the water, complete with an enticing hammock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YGS-Jakpix9yo48j4Ig6Kkzrgv53usA9FHrKhulgEwc-Ckrrdo_1hk-7wqy-VsU3YZlmA503yjjHDWBOWIKA9Kt_C5YZwLQVxarr4xXoQKJiXAa8vpQYGfl9_-9koOclGBZL-KgAQHQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+006+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YGS-Jakpix9yo48j4Ig6Kkzrgv53usA9FHrKhulgEwc-Ckrrdo_1hk-7wqy-VsU3YZlmA503yjjHDWBOWIKA9Kt_C5YZwLQVxarr4xXoQKJiXAa8vpQYGfl9_-9koOclGBZL-KgAQHQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+006+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qHeY9owZLUu6VZ5rnV-t8D4bOmgAZyGID32ZjX4GT5NpY-OA5Rv3cIEyg68swkT9hBXSpZSFXNUWbsSHcfpX2c8QlvW4uXlBgARkeyxkBdSp54OKT7pyGx8c3Ca7qgtYhIMTgwJ50jU/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+022+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qHeY9owZLUu6VZ5rnV-t8D4bOmgAZyGID32ZjX4GT5NpY-OA5Rv3cIEyg68swkT9hBXSpZSFXNUWbsSHcfpX2c8QlvW4uXlBgARkeyxkBdSp54OKT7pyGx8c3Ca7qgtYhIMTgwJ50jU/s640/Lago+Yojoa+022+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bridge was a bit rickety. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMeXIe3FAXeYGqtwLPLxItTZhUyNDG5OS-nmDQjeImLZjbAIcMhKSs5FcwI_GmMMBxiH4voykc4FRnIka0KWZrg9IyFoZvRRbIs-I3OeDc7nFup7aKrEBkN0gOEQ3-kR1mWlHVAnpVv4/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+026+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMeXIe3FAXeYGqtwLPLxItTZhUyNDG5OS-nmDQjeImLZjbAIcMhKSs5FcwI_GmMMBxiH4voykc4FRnIka0KWZrg9IyFoZvRRbIs-I3OeDc7nFup7aKrEBkN0gOEQ3-kR1mWlHVAnpVv4/s640/Lago+Yojoa+026+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But Marisha and I stood our ground. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6838it4ETRD6xVeF2C5zCnyqTZCO5w31V_ln2kpN7vOY__KKmwY9kyfN91NQQE-CnSTNwleljIpd3qeIRA158rroZoFKLUtx68HBwEKWe9gYgW5viOuu350gZ5SfFgnvnJCjtXNywbXI/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+035+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6838it4ETRD6xVeF2C5zCnyqTZCO5w31V_ln2kpN7vOY__KKmwY9kyfN91NQQE-CnSTNwleljIpd3qeIRA158rroZoFKLUtx68HBwEKWe9gYgW5viOuu350gZ5SfFgnvnJCjtXNywbXI/s640/Lago+Yojoa+035+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Look who I found! (This was most definitely not staged). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvUz1Cmt0uGgyPK3Wp3nOnjvqJcn_Cmb7b1qyLlw5zyPG0Jqw_FHLJph2TRMALPy9gpcnfdlfOiQ9oj1frwznDVbiNjIsfzljGdKhdWgWo5KfDtJdIcsddZ00Zj1sknpQVJUSWvexxRo/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+044+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvUz1Cmt0uGgyPK3Wp3nOnjvqJcn_Cmb7b1qyLlw5zyPG0Jqw_FHLJph2TRMALPy9gpcnfdlfOiQ9oj1frwznDVbiNjIsfzljGdKhdWgWo5KfDtJdIcsddZ00Zj1sknpQVJUSWvexxRo/s640/Lago+Yojoa+044+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbRCwTYHkwAJlYQLkTynGHUY-6GMC33Iyb3b5zZ-Oeb8-kRy2pW17_fbbctS5kCjxzkSmbi84P5CKKC2S6f3KMjjhjInay6jR0py1mou_LuSKhi3srUnXXiyQcsdbgWzU-ccaCdxyaJQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+046+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbRCwTYHkwAJlYQLkTynGHUY-6GMC33Iyb3b5zZ-Oeb8-kRy2pW17_fbbctS5kCjxzkSmbi84P5CKKC2S6f3KMjjhjInay6jR0py1mou_LuSKhi3srUnXXiyQcsdbgWzU-ccaCdxyaJQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+046+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4u3W9C3sQmL7lz2_hmccx3pX-8IEcjOmZKqcJyCa1wOyoxuJ_0FIXHr-zIGrExaCftOya2RPlayLxQZPRoNVo7awK2lNAMyo9uuj-NE1R0PUWde619D6Oys0mAVNIwjxxhzFIs0RAe4/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+077+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4u3W9C3sQmL7lz2_hmccx3pX-8IEcjOmZKqcJyCa1wOyoxuJ_0FIXHr-zIGrExaCftOya2RPlayLxQZPRoNVo7awK2lNAMyo9uuj-NE1R0PUWde619D6Oys0mAVNIwjxxhzFIs0RAe4/s640/Lago+Yojoa+077+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsalUshpK8Ubol5koNd6T8Gjw414MUHp1TUxxyD4GjwErGFNlRDiY5V75nZmB_1uiX67dW42R5npWnAkuSmcrIyzKnq1fvVSVyqMpmoRddeOniH1ovXGss5AB_h3fN4_elti9A_-IS78/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+082+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsalUshpK8Ubol5koNd6T8Gjw414MUHp1TUxxyD4GjwErGFNlRDiY5V75nZmB_1uiX67dW42R5npWnAkuSmcrIyzKnq1fvVSVyqMpmoRddeOniH1ovXGss5AB_h3fN4_elti9A_-IS78/s640/Lago+Yojoa+082+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh74CyrTRvgoo2qhcxQtYezv4-M_Il3e5PjkVPxh49sNHXGFvlfsd2cd-kXzneZJDcXbGtpuFc10vrDXKAFyI8dcy1PtiwEeezDjZMwVVYKtj4IsBlewFHYpPqDVrfQtJGyR8qt1J1KYw/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+084+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh74CyrTRvgoo2qhcxQtYezv4-M_Il3e5PjkVPxh49sNHXGFvlfsd2cd-kXzneZJDcXbGtpuFc10vrDXKAFyI8dcy1PtiwEeezDjZMwVVYKtj4IsBlewFHYpPqDVrfQtJGyR8qt1J1KYw/s640/Lago+Yojoa+084+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYdKENAHboY8MpiQ-E_FIckvaAbCtbAZiNZD38nV8H6Ii2BvjOUBVuORhLyPKz3hWCwo4PCRZfUEuGTnlJAXWA8RnTFaVTlyQWI3aol0sCe2RcMiZ4TRINUW0Y6O70zRjPAZr-TvgiEM/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+094+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYdKENAHboY8MpiQ-E_FIckvaAbCtbAZiNZD38nV8H6Ii2BvjOUBVuORhLyPKz3hWCwo4PCRZfUEuGTnlJAXWA8RnTFaVTlyQWI3aol0sCe2RcMiZ4TRINUW0Y6O70zRjPAZr-TvgiEM/s640/Lago+Yojoa+094+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Bridge-sittin'.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP510comi5x5ftNAOczgqVUcaSuvuclGGcFJXNjo6f550bf7HTjHpHFIeR8Ldbwuqa8JWQd-vUQF-7hG-3bRFonKHbv4dHOy_IvLhdqzVZTaW-zAjPnp6RzY2uhXvJ5_vrNVToGSQ_eM/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+097+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP510comi5x5ftNAOczgqVUcaSuvuclGGcFJXNjo6f550bf7HTjHpHFIeR8Ldbwuqa8JWQd-vUQF-7hG-3bRFonKHbv4dHOy_IvLhdqzVZTaW-zAjPnp6RzY2uhXvJ5_vrNVToGSQ_eM/s640/Lago+Yojoa+097+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*WARNING*</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">OVERABUNDANCE OF SCENIC PICTURES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> THAT MAY OR MAY NOT DEPICT </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">MORE OR LESS THE SAME SCENERY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BUT AT DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLES</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODEu0SGRt2CsrBIPUkpXGY_OdOA4vip-rxKnE0TTYborztLM2b8j59gTblt1661q0CmFXVIQSJEAJxFSR5D3r41PTzNlrHpbukL1hpuBAS9nB2NysF-cTqNl7xpeEGftLBkI7HRpNGko/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+001+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODEu0SGRt2CsrBIPUkpXGY_OdOA4vip-rxKnE0TTYborztLM2b8j59gTblt1661q0CmFXVIQSJEAJxFSR5D3r41PTzNlrHpbukL1hpuBAS9nB2NysF-cTqNl7xpeEGftLBkI7HRpNGko/s640/Lago+Yojoa+001+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See those different colored patches of land on the mountains? It amazes me how Hondurans somehow farm the seemingly un-farm-able.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2hLIPMF_WIbUcuK639MuwF-6M0GudqgfYrHCpZ0iX-ib2NjPQ3ZrwGUEeuABvTeQ7Wyjz7z3xIYy27pNUMJukGCb2E4VXs4ePEowGcGuylvSsAzZpbr6ckxdqVjIt2rti_nMVOGsD1I/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+020+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2hLIPMF_WIbUcuK639MuwF-6M0GudqgfYrHCpZ0iX-ib2NjPQ3ZrwGUEeuABvTeQ7Wyjz7z3xIYy27pNUMJukGCb2E4VXs4ePEowGcGuylvSsAzZpbr6ckxdqVjIt2rti_nMVOGsD1I/s640/Lago+Yojoa+020+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsyYg-tBMPxKbMxPC9gXq2UvcSFN0KwWbQtgIHPLn0DH43KaAkddgLUg9RqPWBIbGVKYHNQbVqyX2ZSDGQuuyKsW666kypNZ4lQR189L-TIzjeJ5e5cGxlYN1shRjZ47QU1_UY_nisRc/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+023+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsyYg-tBMPxKbMxPC9gXq2UvcSFN0KwWbQtgIHPLn0DH43KaAkddgLUg9RqPWBIbGVKYHNQbVqyX2ZSDGQuuyKsW666kypNZ4lQR189L-TIzjeJ5e5cGxlYN1shRjZ47QU1_UY_nisRc/s640/Lago+Yojoa+023+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEAkzchrsRwNL49q67wIvfEN1riDOa5EWUAMDfW6TgGBcFODl-ZgHaHKRr6Dtf6I4xwxFX2SLQxJjLqH7BeLZmOYr2l-_MnQyvpI7UemMjMyINdHsDukEspdq5pa8BX4lWmwbDufjnKo/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+025+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEAkzchrsRwNL49q67wIvfEN1riDOa5EWUAMDfW6TgGBcFODl-ZgHaHKRr6Dtf6I4xwxFX2SLQxJjLqH7BeLZmOYr2l-_MnQyvpI7UemMjMyINdHsDukEspdq5pa8BX4lWmwbDufjnKo/s640/Lago+Yojoa+025+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I experimented with color a bit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhLxpoPJo68yugGJ3KBjgQoYdPzepUYR1ncFNgebI56g5BCALnChHYE4Y0ykG3RC2-qx254VSPyxdk8ZlH6-L4w0AJDvxCuy7IDWGpA_LRZ2C7ApTyZcTTxFvJw78wO7qvMV-kzEB7B8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+032+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhLxpoPJo68yugGJ3KBjgQoYdPzepUYR1ncFNgebI56g5BCALnChHYE4Y0ykG3RC2-qx254VSPyxdk8ZlH6-L4w0AJDvxCuy7IDWGpA_LRZ2C7ApTyZcTTxFvJw78wO7qvMV-kzEB7B8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+032+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKmgU_eiFKc_oHcV2qxr6xYEvs1_54ENj3Fri13AxjYdDY3KRd3dBRCKBZhAER2Ylt9jE5gqqke3Apl8BEHYMdaG9AU52bjXqw-2WafNuaJLk2w8DsKqGckvJdDyAw3RbZS38sy_2Dek/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+033+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKmgU_eiFKc_oHcV2qxr6xYEvs1_54ENj3Fri13AxjYdDY3KRd3dBRCKBZhAER2Ylt9jE5gqqke3Apl8BEHYMdaG9AU52bjXqw-2WafNuaJLk2w8DsKqGckvJdDyAw3RbZS38sy_2Dek/s640/Lago+Yojoa+033+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBtFrkgeq5NJgSPr-sbkF3FNdtcrQyQTyLxc2mb_opdXhEJBy9PwApuy4GMisUkfhQKSKr9cQ5bpvS0QrJjzrbynYOQZMsKho2CVgKaxN-cU8m1Ebcyus0tsssHmNg9IiargRHEUD2ec/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+048+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBtFrkgeq5NJgSPr-sbkF3FNdtcrQyQTyLxc2mb_opdXhEJBy9PwApuy4GMisUkfhQKSKr9cQ5bpvS0QrJjzrbynYOQZMsKho2CVgKaxN-cU8m1Ebcyus0tsssHmNg9IiargRHEUD2ec/s640/Lago+Yojoa+048+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y-_aDvF8HoS6aZwOm7vmkFhJw850oc1A39Si1j8R2bS4rDsWp3nH7VlPI877CT_ri-_fTOroQvHLkKUqBic64tu8CoWPEnrgz567sgSdi4WkfLMIzLDtj08S27kxGxgfTHZcy3G61Pg/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+050+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y-_aDvF8HoS6aZwOm7vmkFhJw850oc1A39Si1j8R2bS4rDsWp3nH7VlPI877CT_ri-_fTOroQvHLkKUqBic64tu8CoWPEnrgz567sgSdi4WkfLMIzLDtj08S27kxGxgfTHZcy3G61Pg/s640/Lago+Yojoa+050+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhct4friNpdProNfj7mmkLszp3tST-PLFvFGpPHOwGeDWLbdEZj98ZN5U8BK-Yv7trIrc8qLzt5xDm92YzV5Z65O0ixOodwftFM7yFT99im_jRToR5JSPAaQD3f_iTHvtKy6OhyphenhyphenIn_aU/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+051+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhct4friNpdProNfj7mmkLszp3tST-PLFvFGpPHOwGeDWLbdEZj98ZN5U8BK-Yv7trIrc8qLzt5xDm92YzV5Z65O0ixOodwftFM7yFT99im_jRToR5JSPAaQD3f_iTHvtKy6OhyphenhyphenIn_aU/s640/Lago+Yojoa+051+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dUABo2L28C-nMYl2RK3ajCYkLTsikY2RR2aQJwO6WnHHLL6S-p93VY8-ZfRK0RwtIkS6xkM-L6Ab4iJ4Dp4VHVLjlL2cINonGd08w_g0hjh9QwTBsrKBPTm14mhYh4F8fioe2u-HaBM/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+052+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4dUABo2L28C-nMYl2RK3ajCYkLTsikY2RR2aQJwO6WnHHLL6S-p93VY8-ZfRK0RwtIkS6xkM-L6Ab4iJ4Dp4VHVLjlL2cINonGd08w_g0hjh9QwTBsrKBPTm14mhYh4F8fioe2u-HaBM/s640/Lago+Yojoa+052+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZIsBu8Q4l1HNrTLCN4EN9oDoiJB3odnep-dIT3td5b4mRwRlRo8V9t7A-vNXOgNrhqDJPFTVXIFl2dIOdytiGii4FHVHVtS6Z_IrMaLINrIrEpwyDXq4iZwhMTiKa2yq9sbFjNYjN80/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+053+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZIsBu8Q4l1HNrTLCN4EN9oDoiJB3odnep-dIT3td5b4mRwRlRo8V9t7A-vNXOgNrhqDJPFTVXIFl2dIOdytiGii4FHVHVtS6Z_IrMaLINrIrEpwyDXq4iZwhMTiKa2yq9sbFjNYjN80/s640/Lago+Yojoa+053+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-XodlLr-CwGBqsLXB6WUg5trsKI8jY1BBTbGpRw-XEmtPnQrVEDt2UblcHW2lQeAjPWwiXC0brd8ZJP8j3yJC93fr2elQoNN1l_8woTXuJ76xx60BFixdizEVFg5uuDGKrowARU8xv8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+056+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-XodlLr-CwGBqsLXB6WUg5trsKI8jY1BBTbGpRw-XEmtPnQrVEDt2UblcHW2lQeAjPWwiXC0brd8ZJP8j3yJC93fr2elQoNN1l_8woTXuJ76xx60BFixdizEVFg5uuDGKrowARU8xv8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+056+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This reminded me of my dear sister, Elizabeth, and made me miss her at the same time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJwq-Ircdv0H-wGmZ5k0MX5TycRdOzIzki7x9F_ySTnDilrsnmYOqf3h5lyowHZcAny-N0fFrMAeHlKUZ-6LSn2Xm8XlFNoVPay5uVit5TNWyFjvFWtB-9Aj_HsSDeRk0mBO-Jn4EI3M/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+057+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJwq-Ircdv0H-wGmZ5k0MX5TycRdOzIzki7x9F_ySTnDilrsnmYOqf3h5lyowHZcAny-N0fFrMAeHlKUZ-6LSn2Xm8XlFNoVPay5uVit5TNWyFjvFWtB-9Aj_HsSDeRk0mBO-Jn4EI3M/s640/Lago+Yojoa+057+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Michigan people, we got awfully excited about seeing fish in a lake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmjKLeDJ03q23mXGFLUunkrnrbudzaJD7dMKsSkQz4myYNyffgulTscYNEMhrBohSABv_P-3VIK_HS_4f0JpstM6FacwJ0XqNKR_YG3MRjfzC6WCxxQmwZfGzXxZ7lMDPYEgYQyJ1KMA/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+059+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmjKLeDJ03q23mXGFLUunkrnrbudzaJD7dMKsSkQz4myYNyffgulTscYNEMhrBohSABv_P-3VIK_HS_4f0JpstM6FacwJ0XqNKR_YG3MRjfzC6WCxxQmwZfGzXxZ7lMDPYEgYQyJ1KMA/s640/Lago+Yojoa+059+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These rocks enjoy a spectacular view. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1nuy5Q9_0r5IbEbhnn9c03fkB5azo0vxMIIeqKXqQRz5GY2ORj07FUTCiQixpMNakHNm67u7hQ2uUYF2xWu55S4MaudrwyiL_6Nz4Kk-RDrVowF3bKB8lgigA-HvMM9q2yB-3IrbmBo/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+061+blog+size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1nuy5Q9_0r5IbEbhnn9c03fkB5azo0vxMIIeqKXqQRz5GY2ORj07FUTCiQixpMNakHNm67u7hQ2uUYF2xWu55S4MaudrwyiL_6Nz4Kk-RDrVowF3bKB8lgigA-HvMM9q2yB-3IrbmBo/s640/Lago+Yojoa+061+blog+size.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCZGgHNRPGAyZxlCI8U-v3IF0fc5xjHqSQleVdkqa4L9SdkqGWTO_g1Kn5ktNkZ-ccfMlHBTy48Xq6WSSZ8RnbvTc2Td9nqCeG9GsrKzmGV2BUeYfC6o1cr8dRq1agBSBhvWZQgBEHgc/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+063+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCZGgHNRPGAyZxlCI8U-v3IF0fc5xjHqSQleVdkqa4L9SdkqGWTO_g1Kn5ktNkZ-ccfMlHBTy48Xq6WSSZ8RnbvTc2Td9nqCeG9GsrKzmGV2BUeYfC6o1cr8dRq1agBSBhvWZQgBEHgc/s640/Lago+Yojoa+063+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p05Kg5WRwTqnlXbWwMg8piMPwt5l2QtSQXgV1IsjhJaXFhPvEOXz8H23ewwQHo04jPCwScyiuk3_0wE1pwk4Ir6_zYivwtiZ3Jvj1nZL0LJwnRlUR_zot61KmEifFqVOYStqAxUT2UQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+064+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p05Kg5WRwTqnlXbWwMg8piMPwt5l2QtSQXgV1IsjhJaXFhPvEOXz8H23ewwQHo04jPCwScyiuk3_0wE1pwk4Ir6_zYivwtiZ3Jvj1nZL0LJwnRlUR_zot61KmEifFqVOYStqAxUT2UQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+064+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAS61Br0lPMhZ6dcewPtRAMw4PQB8iUsRFJX4Cyf0s3aHx0u1hwZrJH9h1cIT6wRBZOiT1htvDDxALgMfDDdixEE7AwG3EQjcLkZvp5T1M6-hMEJ-vKmX4wQ_vKzEkMz7c9Gzjs42-Yo/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+071+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAS61Br0lPMhZ6dcewPtRAMw4PQB8iUsRFJX4Cyf0s3aHx0u1hwZrJH9h1cIT6wRBZOiT1htvDDxALgMfDDdixEE7AwG3EQjcLkZvp5T1M6-hMEJ-vKmX4wQ_vKzEkMz7c9Gzjs42-Yo/s640/Lago+Yojoa+071+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6o4T_Nwn6_4fN9RXOuruRwaDIhVbbiGhuwo812WobragNEYd5aOrHEGlZsJes4B1JG2Ci1y71_RQhFEWSaSIVhdqnaGOVoSkJwrAsnIklLIiOK1hWyAgXIV33sZjuRFWygMwzAOmgF8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+076+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6o4T_Nwn6_4fN9RXOuruRwaDIhVbbiGhuwo812WobragNEYd5aOrHEGlZsJes4B1JG2Ci1y71_RQhFEWSaSIVhdqnaGOVoSkJwrAsnIklLIiOK1hWyAgXIV33sZjuRFWygMwzAOmgF8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+076+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4M_jJXElbYzNCj_X33i-LzQa4GChSwYYZ5BaQFkxv8FQa4HCADxLgsiP3-Li7gR6ODlIlF5wXtIfbIT035NHMdDDAwJ52O-54p0ErAFi8xbuoOtQQbJKg9IouuEszaey1kxalqX8Za8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+078+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4M_jJXElbYzNCj_X33i-LzQa4GChSwYYZ5BaQFkxv8FQa4HCADxLgsiP3-Li7gR6ODlIlF5wXtIfbIT035NHMdDDAwJ52O-54p0ErAFi8xbuoOtQQbJKg9IouuEszaey1kxalqX8Za8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+078+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY_T1IM3e21EmcxeQJgUlwMSCSFOxJ0plmFow5eMEWB4NCp8-Tkra2IxqL2St35JxXTUUeqA0s6Fe5AMtZ7FOq_sQCfQyWTSry2UUId0tHgTdxVgEPjDdtSuWhH8NHdtbPX80Ej1O5XM/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+085+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTY_T1IM3e21EmcxeQJgUlwMSCSFOxJ0plmFow5eMEWB4NCp8-Tkra2IxqL2St35JxXTUUeqA0s6Fe5AMtZ7FOq_sQCfQyWTSry2UUId0tHgTdxVgEPjDdtSuWhH8NHdtbPX80Ej1O5XM/s640/Lago+Yojoa+085+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l-P80MISJLnoMLecdOi64jcPXKIPfsK08gnygw0GUknrmD9cHxtJVyLdS4UxUTi_5uv7Y6sHF001BnZ22VIHc_4OdLKfZT4BNQ9qxRIXeDy7nwQKrTETSDHAgNm1i-BnkC1aI26vXeg/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+100+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l-P80MISJLnoMLecdOi64jcPXKIPfsK08gnygw0GUknrmD9cHxtJVyLdS4UxUTi_5uv7Y6sHF001BnZ22VIHc_4OdLKfZT4BNQ9qxRIXeDy7nwQKrTETSDHAgNm1i-BnkC1aI26vXeg/s640/Lago+Yojoa+100+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKz6LLlIQQ8SAZMcOFfattIDcPYhvkrGKSwWuy4zKqzOXCYASmVH59Sw45fCLVhfDVKfJP3Uhzx1w6GK73UDiGza2Dm6GQ4QOXkQ2AvQwfJzHzgRHft-NkyI0iqNQu_e5k06kJ_1WSDQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+101+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKz6LLlIQQ8SAZMcOFfattIDcPYhvkrGKSwWuy4zKqzOXCYASmVH59Sw45fCLVhfDVKfJP3Uhzx1w6GK73UDiGza2Dm6GQ4QOXkQ2AvQwfJzHzgRHft-NkyI0iqNQu_e5k06kJ_1WSDQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+101+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Broken meets beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjTXHV1Q7CjLr7YG1LEooyt4UPDwj7cT3tkt08wEChXqjr8GzOxPAmWx0izrAK7518ickdcpCPKfHPsfksN5tA567XhHM4Xpz8frMi_RZ9LhZd5x-gYP-8aqDeGJRYx0pabreUbsooRE/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+104+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjTXHV1Q7CjLr7YG1LEooyt4UPDwj7cT3tkt08wEChXqjr8GzOxPAmWx0izrAK7518ickdcpCPKfHPsfksN5tA567XhHM4Xpz8frMi_RZ9LhZd5x-gYP-8aqDeGJRYx0pabreUbsooRE/s640/Lago+Yojoa+104+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu6j1FvAZQALyvCAU3QwsxerbPmh7dMglFW3XamE9jpaFe-ZahC88lz7r2lF430Xaka9wYS8I3Mfl_LaX9GZgVsklKVBPSZd7DeDKm6TBN0bxBhR6_AtHi0YkoJDBt8A-67ICHa24Ly8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+105+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu6j1FvAZQALyvCAU3QwsxerbPmh7dMglFW3XamE9jpaFe-ZahC88lz7r2lF430Xaka9wYS8I3Mfl_LaX9GZgVsklKVBPSZd7DeDKm6TBN0bxBhR6_AtHi0YkoJDBt8A-67ICHa24Ly8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+105+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmViR1xmNrIBIGAUC3VM4fEKOSghdMTG696p2wgj2JftTPGgN5oIUpmuERmnHW9B9Nbot5wNZG4dq78BqXBD21Pq8s_1mOanUJ3-qLc045QLGmxUQma3ZWUcbpCE0hSGwlVSN96BISZrA/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+107+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmViR1xmNrIBIGAUC3VM4fEKOSghdMTG696p2wgj2JftTPGgN5oIUpmuERmnHW9B9Nbot5wNZG4dq78BqXBD21Pq8s_1mOanUJ3-qLc045QLGmxUQma3ZWUcbpCE0hSGwlVSN96BISZrA/s640/Lago+Yojoa+107+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ42eGynK2bu0K5d3WKxRfnqK2Gh4Pd2bZPY2DrG22pDRWG0bIf79hOvb5dehGY-klG_-YxRwycwJrhTmXn7PuAtjlvLg8d7BgZwBd-c5Y8E6dv5tk5wVi7BvwiSZRKMb6vDrY3Cq6Vw/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+110+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQ42eGynK2bu0K5d3WKxRfnqK2Gh4Pd2bZPY2DrG22pDRWG0bIf79hOvb5dehGY-klG_-YxRwycwJrhTmXn7PuAtjlvLg8d7BgZwBd-c5Y8E6dv5tk5wVi7BvwiSZRKMb6vDrY3Cq6Vw/s640/Lago+Yojoa+110+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love birds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Le9lja7eleC40xNxJ0RrqIeFI9ccERjbmgJYnAIJuFT_eMUgg3GmuYztDawMBzCmXBNfX8Fij-5NSKC5mNCrCy6D1ntT0-awmfDv4nXmJ1LHoBHCKd1_2FCVZjVi6JjspnuI6H7GJ8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+118+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3Le9lja7eleC40xNxJ0RrqIeFI9ccERjbmgJYnAIJuFT_eMUgg3GmuYztDawMBzCmXBNfX8Fij-5NSKC5mNCrCy6D1ntT0-awmfDv4nXmJ1LHoBHCKd1_2FCVZjVi6JjspnuI6H7GJ8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+118+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDvAH9CAvU4376MQtBTmaZ5vh-tHnFgpWRrAZngCMJIYBE0k8rPwTqYNECH69w-qdiq8eZnPZhyiUGSAOHA6J_B9TPYE9UBm3XOPz4kO6FdJgOzktClmE7TVNYQIXDnlrQ0CSCUTeJFA/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+123+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDvAH9CAvU4376MQtBTmaZ5vh-tHnFgpWRrAZngCMJIYBE0k8rPwTqYNECH69w-qdiq8eZnPZhyiUGSAOHA6J_B9TPYE9UBm3XOPz4kO6FdJgOzktClmE7TVNYQIXDnlrQ0CSCUTeJFA/s640/Lago+Yojoa+123+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9wwh__FvXPoCAKv2t0ABaoUJ_z4zScifL3Yy3e8k2YnP-EtouWZYh4kvglj8CGfDX2aDu1wulUb46u380jAMW8cCt7zwWQfT0vEnTMnGphgbHtC35r9sNjfgRVQvnkEcmBsBFH3QRT4/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+125++blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9wwh__FvXPoCAKv2t0ABaoUJ_z4zScifL3Yy3e8k2YnP-EtouWZYh4kvglj8CGfDX2aDu1wulUb46u380jAMW8cCt7zwWQfT0vEnTMnGphgbHtC35r9sNjfgRVQvnkEcmBsBFH3QRT4/s640/Lago+Yojoa+125++blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Broken meets beautiful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo_gaqOWmudbQkgfeGmo2-funCCVi2uvt4lC8PJ349sS5uiDmibWemTC9tSABRQ08GALase3EV8X6UbfXDOu2wnbfWtz4NWYvXH0eM8ptzzYTW3lfnfSxSZUmHury1DLjXuDUE0nJZjY/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+128+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFo_gaqOWmudbQkgfeGmo2-funCCVi2uvt4lC8PJ349sS5uiDmibWemTC9tSABRQ08GALase3EV8X6UbfXDOu2wnbfWtz4NWYvXH0eM8ptzzYTW3lfnfSxSZUmHury1DLjXuDUE0nJZjY/s640/Lago+Yojoa+128+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBHr4VEml1e54pQQEwWdBHB-FiD2GJ7fEyfNdm-DILxthnzywiLB2v30I3EE1qhLC2WCe70rVyiiV_emKHGeiISWnk5Hx56acxuXFee1hiP-w8qYdklZsFFAgH28HdGisqOPpU579I-I/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+131+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBHr4VEml1e54pQQEwWdBHB-FiD2GJ7fEyfNdm-DILxthnzywiLB2v30I3EE1qhLC2WCe70rVyiiV_emKHGeiISWnk5Hx56acxuXFee1hiP-w8qYdklZsFFAgH28HdGisqOPpU579I-I/s640/Lago+Yojoa+131+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is part of a palm tree, but, call me silly, I don't know what kind of fruit this is. The most appropriate name I could find on Google? "Palm fruit."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7joaDwWCLRCgW9TG8qg2xcwNZ5RKGZCVH9tA5DdHeAu64symtC3O2GfWY-7ptztxxd816P8QjF7tBiVOoJ9sgfO4niC0QvxYUYaOpOrf6hSAcZ-ceka3bwx2jLy7s3psGpmPxhnpjPQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+146+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7joaDwWCLRCgW9TG8qg2xcwNZ5RKGZCVH9tA5DdHeAu64symtC3O2GfWY-7ptztxxd816P8QjF7tBiVOoJ9sgfO4niC0QvxYUYaOpOrf6hSAcZ-ceka3bwx2jLy7s3psGpmPxhnpjPQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+146+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXr3_HIC3QPhrXqJXgE_lgQWzI1h15UfOpaHjmyFhJEg0R3pEm01han9SLcbAqJwAZMvDNwoR3P54Y3oa-V0WgGoM111uh5Cnp6xm46afqIW6XEGwnfF41pCquuiVVGMiBr7BwQN9bRs/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+159+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXr3_HIC3QPhrXqJXgE_lgQWzI1h15UfOpaHjmyFhJEg0R3pEm01han9SLcbAqJwAZMvDNwoR3P54Y3oa-V0WgGoM111uh5Cnp6xm46afqIW6XEGwnfF41pCquuiVVGMiBr7BwQN9bRs/s640/Lago+Yojoa+159+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQogDdz7if9kAGYH-Wb28Spl9BZSMhqvEfnIzy_M5lA90gkTTOx7k-wRNX1KIBEPiQpP8eMQcw-LV2zQFsJZtgBxof4_Fmnef_gQ6f8HSdVvZOHwIUOUTdt2jTkn-FnG2EsZbErop67QY/s1600/Lago+Yojoa++161+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQogDdz7if9kAGYH-Wb28Spl9BZSMhqvEfnIzy_M5lA90gkTTOx7k-wRNX1KIBEPiQpP8eMQcw-LV2zQFsJZtgBxof4_Fmnef_gQ6f8HSdVvZOHwIUOUTdt2jTkn-FnG2EsZbErop67QY/s640/Lago+Yojoa++161+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef3I-c0kP76d5hedhXcshlcN6QdVh2nwAOGGbWN-GUzc3EiJRhYWwYx711DBKp78Qm4P2jsc7bVCI7I2lIoksI5XRFwkEL4PNRpKlAh7ZXSWlt1WuU9PVB4lqCIQzYmPFNpOFYdPm5jA/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+167+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef3I-c0kP76d5hedhXcshlcN6QdVh2nwAOGGbWN-GUzc3EiJRhYWwYx711DBKp78Qm4P2jsc7bVCI7I2lIoksI5XRFwkEL4PNRpKlAh7ZXSWlt1WuU9PVB4lqCIQzYmPFNpOFYdPm5jA/s640/Lago+Yojoa+167+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wedding reception. Not too shabby. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w68MjG92TDoFy7_dQkccnhn10ltNkEMvhS9Y9yJjs38QaNXaLPC2kjlx_FEjjUdeVVLMXaUqcdhkd3IgHvcMA5ZhW6HJkX9cqJcT0RSXnCtvpVEhGM3M978PizKe4vxnSCFL48CfcOQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+168+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w68MjG92TDoFy7_dQkccnhn10ltNkEMvhS9Y9yJjs38QaNXaLPC2kjlx_FEjjUdeVVLMXaUqcdhkd3IgHvcMA5ZhW6HJkX9cqJcT0RSXnCtvpVEhGM3M978PizKe4vxnSCFL48CfcOQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+168+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Young palm fruit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill149-eXUOUaxylGsbuaIPliy5w624DBxFrME8sNJwD_7XgghWHVrIVuk5Jlw6PDOxKRpKlhEfkdzywOFSdAWeAGBOUdJws1YdUvPlJPreKlo4LYn1Q2oNkWB8u0ZQcVv3BjzsdEvRnk/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+170+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEill149-eXUOUaxylGsbuaIPliy5w624DBxFrME8sNJwD_7XgghWHVrIVuk5Jlw6PDOxKRpKlhEfkdzywOFSdAWeAGBOUdJws1YdUvPlJPreKlo4LYn1Q2oNkWB8u0ZQcVv3BjzsdEvRnk/s640/Lago+Yojoa+170+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can't decide whether this depicts feminism or chauvinism. Mark looks pretty smug.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNbKnNgAB2wXmnD5BWa26LaMKqtrA9Pc30GGpCU5Y-NFss370CDAsNHpLU7ZGgwuP9Gc03suOfENbBotrHaLylBgU74xTOHa0bLK_eXtPo-AX5D446cs1ZvilYVf45tUU6QXwZ4KKhv0/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+172+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNbKnNgAB2wXmnD5BWa26LaMKqtrA9Pc30GGpCU5Y-NFss370CDAsNHpLU7ZGgwuP9Gc03suOfENbBotrHaLylBgU74xTOHa0bLK_eXtPo-AX5D446cs1ZvilYVf45tUU6QXwZ4KKhv0/s640/Lago+Yojoa+172+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVRs7_d9AMfbn70SE3TrC4rDlNtE8hE4XbhvcTYJ2RahJTcMNIqfVslHeC9nK-cXf_ZsYZL31jD_4y7kEZJ6wMC5BaG_FFHXrkJZZIhq1p67phGBuH1O1bMbzOWsBu2W1d-kXYmei4ME/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+174+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVRs7_d9AMfbn70SE3TrC4rDlNtE8hE4XbhvcTYJ2RahJTcMNIqfVslHeC9nK-cXf_ZsYZL31jD_4y7kEZJ6wMC5BaG_FFHXrkJZZIhq1p67phGBuH1O1bMbzOWsBu2W1d-kXYmei4ME/s640/Lago+Yojoa+174+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taking a well-deserved break. Some of our group went horseback riding. I did not. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1. Most Honduran horses make me look like a giantess. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Especially when they pant and snort as if I'm too much work. Makes a lady feel special [and guilty]).</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 2. I assume the horses were trained by 15 year old boys. Reassuring.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vj9sNiVPDofiy_5YOkdFzvdAPvxhcU5d5UV_b-hFRZs4FvYLRBLL8gcvwwyYAk9VhsMJMFCSMh14f3dZP1jVtRpHNm7AJl8spZlN9-nm-vJeXswVenR8jatXmRnXJVo01kaY0BFwWaQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa++176+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vj9sNiVPDofiy_5YOkdFzvdAPvxhcU5d5UV_b-hFRZs4FvYLRBLL8gcvwwyYAk9VhsMJMFCSMh14f3dZP1jVtRpHNm7AJl8spZlN9-nm-vJeXswVenR8jatXmRnXJVo01kaY0BFwWaQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa++176+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the words of Ace Ventura, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRMvvds6MpM">This is a lovely room of death</a>." It was, in actuality, very lovely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX9l_UVFXR77btOeK7-Tix-rezDf_N0PGLvMqsz2DeGGeBHp1VcaqOMbo8pscAJAMPYakmrGvXgf2OKtixzMux7DV_IN4AOlyo06cb_hmuqrYJiRnwuMmrr_iwzBmqLC4L3tx9MtgkBk/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+177+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX9l_UVFXR77btOeK7-Tix-rezDf_N0PGLvMqsz2DeGGeBHp1VcaqOMbo8pscAJAMPYakmrGvXgf2OKtixzMux7DV_IN4AOlyo06cb_hmuqrYJiRnwuMmrr_iwzBmqLC4L3tx9MtgkBk/s640/Lago+Yojoa+177+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A room with a view. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI5s6SE7-YP2arb7hPSVUA6dr7yGUgILXtDMO4ANK-GD5qW4P7KdWrRCiUe7ntvrnoBeL24E7pa6qP9uN4U81ZlZOeRfeifGhs8QE_ZkLS1GYHaz87m4NakzC94DQiDdUX7dkBjR4YMg/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+179+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBI5s6SE7-YP2arb7hPSVUA6dr7yGUgILXtDMO4ANK-GD5qW4P7KdWrRCiUe7ntvrnoBeL24E7pa6qP9uN4U81ZlZOeRfeifGhs8QE_ZkLS1GYHaz87m4NakzC94DQiDdUX7dkBjR4YMg/s640/Lago+Yojoa+179+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Love scenes prohibited." Boring!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwXsnG7CTxPGqgSY4MmOH2vuFBzI7WbnPAOky-sGn4gwhVk4WiMCd22gm4PYsTDYDR6mx12p7UpbkvzSkS5GeXaI_k90kszLJfKSeO7vUvDWnV6ktSG1xeZ00x_djxtbCKjjCAK1ed2s/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+194+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwXsnG7CTxPGqgSY4MmOH2vuFBzI7WbnPAOky-sGn4gwhVk4WiMCd22gm4PYsTDYDR6mx12p7UpbkvzSkS5GeXaI_k90kszLJfKSeO7vUvDWnV6ktSG1xeZ00x_djxtbCKjjCAK1ed2s/s640/Lago+Yojoa+194+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This tree was irresistibly climb-able. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XmoF8iMsi0mJ4EvMyZdkod33jonFEIXMfn-cb-N9qfwjJcFn9f70yf92Hx-adeek7rJ1Q39sYwf-xa7B-Yr4Yvk5fQANh83axCXPBJC3xHX1VXJ3Ah2uertdOpPG75BBwnx-SefrUww/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+182+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XmoF8iMsi0mJ4EvMyZdkod33jonFEIXMfn-cb-N9qfwjJcFn9f70yf92Hx-adeek7rJ1Q39sYwf-xa7B-Yr4Yvk5fQANh83axCXPBJC3xHX1VXJ3Ah2uertdOpPG75BBwnx-SefrUww/s640/Lago+Yojoa+182+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Head towards the light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3NdkMjdMD8g37IA3s2d2uoZAbe_p2kyuW87HlAJ1A40bDZJKaGvEwetjr9bRERCqWQcVvQNvYCSogLpMro6poqQFCDv5rwnYDCBr_RHc9leUAUvPrF5ODfh7oJY5Eu78l7BfAPuZWeE/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+187+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3NdkMjdMD8g37IA3s2d2uoZAbe_p2kyuW87HlAJ1A40bDZJKaGvEwetjr9bRERCqWQcVvQNvYCSogLpMro6poqQFCDv5rwnYDCBr_RHc9leUAUvPrF5ODfh7oJY5Eu78l7BfAPuZWeE/s640/Lago+Yojoa+187+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMq4JhguAVgqpcfQ0WsoHez9b6pe9QbhmXzBk2w4w6eIhIvDxwby7FBNSf0WhHcj9ZUjeN8KiOEwVpYGBiBCXWZDz-LGv-IFz7rIO8cKEOLytTIBaflTK_OHEgMs39vZTCQD9SlkKF0E/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+191+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMq4JhguAVgqpcfQ0WsoHez9b6pe9QbhmXzBk2w4w6eIhIvDxwby7FBNSf0WhHcj9ZUjeN8KiOEwVpYGBiBCXWZDz-LGv-IFz7rIO8cKEOLytTIBaflTK_OHEgMs39vZTCQD9SlkKF0E/s640/Lago+Yojoa+191+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indecent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOndpm-9siWZmZ1bocTWCXWk8wrsDApPULvG69swo795HX-TGeGjib55ystosb0UVyT6HhoMJbEJNY6-GcI4oxpJkNxlemI1ErstIy5fHCmx8aHlwaSx_bQAZqEZp27N3MUAwrrFDiLoE/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+200+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOndpm-9siWZmZ1bocTWCXWk8wrsDApPULvG69swo795HX-TGeGjib55ystosb0UVyT6HhoMJbEJNY6-GcI4oxpJkNxlemI1ErstIy5fHCmx8aHlwaSx_bQAZqEZp27N3MUAwrrFDiLoE/s640/Lago+Yojoa+200+blog.jpg" width="442" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Broken meets beautiful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTW8__CdTef9h3nzNpki994P74KXNvoqPMBsy3g8mVSAr2K_gwWROl40QqwEe1urEY9_mj8iSSh7WMG29gvYL65J_Uwa49hMUGRtZo7AHBJLyvDG0jpluPMMnnzBC3dboXLUIDRG6JME/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+201+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTW8__CdTef9h3nzNpki994P74KXNvoqPMBsy3g8mVSAr2K_gwWROl40QqwEe1urEY9_mj8iSSh7WMG29gvYL65J_Uwa49hMUGRtZo7AHBJLyvDG0jpluPMMnnzBC3dboXLUIDRG6JME/s640/Lago+Yojoa+201+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After we checked out of our lodgings, we headed to a ginormous waterfall (like you do). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bridge over the river. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUKEjI_3q65Zfq3OY6KOlJu9xD3Fo2yyvX98jaHTgtsk0gyGv5BQ_rRarYrZtrZje3T3apaiGqYgkz0mFVy2pLrA6aeQsODwuO1lfOHfhcaOVhyphenhyphenkR7oh5p297imaC8yQHkKzX4ZRt4fQ/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+203+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUKEjI_3q65Zfq3OY6KOlJu9xD3Fo2yyvX98jaHTgtsk0gyGv5BQ_rRarYrZtrZje3T3apaiGqYgkz0mFVy2pLrA6aeQsODwuO1lfOHfhcaOVhyphenhyphenkR7oh5p297imaC8yQHkKzX4ZRt4fQ/s640/Lago+Yojoa+203+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Picnic!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nXkIA0uLE_-XcCDFNazKq6Wrg_DPGFmCnFlqu3Bj9RmEMza5iKNI_-OcGxMQhVjG19R_BndMFcBvFmACUbI6qMfumVTE0VKtBVJznQFqYo6yj0EXN53H8bXsC_r1peoqxCcBcc7qpU8/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+216+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nXkIA0uLE_-XcCDFNazKq6Wrg_DPGFmCnFlqu3Bj9RmEMza5iKNI_-OcGxMQhVjG19R_BndMFcBvFmACUbI6qMfumVTE0VKtBVJznQFqYo6yj0EXN53H8bXsC_r1peoqxCcBcc7qpU8/s640/Lago+Yojoa+216+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heading to the falls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTTMpkgadZgStxRBTjutUses10oGw_tDMi1aLmi8QO3HG8tSf6JHrR61mfiXtSMWZvHW-xOHUHGUk4xf7GCNpBhaVDaKSRCGwgfRnwSlq-GhxPwS14SE8IUQCnmC9v7gSRbNYmaT10AA/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+218+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTTMpkgadZgStxRBTjutUses10oGw_tDMi1aLmi8QO3HG8tSf6JHrR61mfiXtSMWZvHW-xOHUHGUk4xf7GCNpBhaVDaKSRCGwgfRnwSlq-GhxPwS14SE8IUQCnmC9v7gSRbNYmaT10AA/s640/Lago+Yojoa+218+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The waterfall emits a constant mist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEwnMMhOy_pw7hcIbR2qTDpRkliBiAR4rfaKcUASg4NGpqiTouNuSx-jbBj0x9KGiz8PlWoJwavl3YnpM349WH9adjUC2_Ck4fCd3kzk6CHSVKEvM3KcKBlsGTb5GM_Ys9xHiKnnVpeY/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+224+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEwnMMhOy_pw7hcIbR2qTDpRkliBiAR4rfaKcUASg4NGpqiTouNuSx-jbBj0x9KGiz8PlWoJwavl3YnpM349WH9adjUC2_Ck4fCd3kzk6CHSVKEvM3KcKBlsGTb5GM_Ys9xHiKnnVpeY/s640/Lago+Yojoa+224+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD426_NJ9tUJughKE_cfDMujC1mw_4aHUdfj3LnZ11hPvbTBOzrzxwRqVXc0RiZV4ZwqjGaq6BS40XAvT8Ot1UsAlgQugJMQ3QBPLU8ja9Bjzw0z9syilmLUJVNC4ftBKV925pTYkIB1Q/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+229+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD426_NJ9tUJughKE_cfDMujC1mw_4aHUdfj3LnZ11hPvbTBOzrzxwRqVXc0RiZV4ZwqjGaq6BS40XAvT8Ot1UsAlgQugJMQ3QBPLU8ja9Bjzw0z9syilmLUJVNC4ftBKV925pTYkIB1Q/s640/Lago+Yojoa+229+blog.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One can venture under the falls and into a cave beyond. I opted out of this little adventure. To be honest, I wasn't in the mood for the moderately dangerous. Plus,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I heard horror stories about the experience, along with comments like, "I feared for my life" and "It was really painful." At the very least, I feared losing half my hair under the tens of thousands of gallons of falling water and teaching high school students half-bald. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can see the few brave souls who dared their hair on the bottom left-ish of this picture. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhippg_4RiW6pqi85XfMy9qmci2W99tI-cV89_cQxsPMYyc2flNsDIitMa46TY0y0BQFtTDSn8LnPQ1_7m4Jw_IOn_NjUgNJSpVZ3QY_1WnWksfK2MkC627ZeeGHlISLBSh-G2BuQiiFgw/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+233+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhippg_4RiW6pqi85XfMy9qmci2W99tI-cV89_cQxsPMYyc2flNsDIitMa46TY0y0BQFtTDSn8LnPQ1_7m4Jw_IOn_NjUgNJSpVZ3QY_1WnWksfK2MkC627ZeeGHlISLBSh-G2BuQiiFgw/s640/Lago+Yojoa+233+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keri's diving in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyxxaAY10Pb3-oTDqCyFrcn4rB4v_3lgvQCmH6AffaLvhriftJ_uoELzOLqqfDHYUtylgPAdq0nw8GTxw0hlfwLEcyviKZMl6KKDEe_pBZO8Sq7OJAkXTIrJwXwQapU1qRdut147VWRI/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+239+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyxxaAY10Pb3-oTDqCyFrcn4rB4v_3lgvQCmH6AffaLvhriftJ_uoELzOLqqfDHYUtylgPAdq0nw8GTxw0hlfwLEcyviKZMl6KKDEe_pBZO8Sq7OJAkXTIrJwXwQapU1qRdut147VWRI/s640/Lago+Yojoa+239+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anna is embracing the thrill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJLaK1k89LLAsmSkn5hHgQRuaDBAOMlbJoCdRbG4vI8Ua5Jvp9B8W1hwAS6BSV387J4mSeyL9d1gBqC9qbUC_XMNo-ksDGPt3Xn6AuhGZHRnLiWHvYKp7s95ZtRdEOm4vfUAQC_QGy1s/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+243+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJLaK1k89LLAsmSkn5hHgQRuaDBAOMlbJoCdRbG4vI8Ua5Jvp9B8W1hwAS6BSV387J4mSeyL9d1gBqC9qbUC_XMNo-ksDGPt3Xn6AuhGZHRnLiWHvYKp7s95ZtRdEOm4vfUAQC_QGy1s/s640/Lago+Yojoa+243+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the pool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_dph0j9KJ0G4C1HGr7KV7nVFiZJupaMinlc2imSrE1VcMsKwXF5z9sL5fRfwMCszsrlt_Tj0Rui5qY_NzMNej8hH8KRWQxrCwlAAonfzcRsck_g0YvKTR69F1PB-b4cKoobFn7ASLRU/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+245+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_dph0j9KJ0G4C1HGr7KV7nVFiZJupaMinlc2imSrE1VcMsKwXF5z9sL5fRfwMCszsrlt_Tj0Rui5qY_NzMNej8hH8KRWQxrCwlAAonfzcRsck_g0YvKTR69F1PB-b4cKoobFn7ASLRU/s640/Lago+Yojoa+245+blog.jpg" width="490" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How scary-cool does this look? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEADMVUKSzPOF-1-T8ygpwdhQsML6Xl_DsFLfTtXo97MQzV8d4By79SoaVHvUFUDxtP_OdMNe4JdyB8s54A-6JX7sjUxsBA1KGsRicHzbxCqW0Ur_jzP81Jvk-IK_axPLIPcqYvG5PICs/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+250+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEADMVUKSzPOF-1-T8ygpwdhQsML6Xl_DsFLfTtXo97MQzV8d4By79SoaVHvUFUDxtP_OdMNe4JdyB8s54A-6JX7sjUxsBA1KGsRicHzbxCqW0Ur_jzP81Jvk-IK_axPLIPcqYvG5PICs/s640/Lago+Yojoa+250+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone who entered the falls returned from them just fine. If I ever have a chance to go back to Lago, into the waterfall I will go. However, I feel satisfied just in having pictures of someone else doing all the hard work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now, some pictures from the long ride home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkagrKmAPtqyIzaCwnk6M7CoSX_eH2aWVmI8X51NWFY_65zWzF3eRd2a_bCPehy__OU7z494ce1NGTGem7JicJZQuzf0KuzIWtP1xfjcgcxgws5QvvMcOTnRA2zHAbbzHsYwGHWexa1c/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+256+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkagrKmAPtqyIzaCwnk6M7CoSX_eH2aWVmI8X51NWFY_65zWzF3eRd2a_bCPehy__OU7z494ce1NGTGem7JicJZQuzf0KuzIWtP1xfjcgcxgws5QvvMcOTnRA2zHAbbzHsYwGHWexa1c/s640/Lago+Yojoa+256+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tried to go all "artsy" on these. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBLLIEsbswNffTCV2NfxLqiSBPr96366AML7mlsb23Pd4r1ZOY3W3Eotwd2NDbdC1Q7a0yuSdo26X4Fl9Axv-_mo6xznjGEHFqr4uAm6lPU8sqK_ek29isL86N7ttZYaESRP-RijFs0k/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+257+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBLLIEsbswNffTCV2NfxLqiSBPr96366AML7mlsb23Pd4r1ZOY3W3Eotwd2NDbdC1Q7a0yuSdo26X4Fl9Axv-_mo6xznjGEHFqr4uAm6lPU8sqK_ek29isL86N7ttZYaESRP-RijFs0k/s640/Lago+Yojoa+257+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope no one reading this has epileptic tendencies. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvJml4elWelI8BdhM_8AZ3jQCFkCre58lw7HsJpMj4_lHraND6qm3H0e-veM_g9DcWRJ96D99HIFTvulSo3jX8rYRuL7Sqs_rDi6-rZ1Dgd4HD2OuJ6K2h95KuUT1VDWBhej9GDIAnus/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvJml4elWelI8BdhM_8AZ3jQCFkCre58lw7HsJpMj4_lHraND6qm3H0e-veM_g9DcWRJ96D99HIFTvulSo3jX8rYRuL7Sqs_rDi6-rZ1Dgd4HD2OuJ6K2h95KuUT1VDWBhej9GDIAnus/s640/Lago+Yojoa+264.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Di-HFCchBCvd793Q_P4MPmonwzLlf9B_dyMHIqdippKXWUrqBRRfj6MmUmHGSzUlyAX10FSbkzEyuT1wjylkU0Nw_7xOzuLjyD648x34d5d9w6rv6y3sh3wl8kcNrKz2HYaQUXr5FdM/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+261+big+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Di-HFCchBCvd793Q_P4MPmonwzLlf9B_dyMHIqdippKXWUrqBRRfj6MmUmHGSzUlyAX10FSbkzEyuT1wjylkU0Nw_7xOzuLjyD648x34d5d9w6rv6y3sh3wl8kcNrKz2HYaQUXr5FdM/s640/Lago+Yojoa+261+big+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJmtADwexYLlIUQjmnNkXhq9XCqt3Wi_WJVohwZLeUSvLe00oRxy1X2q9ughzMJ_srGI-viEbD0ZbQ-OWiz0bvGilNJi-2BRWReprE2Pv67Mm0dqm0Gux943E-xg7dxynl5uwApwRT_E/s1600/Lago+Yojoa+262+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJmtADwexYLlIUQjmnNkXhq9XCqt3Wi_WJVohwZLeUSvLe00oRxy1X2q9ughzMJ_srGI-viEbD0ZbQ-OWiz0bvGilNJi-2BRWReprE2Pv67Mm0dqm0Gux943E-xg7dxynl5uwApwRT_E/s640/Lago+Yojoa+262+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Overall, the trip to Lago was short but sweet. I'm excited to see if the opportunity to return presents itself. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week, however, proved long and exhausting. This year, in general, has been more of a struggle than last year, but I am discovering that many of my students are dealing with some very real, painful situations. Last week, we discussed secrets in my class. One student shared that a family member had been kidnapped last summer. Another student explained that after receiving threat from a gang, her father told her he was going to hire a personal bodyguard for her. Unfortunately, kidnappings for ransom and tributes to gangs are a normal part of life in Honduras. Other students (and not just in my classes) have talked to me about split parents, abuse in the home, neglect, dire responsibilities, poverty, terror, and depression. Teaching is an emotional journal to begin with, but my heart breaks for these young people who are unfairly forced to take too much onto their plate.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday morning, an IST fifth grader name Misty was kidnapped straight out of her mother's arms. Apparently, her family owns a Chinese restaurant and it's assumed that the kidnappers believe the family can give them a large sum of money. From what I understand, the kidnappers were offered 500.000 lempiras ($25,000) and Misty was supposed to be dropped off at a certain location yesterday evening. The family was waiting, but somehow Misty is still in the care of her kidnappers tonight. Prayer (or positive thoughts, if you're not big on prayer) would be appreciated. I do not know Misty personally, but I know her teachers and others who love her. I hope Misty knows tonight that we're all praying and hoping for her safe return! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All my best and a thousand hugs from Honduras, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Julie</span></div>
Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-53441501289711390802012-09-30T16:56:00.003-07:002012-09-30T16:56:41.699-07:00Retreat! Retreat!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every year, each grade at IST gets maybe two or three "retreats." This is a time (either one day or an overnight schindig) when the students travel outside the city to hang out, play games, and hear a spiritual message.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of the time, we go to a camp called Converge. This is located outside of Tegus in the mountains. A baptist organization in the States owns and runs this camp, renting it out to groups who will use it to inspire kids and change lives. Last year, I helped lead a camp for blind children there. I never posted pictures, so here is a recap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We first spent some time becoming blind ourselves. Elena is leading a blindfolded Laura around the camp. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-OYJhvE1IdWLfEUPznQC0R1BOybusmqSyf4Tj278rT9blkNl6Od-7anL4EOIbYwFLSKjjG984Q5VQh7BqNfwN-JCx-PTNcJlQ4DUCdoLQ3wMuYvN1HSK3DYfsputjrab9QroF6nztUo/s1600/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY%2521+005+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-OYJhvE1IdWLfEUPznQC0R1BOybusmqSyf4Tj278rT9blkNl6Od-7anL4EOIbYwFLSKjjG984Q5VQh7BqNfwN-JCx-PTNcJlQ4DUCdoLQ3wMuYvN1HSK3DYfsputjrab9QroF6nztUo/s640/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY%2521+005+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hosted our own Olympic Games! This kid thought he was the <i>MAN.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjCnN7V64ZN8bZUXdXspOIvhPsKdvCkoXyXvwHPBaSh-cFpirYu2ksIdYzePwiKaUmk1kLLOfg8Hu28DI_BDotu7u3AjuLwFwWZDFcqM2Zfq3i30GFJU5x9L8aS3VcJ7TJJRuXOhcRU/s1600/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY!+037+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCjCnN7V64ZN8bZUXdXspOIvhPsKdvCkoXyXvwHPBaSh-cFpirYu2ksIdYzePwiKaUmk1kLLOfg8Hu28DI_BDotu7u3AjuLwFwWZDFcqM2Zfq3i30GFJU5x9L8aS3VcJ7TJJRuXOhcRU/s640/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY!+037+blog.jpg" width="384" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our team won! Los grios gringos! (<i>The white grasshoppers</i>!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbHaqSUWf2v5-6sLD2iUt9lBLCfWqn3GrQmzJnZAr7VDDrJKBwg4kqCqYsEVhQlH7-i84HK0Fb3brhw7F8KQNWQDtCpu6XxQ-T2L7U8VTs2vtip1h7B8PRIL2DWW59-2Wt-I-9HOq2oM/s1600/grios+gringos+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbHaqSUWf2v5-6sLD2iUt9lBLCfWqn3GrQmzJnZAr7VDDrJKBwg4kqCqYsEVhQlH7-i84HK0Fb3brhw7F8KQNWQDtCpu6XxQ-T2L7U8VTs2vtip1h7B8PRIL2DWW59-2Wt-I-9HOq2oM/s640/grios+gringos+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a side note, I forgot how thick the rain can get in Tegus. This is a pic from my apartment window last year. Yowza!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalid6MUkDQVvRtZFub7OcjdLBhyphenhyphenmmTLX2wv4Im3Ycny-T5DoIwYbW6EZJXuEfQtkq2VInocf1X5Aetiu0Pz7MF00yN2mT41L3i9qdl9cgRMPOWUKaxaYNOAkttsr_xOI16-ZdBkylO4E/s1600/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY%2521+072+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalid6MUkDQVvRtZFub7OcjdLBhyphenhyphenmmTLX2wv4Im3Ycny-T5DoIwYbW6EZJXuEfQtkq2VInocf1X5Aetiu0Pz7MF00yN2mT41L3i9qdl9cgRMPOWUKaxaYNOAkttsr_xOI16-ZdBkylO4E/s640/Recipe+-+Blind+Camp+-+GREEN+DAY%2521+072+blog.jpg" width="490" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anywhoo, back to Converge I went this past Tuesday, but with my new 9th-graders. Along the way, we marveled at Honduras' beautiful landscape.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDAB5gka2GdHCWsj5VltbOubJ8IthcfZxMhH4j6RpSX8Oz8ra8QlclpAc2N2wv9Jf_4AC3AubsjkSZw1lM4s35Tw9YDBYIpMaW9RJq87bPp9i4sxgfxzBTk3Wz1Nf229nSvfSdcLvmPQ/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+001+blog+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDAB5gka2GdHCWsj5VltbOubJ8IthcfZxMhH4j6RpSX8Oz8ra8QlclpAc2N2wv9Jf_4AC3AubsjkSZw1lM4s35Tw9YDBYIpMaW9RJq87bPp9i4sxgfxzBTk3Wz1Nf229nSvfSdcLvmPQ/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+001+blog+big.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once we arrived, the first thing to happen was the games. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iC2dm0no4CoNSR0LTnhdOuItX82cKn2p7BGJxVDoGhRy5rDh4P3JdgfpeYNylIX7RmPbvM_jcXPizk5lk6b7zaFWDMP99Z5mvcILdIp7I0E_BK5fNkix4XSLuVim9wnVBPjTAjuV5aA/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+011+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iC2dm0no4CoNSR0LTnhdOuItX82cKn2p7BGJxVDoGhRy5rDh4P3JdgfpeYNylIX7RmPbvM_jcXPizk5lk6b7zaFWDMP99Z5mvcILdIp7I0E_BK5fNkix4XSLuVim9wnVBPjTAjuV5aA/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+011+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Water-balloon volleyball!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMOMAiv6y1RbkkyJaPNOiZ9Lx42-shHHx-gh1QK4cDNYSZkcWFdWvLT9dgAME6P8W0JDoQa3PCoiY3Vl5wbxt-bwirlFvAgMSv0HEUUUaLK3bBq28btZp8sMbhr_dsSXTy48S78x5Rsg/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+014+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMOMAiv6y1RbkkyJaPNOiZ9Lx42-shHHx-gh1QK4cDNYSZkcWFdWvLT9dgAME6P8W0JDoQa3PCoiY3Vl5wbxt-bwirlFvAgMSv0HEUUUaLK3bBq28btZp8sMbhr_dsSXTy48S78x5Rsg/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+014+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsF8M2-908UJOAvx5mYcftLKxzns-stYCfKITtxBlV8ayj3PPCN_8zCM8ajrA_TVANVWXht4NTuwPvHRNtiFh-t-a4q-HaOfjBXhekcL2j1TJUgAjyvF_D0YmPKZsDe4te96ka-8c7lY/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+008+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsF8M2-908UJOAvx5mYcftLKxzns-stYCfKITtxBlV8ayj3PPCN_8zCM8ajrA_TVANVWXht4NTuwPvHRNtiFh-t-a4q-HaOfjBXhekcL2j1TJUgAjyvF_D0YmPKZsDe4te96ka-8c7lY/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+008+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOEGnPEhCEwPc7h0ZxIKhIzd6w4vzOCBvtMJPsuRiMRC4B1ifpLcsKuftIGmrLNk0xrA_azmhZFoxWyP_2GB7gkqG6_TRQ-E1IWR50MIMqZjGahcNasEydYJyX2-6spP0L9uoWl37WWs/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+020+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOEGnPEhCEwPc7h0ZxIKhIzd6w4vzOCBvtMJPsuRiMRC4B1ifpLcsKuftIGmrLNk0xrA_azmhZFoxWyP_2GB7gkqG6_TRQ-E1IWR50MIMqZjGahcNasEydYJyX2-6spP0L9uoWl37WWs/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+020+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bunch of my students just being cool:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVtTWsmhN3wMdu7C19SaE81EIkK6kaZjWMQP5UAGKyVwaBK_bIqdQGcTO9PjkJYDXXMo0lwb5xMdUxKbp74acGNulaZtOz6DdC5qP5zusU9k0BWXu5bPaLl8zMAliLz13oXJIpW4ZMOM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+033+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVtTWsmhN3wMdu7C19SaE81EIkK6kaZjWMQP5UAGKyVwaBK_bIqdQGcTO9PjkJYDXXMo0lwb5xMdUxKbp74acGNulaZtOz6DdC5qP5zusU9k0BWXu5bPaLl8zMAliLz13oXJIpW4ZMOM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+033+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, was the balloon relay. The student in the back of the line had to blow up a balloon, crawl under everyone's legs, and run to the designated area to sit on the balloon and pop it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcS3v7zo1fBJZWld0pEe_1mwgeew9a5weM59_Wsj_AC6RlGnYQyzfEC4K5dzI_C9kylmG6C7TJd_4Ixo5cXpxmRvdOzxqCbmPVCKSEIpMT0z3ZF0a0qV7i3ORqMy-iW8adsMYKc5RTzM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+046+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcS3v7zo1fBJZWld0pEe_1mwgeew9a5weM59_Wsj_AC6RlGnYQyzfEC4K5dzI_C9kylmG6C7TJd_4Ixo5cXpxmRvdOzxqCbmPVCKSEIpMT0z3ZF0a0qV7i3ORqMy-iW8adsMYKc5RTzM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+046+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Running with the balloon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNVT7jUqP2xP4J8dG5tDo5HYfUeUp1RM78SlywUvwsM2LHfvHFcS3VNWmTEtx9I60pF0FfZQlODpvGQoqLDDTBu8RsK-VtghAxHRKGNmx2nUEGontftLy9VouRhDY8kOxEVQEsDLzOig/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+095+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNVT7jUqP2xP4J8dG5tDo5HYfUeUp1RM78SlywUvwsM2LHfvHFcS3VNWmTEtx9I60pF0FfZQlODpvGQoqLDDTBu8RsK-VtghAxHRKGNmx2nUEGontftLy9VouRhDY8kOxEVQEsDLzOig/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+095+edit.jpg" width="444" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a bunch of pictures of my students sitting on balloons, but to be honest, they looked too weird to post. One can't exactly tell what they are doing and I didn't want people guessing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the last game, each student from the two teams held a piece of paper with a number on it. Mr. G called out a long number (1, 543, 298, for example) and each team had to attempt to form the number as fast as possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5Tra6IovtE0W8D4wAw6FIrlgzUt-_oJgUYw9c8a1jiApuu-EBJmzetPKKuSf9r37CWiEzRLNslvGYM2xCvrg0RTIV1N9SlO7g5JmrmdwrHfaLhCZHhUUuNBfT72rzXMUlOQSwOslcx8/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+037+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5Tra6IovtE0W8D4wAw6FIrlgzUt-_oJgUYw9c8a1jiApuu-EBJmzetPKKuSf9r37CWiEzRLNslvGYM2xCvrg0RTIV1N9SlO7g5JmrmdwrHfaLhCZHhUUuNBfT72rzXMUlOQSwOslcx8/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+037+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBG2fiBlY1IOBDByenxaaLOQ0Omb9VmLCIAdmo3ikcraI6AiMQgCf5-ittQ4F3mpoVqug-SmkAXg2eG3qPzdODStuPkgqGQ64NTh7fGzjgDdYPWo3VtamCfkPZkbWlVnFKpmH6wgYtU0/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+070+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBG2fiBlY1IOBDByenxaaLOQ0Omb9VmLCIAdmo3ikcraI6AiMQgCf5-ittQ4F3mpoVqug-SmkAXg2eG3qPzdODStuPkgqGQ64NTh7fGzjgDdYPWo3VtamCfkPZkbWlVnFKpmH6wgYtU0/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+070+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did have some free time to just chill. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgqRHtxph-ruAXDBHjX1VxIgEHchRYZw4Q2XY2YigEvcOrzbOQJRpmqR75GS4Hxd3oRXqkm383SGqor3nwGySGAEYBs_ywoucEevy9o3NGdhMyS17fkNJ07iRyzJYTrVs6flrLXT6p_8/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+100+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgqRHtxph-ruAXDBHjX1VxIgEHchRYZw4Q2XY2YigEvcOrzbOQJRpmqR75GS4Hxd3oRXqkm383SGqor3nwGySGAEYBs_ywoucEevy9o3NGdhMyS17fkNJ07iRyzJYTrVs6flrLXT6p_8/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+100+blog.jpg" width="582" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are too many zany things happening in this picture (including Mr. Winkler counting (?) in the background).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTxlfs4e0mo5KPOZcNkl7wPpSVdRqzku8CwbnSIupJinWPIVU8fYIvL-RpDgBEQ36mFvObGpeY9MQb76eJNfzWA0_zoaG0zF9WNjCVGAOxRQbqnqHfB4APU5BSnn7U6KEwdArqDWBKaM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+021+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTxlfs4e0mo5KPOZcNkl7wPpSVdRqzku8CwbnSIupJinWPIVU8fYIvL-RpDgBEQ36mFvObGpeY9MQb76eJNfzWA0_zoaG0zF9WNjCVGAOxRQbqnqHfB4APU5BSnn7U6KEwdArqDWBKaM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+021+blog.jpg" width="514" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of my lovely students.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS49VNG-uAKnNcuR2VduaQf96qpKTR1G_T2QfLJjBsPxNT7mnkDipDw1-tfz7pcmWfB6X4uzw22mpZfRTl_g-TcuHJfCJDaPGHCdhlsvxobw5ShQD5w3NwVDb0HYZqg7qLID8LiS-2Afk/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+023+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS49VNG-uAKnNcuR2VduaQf96qpKTR1G_T2QfLJjBsPxNT7mnkDipDw1-tfz7pcmWfB6X4uzw22mpZfRTl_g-TcuHJfCJDaPGHCdhlsvxobw5ShQD5w3NwVDb0HYZqg7qLID8LiS-2Afk/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+023+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcZACkToDapveST4zDisZ5to3KsbCENwBkpfXxMkz3G43VrLFx55NGxsy5Zxe7htJKSosNOldsFuhl7x3IzxxIP_AUWwh7LrM80tnxbQQ0q2aoT35tq1LGWb-5Sk8rY0rhgA6hcbnLR4/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+026+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcZACkToDapveST4zDisZ5to3KsbCENwBkpfXxMkz3G43VrLFx55NGxsy5Zxe7htJKSosNOldsFuhl7x3IzxxIP_AUWwh7LrM80tnxbQQ0q2aoT35tq1LGWb-5Sk8rY0rhgA6hcbnLR4/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+026+blog.jpg" width="406" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_i8UvMcxLgWl-4r3yU_7X_O6qLEu36HlSj4EQHoQOaAiGCRxUOLBlMlPk6RQMAiOmVGvlkd4FFEtMwuIiena-q71HfARZ9tNxUm8rY97DM96oCgtXmRGclUGwVM4RuT0Ek5oivYoO9o/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+027+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_i8UvMcxLgWl-4r3yU_7X_O6qLEu36HlSj4EQHoQOaAiGCRxUOLBlMlPk6RQMAiOmVGvlkd4FFEtMwuIiena-q71HfARZ9tNxUm8rY97DM96oCgtXmRGclUGwVM4RuT0Ek5oivYoO9o/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+027+blog.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A random, theatrical moment happened here. It can't be explained or quantified.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4RnoAtUG-QSCcpfc1adhI-GhnPtkSpj0WH-Qvu7Wi_PSyb_4_vQk1vKIjv0Cyz8H51u6uN-s88SMF1GILB3NR451D-Ng1EY1_8V28S2lzlo33Lxh2MMEmkHkgUro1MJEZ9Tl45UUASM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+028+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4RnoAtUG-QSCcpfc1adhI-GhnPtkSpj0WH-Qvu7Wi_PSyb_4_vQk1vKIjv0Cyz8H51u6uN-s88SMF1GILB3NR451D-Ng1EY1_8V28S2lzlo33Lxh2MMEmkHkgUro1MJEZ9Tl45UUASM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+028+blog.jpg" width="372" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Had to make a little collage of these two. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3N6VM38E2XqH4NIUQAEVVEKwSHhaksQDbljjldhyrlhrCsbiYRegH7SvnB6cTURDrFBd8fA8j97csLvC6704rONsjVhO87omWFKihI3D_LVK0y650NJauatRL1fFKTp5t4Cu6Qn3BHQ/s1600/too+cool+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3N6VM38E2XqH4NIUQAEVVEKwSHhaksQDbljjldhyrlhrCsbiYRegH7SvnB6cTURDrFBd8fA8j97csLvC6704rONsjVhO87omWFKihI3D_LVK0y650NJauatRL1fFKTp5t4Cu6Qn3BHQ/s640/too+cool+collage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adorable!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWMHzNQsO92HR_6702bUHcgDpgDRmXVqKy9TJoSIoj7M0nDQBtT1E1GHO7eQuQoSYEi3ZbMtrX6_0vF3JtNgG2jLOnoM1dYroq2Ptbs_dzSRpNS91hIaNORIaXNxQ7lQqDHKxQ-YNJGY/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+035+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWMHzNQsO92HR_6702bUHcgDpgDRmXVqKy9TJoSIoj7M0nDQBtT1E1GHO7eQuQoSYEi3ZbMtrX6_0vF3JtNgG2jLOnoM1dYroq2Ptbs_dzSRpNS91hIaNORIaXNxQ7lQqDHKxQ-YNJGY/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+035+blog.jpg" width="472" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiding out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2paKSyd-YWPu3RJLeVZP14dQr-0kDwDYCf7SJeVOfZsi1TDV49ECZgfPHbEyh9EAjDxLu_LqPIdlYYILdyqlUaSDdcRYcSz8BHaRx0AD4rXHK7PJGc6LSuJeVbVz9Q8Vp9zIlQaszvOY/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+036+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2paKSyd-YWPu3RJLeVZP14dQr-0kDwDYCf7SJeVOfZsi1TDV49ECZgfPHbEyh9EAjDxLu_LqPIdlYYILdyqlUaSDdcRYcSz8BHaRx0AD4rXHK7PJGc6LSuJeVbVz9Q8Vp9zIlQaszvOY/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+036+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeRuSw__r3QTNeoMSsB4jQ0_sKIKT1aerm4nRaOB3holv7KcG__UumaVhjY8bry_nxcDaf25dZxc2LaS8Rym0YkHgEg1BgTTMFHPssTh-G7anAkaB8FuRNgCH4ek7StTf4XR8iAfdGBM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+094+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeRuSw__r3QTNeoMSsB4jQ0_sKIKT1aerm4nRaOB3holv7KcG__UumaVhjY8bry_nxcDaf25dZxc2LaS8Rym0YkHgEg1BgTTMFHPssTh-G7anAkaB8FuRNgCH4ek7StTf4XR8iAfdGBM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+094+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The grounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxPnbzGPhMAybFstphEUHmaMQgxavSwok20upfs-2uwlLts4Hw2J9M6DKXe09CaqxMKubISqapWsbv9qiVI3dLvmFnydj2qokp49fSFoez_9qr6g_NMh3_7eNE1j4iczzXV6A_Gblh8E/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+119+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxPnbzGPhMAybFstphEUHmaMQgxavSwok20upfs-2uwlLts4Hw2J9M6DKXe09CaqxMKubISqapWsbv9qiVI3dLvmFnydj2qokp49fSFoez_9qr6g_NMh3_7eNE1j4iczzXV6A_Gblh8E/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+119+blog.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The camp involuntarily hosts puppies from time to time when one of the strays gives birth. This puppy is absolutely precious and fiercely hungry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6EuOxPq5md-dklqrLHor-C94SJfd6ZQcTkGA_MXcAiHjIFbYeAaNiUyl7wZ2Pnte67GtS5BcWsdwm3Kcb5LOfQgsYM33crBAHQfavWDV5NqxXHK-Sbmb5fsqI9kfowCtl_9GJL_1QLM/s1600/puppy+pics+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6EuOxPq5md-dklqrLHor-C94SJfd6ZQcTkGA_MXcAiHjIFbYeAaNiUyl7wZ2Pnte67GtS5BcWsdwm3Kcb5LOfQgsYM33crBAHQfavWDV5NqxXHK-Sbmb5fsqI9kfowCtl_9GJL_1QLM/s640/puppy+pics+1.jpg" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His brother, too. We gave all of our leftovers to these little guys, but we had to lower the plates as close as we could to the ground and then we just dropped the plates. Otherwise, we might have lost some hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLR7XSSGf2y1IHCQUmOumWIH7Ka890eGgiPtU7iMchFo-uTz7ZMTnO3D7g23ABOtr-h7WhyphenhyphenhWDkBLUfxjPH1xaIs1P1sDdRcHdT-ySJeOfQMdUlCC5UodPvCJlaTehfJGtD2jQ87Ei2Y/s1600/puppy+pics+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLR7XSSGf2y1IHCQUmOumWIH7Ka890eGgiPtU7iMchFo-uTz7ZMTnO3D7g23ABOtr-h7WhyphenhyphenhWDkBLUfxjPH1xaIs1P1sDdRcHdT-ySJeOfQMdUlCC5UodPvCJlaTehfJGtD2jQ87Ei2Y/s640/puppy+pics+3.jpg" width="614" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this picture: one of my students and the aforementioned hungry, hungry puppy.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-AnZ9R0qSOGMAJTQGmymy7nsawwnwELWfPjtPznRWwTBPmmsLkJNqYb7KeMP-9bjDvsn-zy-17Nnn_861N2mvJomJmuVrcZ7Rw0y91wrl70dh_2ykLwV6P3RkNW2ioJlUl6QMTlCZFM/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+143+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-AnZ9R0qSOGMAJTQGmymy7nsawwnwELWfPjtPznRWwTBPmmsLkJNqYb7KeMP-9bjDvsn-zy-17Nnn_861N2mvJomJmuVrcZ7Rw0y91wrl70dh_2ykLwV6P3RkNW2ioJlUl6QMTlCZFM/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+143+blog+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the mama, I presume. She hung around her pups the whole time we were there, just staring at us like this. To me, she didn't seem angry, but desperate. As dramatic as it sounds, she seemed to say, "You can play with my babies all you want, just <i>feed </i>them too."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF6GCs_JkMQuE_AgPPL8yUxfcU_N_VVa5Nec5Xf9bSUoroJtmRLgrB6FiDE87W7ZUZDZrAri948HLP_mw2VX4Mwli-X-sM3LebZrgs_JHStarbqUSEQ39rQcVQJ5YZwjWIo5Xvf6nXkc/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+146+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnF6GCs_JkMQuE_AgPPL8yUxfcU_N_VVa5Nec5Xf9bSUoroJtmRLgrB6FiDE87W7ZUZDZrAri948HLP_mw2VX4Mwli-X-sM3LebZrgs_JHStarbqUSEQ39rQcVQJ5YZwjWIo5Xvf6nXkc/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+146+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way home, I attempted to take pictures of the humongous wind turbines on the mountains. They seem to appear out of nowhere and they stand incredibly stark against the clear blue skies (and those happen quite a lot in Honduras). </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z9iG7_Pd6pXecEMiFjA53J29P9RHc86XtY0uO8YoLLteri_lkcWtslpNLxJ6PgS3qf61fGnyhnFMO92GKnQbsfNwhwwx8RJesuqAppz9aAnq4lTY9lnapFzgerWnblEMeb2gKNFd_rg/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+003+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z9iG7_Pd6pXecEMiFjA53J29P9RHc86XtY0uO8YoLLteri_lkcWtslpNLxJ6PgS3qf61fGnyhnFMO92GKnQbsfNwhwwx8RJesuqAppz9aAnq4lTY9lnapFzgerWnblEMeb2gKNFd_rg/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+003+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI_oj43ozw6Pq-eC7J6fadnIdbj3NKodpjG3bubNKSatMQjuOanmIzUbqAESBuh6mJH2hFK0q8b0yZ9eazU14wovsO5XqNklI5XFVkKyXPTEn5WfdHWF5aXc7Y2FxuOzIg4-H8ZkVFpU/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+161+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrI_oj43ozw6Pq-eC7J6fadnIdbj3NKodpjG3bubNKSatMQjuOanmIzUbqAESBuh6mJH2hFK0q8b0yZ9eazU14wovsO5XqNklI5XFVkKyXPTEn5WfdHWF5aXc7Y2FxuOzIg4-H8ZkVFpU/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+161+blog.jpg" width="506" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More of the countryside. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVloJ4UqY4TbqmgQa0pKZoVDM5297VIVnhWPR07dCPkIK2GyGYLQ-VliREeipnrDIE1GCrTmpyR213v9J4oF7Ieka_A3m_QOQTYo6fUI5ePF9UamtOYam5EulmQ745QLirYsRamfVJfA/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+165+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVloJ4UqY4TbqmgQa0pKZoVDM5297VIVnhWPR07dCPkIK2GyGYLQ-VliREeipnrDIE1GCrTmpyR213v9J4oF7Ieka_A3m_QOQTYo6fUI5ePF9UamtOYam5EulmQ745QLirYsRamfVJfA/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+165+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful Honduras. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6Js8DgVg33G-a7W2y6_e6OY1CU3p3AS8Y74ls54KJDkIiZEEAzsd6Fd5BtZ9RAQJTDMHcsMTg8kBIYajRYmiOKk_gl-MsP-k1peaRBLWRixR3TXMoLysMDoN8NMU6multAcNGDw33I/s1600/9th+Grade+Retreat+168+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk6Js8DgVg33G-a7W2y6_e6OY1CU3p3AS8Y74ls54KJDkIiZEEAzsd6Fd5BtZ9RAQJTDMHcsMTg8kBIYajRYmiOKk_gl-MsP-k1peaRBLWRixR3TXMoLysMDoN8NMU6multAcNGDw33I/s640/9th+Grade+Retreat+168+blog.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly, this past week was a long one. That "new school year honeymoon" is over and we're realizing (and remembering, no doubt) how much work this sort of thing actually requires. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week, I'm anticipating another long, but enjoyable, couple of days. Tomorrow night, the Teacher Book Club is reuniting once more to eat delicious tacos and discuss the first half of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Silver-The-Betrayed-Series/dp/1612185118">30 Pieces of Silver</a>. </i>Tuesday night, marks the North American community's first trivia night hosted by myself and Matt Winkler (the photo-bomber of Fiesta Catracha). We've come up with some quirky/crazy/hilarious questions this year and Estee and her team have been quizzing each other on random, useless facts for days. On Wednesday, my student book club, The Fellowship of the Book, meets to discuss the first couple chapters of Scott Westerfield's sci-fi dystopian thriller, <i>Uglies. </i>Then, this weekend, the North American community is heading to Lago de Yojoa (Remember in the last post when I mentioned <i>the </i>lake of Honduras? This is it. The one and only.) Apparently, while there, one can zipline (I made that a verb, see?), rent a horse, stay at a brewery, hike, stand under a waterfall, etc. Sounds like Honduras-fun and I'm game!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite all these amazing happenings, I must confess I'm somewhat sad to see all the fabulous art prize pictures, especially since Grand Rapids went all <i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=tangled&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D12&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=u9RoUPnYJIes8QTwjoG4CA&biw=1366&bih=643&sei=wdRoUNiTEIji8gTFkoCQCA#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=tangled+lanterns&oq=tangled+lanterns&gs_l=img.3..0l6.930.2316.0.2436.9.7.0.0.0.0.398.908.0j1j0j2.3.0...0.0...1c.1.bFmQyFx_d90&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=f29aa9175a7d194c&biw=1366&bih=643">Tangled </a></i>with the lanterns this year (I hope those were biodegradable, by the way). Plus, this is the first year that I will miss the entirety of autumn. The pumpkins, the sweaters, the boots, the apples, the pies, the sweet potato dishes, the Starbucks seasonal lattes, etc. I found <a href="http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/fast-recipes/apple-cider-floats">this recipe</a> for apple cider floats and nearly wept. This morning, I got all worked up about a great recipe for butternut squash soup until I remembered that I'm in a tropical country and cannot find such things. In fact, the translation for squash is <i>calabaza</i>: pumpkin. Not the same thing! Not at all! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, on my behalf, <i>please </i>enjoy all the wonderful things mentioned above, especially the apple cider floats. I will be posting again before you know it!</span>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-14983450588378249392012-09-23T19:17:00.001-07:002012-09-23T19:29:39.291-07:00Picacho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last weekend, after the festivities of Fiesta Catracha, the whole of the IST community enjoyed a glorious three-day weekend. Some of us went to places like Amapala (a simple, but dreamy island off the southern coast of Honduras) and Lago de Yojoa (Honduras's famous lake, <i>the </i>lake), but many of us were tuckered out and chose to experience one of Tegus's many local charms: <i>El Picacho</i>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Picacho </i>is actually the name of the mountain that sits in the northernmost point of the city. It<i> </i>is a <i>ramal </i>(or "branch") off <i>la Monta<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">ñ</span>a de la Tigra</i> where<i> </i>La Tigra national park is and where Jorge and Monica run their (amazing/delicious/European) hostel. Picacho is known in Honduras for a.) boasting the best view of the city and for b.) housing the monument <i>El Cristo del Picacho</i> which is a 30-meter high statue of Christ. Constructed in 1997, this statue is very similar to the statue <i>Cristo Redentor </i>in Rio de Janeiro. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcome to Picacho!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtt0q4uc-0zrQs-lZ1NFADi2h-eImPa11P4U4nvaj4ZKAP0vsvzgzZq5WQzg_fQ6Rs3RL2T0qsMZvjvj9DR1LE3Fapp2KqprtVUgdA8wG7IcwDo6N_BEeTeYGJOwDf3Eaj5iXf3tGu4M/s1600/Picacho-Valle+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtt0q4uc-0zrQs-lZ1NFADi2h-eImPa11P4U4nvaj4ZKAP0vsvzgzZq5WQzg_fQ6Rs3RL2T0qsMZvjvj9DR1LE3Fapp2KqprtVUgdA8wG7IcwDo6N_BEeTeYGJOwDf3Eaj5iXf3tGu4M/s640/Picacho-Valle+002+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Picacho also gives life to some beautiful gardens. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOpnjj_3DVeSEeecTqsZU6Neu72T5_ZC-r4UHbEeY_AXAZYsU-IxNeEy3ZQhznbjhEZBsPLz4nsk_-cx4iRhbjOscrCdae9ULPsuJv8pDMLrjFg7flc8Jwfv3Bv4_k8adfoWP0cT9tfI/s1600/Picacho-Valle+004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOpnjj_3DVeSEeecTqsZU6Neu72T5_ZC-r4UHbEeY_AXAZYsU-IxNeEy3ZQhznbjhEZBsPLz4nsk_-cx4iRhbjOscrCdae9ULPsuJv8pDMLrjFg7flc8Jwfv3Bv4_k8adfoWP0cT9tfI/s640/Picacho-Valle+004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhMOK9Wcr8yJXJWSL-06TWHCgOs0-miP-19eUXjCvwBf_S5XkW6O26rt0T60ufC1dJkIT6GjtUaKAIEQjYi8ZdpjqU4Wk4KujWfllLOaM0lFhGBOucJhHTDmRIKcCvWdvhrzhpYLg7wo/s1600/Picacho-Valle+023+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhMOK9Wcr8yJXJWSL-06TWHCgOs0-miP-19eUXjCvwBf_S5XkW6O26rt0T60ufC1dJkIT6GjtUaKAIEQjYi8ZdpjqU4Wk4KujWfllLOaM0lFhGBOucJhHTDmRIKcCvWdvhrzhpYLg7wo/s640/Picacho-Valle+023+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0lFxUwwGtF6IeRMtkyKxU0fN6YkGUGC6uixtY0kSg_WpElOB1kmbSsga0wrGFhaV7XhXFoRd2PxbzOjPsU4oads5TsxqOs4oDEZPswBUZQuaf386Vr2s3eWyakLkhVrou9YwToYh7ng/s1600/Picacho-Valle+008+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0lFxUwwGtF6IeRMtkyKxU0fN6YkGUGC6uixtY0kSg_WpElOB1kmbSsga0wrGFhaV7XhXFoRd2PxbzOjPsU4oads5TsxqOs4oDEZPswBUZQuaf386Vr2s3eWyakLkhVrou9YwToYh7ng/s640/Picacho-Valle+008+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The inevitable flower picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgTz6tyPh9XC_OOE-3neFRTtund9oiii8FA8WfBjp44vo-_2V8kvWKrAVio61tr_24UQwrUY3NHFsrcq1x_lOAjnBxrBbmC6dJnxq4QTWH0GBh-DVeXMfAyfo6VLmjneEstcp-ugZ1WU/s1600/Picacho-Valle+009+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgTz6tyPh9XC_OOE-3neFRTtund9oiii8FA8WfBjp44vo-_2V8kvWKrAVio61tr_24UQwrUY3NHFsrcq1x_lOAjnBxrBbmC6dJnxq4QTWH0GBh-DVeXMfAyfo6VLmjneEstcp-ugZ1WU/s640/Picacho-Valle+009+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is a picture of a palm tree that turned out funky. Still pretty, I say.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinq5YvbRQg22SKZs4fZC606PyU7Q04inKdHGW5FcJtCGWoGUe4zwJmnJSE3IWvtOJBYqxV5qIcNq12iYey8UeDWu3IVcZLKhoC12GRv_mDExc-QMnUuEhpbREVnlRVbO1E5ucl7n36Og/s1600/Picacho-Valle+010+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinq5YvbRQg22SKZs4fZC606PyU7Q04inKdHGW5FcJtCGWoGUe4zwJmnJSE3IWvtOJBYqxV5qIcNq12iYey8UeDWu3IVcZLKhoC12GRv_mDExc-QMnUuEhpbREVnlRVbO1E5ucl7n36Og/s640/Picacho-Valle+010+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
"Honduras" spelled in delicate, groomed shrubbery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiif2E4_Yi088MyiydKC1BynHuuqBgWCQmdBgx6Mc4NTEPEjaXMgiUQjzPNfXl9meQnZFVO84UvwFtRWe79D4WCVfu9ejCAYJGUDTeexxRMAUup4N6RXBuMnLUdwe_kiUBn7K9d3Mayl0/s1600/Picacho-Valle+013+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiif2E4_Yi088MyiydKC1BynHuuqBgWCQmdBgx6Mc4NTEPEjaXMgiUQjzPNfXl9meQnZFVO84UvwFtRWe79D4WCVfu9ejCAYJGUDTeexxRMAUup4N6RXBuMnLUdwe_kiUBn7K9d3Mayl0/s640/Picacho-Valle+013+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A cool sign. It reads, I think, "Parks are tests of our culture." </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKPvlnzOYiQlzOZbGHQWmqvol0NO9FkbI_MPxhBpaA6D3bXIaCy8vE0ZxCC78euEojUOxNytU7QE58_j0Qy4z9Y4WyCsCiCopyOpzxTxIm0qglXnACq21rf9usnnTGWLeY_Wp5UGx5m8/s1600/Picacho-Valle+015+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKPvlnzOYiQlzOZbGHQWmqvol0NO9FkbI_MPxhBpaA6D3bXIaCy8vE0ZxCC78euEojUOxNytU7QE58_j0Qy4z9Y4WyCsCiCopyOpzxTxIm0qglXnACq21rf9usnnTGWLeY_Wp5UGx5m8/s640/Picacho-Valle+015+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can't find these things in Michigan. I believe these are called "paradise" flowers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKBZZb5hV8NHtYt712-KyFQwG4C2GCAZ-Ik6Ak9961gwqTTbqi-bidmXwmNH4t8BIyXzZ1W3pr6x9pt1b4O45tJWgHlhv38mw5G6NAdHd7XVwbKHyWAa3rrV2W7dtIBJSP2i6z_hicps/s1600/Picacho-Valle+016+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKBZZb5hV8NHtYt712-KyFQwG4C2GCAZ-Ik6Ak9961gwqTTbqi-bidmXwmNH4t8BIyXzZ1W3pr6x9pt1b4O45tJWgHlhv38mw5G6NAdHd7XVwbKHyWAa3rrV2W7dtIBJSP2i6z_hicps/s640/Picacho-Valle+016+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT9TUmIVMj-URB-iOV-4SqvG5VQmNiBZek2VxqqZ_JH_1KBypj87xVsmdjmsunXJygOewS1DJov6ob92uGf9XFoJTnb4OiNHhCw2miGOZBOxm9W0PmF5dwVX1tSRJaJrZrpsj3kILdNU/s1600/Picacho-Valle+017+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRT9TUmIVMj-URB-iOV-4SqvG5VQmNiBZek2VxqqZ_JH_1KBypj87xVsmdjmsunXJygOewS1DJov6ob92uGf9XFoJTnb4OiNHhCw2miGOZBOxm9W0PmF5dwVX1tSRJaJrZrpsj3kILdNU/s640/Picacho-Valle+017+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Beautiful, green Honduras.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikcX7K9PMem1GYMtZQOgckevxUcBmog4ACXJhZLEwOL4jkkM8SjKZz_PR3BqYZ_ESdohnZ45bVrqtYOqVQz4o1Z4FoIcnjHNWCSeinavZTkJSPqUi-tInPzrKgrhZxbkmnaTx54lPyCs/s1600/Picacho-Valle+021+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikcX7K9PMem1GYMtZQOgckevxUcBmog4ACXJhZLEwOL4jkkM8SjKZz_PR3BqYZ_ESdohnZ45bVrqtYOqVQz4o1Z4FoIcnjHNWCSeinavZTkJSPqUi-tInPzrKgrhZxbkmnaTx54lPyCs/s640/Picacho-Valle+021+blog.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeZy8e1_mpozipBi8aebw55bIOCXWOrlQnT68EwGhjfeOiZrSkVd2bf2z-suyE89f7ZNx5vuThgZf8RG_hCG5PNl8w4JstChc19qRWePmwYIMes9xVYjz0ghIEvIvcWdLUa3agyXRhIg/s1600/Picacho-Valle+024+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeZy8e1_mpozipBi8aebw55bIOCXWOrlQnT68EwGhjfeOiZrSkVd2bf2z-suyE89f7ZNx5vuThgZf8RG_hCG5PNl8w4JstChc19qRWePmwYIMes9xVYjz0ghIEvIvcWdLUa3agyXRhIg/s640/Picacho-Valle+024+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jesus - that way! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWFOr5809M-xvD5jNlibWiAqBEetBNo3GpQIXJYg51JfPVC7hnqxiKQZJMxegRZIcgOUuLBzebD-S4uYzR_PiTxzwi6UOVeXxhBWPa9JNHsjQoy4-21HRKVBe4KhRXrtojFKNpLN0958/s1600/Picacho-Valle+026+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWFOr5809M-xvD5jNlibWiAqBEetBNo3GpQIXJYg51JfPVC7hnqxiKQZJMxegRZIcgOUuLBzebD-S4uYzR_PiTxzwi6UOVeXxhBWPa9JNHsjQoy4-21HRKVBe4KhRXrtojFKNpLN0958/s640/Picacho-Valle+026+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr7ByRpQMuq_LYzybyUVA6O_LQKZcGwQdSvKVl9dZXtuPLycaiBGKcYYan9cguDMw3gwLKiSIHYNVIbQQh5AqUWVb4nvZhqR2lQ-C4cgN2SIN4rpDzk0ooNFhsWOQ6HTRkLGQgF1rnuI/s1600/Picacho-Valle+028+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr7ByRpQMuq_LYzybyUVA6O_LQKZcGwQdSvKVl9dZXtuPLycaiBGKcYYan9cguDMw3gwLKiSIHYNVIbQQh5AqUWVb4nvZhqR2lQ-C4cgN2SIN4rpDzk0ooNFhsWOQ6HTRkLGQgF1rnuI/s640/Picacho-Valle+028+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is what we're here for, folks.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wVlGq7TmQzW-r4LkxCBF1d5ibUj7-Wg8WA3mwk2ZGXqpgZXMpNb4Dy1DtrzlO0xt-Ij07crzIhOG2-2qVHMSCu-P7s8OnNDU4S18chhNHe5ZzBOu6Fxv4utEoC2j7yxBoQEl-EjsbnQ/s1600/Picacho-Valle+031+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wVlGq7TmQzW-r4LkxCBF1d5ibUj7-Wg8WA3mwk2ZGXqpgZXMpNb4Dy1DtrzlO0xt-Ij07crzIhOG2-2qVHMSCu-P7s8OnNDU4S18chhNHe5ZzBOu6Fxv4utEoC2j7yxBoQEl-EjsbnQ/s640/Picacho-Valle+031+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YhInE_FFQthYi6BxFXeUQpZZmr94yZ05ZordmYfmxjJa6GgUDy7hbuTU7FvXdExo_vwoDKBiC5P3GEpdEuLyHtLQpgKq6UrznNwIrfGvbf0DIW1d8fiMNlW_VBkhVbZ2NP9zi2Kmfo4/s1600/Picacho-Valle+030+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YhInE_FFQthYi6BxFXeUQpZZmr94yZ05ZordmYfmxjJa6GgUDy7hbuTU7FvXdExo_vwoDKBiC5P3GEpdEuLyHtLQpgKq6UrznNwIrfGvbf0DIW1d8fiMNlW_VBkhVbZ2NP9zi2Kmfo4/s640/Picacho-Valle+030+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTrpazjb9LGSDpsoKkiN4UPN18N5AxL7xQtgOuWV5ohoT1FMbSfuqOPm6hsZVih4cNhmPjarkQoyJD5K-cicWhaCPdbvWuNc69G5p2EDwNqF98Ntmc72ur8yJBtz2OJ_h1-McGzaMeSc/s1600/Picacho-Valle+032+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTrpazjb9LGSDpsoKkiN4UPN18N5AxL7xQtgOuWV5ohoT1FMbSfuqOPm6hsZVih4cNhmPjarkQoyJD5K-cicWhaCPdbvWuNc69G5p2EDwNqF98Ntmc72ur8yJBtz2OJ_h1-McGzaMeSc/s640/Picacho-Valle+032+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjceokhHOCbk96f3C9Cm4VVpPB3ZvzasiyU5Tai8gEZ318jwXp0LNVzOeXp5gHdH06vRAYUR_gRY4cjATpI6MqeVnTlc6og0ZtHvCOGzQiKKygdzub_y7bhCQeV2Q0vgaCmyrZMTZg1k4/s1600/Picacho-Valle+033+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjceokhHOCbk96f3C9Cm4VVpPB3ZvzasiyU5Tai8gEZ318jwXp0LNVzOeXp5gHdH06vRAYUR_gRY4cjATpI6MqeVnTlc6og0ZtHvCOGzQiKKygdzub_y7bhCQeV2Q0vgaCmyrZMTZg1k4/s640/Picacho-Valle+033+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Taking in the view.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQue7P1gSqHG7FEuq3Ouc876iLQj6JcDwUscFzNRP9t8whuFbJxJbv3XWOpK4ICe8RCZhFY1i-Rk0WrmfZOZ34P-sjVIWw053uReVx6ur4aS5oP86d6M4Yxl2GylPHHosT4kpiCUCXtdI/s1600/Picacho-Valle+035+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQue7P1gSqHG7FEuq3Ouc876iLQj6JcDwUscFzNRP9t8whuFbJxJbv3XWOpK4ICe8RCZhFY1i-Rk0WrmfZOZ34P-sjVIWw053uReVx6ur4aS5oP86d6M4Yxl2GylPHHosT4kpiCUCXtdI/s640/Picacho-Valle+035+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Estee and Kristi.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVWEmiZOCQctoknqBzvfZ5N8wHV-O2X46oun44w1oZGQIQuOEIWJr67NQlRcc_x3nLRF7-1RU2BpVm1XCSr_Rw-s13Bv1sFGNTcE76N5PdGFkNXZquXlra1mdgjsNqMgDaqa_KOkpr4/s1600/Picacho-Valle+038+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WVWEmiZOCQctoknqBzvfZ5N8wHV-O2X46oun44w1oZGQIQuOEIWJr67NQlRcc_x3nLRF7-1RU2BpVm1XCSr_Rw-s13Bv1sFGNTcE76N5PdGFkNXZquXlra1mdgjsNqMgDaqa_KOkpr4/s640/Picacho-Valle+038+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
To some, this is the most important structure in the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZCRe41WuFJ3tl9FX0g6YwMfbD4LyiNqUM8ZhRb8jVlirnAXw4p24goQlcNSzlWOoY1I6IH7t0UyYiRZ4yAzoJBhJ3TMFqRK29xbAdShmTadUjgKJ2CMWLY5JxdbTVN20hXhNH6dyBhE/s1600/Picacho-Valle+039+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZCRe41WuFJ3tl9FX0g6YwMfbD4LyiNqUM8ZhRb8jVlirnAXw4p24goQlcNSzlWOoY1I6IH7t0UyYiRZ4yAzoJBhJ3TMFqRK29xbAdShmTadUjgKJ2CMWLY5JxdbTVN20hXhNH6dyBhE/s640/Picacho-Valle+039+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a picture of the runway, yes, <i>the </i>runway strip in Tegus. IST and my neighborhood are not pictured, but reside to the upper left of the picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bBvg53odYwQgtwN9gWnEQUrtryRqtU9nFSBOWQHOxBaJkohldYTzYfC4RymF1NfdoiG4R-OcVGCzgxtQHJmkzTjMlihlj5HRlapIz1mDStmsyW5IQvPCzo839QJPADs5ON2lHGdb6ao/s1600/Picacho-Valle+041+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bBvg53odYwQgtwN9gWnEQUrtryRqtU9nFSBOWQHOxBaJkohldYTzYfC4RymF1NfdoiG4R-OcVGCzgxtQHJmkzTjMlihlj5HRlapIz1mDStmsyW5IQvPCzo839QJPADs5ON2lHGdb6ao/s640/Picacho-Valle+041+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wowza. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dTMrbqclvz6xpAKmDeZNCgNg0mIZiHd7nvL1SygCxm3MBh0dtQpErdXuCYT1PhPuuIymsYRi0PROSmSbTKzSBINiEdTU-golThKOkPHLSBHTnCAumbTxktX2dZop28X1IOuCBhMARjU/s1600/Picacho-Valle+043+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dTMrbqclvz6xpAKmDeZNCgNg0mIZiHd7nvL1SygCxm3MBh0dtQpErdXuCYT1PhPuuIymsYRi0PROSmSbTKzSBINiEdTU-golThKOkPHLSBHTnCAumbTxktX2dZop28X1IOuCBhMARjU/s640/Picacho-Valle+043+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love how there's just a random green mountain road in the middle of the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uVNf8KKpr5DKpiA7TAqUYzA8xltl9Up9qcbxt9rXDxMBLPgO2Ki2kgqE-z7ySl6GKT4EC1kQkzQPYHRm1wuo71V05E1OK-GCXrjtvOHER1IlaZvPMvu0J755pw6RuD3DeVJE8Hx13tw/s1600/Picacho-Valle+045+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uVNf8KKpr5DKpiA7TAqUYzA8xltl9Up9qcbxt9rXDxMBLPgO2Ki2kgqE-z7ySl6GKT4EC1kQkzQPYHRm1wuo71V05E1OK-GCXrjtvOHER1IlaZvPMvu0J755pw6RuD3DeVJE8Hx13tw/s640/Picacho-Valle+045+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal8oTbSSiH3XjefM-OMhkKryJLFK4e-67coa116dvSq-zPLgERQMqvhZW6JtajBHcAk-Azc7A4Ex-b5HC8MOO9e5Tzn7SERcFn6o_haLfUIEACuxeoxbG0gamZSYPfidKIYkev0YSonE/s1600/Picacho-Valle+046+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal8oTbSSiH3XjefM-OMhkKryJLFK4e-67coa116dvSq-zPLgERQMqvhZW6JtajBHcAk-Azc7A4Ex-b5HC8MOO9e5Tzn7SERcFn6o_haLfUIEACuxeoxbG0gamZSYPfidKIYkev0YSonE/s640/Picacho-Valle+046+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Morgan, that stud. He's heading home on October 11 to get married. When he makes his triumphant return to the city, his beautiful bride will be at his side (sounds like a country tune, now don't it?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKzravtq2FW7kq18cXNJtS5Fhqh-IhAGXrA_feV09hs0gT6km4_l-Fvoi9SqVft8ZjugvPm8AWH7FKPw8xaP71d6qhOR67g76GxACfLYxDf2MGgbDusszh3dC7v1BIgLtqf5fzi3pjPM/s1600/Picacho-Valle+049+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKzravtq2FW7kq18cXNJtS5Fhqh-IhAGXrA_feV09hs0gT6km4_l-Fvoi9SqVft8ZjugvPm8AWH7FKPw8xaP71d6qhOR67g76GxACfLYxDf2MGgbDusszh3dC7v1BIgLtqf5fzi3pjPM/s640/Picacho-Valle+049+blog.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<br />
Kaytie and Marisha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1K7yEyWDFpZ-YXTRzkKNc2UAjb4l7DYcp3bm22-EWcc4vKLNWYR7iAeWKZ-PJG6tuR-t4CKVOnFyRzh5JEl2-lBTFHNTj8ZyOGLsMpgkloCQKFoMEHLm6C641Gky4ED9D4t0UCje-zs/s1600/Picacho-Valle+050+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1K7yEyWDFpZ-YXTRzkKNc2UAjb4l7DYcp3bm22-EWcc4vKLNWYR7iAeWKZ-PJG6tuR-t4CKVOnFyRzh5JEl2-lBTFHNTj8ZyOGLsMpgkloCQKFoMEHLm6C641Gky4ED9D4t0UCje-zs/s640/Picacho-Valle+050+blog.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
<br />
Estee and I trying to take a serious picture <i>once again</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13G7o6tZWDI2jngt42G2_BHebjW3vZ85WrjtrY-fFYnbuJlm0qhhKbHEs_caKSgAsRCxK-x4BBnixeKtGKpgC2kfHCU2q9mO6Ykqqi6dY4l2ot4_K1w3xXW7cW3wmhrBxqkyouTgVBT4/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13G7o6tZWDI2jngt42G2_BHebjW3vZ85WrjtrY-fFYnbuJlm0qhhKbHEs_caKSgAsRCxK-x4BBnixeKtGKpgC2kfHCU2q9mO6Ykqqi6dY4l2ot4_K1w3xXW7cW3wmhrBxqkyouTgVBT4/s640/collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Morgan, suffering for his art.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2J4ead-KbeGlEzSv__EJ3rpJa2MAWl-yfKutyOBXupRgDPdVRmHZpFu7h1Wf8bMb7cFjsBKnLY4dzdZF0NPQY-YCWfjqu0Vqz9F3XUXmSNO_e8OUa_nNQUf2NMPfXlBWzW3fq0MgJJo/s1600/Picacho-Valle+061+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2J4ead-KbeGlEzSv__EJ3rpJa2MAWl-yfKutyOBXupRgDPdVRmHZpFu7h1Wf8bMb7cFjsBKnLY4dzdZF0NPQY-YCWfjqu0Vqz9F3XUXmSNO_e8OUa_nNQUf2NMPfXlBWzW3fq0MgJJo/s640/Picacho-Valle+061+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And there he is. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7nELZtD6PbUv4_mXWh_NpAwuNLkYHYg3sSRRAOJzZ4mlW6NhMzZ4ncGNlDqydlvqKfatYgqFoGksOMCbRGyng7DbqeZHuSEqKGtAIOmlcY3pKB6Y7KQ6PbAVmxa6IW_ph-Em0xWkb4g/s1600/Picacho-Valle+072+blog+use+this+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7nELZtD6PbUv4_mXWh_NpAwuNLkYHYg3sSRRAOJzZ4mlW6NhMzZ4ncGNlDqydlvqKfatYgqFoGksOMCbRGyng7DbqeZHuSEqKGtAIOmlcY3pKB6Y7KQ6PbAVmxa6IW_ph-Em0xWkb4g/s640/Picacho-Valle+072+blog+use+this+one.jpg" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
Just below the statue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBftNipNn_DerNhWjtmWZAOc9cf2d8Qm5kqip-t-_uPLOLPSdWrNq8p4qnI4GEp5mGp6ag3-QH2YRtHkrgfqboF8mdfMlNzKfVM7nskOelwIt35ZMfyW01yO1QhiDUXbmEIqeuBciK6I/s1600/Picacho-Valle+078+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBftNipNn_DerNhWjtmWZAOc9cf2d8Qm5kqip-t-_uPLOLPSdWrNq8p4qnI4GEp5mGp6ag3-QH2YRtHkrgfqboF8mdfMlNzKfVM7nskOelwIt35ZMfyW01yO1QhiDUXbmEIqeuBciK6I/s640/Picacho-Valle+078+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pedi's anyone?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgJXyNGOc3Q07QO6fhbmkDi0O9EJLTYg-6bys0r6gIVQyrK6xbGEzpqOAkBYHL1IKoNcktAIGNBN2XflGBrxAhqWDJNno5PixyTn20Or2LTQJhoT4_F8NIf4FlsAkL1e2z0xMwQ4xcPY/s1600/Picacho-Valle+082+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgJXyNGOc3Q07QO6fhbmkDi0O9EJLTYg-6bys0r6gIVQyrK6xbGEzpqOAkBYHL1IKoNcktAIGNBN2XflGBrxAhqWDJNno5PixyTn20Or2LTQJhoT4_F8NIf4FlsAkL1e2z0xMwQ4xcPY/s640/Picacho-Valle+082+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The view.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQM6fcQr9FdGYj9FL6f5J9fCrCN3SAl4INMrabXLPC0LVXWW9lDZFe5_ZhTzvdnlm_Xf2CCSsJU3qMhNNVW5jRFhltf-GNKAzVzwuLPwRtMnH5W_-s02wUR6ZgzDjA7lriiFpQJeQObY/s1600/Picacho-Valle+085+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQM6fcQr9FdGYj9FL6f5J9fCrCN3SAl4INMrabXLPC0LVXWW9lDZFe5_ZhTzvdnlm_Xf2CCSsJU3qMhNNVW5jRFhltf-GNKAzVzwuLPwRtMnH5W_-s02wUR6ZgzDjA7lriiFpQJeQObY/s640/Picacho-Valle+085+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A round soccer <i>poli</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA7XPHMape86bDOVsouKrO4ZuKDgqE1Gz2dNoJyVx5k09qwTk6gZgmY3dKGZC45df0k49YKw06KwEVnFLlh9Y3GQ85s83o3VKNzH8NmmvQAiGybEC5k5YBQvuOuGpBFoSiuFkV43Gceo/s1600/Picacho-Valle+086+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA7XPHMape86bDOVsouKrO4ZuKDgqE1Gz2dNoJyVx5k09qwTk6gZgmY3dKGZC45df0k49YKw06KwEVnFLlh9Y3GQ85s83o3VKNzH8NmmvQAiGybEC5k5YBQvuOuGpBFoSiuFkV43Gceo/s640/Picacho-Valle+086+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Luke 24: 50-51<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pcQqaYTk-QVxSvga0qQ_QeKmtwfXHdbiQFwcAeh01Q-RIWrSzuxuPOR_83CRVFyxpU56WmESDsc4KIfhjXVaMgi5HUOGFme4CrEf2G-dxda9oQosVO9XFqZgr0p93K4XnT1elV6v9KM/s1600/Picacho-Valle+088+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pcQqaYTk-QVxSvga0qQ_QeKmtwfXHdbiQFwcAeh01Q-RIWrSzuxuPOR_83CRVFyxpU56WmESDsc4KIfhjXVaMgi5HUOGFme4CrEf2G-dxda9oQosVO9XFqZgr0p93K4XnT1elV6v9KM/s640/Picacho-Valle+088+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Kinda looks like Jesus is insulting me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLvkTiY5J8ERVEQVvJG822nz_ytn51Z75eH8J9Nxuu1E7EHIbCzzRdUfQ-MgLM1iKJXdllUOXrVvHhiNWQiOLoj-SRVZr_dIdeOtWFLZlzUpB_Qux0TdBl3cTKat1qyksdSXo8ulkPN8/s1600/Picacho-Valle+089+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLvkTiY5J8ERVEQVvJG822nz_ytn51Z75eH8J9Nxuu1E7EHIbCzzRdUfQ-MgLM1iKJXdllUOXrVvHhiNWQiOLoj-SRVZr_dIdeOtWFLZlzUpB_Qux0TdBl3cTKat1qyksdSXo8ulkPN8/s640/Picacho-Valle+089+blog.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
<br />
This city is unreal!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWZEYbFINXY0o6Hv9ad1bzVvQICslBukWLf5OmPovaQM3lrc3LPE3tD_ZnTbBTyDjrm1kyZbhaDtIbrtmZV2t9BTNooIoCmBMytC3QopiyF3l1oqVjAoT3p5ZTAkRQTuFjaFgq7IAo5Y/s1600/Picacho-Valle+093+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWZEYbFINXY0o6Hv9ad1bzVvQICslBukWLf5OmPovaQM3lrc3LPE3tD_ZnTbBTyDjrm1kyZbhaDtIbrtmZV2t9BTNooIoCmBMytC3QopiyF3l1oqVjAoT3p5ZTAkRQTuFjaFgq7IAo5Y/s640/Picacho-Valle+093+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Love this building.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJLq5kHW-oOUeumcyUDNqBEESoFOnLQY_gVbfZdeh77iiDPAncG0khmlixrgTMNRrznIxCp7wwKZ5Dtr_c-3l0XWqklI9YLexclMC8FWnoep8y45rMHSLK5-1x1-KFZA-2YDnQEwmCo4/s1600/Picacho-Valle+094+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJLq5kHW-oOUeumcyUDNqBEESoFOnLQY_gVbfZdeh77iiDPAncG0khmlixrgTMNRrznIxCp7wwKZ5Dtr_c-3l0XWqklI9YLexclMC8FWnoep8y45rMHSLK5-1x1-KFZA-2YDnQEwmCo4/s640/Picacho-Valle+094+blog.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
<br />
The random mountain road again.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4JLBRtbtEoMtd0n1PceQ19ugzHPHJGy7WkFzaUqZq4fdVOYnj1dmYJP31hx6eU46bnn7gI3dpt4eGPSlDWg2DLIWcLfSZPiMDDlJ710CTon1FgKVSX5-0MmL-bz-2voFEnhgzRihFEk/s1600/Picacho-Valle+099+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4JLBRtbtEoMtd0n1PceQ19ugzHPHJGy7WkFzaUqZq4fdVOYnj1dmYJP31hx6eU46bnn7gI3dpt4eGPSlDWg2DLIWcLfSZPiMDDlJ710CTon1FgKVSX5-0MmL-bz-2voFEnhgzRihFEk/s640/Picacho-Valle+099+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PUY33munqwsYbYx4NjoC24g8CLYSjcqHSLjSHOAjb3bPjI-esTlYJEmsZZHlRqgTwubCR_p7XHrVL2LxwDITaGP1A9vlIWzmU8kk7xXWiBnKf3iW3Tnldc2xEuhL7XhUX5vaNxxUVi0/s1600/Picacho-Valle+096+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PUY33munqwsYbYx4NjoC24g8CLYSjcqHSLjSHOAjb3bPjI-esTlYJEmsZZHlRqgTwubCR_p7XHrVL2LxwDITaGP1A9vlIWzmU8kk7xXWiBnKf3iW3Tnldc2xEuhL7XhUX5vaNxxUVi0/s640/Picacho-Valle+096+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV14LQoagEiEQQeWjVn9gSPymh5mob00tzNzsjSWCy8SNwOtWwHt5aiuoli21ljZz5_p06WTIpe6qh15V6ObrlNiMU-TmknWXxJpHtz05ieqXoW1Iut-29iZ2_feY8gXmqZIV17C50ag/s1600/Picacho-Valle+097+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV14LQoagEiEQQeWjVn9gSPymh5mob00tzNzsjSWCy8SNwOtWwHt5aiuoli21ljZz5_p06WTIpe6qh15V6ObrlNiMU-TmknWXxJpHtz05ieqXoW1Iut-29iZ2_feY8gXmqZIV17C50ag/s640/Picacho-Valle+097+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz9KOy0YErnTs-AGwZFB4n-hWVAQeuawIH1UkKcI0W7KObsT_jouTJTnRTlc4ws52V9wXp_EAoFgIwtYx1HhmGpWpiMIPw7NQ4Qmcb1nUAFNK5HwLGQ9ogwEpLv-LayeDqYG1qoUILNs/s1600/Picacho-Valle+101+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz9KOy0YErnTs-AGwZFB4n-hWVAQeuawIH1UkKcI0W7KObsT_jouTJTnRTlc4ws52V9wXp_EAoFgIwtYx1HhmGpWpiMIPw7NQ4Qmcb1nUAFNK5HwLGQ9ogwEpLv-LayeDqYG1qoUILNs/s640/Picacho-Valle+101+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HbW3cEFUi3QYess5th_JYHRYHjknGNWscrmb7EtU5qLfnVlcdkKwUHdkULljkZDaYyQadvuS28KcbYzLak1ch6A2jUq4ZDfecUqU4ZMhLE7VwutsLH26SYPnCPpC6hRjEEMyDaNVkeI/s1600/Picacho-Valle+103+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HbW3cEFUi3QYess5th_JYHRYHjknGNWscrmb7EtU5qLfnVlcdkKwUHdkULljkZDaYyQadvuS28KcbYzLak1ch6A2jUq4ZDfecUqU4ZMhLE7VwutsLH26SYPnCPpC6hRjEEMyDaNVkeI/s640/Picacho-Valle+103+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63NwTQR-nrFM8rLFHcFTLMyba3eg5vjFuS0ZEYvTweA127zv_weGPYyme1RYhiJVA9dd2_NQfWiaM4Eb9QrwExnCuC_4_h7UaaLrebCqHcdgDN6d4wy0NQ-1l1HoRMnjCBgDfFt6G0lY/s1600/Picacho-Valle+104+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63NwTQR-nrFM8rLFHcFTLMyba3eg5vjFuS0ZEYvTweA127zv_weGPYyme1RYhiJVA9dd2_NQfWiaM4Eb9QrwExnCuC_4_h7UaaLrebCqHcdgDN6d4wy0NQ-1l1HoRMnjCBgDfFt6G0lY/s640/Picacho-Valle+104+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Basically, "The Lord can't help us take care of plants if we steal them and mistreat them!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjHZo7ltkGr8vtcjV85xyt7ySnO8PcCj8XogjEjS0tHJmjeCc-1HR_H14xnenqIyUWD9EdMsf3LSSLRwKwdb8NyK2esS46Ys2506u2ksNkCLZXQkPeSVJt14nVmdkaqc3NAz0Q29h_pk/s1600/Picacho-Valle+110+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjHZo7ltkGr8vtcjV85xyt7ySnO8PcCj8XogjEjS0tHJmjeCc-1HR_H14xnenqIyUWD9EdMsf3LSSLRwKwdb8NyK2esS46Ys2506u2ksNkCLZXQkPeSVJt14nVmdkaqc3NAz0Q29h_pk/s640/Picacho-Valle+110+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWT8cjrKqHmzzSHfQNXL7Jo1dh_6Zek4zKWRgqa7cZYiYcLqwSUOrgIqzD9qgpGrfTvqTZmDvI9IxUDXEbDGDsLqCkhOtfaBtetMwO-ELTjcfaCnzvopljkAe0YOG3OOqCTQChTFs12I/s1600/Picacho-Valle+111+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWT8cjrKqHmzzSHfQNXL7Jo1dh_6Zek4zKWRgqa7cZYiYcLqwSUOrgIqzD9qgpGrfTvqTZmDvI9IxUDXEbDGDsLqCkhOtfaBtetMwO-ELTjcfaCnzvopljkAe0YOG3OOqCTQChTFs12I/s640/Picacho-Valle+111+blog.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUuqjczg4UNCJCcpv6LqRESjubR-MJhtptvBxXNOSpW4vS68sAbn4em5M7wsejdtYS8e0vMfYTGJWIEXnrtngBbqhQzGLtHAO5MDkNp3TJ3sWXXIkxqdhmzuU4kZzQthTWjDqmeD1Wtg/s1600/Picacho-Valle+119+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUuqjczg4UNCJCcpv6LqRESjubR-MJhtptvBxXNOSpW4vS68sAbn4em5M7wsejdtYS8e0vMfYTGJWIEXnrtngBbqhQzGLtHAO5MDkNp3TJ3sWXXIkxqdhmzuU4kZzQthTWjDqmeD1Wtg/s640/Picacho-Valle+119+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60QZ64HPlvRYuu3-jBEK0NosBYCoulV0YLdwpeRL8q1P06XRtAPrKrIm6jl_t4jKgOmd_pnLkcAE8HCTcB-ObVVaBK5u7PbdnskRszNrSGT2t-xZT3UY2AE_tWv1Nnc2z59AenTeN-mk/s1600/Picacho-Valle+121+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60QZ64HPlvRYuu3-jBEK0NosBYCoulV0YLdwpeRL8q1P06XRtAPrKrIm6jl_t4jKgOmd_pnLkcAE8HCTcB-ObVVaBK5u7PbdnskRszNrSGT2t-xZT3UY2AE_tWv1Nnc2z59AenTeN-mk/s640/Picacho-Valle+121+blog+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f5dv4Rc28uJMmJ7uN4EnDV_5oUIHukFY3pSUFju3Wq6HLU1whphQfhAiTL-q4bGQxV14f89Gbu4ZTGPv72j-1Z5B649AMShIuiSwr6Jgqpg0ctEdN6THtPbKrsOb4C6JTYSLBD41up4/s1600/Picacho-Valle+132+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f5dv4Rc28uJMmJ7uN4EnDV_5oUIHukFY3pSUFju3Wq6HLU1whphQfhAiTL-q4bGQxV14f89Gbu4ZTGPv72j-1Z5B649AMShIuiSwr6Jgqpg0ctEdN6THtPbKrsOb4C6JTYSLBD41up4/s640/Picacho-Valle+132+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0RY0RPSdYEzRsiZwnVx6NS7Y9d_zQd5tJMpwYkfBwVoQ5dai5-EUvIwnolGykbjxXwvA65y-AER_Wr38SiXSp6Jmc04J015TNsYX32GvVWs4XTyNAhFn35MKggSnJBtiWNpkG4FCBWg/s1600/Picacho-Valle+138+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0RY0RPSdYEzRsiZwnVx6NS7Y9d_zQd5tJMpwYkfBwVoQ5dai5-EUvIwnolGykbjxXwvA65y-AER_Wr38SiXSp6Jmc04J015TNsYX32GvVWs4XTyNAhFn35MKggSnJBtiWNpkG4FCBWg/s640/Picacho-Valle+138+blog.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
Random, but beautiful pyramid. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXEOChTE5LOBlQ5bQnre3R_2UzhcqTyt-OwW7ErtSKe8zbINNbVP3Du6JkuGXsb0e8irGZfJKOhKGU0S0VSsRj4Thu-AUTP-fZhDtcb7PfIDUyx1VR2eR-H98MrPZNHeIFeLUsITIWgI/s1600/Picacho-Valle+141+dudes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXEOChTE5LOBlQ5bQnre3R_2UzhcqTyt-OwW7ErtSKe8zbINNbVP3Du6JkuGXsb0e8irGZfJKOhKGU0S0VSsRj4Thu-AUTP-fZhDtcb7PfIDUyx1VR2eR-H98MrPZNHeIFeLUsITIWgI/s640/Picacho-Valle+141+dudes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw some Honduran hotties at the top of that pyramid. This was the dialogue they shouted down to us.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h4zmv7GOjMdgNuNm97itrDL3R6H_9cAxPnESARRrFRLXtdPZujGmu1AqjjjctqANBC84Gj6tarmcirwYBVAnyUZf7Vn5za-RYAY23y-FHTSCaQfzjXeDVk9tWtrWSbylPLUtR5AXiHI/s1600/collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h4zmv7GOjMdgNuNm97itrDL3R6H_9cAxPnESARRrFRLXtdPZujGmu1AqjjjctqANBC84Gj6tarmcirwYBVAnyUZf7Vn5za-RYAY23y-FHTSCaQfzjXeDVk9tWtrWSbylPLUtR5AXiHI/s640/collage+3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTulSe7CHSocjug5Uj2ttv-iY5Yp2MGITn4MEfp9JdTmsNf5o51Igyk4FBnwV5OK7u7hz4hg9_3zdL99uZc_SiibxtXnlHpdD8rkgcDkHLRY7xPIj2N5KBR_sjbD5pcoXNWO6qE1vgi8/s1600/Picacho-Valle+145+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTulSe7CHSocjug5Uj2ttv-iY5Yp2MGITn4MEfp9JdTmsNf5o51Igyk4FBnwV5OK7u7hz4hg9_3zdL99uZc_SiibxtXnlHpdD8rkgcDkHLRY7xPIj2N5KBR_sjbD5pcoXNWO6qE1vgi8/s640/Picacho-Valle+145+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We traveled to Valle de Angeles after Picacho. I love the colors of these houses! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzT-F8-M5Ip6ZKws_kdJ705lTbYZHnf30eR9AzDDdW304oPWHJZPM2BZYMcd0h-QmaOIejwZXOMYuIfj2t5DOigUBDH1BdxGbW1zNOlnWLZcwPvWh2gDsMQbl1uuU0O3olcRQyXEIfHM/s1600/Picacho-Valle+150+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzT-F8-M5Ip6ZKws_kdJ705lTbYZHnf30eR9AzDDdW304oPWHJZPM2BZYMcd0h-QmaOIejwZXOMYuIfj2t5DOigUBDH1BdxGbW1zNOlnWLZcwPvWh2gDsMQbl1uuU0O3olcRQyXEIfHM/s640/Picacho-Valle+150+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw Valle's official marching band.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKi6dsKJdLlohf_T1NR33xpf-7OGnLL0uUY3MEmjaANLieZz5zBXq4AXx8c86WacqCjffMhRyOXe3dVzjGWIG-RaermQfMUHttUreQhTTLFzK_9Wix5uSXrKIKGEAe1SQINnQTVY8P2A/s1600/Picacho-Valle+001+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKi6dsKJdLlohf_T1NR33xpf-7OGnLL0uUY3MEmjaANLieZz5zBXq4AXx8c86WacqCjffMhRyOXe3dVzjGWIG-RaermQfMUHttUreQhTTLFzK_9Wix5uSXrKIKGEAe1SQINnQTVY8P2A/s640/Picacho-Valle+001+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<br />
This guy was legit. Check out those dolphin pants. I don't remember ever seeing a marching xylophone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xs5wsac3Y-MAQYvF1_2czaX5rMCswM810xnFtjUpckl2ToQ_zM71l5ulRjUFR2LO8NgMUN-9Bk-6DxiXdQ8uEtVXR-oTf5Ulq8_cLtV5_MrbfX6U3LiN35DTU1x-cPxcyWib1TaK4AA/s1600/Picacho-Valle+157+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xs5wsac3Y-MAQYvF1_2czaX5rMCswM810xnFtjUpckl2ToQ_zM71l5ulRjUFR2LO8NgMUN-9Bk-6DxiXdQ8uEtVXR-oTf5Ulq8_cLtV5_MrbfX6U3LiN35DTU1x-cPxcyWib1TaK4AA/s640/Picacho-Valle+157+blog.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
A professional.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltw6PdVFzqSMQH4bSy-CTeFWG8OpI1vtK8L7IAGY5RLAoXDX0e_RUi1lhyFOXEU3lvJRXAyX1Bc_5WYIb030Xqw8q1HcFNd0tkesE2OKEqM8MP634iYlLOcZ1TSht416Re-VBtshKKEA/s1600/Picacho-Valle+162+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltw6PdVFzqSMQH4bSy-CTeFWG8OpI1vtK8L7IAGY5RLAoXDX0e_RUi1lhyFOXEU3lvJRXAyX1Bc_5WYIb030Xqw8q1HcFNd0tkesE2OKEqM8MP634iYlLOcZ1TSht416Re-VBtshKKEA/s640/Picacho-Valle+162+blog.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a short video of the band. Watch the kid pictured above on the bottom left. I don't think he was supposed to start dancing! haha</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxbOhy72dHZa96vRtUPnZvobGyGJaf0rmrS7-SK6ObQxQNVfSaIqyBxCPsY5PVz5SdyghaH3Fs2csRJl5Ixhg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
What a great weekend!<br />
<br />
In other news, we now have internet at the high school. I can check my email without having to walk up two floors to get a signal. There goes my fitness routine. . .<br />
<br />
Hope everyone is enjoying the beginnings of fall in the States. Have a Robinettes donut or two for me!Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com2Bulevard Fuerzas Armadas, Tegucigalpa, Honduras14.0833 -87.216714.021694499999999 -87.295664 14.1449055 -87.137736tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-75315866831420630072012-09-15T20:36:00.002-07:002012-09-16T06:15:01.234-07:00Fiesta Catracha 2012<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes! I'm writing my second blog post within a month! Rejoice! Admittedly, September is a big month for Hondurans. It's Independence month and just about every week there is some sort of celebration, including this past Monday's <i>Dia del Ni<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">ñ</span>o</i> or "Day of the Child." (I'm looking forward to <i>Dia de la Mujer </i>or "Day of the Woman," but I've got a few months to go). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, is Honduras' <i>Dia de la Independencia </i>or Independence Day! Viva Honduras! And Viva No-School-Yesterday too! As such, this past Thursday was the fabulous <i>Fiesta Catracha </i>- Honduran Festival (sounds kinda lame in English). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The word <i>catracho </i>means Honduran. It derives from the last name of <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Florencio Xatruch, a famous Honduran general in the 1800's. The Hondurans were fighting against forces in Nicaragua at the time. Some general named William Walker could not say Florencio's last name correctly. Instead of za-TROOSH, they said za-TRAHCH, and finally ca-TRAHCH. This evolved into the word <i>catracho </i>(ca-TRAH-cho). </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">It's weird to think that I was also here for <a href="http://travails-and-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/field-trip.html">last year's Fiesta Catracha</a>, which happened in October. I was subbing for kindergarden at the time and we went on a field trip for most of the day. It reminds me how much has changed this past year.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">I say, let the festivities begin!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Below is a picture of my students learning to fold the Honduran flag. In the background is Mr. Barahona, the social studies coordinator, looking gleeful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgnBSXpHW5aoIhwuubwc1J4HhMas06hyphenhyphensn3Yg6P9Fd4NBp4Dv97sGpH04ZTTiw01PbIIaJfBBAlK1HzgXCup2Ftnkyy4E3fFw-fU4gCa8hO1LHn7Tz626WzRCwn5wEH_JgmZf3N2hRVI/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgnBSXpHW5aoIhwuubwc1J4HhMas06hyphenhyphensn3Yg6P9Fd4NBp4Dv97sGpH04ZTTiw01PbIIaJfBBAlK1HzgXCup2Ftnkyy4E3fFw-fU4gCa8hO1LHn7Tz626WzRCwn5wEH_JgmZf3N2hRVI/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+002+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Unveiled!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkINZrmtVX5O2vVvhcA44ZoG_vma3sKK61vz1VbCWOr2wgkpyeEdEfP_4t4sKxwmOrviKd9N8Awupf9nPVjL96QGFR5-_6hG6tq08XMJM5wuDnVqU0QFkzXLv_r87tUjnGFgDZK2HTtM/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+011+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkINZrmtVX5O2vVvhcA44ZoG_vma3sKK61vz1VbCWOr2wgkpyeEdEfP_4t4sKxwmOrviKd9N8Awupf9nPVjL96QGFR5-_6hG6tq08XMJM5wuDnVqU0QFkzXLv_r87tUjnGFgDZK2HTtM/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+011+blog.jpg" width="590" /></a></div>
<br />
Some characters from Honduras' history (including what appears to be some sort of native-hippie-runner).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1MJxdNnLFfvnA5pIjW78WU1u27VmulJ2DR4keSbEJzI9YBdSkeALvmEJFyk-AuqUDJ4xXj0_HFI9KdobmGuJRYwgLfeqw9QD0uANLrqt_vH-MpxZhdoPexU-DLwFRz0ZHhQZkvzuDOs/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+003+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1MJxdNnLFfvnA5pIjW78WU1u27VmulJ2DR4keSbEJzI9YBdSkeALvmEJFyk-AuqUDJ4xXj0_HFI9KdobmGuJRYwgLfeqw9QD0uANLrqt_vH-MpxZhdoPexU-DLwFRz0ZHhQZkvzuDOs/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+003+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I believe that's the famous general, Francisco Morazan. on the left. Tegucigalpa is located in the Honduran department (sort of like a state) of Francisco Morazan. More importantly, the guy on the left is Ricky and he's in my drama class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRxYeoSkqtwZDhyphenhyphenA-irPjri0xWz_svW1OqgCce7V65HJuGVZaK1rWGkskFh0p4tZsU4m6UkJ2qC045-KGfnJPF48fJsOCdBFJ1k2IovK_3yHP5NAH-d_8tKymLPNECwOVnri3fEAqvtY/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+006+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRxYeoSkqtwZDhyphenhyphenA-irPjri0xWz_svW1OqgCce7V65HJuGVZaK1rWGkskFh0p4tZsU4m6UkJ2qC045-KGfnJPF48fJsOCdBFJ1k2IovK_3yHP5NAH-d_8tKymLPNECwOVnri3fEAqvtY/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+006+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wait, I may have lied. The guy in the suit to the left is Morazan. . . It's one of those two! Ben and Christina pose with their students.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAXFn0NBZFSsQ2gv_zJAQgGYdpri0Wsd6vNBDwBnUO1u7-l9C8YdBq3O5sOzQGyPb85Oulm0htjgv_KsinExzwTXhz1wlsLcWP-BTHkhtLsm2lL8cEVQDdqUnzJ65hHBQsFgbk2VgLbw/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+007+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAXFn0NBZFSsQ2gv_zJAQgGYdpri0Wsd6vNBDwBnUO1u7-l9C8YdBq3O5sOzQGyPb85Oulm0htjgv_KsinExzwTXhz1wlsLcWP-BTHkhtLsm2lL8cEVQDdqUnzJ65hHBQsFgbk2VgLbw/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+007+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here we have one of the <i>mujigangas. </i>These are like paper mache hats/masks worn during parades. I googled this word but I came up with <i>mojigangas </i>with an "o" instead. Not sure if <i>catrachos </i>just spell it differently or what. Either way, they were fun to watch. This kid is wearing a <i>mujiganga-</i>like bag over his head and his pants are sitting way below his waistline. The sleeves of the shirt are stuffed so those aren't his real arms. It's a strange effect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHyz-IOyC0wxIA_m7btooy_ReYVls8IWQXfLalMf0qQdLO1Fd2Kzx2OedI4q18GiS2nOhEYQ6E-uwCWXM-uCvYXLOHESH3OvI6KIAfsDI8w6PvOytpgCfFM72hkerQRNMgy9fVDWGcBc/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+015+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHyz-IOyC0wxIA_m7btooy_ReYVls8IWQXfLalMf0qQdLO1Fd2Kzx2OedI4q18GiS2nOhEYQ6E-uwCWXM-uCvYXLOHESH3OvI6KIAfsDI8w6PvOytpgCfFM72hkerQRNMgy9fVDWGcBc/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+015+blog.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dancin' with the kids. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhYOG535BKOK590-QQQcN4nrGvqqhyT6rVfF1qa7rGBEPfyz9PEJu9O2JAvs9C0luDwOeczkcJKHlYdVvWqhOYfysWv9ot7wYWzYhIwSVkGHe-wtDIuUodlD4DUkvQ62BR11XzR6kr-0/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+016+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhYOG535BKOK590-QQQcN4nrGvqqhyT6rVfF1qa7rGBEPfyz9PEJu9O2JAvs9C0luDwOeczkcJKHlYdVvWqhOYfysWv9ot7wYWzYhIwSVkGHe-wtDIuUodlD4DUkvQ62BR11XzR6kr-0/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+016+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dancing with the teachers. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraKZDQbRWjLUHiWmk8KWKx3pDMqhmffYEDyuCII374IMj1AetLtSM8uhWbzL3XblNa4h388Q2rjPtfhwu-_3RTO_GsJWyOhEe68ofwHHodDCthNk4We4oSXeieoIMTNDpL24-M_yU1T8/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+018+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraKZDQbRWjLUHiWmk8KWKx3pDMqhmffYEDyuCII374IMj1AetLtSM8uhWbzL3XblNa4h388Q2rjPtfhwu-_3RTO_GsJWyOhEe68ofwHHodDCthNk4We4oSXeieoIMTNDpL24-M_yU1T8/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+018+blog.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Up close - kind of hideous. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTk2Vjko7H_o3b5OSEKXQUi9hBxnSwq-tXvsbTC9P77bC3sjnXChyphenhyphenIXSLbJAJvvLEgVi9Ie5FD4bjiHnnYJK8HZ3QXanvp5s9azGucY68nvhXJnAdsCX-LlZYJ1RNfXttzt4XPadalbI/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+020+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTk2Vjko7H_o3b5OSEKXQUi9hBxnSwq-tXvsbTC9P77bC3sjnXChyphenhyphenIXSLbJAJvvLEgVi9Ie5FD4bjiHnnYJK8HZ3QXanvp5s9azGucY68nvhXJnAdsCX-LlZYJ1RNfXttzt4XPadalbI/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+020+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Another tradition for <i>Fiesta Catracha</i>, calls for rows of displays representing each department of Honduras. This part of a display caught my eye. Comayagua is a department of Honduras known mostly for it's <i>semana santa </i>tradition of "carpets" made of saw dust. Each year, on the night before Easter, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=comayagua&aq=f&sugexp=chrome,mod%3D18&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=sj1VUIOeGoqa9gTInYGwAQ&biw=1366&bih=643&sei=tD1VUKcbg771BOKdgLAP#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=comayagua+carpets&oq=comayagua+carpets&gs_l=img.3...1728.2721.0.2814.8.7.0.1.1.0.170.781.3j4.7.0...0.0...1c.1.UXMw1ylClFw&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=9d556718366d3bb4&biw=1366&bih=643">these elaborate carpets</a> are created, depicting religious images and designs. On Easter, the carpets are purposefully ruined by the Easter parade. Here, the students created an image of the department itself with the same technique.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo__f6oVQmyCWaO62cCaAFesgjGWBfFnsM5qMTVPaPOqB08noYdI7vyKjCuFaO9ZIe9xAfOGZzHnNgBQ8-231SmGyC702ICtYHPswEN8oyFWEJYlkJrmTFhKxCebXPl5Jo_EqkDkE2WJo/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+026+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo__f6oVQmyCWaO62cCaAFesgjGWBfFnsM5qMTVPaPOqB08noYdI7vyKjCuFaO9ZIe9xAfOGZzHnNgBQ8-231SmGyC702ICtYHPswEN8oyFWEJYlkJrmTFhKxCebXPl5Jo_EqkDkE2WJo/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+026+blog.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Painting 'C's' for Choluteca, another of Honduras's departments, know for its scorching heat. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKQKgbDXKvc6E1rpGtRRvIclT_0kgMQcwessGegYyobQGFxufWKmoVYthOjtPB9Nlt0ZujYY333I3m0qRM9MlShhcshABgpGFK8leJvsBPG_zmP6bQtCV6rKtM05qJjJ1Xzl8EoZwRlU/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+030+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKQKgbDXKvc6E1rpGtRRvIclT_0kgMQcwessGegYyobQGFxufWKmoVYthOjtPB9Nlt0ZujYY333I3m0qRM9MlShhcshABgpGFK8leJvsBPG_zmP6bQtCV6rKtM05qJjJ1Xzl8EoZwRlU/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+030+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The display for Olancho. Remember? The "<a href="http://travails-and-travels.blogspot.com/2012/03/olancho-wild-west-of-honduras.html">wild west of Honduras</a>?" The cowboy boots and the sombreros are very fitting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGvkbMHCtB5lYPqr5VrErn1MuPHrJFHsrEsY3jiDGzRIbJqEBET_tkza0s9Dzx-PXrENrUXjwfpNhVcHdPRESykNl1BG_6rw9LzRJKVOiTZ5vx0dG4bDqMWs8jG6aY_WWc2iquyhfJJA/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+034+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGvkbMHCtB5lYPqr5VrErn1MuPHrJFHsrEsY3jiDGzRIbJqEBET_tkza0s9Dzx-PXrENrUXjwfpNhVcHdPRESykNl1BG_6rw9LzRJKVOiTZ5vx0dG4bDqMWs8jG6aY_WWc2iquyhfJJA/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+034+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of my former students, Stephanie, painted this. . .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApdsnT8dq-8ETmQxZ1hZvJCx08QsqruSWxtdDn46gFiqtcwzk-QEXTQgpcvdLrtnr57J9sOD-5Pxk-hqhudDUER41AHWpzoH1PztSsTsFFqs90Z7fFzVvm0EX-ZCYoq784pIdlsn2eBs/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+035+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApdsnT8dq-8ETmQxZ1hZvJCx08QsqruSWxtdDn46gFiqtcwzk-QEXTQgpcvdLrtnr57J9sOD-5Pxk-hqhudDUER41AHWpzoH1PztSsTsFFqs90Z7fFzVvm0EX-ZCYoq784pIdlsn2eBs/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+035+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
. . . and this for the display. We made a deal: I make her earrings and she paints me beautiful pictures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-QZDQ5wLtXqEoa-MmM9l7K_qk7rxsCqx-tvHGf7d0Blhcpr4QnDLRuKEAVOWp-Pxo94bOqa7eXiL815DkshtBGiqVExONuXKY2oXGUyZkHjmS15az2vhTSitX_ipZkE8SRQX0kRpXC8/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+036+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-QZDQ5wLtXqEoa-MmM9l7K_qk7rxsCqx-tvHGf7d0Blhcpr4QnDLRuKEAVOWp-Pxo94bOqa7eXiL815DkshtBGiqVExONuXKY2oXGUyZkHjmS15az2vhTSitX_ipZkE8SRQX0kRpXC8/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+036+blog.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my lovely students from last year. Miss these girls!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6_OLQ2dMnNlBXojQe1Db2puAA5_TAl60vpX-Kq8Ta_MQTm0fyIdB1JJttY-XTpS8Z-SB3FLID9KY9BCtIKowu0KbATbjvVHaEq5_rVN6BfjkjMBOZcTeRg0w8vL__ld0zWC038l3Zhs/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+041+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6_OLQ2dMnNlBXojQe1Db2puAA5_TAl60vpX-Kq8Ta_MQTm0fyIdB1JJttY-XTpS8Z-SB3FLID9KY9BCtIKowu0KbATbjvVHaEq5_rVN6BfjkjMBOZcTeRg0w8vL__ld0zWC038l3Zhs/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+041+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More face-painting and a PHOTO BOMB. Can you see it? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGUVUBRYJFFiDquw_XTCDfi5kAp_m3zosueo_oQOEtfYYMhZoKXx2t7ohNYvf8Zh3zdAMJIhLhLASR_viWOveWauUESNQqfow57RIi5TtAEb31o3bhuHEYVfxNytSEuBiKeRVZ0Y1zGA/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+042+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGUVUBRYJFFiDquw_XTCDfi5kAp_m3zosueo_oQOEtfYYMhZoKXx2t7ohNYvf8Zh3zdAMJIhLhLASR_viWOveWauUESNQqfow57RIi5TtAEb31o3bhuHEYVfxNytSEuBiKeRVZ0Y1zGA/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+042+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Estee, my roommate, doing what she does best. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqnR5PObjS0TMZtunHVVPDIqtlMI8E5mHUcIlf7PO-AeCrE1SAGxCoV_0oA6inaZQlG_sBI5gsz6j9MLbgjCfbhUYVbUiNHRtWzIgv28CnhM-GDWZLMup3-OrL0JSlAsi3_FkrY7WSd4/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+046+Estee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqnR5PObjS0TMZtunHVVPDIqtlMI8E5mHUcIlf7PO-AeCrE1SAGxCoV_0oA6inaZQlG_sBI5gsz6j9MLbgjCfbhUYVbUiNHRtWzIgv28CnhM-GDWZLMup3-OrL0JSlAsi3_FkrY7WSd4/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+046+Estee.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ms. Molly Cooper and her students. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BTMxaReiKacDL4PFoRS88tSFqxDBtMFtETF28fUMUDf_jTvAFYMYah8G8ze0yV1uhbgy8Y4X96BED-bPgI7rpsI-X4oOgFl1sv_OSb21K33aS9fGBbsFi5OulYGsq_b8U-QJa7X_4wU/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+052+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BTMxaReiKacDL4PFoRS88tSFqxDBtMFtETF28fUMUDf_jTvAFYMYah8G8ze0yV1uhbgy8Y4X96BED-bPgI7rpsI-X4oOgFl1sv_OSb21K33aS9fGBbsFi5OulYGsq_b8U-QJa7X_4wU/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+052+blog.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spencer's all decked out and ready to perform some traditional Honduran dances later.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7CcM6gZP8Qr_tAP5LAB4VAdhwkUJ0yg7b_xbqI5pgEH1z1oxZrIJ-Q9lem4hNL4QcZIVgUJDR_ZtmcISUizJ6YwYIW7M2bbcUJesJYJFvU9A4WzbF3KoCq9hr-Zt9oAk2UGoxnTsJE/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+053+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiou7CcM6gZP8Qr_tAP5LAB4VAdhwkUJ0yg7b_xbqI5pgEH1z1oxZrIJ-Q9lem4hNL4QcZIVgUJDR_ZtmcISUizJ6YwYIW7M2bbcUJesJYJFvU9A4WzbF3KoCq9hr-Zt9oAk2UGoxnTsJE/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+053+blog.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another of my students from last year. She's standing by her painting she made for her display. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rqQcNHsA821w1Dfiznymix9WwNHk5ae7SiudqypWrATlpYGWLNSN6n0-kqthYyiR2Ixifhd2whyBvd8cS_-P6ZhDhlm0lAn-fRKVBSR1UJ-IS8J9CJqWD_56GeeZFYU_O-mm9ZBVlyU/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+058+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rqQcNHsA821w1Dfiznymix9WwNHk5ae7SiudqypWrATlpYGWLNSN6n0-kqthYyiR2Ixifhd2whyBvd8cS_-P6ZhDhlm0lAn-fRKVBSR1UJ-IS8J9CJqWD_56GeeZFYU_O-mm9ZBVlyU/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+058+blog.jpg" width="504" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These little first graders are so adorable. Who's that stud in the middle? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MbPCdHpWijGZb9wIG9VB7M8Qnt22zdfFinwuCzUxcztcNi_eG9UFgUQfzcBcpH9XyRtmUJX_yDeI-YH6vMyRWpC03DSTnu3oe3ykwkdcYZxmcJZbkwUSo68R7Rh7QdQRKu9T1sY12Tw/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+060+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MbPCdHpWijGZb9wIG9VB7M8Qnt22zdfFinwuCzUxcztcNi_eG9UFgUQfzcBcpH9XyRtmUJX_yDeI-YH6vMyRWpC03DSTnu3oe3ykwkdcYZxmcJZbkwUSo68R7Rh7QdQRKu9T1sY12Tw/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+060+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nikki is a first year teacher - she's a natural! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK6Fwouqx7qXReNRo81yR3edLWLj5bbEEiLJie0wzse7XtmY_jr6W_CDMmLs8h-nE5VoygxdGZx1UGj9DNs9Iwmz_drBg8IKIG5TodKMneqmTZd_f0if6KqvA29zPTxsUEAjUf9NK9aQ/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+070+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK6Fwouqx7qXReNRo81yR3edLWLj5bbEEiLJie0wzse7XtmY_jr6W_CDMmLs8h-nE5VoygxdGZx1UGj9DNs9Iwmz_drBg8IKIG5TodKMneqmTZd_f0if6KqvA29zPTxsUEAjUf9NK9aQ/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+070+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fiesta catracha weather. Not bad! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP26Eqhv2lTt6CWPJQqyJVK1eUSG1HRLnoicCi07bUa5zVuruDQTHiuThNoFcM7R2XBgcP2i6R6wdInIb-K_etFTBjCiuU4KLtfuGSNKYbOJDQmJopJZ1eUB8htLTg3guQBrRfjCSFkk/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+072+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP26Eqhv2lTt6CWPJQqyJVK1eUSG1HRLnoicCi07bUa5zVuruDQTHiuThNoFcM7R2XBgcP2i6R6wdInIb-K_etFTBjCiuU4KLtfuGSNKYbOJDQmJopJZ1eUB8htLTg3guQBrRfjCSFkk/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+072+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Morgan and Tony are also ready in their traditional Honduran gear. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY1j-JBOS7dj-Yx3-juhYFrSrq2FDvb5kJnBuZN0ZxVc1awme2M16Mqa2-9am5h5Fi1bb4MiHD7zSX9Vaur4vv5TVfZn3SxV7k33q6QLWJcQExQrr0BwzeayXdQP4aZUW2Cna0ja3-dk/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+074+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY1j-JBOS7dj-Yx3-juhYFrSrq2FDvb5kJnBuZN0ZxVc1awme2M16Mqa2-9am5h5Fi1bb4MiHD7zSX9Vaur4vv5TVfZn3SxV7k33q6QLWJcQExQrr0BwzeayXdQP4aZUW2Cna0ja3-dk/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+074+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my students from last year - they grew up! Sigh. Miss these guys. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLBzd7weU3s1F9Mu6yu96a_2Oy1JrKkOcUVvdYuAsKqbN6tjzfr45rB7n6U2POo01S8yKvGQzyxgp5S94RjNWfX6CkcHEtNl3wYWjWn7_wXXOg5QrTO3jmyNYj4IovYVQ7igtTLjw5G4/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+075+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLBzd7weU3s1F9Mu6yu96a_2Oy1JrKkOcUVvdYuAsKqbN6tjzfr45rB7n6U2POo01S8yKvGQzyxgp5S94RjNWfX6CkcHEtNl3wYWjWn7_wXXOg5QrTO3jmyNYj4IovYVQ7igtTLjw5G4/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+075+blog.jpg" width="606" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Selling cheese from Olancho - the dairy capital of Honduras. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wBBzQJFvWJsOLY41igRS739FCNoQxH9Si44jzUwEr3kanVXipKuhp6C7W6Bq3HnDQtekJCB7mQ_KJUGjOaZWHMe2OmnlyUGE5XzU8k9s7C0chqfyOZ9LTV2WTHmyBm8-om88phkA79A/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+086+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wBBzQJFvWJsOLY41igRS739FCNoQxH9Si44jzUwEr3kanVXipKuhp6C7W6Bq3HnDQtekJCB7mQ_KJUGjOaZWHMe2OmnlyUGE5XzU8k9s7C0chqfyOZ9LTV2WTHmyBm8-om88phkA79A/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+086+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<br />
The food lines were horribly long, but we managed to get some Honduran <i>enchiladas </i>which are like Mexican <i>tostadas. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BONr-gtX_QQpOI8T3MK-76G5Cgaj8Dm97MfvSKrqoeRtGuVZTvhF_Ni37r3H9k2ED0MR7bjQnUsv3DE6q7zA1VxYd0KXKtJgA0OAZYLZkR5E7RlrlC0Tzqdo9xUt5S0DFeMvVFK0KCo/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+081+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BONr-gtX_QQpOI8T3MK-76G5Cgaj8Dm97MfvSKrqoeRtGuVZTvhF_Ni37r3H9k2ED0MR7bjQnUsv3DE6q7zA1VxYd0KXKtJgA0OAZYLZkR5E7RlrlC0Tzqdo9xUt5S0DFeMvVFK0KCo/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+081+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ready for the main event. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaDp7oj9XJyagZVXGgHGbCc8UXrpCuCP82hAZHfoRpEBoCrAWZoGZF2a1wqXIP4ZEivYT2FyWrVmXm5rST2h-G9zOj1SqcHEsG3McgpoEuq1wErInNxlhlaPSrJt9Q3ghpvG7KzAilNo/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+087+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaDp7oj9XJyagZVXGgHGbCc8UXrpCuCP82hAZHfoRpEBoCrAWZoGZF2a1wqXIP4ZEivYT2FyWrVmXm5rST2h-G9zOj1SqcHEsG3McgpoEuq1wErInNxlhlaPSrJt9Q3ghpvG7KzAilNo/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+087+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The procession begins with the kindergardeners. Showing some sass! The girl on the left is not impressed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3-XJH97UHqbJqwMBMJ8ETfRbpWnpyVJBVIx_yOk5tdNDP-YhUG0q12wQ7cBtonuOqX5YqdbE_UEUzcl9nFsgTdbiQ47NOJBVdbUSSbcz82NEbEwBhakZydTby_9dzz9xKaRp9iCpy1Y/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+091+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3-XJH97UHqbJqwMBMJ8ETfRbpWnpyVJBVIx_yOk5tdNDP-YhUG0q12wQ7cBtonuOqX5YqdbE_UEUzcl9nFsgTdbiQ47NOJBVdbUSSbcz82NEbEwBhakZydTby_9dzz9xKaRp9iCpy1Y/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+091+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The high school marching band. I'd never seen marching xylophones before coming to Honduras. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqsOVqaeWmnlg89x0KGtr3jtBqdvY7W-wNEyHCeLXeKLsNX9-hAwLL3OXKQdz5J5oPfn7HOF0-U70j9Ufbh7-Plf_612skcy5yvzSYSKrhDBY_HWtH_I_bxX8vaJEw3rtSi7HTDz7wtA/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+093+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqsOVqaeWmnlg89x0KGtr3jtBqdvY7W-wNEyHCeLXeKLsNX9-hAwLL3OXKQdz5J5oPfn7HOF0-U70j9Ufbh7-Plf_612skcy5yvzSYSKrhDBY_HWtH_I_bxX8vaJEw3rtSi7HTDz7wtA/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+093+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These young students represent each of Honduras' departments. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4BHlwRS1uVQtsvkCvZ4xW6WCxxyHKiObkPBs-ScbBLu-UIBHZgPKmafYXfSOBsZA7rwDRwk7StOBoLVueqKu_B5wuOsnNxOxaivSe9BXfrl3BzrlZ4R6CZWeXO5hjOfykABoQVB2Voo/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+095+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4BHlwRS1uVQtsvkCvZ4xW6WCxxyHKiObkPBs-ScbBLu-UIBHZgPKmafYXfSOBsZA7rwDRwk7StOBoLVueqKu_B5wuOsnNxOxaivSe9BXfrl3BzrlZ4R6CZWeXO5hjOfykABoQVB2Voo/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+095+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the classy guy marching for Copan!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIwHImDRhyphenhyphennm9M_o4UfwW4rHXFr0c9W7D7-TYslWRa0E_m4_2L02D0vC4ogM1rP8t21DPJzBbT57Vf9XSq3ymkhmXprBjo5FRnM1x8f4NIucXsG7fcX3_rNpVL8VMmpfffj2KdEXMjyU/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+096+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIwHImDRhyphenhyphennm9M_o4UfwW4rHXFr0c9W7D7-TYslWRa0E_m4_2L02D0vC4ogM1rP8t21DPJzBbT57Vf9XSq3ymkhmXprBjo5FRnM1x8f4NIucXsG7fcX3_rNpVL8VMmpfffj2KdEXMjyU/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+096+blog.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my students on the bass drum. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2clk_6-Xx-9BmoC1U_r3rayr6mVe4uY4OuAn6mOKRq5_8PjzZFlOy4gN_mA1xzZ8GXB3BEo5j9B4fvh4nEju44IzfvCrAV7orxFE1700uVJRgBekvQBnHRQl0h8ghAyzi82z4hOFynV4/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+120+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2clk_6-Xx-9BmoC1U_r3rayr6mVe4uY4OuAn6mOKRq5_8PjzZFlOy4gN_mA1xzZ8GXB3BEo5j9B4fvh4nEju44IzfvCrAV7orxFE1700uVJRgBekvQBnHRQl0h8ghAyzi82z4hOFynV4/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+120+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sisters!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcofMVI5CjsYOrL-9UMrgj9cKRTWrPGq-OePwVTkk3FwWco3Vxve2qgMj5-lbJL8B6Dw0iNLeAIZn2Ozdiy1dUaPtroIGPrZ4gWd_4ZzeyAUpto5CnOJMe32UkpPVEaG5D8iopLhvNbE/s1600/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+121+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcofMVI5CjsYOrL-9UMrgj9cKRTWrPGq-OePwVTkk3FwWco3Vxve2qgMj5-lbJL8B6Dw0iNLeAIZn2Ozdiy1dUaPtroIGPrZ4gWd_4ZzeyAUpto5CnOJMe32UkpPVEaG5D8iopLhvNbE/s640/Fiesta+Catracha+2012+121+blog.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Technically, teachers were supposed to wear jeans with a "grid" shirt. I had no idea "grid" meant "plaid," so I wore my Green Day shirt from last year. I was able to get my "C" tattoos for Choluteca, though, and I would've gotten a good picture of them, too, if Mr. Winkler didn't have his own secret plans. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSK8rz7z3clTfeXwxAV8DPEIf7P8z3bFxxM0Yu3HoqETImKBA8YB0kcNoANmuBH0BgHF4o1r9un3HuIs5dVZu2UJTLELDOAvb9mmIsrLN_mw87Hxh_k3KEqh4uKY4DCmrJO9CiDaVsaA/s1600/fiesta+catrach+photo+bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSK8rz7z3clTfeXwxAV8DPEIf7P8z3bFxxM0Yu3HoqETImKBA8YB0kcNoANmuBH0BgHF4o1r9un3HuIs5dVZu2UJTLELDOAvb9mmIsrLN_mw87Hxh_k3KEqh4uKY4DCmrJO9CiDaVsaA/s640/fiesta+catrach+photo+bomb.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I never! He teaches <i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>math</b></span></i>, so I understand his need to lash out at others.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because of the holiday, this weekend is three days long. Hallelujah! Yesterday, some of my colleagues and I visited Picacho (for a great view of the entire city) and Valle (for some wonderful food and <i>palletas). </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully, I will post more pictures in time to get over the outcome of the MSU v. Notre Dame game. Right now, there's about 5 minutes left in the game. My parents are attending the game in Michigan while I'm watching the same game from Honduras, listening to commentary in Spanish. It's a very odd experience hearing commentators say "meechi-gahn steht" with a very thick accent, but he's owning it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">¡</span>VIVA HONDURAS!</b></span></div>
Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-42560118337326970532012-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:002012-09-08T15:00:24.830-07:00Yes, I work here.Hello, all! I'm back in the Hondo and week two of teaching is already over!<br />
<br />
I arrived here on August 14, happy to see the city among the green mountains and to hear <i>rrrrr</i>'s rollin' everywhere. Instead of living in an apartment by myself, I'm living with Estee, my friend from DC. What an upgrade! We spend most of our time drinking diet coke and watching <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAX7af8CZwQ&feature=related">Funny Cats</a> on youtube.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
As far as teaching goes, there are a number of big changes. First, International School Tegucigalpa built a new high school and we moved in right away. Well, almost. We started school a day late because the water pipes were leaking. Instead, we spent that Friday trying to flush all the toilets and to run all the sinks at the same time in order to test the pipes.<br />
<br />
Check out some pics of my new classroom!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnur5BEMbh_vW34gBaYT5NOnH5O0Slh-xuvnbtGj4863VUXiqwsjZW_mNsobGZKT7p4Bb4sSS9wvKpAdHId5gxAYyMVf3CaWbI-GFsqGJct_NXgrgbgRroZREXOlOZzmoidbbQ7MXgpFk/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+069+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnur5BEMbh_vW34gBaYT5NOnH5O0Slh-xuvnbtGj4863VUXiqwsjZW_mNsobGZKT7p4Bb4sSS9wvKpAdHId5gxAYyMVf3CaWbI-GFsqGJct_NXgrgbgRroZREXOlOZzmoidbbQ7MXgpFk/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+069+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIn0ZXYzjljdxgnZsG1MngcSyExFMPuCv0-M6Gexn35mck8HXvsZvU1ObbSVV3KhKPD2V35itoaB-8MrJrjymlS0scuPfTE5D501AhRO9mZff0xDKkQF4eaAldneRlDIzMVHoHSswtT4/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIn0ZXYzjljdxgnZsG1MngcSyExFMPuCv0-M6Gexn35mck8HXvsZvU1ObbSVV3KhKPD2V35itoaB-8MrJrjymlS0scuPfTE5D501AhRO9mZff0xDKkQF4eaAldneRlDIzMVHoHSswtT4/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My wall of art.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbtqrSeSXW_Dsb3IDf3ZjVLhF2knlVavAdgbAFmuzfayMdF9SprartPra6K7Hr802YrVPZFwqu-PF36fze7uik3a961DX9negKdKPYrNhQ4_aUqay1xd1B7A5kx7gtJboOu_W78P9HVc/s1600/New+High+School+001+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbtqrSeSXW_Dsb3IDf3ZjVLhF2knlVavAdgbAFmuzfayMdF9SprartPra6K7Hr802YrVPZFwqu-PF36fze7uik3a961DX9negKdKPYrNhQ4_aUqay1xd1B7A5kx7gtJboOu_W78P9HVc/s640/New+High+School+001+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of my students drew this last year. The Black Plague was his inspiration.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TqJKyI2-6nepWLGS58B_qaXpDIttNP5NoGm2R2IRovWnn_2RgSIgJowNDkyX4ZOTsp1lIfZsFZ1lXB-9M-Qe1ME2bZH-6kg0jhELhfW7s6hCRGSWySVP-H-1YEBPmqWIVR7aE5mfOGM/s1600/New+High+School+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TqJKyI2-6nepWLGS58B_qaXpDIttNP5NoGm2R2IRovWnn_2RgSIgJowNDkyX4ZOTsp1lIfZsFZ1lXB-9M-Qe1ME2bZH-6kg0jhELhfW7s6hCRGSWySVP-H-1YEBPmqWIVR7aE5mfOGM/s640/New+High+School+002+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My students drew this in response to Laurie Halse Anderson's <i>Speak. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO9jA-RhqwAZ5nCINXFtcELr_ofvgQW3JMgHSwB47VEu3tJaTbZaefZZ3ND1PbM0XHU732czUFLJdR4O_OUwcxO6gZE41hs6l5oePRGxw9n_h6g7nhbHATPGrWfBsM3b2x7mHFpsZ60Q/s1600/New+High+School+004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLO9jA-RhqwAZ5nCINXFtcELr_ofvgQW3JMgHSwB47VEu3tJaTbZaefZZ3ND1PbM0XHU732czUFLJdR4O_OUwcxO6gZE41hs6l5oePRGxw9n_h6g7nhbHATPGrWfBsM3b2x7mHFpsZ60Q/s640/New+High+School+004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXMNCe2bsOU35mxk8jvPqE-VMTEyTbSxYMQEM7eN-ds5xk6H47IjDZ23vSib_rBz0RhU5f0IW8DhYJyOTDwU8tI37lQx-ANqvLME-V6amUEL5NRApQctpo8T46y7Qytd4KjY9PWyvukM/s1600/New+High+School+005+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXMNCe2bsOU35mxk8jvPqE-VMTEyTbSxYMQEM7eN-ds5xk6H47IjDZ23vSib_rBz0RhU5f0IW8DhYJyOTDwU8tI37lQx-ANqvLME-V6amUEL5NRApQctpo8T46y7Qytd4KjY9PWyvukM/s640/New+High+School+005+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Another beaut from my great group of students last year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pr9WISTL9quJuu2w2GY88PZwRvL6cE93TnK0WZ2xZP_Tsaf-RnKuZdpEToVApRGjR4BWFPCDCIhpf4LrQZefSYh5U3j3ISUscINnokvktOAEeKhvlpyaWkiQnz6k9Enw6vtSVyxwbZo/s1600/New+High+School+006+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pr9WISTL9quJuu2w2GY88PZwRvL6cE93TnK0WZ2xZP_Tsaf-RnKuZdpEToVApRGjR4BWFPCDCIhpf4LrQZefSYh5U3j3ISUscINnokvktOAEeKhvlpyaWkiQnz6k9Enw6vtSVyxwbZo/s640/New+High+School+006+blog.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<br />
Isn't this gorgeous? My student, Stephanie, painted this for my art project last year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQz0LTl-UuWlm9EZZG6rGJEIwp1FsPmz2dZhpJAE9UGVbExOyRjdERtYpHpgeKt_gHy-Gxf2MDSIEvt9LE9dOg1c8TPs4ft4wZQrskAwqnbnhCiug6rgAJEZWZWfNoGB8ohMQh0Nb6gw/s1600/New+High+School+008+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQz0LTl-UuWlm9EZZG6rGJEIwp1FsPmz2dZhpJAE9UGVbExOyRjdERtYpHpgeKt_gHy-Gxf2MDSIEvt9LE9dOg1c8TPs4ft4wZQrskAwqnbnhCiug6rgAJEZWZWfNoGB8ohMQh0Nb6gw/s640/New+High+School+008+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My essential question posters. This year, the 9th grade English theme is "Decisions, Actions, and Consequences." We started on <i>The Giver </i>this week.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTfLZx1yukGBYivC3TS2lUV8shV4uTIrtp2_Xbr0Wl_RFTdCWFS629dlcdMda1WU46Z3n6lUAKiXwFQyMszCqYGOcqjpos7w8MQLXGf6MQKPcD5D53CmIeX7LRgKhMuE7ZrraHUZ4Wg/s1600/New+High+School+009+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWTfLZx1yukGBYivC3TS2lUV8shV4uTIrtp2_Xbr0Wl_RFTdCWFS629dlcdMda1WU46Z3n6lUAKiXwFQyMszCqYGOcqjpos7w8MQLXGf6MQKPcD5D53CmIeX7LRgKhMuE7ZrraHUZ4Wg/s640/New+High+School+009+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My three rules.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHqNwFTbghP-MHSZ3URv8rjlpT_m84BK88UL6xPjiTjcs9QrpiCPU5GT01Y9Du93YRfKjAuAbSZGxRz9Tcy7C19Tyel_V-eC6dvN9iYSfGe_6V8Ivz26JzbY4jTgahwnuI6TKfMlmbfo/s1600/New+High+School+012+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHqNwFTbghP-MHSZ3URv8rjlpT_m84BK88UL6xPjiTjcs9QrpiCPU5GT01Y9Du93YRfKjAuAbSZGxRz9Tcy7C19Tyel_V-eC6dvN9iYSfGe_6V8Ivz26JzbY4jTgahwnuI6TKfMlmbfo/s640/New+High+School+012+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, yes. I work here.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GorAZmzTI7vO1xbLswyA4QWv9zIY9gvUMoUq1EEqr2ixM2xdBnk3MPZkUV-zHfBsYRQ1uWKz_HH1oKgH2DaxingcAh0TkiaIrAiBoHu3-vFd2qNNkqC3QOdO1ieXcBeGGb3r2q0F6Oc/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+045+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GorAZmzTI7vO1xbLswyA4QWv9zIY9gvUMoUq1EEqr2ixM2xdBnk3MPZkUV-zHfBsYRQ1uWKz_HH1oKgH2DaxingcAh0TkiaIrAiBoHu3-vFd2qNNkqC3QOdO1ieXcBeGGb3r2q0F6Oc/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+045+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
View from the end of the hallway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgnStw1G2noiIDPkubbZSAYlB1sBYAgPDHt7GdO4tf8aJo2Yz7iZP-78iaIMgXmlHChyQLDCkSgTCpWy0E_HHsjHWuGAQTwuEAJbhpcxP6BW6PddH1GMivhLBgdeMeyLfjz42jwMnnos/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+039+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgnStw1G2noiIDPkubbZSAYlB1sBYAgPDHt7GdO4tf8aJo2Yz7iZP-78iaIMgXmlHChyQLDCkSgTCpWy0E_HHsjHWuGAQTwuEAJbhpcxP6BW6PddH1GMivhLBgdeMeyLfjz42jwMnnos/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+039+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Couldn't resist.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCag4mXrxZq1Ucg6lb4yMVymmocCVaX1DSS_Y3cHdiYBioIdfsGZekPjZp5IK_cVcdvMr6EcHtkbIdWTiaDbJq1vCzrks8GcB4DMWl4_0dPbxLqFw3vnMraNsaYNmx5Ci9yxLipSnd2JY/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+044+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCag4mXrxZq1Ucg6lb4yMVymmocCVaX1DSS_Y3cHdiYBioIdfsGZekPjZp5IK_cVcdvMr6EcHtkbIdWTiaDbJq1vCzrks8GcB4DMWl4_0dPbxLqFw3vnMraNsaYNmx5Ci9yxLipSnd2JY/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+044+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HsDwPgUsjMnwSXA_uREUfCYbzjjrkGrgXOQeL8crcqoMjyXsDDJMfnMXW6eB5txMpcMCF_T12BNBC8A_Ztt6w9osnpu4efv0hXwOq7N4EYyPz_l7ycbiV1aYK2BDlArlPKxYyjzoyPU/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+054+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HsDwPgUsjMnwSXA_uREUfCYbzjjrkGrgXOQeL8crcqoMjyXsDDJMfnMXW6eB5txMpcMCF_T12BNBC8A_Ztt6w9osnpu4efv0hXwOq7N4EYyPz_l7ycbiV1aYK2BDlArlPKxYyjzoyPU/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+054+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I love how the rows of houses are built into the mountains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFDEhoR7hZ3aTgH8Q2usnk24yoiDBFkttWTnOVzOgBYqTqWN_Ju4qROzK-OytPOOhk9xzwuKn64p71c3_0DrtmhypRG9X0bOgah-gqFZtzORlcYxodiFFKXHLGaRObP5KpAekP0ai0cA/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+055+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFDEhoR7hZ3aTgH8Q2usnk24yoiDBFkttWTnOVzOgBYqTqWN_Ju4qROzK-OytPOOhk9xzwuKn64p71c3_0DrtmhypRG9X0bOgah-gqFZtzORlcYxodiFFKXHLGaRObP5KpAekP0ai0cA/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+055+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
View from the stairs in between floors. Everything is so green and open. It's nice.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aXCtDsKrNJh7BcsTqkQVIuPEDHh9crL6hDiSN7FQ3ALTUsIhemNxmuQyGROj5eMNZfO7EddPOF1VT1pdDmFERlWK3i6NgoEihYwQFnQ1CH7lviQllDqu8mRtpaMBwW0pUWg6vMa3sxY/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+064+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aXCtDsKrNJh7BcsTqkQVIuPEDHh9crL6hDiSN7FQ3ALTUsIhemNxmuQyGROj5eMNZfO7EddPOF1VT1pdDmFERlWK3i6NgoEihYwQFnQ1CH7lviQllDqu8mRtpaMBwW0pUWg6vMa3sxY/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+064+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The hallway to the <i>polideportivo</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak-w8Tew5-hjeJA4f_jlnuWWJYNHPe88in_ooh3KFLccTu8_ZuFYNLFjgZ6R0YkeAqoWAtFjY7u9f0XM2lamL6SXJ15LcHg6u99TZPjJDukWaaTCQZyCz97BZbQsiX8UW3_o69Da8vPg/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+068+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak-w8Tew5-hjeJA4f_jlnuWWJYNHPe88in_ooh3KFLccTu8_ZuFYNLFjgZ6R0YkeAqoWAtFjY7u9f0XM2lamL6SXJ15LcHg6u99TZPjJDukWaaTCQZyCz97BZbQsiX8UW3_o69Da8vPg/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+068+12.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <i>poli</i>. Eventually, there will be basketball hoops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbc9RYbNfTFS0AQyFV5HGzzaaPkjIDwpi6I7VhlfOxGyffxe2JRsmk8KlMqxWe_XW5g0gv4QCuQBgwOS-MS64XZ9kLCr7zTP5FSQ6iI6Sd_maGCHhyphenhyphengzNuCL1WJymal0mQ7vFovmGJOk/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+049+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbc9RYbNfTFS0AQyFV5HGzzaaPkjIDwpi6I7VhlfOxGyffxe2JRsmk8KlMqxWe_XW5g0gv4QCuQBgwOS-MS64XZ9kLCr7zTP5FSQ6iI6Sd_maGCHhyphenhyphengzNuCL1WJymal0mQ7vFovmGJOk/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+049+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A view of the <i>poli</i> from above. My room is to the left on the bottom floor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDakZoTG24BRQd8ffIoDKBIokXpKdYXnDqwy4gc4vYH65A2DdHnFPVx2RHp-1vGmUqKmieoViMwIihCahsZdoJnvlQcaGvR35LcA2l62cLaesryW7gTzEypjv5mlIXUZrVCv9sG3NB1c4/s1600/Last+Day+in+the+USA+061+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDakZoTG24BRQd8ffIoDKBIokXpKdYXnDqwy4gc4vYH65A2DdHnFPVx2RHp-1vGmUqKmieoViMwIihCahsZdoJnvlQcaGvR35LcA2l62cLaesryW7gTzEypjv5mlIXUZrVCv9sG3NB1c4/s640/Last+Day+in+the+USA+061+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Other big changes arrived (or didn't arrive) with the new building: no fans in classrooms, no curtains, no projectors, no internet, no classroom shelves . . . yet. These changes are really difficult at times because these are all luxuries we enjoyed in the old building, which is now used entirely by the middle school.The media room has no media (none of the promised computers, projectors, laptops). The cafeteria remains unfinished; the students eat lunch wherever they can find space. Many rooms are even missing whiteboards. Can you imagine teaching calculus without sufficient board space? The science departments are working in their labs permanently for lack of desks. Most of these things will be arriving in a shipment that is scheduled to be delivered in October (so November). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From what I understand, the delays are partly due to the immense amount of general stuff required to build and accommodate a new school, but mostly due to "Honduras-time." Honduran culture is much more relaxed about schedules, and deadlines in general. Most of the time, this cultural change is welcome. Hondurans definitely know how to relax and simply <i>enjoy </i>life and <i>enjoy </i>each other's presence. But business-wise, I think it might be driving our North American principle crazy. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, we carry on. I actually think not having internet has done spectacular things for my work ethic. After a summer of relaxation and ice cream, teaching is tough, of course, and very draining. However, running my own classroom feels really good. Last year, I took over for another teacher's class and, while my students were fabulous, it was a difficult transition because I didn't make the rules and I didn't know what her students had learned. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Estee has also contributed to this whole "work hard" thing. I always tell her how efficient she is <i>all the time. </i>She can be ready and elegant in 5 minutes flat. She creates delicious meals in 20 minutes. She makes the <i>best </i>hot chocolate ever. I'm a snail when it comes to most tasks, so Estee's been helping me focus and things feel much better that way.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another difference from last year is that I'm teaching drama as an elective. I'm teaching from a book called<a href="http://www.amazon.com/At-Play-Teaching-Teenagers-Theater/dp/0571211208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347108140&sr=1-1&keywords=at+play%3A+teaching+teenagers+theater"> </a><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/At-Play-Teaching-Teenagers-Theater/dp/0571211208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347108140&sr=1-1&keywords=at+play%3A+teaching+teenagers+theater">At Play: Teaching Teenagers Theater</a> </i>by Elizabeth Swados. She prefers to teach students that have no experience with theater and her workshop eventually leads the students to write their own play. The class is both thrilling and scary to teach because it's pretty experimental. We are doing all improv games and activities. We're not doing actual scenes yet because I want to students to approach performing in an authentic way, rather than mimicking what is seen on TV and in film. Amazingly, I have at least three students from each grade level in my class. I have eighteen students in total. This is a big number considering that each high school teacher is responsible for an elective. The students (from what I can tell) love it. In all honesty, it doesn't take too much to share and enjoy the magic of theater. We make up ridiculous stories on the spot. introduce ourselves in rap-form, and generally just laugh at each other. My students have been asking me about a Christmas play, but I'm not sure if I could organize a consistent time to rehearse or an appropriate play (without an over-abundance of cheese) to perform. I'll keep you posted! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Overall, my second stay in Honduras has been even more wonderful than the first. It was difficult to leave my family again, especially because I was nervous about teaching, but my experiences just in these last three weeks have been incredibly rewarding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I miss my pets, too. However, there's always skype: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
WARNING: The following pictures were taken this Saturday morning, a.k.a not my finest hour. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Emma has a face only a mother/aunt could love. When Karen asked, "Where's JuJu?" Emma cocked her head to the side as pugs are wont to do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSm0c6nzM1fF87gy6fys9cmPIFuqCB0ZxBGebbAkPluGogM1pwkLFvJn19XE0Sg6N4POum62jQlcvILbnN_PcW-X62qItOFW-3XYGUWFwbhZrlhgUfqHvzpw3y6dWBOUht5jrNnxN9Pg/s1600/yem+skyp+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSm0c6nzM1fF87gy6fys9cmPIFuqCB0ZxBGebbAkPluGogM1pwkLFvJn19XE0Sg6N4POum62jQlcvILbnN_PcW-X62qItOFW-3XYGUWFwbhZrlhgUfqHvzpw3y6dWBOUht5jrNnxN9Pg/s640/yem+skyp+2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Did I skype my two cats? Please! I read about it in <i>Becoming a Cat Lady: A Fool-Proof Method.</i> From the picture, you can tell I'm really enjoying it. <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGvl2ienHtNVAplY7YUGUNmrcRQx6YNMfF0yBrwZEe08I6U-MLWnKStRPmZlxotDIUf2J89v4cyFOPz6B7JClgTsPertWsdJBu5wUj3jYm3nXQQJLHeSbTaLc3emCSrbYhgdeCRdYbjs/s1600/nil+skype.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGvl2ienHtNVAplY7YUGUNmrcRQx6YNMfF0yBrwZEe08I6U-MLWnKStRPmZlxotDIUf2J89v4cyFOPz6B7JClgTsPertWsdJBu5wUj3jYm3nXQQJLHeSbTaLc3emCSrbYhgdeCRdYbjs/s640/nil+skype.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, Bo couldn't be reached for comment. Sad face.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvrXLgQy_8mHNcsMUXWXqpSvefEHk08zYXs7q7JpPGc-KAfn11EcdhxGGP591XroGgIlHxYsM6AZrnIr4OWDMPnqJCerFGbh8Sssbu1OmiacA2NHTp9JSXPwuQsE2jiaiJDa663cfLpc/s1600/bo+skpe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvrXLgQy_8mHNcsMUXWXqpSvefEHk08zYXs7q7JpPGc-KAfn11EcdhxGGP591XroGgIlHxYsM6AZrnIr4OWDMPnqJCerFGbh8Sssbu1OmiacA2NHTp9JSXPwuQsE2jiaiJDa663cfLpc/s640/bo+skpe.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
I will leave you with this: a scorpion. This was the first of three scorpions to be found in my classroom this past week. He is stuck between my promo for The Fellowship of the Book (my student book club) and the glass door. Eeck.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjlk9RQ6ge6woaakgDruu3XA62R5Ac6i0NhJl33YnTZtzXSgkLME6_IPiNbSlYfH4M9MLiGO5uQOYOyFbAtSLTvYhKkop4lP7OhefPajauDVL9O7cPS3CultLs4y-sjUDViCrT0-qnas/s1600/New+High+School+017+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjlk9RQ6ge6woaakgDruu3XA62R5Ac6i0NhJl33YnTZtzXSgkLME6_IPiNbSlYfH4M9MLiGO5uQOYOyFbAtSLTvYhKkop4lP7OhefPajauDVL9O7cPS3CultLs4y-sjUDViCrT0-qnas/s640/New+High+School+017+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you are anticipating pumpkin pie, apple cider, and leaves falling. Have a wonderful weekend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Julie</div>
Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-63200092668483684232012-08-09T15:34:00.001-07:002012-08-09T15:34:24.470-07:00The D. of C.This past weekend I had the privelage of visiting my dear friend, Estee, in her current location of Washington D.C. Estee and I met in Honduras and got to know each other as I began teaching. We were laughing tears of mirth soon thereafter. Estee is from California but she has lived in the Dominican Republic, China, England, and Costa Rica over the years.<br />
<br />
Before this summer, I had never been to the nation's capital, but now I would recommend it in a milisecond. Most tourist destinations are free, the food is interesting, and one can take the metro virtually everywhere.<br />
<br />
I don't have much experience with these sorts of things, so I was a bit geeked out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8SflW3tcYPtIperz1lNGeeJIhpbEB7gCCoaWKW9PS_2sXBVJArQ2K1KVZ4OiUguffa_eOC6tKSGHy4_PvYngMgu5iEUz6MNHAoaVL2VkSM0kLwXpaGmLpbD_R-cWqiGKA2v3tYIg_H8/s1600/Washington+DC+002+-+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8SflW3tcYPtIperz1lNGeeJIhpbEB7gCCoaWKW9PS_2sXBVJArQ2K1KVZ4OiUguffa_eOC6tKSGHy4_PvYngMgu5iEUz6MNHAoaVL2VkSM0kLwXpaGmLpbD_R-cWqiGKA2v3tYIg_H8/s640/Washington+DC+002+-+blog.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />
I was excited to see a little something-something in the distance. Can you see what I mean?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2jxevYqbotGbzb90HgfMZI8V63mMiBjIAodiWnqCu8h8VlNjdIJZaW1CU7BZXFPrxsPyLfPNrw1WQJZcu2Rt0DDLjnUhTub7673StUPiU2MkwBkDqCbzz6fS9npP90IJS1kjkGkaknk/s1600/Washington+DC+005+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2jxevYqbotGbzb90HgfMZI8V63mMiBjIAodiWnqCu8h8VlNjdIJZaW1CU7BZXFPrxsPyLfPNrw1WQJZcu2Rt0DDLjnUhTub7673StUPiU2MkwBkDqCbzz6fS9npP90IJS1kjkGkaknk/s1600/Washington+DC+005+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tourists can use these Zipcars. These vehicles are parked everywhere. Apparently, one buys a Zip card and then reserves a car parked at a certain spot in the city. Then you just hold the card in front of the windshield and the doors unlock. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once we got home, we took a walk to pick up Estee's friend Sarah. DC is very green. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL24BFsR_sfuVUQqdeG-D6Ll_DnCYEqY7SEu1PZcLMk2y5BDQKuLROa33kyGUAlWMLFmuUTQdIyKlr8OIIc38WvokUKchIOqeVX5j-EQLlOwG3xnOSCTrMJVcosnUfLeYVehdxA1gABg/s1600/Washington+DC+013+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL24BFsR_sfuVUQqdeG-D6Ll_DnCYEqY7SEu1PZcLMk2y5BDQKuLROa33kyGUAlWMLFmuUTQdIyKlr8OIIc38WvokUKchIOqeVX5j-EQLlOwG3xnOSCTrMJVcosnUfLeYVehdxA1gABg/s1600/Washington+DC+013+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sarah introduced us to Serendipity, a funky restaurant know for it's frozen hot chocolate. Sarah is a pastry chef so stuff she recommends is legit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4ZpkDoDit6jMbD4p2jENvAbPZqzbTGrEMlfo0jlKo4A4rGix79_QYjNKNLeWsBcVmtA_UIN_4aiF6hu0I0G0ZMbH7GXyjSBh1_h5Z1uUx_CRK3AoQF9T0HM02ikRMkXUyHl2mMe7iiY/s1600/Washington+DC+018+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4ZpkDoDit6jMbD4p2jENvAbPZqzbTGrEMlfo0jlKo4A4rGix79_QYjNKNLeWsBcVmtA_UIN_4aiF6hu0I0G0ZMbH7GXyjSBh1_h5Z1uUx_CRK3AoQF9T0HM02ikRMkXUyHl2mMe7iiY/s1600/Washington+DC+018+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We ordered the frozen hot chocolate for two and it was a chalice of a beverage with (apparently) 14 different kinds of chocolate. Estee attempted to take a picture of me with the said chalice and we were laughing too hard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4dT2_alolyR7w4E5yqbW6aH0-useiVXrJN9LHhUbyAlVFTt6vQTI_yUf7Iej82FoU7UN5tvTGn7pkpL1hL4kNsyA4wXoXzKfmZmcv4PefbBS_dS14LJNNDowYnSHTvUacDZoYgAl2lI/s1600/quartet+BLOG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4dT2_alolyR7w4E5yqbW6aH0-useiVXrJN9LHhUbyAlVFTt6vQTI_yUf7Iej82FoU7UN5tvTGn7pkpL1hL4kNsyA4wXoXzKfmZmcv4PefbBS_dS14LJNNDowYnSHTvUacDZoYgAl2lI/s1600/quartet+BLOG.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The onion ring tower was also divine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnKq1ll5hBG687j0cSBSK-Bf7_Mmt_cf4iy3xqRnY0KUYd3Nk6Q-fZ1yRbrd6rARiMGykyfhYwzEoWOatE4CRzU89KYGee7ExTVlgpX0oOd7ps0hPWZF6G82vxUdEG4kIiycx5tjJ58s/s1600/Washington+DC+019+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnKq1ll5hBG687j0cSBSK-Bf7_Mmt_cf4iy3xqRnY0KUYd3Nk6Q-fZ1yRbrd6rARiMGykyfhYwzEoWOatE4CRzU89KYGee7ExTVlgpX0oOd7ps0hPWZF6G82vxUdEG4kIiycx5tjJ58s/s640/Washington+DC+019+blog.jpg" width="364" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love the decoration inside the restaurant! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz5DI0hOxsXHmTGO7Lj-SCNXaZqPVJoCsO4vf7-H41VLXi_Xr5zDsFKonB1672khOcXB434NsNno26uf4UHRlMe82g_Mco05UuKFt12wy4ptnSrZKoU_uf7RSV0qWOFYXB9HBIC3s7_c/s1600/Washington+DC+025+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz5DI0hOxsXHmTGO7Lj-SCNXaZqPVJoCsO4vf7-H41VLXi_Xr5zDsFKonB1672khOcXB434NsNno26uf4UHRlMe82g_Mco05UuKFt12wy4ptnSrZKoU_uf7RSV0qWOFYXB9HBIC3s7_c/s640/Washington+DC+025+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
Pretty sure the bar was pink.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCrBlNXls6yl7Ms1iCfmi37kLo1Wzn12iFkrfVEifRWN7moUahGy232MSLFM8VErnk7shgikVPeoHqPLzS2X0JESKcei42H_PNH19uEQ3uDh75411txEEjQX5x2LYx2BqjSY6yY-suHs/s1600/Washington+DC+028+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCrBlNXls6yl7Ms1iCfmi37kLo1Wzn12iFkrfVEifRWN7moUahGy232MSLFM8VErnk7shgikVPeoHqPLzS2X0JESKcei42H_PNH19uEQ3uDh75411txEEjQX5x2LYx2BqjSY6yY-suHs/s640/Washington+DC+028+blog.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is in Georgetown, I believe. There's lots of shopping to do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1VyVN_3rF9ifbLVDmPUBMqeT6uqt7wqQ-pF_ehwVWr11p0wx6IJRtVTmzmUNUhUIld6C_DyV5Ip5j5rvCEIMHHT_X4YEHtlx8N0JpcebNyX-mSrGeCQmhDQ67Vmzlsz00NZ0tMhz4Jk/s1600/Washington+DC+030+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1VyVN_3rF9ifbLVDmPUBMqeT6uqt7wqQ-pF_ehwVWr11p0wx6IJRtVTmzmUNUhUIld6C_DyV5Ip5j5rvCEIMHHT_X4YEHtlx8N0JpcebNyX-mSrGeCQmhDQ67Vmzlsz00NZ0tMhz4Jk/s640/Washington+DC+030+blog.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Admittedly, I took way too many pictures of flowers. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1nao2lCfZdSouT0MUbSfTA07nN7Da3jAcY5UFJj7R8c3-pIKp5VrEBt1CpEEH7v2iMIayhyphenhyphenYNY1hRTv8yTYfMBGKXfql4lKAQvHB7Zt5xvJY-RgAPH9zCHb__opKCfTeOu1wkf6aG5E/s1600/Washington+DC+039+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1nao2lCfZdSouT0MUbSfTA07nN7Da3jAcY5UFJj7R8c3-pIKp5VrEBt1CpEEH7v2iMIayhyphenhyphenYNY1hRTv8yTYfMBGKXfql4lKAQvHB7Zt5xvJY-RgAPH9zCHb__opKCfTeOu1wkf6aG5E/s640/Washington+DC+039+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF_GoUiJ2Wv2kYslRTxFQC5Ia2b-g-2WeNSWIzTo7pkKA1FFL4VDJ0LB1BWZhgsLLhgcFM6w03ZchQlALcNTgzwWL_2p00jKtfy7RYY_e_JXj0b9RXdsprVmaLhMt6nX2QbvUBdh3KZU/s1600/Washington+DC+042+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF_GoUiJ2Wv2kYslRTxFQC5Ia2b-g-2WeNSWIzTo7pkKA1FFL4VDJ0LB1BWZhgsLLhgcFM6w03ZchQlALcNTgzwWL_2p00jKtfy7RYY_e_JXj0b9RXdsprVmaLhMt6nX2QbvUBdh3KZU/s640/Washington+DC+042+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
This was fun! A sort of mini-fountain park near the Potomac river. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis096JRy6f6aNDsFdLOTG-GPP2PP4OrGagPfzH8shOQu6jagf52bi_i1e75sVd8h2xq4QKXUrWw5q5Z2GZ8FU6pe85u8NFUhSI7FxjUHLP2cms4RO5cE8fgsmAyfvZ_7ZvHTXG_I6rqjw/s1600/Washington+DC+044+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis096JRy6f6aNDsFdLOTG-GPP2PP4OrGagPfzH8shOQu6jagf52bi_i1e75sVd8h2xq4QKXUrWw5q5Z2GZ8FU6pe85u8NFUhSI7FxjUHLP2cms4RO5cE8fgsmAyfvZ_7ZvHTXG_I6rqjw/s1600/Washington+DC+044+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This mother-daughter duo had so much fun, screaming and laughing the whole time. What with the flowers and this adorable display, I think I might be getting sentimental.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCGq01hor4jpKR79sIPxVrJo1MXl3zZc2vpNTwo1Wc06NmE97PnNfvmvNkHP8Uicivpy5vYffN9IR7vcKKsYuh5_FHUl9MDosjIfhHew6pRsULenJrJCCilxiLdZMg8OEBpO3dYRI2qY/s1600/Washington+DC+047+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCGq01hor4jpKR79sIPxVrJo1MXl3zZc2vpNTwo1Wc06NmE97PnNfvmvNkHP8Uicivpy5vYffN9IR7vcKKsYuh5_FHUl9MDosjIfhHew6pRsULenJrJCCilxiLdZMg8OEBpO3dYRI2qY/s640/Washington+DC+047+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The photo opp's were too great. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaKT4z9oTlX6zXN5JQAZpzdqHZqJZiVlRzUnt8nc2PowO2cN5pXZ4PkvKFudYtaQogNeXN0TxVuNRaDupygrDTj721N57hYkGOhjkLH6QNlUHJ66wugh1OrQOMjjA53WgOB-Au-Rh1Ok/s1600/Washington+DC+048+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaKT4z9oTlX6zXN5JQAZpzdqHZqJZiVlRzUnt8nc2PowO2cN5pXZ4PkvKFudYtaQogNeXN0TxVuNRaDupygrDTj721N57hYkGOhjkLH6QNlUHJ66wugh1OrQOMjjA53WgOB-Au-Rh1Ok/s640/Washington+DC+048+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
Reagan airport is really close so planes and helicopters constantly flew over our heads. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiPAwb8As8xUjYrlJOPCXeCAh_LQEhhXLg5OoilukejsKOdkCs1TsG-tnA9eBIuWDk0TwJiqwVqfVlXPK5oS0bOKTcCbD7JliH_KDVhOzPnsnlEzUGXGQ3b03P1hUekoVhYfbX0tFpJI/s1600/Washington+DC+070+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiPAwb8As8xUjYrlJOPCXeCAh_LQEhhXLg5OoilukejsKOdkCs1TsG-tnA9eBIuWDk0TwJiqwVqfVlXPK5oS0bOKTcCbD7JliH_KDVhOzPnsnlEzUGXGQ3b03P1hUekoVhYfbX0tFpJI/s640/Washington+DC+070+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A curious little house. I suspect the diplomat from the North Pole lives there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oh6ohcglOXPTj5RSW3BCnQw3fW5SxxCrf_SEm5zuR-wjbK0fwwdiSP3kVGg8WO1Qqt0KIMWj_mISiwWgs3EjTUbhWF9BuZwcHo18BrznlTHlGnw08VZ2qZLOla6piBoBbe34XqzbrMI/s1600/Washington+DC+072+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oh6ohcglOXPTj5RSW3BCnQw3fW5SxxCrf_SEm5zuR-wjbK0fwwdiSP3kVGg8WO1Qqt0KIMWj_mISiwWgs3EjTUbhWF9BuZwcHo18BrznlTHlGnw08VZ2qZLOla6piBoBbe34XqzbrMI/s640/Washington+DC+072+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is how DC does gas stations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nHqYGe0hwXrWGWeTfSZ5_c21wJVcJtXqKfBi6P9rmeHb4bZpwCX0qsDSIbJ9fmC-z8AloTD5gMBOzVEK5y4vzXnQt6LeTJtqmJUYoPHTFDrtYrIMOAMxQD7dTT_-A3Oe-Rqg6newX5Y/s1600/Washington+DC+075+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nHqYGe0hwXrWGWeTfSZ5_c21wJVcJtXqKfBi6P9rmeHb4bZpwCX0qsDSIbJ9fmC-z8AloTD5gMBOzVEK5y4vzXnQt6LeTJtqmJUYoPHTFDrtYrIMOAMxQD7dTT_-A3Oe-Rqg6newX5Y/s640/Washington+DC+075+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
More flowers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZxS75j1OJFfXVs_jOC2bqjQoD3svzyOrX8B79Ip1vtQ2nFLlQ_mT5q_ydvS5y3Z3Albax4GxMjX6EXXTDlcpNKn-bDl5W5rFB53_80EnlLDwWFCklqRMdwvnEwRPeMT2QLXepbL3OFU/s1600/Washington+DC+076+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZxS75j1OJFfXVs_jOC2bqjQoD3svzyOrX8B79Ip1vtQ2nFLlQ_mT5q_ydvS5y3Z3Albax4GxMjX6EXXTDlcpNKn-bDl5W5rFB53_80EnlLDwWFCklqRMdwvnEwRPeMT2QLXepbL3OFU/s640/Washington+DC+076+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally. My dreams have come true.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNm-5H1UcbQKjTe3Q6fGNl8eWpxYtRaISTFMn_PJ2FnbeyMqKiVEJj7ESQPNrENGUEl4mWq-K2qFbi6xF_MH6uc2RgUYY9IMEN9lArwicVMzRtKt0J63eoiTwQbEG3uPBvp3oTb8-xMU/s1600/Washington+DC+081+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNm-5H1UcbQKjTe3Q6fGNl8eWpxYtRaISTFMn_PJ2FnbeyMqKiVEJj7ESQPNrENGUEl4mWq-K2qFbi6xF_MH6uc2RgUYY9IMEN9lArwicVMzRtKt0J63eoiTwQbEG3uPBvp3oTb8-xMU/s640/Washington+DC+081+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Lincoln Memorial. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xlriWNI5b0o7nNTsmEqGJ-KJdxW31-FF5FQy_H4f_VyDQ0ezd1FGYbIJSO_RrQPnbZTj6G95Te-W25P1lB0KmGEWDWYIqUfqNrihb87WEhvxiBU2H2NYD631lelu-2UemoPU82DscMg/s1600/Washington+DC+136+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xlriWNI5b0o7nNTsmEqGJ-KJdxW31-FF5FQy_H4f_VyDQ0ezd1FGYbIJSO_RrQPnbZTj6G95Te-W25P1lB0KmGEWDWYIqUfqNrihb87WEhvxiBU2H2NYD631lelu-2UemoPU82DscMg/s640/Washington+DC+136+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
Every state is honored around the top of the memorial. Smitten with the Mitten!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTr1j0bYPpl4j_1mfgpm6kyQIIlEjJs_t8uhGX8Hev9NKzjViygI4qPmyahxGbWdgVXPO3VEuLJSXEozoiHh1k62XVNtOdEFwAbZo-0MX-baNku6ymHhUJ2e8_vuVTJIc4VvQ7TyKxd4/s1600/Washington+DC+096+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTr1j0bYPpl4j_1mfgpm6kyQIIlEjJs_t8uhGX8Hev9NKzjViygI4qPmyahxGbWdgVXPO3VEuLJSXEozoiHh1k62XVNtOdEFwAbZo-0MX-baNku6ymHhUJ2e8_vuVTJIc4VvQ7TyKxd4/s640/Washington+DC+096+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Honest Able himself. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DDfMw6Bz8t5YEpBJrdF3cVALNL89YOgSh_oF8cFrHwZgZJ6WaYtyi4rEPtDlKXMMaRmCp6CGYnEF13jfDS1h1FnTutZuFtpBTKmXYRKOWkC8TMYLOM1vrMWvMALFcTAY-gvRX7Nt4V4/s1600/Washington+DC+100+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DDfMw6Bz8t5YEpBJrdF3cVALNL89YOgSh_oF8cFrHwZgZJ6WaYtyi4rEPtDlKXMMaRmCp6CGYnEF13jfDS1h1FnTutZuFtpBTKmXYRKOWkC8TMYLOM1vrMWvMALFcTAY-gvRX7Nt4V4/s640/Washington+DC+100+blog.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
Estee: looking casual, looking cool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZepJkYUP3zB2ETRgJ_-E7RF20PqVTaQ9RxVprIhJuHzIEEgmPaAXi9h2c7RG_y80Ypn4jUcJOgBNtkuq8WqCVVfFN96I3U0fOcky0MXNBlJywCsZZIFpRr6P8HUFRNPatMxI6fjKSbM/s1600/Washington+DC+107+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZepJkYUP3zB2ETRgJ_-E7RF20PqVTaQ9RxVprIhJuHzIEEgmPaAXi9h2c7RG_y80Ypn4jUcJOgBNtkuq8WqCVVfFN96I3U0fOcky0MXNBlJywCsZZIFpRr6P8HUFRNPatMxI6fjKSbM/s640/Washington+DC+107+blog.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
Once again, we attempted to take a serious "tourist" photo. Couldn't do it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZw1IhEir1ZPwAnlqxhc6CHoGOc_POxy1Q4PFDLkg0Ow8iYV9Odk9nUTwG7gh5OtU1IyrlBjHYj1R6Z09z9Sw3ARCu09OUA2p53F8CvsklZimscogp-dG2s_F7YxQ-yd8DF9rJJilPdc/s1600/two+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZw1IhEir1ZPwAnlqxhc6CHoGOc_POxy1Q4PFDLkg0Ow8iYV9Odk9nUTwG7gh5OtU1IyrlBjHYj1R6Z09z9Sw3ARCu09OUA2p53F8CvsklZimscogp-dG2s_F7YxQ-yd8DF9rJJilPdc/s640/two+pic.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPITBuRRhUMMwxc4HVkYfOudlLb61rrtA2QpPIwS5-PfUOdH8EyjK2cn-OoKQ9kmY7GKHylubt9CykDV0jtjPA82k8nuWD44ZsfpBFY-qAjkcaRCjjRxaMVlKiRxoe32kWXxxxdfBJ8c/s1600/Washington+DC+115+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPITBuRRhUMMwxc4HVkYfOudlLb61rrtA2QpPIwS5-PfUOdH8EyjK2cn-OoKQ9kmY7GKHylubt9CykDV0jtjPA82k8nuWD44ZsfpBFY-qAjkcaRCjjRxaMVlKiRxoe32kWXxxxdfBJ8c/s640/Washington+DC+115+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
From one memorial to another.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQz07HT8iHgBOj9T2LgJixKDTPct7BuFfkuDwMU-FDO0aJptRf3nIQqFi8uSjogyHi_V4HmyNMSGE72Ln3MCFnfZiEeWwTDKzrU4-Sl0wa1MeSKI0vx34XPIdafLIDIQ-flIFE4OXquc/s1600/Washington+DC+117+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQz07HT8iHgBOj9T2LgJixKDTPct7BuFfkuDwMU-FDO0aJptRf3nIQqFi8uSjogyHi_V4HmyNMSGE72Ln3MCFnfZiEeWwTDKzrU4-Sl0wa1MeSKI0vx34XPIdafLIDIQ-flIFE4OXquc/s1600/Washington+DC+117+lbog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some advice: wherever you go in Washington, look up. They spend time on ceilings.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBbxuD4C5EFhyphenhyphen7JFoX8AXMWTHGq7lDTRPTImvjRTeGgS0zHBgV-IDlOmr1pBG-isLXm7_p4TlXgzWNlw0lJIlLaKJc57DUHxP3tkW1r7VIOvhvM2aHUjfc_dazjaO1zznRRlPKoXqIUY/s1600/Washington+DC+118+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBbxuD4C5EFhyphenhyphen7JFoX8AXMWTHGq7lDTRPTImvjRTeGgS0zHBgV-IDlOmr1pBG-isLXm7_p4TlXgzWNlw0lJIlLaKJc57DUHxP3tkW1r7VIOvhvM2aHUjfc_dazjaO1zznRRlPKoXqIUY/s640/Washington+DC+118+blog.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
Pictured below is the exact spot where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech. Gave me chills.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd2S8CsJ4i8yS2cPB1_V6QD_8nkhYR98y7BqcmDF69bdFhjaSZqZEu4jeb1NEbP-ZLiV1z6lHYQCwilP-qsd-cvks4rQ-a96DXEEuEtAuHKQjWYDUi7QFZrZhpgtbF-L7xAMNVDPJ-qA/s1600/Washington+DC+130+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd2S8CsJ4i8yS2cPB1_V6QD_8nkhYR98y7BqcmDF69bdFhjaSZqZEu4jeb1NEbP-ZLiV1z6lHYQCwilP-qsd-cvks4rQ-a96DXEEuEtAuHKQjWYDUi7QFZrZhpgtbF-L7xAMNVDPJ-qA/s640/Washington+DC+130+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2beYxXeSfAY7rlLxMVm200N4g2cnt4xYbykVTqSs5DYP6Kt90FDvAVEUYid0_lXayrNIjgF8MjncsFAem4mfsj79Yg89JV1EZP_tgnJMPuGvDT2AC4vZ6Opss4bAzISEtjBzbpzsb8g/s1600/Washington+DC+144+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2beYxXeSfAY7rlLxMVm200N4g2cnt4xYbykVTqSs5DYP6Kt90FDvAVEUYid0_lXayrNIjgF8MjncsFAem4mfsj79Yg89JV1EZP_tgnJMPuGvDT2AC4vZ6Opss4bAzISEtjBzbpzsb8g/s640/Washington+DC+144+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGDKj3cpmv4IxCeHELaPSLSIYP4XzCcknj3y0ljDY-0-FlCDbC-wrhT49_dWDDAW_3_24HRV2_1M8aUREs4cwYa1fQO0qaWxdFAF1xI9R4KvrEhSEpRsz1PsFeWO_gjyzZGKpAPFzGAY/s1600/Washington+DC+139+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGDKj3cpmv4IxCeHELaPSLSIYP4XzCcknj3y0ljDY-0-FlCDbC-wrhT49_dWDDAW_3_24HRV2_1M8aUREs4cwYa1fQO0qaWxdFAF1xI9R4KvrEhSEpRsz1PsFeWO_gjyzZGKpAPFzGAY/s640/Washington+DC+139+blog.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY8yf5DBP6K87nXWpVi6kq2Vt1l4VkCI4AoUlCsm3BwqgqnsZJxX3LxO22hAHuVpxKgO8_VJ1PdfBcxc9OhmFrJ0ngpVdsmPEyKj9E3wS7yDv-AmN4EJsNFF74caEnq-8YrEGmsU-3MY/s1600/Washington+DC+141+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY8yf5DBP6K87nXWpVi6kq2Vt1l4VkCI4AoUlCsm3BwqgqnsZJxX3LxO22hAHuVpxKgO8_VJ1PdfBcxc9OhmFrJ0ngpVdsmPEyKj9E3wS7yDv-AmN4EJsNFF74caEnq-8YrEGmsU-3MY/s640/Washington+DC+141+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sad bit of controversy: this entire sculpture was designed by a Chinese artist and made in China. Some thought, when the memorial was first dedicated, that his eyes looked too "asian."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVrHT9Ej2cGx5AI1W8qSgKa-MKmQvR6YfnWXwqTvCX2x_UmO8fEw5baPXj9bZvouxnbDlikKJHskSezROI0OtSrizqN6YiYvfI0Cfx2W1zULVK6l-ia-fi2Qh4IdpseWyUe0zdoSLOx8/s1600/Washington+DC+142+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVrHT9Ej2cGx5AI1W8qSgKa-MKmQvR6YfnWXwqTvCX2x_UmO8fEw5baPXj9bZvouxnbDlikKJHskSezROI0OtSrizqN6YiYvfI0Cfx2W1zULVK6l-ia-fi2Qh4IdpseWyUe0zdoSLOx8/s640/Washington+DC+142+blog.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
A view of the Jefferson Memorial.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUmkWRn8RcDLH1QWMqtuVidqm74FYoaybeWIYve1kmoS0XmOBUNtLhMco3ZB_Sdvj_p4rITH4NL3yYYlSptcqwjL96CdB1ba3f5aEFLi9gjpX78CIK1W3xH0MB27Irjtk-mO34iphnBo/s1600/Washington+DC+145+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUmkWRn8RcDLH1QWMqtuVidqm74FYoaybeWIYve1kmoS0XmOBUNtLhMco3ZB_Sdvj_p4rITH4NL3yYYlSptcqwjL96CdB1ba3f5aEFLi9gjpX78CIK1W3xH0MB27Irjtk-mO34iphnBo/s640/Washington+DC+145+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
DC might hold the world record for the longest buildings ever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ud_Zrc67MnCdnXD-1IjdW0_WEbtyrN-1FXQ3KcwSAmhXgCxP8XdwRrhC9I4_M4fuCOYPWxxPdNZIUfKHtCuPGUfL4V8zvuNOLecfTdxUscsibgwCZpsL_NsikYR1mr5Bzn7TE21fMSs/s1600/Washington+DC+160+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ud_Zrc67MnCdnXD-1IjdW0_WEbtyrN-1FXQ3KcwSAmhXgCxP8XdwRrhC9I4_M4fuCOYPWxxPdNZIUfKHtCuPGUfL4V8zvuNOLecfTdxUscsibgwCZpsL_NsikYR1mr5Bzn7TE21fMSs/s640/Washington+DC+160+blog+2.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 1 ended with a <i>delicious </i>Indian dinner. Estee received numerous birthday cards including one which pointed at the reader and said, "Point!" Clevah. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq65v-L1MUkvwv7Veac2Y3APJIqtSSPWVt-RLRj66UW4L0s8ryjBu_G3dGt6iVDD9Cp3YADwJoP97gaoGym85BBAVhrNWyRg_-USPaV8yneGE8-FNzqXfFkp-etRfdyqEJHIFcKG3O5Wk/s1600/pic+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq65v-L1MUkvwv7Veac2Y3APJIqtSSPWVt-RLRj66UW4L0s8ryjBu_G3dGt6iVDD9Cp3YADwJoP97gaoGym85BBAVhrNWyRg_-USPaV8yneGE8-FNzqXfFkp-etRfdyqEJHIFcKG3O5Wk/s640/pic+pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Day 2 started with a tour of the Capitol Building. (Ever notice that? DC is the nation's capitAl but this is the CapitOl building?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagDi1hRLSPqsT_BuTT40r-mKpuUGI8psyQHt08O4fCjAljMbKk1DnNsewZbZzNXsM2KCQLHCvw9h6JHA-91TP9B10ctuJANe0Zyu2DqDAmcy3qBLmvsaCMO9rtjhdbiFYDwO7t59rI1w/s1600/Washington+DC+164+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagDi1hRLSPqsT_BuTT40r-mKpuUGI8psyQHt08O4fCjAljMbKk1DnNsewZbZzNXsM2KCQLHCvw9h6JHA-91TP9B10ctuJANe0Zyu2DqDAmcy3qBLmvsaCMO9rtjhdbiFYDwO7t59rI1w/s640/Washington+DC+164+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The line for the school tours and young politician groups.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Rch7_hg2cY8Q8Uimd23-uoB-fOqetttgznUxrJv0QBF82t1TVWi2fbnaqFr8zPleIi-DNVSGb5YWrXhs_zLYcbPGLrEagZdvTb9FzXJfuJ9BMvzZLl1lNIicINtAci2gL7bZiHtIJHg/s1600/Washington+DC+166+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Rch7_hg2cY8Q8Uimd23-uoB-fOqetttgznUxrJv0QBF82t1TVWi2fbnaqFr8zPleIi-DNVSGb5YWrXhs_zLYcbPGLrEagZdvTb9FzXJfuJ9BMvzZLl1lNIicINtAci2gL7bZiHtIJHg/s640/Washington+DC+166+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Our "reserved tickets" line. HA! Take that, tweens in pant suits!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZDkM29LKSh2WklF14bPINddQaoLUHDcWpcNEfnrtPKohADGL7YFrhfmrSNL9vqx0gYV8SOcMv-vNFcteA9ZNrMRfHKrzSKhgoHsOeJUi95IGJ4e9lIUndycb3h37wwVkIhRklszy9S4/s1600/Washington+DC+167+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZDkM29LKSh2WklF14bPINddQaoLUHDcWpcNEfnrtPKohADGL7YFrhfmrSNL9vqx0gYV8SOcMv-vNFcteA9ZNrMRfHKrzSKhgoHsOeJUi95IGJ4e9lIUndycb3h37wwVkIhRklszy9S4/s640/Washington+DC+167+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Estee and I, looking fly in our tour headphones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-xHMYgri_FWJVl3hFQCEwcMzoKGROg8MTy2Pq9zap9wCWNnbHqZpnFQU81JGXVQWBVrV8aLmEOmO2ty4VQfi9lB5n0uSWj2__H9_8nmB24WK2lU1PaQDOoyrefqeRLISm915WbZfXxA/s1600/Washington+DC+173+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-xHMYgri_FWJVl3hFQCEwcMzoKGROg8MTy2Pq9zap9wCWNnbHqZpnFQU81JGXVQWBVrV8aLmEOmO2ty4VQfi9lB5n0uSWj2__H9_8nmB24WK2lU1PaQDOoyrefqeRLISm915WbZfXxA/s640/Washington+DC+173+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Rotunda - connecting the House and the Senate. Although it doesn't look seem that tall, this room (under the dome) could house the Statue of Liberty with 29 feet to spare. Blown away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzBY1kpRg7OHmdmmpWK1Ugocz36-ospIFhoaOWawc-8BHaH5p3Qnk-WvljKicmBrnk9LXkDve4zGFREbwjI457YbHSSaD66pIKz4b-7c_rIs-UFv7QqiXe4MfOv17D_xLPRIaUJX8tLU/s1600/Washington+DC+182+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzBY1kpRg7OHmdmmpWK1Ugocz36-ospIFhoaOWawc-8BHaH5p3Qnk-WvljKicmBrnk9LXkDve4zGFREbwjI457YbHSSaD66pIKz4b-7c_rIs-UFv7QqiXe4MfOv17D_xLPRIaUJX8tLU/s640/Washington+DC+182+blog+2.jpg" width="359" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Beautiful artwork.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxT4StjUOAjFwJqNkpMIo-olPaksL82czRfXgGp02r_j_h0TzI8TZ-6uIpUgZqaN7vZFv4vUYRuDS7Qh5NPRo2zj7hidDZ3JYMf6oGFkucrhPngn1iV6slpB-EAo7vBOGbO7JwY320cU/s1600/Washington+DC+184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxT4StjUOAjFwJqNkpMIo-olPaksL82czRfXgGp02r_j_h0TzI8TZ-6uIpUgZqaN7vZFv4vUYRuDS7Qh5NPRo2zj7hidDZ3JYMf6oGFkucrhPngn1iV6slpB-EAo7vBOGbO7JwY320cU/s640/Washington+DC+184.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The painting at the very top of the dome is called "The Apotheosis of George Washington" (<i>apotheosis </i>meaning "to deify" from the Greek). It depicts George Washington rising to the heavens. The amount of reverence this man gets in this town is intense.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Below is a close-up. George is in the very center, across from the banner which reads, of course, <i>e pluribus unum. </i>I couldn't find him at first. I was too distracted by the half-naked giant front-and-center wearing a purple towel. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArvL5hDk2J5AkpnbM5vUK9bSjjI8sffU6lbjE6JxBOPWYXU8uKAI3Pc865j1pGdP46sgFQtd6vktGFa63c2qPwc3tE-LYW2matXNTaTzRj8FUpe-vRYEr4YlYr0rbJwmHjMdQ5HxW7aU/s1600/Washington+DC+185+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArvL5hDk2J5AkpnbM5vUK9bSjjI8sffU6lbjE6JxBOPWYXU8uKAI3Pc865j1pGdP46sgFQtd6vktGFa63c2qPwc3tE-LYW2matXNTaTzRj8FUpe-vRYEr4YlYr0rbJwmHjMdQ5HxW7aU/s640/Washington+DC+185+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Statuary Hall. This used to be the meeting room for the House. Now it houses dozens of statues; each state is allowed to dedicated two. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0l5DwmhMs6W_HkEUX6HD5jZ_Dk1n6JNtOE_B8arMT7h_8Qakwxhurv4eA4DZiejhjKrtznrELlNw38wkowJ4-Z0cjx-naabU9-bvfJ3YWvdH3bF9roc8mCgPqYJl-kBAtwO4pSePlkw/s1600/Washington+DC+192+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0l5DwmhMs6W_HkEUX6HD5jZ_Dk1n6JNtOE_B8arMT7h_8Qakwxhurv4eA4DZiejhjKrtznrELlNw38wkowJ4-Z0cjx-naabU9-bvfJ3YWvdH3bF9roc8mCgPqYJl-kBAtwO4pSePlkw/s640/Washington+DC+192+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Estee and I both thought that the statues seemed to be placed in the room rather unceremoniously (gasp!) . It kinda looked like storage. :(</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVU_LrckvtNA2x_0jV9XsjXig6tL7hyZzZtHFPU3rTm6xV9cj0-R0l4WnUAupMehKdBkBsbRDLJQnVwiLGnIIM-l12DP7L5ZbpuattRuGm5JGfIbcn4oTsAh6l_9xmXRScYLOSAHq5Bk/s1600/Washington+DC+194+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVU_LrckvtNA2x_0jV9XsjXig6tL7hyZzZtHFPU3rTm6xV9cj0-R0l4WnUAupMehKdBkBsbRDLJQnVwiLGnIIM-l12DP7L5ZbpuattRuGm5JGfIbcn4oTsAh6l_9xmXRScYLOSAHq5Bk/s640/Washington+DC+194+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lady Liberty passes down the scroll on which the Constitution is written. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIAOAlpcln-i78Ta_u92pvzqoeaXS4jdOXUF3cxgNK7XzJ6bP3-KAwoD9YhWmfz4TMpvhK-lxMiRu8dtVgMF2SmeooO6rAuZY3dHTEuVzNKCMryDr6XbrzDFjD7rlwOH61I_2JhLAMRA/s1600/Washington+DC+199+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIAOAlpcln-i78Ta_u92pvzqoeaXS4jdOXUF3cxgNK7XzJ6bP3-KAwoD9YhWmfz4TMpvhK-lxMiRu8dtVgMF2SmeooO6rAuZY3dHTEuVzNKCMryDr6XbrzDFjD7rlwOH61I_2JhLAMRA/s640/Washington+DC+199+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Michigan was the last state to dedicate a statue; it stands in the actual Rotunda under the apotheosis. It depicts Gerald R. Ford.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW_5b-SBR-JoUHAkmSSNywJPqUo8M4-DEz6K6mgCV-zy7WgudK_qdjQQujenpymmAQ8uGyR7-OxtHQR1xdFkBkbT1VdIFSlp4RXnxX_qTVMNf3SrSm8QuG63W0zRGrDtA-7tmvXK0v8Q/s1600/Washington+DC+209+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVW_5b-SBR-JoUHAkmSSNywJPqUo8M4-DEz6K6mgCV-zy7WgudK_qdjQQujenpymmAQ8uGyR7-OxtHQR1xdFkBkbT1VdIFSlp4RXnxX_qTVMNf3SrSm8QuG63W0zRGrDtA-7tmvXK0v8Q/s640/Washington+DC+209+blog.jpg" width="398" /></a>
</div>
Sweet digs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBchNnVA4D872iG7lEh8wCv1DUDOmE1NGtAycu83Nv0y2f5n3-ZyCEKiYIm8ilPczmyLQ5TkFc9MJb_0dShvOtK8Wkz3qeMQhOwolgptW2qQvNlvAdRb27LoJNrU4VyuGraLHEUyTEGg/s1600/Washington+DC+204+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBchNnVA4D872iG7lEh8wCv1DUDOmE1NGtAycu83Nv0y2f5n3-ZyCEKiYIm8ilPczmyLQ5TkFc9MJb_0dShvOtK8Wkz3qeMQhOwolgptW2qQvNlvAdRb27LoJNrU4VyuGraLHEUyTEGg/s640/Washington+DC+204+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A bit blurry - the lighting is very dim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRlul2Jt_lgf_O9Ko75rH30em0pQRCoFwSDjJ_DtJplpshChm92wC87Mn-UZeRnjTqWexNLxwbLTCAKyaOlreIr984sIWjUteTRLU90nheIU92auO-211TQIhWb92vdgD6h3_txgAqfw/s1600/Washington+DC+207+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRlul2Jt_lgf_O9Ko75rH30em0pQRCoFwSDjJ_DtJplpshChm92wC87Mn-UZeRnjTqWexNLxwbLTCAKyaOlreIr984sIWjUteTRLU90nheIU92auO-211TQIhWb92vdgD6h3_txgAqfw/s640/Washington+DC+207+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the Crypt, located directly under the Rotunda. There are 13 statues in the Crypt representing the 13 colonies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoDxD6olbSigqh9nIxmpJsPkC7liNjB__RG0PT_515AnGzMkPLyjsht1D0snNcirIHHZu-F_9U4EqOC6Hjr4VhqIE34nTqbCsWa3oNCG_w7tfw0Xsrf8whHdm3tGywplTiU94JrfHbJU/s1600/Washington+DC+216+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoDxD6olbSigqh9nIxmpJsPkC7liNjB__RG0PT_515AnGzMkPLyjsht1D0snNcirIHHZu-F_9U4EqOC6Hjr4VhqIE34nTqbCsWa3oNCG_w7tfw0Xsrf8whHdm3tGywplTiU94JrfHbJU/s640/Washington+DC+216+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This star exactly in line with the top of the dome and it is the spot from which all Washington's streets are numbered.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK7AjDAQ_d7f7jQjMbVCFCkjgMS2x4DtFbDVHLMKFT67wO97q3770YAURzGPttAK5ELwJPODaRMHWlcDz3oDNIQSuyBcnFX0FGWqnTXufKkJT3lFE7jyWLc9Sx1YX6TMiWid6-UCTFAI/s1600/Washington+DC+217+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSK7AjDAQ_d7f7jQjMbVCFCkjgMS2x4DtFbDVHLMKFT67wO97q3770YAURzGPttAK5ELwJPODaRMHWlcDz3oDNIQSuyBcnFX0FGWqnTXufKkJT3lFE7jyWLc9Sx1YX6TMiWid6-UCTFAI/s640/Washington+DC+217+blog.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
There is a museum in the Capitol building which houses the original flag flown at Ft. McHenry where Francis Scott Key saw it and wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner." Also, the table on which Abraham Lincoln's casket lay in state is exhibited in this museum.<br />
<br />
A view of the visitor center where we first arrived.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNZh2VbCMShQMpOfZyy-cp71qgTrJl6xslJAHdZBy5hMBvP8EIY6kPJNDLlcAq57BxJynfC_CkarwfjXmuKh_VfQ8CWNnlCcxbDBejnNqA_3cQSR2lYUrjmeX0_RxdNA00M7qW_mVeek/s1600/Washington+DC+218+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNZh2VbCMShQMpOfZyy-cp71qgTrJl6xslJAHdZBy5hMBvP8EIY6kPJNDLlcAq57BxJynfC_CkarwfjXmuKh_VfQ8CWNnlCcxbDBejnNqA_3cQSR2lYUrjmeX0_RxdNA00M7qW_mVeek/s640/Washington+DC+218+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJVw9LZcmRLomG2-9PrfyFk-Jb_rTezxP3Ft6usztKXXCkDnHCRm4olv8LM8hVWrwI_-65o_rNgTEboGNETvtu2R4B609gVmmFL3mZ9-nfeFeYYm1eNZTqbVQtc3A-FxK7AerUSHHl8c/s1600/Washington+DC+219+lbog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJVw9LZcmRLomG2-9PrfyFk-Jb_rTezxP3Ft6usztKXXCkDnHCRm4olv8LM8hVWrwI_-65o_rNgTEboGNETvtu2R4B609gVmmFL3mZ9-nfeFeYYm1eNZTqbVQtc3A-FxK7AerUSHHl8c/s640/Washington+DC+219+lbog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a replica of statue on top of the Capitol Building. She weighs 15,000 lbs. She looks pretty confident for an 8-ton lady.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTcXAeKpvmtyFh-4gZzRNPQqF8QBNAQauNuS29wkZUgAQDjIFI6bAO9OILlMkGh-pn_h4MBkshPbZlVHWyhyphenhyphennWvjxLabhYvQbS8wAotbM56pvB0DD8anTm7jkdcYcBP2Oea7quMMxT58/s1600/Washington+DC+222+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTcXAeKpvmtyFh-4gZzRNPQqF8QBNAQauNuS29wkZUgAQDjIFI6bAO9OILlMkGh-pn_h4MBkshPbZlVHWyhyphenhyphennWvjxLabhYvQbS8wAotbM56pvB0DD8anTm7jkdcYcBP2Oea7quMMxT58/s640/Washington+DC+222+blog.jpg" width="364" /></a>
</div>
<br />
One of the cooler statues in the visitor center. Look at the details at the bottom of her skirt. This is <a href="http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/nsh/winnemucca.cfm">Sarah Winnemucca</a> of Nevada. Incredible art, incredible woman!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs51syP_mB3HT3lOC_aePB-L7GwQ_XfBowsl3NcYVOMMgbpnQO-AWjlTBRjRpZCvy6G0mKlOixCs4kU5JuG79fBNFYG-lmM1aeUY8NOI9meM7f12HY9rieeYjC_TteESTH4klc3TTfUQ/s1600/Washington+DC+220+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAs51syP_mB3HT3lOC_aePB-L7GwQ_XfBowsl3NcYVOMMgbpnQO-AWjlTBRjRpZCvy6G0mKlOixCs4kU5JuG79fBNFYG-lmM1aeUY8NOI9meM7f12HY9rieeYjC_TteESTH4klc3TTfUQ/s640/Washington+DC+220+blog.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
From Capitol Hill there is a tunnel to the Library of Congress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyHUtyOIUMq2EbZKM6aicZ6Ar0dENpT652jpfR15js2LLL3P92_3NGwTdDsFuTxod_zwRpzbrc0QJAztIW79jVA0YZek4nH2_XDmyX_LDssD_e0v4g9RPDqfV24bUVWGV4XGIRe1AUMI/s1600/Washington+DC+224+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyHUtyOIUMq2EbZKM6aicZ6Ar0dENpT652jpfR15js2LLL3P92_3NGwTdDsFuTxod_zwRpzbrc0QJAztIW79jVA0YZek4nH2_XDmyX_LDssD_e0v4g9RPDqfV24bUVWGV4XGIRe1AUMI/s400/Washington+DC+224+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnfNpub0RrMAp-9ycgDMttswFnBT92GCDITdxgIf0UF6OE02vfQAXzRdWXFNpE8QGji8Jp0dip2PXWw3DM8buswzgNmCM0QPWR2nb-keENuMKmnSTaN1Cl-ibMxEQwUUsjPCHHKO9vPI/s1600/Washington+DC+226+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnfNpub0RrMAp-9ycgDMttswFnBT92GCDITdxgIf0UF6OE02vfQAXzRdWXFNpE8QGji8Jp0dip2PXWw3DM8buswzgNmCM0QPWR2nb-keENuMKmnSTaN1Cl-ibMxEQwUUsjPCHHKO9vPI/s640/Washington+DC+226+blog.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
<br />
First look. I had no idea libraries looked like this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCZbmFqm4YYmbenKkyICosIPRUoqouvhS56QCFBvTKkAarEnmGu6wVcWrzCD7RUNnqt69O8IyMPbs3c5tdLsXjFXkAz9K0tS1T_Yr_fiN1dsRQUbyvN2TmUe-RY54gh00eYJbSn3j3Do/s1600/Washington+DC+228+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCZbmFqm4YYmbenKkyICosIPRUoqouvhS56QCFBvTKkAarEnmGu6wVcWrzCD7RUNnqt69O8IyMPbs3c5tdLsXjFXkAz9K0tS1T_Yr_fiN1dsRQUbyvN2TmUe-RY54gh00eYJbSn3j3Do/s640/Washington+DC+228+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2EbacUY8o_L8IKXeXZjbEtdNuTfU6MP8ey7KhKi9Co-p_vd3F345-XQhkX5kkgHBRNLoGvyNtCsrt0LzXti98p1VFeu44PDABe2x6Rul38N48COZcSAN8MGIZDD3x2yyFPbs2GV0vlE/s1600/Washington+DC+231+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2EbacUY8o_L8IKXeXZjbEtdNuTfU6MP8ey7KhKi9Co-p_vd3F345-XQhkX5kkgHBRNLoGvyNtCsrt0LzXti98p1VFeu44PDABe2x6Rul38N48COZcSAN8MGIZDD3x2yyFPbs2GV0vlE/s640/Washington+DC+231+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrcxUj0EewGZMCn9tI2wO5M8yzv4fzfv60OZdOOCnmCuhWk9T9iRIlo3lwyg3O9TnD20_E7BfLo6W12Ua79WlIoPPh-5lzpwmv1a_shYvmT8Uc-zKshCLcHwZtbwOzVYHOEfTVhSCgM/s1600/Washington+DC+234+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbrcxUj0EewGZMCn9tI2wO5M8yzv4fzfv60OZdOOCnmCuhWk9T9iRIlo3lwyg3O9TnD20_E7BfLo6W12Ua79WlIoPPh-5lzpwmv1a_shYvmT8Uc-zKshCLcHwZtbwOzVYHOEfTVhSCgM/s640/Washington+DC+234+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She knows her library is better than mine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT0toQsYocLB_wKkOTV1puLnygclH4Ot1wPzpSpG7kMcuL6CRUpDfAA4t3NX2__miaEybCIZ98vhbOl8bKq3PDVnAVg5olTw1T0Tn4KEITcYoFN7dcfeEkOGuy0EH7Pf5oQa7L72p0fA/s1600/Washington+DC+240+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIT0toQsYocLB_wKkOTV1puLnygclH4Ot1wPzpSpG7kMcuL6CRUpDfAA4t3NX2__miaEybCIZ98vhbOl8bKq3PDVnAVg5olTw1T0Tn4KEITcYoFN7dcfeEkOGuy0EH7Pf5oQa7L72p0fA/s640/Washington+DC+240+blog.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESseEmB5bbXNXCIprUVbaLTEEq1dtsT9QysxO0rKEV1RUxJNRXCu1PGymuYVnpCF7fLA-9TY9nYy9nNQdgMWQn65wcwGDX9RxxmIh1X9YVeYxFPN8aQjjh2ECJEVf6PvaI04XsnWlUA/s1600/Washington+DC+245+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESseEmB5bbXNXCIprUVbaLTEEq1dtsT9QysxO0rKEV1RUxJNRXCu1PGymuYVnpCF7fLA-9TY9nYy9nNQdgMWQn65wcwGDX9RxxmIh1X9YVeYxFPN8aQjjh2ECJEVf6PvaI04XsnWlUA/s640/Washington+DC+245+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This lady represents "Fancy" books (per the inscription above the painting).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2BpIDOacGffl-Mmk7nMMgTYYKHLD6DofbWb9Hq_BgqNm6SlwTMoKtYiW7j-bEUNq-uxKrnLjL4sIL1Ko2-lZHRuqVTj0QyiG0D2LI9Aktp09rzvCh-WcnNduEb0LPKetUz2nB4YaklQ/s1600/Washington+DC+268+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2BpIDOacGffl-Mmk7nMMgTYYKHLD6DofbWb9Hq_BgqNm6SlwTMoKtYiW7j-bEUNq-uxKrnLjL4sIL1Ko2-lZHRuqVTj0QyiG0D2LI9Aktp09rzvCh-WcnNduEb0LPKetUz2nB4YaklQ/s640/Washington+DC+268+blog.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then we have the "Erotica" section. This is exactly what I picture when I read the word "erotica." Who knows what's written on that tablet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVMqwkiU3uZbaZ60Wwf49qVk_tvUzdqQYzar5o28_KJeTPQ9896KZ9VVPWRANHH5Bj4rFN7WI3mUipUgYxdc-mISnM1lysNOC8rwgthYayopQzv9E8BTl4cQgHZaBAlvJNkoZuW6mUM/s1600/Washington+DC+270+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbVMqwkiU3uZbaZ60Wwf49qVk_tvUzdqQYzar5o28_KJeTPQ9896KZ9VVPWRANHH5Bj4rFN7WI3mUipUgYxdc-mISnM1lysNOC8rwgthYayopQzv9E8BTl4cQgHZaBAlvJNkoZuW6mUM/s640/Washington+DC+270+blog.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The following paintings represent different types of government.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Government done right: good posture, people with wings, lots of extra fabric, etc.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV94-qzxEOgmFr5f40Oibv9TGbYJZTvaMY1b1AXrhFZGHXEamh25I3mC2NBfrqESa9qj6i7BPVC6BvtJyGDwJKROTXs7FGY9MC9xTlsfh9kWizohog35XpGlDUD4OJuCgTJCcNQeUeUI/s1600/Washington+DC+274+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV94-qzxEOgmFr5f40Oibv9TGbYJZTvaMY1b1AXrhFZGHXEamh25I3mC2NBfrqESa9qj6i7BPVC6BvtJyGDwJKROTXs7FGY9MC9xTlsfh9kWizohog35XpGlDUD4OJuCgTJCcNQeUeUI/s640/Washington+DC+274+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is anarchy: streaking, staring, arson, sticks, trampling on paper, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL1j4S04G8v7f2tRVNO5JHYPShl-HGnVYr0roBNO1jFF4rfxn6fqIuVWbyaXhcLXk3ZP0bVlrOtwVHMABm4NCEIIAPmiM1q3Ve6gWJV03Cojj3_SltUToGMIyrfUKXCrS6NOcf11zhHc/s1600/Washington+DC+276+anarchy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkL1j4S04G8v7f2tRVNO5JHYPShl-HGnVYr0roBNO1jFF4rfxn6fqIuVWbyaXhcLXk3ZP0bVlrOtwVHMABm4NCEIIAPmiM1q3Ve6gWJV03Cojj3_SltUToGMIyrfUKXCrS6NOcf11zhHc/s640/Washington+DC+276+anarchy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This is "Currupt Legista . . . tion?": Low cut shirts, old people keeping their jobs, old-fashioned scales, a little leg showing, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDGVbpBEcAf2z5krAmC8l3q7YUB1mVRQ02LqX8ZuN1H8WnP2L6RwALnJPQUAkxJ-J05HGCcGyWmyCDLY2zwTv3uQ0Z3gxrE3pbvTO__YCfdjw0DJUDMuZEKbe7qj_HQP8es69lSxgxtU/s1600/Washington+DC+277+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDGVbpBEcAf2z5krAmC8l3q7YUB1mVRQ02LqX8ZuN1H8WnP2L6RwALnJPQUAkxJ-J05HGCcGyWmyCDLY2zwTv3uQ0Z3gxrE3pbvTO__YCfdjw0DJUDMuZEKbe7qj_HQP8es69lSxgxtU/s640/Washington+DC+277+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is the service elevator. Wowza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4M54tQE-hQ4hDoOjy5SVftH-MIllVR-OD2MLuOEDT6JZPtu1X3J2M9Iglg4JxJELNadZ6_xL4UizWNLOk47xn5A7uJfx_jyBC-iRwy-xuzcqwJl9nD03jSIA_QYHYHjcKX7OSBwUaQsM/s1600/Washington+DC+279+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4M54tQE-hQ4hDoOjy5SVftH-MIllVR-OD2MLuOEDT6JZPtu1X3J2M9Iglg4JxJELNadZ6_xL4UizWNLOk47xn5A7uJfx_jyBC-iRwy-xuzcqwJl9nD03jSIA_QYHYHjcKX7OSBwUaQsM/s640/Washington+DC+279+blog.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Pnwq_Z3xdBxyCFD-evhyphenhyphenQRB6A5TEcOk4GKVErVnOaBqKyzGu4eWCvNrJp1tjm5MCu82eR479mj3P_vAjgiY2wzTEY2ggZVN7Orzpd6UcAz0o1M2-XpfogpbSFvBAbOLx2c7d8MS_so/s1600/Washington+DC+281+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Pnwq_Z3xdBxyCFD-evhyphenhyphenQRB6A5TEcOk4GKVErVnOaBqKyzGu4eWCvNrJp1tjm5MCu82eR479mj3P_vAjgiY2wzTEY2ggZVN7Orzpd6UcAz0o1M2-XpfogpbSFvBAbOLx2c7d8MS_so/s640/Washington+DC+281+blog.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNArZiEZbfkIOeWvZVafoM5mqohrQu5tIciTp2PW8_r1pTySuQaaSSldIsMJpfNrZXKFGDWu3MFFNPhcYyH4IQqo0URGH_BcGzZ61snxNWNeIaATcvM6Ak1BaOJ4KoKLfW3hB8TE9whQk/s1600/Washington+DC+288+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNArZiEZbfkIOeWvZVafoM5mqohrQu5tIciTp2PW8_r1pTySuQaaSSldIsMJpfNrZXKFGDWu3MFFNPhcYyH4IQqo0URGH_BcGzZ61snxNWNeIaATcvM6Ak1BaOJ4KoKLfW3hB8TE9whQk/s640/Washington+DC+288+blog.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzriHNiM309R3gNUgYfqJRNcnjDmhOHYnqV5g_l0cT9VGgHNPzzUw8UmEHnmrZmgRQmKNFXzzkuU1Z8XUAj_26DPEYfkL__9rlFBUMz_oALFMifCwRtSEpNgi4BZLjHzuHDl_bNlhLYY/s1600/Washington+DC+296+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzriHNiM309R3gNUgYfqJRNcnjDmhOHYnqV5g_l0cT9VGgHNPzzUw8UmEHnmrZmgRQmKNFXzzkuU1Z8XUAj_26DPEYfkL__9rlFBUMz_oALFMifCwRtSEpNgi4BZLjHzuHDl_bNlhLYY/s640/Washington+DC+296+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the Library of Congress, we headed to Bobby Flay's Burger Palace. Estee's face here is too priceless to not blog about it. The sweet potato fries were dynamite.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDikLJDCeLtUzmS4keTTVy2pKWZ_j2PryLticPlWYSALE-PbkyYSMUHf5TJ1wh8g9ZgDiWpHXrsRk09_GsTSIsc79n6d-6FlAa0iePVradbvnlOHl_bRswORZ6ACRIL2yIa5ahbFtTfw/s1600/Washington+DC+305+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDikLJDCeLtUzmS4keTTVy2pKWZ_j2PryLticPlWYSALE-PbkyYSMUHf5TJ1wh8g9ZgDiWpHXrsRk09_GsTSIsc79n6d-6FlAa0iePVradbvnlOHl_bRswORZ6ACRIL2yIa5ahbFtTfw/s640/Washington+DC+305+blog.jpg" width="374" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got the "Bobby Blue Burger," I believe. Delish.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBilYaEGmjXV_MHZUTp23ATCqEo6QECvdpkL0HCEy5tAsOqrb8hUuQ57xnH-qHDHJETVgCG9AX-jzQaZPhn6eeQ4_80L_QfV9PpMeVB0vG-aBFAgKLfcgjdU6T64MCvZ9OgDPCAH_wTbg/s1600/Washington+DC+306+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBilYaEGmjXV_MHZUTp23ATCqEo6QECvdpkL0HCEy5tAsOqrb8hUuQ57xnH-qHDHJETVgCG9AX-jzQaZPhn6eeQ4_80L_QfV9PpMeVB0vG-aBFAgKLfcgjdU6T64MCvZ9OgDPCAH_wTbg/s640/Washington+DC+306+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then there was "Nosegay Flower Shop." I recognize this term from Shakespeare believe it or not. According to Wikipedia (the most entertaining way to find stuff out),<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">A </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">nosegay</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">tussie-mussie</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, or </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">posy</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">/</span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">posey</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">/</span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">posie</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> is a small </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_bouquet" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; color: #0b0080; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: none;" title="Flower bouquet">flower bouquet</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, typically given as a gift</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.316666603088379px;">" Just an idea for next Valentine's Day. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJucpN_z6sx1a12baLmXiCAUp8ooShtL-XfaNFSrRSgWbpDD8h0HU1sI2aF2Vt2f5Kv7GSx_lVtNVqkqxkgXPC-v7R8Ff-I35mWn7FIVnd0RXwa59aOKQdeR8ByszCOJBo-n9PAn6yMQ/s1600/Washington+DC+308+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJucpN_z6sx1a12baLmXiCAUp8ooShtL-XfaNFSrRSgWbpDD8h0HU1sI2aF2Vt2f5Kv7GSx_lVtNVqkqxkgXPC-v7R8Ff-I35mWn7FIVnd0RXwa59aOKQdeR8ByszCOJBo-n9PAn6yMQ/s640/Washington+DC+308+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC7s6a0CV_hGZdszwUjwaDhXsb0UoAQST0ZzcEgIuSxYeOkdh5pK6UQ6x1d-bAYn3jGwoF34sqZ3LYrnGlinx3h-h2euSruM256nYXN4_VWfw6Co9_P8vMyPrfoD9ZaKqT4Y38ExaUyE/s1600/Washington+DC+309+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidC7s6a0CV_hGZdszwUjwaDhXsb0UoAQST0ZzcEgIuSxYeOkdh5pK6UQ6x1d-bAYn3jGwoF34sqZ3LYrnGlinx3h-h2euSruM256nYXN4_VWfw6Co9_P8vMyPrfoD9ZaKqT4Y38ExaUyE/s640/Washington+DC+309+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghmy8ZDU11305jOTOOJfdfxmlitPTFLHX_jl6mcZm3tWSRtSBsE02Eeh4XY1qMAnr269-EdEKyVe6JAZUxhCrkvkOIImEvXJoCrfv9jKoy4tHY2OSiRsWUjC3EKtdb9bQL20mGGYDLX8/s1600/Washington+DC+310+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghmy8ZDU11305jOTOOJfdfxmlitPTFLHX_jl6mcZm3tWSRtSBsE02Eeh4XY1qMAnr269-EdEKyVe6JAZUxhCrkvkOIImEvXJoCrfv9jKoy4tHY2OSiRsWUjC3EKtdb9bQL20mGGYDLX8/s640/Washington+DC+310+blog.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
<br />
The White House!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghujLLcTmwDZWNykcjEu7t9Sikz8xX_39SI_sm5mg1dreqpe9U9Tmtr7SRE0EGmngmRvB5G-WHtnsP5jmdoQzTGubucxxosnYvGYtsVVtU_BOtencDJYxfcfbziuoMLGpN1O9aULM3_D0/s1600/Washington+DC+320+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghujLLcTmwDZWNykcjEu7t9Sikz8xX_39SI_sm5mg1dreqpe9U9Tmtr7SRE0EGmngmRvB5G-WHtnsP5jmdoQzTGubucxxosnYvGYtsVVtU_BOtencDJYxfcfbziuoMLGpN1O9aULM3_D0/s640/Washington+DC+320+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A Segway tour. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DZQDmM5vJiHsv8GdT6Cwjx1v8Ytqv85Hqy6Eh5yT3Pa1N-69F1bvPTVh04ydRBIkhn_9m1v2D29IITdzxwR4puWFPkFtXP2Tqe2XFYHJkTd2sEo7xZPxZAVgu8xU-ca5mpn5Czq4Nno/s1600/Washington+DC+340+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DZQDmM5vJiHsv8GdT6Cwjx1v8Ytqv85Hqy6Eh5yT3Pa1N-69F1bvPTVh04ydRBIkhn_9m1v2D29IITdzxwR4puWFPkFtXP2Tqe2XFYHJkTd2sEo7xZPxZAVgu8xU-ca5mpn5Czq4Nno/s640/Washington+DC+340+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As previously stated: longest. bulidings. ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAmV5C2tEWvAI9MKLyh6Vqsk50cXMtRiNIF2WOrdciqgau0PEDceDlidUeyY0YpzRBNtbOHHqnsNo6zy8mlfL8URRWRjo1MBGrqzDCCOWOY-et1Cb3kiNddZiaoYg1YVp45SPXox0TkQ/s1600/Washington+DC+352+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAmV5C2tEWvAI9MKLyh6Vqsk50cXMtRiNIF2WOrdciqgau0PEDceDlidUeyY0YpzRBNtbOHHqnsNo6zy8mlfL8URRWRjo1MBGrqzDCCOWOY-et1Cb3kiNddZiaoYg1YVp45SPXox0TkQ/s640/Washington+DC+352+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
The art here is interesting. Shirtless men hauling what appears to be huge corns on the cob . . . er. . . corn on the cobs . . . um. . . . corn cobs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDc02VVI02lAP91IOvuzbrwmOvj-axf-HKtHCLZ7v9aoyCRoG78r9h2MsCorr9HilUD-UOg0KgERs64GdbTYhkC_JDU3qdNcB-0QIBLxuJNo2bAnyFY8TgsyAWanmk9gRligx0SUq11c/s1600/Washington+DC+345+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDc02VVI02lAP91IOvuzbrwmOvj-axf-HKtHCLZ7v9aoyCRoG78r9h2MsCorr9HilUD-UOg0KgERs64GdbTYhkC_JDU3qdNcB-0QIBLxuJNo2bAnyFY8TgsyAWanmk9gRligx0SUq11c/s640/Washington+DC+345+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He works hard for the money. Even then, construction workers were considered comely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqo5Yg7_H9tHrTCDJs9WUvoaoqn0FsCrIHnGhQXHxoUEjjRShfAp2aCBYBqjzdAUH4zT5WMEVB5MBivwSYRmtRJnuoqgRrQCVZ4f9b7uQ8zNlTHbWFtSvOqe_wmUcUISqzoldmzUE0CE/s1600/Washington+DC+346+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqo5Yg7_H9tHrTCDJs9WUvoaoqn0FsCrIHnGhQXHxoUEjjRShfAp2aCBYBqjzdAUH4zT5WMEVB5MBivwSYRmtRJnuoqgRrQCVZ4f9b7uQ8zNlTHbWFtSvOqe_wmUcUISqzoldmzUE0CE/s640/Washington+DC+346+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We stopped by the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. George Washington strikes again. This time he's without a shirt. I'm a little embarrassed for him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqd8_pblW8ncOJF1zGajzcghBw4uADIeZ_4cfjdJKhuFe8wZYrRbEQHwhKC7Rlz5guz-inC3mDB-tBaA3buVoeZNie-5baA3aUTNb_bj3vEb8IfDuhrpIAVgULBOV7bocLhg10gcB09I/s1600/Washington+DC+356+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqd8_pblW8ncOJF1zGajzcghBw4uADIeZ_4cfjdJKhuFe8wZYrRbEQHwhKC7Rlz5guz-inC3mDB-tBaA3buVoeZNie-5baA3aUTNb_bj3vEb8IfDuhrpIAVgULBOV7bocLhg10gcB09I/s640/Washington+DC+356+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The First Lady exhibit was by far my favorite. Below is First Lady Obama's inaugural dress!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuboaYkAOyqMyMla-THsQgVU8BTmDJNJndfplJUYkWZJNK8GtFyeC9yLxFwAjmMNjH0iXx3YyZ-Rx_K7tm17WBChTqELadeP6hV-4TtmyvkVXPzPkEZNjs0YRavKhTHS1py4eMgjWlzY4/s1600/Washington+DC+358+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuboaYkAOyqMyMla-THsQgVU8BTmDJNJndfplJUYkWZJNK8GtFyeC9yLxFwAjmMNjH0iXx3YyZ-Rx_K7tm17WBChTqELadeP6hV-4TtmyvkVXPzPkEZNjs0YRavKhTHS1py4eMgjWlzY4/s640/Washington+DC+358+blog.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<br />
Nancy Reagan's inaugural gown.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJn1vixkP_S893RZd8y0acewrfKk27-qigig5ysKF7AZRJW4MkNaABlcXiCqdYUaiQbk652hluMh-wyNM9fvXsHMguCLtIpmRYmBzJHzxTzkVjKXTSXNcm6yh2ffAqswn1Bi_o-QsHJs/s1600/Washington+DC+361+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJn1vixkP_S893RZd8y0acewrfKk27-qigig5ysKF7AZRJW4MkNaABlcXiCqdYUaiQbk652hluMh-wyNM9fvXsHMguCLtIpmRYmBzJHzxTzkVjKXTSXNcm6yh2ffAqswn1Bi_o-QsHJs/s640/Washington+DC+361+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Costume pieces from the original "Wizard of Oz" film.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5-6LPf1m4ByVVFjltq__HERs6j5mjUIfKYrip4j1Jc3gh0-UKPom8OvU5EEoSzWG1k-C_npU4uI9wwFXXv4Rjr5YS1Xr7xR-Sy_l7LjXCvoyvRGg5qIFwBaQj2B1bH_PN7COCRp7xNQ/s1600/Washington+DC+364+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5-6LPf1m4ByVVFjltq__HERs6j5mjUIfKYrip4j1Jc3gh0-UKPom8OvU5EEoSzWG1k-C_npU4uI9wwFXXv4Rjr5YS1Xr7xR-Sy_l7LjXCvoyvRGg5qIFwBaQj2B1bH_PN7COCRp7xNQ/s640/Washington+DC+364+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The original Muppets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGswIXfrKL8H2NQBi90Ummzjb05sb1VZ3fyK-Y_EOPq8v8A75oTXdMIgg_FZHr7OyN2VP17qCldoFzmcnGE7zpWUV5zAZwRoI1lAylBuxvDlYR6_kmBDr7YsV_9-RzKJVoZHRvfPW_3w/s1600/Washington+DC+365+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGswIXfrKL8H2NQBi90Ummzjb05sb1VZ3fyK-Y_EOPq8v8A75oTXdMIgg_FZHr7OyN2VP17qCldoFzmcnGE7zpWUV5zAZwRoI1lAylBuxvDlYR6_kmBDr7YsV_9-RzKJVoZHRvfPW_3w/s640/Washington+DC+365+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wish I could have seen Moldy Hay in action. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoI26BvqXscffCzJf-OsbJSmUiwje1bYLiIjDOQxJJF_zOvbkTQeLUg5T61IMaChyphenhyphenbFQyOsiRG9Ne6kkUiNg9cTT8gYPMPa6upy37l4lRsYic3mfPBbOLHRcfwgMH2McxAZ6l5qMWt0w/s1600/Washington+DC+366+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoI26BvqXscffCzJf-OsbJSmUiwje1bYLiIjDOQxJJF_zOvbkTQeLUg5T61IMaChyphenhyphenbFQyOsiRG9Ne6kkUiNg9cTT8gYPMPa6upy37l4lRsYic3mfPBbOLHRcfwgMH2McxAZ6l5qMWt0w/s640/Washington+DC+366+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is it again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzkK_x_q-eOVqZsyOwj1QjXHT6D7w-RiG1h6UFFzDy4BEqb5CBPz35YoWYYnScq6Q_eQ1ow9FcVS1aOw0_3pyblZResVHfXEZ_8NuBkQfVk9zJyxbQ_dDfGvN4HPKeSa2JvdApr7cHYc/s1600/Washington+DC+371+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzkK_x_q-eOVqZsyOwj1QjXHT6D7w-RiG1h6UFFzDy4BEqb5CBPz35YoWYYnScq6Q_eQ1ow9FcVS1aOw0_3pyblZResVHfXEZ_8NuBkQfVk9zJyxbQ_dDfGvN4HPKeSa2JvdApr7cHYc/s640/Washington+DC+371+blog.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
<br />
We also made a monumental visit to Hour Eyes for Estee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip12Gdk5HY49Vc1l0vN672JWS_90Aht-VW9z6m5mFc0wLfbcjuC20tHCWjd54q9n6_fwJXdyW79b6Cn2yc8TFTvgOiBN7HLO5pzmnA-vQXu4olW-AZRin52i2U577W-ehCrTQKA3gByuU/s1600/Washington+DC+378+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip12Gdk5HY49Vc1l0vN672JWS_90Aht-VW9z6m5mFc0wLfbcjuC20tHCWjd54q9n6_fwJXdyW79b6Cn2yc8TFTvgOiBN7HLO5pzmnA-vQXu4olW-AZRin52i2U577W-ehCrTQKA3gByuU/s640/Washington+DC+378+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took silly pictures of Estee's eyes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7oh7_1AM5IIMpg7ySYyexwK-t8c-OJ9JdjRVEejfBfaIwJstaKkGjSe1VcMyZQi5DuC7-9DBIa3HbueRvcSHIbCpz0k4haYZ8i3lHslvlH_C22pqybtst4WxOYg7bORj0a6OjRjAtY8/s1600/Washington+DC+004+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7oh7_1AM5IIMpg7ySYyexwK-t8c-OJ9JdjRVEejfBfaIwJstaKkGjSe1VcMyZQi5DuC7-9DBIa3HbueRvcSHIbCpz0k4haYZ8i3lHslvlH_C22pqybtst4WxOYg7bORj0a6OjRjAtY8/s640/Washington+DC+004+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We stopped at Le Pain Quotidien for brunch. Estee got her revenge by taking this intimate picture of me featuring my left lazy eyelid. Thanks, Estee.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgalpfGu6mL40QaXGc7a9cwsgcCI8W2X_GvbdGigPrMmDIH6BO5SqDJbyVv1hrds8rok9EjpGWiFR9sAUiiDcMDYD2X-Rxm_nWAgBe2eC1m2enGkHzALNnr6wulrXkA51olT_i_UbAcw/s1600/Washington+DC+383+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgalpfGu6mL40QaXGc7a9cwsgcCI8W2X_GvbdGigPrMmDIH6BO5SqDJbyVv1hrds8rok9EjpGWiFR9sAUiiDcMDYD2X-Rxm_nWAgBe2eC1m2enGkHzALNnr6wulrXkA51olT_i_UbAcw/s640/Washington+DC+383+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I needed some space.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONI3UN5sgQ08xxIM85QUdwqdQkSQHuJ5WTfkDx7plYwoQasce7tjeHRvtlSA4I__cWjxJVuhO89IMWDDwOynh4Ss6eIf_3o9XYdESybnvrxJorvJqLHc160XmRWv99pzrr4koeGdzmpg/s1600/Washington+DC+384+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONI3UN5sgQ08xxIM85QUdwqdQkSQHuJ5WTfkDx7plYwoQasce7tjeHRvtlSA4I__cWjxJVuhO89IMWDDwOynh4Ss6eIf_3o9XYdESybnvrxJorvJqLHc160XmRWv99pzrr4koeGdzmpg/s640/Washington+DC+384+blog.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The food was amazing! I felt so European. Olive pesto with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh bread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe97CM8cokfEDQvPCMq3XWcy1Tag1fY-0bnAU0zs9zB0FCO5xUqOMgnjAkHyXShW-tiRxHrDSjUe0uUXlA-uNKCU-ax9HyrrSbbhiio_2ZuuZnAAy8Qfd5_d4S-zKSlxtThlaSsRTnrNk/s1600/Washington+DC+385+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe97CM8cokfEDQvPCMq3XWcy1Tag1fY-0bnAU0zs9zB0FCO5xUqOMgnjAkHyXShW-tiRxHrDSjUe0uUXlA-uNKCU-ax9HyrrSbbhiio_2ZuuZnAAy8Qfd5_d4S-zKSlxtThlaSsRTnrNk/s640/Washington+DC+385+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrWBNvfsVnzZ7-G5veorMzcpvj051jHIL_K9UVQr19poxSKmYGeIpJTvHPrWvhjgP8eZg4fQSzstgcZf-NevxDvrUSfFp_OggFlbr5WVHCCj33najdHClUwfFccfpr0PXh9IeFmdX1aA/s1600/Washington+DC+387+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrWBNvfsVnzZ7-G5veorMzcpvj051jHIL_K9UVQr19poxSKmYGeIpJTvHPrWvhjgP8eZg4fQSzstgcZf-NevxDvrUSfFp_OggFlbr5WVHCCj33najdHClUwfFccfpr0PXh9IeFmdX1aA/s640/Washington+DC+387+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We kayaked on the Potomac!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZFBG7tv_DfOtUHSu4OB5Z6Km1e1YR7Q3DGdu-3vPOOCa_ZiIHJW7q1pXjxtD_PXJn6jdAYt6CRwML_MwgcX-KKm2B4kNkq2xZ_deGWqSI68DAi8hSaBhmqka8td47uYehNlplagMhlQ/s1600/Washington+DC+391+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZFBG7tv_DfOtUHSu4OB5Z6Km1e1YR7Q3DGdu-3vPOOCa_ZiIHJW7q1pXjxtD_PXJn6jdAYt6CRwML_MwgcX-KKm2B4kNkq2xZ_deGWqSI68DAi8hSaBhmqka8td47uYehNlplagMhlQ/s640/Washington+DC+391+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueJFLq6qEuXLyS24DZytmwjC_jIrUdH3fcib5QxZbW6rtdg4RvsdUKsQHMvXFCOgR6dQUKCziVb0XteZuYwJr8D4W2sMF1KF1NvuysrMY4-GH1vuqE3rxgCDIFF4iE3iywaZzK81pgao/s1600/Washington+DC+392+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueJFLq6qEuXLyS24DZytmwjC_jIrUdH3fcib5QxZbW6rtdg4RvsdUKsQHMvXFCOgR6dQUKCziVb0XteZuYwJr8D4W2sMF1KF1NvuysrMY4-GH1vuqE3rxgCDIFF4iE3iywaZzK81pgao/s640/Washington+DC+392+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnfiW9Sb8JsTGKcNUljHObYPIsBozCcS7Ti-xqGCO-QR_zV1_VF9kNtwfkpDgrEbP8CSpsycVCHpKEdytGRW5KW5gYLzgiulkXW8SzfpuNFOmRiqr6lQHba4RSb95TSqwbvo7o6OFxvo/s1600/Washington+DC+395+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnfiW9Sb8JsTGKcNUljHObYPIsBozCcS7Ti-xqGCO-QR_zV1_VF9kNtwfkpDgrEbP8CSpsycVCHpKEdytGRW5KW5gYLzgiulkXW8SzfpuNFOmRiqr6lQHba4RSb95TSqwbvo7o6OFxvo/s640/Washington+DC+395+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYDHrlHs0qe6ElWFeU0ugG3TVLXBykUUtOM0UBxM01HtgEfd61obohc4ihJmFmlNnYSKJvTUWRRqdhtr6-HIOkQ6eau5-VvR9wqo6oyJ7Mi-a6_3x9I3JlawXOHH2mI1hTTShm_EAaLg/s1600/Washington+DC+396+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYDHrlHs0qe6ElWFeU0ugG3TVLXBykUUtOM0UBxM01HtgEfd61obohc4ihJmFmlNnYSKJvTUWRRqdhtr6-HIOkQ6eau5-VvR9wqo6oyJ7Mi-a6_3x9I3JlawXOHH2mI1hTTShm_EAaLg/s640/Washington+DC+396+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoiZoAtyYAHIB_7lPSm2OZr8x-7tBiUvPvhTeaE6ZJtCdmqmU5EPxvvHHiqREc20R1-O5P8yo9I5xlAPasurMT_m9Xqrjka9wfPQJs2bv_NfA1-mZ4SwkEKY_6ewxEHa1cJJHXcCDHe4/s1600/Washington+DC+400+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoiZoAtyYAHIB_7lPSm2OZr8x-7tBiUvPvhTeaE6ZJtCdmqmU5EPxvvHHiqREc20R1-O5P8yo9I5xlAPasurMT_m9Xqrjka9wfPQJs2bv_NfA1-mZ4SwkEKY_6ewxEHa1cJJHXcCDHe4/s640/Washington+DC+400+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-mE5ikrs2e0pfOFoWuyOOVCZSX-UeHJOKcjld5OWlrJSFm1Ly9ufK_DxDxhW-NVOZf6jnaQgxjwbz2mb8OlxMvksF7d1H-7SQsLy0FS9G_4lSYw4jV3WRC8w1clUmf58qKNiMMjbNdI/s1600/Washington+DC+404+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-mE5ikrs2e0pfOFoWuyOOVCZSX-UeHJOKcjld5OWlrJSFm1Ly9ufK_DxDxhW-NVOZf6jnaQgxjwbz2mb8OlxMvksF7d1H-7SQsLy0FS9G_4lSYw4jV3WRC8w1clUmf58qKNiMMjbNdI/s640/Washington+DC+404+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Someone's camping out! Look at the little ladder on the left obviously there for a quick, two-step escape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9qjyyhYLdtSbxWcn03ixR6oe1i96JDJaxmyTIkXQa8Tl3xmmfNI3VsZzRXLouOn8d_o_C2HyQ0NYm8xoGq1dPmN9aMavAf56yDJUzl_NQ-FmTYjFQpPYtBmo3H9f53tjae2TZNGl-uY/s1600/Washington+DC+405+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9qjyyhYLdtSbxWcn03ixR6oe1i96JDJaxmyTIkXQa8Tl3xmmfNI3VsZzRXLouOn8d_o_C2HyQ0NYm8xoGq1dPmN9aMavAf56yDJUzl_NQ-FmTYjFQpPYtBmo3H9f53tjae2TZNGl-uY/s640/Washington+DC+405+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWkAdPFQGucV03v5TDJYbQ4KMKSUyyPDG-GZUXK0ayD6URxbn2pPIndXIUVJoTljxA9Ejl2TxbKb-pc8K5-AYEb0_L9x9lI7QL-dr2DNOWLYFlMTQRWESUzzicevFF6AumRZXnkSVp_k/s1600/Washington+DC+406+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWkAdPFQGucV03v5TDJYbQ4KMKSUyyPDG-GZUXK0ayD6URxbn2pPIndXIUVJoTljxA9Ejl2TxbKb-pc8K5-AYEb0_L9x9lI7QL-dr2DNOWLYFlMTQRWESUzzicevFF6AumRZXnkSVp_k/s640/Washington+DC+406+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Taking it in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcmJzcIsWFhfAZAN5Re_k0QJRxSn5I-lZDNW5gPCV7_bA_6WKs2cU4fTXh0fDFqlD2TP5kjAdDs21DtOxLI7ZPbma5IlqvzQA3eHR4xalUYOaiD-fHL7uTZwAPDW4Z__A0HoB4qeINaY/s1600/Washington+DC+424+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcmJzcIsWFhfAZAN5Re_k0QJRxSn5I-lZDNW5gPCV7_bA_6WKs2cU4fTXh0fDFqlD2TP5kjAdDs21DtOxLI7ZPbma5IlqvzQA3eHR4xalUYOaiD-fHL7uTZwAPDW4Z__A0HoB4qeINaY/s640/Washington+DC+424+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNCbS7CZ0XS8GLNRqYP7v_N2kJJOEuA4VrK1bq9W60oXjrlrr7ZASNGx651Da-bt-cqsP4amXZ5UgtW-XEFRKn_A3-PQJDEMl7aXZ6J74K4U4JqOkJ_ZfYTPhrjFuYU1L793yR1lkjzs/s1600/Washington+DC+425+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNCbS7CZ0XS8GLNRqYP7v_N2kJJOEuA4VrK1bq9W60oXjrlrr7ZASNGx651Da-bt-cqsP4amXZ5UgtW-XEFRKn_A3-PQJDEMl7aXZ6J74K4U4JqOkJ_ZfYTPhrjFuYU1L793yR1lkjzs/s640/Washington+DC+425+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-_dXIGKvLT5Awbx07Xr-nwzei_CKi1qCSRmFRPIaxhTlLWYEnqfkjAsmMocVHXw2SVXHMaTUymcW62E8tWew9cnwjerJj_kWdk9fkvFkAsmeufHMT9TaK8tLqGRLCFfO6AXoTPk9qYQ/s1600/Washington+DC+426+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-_dXIGKvLT5Awbx07Xr-nwzei_CKi1qCSRmFRPIaxhTlLWYEnqfkjAsmMocVHXw2SVXHMaTUymcW62E8tWew9cnwjerJj_kWdk9fkvFkAsmeufHMT9TaK8tLqGRLCFfO6AXoTPk9qYQ/s640/Washington+DC+426+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's everywhere!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3uGgfoobnGWaL7WpBUexN-QhvA0rCvjMx_lGxIvf3SzXwefUsRQdxeoIvqasLFttIHwgYZDcZkT9AgztK-ekV4J8vU5GDgib-ZqClmy11jCvrJf_AINtfqYKinN4g3JOh-nfcAyXyj0/s1600/Washington+DC+437+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3uGgfoobnGWaL7WpBUexN-QhvA0rCvjMx_lGxIvf3SzXwefUsRQdxeoIvqasLFttIHwgYZDcZkT9AgztK-ekV4J8vU5GDgib-ZqClmy11jCvrJf_AINtfqYKinN4g3JOh-nfcAyXyj0/s640/Washington+DC+437+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I enjoyed the boat house because it didn't look like DC. It looked like Utila.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLkaA5D4MI0J-7lh0gkJEIvYxANYGTK4_t_5MiOnMTWqX7f1JJ56P0wAA83hhRuhCTiRj_l1NMe3j3P87p6SR1aYZk87ON3jZlH3EHe4DoGEhUqQcJUHPZeoRjU-3NjfMfp0-1tfjeZY/s1600/Washington+DC+447+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLkaA5D4MI0J-7lh0gkJEIvYxANYGTK4_t_5MiOnMTWqX7f1JJ56P0wAA83hhRuhCTiRj_l1NMe3j3P87p6SR1aYZk87ON3jZlH3EHe4DoGEhUqQcJUHPZeoRjU-3NjfMfp0-1tfjeZY/s640/Washington+DC+447+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The National Cathedral. Breath-taking. Look how small the people on the steps seem in comparison.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7rj1ppt39oF0cyeFCzVAOwZxno6nV8P1KYObn7ymfmdnwFtzexmAvkfmRs6JTXdwqQp49mAOzIGRDngqhOjuD-UdlPJfYqTeQDRYNxC6ZpRZJ4XYf1pqDEIGzZFot7RhqktV4kONGr8/s1600/Washington+DC+454+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7rj1ppt39oF0cyeFCzVAOwZxno6nV8P1KYObn7ymfmdnwFtzexmAvkfmRs6JTXdwqQp49mAOzIGRDngqhOjuD-UdlPJfYqTeQDRYNxC6ZpRZJ4XYf1pqDEIGzZFot7RhqktV4kONGr8/s640/Washington+DC+454+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Cathedral was seriously damaged after the earthquake a year ago. These pieces fell from its spires.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTvEaT4Ss8UXEK8WC9puITv6tRU6rBpv3OBhE-BBrlg2Yqb1dItTdJbWOoN9ZCk64JLUSvvacoHxDdR7cTnSuwS2D_5_VFugjdufY9eC3iPLG-MXKBPcdwojyrlhOOtSO5zdnNJDWH3w/s1600/Washington+DC+459+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTvEaT4Ss8UXEK8WC9puITv6tRU6rBpv3OBhE-BBrlg2Yqb1dItTdJbWOoN9ZCk64JLUSvvacoHxDdR7cTnSuwS2D_5_VFugjdufY9eC3iPLG-MXKBPcdwojyrlhOOtSO5zdnNJDWH3w/s640/Washington+DC+459+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9DR67oWfomEOeX2dR9dLl6EtSvaHm7ppoQsqvAU_fXHz8deYOFdFhfn6xN-w2BySNuu6BFvIcHE186AJT2U_9GWY9Rb0ACLKhwuW54hlyx7uoGid1iRJ4N7gPgT3E3gA0RJHfVeD1ts/s1600/Washington+DC+460+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9DR67oWfomEOeX2dR9dLl6EtSvaHm7ppoQsqvAU_fXHz8deYOFdFhfn6xN-w2BySNuu6BFvIcHE186AJT2U_9GWY9Rb0ACLKhwuW54hlyx7uoGid1iRJ4N7gPgT3E3gA0RJHfVeD1ts/s1600/Washington+DC+460+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi5TtCOXJ-lgASGgHvDJftPz_6-4qY-w_mC43Crkdftt_ESmugWMz7iOfdKzpwXcrwTQrUFR-GyLV3Czb3vzEhDGMO0_As8Q_KXNrA7lJqCqcfKnuCpYVoAGWRbbS3xevhVieCrnWL98/s1600/Washington+DC+465+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi5TtCOXJ-lgASGgHvDJftPz_6-4qY-w_mC43Crkdftt_ESmugWMz7iOfdKzpwXcrwTQrUFR-GyLV3Czb3vzEhDGMO0_As8Q_KXNrA7lJqCqcfKnuCpYVoAGWRbbS3xevhVieCrnWL98/s640/Washington+DC+465+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9gMVtV25zEEdwwRh0v0cZPDJIfyzw4UT2Q0-YmUTRq7cbdxOvjX5cbDTdGtiO_QBWr6O4fT9qGaOjFerhtZV7ZmA0_dpVTHHj1_8AwmoSExjjNo-CGtwaHMHqLAUJkg1CKRT-71XpW8/s1600/Washington+DC+467+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9gMVtV25zEEdwwRh0v0cZPDJIfyzw4UT2Q0-YmUTRq7cbdxOvjX5cbDTdGtiO_QBWr6O4fT9qGaOjFerhtZV7ZmA0_dpVTHHj1_8AwmoSExjjNo-CGtwaHMHqLAUJkg1CKRT-71XpW8/s640/Washington+DC+467+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37GiKBG3GIlFt4MuMa0SFisNf2dBt-FoNnD26AtSm1S09GA1rnhc5ioIcV3LvIYY7XGGDIoeK6s_SBBeR1WR-X0GIgP6mMYjcIpMDoHSPcuEx5REI4pb5E0W3lXUbjBWaiGpYgxfSwtw/s1600/Washington+DC+468+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37GiKBG3GIlFt4MuMa0SFisNf2dBt-FoNnD26AtSm1S09GA1rnhc5ioIcV3LvIYY7XGGDIoeK6s_SBBeR1WR-X0GIgP6mMYjcIpMDoHSPcuEx5REI4pb5E0W3lXUbjBWaiGpYgxfSwtw/s1600/Washington+DC+468+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The glass work was phenomenal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWlYpkgp2e9hr1Q8C27v4RfvUIXJ0nFf3ugGDrBNGBjiIeNQTvHm_RlqvLyg8kAP2FSb_ZZKxJRcqvEk3qzsTnaL8ZUGPVACZvVmnRZ_VfrpmZ41UgnTstnFJM_cLvelfnCIshsXTTKY/s1600/Washington+DC+469+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWlYpkgp2e9hr1Q8C27v4RfvUIXJ0nFf3ugGDrBNGBjiIeNQTvHm_RlqvLyg8kAP2FSb_ZZKxJRcqvEk3qzsTnaL8ZUGPVACZvVmnRZ_VfrpmZ41UgnTstnFJM_cLvelfnCIshsXTTKY/s640/Washington+DC+469+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrih8dalSh-HeAhhxKepEwNuH4WzAhVkTGv4YoG4qHQyTjKlb2TcW4KPYPiSaATGXIUPESyCJoEsD_0LXA0JsmvswesGsH2xqdB_SBh5shtPKEZSKtryzyiLlEt1InvDB2X8z5-xdRbnw/s1600/Washington+DC+477+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrih8dalSh-HeAhhxKepEwNuH4WzAhVkTGv4YoG4qHQyTjKlb2TcW4KPYPiSaATGXIUPESyCJoEsD_0LXA0JsmvswesGsH2xqdB_SBh5shtPKEZSKtryzyiLlEt1InvDB2X8z5-xdRbnw/s640/Washington+DC+477+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMezylvHlfOf22VVuvNmz_hpNqKLDUrQU8THip8Q5FxL9rXea5G8Ih6gv8emjqhNkrnrbK_OB_D1A3cjWaZwR6v9M3B5RqinhGoa7fYEiWAa_Rp_yVWl_x3FglS94Znh0viAYj0oiQteQ/s1600/Washington+DC+482+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMezylvHlfOf22VVuvNmz_hpNqKLDUrQU8THip8Q5FxL9rXea5G8Ih6gv8emjqhNkrnrbK_OB_D1A3cjWaZwR6v9M3B5RqinhGoa7fYEiWAa_Rp_yVWl_x3FglS94Znh0viAYj0oiQteQ/s640/Washington+DC+482+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIhMA7CreY5dNr8Z5Y6oHgqq7OFhlv1MPpKJvjlFtjts6-zvYBVFmzFlXEM7Dh6Jup6FDBoFlirEwmz1kC52RX2wLCNGrWPk8t8DdaiYiYxTyBR-HObXFqn28felGtnylJcedpLxI3Sw/s1600/Washington+DC+490+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIhMA7CreY5dNr8Z5Y6oHgqq7OFhlv1MPpKJvjlFtjts6-zvYBVFmzFlXEM7Dh6Jup6FDBoFlirEwmz1kC52RX2wLCNGrWPk8t8DdaiYiYxTyBR-HObXFqn28felGtnylJcedpLxI3Sw/s640/Washington+DC+490+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTp7fqFOr_ac01fhKhlXLP-BSOkWm9ePLuEiEoFaJ5vY9wggHm69XzXlKrHurKbNln4O89YOCPCYZPEtyS2Rs7A8o0zXVwZ0rerX_1OA9HLd3gtA6qOmKXsJn0gMx5HigE_PqKZfqjTQ/s1600/Washington+DC+497+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTp7fqFOr_ac01fhKhlXLP-BSOkWm9ePLuEiEoFaJ5vY9wggHm69XzXlKrHurKbNln4O89YOCPCYZPEtyS2Rs7A8o0zXVwZ0rerX_1OA9HLd3gtA6qOmKXsJn0gMx5HigE_PqKZfqjTQ/s640/Washington+DC+497+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9anfzIbUonP1ZJfzRQ5XaWWmlzYe3kdZAM68DnlMUV_GXwRHmw2wQtOPw9WAh7Pu0Udk2AjpR9MnuetwrE7nUx4spnGW0D6XCliKqTA6uQhTAY3vSFWXPuhVmP6lni3IrMwW4E9Heqs/s1600/Washington+DC+499+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9anfzIbUonP1ZJfzRQ5XaWWmlzYe3kdZAM68DnlMUV_GXwRHmw2wQtOPw9WAh7Pu0Udk2AjpR9MnuetwrE7nUx4spnGW0D6XCliKqTA6uQhTAY3vSFWXPuhVmP6lni3IrMwW4E9Heqs/s640/Washington+DC+499+blog.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0XqGaWuKahXWQjhVpa4EL9OSODLhNJ7idM0iRz32cjqDD3sjCX1h08UYiBeis41UkfDbE0BDP7aQt48HDEUMwPiWQlid8iudtGa7P57eXaQAeFY3oehWvGTTuLNBszAwsZpFzTdWKlE/s1600/Washington+DC+503+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0XqGaWuKahXWQjhVpa4EL9OSODLhNJ7idM0iRz32cjqDD3sjCX1h08UYiBeis41UkfDbE0BDP7aQt48HDEUMwPiWQlid8iudtGa7P57eXaQAeFY3oehWvGTTuLNBszAwsZpFzTdWKlE/s640/Washington+DC+503+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WSDdv2Grwf46CR9KlAYRhNuq7ZtUs69UZ6l6R51UXZFrXajeme_IW-aVSnSqRrkjPtNqjqkG1OP72uicESxY_BZWvWAYzapGpz4PuT8XY2d4AlZywm4R8901yNJcwzIqP5raw0daxCA/s1600/Washington+DC+507+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WSDdv2Grwf46CR9KlAYRhNuq7ZtUs69UZ6l6R51UXZFrXajeme_IW-aVSnSqRrkjPtNqjqkG1OP72uicESxY_BZWvWAYzapGpz4PuT8XY2d4AlZywm4R8901yNJcwzIqP5raw0daxCA/s640/Washington+DC+507+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
This particular window was designed using actual pictures of space. One of the pieces uses (the rock in the center, I believe) is lunar rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_pHWXpTDhVGOCMmPd7lIk1UdJTVKTbf386Mdc8HBBImRXKmNRSUDR5XfyFCDpvH8dEaZSWhWUdrSUViAU61YcohxTM4EXBI5KMn6pzZ-MsbHJb0ZFrcJ1pPJQPeUBztGO_4sWxL-e1c/s1600/Washington+DC+509+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_pHWXpTDhVGOCMmPd7lIk1UdJTVKTbf386Mdc8HBBImRXKmNRSUDR5XfyFCDpvH8dEaZSWhWUdrSUViAU61YcohxTM4EXBI5KMn6pzZ-MsbHJb0ZFrcJ1pPJQPeUBztGO_4sWxL-e1c/s1600/Washington+DC+509+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQApIT2J939YvAflhqUHlwMX3x_rbvUk8vilAKMVmzlwJv3U9RFkEsCnboGwzoDcZ6zzW_HGwMsk4PRXmGfuCI32txPpQKaL4XeBEY1VVXyOvj6M6L3aSVAEZYS2G_wD9YZotWmXA3cQc/s1600/Washington+DC+511+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQApIT2J939YvAflhqUHlwMX3x_rbvUk8vilAKMVmzlwJv3U9RFkEsCnboGwzoDcZ6zzW_HGwMsk4PRXmGfuCI32txPpQKaL4XeBEY1VVXyOvj6M6L3aSVAEZYS2G_wD9YZotWmXA3cQc/s640/Washington+DC+511+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWR7yR-7f85fyfew9yt6uRwOGqeedBrWiK8Rq10N3pB7T0On_0zsnxlCUy-0xYlvUJi_ewP718seyiCU4lx31Sh7vxLDeyDBKfrc8uIPoPLIiqydJFMa4MuTH14hUwjJbJdIuviRfq4w/s1600/Washington+DC+512+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWR7yR-7f85fyfew9yt6uRwOGqeedBrWiK8Rq10N3pB7T0On_0zsnxlCUy-0xYlvUJi_ewP718seyiCU4lx31Sh7vxLDeyDBKfrc8uIPoPLIiqydJFMa4MuTH14hUwjJbJdIuviRfq4w/s640/Washington+DC+512+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Blue light filtering in from the stained glass.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvNXBExGdj28s6kaWD9uCUWDPHUT0PmZncPtqIfyvQtP1wsggHfAR5UoPp7qovIx0ZGr9H1S0GEccCg-B6cmXsF9Tb7GCVAvUyGSrFFJxrs9tEfkRYa_IUflvy_rAa8NDwzcIWgAOoxY/s1600/Washington+DC+516+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvNXBExGdj28s6kaWD9uCUWDPHUT0PmZncPtqIfyvQtP1wsggHfAR5UoPp7qovIx0ZGr9H1S0GEccCg-B6cmXsF9Tb7GCVAvUyGSrFFJxrs9tEfkRYa_IUflvy_rAa8NDwzcIWgAOoxY/s640/Washington+DC+516+blog.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJcqUehVUgLz0QI254KAHMYx327v0L3I6nN4CEQBvkqFDFBx1Jwm0aLzo40QrEkP2CJmtepdq6sRuTZZYjLIe3lYHEAtu4LkHUrbQG7flRylHksk9mhYV0gP3WhQwwhGepETaUG1u_b0/s1600/Washington+DC+518+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJcqUehVUgLz0QI254KAHMYx327v0L3I6nN4CEQBvkqFDFBx1Jwm0aLzo40QrEkP2CJmtepdq6sRuTZZYjLIe3lYHEAtu4LkHUrbQG7flRylHksk9mhYV0gP3WhQwwhGepETaUG1u_b0/s640/Washington+DC+518+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5g8rvX44IaM6ufvy5mRoz9fOD9BFUyqI3bP63RePePEXDEZjtIRmJvD9B76cUAlFyKL8-j_iW9zjE6O351voPf0u8Fo-co2Jyh-5jQuvWRToWM7DQ78eHF6LT713wKBp_L06dwZZoDQ/s1600/Washington+DC+520+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5g8rvX44IaM6ufvy5mRoz9fOD9BFUyqI3bP63RePePEXDEZjtIRmJvD9B76cUAlFyKL8-j_iW9zjE6O351voPf0u8Fo-co2Jyh-5jQuvWRToWM7DQ78eHF6LT713wKBp_L06dwZZoDQ/s640/Washington+DC+520+blog.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Caption options for the above work of art:</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
a. "Stop! In the name of love."</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
b. "Wait . . . I'm sensing a presence."</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
c. "Dude. Just chill out. Chill out."</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
d. "You're gonna hurt yourself or someone around you. Look at yourself."</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
There's always this:</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KCnpElrbd12Us0Mad_WbWVIK65wgihRTEdxWGxdSX_aBO2ay0oq5yb_-yk83Y94B9IRkpdsW_RrQhj-GFMoEEa0UYprZwJee9JyXIBzai92IKCiUbcVOya5Ls54KUuCfSvEI2JHGrmo/s1600/Washington+DC+524+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KCnpElrbd12Us0Mad_WbWVIK65wgihRTEdxWGxdSX_aBO2ay0oq5yb_-yk83Y94B9IRkpdsW_RrQhj-GFMoEEa0UYprZwJee9JyXIBzai92IKCiUbcVOya5Ls54KUuCfSvEI2JHGrmo/s640/Washington+DC+524+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGhCc2dssH8aMKVm6kAf4BQhSbUlDWh4b8m8eMKAvf6-AEzxpBjyY5WjbiqhvYrPHlcdGvvy4VFDS0Q54qowOK08VjnOI9b9sTBEGAMN8SKGchAd0KdXqVJasIrnNwb8fkX3lZhH1f9w/s1600/Washington+DC+526+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGhCc2dssH8aMKVm6kAf4BQhSbUlDWh4b8m8eMKAvf6-AEzxpBjyY5WjbiqhvYrPHlcdGvvy4VFDS0Q54qowOK08VjnOI9b9sTBEGAMN8SKGchAd0KdXqVJasIrnNwb8fkX3lZhH1f9w/s640/Washington+DC+526+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty flowers galore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFOjA-rTTGMRPSItOeNtcnbl840xLUSOPIxbJ236h6oVXQaYEzFUxov6HlW-bk6WQ4_gAoRenhmFC7t7zWSkYdsbg0RzHK_7fb1uuYHP0XOSn0fjGdEl8PN8Qu1A2VWdRFYy1mMNSkfc/s1600/Washington+DC+528+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFOjA-rTTGMRPSItOeNtcnbl840xLUSOPIxbJ236h6oVXQaYEzFUxov6HlW-bk6WQ4_gAoRenhmFC7t7zWSkYdsbg0RzHK_7fb1uuYHP0XOSn0fjGdEl8PN8Qu1A2VWdRFYy1mMNSkfc/s640/Washington+DC+528+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88XxlJUTD2o39pOXch_O0uWUCqs9t6pFx2TfhTBvFCve4zSF_hRdR4h9MxXd1DeNJQ8VHPmzNc3vji-0WN9hErR5n1c7kSokBK-hlaciVpqWkTp8TXq2nh-v4CEcTcVIeFmdirS76iP8/s1600/Washington+DC+529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88XxlJUTD2o39pOXch_O0uWUCqs9t6pFx2TfhTBvFCve4zSF_hRdR4h9MxXd1DeNJQ8VHPmzNc3vji-0WN9hErR5n1c7kSokBK-hlaciVpqWkTp8TXq2nh-v4CEcTcVIeFmdirS76iP8/s640/Washington+DC+529+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They're pretty, ok?! Just DEAL WITH IT! Gosh.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QRjsA_ji7Tnq-WJDTYqjbc4Z_vrCyigVNpNp3Vh6kBxmIrlq2wKyUM8SnGgY6Kqy3UjqUOAx3G-iWWchHeTFXwrqR7BxaTSLqC5oyd5f8PoA0JPfuWcW7bHGNipARgdQxSU_eJEuU68/s1600/Washington+DC+530+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QRjsA_ji7Tnq-WJDTYqjbc4Z_vrCyigVNpNp3Vh6kBxmIrlq2wKyUM8SnGgY6Kqy3UjqUOAx3G-iWWchHeTFXwrqR7BxaTSLqC5oyd5f8PoA0JPfuWcW7bHGNipARgdQxSU_eJEuU68/s640/Washington+DC+530+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Is it just me, or does the escalator for the metro seem ginormous? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1P8pd1H-79jBZc6fh9Il3CwP-9I1KWSiEKoHF7iIV9bwaDyDxOf5vgVyurte7MWItlzOFGhI5cjKYSzGBQBneChD2TQyqTyfeJ8dJu9tcf-oPn45ddAZe1r0ZavWMmQU6c-5Jdl85PQ/s1600/DC+2+002+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1P8pd1H-79jBZc6fh9Il3CwP-9I1KWSiEKoHF7iIV9bwaDyDxOf5vgVyurte7MWItlzOFGhI5cjKYSzGBQBneChD2TQyqTyfeJ8dJu9tcf-oPn45ddAZe1r0ZavWMmQU6c-5Jdl85PQ/s640/DC+2+002+blog.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the start of the Blue Period for me - like Picasso, I have no idea why some of my work turned out blue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-yOE9PI71EUvP7cJDxD-ehw30ggdHo0giFoQJZv1l78wedPKVJQq-NrvyJfPYwVJ7Kkg6B1IeKLtOBtVWRG3XlDj92AjMy54WlXJYDadBIwVOql1AMu03zzPBXlbVRvwOlihG57NNCg/s1600/DC+2+006+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-yOE9PI71EUvP7cJDxD-ehw30ggdHo0giFoQJZv1l78wedPKVJQq-NrvyJfPYwVJ7Kkg6B1IeKLtOBtVWRG3XlDj92AjMy54WlXJYDadBIwVOql1AMu03zzPBXlbVRvwOlihG57NNCg/s640/DC+2+006+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This little lady is a beaut.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvRHodcQATu7eoL3LeB3RZK_X4oqgMXyX0M8_R2h5H8C6RikgC9oFxp_no7xDxy_lasmn0A_6QOelGttAaGFaTECYd2bLtj9RZ1Gdq7AoKfS6nKfqJ8HQs5UGJR2VGdMeu8WxpoO97io/s1600/DC+2+009+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvRHodcQATu7eoL3LeB3RZK_X4oqgMXyX0M8_R2h5H8C6RikgC9oFxp_no7xDxy_lasmn0A_6QOelGttAaGFaTECYd2bLtj9RZ1Gdq7AoKfS6nKfqJ8HQs5UGJR2VGdMeu8WxpoO97io/s640/DC+2+009+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Panda is letting it all hang out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoThuy7IWjTjvg_S2iJdXX7C4KwlZUlfsS_nUTRLnzklqnLIUDnRP6Cz3NUesadNMs8S2LQbx6Jjkqerw2neYt2lVNzdjSbjLso9sWEDEM-aDyuY4rRhVt-3mwNRYHcZa7iWERMrdjems/s1600/DC+2+010+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoThuy7IWjTjvg_S2iJdXX7C4KwlZUlfsS_nUTRLnzklqnLIUDnRP6Cz3NUesadNMs8S2LQbx6Jjkqerw2neYt2lVNzdjSbjLso9sWEDEM-aDyuY4rRhVt-3mwNRYHcZa7iWERMrdjems/s640/DC+2+010+blog.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
A zebra. How does this sort of thing naturally occur in nature? Wild.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4CjTyl9SC4MqGNcdDJqp1QyDeKWJeeka_yX_hqLrvtKnR6yRhTSzoQ72_XZjn4FFVQIeEDtOi7Ij2IL7THjxcH5qp3kaLt6d0XDqWYJ2d3d1a58_4Og-PhsdhwoIwyQBGpdF8yqROTw/s1600/DC+2+015+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4CjTyl9SC4MqGNcdDJqp1QyDeKWJeeka_yX_hqLrvtKnR6yRhTSzoQ72_XZjn4FFVQIeEDtOi7Ij2IL7THjxcH5qp3kaLt6d0XDqWYJ2d3d1a58_4Og-PhsdhwoIwyQBGpdF8yqROTw/s640/DC+2+015+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Creeped out? Estee and I were. Two zoo workers started to open a souvenir cart behind us. I suppose it might have sounded like the door to their habitat opening (a.k.a Lunchtime!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2HygCcx2TUQXFdY88L27V_4Ui5RYyYMsERhEo6I_QmjoiF-jMjDg9jSVxy0UuY60lh-tmQiuLZpSUAWVnc1yAONe2h4gMqk_aQGIFDxaOm0eMKC1Lp48MM8MjbaiTmdQ8j4HQlTk2XE/s1600/DC+2+022+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2HygCcx2TUQXFdY88L27V_4Ui5RYyYMsERhEo6I_QmjoiF-jMjDg9jSVxy0UuY60lh-tmQiuLZpSUAWVnc1yAONe2h4gMqk_aQGIFDxaOm0eMKC1Lp48MM8MjbaiTmdQ8j4HQlTk2XE/s640/DC+2+022+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Time for Mount Vernon pictures. George and I had a very real chemistry, despite my man-sandals (which are very comfortable and supportive).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tALGgd-9yHKLeM8hyVYVXX_ydLhn1v0JBJJkuDZRqMSxkjruLLb0oDp6V8Fw9r1ujv1sClz2-oH3WQzcm2IF7SdWTWs1J4R5h1nZqlkZVrvpJgJSxnvJ7WAzT3WT2mtQIvaKUmrssO8/s1600/DC+2+038+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tALGgd-9yHKLeM8hyVYVXX_ydLhn1v0JBJJkuDZRqMSxkjruLLb0oDp6V8Fw9r1ujv1sClz2-oH3WQzcm2IF7SdWTWs1J4R5h1nZqlkZVrvpJgJSxnvJ7WAzT3WT2mtQIvaKUmrssO8/s640/DC+2+038+blog.jpg" width="402" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This was my favorite place to visit. Here, the gap between 1775 and 2012 seems very small.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_22WuWPQOHUJiHFaBYdwiw3DIRUSdcI5sByjPrMA0FzC4tRb1I9Qmx0-ZQ47z_SAdg4YqOXjNkdjunRRoFb8fE5koO6M7K_L7W7dXHAlGcmc1Hj9OcUfu69HMcnGdVG_au0rKJfTNUn8/s1600/DC+2+042+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_22WuWPQOHUJiHFaBYdwiw3DIRUSdcI5sByjPrMA0FzC4tRb1I9Qmx0-ZQ47z_SAdg4YqOXjNkdjunRRoFb8fE5koO6M7K_L7W7dXHAlGcmc1Hj9OcUfu69HMcnGdVG_au0rKJfTNUn8/s640/DC+2+042+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The main house. No cameras were allowed here. We saw George Washington's original state-of-the-art swivel chair and the bed on which he died. I was astounded by the paint colors he and Martha chose, very <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=DDhhA-gA-Hp8QM:&imgrefurl=http://www.marthasdesign.com/Picture_rails_photo.html&docid=4w_wvTIh6GrI-M&imgurl=http://www.marthasdesign.com/image/34796816.jpg&w=640&h=571&ei=hO8jUObLG6aoywGq2YDgDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=391&vpy=289&dur=1112&hovh=212&hovw=238&tx=100&ty=158&sig=113536002565354736128&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=161&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:98">modern </a>and very <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&tbnid=M5IoK3iG5_SFyM:&imgrefurl=http://janellemccullochlibraryofdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/emerald-city.html&docid=Cr6EYIUmAhUI7M&imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7wcyXW83kYOTzwzWzKNCCynrS7jH_6E8Ub_31MCF-H6HLd3JRy5g8Pip7LnVqIyFxnYMbdebjruP5omdLgA83uSFMDUqIC78ahOjtuvSbzVExBudtTnD4yqPtV6Rc-ETw7N_5fcfAgw/s1600/Small-Dining-Room-CT-7079-2_rect540.jpg&w=419&h=540&ei=hO8jUObLG6aoywGq2YDgDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=936&vpy=275&dur=662&hovh=255&hovw=198&tx=113&ty=88&sig=113536002565354736128&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=110&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0,i:129">bright</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oug_iHX1Cid1YveAUouvTD3ZjXhg-8dyN3lgnOC7DU4AxZpYDD-IurNsx5VjAlKw3V8rWZrbuJ6Z1-IEraKK00H5PnF0-7QFdB5XbXSIhywc3FhUbRPIt35Dix4SvxlkVqoCqBrPGuI/s1600/DC+2+047+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oug_iHX1Cid1YveAUouvTD3ZjXhg-8dyN3lgnOC7DU4AxZpYDD-IurNsx5VjAlKw3V8rWZrbuJ6Z1-IEraKK00H5PnF0-7QFdB5XbXSIhywc3FhUbRPIt35Dix4SvxlkVqoCqBrPGuI/s640/DC+2+047+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He and Martha enjoyed quite the view.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6XVcqTzVtUtG0WJo0Nf4qUTU1gxJeMxFMB7QqpxGDkUqF4iJLhKYlJ1Q2PO9myZ5c3dP52muWtuxWFfJ6n9urb0f8sIXgz2N4icUOQNG861l2EalOcNGFh21jVpLwwuyqclh5krnmr0/s1600/DC+2+049+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6XVcqTzVtUtG0WJo0Nf4qUTU1gxJeMxFMB7QqpxGDkUqF4iJLhKYlJ1Q2PO9myZ5c3dP52muWtuxWFfJ6n9urb0f8sIXgz2N4icUOQNG861l2EalOcNGFh21jVpLwwuyqclh5krnmr0/s640/DC+2+049+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was able to snap a picture of his kitchen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fQjEGi8CT6db2J9vTxZCQTmtBLfmaY7bChl44rc_rU5S_Tcrg2DC1B5bGclsY9S0yAvFvFJGSclpBdnHAmyMQxgMOxBokVc0tbplcuYlcv8CuYiukGnKUqdaNlAI_Uz0o4lnCIZMUh0/s1600/DC+2+055+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fQjEGi8CT6db2J9vTxZCQTmtBLfmaY7bChl44rc_rU5S_Tcrg2DC1B5bGclsY9S0yAvFvFJGSclpBdnHAmyMQxgMOxBokVc0tbplcuYlcv8CuYiukGnKUqdaNlAI_Uz0o4lnCIZMUh0/s640/DC+2+055+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the pantry. Yes, that is a turkey hanging from the ceiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XP9Pl1dJXLBtLK804xi6vocu12C0gh7gdrJJsJKdz3wUPKTjBYGr6oc3Ke_Q4vuLnrOMH8z73mzZ_ow4ATXuPfwFYWpHdwrAfKoxYIA20rhKT7fZxaaW5jy2MIb6sQ0_Hd3hNPs1P7E/s1600/DC+2+059+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XP9Pl1dJXLBtLK804xi6vocu12C0gh7gdrJJsJKdz3wUPKTjBYGr6oc3Ke_Q4vuLnrOMH8z73mzZ_ow4ATXuPfwFYWpHdwrAfKoxYIA20rhKT7fZxaaW5jy2MIb6sQ0_Hd3hNPs1P7E/s640/DC+2+059+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stables. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWyYrQxR1eIVPKliu4VKekkR5zLJiTpjC5j23qj6ADlIlehOKvwGueoULT9pexjKVBzAht2XEBRVNzUi6goN__xQDxSDr_6uj3Vn2VvxrCzmdn8C339BiV_uJhQWntXCzK3EiBns0POk/s1600/DC+2+063+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWyYrQxR1eIVPKliu4VKekkR5zLJiTpjC5j23qj6ADlIlehOKvwGueoULT9pexjKVBzAht2XEBRVNzUi6goN__xQDxSDr_6uj3Vn2VvxrCzmdn8C339BiV_uJhQWntXCzK3EiBns0POk/s640/DC+2+063+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Carriage. Fancy, George.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5s_mai0FXP_jSw1Xxg3Rq2KHFuTjMqi0R98NADFMEnII19oZKiNBqvEAlR8-gF9UU0iZozl2If_0K-yFi3f6-Ns0KG9sV0oFPvshI-8B0cFpAWc-DvmolB84diKg2tLIH_sPBiRq4Qs/s1600/DC+2+064+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5s_mai0FXP_jSw1Xxg3Rq2KHFuTjMqi0R98NADFMEnII19oZKiNBqvEAlR8-gF9UU0iZozl2If_0K-yFi3f6-Ns0KG9sV0oFPvshI-8B0cFpAWc-DvmolB84diKg2tLIH_sPBiRq4Qs/s640/DC+2+064+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
General Washington also owned one of these. It was a cheaper, simpler form of transportation which consisted of a chair on top of a platform on wheels. Well-played!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskuIGrXrGiQAWgbSD-Nl5SSFCDyItU2-x_TiyWXD-LmRYlUPrgikiCmVoL76HoO3OkGQx2-0x201z53EUQGVJ5s1IGox1yZj3-sopcUkTVQoArvq19zFWm2Tmmih1j8fPFtEF8_Qxf2k/s1600/DC+2+066+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskuIGrXrGiQAWgbSD-Nl5SSFCDyItU2-x_TiyWXD-LmRYlUPrgikiCmVoL76HoO3OkGQx2-0x201z53EUQGVJ5s1IGox1yZj3-sopcUkTVQoArvq19zFWm2Tmmih1j8fPFtEF8_Qxf2k/s640/DC+2+066+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Estee pointed out the sleigh in the background. Jealous!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKcBEn9Nz4LYZNj2FRCNmSr23ouCNYWKlakl3kh40aVYivUXgtnMQ-tNVnIMa82bpOPmL7MmlCUqSLPWEV5G8k8oWz0uHWlDOCcc0slCjva8KXB6SDAbqmQR8MSXr-Gw-cCIcy52a5G8/s1600/DC+2+067+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKcBEn9Nz4LYZNj2FRCNmSr23ouCNYWKlakl3kh40aVYivUXgtnMQ-tNVnIMa82bpOPmL7MmlCUqSLPWEV5G8k8oWz0uHWlDOCcc0slCjva8KXB6SDAbqmQR8MSXr-Gw-cCIcy52a5G8/s640/DC+2+067+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE94pfDSzqndkUWvVOiHgpPqbyStUmzRcxqmbFLQSMXBeUYB9roh5TGArYVJLONfQW3qr2xaesCOZuTPXsqi4yoObInUP9emVtuxZtkEILTHvK42XqLJTfYYvhMFp0mPCezWAk9sItxI/s1600/DC+2+070+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE94pfDSzqndkUWvVOiHgpPqbyStUmzRcxqmbFLQSMXBeUYB9roh5TGArYVJLONfQW3qr2xaesCOZuTPXsqi4yoObInUP9emVtuxZtkEILTHvK42XqLJTfYYvhMFp0mPCezWAk9sItxI/s640/DC+2+070+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We visited George and Martha's tomb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhg_KwfUjt1Ekd2wwlfaYMyASPCfrP2vazDy5jBgJX6BXjxFjq_upLe4p07YkVHuyVczH-RtPDLiNEuPuePqaXcey4yB8627h2Im2JHxuAzibqyPie36qEiMWUDpqwgbaYBw7V1B0cno/s1600/DC+2+072+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhg_KwfUjt1Ekd2wwlfaYMyASPCfrP2vazDy5jBgJX6BXjxFjq_upLe4p07YkVHuyVczH-RtPDLiNEuPuePqaXcey4yB8627h2Im2JHxuAzibqyPie36qEiMWUDpqwgbaYBw7V1B0cno/s640/DC+2+072+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhfgMX2ftT98BjUnBSxZPFcHuf6u2O-ZLlQDkxCH41wI4HxqQBrJrJv15YxyC1o_JdqZNXTPvca8zQFQEyNe7jTVVc1-YqKCoFZ8YGic9YPX9WDyOJJF867fST4rwtSBssnsxZE1jaXQ/s1600/DC+2+074+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhfgMX2ftT98BjUnBSxZPFcHuf6u2O-ZLlQDkxCH41wI4HxqQBrJrJv15YxyC1o_JdqZNXTPvca8zQFQEyNe7jTVVc1-YqKCoFZ8YGic9YPX9WDyOJJF867fST4rwtSBssnsxZE1jaXQ/s640/DC+2+074+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi003GiSo-paevyn3I0KMW5YNdIa7n5zNWG-5sQVEA5Ee2g7qSg98Dzr9EgqQwMnEoXfrzo7W58dO-xBYtc_aPdgV3EDe12lkVA-2hIKHhR4E-HgyNxxmag5RUVqOd2ivlnnNmHqI7oDb4/s1600/DC+2+077+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi003GiSo-paevyn3I0KMW5YNdIa7n5zNWG-5sQVEA5Ee2g7qSg98Dzr9EgqQwMnEoXfrzo7W58dO-xBYtc_aPdgV3EDe12lkVA-2hIKHhR4E-HgyNxxmag5RUVqOd2ivlnnNmHqI7oDb4/s640/DC+2+077+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjKkW9Uuj0UNgoX3wzsXo36B2Lr2CF0NfLJdWUzb6ingWZ7k1sS4hVdtWf5UHJwdVuy_wyjQIg5H0w6HrTv_ViAw__Lgy0wkMFU3nlYx2yflPBjhasKhmRzS23AdLm71_O-v1BbovDFo/s1600/DC+2+078+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjKkW9Uuj0UNgoX3wzsXo36B2Lr2CF0NfLJdWUzb6ingWZ7k1sS4hVdtWf5UHJwdVuy_wyjQIg5H0w6HrTv_ViAw__Lgy0wkMFU3nlYx2yflPBjhasKhmRzS23AdLm71_O-v1BbovDFo/s640/DC+2+078+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JzU9CUv-lUx-ecVMyErTEbM3ctAWw0JP2m8kL5ZYUGkuM1um0w6JAkFYc3_JWZJNxmwmgjVXNtZWx-noDahuNXoDPPbMo4DuIIrUXWJ-KpxcDqLTL4pvveYyd17hF_pJ4hyFTxPA2zo/s1600/DC+2+087+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JzU9CUv-lUx-ecVMyErTEbM3ctAWw0JP2m8kL5ZYUGkuM1um0w6JAkFYc3_JWZJNxmwmgjVXNtZWx-noDahuNXoDPPbMo4DuIIrUXWJ-KpxcDqLTL4pvveYyd17hF_pJ4hyFTxPA2zo/s640/DC+2+087+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPfwNnkWAH7dzjczzxYRuXoL6vIPdEoYA6BJrXxASn2UPYXhko1ClLlDe95kozfFpxHw9dX38A-FwQfvNgQdrz4P449rhLybIZq5fov3gy00AreyMHvhMbLsiSv9NM0Bz0QexbWmQnWg/s1600/wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPfwNnkWAH7dzjczzxYRuXoL6vIPdEoYA6BJrXxASn2UPYXhko1ClLlDe95kozfFpxHw9dX38A-FwQfvNgQdrz4P449rhLybIZq5fov3gy00AreyMHvhMbLsiSv9NM0Bz0QexbWmQnWg/s640/wallpaper.jpg" width="640" /></a>
</div>
<br />
The museum in the visitor center hosts (among other things) a set of General Washington's dentures crafted from human and hippopotamus teeth. Below is a (poor quality) picture of one of three imagings of George Washington. These replicas were designed using his dentures, busts, and paintings of him. Here he is at 19 years old.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKUWGU-5cBIZR2J5ke5hYV9me-8fkRUmidrpgc0YRkdh0ROJkf5xd_isLvXtH26shBrZBiCLM8SAqhyiI0iZOptSKGxC0fJEEl32yf_50UkOlKEnJvpX4uMghaGuvu7_Jdvh_X3rXEJQ/s1600/DC+2+097+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKUWGU-5cBIZR2J5ke5hYV9me-8fkRUmidrpgc0YRkdh0ROJkf5xd_isLvXtH26shBrZBiCLM8SAqhyiI0iZOptSKGxC0fJEEl32yf_50UkOlKEnJvpX4uMghaGuvu7_Jdvh_X3rXEJQ/s640/DC+2+097+blog.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
<br />
Meanwhile, in 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cJ2hwEjfb6qG_FbkKlv-A7CDGjgveoF8tZu4oTlVL_fyaCGpB5HHjJbtoZONdbzXtuNJt6ORs27-mSS6l2-Ylf3CqosOelfUy2TlCGU2rkD3qHUwY2AjXrEpoDocwcUF_nM2KBqG8j0/s1600/DC+2+101+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cJ2hwEjfb6qG_FbkKlv-A7CDGjgveoF8tZu4oTlVL_fyaCGpB5HHjJbtoZONdbzXtuNJt6ORs27-mSS6l2-Ylf3CqosOelfUy2TlCGU2rkD3qHUwY2AjXrEpoDocwcUF_nM2KBqG8j0/s640/DC+2+101+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We enjoyed a ghost tour in Alexandria. It suddenly started pouring and we hid under scaffolding. Do I detect a skeptic (young dude on the right)?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-dZ1JRUXxuAt-vQAdg-LGxzMgScTeaZfVMAesiKmY_BKn6AmoV-LvlmkfDiHMn6GEX5pk7lKT2tdqBzLfqpahSjvSFTlxuC2B18pwiHcabVCWyTqbR5oM_2HEbVfgRlOi2iD3O8MD3I/s1600/DC+2+103+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-dZ1JRUXxuAt-vQAdg-LGxzMgScTeaZfVMAesiKmY_BKn6AmoV-LvlmkfDiHMn6GEX5pk7lKT2tdqBzLfqpahSjvSFTlxuC2B18pwiHcabVCWyTqbR5oM_2HEbVfgRlOi2iD3O8MD3I/s640/DC+2+103+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Revolutionary War.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonLe-EA_BJe0D-c4t3cbPZIeEPgSr1Tf88MFzo2EYCh6g_JBzl_LiAPN5CTGpvXlVCvrQ8FswQvdelZDHdvjFHIlKf3WPBVlwwLG_tbChk7S6oFUXeuc6wjCfPdBPBjIM0uondZBdYSY/s1600/DC+2+105+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonLe-EA_BJe0D-c4t3cbPZIeEPgSr1Tf88MFzo2EYCh6g_JBzl_LiAPN5CTGpvXlVCvrQ8FswQvdelZDHdvjFHIlKf3WPBVlwwLG_tbChk7S6oFUXeuc6wjCfPdBPBjIM0uondZBdYSY/s640/DC+2+105+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The tombstone of John Carlyle, said to be one of the lost souls that still haunts Alexandria.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGkIF7sosmRN4BmL8vQOELjkOLw3pi2IubfrV4nTVK2D9xfhno8DCMBxfV944R8_vptZLO8c6KbVRw3Lv_tB_FSwtgVHQBY-J8mqb_kbSXXRyZQ_DbE9HqDKUiCdk9uPq7efpbrM5AGQ/s1600/DC+2+106+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGkIF7sosmRN4BmL8vQOELjkOLw3pi2IubfrV4nTVK2D9xfhno8DCMBxfV944R8_vptZLO8c6KbVRw3Lv_tB_FSwtgVHQBY-J8mqb_kbSXXRyZQ_DbE9HqDKUiCdk9uPq7efpbrM5AGQ/s640/DC+2+106+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alexandria's graveyard. Apparently, there are hundreds of unidentified bodies buried here. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqWhVorsUjf0bGdeRVEs2mRq7soGwLdH2A-YIbwU0JbGxdXh0uZ96AFBvELUrMYDU5cbXayK7jpYrPzUEEftEkkJyN3xsrSV-jJMZUnbgfsL7xjRicvP0OGaQDg5XgMI-3XtViXxU1bk/s1600/DC+2+108+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqWhVorsUjf0bGdeRVEs2mRq7soGwLdH2A-YIbwU0JbGxdXh0uZ96AFBvELUrMYDU5cbXayK7jpYrPzUEEftEkkJyN3xsrSV-jJMZUnbgfsL7xjRicvP0OGaQDg5XgMI-3XtViXxU1bk/s640/DC+2+108+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBVmSpMEbeQNfof-FcqPAOXmGeWvl6DPkAMMCm5K0eHhiN1rLqrI2q_72OZnpEqz7ofWMkBmQM0b5Nr3idyE9ey4F8UB5-S6Ot9rUVlMV63C1evZQcJWPr2k72GLyeNz8521mMjqxix0/s1600/DC+2+110+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBVmSpMEbeQNfof-FcqPAOXmGeWvl6DPkAMMCm5K0eHhiN1rLqrI2q_72OZnpEqz7ofWMkBmQM0b5Nr3idyE9ey4F8UB5-S6Ot9rUVlMV63C1evZQcJWPr2k72GLyeNz8521mMjqxix0/s640/DC+2+110+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The haunted church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-RU82x5bMNN_gbBvQxx8HBoxxhmUeHlPAasOhu_Hgzf3z9QR1TLvZC80awXtrkX9OaOBYb4bXSj-CotJzPMsBP3wpoESK68vVe8aP1m2QxcpN8S554O2-wRBBGXAD7ckq-Nm_8R1_E/s1600/DC+2+111+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB-RU82x5bMNN_gbBvQxx8HBoxxhmUeHlPAasOhu_Hgzf3z9QR1TLvZC80awXtrkX9OaOBYb4bXSj-CotJzPMsBP3wpoESK68vVe8aP1m2QxcpN8S554O2-wRBBGXAD7ckq-Nm_8R1_E/s640/DC+2+111+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Estee's dog - Peanut Butter Cup. She refused to photographed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurDPKlvRYuOnLHBZVm6-MrPXBOdlwEWTAru9FNnToYtXNaYToFZqeMVHBYJc2VwiFVqC4EMYtPSPCryv_XmzeOfPNqguT6XQUCiWeGxZYY3QnOuCoHyi1VCEHAEZ8ABTqvZu4V8jDAok/s1600/DC+2+115+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurDPKlvRYuOnLHBZVm6-MrPXBOdlwEWTAru9FNnToYtXNaYToFZqeMVHBYJc2VwiFVqC4EMYtPSPCryv_XmzeOfPNqguT6XQUCiWeGxZYY3QnOuCoHyi1VCEHAEZ8ABTqvZu4V8jDAok/s640/DC+2+115+blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
But I got a blurry shot of her sad, pitiful mug.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptIPAOfvCabsey5oQPjkI1Qsw8kFepfRhxDG5VxQurMuDxKm0c1K3wf0tgsWUFlqS7Q0cHLyZeDAK-UvmRxwuubzrnTV_ramJI9cXJnagY67zqKyK20JD5tcMV_EcWa75Zv2YWA0ZCpA/s1600/DC+2+118+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptIPAOfvCabsey5oQPjkI1Qsw8kFepfRhxDG5VxQurMuDxKm0c1K3wf0tgsWUFlqS7Q0cHLyZeDAK-UvmRxwuubzrnTV_ramJI9cXJnagY67zqKyK20JD5tcMV_EcWa75Zv2YWA0ZCpA/s640/DC+2+118+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We threatened to pin her ears back.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPUs2qzUKkggBR3F9sbXMg6WmI1OeEEaAu1r_DMibXCc13NZeGQ_a2lQmRMJIqLj3tcvCovuSRjDBol0tjzn5t5S4uypvlzdCC7JCPPOvGUECJojziuP1xDidnqKhpKUQSYaOsWSurgI/s1600/DC+2+119+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPUs2qzUKkggBR3F9sbXMg6WmI1OeEEaAu1r_DMibXCc13NZeGQ_a2lQmRMJIqLj3tcvCovuSRjDBol0tjzn5t5S4uypvlzdCC7JCPPOvGUECJojziuP1xDidnqKhpKUQSYaOsWSurgI/s640/DC+2+119+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's the D of C in a blog post. Special thank you to Estee and her wonderful parents for hosting me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm heading back to Honduras on Tuesday (the 14th). Estee and I will sharing an apartment. I look forward to some more adventures and challenges as I begin a <i>full year </i>of teaching English this time as well as theater. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enjoy the rest of your summer!</div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-17750684824631550862012-07-19T12:21:00.001-07:002012-07-19T13:00:04.596-07:00The Ruins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I'm finally posting my first round of pictures of Copan Ruinas . . . from April. Yes, the blog moved to the back-burner for awhile there but now that research papers are graded, classes are done, exams are proctored and I'm in the Mitten, I'M FREE, FREE AT LAST.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These pics are straight out of Holy Week 2012. In Honduras, <i>semana santa</i> (Holy Week) is the biggest holiday of the year, especially for traveling. Most Hondurans travel to a warm place and crash on the beach. I decided to travel to Copan Ruinas with IST's two student teachers, Stephanie and Becca. We left on Sunday and returned Wednesday night. We couldn't have done more in those few days. I snapped around 890 pictures and over 20 short videos.</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Centuries ago, Copan was the religious capital of the Mayan empire. Apart from Tikal (Guatemala), Copan is the biggest Mayan city. Today, Copan is considered the treasure of the Honduras and is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being tourists, we paid for the whole gamet - the guided tour of the Ruins, the tunnels under the Ruins, and tickets to tour the museum. Below is a 3D model of the ruins. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW_5SGr1VLgAx6zNPeQiKjAZtQJuual5YZaXWNK396UCJTqWia5HeKzkdnq4MLilVxzjwqUsWWPkQQz1b_tlYYeLSqMjWEFf9p8gq_4eZyYRBfCYVtAKhU2RayHdi2B2rm_XMl84cigA/s1600/life-size+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW_5SGr1VLgAx6zNPeQiKjAZtQJuual5YZaXWNK396UCJTqWia5HeKzkdnq4MLilVxzjwqUsWWPkQQz1b_tlYYeLSqMjWEFf9p8gq_4eZyYRBfCYVtAKhU2RayHdi2B2rm_XMl84cigA/s1600/life-size+map.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Ruins were discovered in the 1590's, after the Mayans abandoned it, but excavation didn't start until the 19th century. According to Nery, our fearless tour guide, 85% of Copan remains un-excavated. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some mounds on the way to the main ruins. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuD_jbDlP2f5iTcO3Mn75JXUFX_czvVvYP4VIlsfOq9z-I56LRjkTNx0-BFhzIB69iImwQUwNdOk6U-WoGXIIwWfsOslsp7IKsDKvN3ZJ1pMniaj4PLK_RxkyGhwHBLM_I7CP-SkS4N8/s1600/mound+2+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuD_jbDlP2f5iTcO3Mn75JXUFX_czvVvYP4VIlsfOq9z-I56LRjkTNx0-BFhzIB69iImwQUwNdOk6U-WoGXIIwWfsOslsp7IKsDKvN3ZJ1pMniaj4PLK_RxkyGhwHBLM_I7CP-SkS4N8/s1600/mound+2+crop.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">The first two temples we visited were actually the last ones constructed. Archeologists now know that the Mayans abandoned Copan early in the 9th century due to a drought that lasted over 100 years. The last leader built two temples in a desperate attempt to appease the gods.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">On the left was the temple for the celestial gods. There are thirteen windows representing all 13 realms of heavens. </span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy_lQqBMA3KLcBEGdSIdKTjgEwY_VDEkf-XIFCDSxzwt1Ljpt3Fm1ixuRhLWcBnMU36-RDFm_0JYtuu345ZZdBypxsXnfoCkcjkOU6yJdnONVFpNNwGed5wYsjUBqoyd9YRBrPYMO6Ns/s1600/temple+heaven+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy_lQqBMA3KLcBEGdSIdKTjgEwY_VDEkf-XIFCDSxzwt1Ljpt3Fm1ixuRhLWcBnMU36-RDFm_0JYtuu345ZZdBypxsXnfoCkcjkOU6yJdnONVFpNNwGed5wYsjUBqoyd9YRBrPYMO6Ns/s1600/temple+heaven+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilElqEkCuMwUEQ5bQKkNOavauOpAmQf6K02OK9eYej88m6DBFsBBEGvFMzLh7fUQhOvhQVbGlnrVv5XD_0DXXxkUFMhy9MeTtLW0Tpi2Ss1ww5JFyR5Ptp6qirLxI91y5-RAqaFHbjZE8/s1600/long+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilElqEkCuMwUEQ5bQKkNOavauOpAmQf6K02OK9eYej88m6DBFsBBEGvFMzLh7fUQhOvhQVbGlnrVv5XD_0DXXxkUFMhy9MeTtLW0Tpi2Ss1ww5JFyR5Ptp6qirLxI91y5-RAqaFHbjZE8/s1600/long+shot.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRK3sONEielOkI7dds4b_TesE95w2Yc2GyH5YNPL8_OgKHEIDDOHi4aiX-uBipa5ny3YpbgHmW08OGj6IE3qz-Czwz-Z8-SwAnVmob0ILYS0DddujMxG6C9SM-22BtVf6QNEnBYW2a9k/s1600/heaven+temp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowhyphenhyphenKKmcrNUMLRAyzeCu0YLbV0cDOPIft2VsNsO04CmUscwv5EvDjxq_HFdZLIR8Dk3jr9EcEqf48u6P-ouoiXRoNW_6fRG6tO2TX7cOhhXsutbhCASKphObPBkcvaQdqSm4CgXTMx3I/s1600/heaven+temp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowhyphenhyphenKKmcrNUMLRAyzeCu0YLbV0cDOPIft2VsNsO04CmUscwv5EvDjxq_HFdZLIR8Dk3jr9EcEqf48u6P-ouoiXRoNW_6fRG6tO2TX7cOhhXsutbhCASKphObPBkcvaQdqSm4CgXTMx3I/s1600/heaven+temp+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To the right of the celestial temple, we have the temple for the underworld. The lighter stone is actually plaster added to the ruins to hold the original structures together. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnPgf77Zd3fspempcstxrQtDgE_E_HyYkopS6ziwp-qXVcLV2irCSC392tfJB4efe44kSpAEz4_qgClSWflZtfCdUIJ5o_9Z05m3xHL5FNUHu7GkqTH8H421buQPbu85MSFx2k4JHHWQ/s1600/death+temple+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnPgf77Zd3fspempcstxrQtDgE_E_HyYkopS6ziwp-qXVcLV2irCSC392tfJB4efe44kSpAEz4_qgClSWflZtfCdUIJ5o_9Z05m3xHL5FNUHu7GkqTH8H421buQPbu85MSFx2k4JHHWQ/s1600/death+temple+side.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These skulls, like many of the carvings, are replicas. The real statues and sculptures are in the museum. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGh22cDAKX8yflFaNEWWbxNvjz0FIzK3VEXJC5AN252iVzR0f5GHCdN_L7RuLq04azVQTauYedvWJqtfFvWid4iIVJgvyGzQYOACGrKVxaLVjgWsKMz_UlpceYRsx3C_YAMAe4i7dbG4/s1600/skulls+on+death+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGh22cDAKX8yflFaNEWWbxNvjz0FIzK3VEXJC5AN252iVzR0f5GHCdN_L7RuLq04azVQTauYedvWJqtfFvWid4iIVJgvyGzQYOACGrKVxaLVjgWsKMz_UlpceYRsx3C_YAMAe4i7dbG4/s1600/skulls+on+death+temple.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trees such as the one pictured below seem out of place next to the ancient ruins, but their presence has become too integral to the structures to replant them elsewhere. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsfRaU1pmRp8cBxLJliGYBzdEpPN1TaEpPqsCBJLkzL8wP6hupsDvSe18-bQZGfCkLCYEL7M0E3XzsElGcUABGgBnkLh2HC3nXUgh0JXoXgBQ4EMEyFpDFkCsY0ti__cXtRC4vjTteuo/s1600/better+death+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsfRaU1pmRp8cBxLJliGYBzdEpPN1TaEpPqsCBJLkzL8wP6hupsDvSe18-bQZGfCkLCYEL7M0E3XzsElGcUABGgBnkLh2HC3nXUgh0JXoXgBQ4EMEyFpDFkCsY0ti__cXtRC4vjTteuo/s1600/better+death+tree.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A view from the front of the temple of death. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPMDLYuga_zmpIYwCaMbDtmTYpB9Z-BhHtCb8XLAKo0r0rF-bg8b3HD5qBTgho1jvhMUjr5jvtCM-27JE3E3SxrjAIbI2VxOhCD0pOPwS6PgVnLmnAGihbCgK64sKysmefQgOm9pIOgQ/s1600/temple+death+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPMDLYuga_zmpIYwCaMbDtmTYpB9Z-BhHtCb8XLAKo0r0rF-bg8b3HD5qBTgho1jvhMUjr5jvtCM-27JE3E3SxrjAIbI2VxOhCD0pOPwS6PgVnLmnAGihbCgK64sKysmefQgOm9pIOgQ/s1600/temple+death+1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The square structure in front is a sculpture made by the last leader of Copan. It depicts all 16 rulers of Copan symbolically passing the scepter of leadership to one another, starting with the first. <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">The actual structure carved by the Mayans is located in the museum for protection against the elements. Here, in the middle, the first and the last leader meet. It is believed that the last leader of Copan wanted to show closure as he left his city. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgaKD7C4X6EDuh7aZb_R5tOIgsRnHGovsfe0MBWfLfRsqJUnHxFXJP36WExUn7Xa4mL17uMCHCTEzwSCAKAIYJ4RQHETkpcYx0TLZpb2xAw8Uswy-FAwh7AQleBI2wPiLVlUcLb-Z3eo/s1600/pass+the+scepter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgaKD7C4X6EDuh7aZb_R5tOIgsRnHGovsfe0MBWfLfRsqJUnHxFXJP36WExUn7Xa4mL17uMCHCTEzwSCAKAIYJ4RQHETkpcYx0TLZpb2xAw8Uswy-FAwh7AQleBI2wPiLVlUcLb-Z3eo/s1600/pass+the+scepter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgaKD7C4X6EDuh7aZb_R5tOIgsRnHGovsfe0MBWfLfRsqJUnHxFXJP36WExUn7Xa4mL17uMCHCTEzwSCAKAIYJ4RQHETkpcYx0TLZpb2xAw8Uswy-FAwh7AQleBI2wPiLVlUcLb-Z3eo/s1600/pass+the+scepter.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some more leaders. Each leader is sitting on his name. For example, second from the left is "Smoke Jaguar" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOhjcriHQ3JQykTONmzH5b56YhyphenhyphenCG4DMYIblhJ4i1WqZ72yU8WBQvqrzEJp-oDe2qEEeRoF9ljNoT6_9-MwWds6i3ZIGfHZs5uvSZGix5YnKx16GypQHdjar3HTzpCj-tFHp_LJ-cFKw/s1600/torch+pass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOhjcriHQ3JQykTONmzH5b56YhyphenhyphenCG4DMYIblhJ4i1WqZ72yU8WBQvqrzEJp-oDe2qEEeRoF9ljNoT6_9-MwWds6i3ZIGfHZs5uvSZGix5YnKx16GypQHdjar3HTzpCj-tFHp_LJ-cFKw/s1600/torch+pass.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hieroglyphs on top. Probably just some stuff about impending doom and all that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vG0UVgfLAreDgtXHwo7ayirVCN7OyGplzcONlizMi4nWeVS1cPhEgZz2As0o9fQ227rMkanDrsvTSN52NWsVDIztqZianqIMK47HuC4Ti44w3Hj0f5a6j-GBQEjG9ZKAIBzJooXUdoY/s1600/last+leader+hyrp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vG0UVgfLAreDgtXHwo7ayirVCN7OyGplzcONlizMi4nWeVS1cPhEgZz2As0o9fQ227rMkanDrsvTSN52NWsVDIztqZianqIMK47HuC4Ti44w3Hj0f5a6j-GBQEjG9ZKAIBzJooXUdoY/s640/last+leader+hyrp.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_278755086"></span><span id="goog_278755087"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we walked to the second acropolis. The piles of rock on the left and right used to be stairs.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNXk1kpyS0NNT8bZWcuDKouR3wuI09myCp09b6aPeDKgovVQ7kxW07OITemm1h7AxCWXdc4_Yb58ECDI24KygCLezOKKgihTOz-5jE2dZW4ZC2oQhDWaTdDpNA_CPxA9GQt7S-CaddUg/s1600/used-to-be+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNXk1kpyS0NNT8bZWcuDKouR3wuI09myCp09b6aPeDKgovVQ7kxW07OITemm1h7AxCWXdc4_Yb58ECDI24KygCLezOKKgihTOz-5jE2dZW4ZC2oQhDWaTdDpNA_CPxA9GQt7S-CaddUg/s1600/used-to-be+stairs.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A view of the whole acropolis. This, folks, is when I discovered the "wide" option on my camera. The picture above was taken while walking towards the entrance of the acropolis (top middle of the picture below). On the top right, one can see the entrance to the tunnels under the temples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0czcsYRpQS4dkGME2q0BtWrK6r_4B1IpdlYQUZ8BMS2mX1BOedBq8kcaa9yuxSf1QyhZ99p0SoXX9PEixd8S5ocsW_C9X1hcXFowO38SRGSj4J7zga1C4nH6W9ej77vC8TRz-tb4WUU/s1600/plaza+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0czcsYRpQS4dkGME2q0BtWrK6r_4B1IpdlYQUZ8BMS2mX1BOedBq8kcaa9yuxSf1QyhZ99p0SoXX9PEixd8S5ocsW_C9X1hcXFowO38SRGSj4J7zga1C4nH6W9ej77vC8TRz-tb4WUU/s1600/plaza+shot.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View of the stairs on the right.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPi4LRAHdwrB49tWiaNHt_1j3A5JC2PBmtu3lH1Fbc0XGQug6Y9zNKoQtJF8MHXvPYMVUI9cIzIXYgIPTWkoiSfxrlI_yaza7KsQRrg-BgBf2xJkwjJwziI5c0hjSK-WdkStcT-jgDxQ/s1600/sun+god+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPi4LRAHdwrB49tWiaNHt_1j3A5JC2PBmtu3lH1Fbc0XGQug6Y9zNKoQtJF8MHXvPYMVUI9cIzIXYgIPTWkoiSfxrlI_yaza7KsQRrg-BgBf2xJkwjJwziI5c0hjSK-WdkStcT-jgDxQ/s1600/sun+god+stairs.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a close-up picture of the sun god found on the top of the above stairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-uKnbFrDfOTG51jJ5mQifBcd4S3qfVQsXQq886Bz98JLICkliRXfr8cl7AxTYmxZPRXvLo8j7Xipy_bg5HGvbozCUoHmi5w8f4RUKPW1OsFGfILl3OGI6kwgwAXmAZj-HomOYykK8FY/s1600/sun+god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-uKnbFrDfOTG51jJ5mQifBcd4S3qfVQsXQq886Bz98JLICkliRXfr8cl7AxTYmxZPRXvLo8j7Xipy_bg5HGvbozCUoHmi5w8f4RUKPW1OsFGfILl3OGI6kwgwAXmAZj-HomOYykK8FY/s1600/sun+god.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This jaguar is located at the bottom left of the stairs above. Nery (our tour guide) said people always say this guy looks like Tony the Tiger (Hint: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!) In reality, he said that the Mayans wanted him to look fierce. They felt the jaguar gave strength to sun god so that he/she could pull the sun into the sky every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Hpf7KYVyC4taIUQdkha1h8ol3FPacdtPmIT1VNo0fAcNEh6Jc0NFN-qyI8ErdE468-gZSFtBp1y0NbPudC0guaBf5r3oMDqHE3XuJ3LTR_y_BZZ1DAr8QwE1GIkzRL4TMODy1-Ga2M/s1600/tony+the+tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Hpf7KYVyC4taIUQdkha1h8ol3FPacdtPmIT1VNo0fAcNEh6Jc0NFN-qyI8ErdE468-gZSFtBp1y0NbPudC0guaBf5r3oMDqHE3XuJ3LTR_y_BZZ1DAr8QwE1GIkzRL4TMODy1-Ga2M/s1600/tony+the+tiger.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the stairs. In the background, you can see the building archeologists say was used for political meetings, almost like a mini-Capitol Hill. Probably more organized too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaWj8FGenT_rDRJRvBaXSrTFb9h8KPWUT2VIApNv3SHPrULMeJ7apZEu79pT6CHj9QeJ1YC2HWGYXPEzGKN1hcVuVyUVIRe9CM5y0FZzyenSDREZ2YsMtOQ9TIVS8dccUJik1Z0iebXI/s1600/temple+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaWj8FGenT_rDRJRvBaXSrTFb9h8KPWUT2VIApNv3SHPrULMeJ7apZEu79pT6CHj9QeJ1YC2HWGYXPEzGKN1hcVuVyUVIRe9CM5y0FZzyenSDREZ2YsMtOQ9TIVS8dccUJik1Z0iebXI/s1600/temple+side.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The left of the Mayan House of Reps, is where the leader sits. The window-ish thing at the top of the stairs is where the grand emperors of the Mayans sat and saw his people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDCnVH87elZTlscvTJ4QStaLA4Wp8cwA-gKmOjQZuXZ2eN6IWJHXmosZgWYT68gqVQQtFdkVSol8nybRg8Dlt5xmNi1fX1j7H38X_c54Ka7S_eYdCKYS56xjxarkpIkJEMoBE24B7VbU/s1600/leader+chair+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDCnVH87elZTlscvTJ4QStaLA4Wp8cwA-gKmOjQZuXZ2eN6IWJHXmosZgWYT68gqVQQtFdkVSol8nybRg8Dlt5xmNi1fX1j7H38X_c54Ka7S_eYdCKYS56xjxarkpIkJEMoBE24B7VbU/s1600/leader+chair+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little to the left. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodgVCzGlrXvaifC2GNq7m7u2jbtLzOycGYipzMcS07YuMqwcSzsDHg7OfqJk6Z2_DAm13HZJlBOcn2pjbEUQ0zhfjVLpklizsah9uclMxfM3XXLDSXuI7Hosqjo80ERqJBD1karaPH4I/s1600/plaza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodgVCzGlrXvaifC2GNq7m7u2jbtLzOycGYipzMcS07YuMqwcSzsDHg7OfqJk6Z2_DAm13HZJlBOcn2pjbEUQ0zhfjVLpklizsah9uclMxfM3XXLDSXuI7Hosqjo80ERqJBD1karaPH4I/s1600/plaza.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some more views. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq-cOJ49f-dEco5Sfu8T0Kxkt8wMPNwj2PZWx1FvaG4Dj-ZXoGqTG0AIBO7pc9qOXaEoKzfGmFPIU1iBxE8jlGsbfOj1RTkEgfv5HIKq08C7gvKs0QIpdc_yXTHRDXclo6evxZEWbZ7I/s1600/acrop+with+vie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq-cOJ49f-dEco5Sfu8T0Kxkt8wMPNwj2PZWx1FvaG4Dj-ZXoGqTG0AIBO7pc9qOXaEoKzfGmFPIU1iBxE8jlGsbfOj1RTkEgfv5HIKq08C7gvKs0QIpdc_yXTHRDXclo6evxZEWbZ7I/s1600/acrop+with+vie.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry for the excess in pictures, but remember:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I have carefully chosen these from 890 crazy-cool pictures.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. These are the MAYAN-FRICKIN'-RUINS people. At least that's what I tell myself as I look through all 890 of my pictures. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tunnel time! We were able to tour inside the temples through a series of tunnels. These tunnels were not actually made by the Mayans. Archaeologists have created them in order to see the temples hidden underneath. Each Mayan ruler built his temple on top of his predecessor's temple as a way of demonstrating his power. Copan boasts about 8 layers of temples. What a sandwich! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the entrance to the tunnels.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQW1Q_iwueVCx6FgllfQsjRvFGoZN8mLOVehToHWLiNpDpt1N_qWtu6wsDcCA2_vEUkhbSWRqiFo4mTJyLQIm3g6cNFjtfUyd2NxBcVB_UKRWf0Y8Y8MigmtAiI-xvWqkG3oIMv-BPbY/s1600/tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQW1Q_iwueVCx6FgllfQsjRvFGoZN8mLOVehToHWLiNpDpt1N_qWtu6wsDcCA2_vEUkhbSWRqiFo4mTJyLQIm3g6cNFjtfUyd2NxBcVB_UKRWf0Y8Y8MigmtAiI-xvWqkG3oIMv-BPbY/s1600/tunnel.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This face is a part of Rosalila (rose-colored lilac). Rosalila is what archaeologists have named one such buried tunnel that remains quite intact. The name refers to the original pink color of the temple, a paint created by the Mayans themselves. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6Y1kaXd-Q_CFw3x7gM6Xy1K6s16U6-7kbzBwiNqUnSdUhW6X17ARn0LRiQStAn17vahGSAw1mhj91zykC-ujyx40tEQNnsnu3CHDWt5bMyj4PpnHYpAQrnAqRoCw08Wt5e8e5z1rCu4/s1600/rosalila+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6Y1kaXd-Q_CFw3x7gM6Xy1K6s16U6-7kbzBwiNqUnSdUhW6X17ARn0LRiQStAn17vahGSAw1mhj91zykC-ujyx40tEQNnsnu3CHDWt5bMyj4PpnHYpAQrnAqRoCw08Wt5e8e5z1rCu4/s1600/rosalila+face.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The outer wall of Rosalila.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o5wCjRcr5k2xs3TpLe4ujUB2ESWpp1j7433np3LNVosl1WltGEioHG7YC8QZGMFHQiqpt7Ng1VqAEaVf9Zp5-84nRvJjBrD8z_WjZo26yjIAdegXEHs5nffbxk29wFQdnOZpJTSm1xw/s1600/rosalila+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2o5wCjRcr5k2xs3TpLe4ujUB2ESWpp1j7433np3LNVosl1WltGEioHG7YC8QZGMFHQiqpt7Ng1VqAEaVf9Zp5-84nRvJjBrD8z_WjZo26yjIAdegXEHs5nffbxk29wFQdnOZpJTSm1xw/s640/rosalila+one.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Original Mayan stairs are located under the modern cement (in between the wall and the stairs). This stairway connect two tunnels. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmWohw6vcgJZ7AVniF02_HOpivWe5lAG6ClKPNxsi6d8w_2uX2d7JZC3qzSzxlQI68IHRIS2ARsx3gHSvxHz-MEbvcVmXZUlj_JaI7EVwaKTN133-NhRM9Cf346SxxH74PMhZb5jVfVw/s1600/original+mayan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmWohw6vcgJZ7AVniF02_HOpivWe5lAG6ClKPNxsi6d8w_2uX2d7JZC3qzSzxlQI68IHRIS2ARsx3gHSvxHz-MEbvcVmXZUlj_JaI7EVwaKTN133-NhRM9Cf346SxxH74PMhZb5jVfVw/s640/original+mayan.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Mayan bathtub. Candles, anyone? The bottom slopes into a sort of point. Can't imagine that was comfortable!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n6OjOfTc3wl4qgVmOa-i93m1JnbgTkE4NcALS6Pe47aHLvqOufAQGQUy5f4nMK64GYMqmpkeC-IyTEVthRMjn_8S7OCEXwyB0QIa3E5HBgcN4owzhshbhNqGKMcgb5mmA8etyIctY7Q/s1600/mayan+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n6OjOfTc3wl4qgVmOa-i93m1JnbgTkE4NcALS6Pe47aHLvqOufAQGQUy5f4nMK64GYMqmpkeC-IyTEVthRMjn_8S7OCEXwyB0QIa3E5HBgcN4owzhshbhNqGKMcgb5mmA8etyIctY7Q/s640/mayan+bath.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The museum contains a life-size Rosalila replica.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KPXibOK5W6fH0D_VOfToQwCNPo4eYa_p3kkyq8L_qyEMYDQ9YaJT96WUWb1m-m5-mFqjlQUWhqysnZi-We3MAfq6mmzgqpIR90NTcdsEdLgCkAkQoTkDBw2Tk90_MvZsti9zLhb4Mdk/s1600/rosalila2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KPXibOK5W6fH0D_VOfToQwCNPo4eYa_p3kkyq8L_qyEMYDQ9YaJT96WUWb1m-m5-mFqjlQUWhqysnZi-We3MAfq6mmzgqpIR90NTcdsEdLgCkAkQoTkDBw2Tk90_MvZsti9zLhb4Mdk/s1600/rosalila2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1dWjE9ALnVv2cE8LKhgp973U7Ny97SNHb1lSXyTScUKfD_mYV08D4ciS4B6jtivflS2DCZMHnUJM7PiUTR7k8L8LudyKsFqPAz4PpUKhgCJnPGnadWBtdm7wSC8xZkEIfVwkl4fxDq4/s1600/rosalila+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1dWjE9ALnVv2cE8LKhgp973U7Ny97SNHb1lSXyTScUKfD_mYV08D4ciS4B6jtivflS2DCZMHnUJM7PiUTR7k8L8LudyKsFqPAz4PpUKhgCJnPGnadWBtdm7wSC8xZkEIfVwkl4fxDq4/s1600/rosalila+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1dWjE9ALnVv2cE8LKhgp973U7Ny97SNHb1lSXyTScUKfD_mYV08D4ciS4B6jtivflS2DCZMHnUJM7PiUTR7k8L8LudyKsFqPAz4PpUKhgCJnPGnadWBtdm7wSC8xZkEIfVwkl4fxDq4/s1600/rosalila+4.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lookin' back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo842DgHPFTPNU19klyzDwuMoxWjyrBSzpmjtM1GxVan4JXrD_pAmDyseOLiWUI8ZwhF1ZvNNqLvqbZc-wzN2fFYkM27CfoRVQiOyGlmE8ryhU1qlw6jDQahpQXyM88rmW4yN-qufvnw/s1600/from+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWo842DgHPFTPNU19klyzDwuMoxWjyrBSzpmjtM1GxVan4JXrD_pAmDyseOLiWUI8ZwhF1ZvNNqLvqbZc-wzN2fFYkM27CfoRVQiOyGlmE8ryhU1qlw6jDQahpQXyM88rmW4yN-qufvnw/s1600/from+tunnel.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The layers in the rock are the different layers built by the Mayans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSjCHh_MNJB9syxsNBuPoVFngiqkXoxXZHb1UCBPGz-1nyUXNTrWffE_Rs_s1rcTw1opxeAcJvzyt7y3YNvQ5M7Z-CSg1PNLkJ_Hb0NCrX7pzUP1pWDStQz5yTdMiKkiejKJYoGHrnVk/s1600/layers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSjCHh_MNJB9syxsNBuPoVFngiqkXoxXZHb1UCBPGz-1nyUXNTrWffE_Rs_s1rcTw1opxeAcJvzyt7y3YNvQ5M7Z-CSg1PNLkJ_Hb0NCrX7pzUP1pWDStQz5yTdMiKkiejKJYoGHrnVk/s1600/layers.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to the hieroglyphic stair! Not going to lie, the beauty of the stairs is slightly eclipsed by the ugly tarp. Archaeologists are actually testing different materials, including glass, to see what would maintain the stairwell better while still remaining aesthetically pleasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnm2mNDTOjbVAdEaJWw0WHVcWY9NoP8zzGexHxWw7frG7x2SLOY438G77T_X9o8uzOXIZeZ4L5HGUUNSGSFQUJk2UHDtf6zHYnNJ2w-2Aqoe76uoS0a1g4qx1mdRL-PII9AJgv3uVZPw/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnm2mNDTOjbVAdEaJWw0WHVcWY9NoP8zzGexHxWw7frG7x2SLOY438G77T_X9o8uzOXIZeZ4L5HGUUNSGSFQUJk2UHDtf6zHYnNJ2w-2Aqoe76uoS0a1g4qx1mdRL-PII9AJgv3uVZPw/s1600/stairs.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The magnificent hieroglyphs staircase. Upon discovery, the stairs were a mess with only a few pieces found together. The figures in the middle are the leaders of Copan. Harvard University brought a team of archaeologists to Copan to restore the staircase. As payment, the government allowed Harvard to take the statue of the 14th ruler, which is why it is missing from the staircase. Darn smarties.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uHrb9XhD4kVMQ_3BcKIvl8XUqOgJ_oEr2Cyf5IzHZ0qHrSaQywvwD-YEwaB3CTnIUW4VvQK3fh2QMzbgu7gh5KDP5CICzbxwqZ5Bq0ujC2LIAmEwSkAC1-ScuG15G8_4LCEdKdcftsM/s1600/stairs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uHrb9XhD4kVMQ_3BcKIvl8XUqOgJ_oEr2Cyf5IzHZ0qHrSaQywvwD-YEwaB3CTnIUW4VvQK3fh2QMzbgu7gh5KDP5CICzbxwqZ5Bq0ujC2LIAmEwSkAC1-ScuG15G8_4LCEdKdcftsM/s1600/stairs+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnm2mNDTOjbVAdEaJWw0WHVcWY9NoP8zzGexHxWw7frG7x2SLOY438G77T_X9o8uzOXIZeZ4L5HGUUNSGSFQUJk2UHDtf6zHYnNJ2w-2Aqoe76uoS0a1g4qx1mdRL-PII9AJgv3uVZPw/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIjmD0OWKMBmsBcVHZIHMGDkWPl6ZKEr5qiRHVj-Qmzu2LgkeR4URXlIEjApAPfuF_ASo6k2XW5PMfijZYACUJABDpvY5oTsUFAeOlRk0GxDVaR1ZodhGGrZ1eWhkbCaHOB5LuyoE3qk/s1600/side+stair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIjmD0OWKMBmsBcVHZIHMGDkWPl6ZKEr5qiRHVj-Qmzu2LgkeR4URXlIEjApAPfuF_ASo6k2XW5PMfijZYACUJABDpvY5oTsUFAeOlRk0GxDVaR1ZodhGGrZ1eWhkbCaHOB5LuyoE3qk/s1600/side+stair.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layers of recently made bricks and plaster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4ezNZRRHYogSXMP7J0Wcpj60KjOEVyVWEZ3GG4dNB44U9nC-pw5jMr6GMqFB7lXHIXcUHN5twYs_ZxcXO1Nt-iXIy6u650hyQfD25FqCMbY9SM9UoLo5HEMmMjUEGHKM01GolbWPHCU/s1600/plaster+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4ezNZRRHYogSXMP7J0Wcpj60KjOEVyVWEZ3GG4dNB44U9nC-pw5jMr6GMqFB7lXHIXcUHN5twYs_ZxcXO1Nt-iXIy6u650hyQfD25FqCMbY9SM9UoLo5HEMmMjUEGHKM01GolbWPHCU/s1600/plaster+tree.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was at this point, while looking at this special sculpure, that Nery explained to us the Mayan's use of hallucinatory substances. For the Mayans, these substances were not evil, but allowed them to view the earth as it should be. There is evidence that the Mayans also smoked the leaf (you know what I mean). The figure below is supposed to have been created as a result of a hallucination. Sounds about right to me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7njwUs_DIGAKCAhnW_yruw5U3GiwEIMmIPYuqrhbHGzCjOrqinpYVFFq61mrotvilij4gh_kG_YF1JEbEX7GX7JTlwWB4dujY81Upedh_cROeQL2iqdsaOLbY0AyJ56CCwUHStzZwuM/s1600/hallucinate+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7njwUs_DIGAKCAhnW_yruw5U3GiwEIMmIPYuqrhbHGzCjOrqinpYVFFq61mrotvilij4gh_kG_YF1JEbEX7GX7JTlwWB4dujY81Upedh_cROeQL2iqdsaOLbY0AyJ56CCwUHStzZwuM/s1600/hallucinate+statue.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're now headed to the ball court. This is where the ball players suited up for the big game.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5Ol4RCG4hQz0b84gfJ0INRr5orARV4gz1oeGq2_Q2T0HuX2Umgl3Y24LqIiTiDJCHbw4T7IDewLbAipNFAuHtD_JO4hSWiVC5tWiY2xU4kvecY0HYqWz1krWiDR1125gloUHFnymQs/s1600/changing+rooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx5Ol4RCG4hQz0b84gfJ0INRr5orARV4gz1oeGq2_Q2T0HuX2Umgl3Y24LqIiTiDJCHbw4T7IDewLbAipNFAuHtD_JO4hSWiVC5tWiY2xU4kvecY0HYqWz1krWiDR1125gloUHFnymQs/s1600/changing+rooms.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here we are. The game is played with a heavy cantalope-size rubber ball. The ball is not supposed to touch the ground for fear of disturbing the underworld. Players score points by launching the ball up the inclined stone and hitting the stone statues on either side of the court. The stone is inclined so that the ball always returns to the playing field. The spectators sat on the stone "bleachers" in back of the court. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUnMaGkMoWNlDEZOPYtuXmMMdOZdXEOsdpDqUMGCevSWcm4ffgdXFSzNktSbFzvl9R0EDVLWzEMxKq92t77q6qZo-Y3HZsAynkwBas7uOuXbBxso8lYsuISy5wmmBVY1fjPXtXbi0lc/s1600/ball+court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNUnMaGkMoWNlDEZOPYtuXmMMdOZdXEOsdpDqUMGCevSWcm4ffgdXFSzNktSbFzvl9R0EDVLWzEMxKq92t77q6qZo-Y3HZsAynkwBas7uOuXbBxso8lYsuISy5wmmBVY1fjPXtXbi0lc/s1600/ball+court.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4ihGYoLPpunRb_05NxdYIvjWXDRmqEQck0TdnCRPlKMsaH_Kutp4TPAi2ReGb1uP9duKBHzOFU4T06aEDD5jJ0tFE4XWoQwwQGEb3MJnMjcS_27IUs3vsjpbuc6Y3lkG1Xr0sppKZHY/s1600/one+side+court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4ihGYoLPpunRb_05NxdYIvjWXDRmqEQck0TdnCRPlKMsaH_Kutp4TPAi2ReGb1uP9duKBHzOFU4T06aEDD5jJ0tFE4XWoQwwQGEb3MJnMjcS_27IUs3vsjpbuc6Y3lkG1Xr0sppKZHY/s1600/one+side+court.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUWp-RFregmVLeJCqi4UaygbzGLEQW57PQG8GR7kO9d0Ap0YTVHq_NQU00JdsO60cDnbrHPT7w2eSkoQReVd4IgllasCXeAQmifhy8Rdn7qQ5802WszzjsX8q9zcatguMvU4eKr6L9hA/s1600/macaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUWp-RFregmVLeJCqi4UaygbzGLEQW57PQG8GR7kO9d0Ap0YTVHq_NQU00JdsO60cDnbrHPT7w2eSkoQReVd4IgllasCXeAQmifhy8Rdn7qQ5802WszzjsX8q9zcatguMvU4eKr6L9hA/s1600/macaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Archeologists know that the ball court boasted nine macaws, all of which appear to be mid-squawk with their talons ready to land. Below is a replica. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUWp-RFregmVLeJCqi4UaygbzGLEQW57PQG8GR7kO9d0Ap0YTVHq_NQU00JdsO60cDnbrHPT7w2eSkoQReVd4IgllasCXeAQmifhy8Rdn7qQ5802WszzjsX8q9zcatguMvU4eKr6L9hA/s1600/macaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUWp-RFregmVLeJCqi4UaygbzGLEQW57PQG8GR7kO9d0Ap0YTVHq_NQU00JdsO60cDnbrHPT7w2eSkoQReVd4IgllasCXeAQmifhy8Rdn7qQ5802WszzjsX8q9zcatguMvU4eKr6L9hA/s1600/macaw.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a real Mayan macaw from the museum.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbSNRNV7Kf9RcsrCvf8t2rNMxSV5HevJQh-3fjSE2RDvzsRo48KXJ52t4s6mmHoyPQHOvH2kr6Xm0p03SctsMTxnAgtH9XAxNhyphenhyphenVJICPw7kPT6z53VKu8kHWNAAf9Ey97A4mGHkYhRiI/s1600/macaw+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbSNRNV7Kf9RcsrCvf8t2rNMxSV5HevJQh-3fjSE2RDvzsRo48KXJ52t4s6mmHoyPQHOvH2kr6Xm0p03SctsMTxnAgtH9XAxNhyphenhyphenVJICPw7kPT6z53VKu8kHWNAAf9Ey97A4mGHkYhRiI/s1600/macaw+time.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mayan myth claims that the game was developed by twin brothers who were then asked to play the game in the underworld. During the game, one of the underworld bats bit off one of the brothers' arms and the macaws were said to have screamed in shock. Hence, the screaming macaws surrounding the ball court. Below is a reinactment of the incident.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9vbpfOMIrpeFwxX1lf0rCrS4saNHyN5osqSxgDFsuVAT6mAts2alaKkjqNnYvgvxsHzSxn-CoH9prEiPwgFAaiJl8A_L-A9VEJQ0XMKP9EpwcQqKISlMHmg7CQxuz_2wxD5vQPgpKe4/s1600/close+arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9vbpfOMIrpeFwxX1lf0rCrS4saNHyN5osqSxgDFsuVAT6mAts2alaKkjqNnYvgvxsHzSxn-CoH9prEiPwgFAaiJl8A_L-A9VEJQ0XMKP9EpwcQqKISlMHmg7CQxuz_2wxD5vQPgpKe4/s1600/close+arm.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These sculptures are said to be depictions of the brothers.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItVoljoMEdjQTQvRGolYlnq22FUBVVPqvrJj84wOOmtif3FzNUVxwTTixSxmaWKjUuegkJIesqKG7S0mteEIxuuzTBw4SQoKgaJIKax1IWJQ5MSP6oM4mNTg3cGM9CJu3Wok81PntIao/s1600/brother+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItVoljoMEdjQTQvRGolYlnq22FUBVVPqvrJj84wOOmtif3FzNUVxwTTixSxmaWKjUuegkJIesqKG7S0mteEIxuuzTBw4SQoKgaJIKax1IWJQ5MSP6oM4mNTg3cGM9CJu3Wok81PntIao/s1600/brother+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-kH-7bggQanIUvqNEqIDVqKMusaSI4aoAzJKG005YIBJ84bUwkuXqrQSERgvyk-LjSHT85PF1j_G6NPQr7opBzRaL5oaEsZ4hbrVAkX6V4vISLVnz2sOgcwe6aoW7M7XnHROOz5prgk/s1600/brother+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-kH-7bggQanIUvqNEqIDVqKMusaSI4aoAzJKG005YIBJ84bUwkuXqrQSERgvyk-LjSHT85PF1j_G6NPQr7opBzRaL5oaEsZ4hbrVAkX6V4vISLVnz2sOgcwe6aoW7M7XnHROOz5prgk/s1600/brother+1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A bat. I can see where he'd bite someone's arm off. Plus, he's packing a lot of power. Can you guess where?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiYCcES792AYlmT7Y6Ws0GfsLwk35EQIyKy55HRiGpr-QMd54roC6Jzuhq_aqYr_e9-G7uqcLe8vucCWiGTaW9EFz5v2tjGW4kwQNO3R3wx0_HUjqmLBXFi6mm5y4tdT0ezUrycGjeDQ/s1600/bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuiYCcES792AYlmT7Y6Ws0GfsLwk35EQIyKy55HRiGpr-QMd54roC6Jzuhq_aqYr_e9-G7uqcLe8vucCWiGTaW9EFz5v2tjGW4kwQNO3R3wx0_HUjqmLBXFi6mm5y4tdT0ezUrycGjeDQ/s1600/bat.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toads - the Mayan symbol of fertility.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtJWk5sa6osrMJ7ifdppRyN-FCDUZ3uOilaGr6wwzlX9IEkJ_BdDSeZsfoXCY6CLnEypcWA3W-Rx9IYx9b2R1PbMkwMa_jM8Usd2UEUqJFSI2ORScfL1MJ8zxV4ohYUNLnjbVVxe-EWo/s1600/fertility+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtJWk5sa6osrMJ7ifdppRyN-FCDUZ3uOilaGr6wwzlX9IEkJ_BdDSeZsfoXCY6CLnEypcWA3W-Rx9IYx9b2R1PbMkwMa_jM8Usd2UEUqJFSI2ORScfL1MJ8zxV4ohYUNLnjbVVxe-EWo/s1600/fertility+2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Random faces, obviously Mayan supermodels. I'm living in the wrong millennium.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr-60C7wIVRxiheeNaKUvTZmSEuaW943BpjUXSHp-LnVaj7nfDVZEqgyQ1QQ2SOPqxYgeZbdv_hznLfe3ibUZ-Exd9hb8FvDuGV-iEKRRavnNsH27__Q-m08bJaUiHe9HQhfAreM6wPY/s1600/faces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr-60C7wIVRxiheeNaKUvTZmSEuaW943BpjUXSHp-LnVaj7nfDVZEqgyQ1QQ2SOPqxYgeZbdv_hznLfe3ibUZ-Exd9hb8FvDuGV-iEKRRavnNsH27__Q-m08bJaUiHe9HQhfAreM6wPY/s1600/faces.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The is the Mayan version of a sting wray's stinger. Supposedly, the Mayan priests used these for medicinal blood-letting and for punishing themselves (how priests are wont to do). They are especially painful because, like a fish hook, once they are inserted into the skin, they cannot easily be removed. According to Nery, the priests even used the stingers on their -eh hem - manhood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys1HI-ng-WDArPbOKUX_s_eFQlpUFScMfwrwTUbhwVDmL8_TQKJ4TOaOyOtdMeoDDXCB064WP4Sksgasf4Z58J6jlm7vfApsu1LKzg61neHS5sXjOs_b5KIIR9RkANzna5augNnxX1JE/s1600/sting+ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys1HI-ng-WDArPbOKUX_s_eFQlpUFScMfwrwTUbhwVDmL8_TQKJ4TOaOyOtdMeoDDXCB064WP4Sksgasf4Z58J6jlm7vfApsu1LKzg61neHS5sXjOs_b5KIIR9RkANzna5augNnxX1JE/s1600/sting+ray.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a picture of me making ancient Mayan sculptures even better. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J_0fjSkNgZ7YDf8Uu6FhHYFzN9kanKAhWaahyphenhyphenyxUaf0GiHGg3aSw1bG12pQ7WcqBCA91YaqcnaBWRuMrvjpQtQZwRbe8TeFyavwDLrNSwz6_kuZS_JyY9SL0fG_g5NBU7omI0wY5gBM/s1600/self+portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J_0fjSkNgZ7YDf8Uu6FhHYFzN9kanKAhWaahyphenhyphenyxUaf0GiHGg3aSw1bG12pQ7WcqBCA91YaqcnaBWRuMrvjpQtQZwRbe8TeFyavwDLrNSwz6_kuZS_JyY9SL0fG_g5NBU7omI0wY5gBM/s1600/self+portrait.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a statue of a young man. Many of the Mayan sculptures and structures were painted this sort of red. The effect is beauiteous even today. Unfortunately, the red "paint" contained high amounts of mercury and many a painter died as a result. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTYlah-zwjFy9abJ4DKhd1R6jOeFn2C1FCG1QbzSXuLWo-L9KP92Uk9S6jV5EFanwSBN3YtqHDs_sAeiEtxayS4Q1HjBVHIcf6ObfWK7SzrzCxOk5Tu2pU8sfVTXdhKsDJAqDPHVd3M4/s1600/young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTYlah-zwjFy9abJ4DKhd1R6jOeFn2C1FCG1QbzSXuLWo-L9KP92Uk9S6jV5EFanwSBN3YtqHDs_sAeiEtxayS4Q1HjBVHIcf6ObfWK7SzrzCxOk5Tu2pU8sfVTXdhKsDJAqDPHVd3M4/s1600/young.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> On the other side of the young Mayan statue one finds the <i>old </i>Mayan statue. The sun rises on the young side and sets on the old side, symbolizing the life-death aging cycle.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TBktiRbX3OLE3CyiRux2mneDH9o-p5ZL-FjeUSab8d9PUNDoahh296BkXlKsVYUj4yJGau0wczGujOb9uS_CbJi24gaTrKJnuqfu8AwQKaa07BEdoMkvYKGw5f2Mv6ro_C6T9L9Fmgg/s1600/olr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TBktiRbX3OLE3CyiRux2mneDH9o-p5ZL-FjeUSab8d9PUNDoahh296BkXlKsVYUj4yJGau0wczGujOb9uS_CbJi24gaTrKJnuqfu8AwQKaa07BEdoMkvYKGw5f2Mv6ro_C6T9L9Fmgg/s1600/olr.jpg" /></a>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to the juicy stuff. This giant turtle was used during animal sacrifices. At the very top is a small stone basin where the animal heart was placed.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45v9f_QoceUpYMybkLIYSB79Xcigz4PqvgPOGcLVGqqcgypE4mfruKmvhyLiqeh_EIlimMZ5nNdAeQfulNyVKcb4KLocZXCEyV0FbPYeHj8yddBqfjWPYgKtZUVPovzJDhBQNss_9oMA/s1600/animal+sacrifice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45v9f_QoceUpYMybkLIYSB79Xcigz4PqvgPOGcLVGqqcgypE4mfruKmvhyLiqeh_EIlimMZ5nNdAeQfulNyVKcb4KLocZXCEyV0FbPYeHj8yddBqfjWPYgKtZUVPovzJDhBQNss_9oMA/s1600/animal+sacrifice.jpg" /></a>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, of course, the human sacrifice stone. The Mayans aren't as famous for this as the Aztecs, but it happened, sure. For example, the best player of the aforementioned ball game was always sacrificed to the gods. Why the best player, you ask? Sounds I asked Nery the same thing. He explained that the Mayans believed that whoever was sacrificed to the gods needed to be strong enough to travel through the underworld and rise with the sun. The "sacrificee" was charged with the task of speaking to the sun god on behalf of his people .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As with animal sacrifices, there is a basin at the top of the stone to hold the heart. One the sacrifice occurred, the blood would run down the grooves on the side to form what Nery astutely pointed out as a . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcHyqlOCvph8mDuFt-E5G73xXpaZcg68VuCcN7J5MT0b5x3Q_bBHeDF16f-YimTbIY_D_HKhiARNs0ZdgLg3xokPkgeZNP9rn6TjInne-s7QOJjlj9A_VFXNG5Ro3Xi2IYzp7KHYWH7U/s1600/sacrifice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcHyqlOCvph8mDuFt-E5G73xXpaZcg68VuCcN7J5MT0b5x3Q_bBHeDF16f-YimTbIY_D_HKhiARNs0ZdgLg3xokPkgeZNP9rn6TjInne-s7QOJjlj9A_VFXNG5Ro3Xi2IYzp7KHYWH7U/s640/sacrifice.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ying yang! Creepy, huh? I got chills when Nery observed that the ancient Chinese symbol and the Mayan sacrificial stone are eerily similar and represent the same sort of concept: the balance of good and bad, of life and death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtOfdQTZFXBSBpgAiA-utrGoFP1uXkNs2OzxDS-5pa_tFN21IcMT-SeeOFaGtuj2b9wR9AgYeTlZV8M3SrTgo075Gjg4srNzccySwbt_7-IQq5WmgR0gKRs858-kn-IzSNGUCRHg1GZ8/s1600/sacrifice+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtOfdQTZFXBSBpgAiA-utrGoFP1uXkNs2OzxDS-5pa_tFN21IcMT-SeeOFaGtuj2b9wR9AgYeTlZV8M3SrTgo075Gjg4srNzccySwbt_7-IQq5WmgR0gKRs858-kn-IzSNGUCRHg1GZ8/s640/sacrifice+2.jpg" width="626" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To conclude, a picture of me, Nery, Stephanie, and Rebecca. We are sweating profusely yet happily, I think.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwVpmK8DU8yayw0YdvRs3VVqcrm6H_W_bsdi8qWoN316EgaiMBH5328vU8EVNln8Vg6bm21-mvw3KB79UEVvzL12RpjKb0DKYXrha-rzz-ueR6WaPacMnTaWOD-HGwYOrvcz4RB7d91U/s1600/all+of+us+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwVpmK8DU8yayw0YdvRs3VVqcrm6H_W_bsdi8qWoN316EgaiMBH5328vU8EVNln8Vg6bm21-mvw3KB79UEVvzL12RpjKb0DKYXrha-rzz-ueR6WaPacMnTaWOD-HGwYOrvcz4RB7d91U/s640/all+of+us+resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There you have it, folks. My little virtual tour of the Mayan ruins at Copan. Nery, please let me know if I have screwed up any ancient details. I still have pictures of the bird park, the Mayan sepulchers, and the canopy tour to post. Also, there happened many more mini-adventures right in Tegus that I have yet to include. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the moment, I'm hanging out in White Cloud, MI with my brother, Mike, his wifey, Tracy, and my nephew and niece, Gavin and Sophie. We've been living it up playing catch in the lake, painting nails, watching my brother cook us delicious food, photographing nature, arting around, and just generally enjoying life. Next week I fly to DC to visit my good friend Estee and then my next stop is Honduras (ETA August 14). </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone is enjoying the summer!</span></div>
</div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-45406770288374024362012-03-15T11:07:00.002-07:002012-03-19T15:21:49.087-07:00Olancho, the Wild West of Honduras<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! Yes, I'm still kickin'. My last post was so long ago that I needed to google my own blog. I'm a terrible citizen of the 21st century. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I now live in my own apartment. It's a mess right now so I did not post pictures (for your benefit). I live by myself but my apartment is connected to two other single apartments and a house for three all belonging to North Americans who are teaching at IST. The best thing about my apartment? The view:</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USachk9KM5lPM2uYeQRFmabIKD5PanJ0LF71rliFd_K3LA_gDPb1yMdFYn9dwwUTgA0vscGIg46BmSYbCv1COHFU0EmOV24f9TKBBVYVVeCfhAngriEQtnB8ttLlRfLR6zWbV-jmRqQ/s1600/sunny+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7USachk9KM5lPM2uYeQRFmabIKD5PanJ0LF71rliFd_K3LA_gDPb1yMdFYn9dwwUTgA0vscGIg46BmSYbCv1COHFU0EmOV24f9TKBBVYVVeCfhAngriEQtnB8ttLlRfLR6zWbV-jmRqQ/s640/sunny+day.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have three relatively large windows right next to each other so this is about what I see every morning when I wake up. Let's recap: I moved to a third-world country with no job and I end up with a great gig and a view people in LA pay millions to own. Go figure.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second best thing? The cow-hide chair my neighbors gifted me last week. I heard a knock on the door and Mario, Alisandro, and Juan Angelo (the three little boys of <i>La granja</i>) had hiked this chair up the steep steps to my door. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d9rglBJpRMkvgND_lg-h-VzVWbZ12_aMdZ25Kxvk2f6-HSjDCEIY_04oS5klVAr-wTYNisUQtgcXRtRPhI2k-AjPf2nBFQtKWAMUSiaNt8XJyHN4rJTb-6hJ3pAVorOwXhT6lBZxnCE/s1600/blog+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3d9rglBJpRMkvgND_lg-h-VzVWbZ12_aMdZ25Kxvk2f6-HSjDCEIY_04oS5klVAr-wTYNisUQtgcXRtRPhI2k-AjPf2nBFQtKWAMUSiaNt8XJyHN4rJTb-6hJ3pAVorOwXhT6lBZxnCE/s640/blog+chair.jpg" width="480" /></a> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chair was handmade in Santa Barbara, Honduras where Sr. Velasquez has been working (in agriculture and distribution). Below is a close-up. That is genuine cow hide, people.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsU9dnuaLtAUAFbi6NdDsqZPDhYJNtmiObh_0o9LYiyYILE0vk-X-jAAP4KgmfrjUklrYfYZg_YTHYANrOg908rQFHD9EB3DPisO9WeXSkHoMzx81Miartuxof3ItA8r-kzrYXczA_K0/s1600/blog+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsU9dnuaLtAUAFbi6NdDsqZPDhYJNtmiObh_0o9LYiyYILE0vk-X-jAAP4KgmfrjUklrYfYZg_YTHYANrOg908rQFHD9EB3DPisO9WeXSkHoMzx81Miartuxof3ItA8r-kzrYXczA_K0/s640/blog+close.jpg" width="480" /></span></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gracias a la familia Vasquez! The chair is so comfortable and it's a great addition to my cozy apartment. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Singular downside to a residence in Tegucigalpa? The scorpions. Found one hiding in a pair of pants today. At least I didn't put them on before I found the critter. And then there are the geckos. . .</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As far as new pictures? My adventures lately have mostly been in a classroom: Shakespeare! Grammar! And essays! Oh my! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-pxWilgLdqhMaiR0atLgoMHCmA-eBaaEJ7vufbWVtMGQXNNMLSc09tJSIoMe5IPFMVoC30KqsDWPlXXb7NCA_7wakRrYiSdCCaSB6KjbcrQGFf_j3GhpRYWycPXRXkZ0zDNJjFDdam4/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-pxWilgLdqhMaiR0atLgoMHCmA-eBaaEJ7vufbWVtMGQXNNMLSc09tJSIoMe5IPFMVoC30KqsDWPlXXb7NCA_7wakRrYiSdCCaSB6KjbcrQGFf_j3GhpRYWycPXRXkZ0zDNJjFDdam4/s640/sign.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's my name above my classroom door. Room 25. Party time!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, a few weeks ago, IST took a few days off of school for a type of Spring Break. During that time, I traveled with Jean and Jairo to visit Jairo's family in Catacamas, Olancho. Olancho is another department (like a state) of Honduras. </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must understand, Olancho is a bit rough. When I told one of my students that I was going there over the weekend, he said, "I'll pray for you, Mees." When Hondurans think of Olancho, they think 9mm guns, dust, heat, and curses. According to Wikipedia (the most believable source in the world), the saying in Olancho is, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">"Olancho: Entre si quiere, salga si puede" (<i>Olancho: enter if you want, leave if you can</i>). For example, one of Jairo's cousins from Olancho got into a casual disagreement at work and his coworker took out a gun and shot him in the chest. Jairo's cousin, an <i>olanchando, </i>took out his gun as he lay there bleeding and shot the other man dead. In fact, a friend of mine claims that the national archives of Honduras contain a document which explains why the Spaniards couldn't conquer Olancho. The <i>conquistadores </i>left only one line of detail on that situation: "the savages ate a priest." </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Olancho itself is very dry and dusty. The roads are paved with dirt and the buildings are short and squat. Truly, though, it's a beautiful place. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Jairo's family owns a dairy farm -- Olancho is definitely known for it's cheeses and creams. So, upon our arrival after the four-hour drive to the Wild West, we visited Jairo's grandma's house. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Here's a general view of the lanscape.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1naq50HnB0mGQO6XRz9wW-z_Ho5tcJCErrScaPX5NzwsC_DqfKlD8KdRUwq1hbELRkb7LdYHHYQMTjZHhSzZNxhSF9Np72jwBmb5Qz8cvtvugCcCk8u-8sVz_zK9cDqf_NPXE1gq2wA/s1600/olancho+sky+bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1naq50HnB0mGQO6XRz9wW-z_Ho5tcJCErrScaPX5NzwsC_DqfKlD8KdRUwq1hbELRkb7LdYHHYQMTjZHhSzZNxhSF9Np72jwBmb5Qz8cvtvugCcCk8u-8sVz_zK9cDqf_NPXE1gq2wA/s640/olancho+sky+bright.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">That ole West vibe happening here.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRM7fYKXa637xkV_u9E30k42z-UjECTtFORjFRxRlJDa0_ZltYB3XNGbG9ExY3NPao7TuUaT0Cy_VQEyZQB3L4EHOzab7ip29XynLAZ7qE06kxxvyWH8Aa3JC7uRcgg51o0KViNKkdtH0/s1600/barre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRM7fYKXa637xkV_u9E30k42z-UjECTtFORjFRxRlJDa0_ZltYB3XNGbG9ExY3NPao7TuUaT0Cy_VQEyZQB3L4EHOzab7ip29XynLAZ7qE06kxxvyWH8Aa3JC7uRcgg51o0KViNKkdtH0/s640/barre.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We joked that this calf had never seen a camera. He/she certainly stared.</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ0BreTmeVCqIhOhEqINwl9Ly2OBsk8dwbK-BjTLPGDPhbYJ8ScZEPAMToP9sRbzzo-bwnOBQomT_aJVvzqM1ene-6tMxf9Co6rbtUNwt2fs7ZxkBMWQryFQpgw9JYCzGx4pnkdEXimY/s1600/cALF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZ0BreTmeVCqIhOhEqINwl9Ly2OBsk8dwbK-BjTLPGDPhbYJ8ScZEPAMToP9sRbzzo-bwnOBQomT_aJVvzqM1ene-6tMxf9Co6rbtUNwt2fs7ZxkBMWQryFQpgw9JYCzGx4pnkdEXimY/s640/cALF.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The groupies. </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiibQucXAZYZ_dRVKDWuzjipj8iTn0Rs4qJ08ATbC1f1PjoTT42f18hrUhW5OXpB30FWSMVNTpXAS0sjCQ5shNpc3Cwgto0tqr7n8EF-j6WpsKAO1UluwhWoHvfkfkNxYpsQnkeBY6vY/s640/calves.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Felipe, Jairo's cousin (because everyone is <i>someone's </i>cousin in Olancho), </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">rounding up the gang. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0hQOMPKgSc7jGBhjlL9RgN1wPzHAF9CTr-e7SBfFbivjAjds6YwsoVCkbTZFIn5lgD4a5UCy1j-82V3JfJSqU74L0GPLEFX5RR9SEa59z1X5g7iWGx1uUdn1eZXITJrXrlE3QZKR4b8/s1600/filipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0hQOMPKgSc7jGBhjlL9RgN1wPzHAF9CTr-e7SBfFbivjAjds6YwsoVCkbTZFIn5lgD4a5UCy1j-82V3JfJSqU74L0GPLEFX5RR9SEa59z1X5g7iWGx1uUdn1eZXITJrXrlE3QZKR4b8/s640/filipe.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Jairo's grandma and grandpa take care of a lot of animals on their property. The work on the farm is <i>never </i>done and there are no weekends or holidays.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Lots o' chickens.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2VW_b6Y1KXPb5B7Cv-uRzj-peaLrmjfEJ2KbPxdPGbVfbB2SaHWkRihd1hR762rfjQm9dA__ISNO1NjNPgUHuTsg2UeO9XhIfcZ_aKP4080pgD-ptXXWVSdKPPVKeE9Qq6GBpf_kqqs/s1600/big+peck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2VW_b6Y1KXPb5B7Cv-uRzj-peaLrmjfEJ2KbPxdPGbVfbB2SaHWkRihd1hR762rfjQm9dA__ISNO1NjNPgUHuTsg2UeO9XhIfcZ_aKP4080pgD-ptXXWVSdKPPVKeE9Qq6GBpf_kqqs/s640/big+peck.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I've seen chicks and I've seen chickens, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">but I don't think I'd ever seen chickens in the adolescent awkward phase.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kOz43C_aaiufkQUh-n7p5bjlWVAZrKpJyzXr331PD-0mkg-3EnYl_Y5isDBhXSejQRAVWXUQBxvHhePLgUNOsPu3GChVfc5O1jIOjXAMi5D3CvWA5KE4PWlyP1XqZHLneqCIzmIRvSg/s1600/chick+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kOz43C_aaiufkQUh-n7p5bjlWVAZrKpJyzXr331PD-0mkg-3EnYl_Y5isDBhXSejQRAVWXUQBxvHhePLgUNOsPu3GChVfc5O1jIOjXAMi5D3CvWA5KE4PWlyP1XqZHLneqCIzmIRvSg/s640/chick+race.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnGevrMyheY1XXhZLm2igrI_E5S3uU2LHRrXLliudQ5dihzDyiA69hwsGS80fHq6nQs7l3iJ-UwLPgyMk200HvtjCT51Bmwnhv-q1EXuTzD83_j_ZbqVRJYdvoY0QiLK0cS-uRyhteig/s1600/pecking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnGevrMyheY1XXhZLm2igrI_E5S3uU2LHRrXLliudQ5dihzDyiA69hwsGS80fHq6nQs7l3iJ-UwLPgyMk200HvtjCT51Bmwnhv-q1EXuTzD83_j_ZbqVRJYdvoY0QiLK0cS-uRyhteig/s640/pecking.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Real </i>awkward. Honest, I'm embarrassed for this one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinib0e2o5eqnlhyphenhyphenMnfumcy94f_nibCToYuBDuWPfP21LSkMxYcEoRODmGU6DzrSUhkPQ9rOqza5lbXHb4FssDKC2E3Rhr5oocFpSmpu6h_SCi2U6UolnBL3D2qPp5OR_8Wlf3U6K1bues/s1600/precooked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinib0e2o5eqnlhyphenhyphenMnfumcy94f_nibCToYuBDuWPfP21LSkMxYcEoRODmGU6DzrSUhkPQ9rOqza5lbXHb4FssDKC2E3Rhr5oocFpSmpu6h_SCi2U6UolnBL3D2qPp5OR_8Wlf3U6K1bues/s640/precooked.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are lots of dogs too, sleeping wherever they could find shade.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvb-gRfUjS889gl4NpZOerQFUpVz7HpnUP4MboRhN9EtDJoKvIsaVF-8vDmm7atLygz6m8yh3xrx2Df8QjdfxmExBkO6tbjQ5POAUWdzMne79sUJfML1Eh9BU76SbKaEtbs0DBYB0fl8/s1600/dog+under+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvb-gRfUjS889gl4NpZOerQFUpVz7HpnUP4MboRhN9EtDJoKvIsaVF-8vDmm7atLygz6m8yh3xrx2Df8QjdfxmExBkO6tbjQ5POAUWdzMne79sUJfML1Eh9BU76SbKaEtbs0DBYB0fl8/s640/dog+under+car.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23bYhwzjZQQ0nSTTRasoGVTxIF-kr873eA7hBsDQ_WuoDEWkBRrKqfHkxYgEPxY0YeFSqstmQUopzB5jMbDmIIjwOGCSehUuh0G8RodY0B7PH9As_Y2EAj_fCmPqC3ZTPnd0no_ENFxc/s1600/tired+pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23bYhwzjZQQ0nSTTRasoGVTxIF-kr873eA7hBsDQ_WuoDEWkBRrKqfHkxYgEPxY0YeFSqstmQUopzB5jMbDmIIjwOGCSehUuh0G8RodY0B7PH9As_Y2EAj_fCmPqC3ZTPnd0no_ENFxc/s640/tired+pup.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The horse. Carrying the supplies.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_HnCIrUni0qMouiGcjmU6Ez3Iem_V5Dq8vz-N2AnuuF7q3iVd2awsoyHpNv8ETlYlmeN9Y04VqzM3vY68paUxmohJJF_e9oeNKGiW6UvOKlfcZW2j6h3bhsPjKbZBqlzmhyphenhyphenugLdfU8s/s1600/horse+chick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_HnCIrUni0qMouiGcjmU6Ez3Iem_V5Dq8vz-N2AnuuF7q3iVd2awsoyHpNv8ETlYlmeN9Y04VqzM3vY68paUxmohJJF_e9oeNKGiW6UvOKlfcZW2j6h3bhsPjKbZBqlzmhyphenhyphenugLdfU8s/s640/horse+chick.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Huh.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nn-5rNIgmsyneAZoE5Wit1skAfVnYTltELZV39Ka3XatJ3j_Ci-h6v_DqcbCto1TigCr_SQbPDwHyN_vqiGZZMyMKfW47GAsYqZ2W8AM1w9eutqYsJ5TQirGpVl7aPmgmzoM8WaZEDU/s1600/horse+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Nn-5rNIgmsyneAZoE5Wit1skAfVnYTltELZV39Ka3XatJ3j_Ci-h6v_DqcbCto1TigCr_SQbPDwHyN_vqiGZZMyMKfW47GAsYqZ2W8AM1w9eutqYsJ5TQirGpVl7aPmgmzoM8WaZEDU/s640/horse+head.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The fam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98eMQvaWTPgpYbrj8254QQcdtltm24XowGUC1Mc9YrAuBM9SOsCmB8sUra-seJhen2_sorsBmzzhRRJAQi63dMxlwJvJVjSdzg2F4limRRReWzKPwqqiONnC1AShG4h9hl_E5Ijdkobo/s1600/mama+chix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98eMQvaWTPgpYbrj8254QQcdtltm24XowGUC1Mc9YrAuBM9SOsCmB8sUra-seJhen2_sorsBmzzhRRJAQi63dMxlwJvJVjSdzg2F4limRRReWzKPwqqiONnC1AShG4h9hl_E5Ijdkobo/s640/mama+chix.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Honduran ducks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabr0CuLsDbm5lcCu0-s6h4TDTZn0hyphenhyphenOT3_mIQ2s_yZ-RtV78eeu2ZytLt2KdqmWZxt3qcXg-542epx3c8mllItjSd3elitBg2J22HLlAsI6cA2ExAgGEMYMNWEbuHCZxFj6yVz5gWIC4/s1600/Honduran+ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabr0CuLsDbm5lcCu0-s6h4TDTZn0hyphenhyphenOT3_mIQ2s_yZ-RtV78eeu2ZytLt2KdqmWZxt3qcXg-542epx3c8mllItjSd3elitBg2J22HLlAsI6cA2ExAgGEMYMNWEbuHCZxFj6yVz5gWIC4/s640/Honduran+ducks.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This kitty was too young to walk around by herself so she is stuck on a leash. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She's upset by this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF9WIKKOHQv7NrcTXK33Ze2DbFCZoeoUMqLRoD744tiYbAXJvkb6a3oRVj7hvc0niTXFx28GkumQ67njquOxhyphenhyphenHhjh8MVf8hkPWWPrZRNBSqnsiww4VQd4kMbEnnvrHvvfyQHAK7_5aU/s1600/kitty+leash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBF9WIKKOHQv7NrcTXK33Ze2DbFCZoeoUMqLRoD744tiYbAXJvkb6a3oRVj7hvc0niTXFx28GkumQ67njquOxhyphenhyphenHhjh8MVf8hkPWWPrZRNBSqnsiww4VQd4kMbEnnvrHvvfyQHAK7_5aU/s640/kitty+leash.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The resident parrot.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2kHVTQdHAyZF5ukpi4Og-b6gXd6N59hQsaXgNKmbKzjxZW-RIN_cuMWdfIqi0RX5Y4y10fdIvWdLLnAlQvLIGNiwFkD0tSMus-J298d3V720p_-LUKqR2luHGEU9QtReobNpUUD1b58/s1600/parrot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2kHVTQdHAyZF5ukpi4Og-b6gXd6N59hQsaXgNKmbKzjxZW-RIN_cuMWdfIqi0RX5Y4y10fdIvWdLLnAlQvLIGNiwFkD0tSMus-J298d3V720p_-LUKqR2luHGEU9QtReobNpUUD1b58/s640/parrot.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The chicken coop! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kXspXE5Jpmt6_6CWDT5pGVWlHoT5OnlCAayRDRFmJ2HBxrIKHdHmKPrQGwlJGDRXyfIDo4_OQO62jPr5L3SFbIHoi0-5sVgV9rQNLJpVRYuI2ho5i-j4iBDNELDt1pLKTD48TMshPc/s1600/coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kXspXE5Jpmt6_6CWDT5pGVWlHoT5OnlCAayRDRFmJ2HBxrIKHdHmKPrQGwlJGDRXyfIDo4_OQO62jPr5L3SFbIHoi0-5sVgV9rQNLJpVRYuI2ho5i-j4iBDNELDt1pLKTD48TMshPc/s640/coop.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jairo's uncle owns a monkey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOx2uPDDmrlXgfvd7_J_1DBAuDpDsHDpqiRDN-4FwK3hRkndkXHEW3cS_19A1-IH7Ax0Zd-EDPgUdaYm0wf_uUhwuLAD2yofVabzQmp_q3l8N0Ro7H0yMlZjgEvIS2m4f823UuCErE7g/s1600/monkey+cage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOx2uPDDmrlXgfvd7_J_1DBAuDpDsHDpqiRDN-4FwK3hRkndkXHEW3cS_19A1-IH7Ax0Zd-EDPgUdaYm0wf_uUhwuLAD2yofVabzQmp_q3l8N0Ro7H0yMlZjgEvIS2m4f823UuCErE7g/s640/monkey+cage.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To be honest, it made me sad to see him in a cage. Look at his little leather hands!</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOt3Yi2pqsN1_9MSsSg8YKuYOcGCZmi184PHkUwjXRp3gYJJ52ydL7laM_U29CbM_Sfb5VWf861iu-yb5SuJrWUtoskQhFEGx8pW37ClAOPQ2uVnw38ZwOADZiKtsMsD9IRLWhmhP-UM/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOt3Yi2pqsN1_9MSsSg8YKuYOcGCZmi184PHkUwjXRp3gYJJ52ydL7laM_U29CbM_Sfb5VWf861iu-yb5SuJrWUtoskQhFEGx8pW37ClAOPQ2uVnw38ZwOADZiKtsMsD9IRLWhmhP-UM/s640/monkey.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Below is a picture of Jairo grinding the <i>maiz </i>(corn) into a kind of mush to make all sorts of goodies. While we stayed there, Jairo's family made all the most incredible corn dishes possible: <span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>piñol</i></span> <i> </i>(a sort of corn-based hot chocolate drink), <i>tamales </i>(these take <i>hours </i>to make - they're boiled in corn husks for most of the day)<i>, fritas </i>(sort of like doughnuts)<i>, tortillas </i>(thicker, more like hashbrown-consistency)<i>, </i>etc. All of these dishes were, of course, topped with fresh <i>mantequilla </i>(like a sweet, thicker cream)! We also ate about 12 homemade sweet cream popsicles each. In fact, Jairo's family guaranteed that I would gain ample amounts of weight if only I lived in Olancho for a bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM-DczYL6CevzFfVqR-JGNsoJdPp8WnygRDmfEVAR-ytNloVhTY1y2lPfXK_W7pcEgzJSXHJNcvz2SWjyRuo5BRjR9PUTYCga0dDqwTEDrL0c3cCihJU1LsWSF5kEE66HhC98gQeEW28/s1600/daily+grind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM-DczYL6CevzFfVqR-JGNsoJdPp8WnygRDmfEVAR-ytNloVhTY1y2lPfXK_W7pcEgzJSXHJNcvz2SWjyRuo5BRjR9PUTYCga0dDqwTEDrL0c3cCihJU1LsWSF5kEE66HhC98gQeEW28/s640/daily+grind.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Jairo, Jean, and I all took turns grinding the corn. That's Jairo's grandma in the background. In front of her, is a bowl full of the corn (the kernels are stripped from the cob - as seen above, the cobs were fed to the chickens). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">D</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">uring the hottest part of the day, the activity all but shuts down and naps and popsicles are enjoyed. The sun is so hot, the tin roofing material bends with the heat and makes noise. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Between you and me</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">, Jean and I did a lot of napping and relaxing in the hammock. Jairo's family is so hospitable; the guests don't work, they eat! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">We only spent one night in Olancho. Instead of crowding Jairo's grandma's house, we decided to spend the night at </span><i style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.escuelaelsembrador.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=5&Itemid=56&lang=en">El sembrador</a>, </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">or in English, </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">The Sower</span><i style="line-height: 19px;">. </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">This is a wonderful agricultural school and ministry which gives kids full scholarships to live at the school while studying. Because Olancho is so rural, the education the students receive here is completely useful in supporting them after they graduate. In fact, Jairo's uncle attended </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">El sembrador </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">and his dairy farm supports the entire family. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">The campus is unbelievably serene. Pictured below is where the guests stay. I met a group of North Americans on a mission trip here, some even from Grand Rapids. </span><span style="line-height: 19px;">Jairo explained to me that </span><i style="line-height: 19px;">El sembrador </i><span style="line-height: 19px;">is a perfect ministry to support because it is 100% Honduran and anything given to this school wholly benefits the students, staff, the town, and the environment. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm38IWOwprY8kYIohe_3MIXliJzJu-QE7eo6krjhAEFC1JFOCpoHqHZodx2nXWQRvT5leEBeuk5Yu2_fy1pyC6N3AN8EH5tvezHnibqj3LqM5Mcuds8tDQy4V5MPhXIlJMfK_TmZiDwBM/s1600/dorms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm38IWOwprY8kYIohe_3MIXliJzJu-QE7eo6krjhAEFC1JFOCpoHqHZodx2nXWQRvT5leEBeuk5Yu2_fy1pyC6N3AN8EH5tvezHnibqj3LqM5Mcuds8tDQy4V5MPhXIlJMfK_TmZiDwBM/s640/dorms.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">The main hall. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcg5fFCmTutdFrgRFqrejjTLCSBjdt8xwq6uB_wfSob8fO2_wq-gDzEcaBzEwlnB5xfc0R78hnBhLWyCRU60jxBFGE2E-ZAaE2GgILlx7-VpVpPJLswjCl_Lz_NOu0O8Wnrx8ish-xA4/s1600/dorm+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcg5fFCmTutdFrgRFqrejjTLCSBjdt8xwq6uB_wfSob8fO2_wq-gDzEcaBzEwlnB5xfc0R78hnBhLWyCRU60jxBFGE2E-ZAaE2GgILlx7-VpVpPJLswjCl_Lz_NOu0O8Wnrx8ish-xA4/s640/dorm+hall.jpg" width="480" /></a> <span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The view from the end of the one of hallways.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nMu7-WEF4c2tnWVffvCFMPErhRZ7BcvbD_-AzFexsfKgzFDhWH-4mN2MvKtxXCucliSTWYZSmfFwGSpe5KjmiJqqKV3D9RFn5OZP3f17NSeqBZiSlt3VV7KNLhoTFG8SZK0WHlQ8siI/s1600/shaped+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nMu7-WEF4c2tnWVffvCFMPErhRZ7BcvbD_-AzFexsfKgzFDhWH-4mN2MvKtxXCucliSTWYZSmfFwGSpe5KjmiJqqKV3D9RFn5OZP3f17NSeqBZiSlt3VV7KNLhoTFG8SZK0WHlQ8siI/s640/shaped+view.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">Beautiful gate!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwQs8tffP-vSBO26J59gceDeCl6yyxj0Dp-va9dfhUcb7n0qVehibYadT8ULwKpqSsMHJEDUKcbnOP_qwSL6leAZImJR-R96vefqsaJ413xj51YVhfxKHNKmKAiulUhvCDVcowrfdKY/s1600/gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqwQs8tffP-vSBO26J59gceDeCl6yyxj0Dp-va9dfhUcb7n0qVehibYadT8ULwKpqSsMHJEDUKcbnOP_qwSL6leAZImJR-R96vefqsaJ413xj51YVhfxKHNKmKAiulUhvCDVcowrfdKY/s640/gate.jpg" width="480" /></a> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View of the church from inside the gate.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzSfaTT6Bbp6k7wogx-varwvvDFwjUs9GMUv-yMcK98a-RkMxAnEHUaxSoCzS4mduK3F7j4-xqxg0zOJp6BvWF2nuYYC8DRqzx89_ch0ISnAPwdpdCZUQ7IvI8QCtSgdjQz-USsa0fOQ/s1600/church+through+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzSfaTT6Bbp6k7wogx-varwvvDFwjUs9GMUv-yMcK98a-RkMxAnEHUaxSoCzS4mduK3F7j4-xqxg0zOJp6BvWF2nuYYC8DRqzx89_ch0ISnAPwdpdCZUQ7IvI8QCtSgdjQz-USsa0fOQ/s640/church+through+gate.jpg" width="480" /></a> <span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The soccer poli. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRtmdGy2coaUBUPZb_5UhCYWZ-rB8JM6dg5mBMCzxP4vKKPzzHJuBJ9iFRMmTixZYV27jdIwcR8gaRhS4zP5hGBMx5jJ6Qi3n_F3yT9q3aQEo4Urnh88pSNiG0XIkyIIYrPmWCIlEP18/s1600/court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRtmdGy2coaUBUPZb_5UhCYWZ-rB8JM6dg5mBMCzxP4vKKPzzHJuBJ9iFRMmTixZYV27jdIwcR8gaRhS4zP5hGBMx5jJ6Qi3n_F3yT9q3aQEo4Urnh88pSNiG0XIkyIIYrPmWCIlEP18/s640/court.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The emblem here says "Patria (homeland), Trabajo (work), Dios (God)."</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSBGdtGnRgPxwVDAwqa3v3CZS_ANZ89-6t5VRhyphenhyphenpgBIyLuBuIbXjaQZ_-NkqetZUquEOgBXzsVPyo_CgnOW0N0VoPICwYhF0pe1McWI1zG914yAatIQhPcHqdDirkwmQpMleJZYKZZ5o/s1600/signage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSBGdtGnRgPxwVDAwqa3v3CZS_ANZ89-6t5VRhyphenhyphenpgBIyLuBuIbXjaQZ_-NkqetZUquEOgBXzsVPyo_CgnOW0N0VoPICwYhF0pe1McWI1zG914yAatIQhPcHqdDirkwmQpMleJZYKZZ5o/s640/signage.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;">As an agricultural school, <i>El sembrador </i>tends to acres upon acres of beautiful land. It was such a pleasure to walk around the grounds. In Tegus, you cannot walk for fun because it's too dangerous. I forgot how nice it feels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjucDtvEboxByOsaGlu7O-S3gSZX4FPsdOOGGkYlVrfIQ4cfqw0bxzZpReMh2-_mVfCl8gjKQhKvGgVSjx_xcGwBKX-1homJAUPyQdMAISLppEpS4ksr_GqOyLZJmy_hNk-niH7NjLN4/s1600/round+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjucDtvEboxByOsaGlu7O-S3gSZX4FPsdOOGGkYlVrfIQ4cfqw0bxzZpReMh2-_mVfCl8gjKQhKvGgVSjx_xcGwBKX-1homJAUPyQdMAISLppEpS4ksr_GqOyLZJmy_hNk-niH7NjLN4/s640/round+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The mission group came to finish the roof on this building</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> which, if I'm not mistaken, will be a new mess hall for the students. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3_yRcukjkSg2fJNgFqnc-j1x871kv1j_g_3pbPT6vjuJguD8tMFrhDeT7242zzPxaMQQfDupLzN1eXtn3YMEryhRO16pvm8qQsCIa4Jeib4Dn-mloo1JX_MT7i48RbvI56xXlydD6jw/s1600/unfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3_yRcukjkSg2fJNgFqnc-j1x871kv1j_g_3pbPT6vjuJguD8tMFrhDeT7242zzPxaMQQfDupLzN1eXtn3YMEryhRO16pvm8qQsCIa4Jeib4Dn-mloo1JX_MT7i48RbvI56xXlydD6jw/s640/unfinished.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Beautiful tree. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104254/">"FernGully"</a> anyone? </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrm7zVZOxWyYBmRakxhsf5JVwmBIr7QQq7znRLQGc8fagSHAy9jvYABwrpJwEyKK3e1ydsWwWpN-Oes0Rj6f9iJ0_a34lNVrySQTOyTqn4mVRAvnyhsfl4o6yoL6xUgDgBpDMlRMjU3s/s1600/tree+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrm7zVZOxWyYBmRakxhsf5JVwmBIr7QQq7znRLQGc8fagSHAy9jvYABwrpJwEyKK3e1ydsWwWpN-Oes0Rj6f9iJ0_a34lNVrySQTOyTqn4mVRAvnyhsfl4o6yoL6xUgDgBpDMlRMjU3s/s640/tree+flower.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Funky tree.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QocOXpzslL8UeIVm45nu8CtdzFz-udOz1hucRn_V4FIHATKuKZbsffbepD-8Va5OIMC5Iiy3_XbC1_rXl-dpOZEZakUSLMjY2EbLvm5F8_G2WzUUpqUReujffWRiKWL15MtmEDV-X5k/s1600/funk+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QocOXpzslL8UeIVm45nu8CtdzFz-udOz1hucRn_V4FIHATKuKZbsffbepD-8Va5OIMC5Iiy3_XbC1_rXl-dpOZEZakUSLMjY2EbLvm5F8_G2WzUUpqUReujffWRiKWL15MtmEDV-X5k/s640/funk+tree.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The stables. <i>El sembrador </i>raises livestock and horses.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WlKUHNhqseZIEMRj7bng67KUcz-hHghjbmTR0ee4fekNDw4IddF1jZy0nadhVNlWoMXlyOWIBMDqfGw-PSeJ6VZGGm_Yjon9t1KJz_E68eAGVlKBBMwIyTBzVfcgw7c0_Rl4hQHxCl0/s1600/stables+and+such.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WlKUHNhqseZIEMRj7bng67KUcz-hHghjbmTR0ee4fekNDw4IddF1jZy0nadhVNlWoMXlyOWIBMDqfGw-PSeJ6VZGGm_Yjon9t1KJz_E68eAGVlKBBMwIyTBzVfcgw7c0_Rl4hQHxCl0/s640/stables+and+such.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien9GR4u9lzLSWIgZxkPB3abjS-H6oR1w8yH4dve2JkGpxw6y8tn2kHzUBo7qM81n7FxA0_uwljIxahgqG4vhxLS_q-F0mNu-zLdnwzXrxIODPaFECGLo7tg3CwsUVIus8ShPdULsU24s/s1600/cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEien9GR4u9lzLSWIgZxkPB3abjS-H6oR1w8yH4dve2JkGpxw6y8tn2kHzUBo7qM81n7FxA0_uwljIxahgqG4vhxLS_q-F0mNu-zLdnwzXrxIODPaFECGLo7tg3CwsUVIus8ShPdULsU24s/s640/cart.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stairs. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzTALxXV5vZ1GprwhvL2Y0l08HbkgGanL15PWULHsqqJDzhMMv9GR1BI-FKd2xFcSpGzqwIZB7GQkD_ODFbDHUC7wCggjSUNMxgD6etd1HAMXT8ConJr6HqaZ67_aByr3lVmaJXeYM3A/s1600/stairs+to+nowhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzTALxXV5vZ1GprwhvL2Y0l08HbkgGanL15PWULHsqqJDzhMMv9GR1BI-FKd2xFcSpGzqwIZB7GQkD_ODFbDHUC7wCggjSUNMxgD6etd1HAMXT8ConJr6HqaZ67_aByr3lVmaJXeYM3A/s640/stairs+to+nowhere.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>El sembrador</i>'s beautiful man-made lake. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWugkUtdyZsq_C57y1AaNUn5ht092WjpTnV3JM4fcMnvh_2SQHzT-i5gAMBVpuekPxuuUoaVGMcUSVRIkO-a1XHfi8yzj09Mnt3sFcQg2CKRwYD8iSS3cc3PXhLNHBdlB7klbmph1u6M/s1600/smooth+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWugkUtdyZsq_C57y1AaNUn5ht092WjpTnV3JM4fcMnvh_2SQHzT-i5gAMBVpuekPxuuUoaVGMcUSVRIkO-a1XHfi8yzj09Mnt3sFcQg2CKRwYD8iSS3cc3PXhLNHBdlB7klbmph1u6M/s640/smooth+lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO_Ia1dwOFdckCQp40FW3FisWR8tbF-8qleL9w1vBBoZa4YVqzxy_cd_DJfylWSmko2uCrtSQY3fGDEm7lC2HhqrDU2aPrDi4VAr9kLdSz4VjlpC_47xYGjU6nJ04z8jURFGtZFi-fSA/s1600/light+on+the+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkO_Ia1dwOFdckCQp40FW3FisWR8tbF-8qleL9w1vBBoZa4YVqzxy_cd_DJfylWSmko2uCrtSQY3fGDEm7lC2HhqrDU2aPrDi4VAr9kLdSz4VjlpC_47xYGjU6nJ04z8jURFGtZFi-fSA/s640/light+on+the+lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lake is used to generate power through a dam. Here, Jairo threatens to throw Jean in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk24F6fddZwWXOAWd2rob6xEgj8He8nkjGvrjaaOn-6r3FQfu44hXk9wPWObka4py4xULD9jDsoAer2MiMP3uVPpRdPF_3VCas_BtTZ5WwCg1Et23TIG8v9N0EEH3DDD24l_e4mMA-E1k/s1600/damn+power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk24F6fddZwWXOAWd2rob6xEgj8He8nkjGvrjaaOn-6r3FQfu44hXk9wPWObka4py4xULD9jDsoAer2MiMP3uVPpRdPF_3VCas_BtTZ5WwCg1Et23TIG8v9N0EEH3DDD24l_e4mMA-E1k/s640/damn+power.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The lovely couple. I'm lucky to have such great friends. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0ViFQYXsNWcByTgdR2evuwTWGaqu9MgvivLlkbXtIpRh4kj0ExNihllwsFHJ7JvYRzUoK0RcnhOG-Jv_nX9XzgjWZz-qnd_D_SSsoP_UCrOjZ6ikdNZQB42HdEj2v1HbqEK-keSSFKs/s1600/jairo+and+jean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0ViFQYXsNWcByTgdR2evuwTWGaqu9MgvivLlkbXtIpRh4kj0ExNihllwsFHJ7JvYRzUoK0RcnhOG-Jv_nX9XzgjWZz-qnd_D_SSsoP_UCrOjZ6ikdNZQB42HdEj2v1HbqEK-keSSFKs/s640/jairo+and+jean.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6Yggrqt3UKTSh-sHCRZGni1EYTwrZFscuB-xlOp5xxmOnGo2LvA5uYFBAZ5CAOTlN60MyRXs0rZp4G_LOcgPWpAoWqBGVtTBuptcjEOambVkA0_ZGZV4JzkBb9SL7vJtOqMPK_20P8M/s1600/dark+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6Yggrqt3UKTSh-sHCRZGni1EYTwrZFscuB-xlOp5xxmOnGo2LvA5uYFBAZ5CAOTlN60MyRXs0rZp4G_LOcgPWpAoWqBGVtTBuptcjEOambVkA0_ZGZV4JzkBb9SL7vJtOqMPK_20P8M/s640/dark+tree.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWbNb7zYM6R8gEmBTdrRbYpo7drL4hltaY0DewwlZz3XUS2kcITDhSdojGX7H1VQqi5gxSno5RHjSd1WHm0oTsYnIlEEGduKQaYh4b-lb3uHUd4C7Ea7KeOW4l8MzHLYQxipRdo50PaU/s1600/river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWbNb7zYM6R8gEmBTdrRbYpo7drL4hltaY0DewwlZz3XUS2kcITDhSdojGX7H1VQqi5gxSno5RHjSd1WHm0oTsYnIlEEGduKQaYh4b-lb3uHUd4C7Ea7KeOW4l8MzHLYQxipRdo50PaU/s640/river.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_GkiF-c1AQftWDAJyrvXcOMQwTs2cH0U7zYyQlLItrUx8qtVqLrP1Rqa5UFtcBcBII5I3ty5T-XFqIcb89As6GA0xkMDC5tFk3x5U-k5kFkEZhLt9WYJL4TOmV_pYqqaDBYPGkxTqLc/s1600/dirt+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_GkiF-c1AQftWDAJyrvXcOMQwTs2cH0U7zYyQlLItrUx8qtVqLrP1Rqa5UFtcBcBII5I3ty5T-XFqIcb89As6GA0xkMDC5tFk3x5U-k5kFkEZhLt9WYJL4TOmV_pYqqaDBYPGkxTqLc/s640/dirt+path.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1L_rnRH1YTte58vZcz7unW_ZQWT0AKDBIpc_1TyQt5XhY8135sI0a-25P0CdltSSbgMlDMovCnLXjvju3YEBCyr-bMa0bt-F5au3_l-p5tEJcsUrCkQ5fjfn4DNsqxX-332Ga9Qo4zE/s1600/eye+in+the+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1L_rnRH1YTte58vZcz7unW_ZQWT0AKDBIpc_1TyQt5XhY8135sI0a-25P0CdltSSbgMlDMovCnLXjvju3YEBCyr-bMa0bt-F5au3_l-p5tEJcsUrCkQ5fjfn4DNsqxX-332Ga9Qo4zE/s640/eye+in+the+water.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A monarch!</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJEU8cfS1W0XhruzHmzqRQI84AuVWAwbo9iKbwSG7n61FlbG1ca590CyiVqGBscdTGXgoXxHvNm_vu6G-JJJWqO9quelfXGst5Le-w40sCD1wWB06UAZ_8A-T4G8TJ5QhpInm9ZthjXk/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJEU8cfS1W0XhruzHmzqRQI84AuVWAwbo9iKbwSG7n61FlbG1ca590CyiVqGBscdTGXgoXxHvNm_vu6G-JJJWqO9quelfXGst5Le-w40sCD1wWB06UAZ_8A-T4G8TJ5QhpInm9ZthjXk/s640/butterfly.jpg" width="480" /></a> </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWPAyjhklW0NhBBN1M_h_IJgq0e9GiThRHupzRJ9IuQQyrpMyfg1haW1cLweaU0bTSq8axtEJV2wQ6UjuxXqT7mqah_HHEsb7p_7jOSq2VuInmA43xArun7505c2AZyXXDiUE0Rc7RsA/s1600/facebook+tree+heaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWPAyjhklW0NhBBN1M_h_IJgq0e9GiThRHupzRJ9IuQQyrpMyfg1haW1cLweaU0bTSq8axtEJV2wQ6UjuxXqT7mqah_HHEsb7p_7jOSq2VuInmA43xArun7505c2AZyXXDiUE0Rc7RsA/s640/facebook+tree+heaven.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tractor cars.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUc42RpEUJ1yW9bddRgahPDbAqVVqto3okDUQANUfQfjHYBVcwHXrUYYvzRnMP1bQfy4EZC3Kq3QMp6mNpvqP27KMdbdJgn4O5n4GUw2zEnR8_JScguZkHZmUQtD6fHgPsdbzugYV1IA/s1600/train+cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUc42RpEUJ1yW9bddRgahPDbAqVVqto3okDUQANUfQfjHYBVcwHXrUYYvzRnMP1bQfy4EZC3Kq3QMp6mNpvqP27KMdbdJgn4O5n4GUw2zEnR8_JScguZkHZmUQtD6fHgPsdbzugYV1IA/s640/train+cars.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2tO-xjJVe1i4vS2zDj7tQD7fTB5kw5KU77O4vf_F7TbyhgAa1qJQi_EuIeiUDrzJyLNYltiwgrjFbsfnxCerLvjnV7DfcEymI88bB-6Nu5tCFQmUppXwzyDAOs8mP72b_GP4jFty2lY/s1600/fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2tO-xjJVe1i4vS2zDj7tQD7fTB5kw5KU77O4vf_F7TbyhgAa1qJQi_EuIeiUDrzJyLNYltiwgrjFbsfnxCerLvjnV7DfcEymI88bB-6Nu5tCFQmUppXwzyDAOs8mP72b_GP4jFty2lY/s640/fridge.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A view from the lake with a weird ghost spot. </span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnGAt2pZLq1f5RXpDmj4fO_vIvXQbZZ4PYebBLFOkePUtpiIN6foE62DeFtQyftRM27WAfzA-wc785UmpYV5s2QE1I6GLxGIaoHsR0CR4mjzDWujgSyy5Mi_9DtH7e0byt28AV_pnMDo/s1600/ghost+spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnGAt2pZLq1f5RXpDmj4fO_vIvXQbZZ4PYebBLFOkePUtpiIN6foE62DeFtQyftRM27WAfzA-wc785UmpYV5s2QE1I6GLxGIaoHsR0CR4mjzDWujgSyy5Mi_9DtH7e0byt28AV_pnMDo/s640/ghost+spot.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4txasEHaJUBPNXIg2XkaDIkBmYEtjBPGkulU00ZXiCReIxKuVb5S1pIQKWPvgxrhkL5N9_0UhTHlebuWGKm6Qk7eOBcX4IJV4NwNDkBogLSZA0S2L_Xq6HQ3ldzNqFc0JYxMPyID5qAQ/s1600/morning+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4txasEHaJUBPNXIg2XkaDIkBmYEtjBPGkulU00ZXiCReIxKuVb5S1pIQKWPvgxrhkL5N9_0UhTHlebuWGKm6Qk7eOBcX4IJV4NwNDkBogLSZA0S2L_Xq6HQ3ldzNqFc0JYxMPyID5qAQ/s640/morning+tree.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38xx3sJ0t3gwHjuOCe5wwjs_0G_YwpNgXuDEgGTIM8R7T88lryfSE5AdAI0mc_UH-rydR8QCDHQvvlw7fCiQy5T7MC5ILEoAh_mFLufOqa0pyWoOB4v-2jbD_7SVe7v-NxIfp90gTawE/s1600/purple+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38xx3sJ0t3gwHjuOCe5wwjs_0G_YwpNgXuDEgGTIM8R7T88lryfSE5AdAI0mc_UH-rydR8QCDHQvvlw7fCiQy5T7MC5ILEoAh_mFLufOqa0pyWoOB4v-2jbD_7SVe7v-NxIfp90gTawE/s640/purple+flower.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tree heaven.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQZRE3uX0hJPJvR3880BKXNj8j6v-q5OrtuOmRHm8mYSiXhbcNTS6Ax6vcomw4tnwijE70pL2ep1JP6lG0s4LHzunrMNapMEqUFWZyEBtiFRnlH8YNTLRJ7Hzpx0ONyplCC8su-3YQYA/s1600/straight+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQZRE3uX0hJPJvR3880BKXNj8j6v-q5OrtuOmRHm8mYSiXhbcNTS6Ax6vcomw4tnwijE70pL2ep1JP6lG0s4LHzunrMNapMEqUFWZyEBtiFRnlH8YNTLRJ7Hzpx0ONyplCC8su-3YQYA/s640/straight+trees.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">I promise to write a post on teaching soon. Right now we are in the middle of exams and I'm planning the next partial. We are going to read the young adult novel <i>Speak </i>which I read myself as a 9th grader. Can't wait! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">As far as upcoming adventures, <i>semana santa, </i>or Holy Week, might prove interesting. I may revisit Utila, I may go to Lago (a nearby lake town with a great brewery), or I may stay in Tegus. I hear that <i>el centro, </i>the central part of the city, is beautiful and safe during this holiday. People are too religious here to reek havoc during the Lord's holiday! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Also, I've decided to return home to Michigan for the summer. Rejoice! I'm looking forward to seeing my friends from the Mitten again. This also means that I will be looking for temporary work. If you know of an opportunity to teach, tutor, interpret, nanny, etc please let me know. Any information would be appreciated. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Michiganders, enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.</span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div></div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-2281088846583259092012-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:002012-01-28T08:32:09.008-08:00Change of plans!In my last post, I was preparing to leave Honduras to spend some time in Florida with the Mike Kehr family. I was set to leave on Monday, the 30th. Yesterday, I cancelled my ticket out of Honduras.<br />
<br />
As I was wrapped up my two terrific weeks of substitute-teaching the 9th graders, IST received an email saying that the 9th grade English teacher (the incomparable Mrs. Katie Smith) could not return for the second half of the year. IST offered me the position and - Look out, now! - I'm in charge of educating 73 fourteen-year-olds at International School Tegucigalpa!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Phew. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Honestly, as I prepared to leave this past month, I did so half-heartedly. My reasons for leaving consisted of a lack of permanent work and purpose here. However, I definitely wasn't ready to part with all of my friends (much less the cuisine!). </div><div><br />
</div><div>During my subbing stint, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the 9th graders. I kept thinking how sad it was that I wouldn't be reading the rest of <i>Romeo and Juliet </i>with the students. All the good parts are ahead of us: the wedding, the fight, the domestic dispute, the poison, the dagger . . . My mom even suggested I ask the school if they had a random position open. So, when a something did open up unexpectedly, it didn't take me long to decide that this would be a wonderful adventure and a great way to stay near my new friends.<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>There are some other reasons to stay in Honduras, too: </div><div><br />
</div><div>Exhibit A: Jacko</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn-2joGix91izhrDzc2ahzd7_EwqBVlIx_CB1wDqZUKYAuE_ydameQPBQ3eecpLD-d0HebdpKFsCYsSOakjpXDOgzLmOSPE04Aog-Us-Q5O7IfrecJkouZXQVfBO68wpuOazsL5lr-7k/s1600/jacko+special" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn-2joGix91izhrDzc2ahzd7_EwqBVlIx_CB1wDqZUKYAuE_ydameQPBQ3eecpLD-d0HebdpKFsCYsSOakjpXDOgzLmOSPE04Aog-Us-Q5O7IfrecJkouZXQVfBO68wpuOazsL5lr-7k/s640/jacko+special" width="480" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>This is Jacko, Jean and Jairo's dog. I cannot tell you how <i>amazing </i>it is to be able to actually pet a dog without giving into germaphobism. There are a ton of stray dogs in Honduras, none of them pet-able. In fact, my roommate Julienne explained that she pets dogs with her foot . . . with the shoe on. Even when people keep dogs as pets, the dogs are mostly kept outside where they get dirty and (potentially) flea-filled. It's not a cruel thing, it's just not popular to keep dogs, especially big dogs like Jacko, as in-house pets. That's a very "first world" thing, if I may say that.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Could you leave this face?</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRSQOHh7MOyfLDclTvlON981gepoytPbhunIvOioe1d4gC2kApoBa4CZfAMGY45d8YLSAGddQ4yiW2lgU1JuIbv7Zl-7Au5zOxflPMnZZM7xugfUVDm6IxbeKEiXS5ZrX0sYVs_Sputc/s1600/jacko's+close+up" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRSQOHh7MOyfLDclTvlON981gepoytPbhunIvOioe1d4gC2kApoBa4CZfAMGY45d8YLSAGddQ4yiW2lgU1JuIbv7Zl-7Au5zOxflPMnZZM7xugfUVDm6IxbeKEiXS5ZrX0sYVs_Sputc/s640/jacko's+close+up" width="640" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Exibit B: Jean and Jairo allow me to do laundry at their house. Clothes dried on a line feel better, I think. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7hNxXLjZwGAhTK_nvdtqj4pFWouVKBp6fbFt-vejwYg1NA34IFPPOsnpPzl-z3rVmgSTh73D_95K-doDj_3t9DyxHXxZamWWoHuC4AZfNgHi1E55uk4n1XvyElGKq1TRhmFq8Huhv-o/s1600/clothes+line" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7hNxXLjZwGAhTK_nvdtqj4pFWouVKBp6fbFt-vejwYg1NA34IFPPOsnpPzl-z3rVmgSTh73D_95K-doDj_3t9DyxHXxZamWWoHuC4AZfNgHi1E55uk4n1XvyElGKq1TRhmFq8Huhv-o/s640/clothes+line" width="480" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Exibit C: <i>Pupusas</i>!!! I bought this glorious plate of food <i>at school. </i>Pupusas are originally from El Salvador. They are cheese-filled tortillas served with <i>chismol </i>(like a chunkier homemade salsa)<i> </i>and onions as toppings.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG8SOJ9M2TNqppaVuMlKc8WSW_LHjcMYkwqS6j5yqHtPySgZyijiHZUjGFfCgVrxyHBymdCKEJPmv0kQt2I12QR1Wv1tW6luM41n-MOzHv_4_tbtEnrxpHrx5qWNmMeIwheCboTmamC8/s1600/pupusas+far" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG8SOJ9M2TNqppaVuMlKc8WSW_LHjcMYkwqS6j5yqHtPySgZyijiHZUjGFfCgVrxyHBymdCKEJPmv0kQt2I12QR1Wv1tW6luM41n-MOzHv_4_tbtEnrxpHrx5qWNmMeIwheCboTmamC8/s640/pupusas+far" width="480" /></a><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJhb1I-zI26SKLzgC4PCBcaFjIzGaxG5Nv-HBl97oaFHAWRWDSQ-maynqPp7TPsZ8eWSvqqf_3-Yym3ceQXiRK0KagSoswETet1kW8SHFNaQ0ipqz0ErzPRunC334SSz0sqhcXrNIFPU/s1600/close+up+pupu" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJhb1I-zI26SKLzgC4PCBcaFjIzGaxG5Nv-HBl97oaFHAWRWDSQ-maynqPp7TPsZ8eWSvqqf_3-Yym3ceQXiRK0KagSoswETet1kW8SHFNaQ0ipqz0ErzPRunC334SSz0sqhcXrNIFPU/s640/close+up+pupu" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div> Exhibit D: The sun. Michiganders, you know what I'm talking about. I arrived in October and October never ended. Glory! Snow who? These were taken at Jean and Jairo's house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RIBQLtCDGjmg71VCqEYO2k0wVsiaNS7nbL9vRXGBqDP66SvKzJZw4bvq9bHnSXmKXZltLCbOEgeMM5aVy7WZ5A85FNLi-NDJDXjPRgHjFhtaI8btdAVPgFLb5RtUNrQ9Z9RuxFLs1Zs/s1600/light+tree" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RIBQLtCDGjmg71VCqEYO2k0wVsiaNS7nbL9vRXGBqDP66SvKzJZw4bvq9bHnSXmKXZltLCbOEgeMM5aVy7WZ5A85FNLi-NDJDXjPRgHjFhtaI8btdAVPgFLb5RtUNrQ9Z9RuxFLs1Zs/s640/light+tree" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>(Disclaimer: I have been warned about hot season. In fact, the school alters the class schedule in April so that the students leave school around 1:30p. Apparently, the heat is so intense no one can concentrate come two o'clock).</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh1N2ZRsHip0RrYOPhECDo81V4EwPBsZkc9lb9Fe5o1Az6Pm47nGqlep9UZt4fl-6DTdwRDNqNH2wd8TlGXLoZkSsUqgo5oar-bJBXIWFdFr4iqZhKUH2-n7sSGsarXQ3MgqMfxoQ0Qs/s1600/fruit" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh1N2ZRsHip0RrYOPhECDo81V4EwPBsZkc9lb9Fe5o1Az6Pm47nGqlep9UZt4fl-6DTdwRDNqNH2wd8TlGXLoZkSsUqgo5oar-bJBXIWFdFr4iqZhKUH2-n7sSGsarXQ3MgqMfxoQ0Qs/s640/fruit" width="480" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Exibit E: The little adventures . . . like breaking into my own house and pushing Julienne through the bars on the window (Elena and Sarah pictured). </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xang59wCFRnYWWtaCh6TzBIXhMI_enmTNbihCqe9S93ZxhMCfNtz0fN8lmo-eDxYoa3PifQairoEO06A3LK-lF4k8grTOnBZX_fiN2Zp6N8ZMg3ZjyfEezMPZkIIMiYjPgzYhU8iy_U/s1600/break+new" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xang59wCFRnYWWtaCh6TzBIXhMI_enmTNbihCqe9S93ZxhMCfNtz0fN8lmo-eDxYoa3PifQairoEO06A3LK-lF4k8grTOnBZX_fiN2Zp6N8ZMg3ZjyfEezMPZkIIMiYjPgzYhU8iy_U/s640/break+new" width="480" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Blurry, but Sarah is trying to get the screen out with a spoon. It only builds character, folks. (On a side note, we have two outside doors to our house, one by the street and one inside the garage. This window is not directly connected to the street. We are safe!).</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCzZYN8tCgkxajEm6UOogkStYf5P5k8d8vIxlnf0XqoAl_Ne6CAAKIcYCjBNxdbAqxYO_rMDolptj91-SR0nJ7EXpdVSjcBpWUR7fZ1pOnzak1vnHn7B950Iak2A6M-U1ieIX1pU6C9Q/s1600/blurry+spoon" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCzZYN8tCgkxajEm6UOogkStYf5P5k8d8vIxlnf0XqoAl_Ne6CAAKIcYCjBNxdbAqxYO_rMDolptj91-SR0nJ7EXpdVSjcBpWUR7fZ1pOnzak1vnHn7B950Iak2A6M-U1ieIX1pU6C9Q/s640/blurry+spoon" width="480" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div>Exhibit F: A note one of my students gave me . . . </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciWKkxWEhQroMSJt78hOo8gQ2rzTRnvNXIjPhIRJjGzjBWNABjjF_ahKvRAUIDCsbjnQClY9elIHNiOs-CKdC475DwEXl2rle93TYQx36vDtzBV38ysvtRV48ZJ1qS8r_ChZa_nQ0hts/s1600/fun+english" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciWKkxWEhQroMSJt78hOo8gQ2rzTRnvNXIjPhIRJjGzjBWNABjjF_ahKvRAUIDCsbjnQClY9elIHNiOs-CKdC475DwEXl2rle93TYQx36vDtzBV38ysvtRV48ZJ1qS8r_ChZa_nQ0hts/s640/fun+english" width="640" /></a> </div><div><br />
</div><div> . . . on the back of a handcrafted, recreated Pokemon artifact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq6R3durONWmtnoKouoyXPKCxAGFvAtjxcgYgd7w-gZ9K-bnmN0Z28HHb4aSDp8upWSNuaoun-o8sY5u4VWI0KbF7NBWRkzGtGR7unq87camLQ6mVWKzVwJikgcovMI7WAIHNEf5YnMY/s1600/pokem" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq6R3durONWmtnoKouoyXPKCxAGFvAtjxcgYgd7w-gZ9K-bnmN0Z28HHb4aSDp8upWSNuaoun-o8sY5u4VWI0KbF7NBWRkzGtGR7unq87camLQ6mVWKzVwJikgcovMI7WAIHNEf5YnMY/s640/pokem" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Exibit G: Angry birds. Yes, I was allowed into the Parrot Cage. Good thing they were already eating. Those apple pieces could have been my phalanges.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLprRZ1bjW-dvQ0sERbjCPnaUiBWWcworw54ucid5Lz6XYNR9xOdlZ3rL5Ykx4Vge3k2aAyvabEHrRq5ft2NHl1clmaJlAZQcOdGsCqPEfQaEOuvWIImiGJnhz-dEt77EjzP2k_D8Hqw/s1600/parrot+buddies" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLprRZ1bjW-dvQ0sERbjCPnaUiBWWcworw54ucid5Lz6XYNR9xOdlZ3rL5Ykx4Vge3k2aAyvabEHrRq5ft2NHl1clmaJlAZQcOdGsCqPEfQaEOuvWIImiGJnhz-dEt77EjzP2k_D8Hqw/s640/parrot+buddies" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN7Cm5A0Mwrhw5uqzAaZzOb2stwdJKHyB9JOxUl0isQ1A5FbGCBZ1Z5DkqJhqWywnCRzIOTjMBWBTDiBwY4Rs2_BPCSQzcgliW3vjBb8Ygwx4L3r8o6kZ8X9N2p20ZqdNuDUopMSemvU/s1600/eat+bird" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN7Cm5A0Mwrhw5uqzAaZzOb2stwdJKHyB9JOxUl0isQ1A5FbGCBZ1Z5DkqJhqWywnCRzIOTjMBWBTDiBwY4Rs2_BPCSQzcgliW3vjBb8Ygwx4L3r8o6kZ8X9N2p20ZqdNuDUopMSemvU/s640/eat+bird" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of them refused to be photographed. . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGISv20KN0r46SVkZsuyeqVt2ppfyFyRzdLws7XHqhVzvnjkNmjkM0JK-Bq7r1ORIt25wi831oFvjW5g2h477Z3YvAujMC5tCsqKPMqfLgh8SndCwL2fsOosp8Zw1-YjX53mVVQ9mF3vM/s1600/all+bird" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGISv20KN0r46SVkZsuyeqVt2ppfyFyRzdLws7XHqhVzvnjkNmjkM0JK-Bq7r1ORIt25wi831oFvjW5g2h477Z3YvAujMC5tCsqKPMqfLgh8SndCwL2fsOosp8Zw1-YjX53mVVQ9mF3vM/s640/all+bird" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you can't trust a toucan, toucan you trust? (sorry).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTKKUtne97qDM__PRJLKCCqizlH6sZe9pu3eOjZ5HECp_BZkZ0Yld3du1hhovl1rMyi0Xs4oLj0Kym98eMqRUXRLu8C2TdK8ktEhExZz5jaQ5Z39O2CubCWRlt8giQdsRQBaKmcqKAck/s1600/tucan+you" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTKKUtne97qDM__PRJLKCCqizlH6sZe9pu3eOjZ5HECp_BZkZ0Yld3du1hhovl1rMyi0Xs4oLj0Kym98eMqRUXRLu8C2TdK8ktEhExZz5jaQ5Z39O2CubCWRlt8giQdsRQBaKmcqKAck/s640/tucan+you" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I realized later that this is the only picture I took of IST's resident toucan where a small pile of his poop wasn't outright visible. As it is, I would concentrate on looking at his blue foot or the ginormous beak. Sadly, there were two toucans at IST before Christmas break, but the other one died of depression. I guess wild animals don't like cages. Huh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today, I'm going to the mall to buy new professional clothes. The only formal pants I brought have a nice, inappropriate hole in the mid-thigh region. Tonight? Watching the guys play soccer with Jean and Molly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope everyone has a jolly-great weekend!</div></div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-1439172379565248832012-01-18T18:24:00.000-08:002012-01-18T18:24:14.252-08:00Desayuno tipico, arte brillanteI enjoyed my food today. These sorts of days prove common here in Honduras. Not sure if you've noticed, but Hondurans eat well, choosing small, hardy portions over large servings of unsatisfying "schtuff." The typical Honduran breakfast is especially appetizing. <br />
<br />
And Lo! What's this I spy?<br />
<br />
The <i>comida tipica </i>(typical food) stand at IST now offers a "Mini desayuno" (mini breakfast) plate for only 30 <i>lempiras </i>(roughly $1.50). Included?<br />
<br />
- 3 <i>tortillas de harina </i>(flour tortillas)<br />
<i>- carne </i>(meat - sausage? - on the top left of the plate)<br />
- <i>huevos </i>(eggs)<br />
<i>- frijoles </i>(beans)<br />
<i>- mantequilla </i>(the white sauce in the middle - sort of like a sweeter sour cream. Oh yeah).<br />
- <i>quesillo semi-seco </i>(the white block of cheese on the top right of the plate - delish).<br />
<i>- platanos fritos </i>(fried plantains - my favorite!)<br />
<br />
Did I take pictures while eating alone in my classroom? Sure did. Did I get a close up? Scroll down, sir.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI11N7cHIQxLqTOsgIcp2oNSMNKtcQhesKjiCFu25BdymfU6wiMWhBd9awX5EK6us8gb0HLzwbWKq9F46MKM_v_1gRI4Qoh8mcOonUGFnDwb_W7achpsGyO0XEbrTtOkfqv91ka-9Nu50/s1600/mini+typico+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI11N7cHIQxLqTOsgIcp2oNSMNKtcQhesKjiCFu25BdymfU6wiMWhBd9awX5EK6us8gb0HLzwbWKq9F46MKM_v_1gRI4Qoh8mcOonUGFnDwb_W7achpsGyO0XEbrTtOkfqv91ka-9Nu50/s640/mini+typico+2" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You know it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7Qwid6ZLOlc-46YbnnlcLmcvjGwEXbWyybDFsgXRKuld4w7fy9mAQfbz9eXtNsXHUI-Wh0KQK85G9BPPXLx2Ut0uyGe6dFUDhO9MY-oMcvJFRgIhECLDRi5Udi3usdBm3msxeHV7wos/s1600/mini+close+up" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7Qwid6ZLOlc-46YbnnlcLmcvjGwEXbWyybDFsgXRKuld4w7fy9mAQfbz9eXtNsXHUI-Wh0KQK85G9BPPXLx2Ut0uyGe6dFUDhO9MY-oMcvJFRgIhECLDRi5Udi3usdBm3msxeHV7wos/s640/mini+close+up" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Alas, my Honduran breakfasts are numbered. I shall depart this beautiful land on the 30th of this month. Yes, that's less than two weeks from now. From San Pedro Sula, I will fly to Tampa, Fl. THere, I will meet up with my brother, sister-in-law, and my nephew and niece. Currently, the Mike Kehr family is traveling around the Sunshine State in a fancy travel trailer, selling glass mosaic art. Also, Mike and Tracy sometimes set up a booth at which art show attendees can make their own stepping stones.<br />
<br />
This is my brother Mike (<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of Tracy Kehr</span>). Not sure what prize he won, but he deserves it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPnzNBc6hoe9eLGmlVRKY4riQaX1BOd0L9eQWtaEfjqRDO1657srzn4_v9g4bvng0jELP_kAL9i_ET-SBPvQTdGIk_auoymq-BgUcfxmqjBqinlHTQ60xAMAIKSspXxp5AGgQxpfQF4c/s1600/mike+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPnzNBc6hoe9eLGmlVRKY4riQaX1BOd0L9eQWtaEfjqRDO1657srzn4_v9g4bvng0jELP_kAL9i_ET-SBPvQTdGIk_auoymq-BgUcfxmqjBqinlHTQ60xAMAIKSspXxp5AGgQxpfQF4c/s640/mike+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Tracy, my sister in law, is on the left. I love the piece with all the squares on the top right (<span style="font-size: x-small;">ditto</span>).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfPMYynlfNJfcPGNDdgPijXbPhIx_8Iiuia_6CTC8sYjUZ1yT8Ol0AR9kcZIOfYd2KGTI-82QQOoy9AzGqSiIhDS-nSvvCxvjvkw86vNSe4iIxDJOnw3Q_76rv-paNY2D-D0QTVr-8Es/s1600/tracy+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfPMYynlfNJfcPGNDdgPijXbPhIx_8Iiuia_6CTC8sYjUZ1yT8Ol0AR9kcZIOfYd2KGTI-82QQOoy9AzGqSiIhDS-nSvvCxvjvkw86vNSe4iIxDJOnw3Q_76rv-paNY2D-D0QTVr-8Es/s640/tracy+art.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">I'm going to be traveling with them, sleeping in parking lots, state parks and beaches alike. Hopefully, I will learn the art show ropes and help make some money to support their hippy lifestyle. </span><br />
<br />
After Florida, I will make my return to Grand Rapids, possibly moving to Chicago in the near future. I did apply for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. Hopefully I will hear about whether or not I passed the first round of eliminations soon.Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-20264428089149182352012-01-14T12:12:00.000-08:002012-01-14T13:36:38.090-08:00Feliz Navidad, Prospero Año, y Felicidad.It's been a while, huh? I hope everybody had a delightful holiday season. I heard Michigan/Indiana spent the entire two-week period completely bereft of snow. How does that happen, folks?<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Here in Tegus, things were pretty chill. Paula and I stayed in town and spent two relaxing weeks with Michelle as she took a break from her graduate studies at Virginia Tech to fly to Honduras. Paula and Michelle have been friends since childhood in Allendale. Michelle and I lived in on Deloney Street in downtown Grand Rapids last year. Over vacation, we spent both Christmas and New Year's Eve in Valle de Angeles, visiting Manu and Paula's friends and family. <br />
<br />
Honduran <i>Nochebuena </i>("good night" or Christmas Eve) traditions dictate that one travels from house to house all night, being fed along the way at each stop. Many <i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sugexp=pfwl&tok=_OJvHfQ3cv_nd1biV0aT6Q&cp=7&gs_id=u&xhr=t&q=tomales+bay&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=R6APT7fUGc6Etgf1oZT8AQ#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=eKAPT5zzHYfAtgfpgvyJAg&ved=0CD4QBSgA&q=tamale&spell=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=82b5efed33f0d7f7&biw=1366&bih=643">tamales</a> </i>(veggies and meat stuffed inside a soft corn-based shell) and <i><a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sugexp=pfwl&tok=_OJvHfQ3cv_nd1biV0aT6Q&cp=7&gs_id=u&xhr=t&q=tomales+bay&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=R6APT7fUGc6Etgf1oZT8AQ#um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=m6APT7iPEoWftweSqeWUAg&ved=0CD4QBSgA&q=torrejas&spell=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=82b5efed33f0d7f7&biw=1366&bih=643">torrejas</a> </i>(a type of soggy french toast drenched in cinnamon syrup) were consumed by us <i>gringas</i>. New Years Eve boasts much the same, but with the added effect of <i>cuetes </i>(firecrackers) and the act of burning the "viejo." Each <i>barrio </i>in Valle burns their own version of the <i>el viejo </i>(old man), a homemade scarecrow-like figure filled with <i>cuetes. </i>The burning of the <i>viejo </i>represents the passing away of the old year and a hope for the year to come.<br />
<br />
Please enjoy the following pictures:<br />
<br />
A candid shot of a horse and his dog caught in their extra-species relationship.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXogfov7ZLbwCB7hsEleC91VhR_V177zx4q8cz0BabbkknFgaYi34ydfpWGfo6xWsv_iUUzUDO9dSHalOWhrbYKkOqZ62IQmF-0xRys3S-Ar5Thnhgt8lLeCMdYIFSATtNHd3iwA8zx0E/s1600/dog+and+horse+3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXogfov7ZLbwCB7hsEleC91VhR_V177zx4q8cz0BabbkknFgaYi34ydfpWGfo6xWsv_iUUzUDO9dSHalOWhrbYKkOqZ62IQmF-0xRys3S-Ar5Thnhgt8lLeCMdYIFSATtNHd3iwA8zx0E/s640/dog+and+horse+3" width="412" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zo4qq-kXJ7wtYZVXWVoxtxWd1YQHiUnsJFvNLTEZgCnwWwMCrAR-YeK45XCkHAmiqVj9nyHHy-OqshaO7bugN3N72yx-90U0PewtFPf8Tn9UPL_h22-WGw2v_xJlRrCn0NCcVxz4-zA/s1600/dog+scruff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zo4qq-kXJ7wtYZVXWVoxtxWd1YQHiUnsJFvNLTEZgCnwWwMCrAR-YeK45XCkHAmiqVj9nyHHy-OqshaO7bugN3N72yx-90U0PewtFPf8Tn9UPL_h22-WGw2v_xJlRrCn0NCcVxz4-zA/s1600/dog+scruff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zo4qq-kXJ7wtYZVXWVoxtxWd1YQHiUnsJFvNLTEZgCnwWwMCrAR-YeK45XCkHAmiqVj9nyHHy-OqshaO7bugN3N72yx-90U0PewtFPf8Tn9UPL_h22-WGw2v_xJlRrCn0NCcVxz4-zA/s640/dog+scruff" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Sweet stray dog.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Big ole lemon.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq4R3t547KIRdtpcWcoxq-15zLlYz43rxApE2BZJIIq3ugfQsFbqEbK-tcv_ieza5sKHa68cuA0sThnVQ1aVwmgxS8QLhYZzigQ1ZQqzkVItvoxGj538DfAfNk6kJwHBgiRVUxmmm_O8/s1600/huge+ass+lemon+6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq4R3t547KIRdtpcWcoxq-15zLlYz43rxApE2BZJIIq3ugfQsFbqEbK-tcv_ieza5sKHa68cuA0sThnVQ1aVwmgxS8QLhYZzigQ1ZQqzkVItvoxGj538DfAfNk6kJwHBgiRVUxmmm_O8/s640/huge+ass+lemon+6" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Apparently, we weren't allowed in. Psh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhSmYcCb_1BWWmZZddpFQUkq0FZx-J6WKa54EEnL_fo-sblwE_yciGOKMvT3knIW_H_EkX2WaanVbyfmOIaBTmckEDbXl5JPaqjeHOwB60hoGlrs1IsGzXkTJ033sJQZiCOhZxhfYG58/s1600/sign+prohibited+7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhSmYcCb_1BWWmZZddpFQUkq0FZx-J6WKa54EEnL_fo-sblwE_yciGOKMvT3knIW_H_EkX2WaanVbyfmOIaBTmckEDbXl5JPaqjeHOwB60hoGlrs1IsGzXkTJ033sJQZiCOhZxhfYG58/s640/sign+prohibited+7" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We climbed up this water tower.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegeRzZNroEFq-N7ZgHJjmiR7vMHtQHfP6dBaIUGCCenf1GqXEZuSFMGSEwTa34fky2u0P8P9LxnlwzxUuUB4lWWSfb-z-Y5uvSVUCxt1yLsAUx6SmdBP5aqd3Kqq4HipMKu7kGALhqW4/s1600/dog+tower" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegeRzZNroEFq-N7ZgHJjmiR7vMHtQHfP6dBaIUGCCenf1GqXEZuSFMGSEwTa34fky2u0P8P9LxnlwzxUuUB4lWWSfb-z-Y5uvSVUCxt1yLsAUx6SmdBP5aqd3Kqq4HipMKu7kGALhqW4/s640/dog+tower" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rumor is, the pipes from this supply of water run all the way to Tegus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThQVDBrFs2mpHr3V3IK4p7MiA6875a9mnRk1ObAbcvYxBGAHcbCCuU-ZS5FRKViLJUj8z76pCFVT-0LLJ3NcflyXbKa3V1edn2M5LICi7GQGvx27J-l0iFphFEn48SKw6eteRrS1JYCk/s1600/tower+tank" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThQVDBrFs2mpHr3V3IK4p7MiA6875a9mnRk1ObAbcvYxBGAHcbCCuU-ZS5FRKViLJUj8z76pCFVT-0LLJ3NcflyXbKa3V1edn2M5LICi7GQGvx27J-l0iFphFEn48SKw6eteRrS1JYCk/s640/tower+tank" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paula climbing like a pro. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZa1DnWj2GzntkpCTOax0xRLa7mxZPBOAvbA6vpyKAWq0t-aFgw83alE_dW1dJUjNjOxOTr8fRKkrlucuR2_DEHJM2-fIEm7SiQ4YP3k7yxrq5UWqQmfWXTaKOouvIQQF6MghIUXWsGw/s1600/Paula+up+high+8" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZa1DnWj2GzntkpCTOax0xRLa7mxZPBOAvbA6vpyKAWq0t-aFgw83alE_dW1dJUjNjOxOTr8fRKkrlucuR2_DEHJM2-fIEm7SiQ4YP3k7yxrq5UWqQmfWXTaKOouvIQQF6MghIUXWsGw/s640/Paula+up+high+8" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Michelle (near the ground) showed that ladder who's boss. When it came time for me to climb down, I got scared, lost myself and teared up a bit. People laughed and took pictures, but at least I have the memories.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tk5JEJBL8YWAuVDHKwJwTdc91f7LnotDIxWVOQog31Ip_0aXSv4OQxejzPp_lE4zETNmuyzgffhoVPzQ37MOxpMeEJg3V0qwCWV9Gto7TQYpDsCoAEslPyu42j1j5haEYLbZHqwqMpk/s1600/julie+climbing+down" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Tk5JEJBL8YWAuVDHKwJwTdc91f7LnotDIxWVOQog31Ip_0aXSv4OQxejzPp_lE4zETNmuyzgffhoVPzQ37MOxpMeEJg3V0qwCWV9Gto7TQYpDsCoAEslPyu42j1j5haEYLbZHqwqMpk/s640/julie+climbing+down" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The water in the stream appeared orange. Unfortunately, my dreams of suddenly finding myself in an ultra-sleek SciFi novel were not realized.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-VsrXdRLnKYh9wQLZt-smv7P0c9i4Xd1INuLwT2kZs3cEdB4Vwi53k5Y5ZfOXqFCE3sAgdHMCRcBdNnqLmdP7TfjJHDlGU5G_ak6lyXxrIoC-QpnqWsnZjG5lhhg7LE5ojUGh_Onj2g/s1600/orange+falls+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-VsrXdRLnKYh9wQLZt-smv7P0c9i4Xd1INuLwT2kZs3cEdB4Vwi53k5Y5ZfOXqFCE3sAgdHMCRcBdNnqLmdP7TfjJHDlGU5G_ak6lyXxrIoC-QpnqWsnZjG5lhhg7LE5ojUGh_Onj2g/s640/orange+falls+1" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrvO8A68SD_hlKMonBoWROlBWe6dyagulqD-21EpH1m1JlraUa7STxaBJCjEF7kJxMq8fsDSUxugTNjKziMSaRSOY9uL78rtbQDQP-kA8i5_Q78tdJDbnxQ1bwovqko93VbZIr8NapgY/s1600/orange+falls+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrvO8A68SD_hlKMonBoWROlBWe6dyagulqD-21EpH1m1JlraUa7STxaBJCjEF7kJxMq8fsDSUxugTNjKziMSaRSOY9uL78rtbQDQP-kA8i5_Q78tdJDbnxQ1bwovqko93VbZIr8NapgY/s640/orange+falls+2" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once again, we saw the mysterious Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala. At one point, there were two in the trees in front of Ana's house at once! This time, I took a better picture (for the previous image, see <a href="http://travails-and-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/chatos-tucanes-y-guayavas.html">Chatos, Tucanes, y Guayabas</a>). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yOcbZuDt82LAv1J6HLixMio8Fh4adZKtYuLoyoVSHKOHc7v-5O3-U0BxoPjoe9CwS4aMs7upYNycjvp6pNWt6epELsGZuDjZUDwi_USclO2taUxpP4oaDJveWMcVPub_LSJxFuH55lQ/s1600/quetzal+bird+6+%2528blurry%2529" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yOcbZuDt82LAv1J6HLixMio8Fh4adZKtYuLoyoVSHKOHc7v-5O3-U0BxoPjoe9CwS4aMs7upYNycjvp6pNWt6epELsGZuDjZUDwi_USclO2taUxpP4oaDJveWMcVPub_LSJxFuH55lQ/s640/quetzal+bird+6+%2528blurry%2529" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOLcd6qE9jlKpcSB2k4g66w82zdfKCrJkh61oAtIqlpzi3DVBRLQeLzNgtuj3w3pNxTeOyl0T3R42QweAW7g7tLa4ds-Bf9KdHb2SfrkAeq0x-xpfDo8OiaF8U4JC5BSP8Yfwedo0Ie4/s1600/red+flower+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOLcd6qE9jlKpcSB2k4g66w82zdfKCrJkh61oAtIqlpzi3DVBRLQeLzNgtuj3w3pNxTeOyl0T3R42QweAW7g7tLa4ds-Bf9KdHb2SfrkAeq0x-xpfDo8OiaF8U4JC5BSP8Yfwedo0Ie4/s1600/red+flower+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOLcd6qE9jlKpcSB2k4g66w82zdfKCrJkh61oAtIqlpzi3DVBRLQeLzNgtuj3w3pNxTeOyl0T3R42QweAW7g7tLa4ds-Bf9KdHb2SfrkAeq0x-xpfDo8OiaF8U4JC5BSP8Yfwedo0Ie4/s640/red+flower+1" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The poinsettias in Ana's garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hTgWZ_Xmhs2KVfuYbzeBPCKiyiaqhbDqFuqTZGzUXh6cf9GHzcBmgu1H2y5rfB3SIoKRTmUh7o926_ePvSkGS6WqWyv1JfHsYQ2ZsGFopz0tV8JQ5RhhmAAhVhvaDycgmBLx-OJfpyE/s1600/red+flowers+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hTgWZ_Xmhs2KVfuYbzeBPCKiyiaqhbDqFuqTZGzUXh6cf9GHzcBmgu1H2y5rfB3SIoKRTmUh7o926_ePvSkGS6WqWyv1JfHsYQ2ZsGFopz0tV8JQ5RhhmAAhVhvaDycgmBLx-OJfpyE/s640/red+flowers+2" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhSmYcCb_1BWWmZZddpFQUkq0FZx-J6WKa54EEnL_fo-sblwE_yciGOKMvT3knIW_H_EkX2WaanVbyfmOIaBTmckEDbXl5JPaqjeHOwB60hoGlrs1IsGzXkTJ033sJQZiCOhZxhfYG58/s1600/sign+prohibited+7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>More flowers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyw7c0uwxDwmMUjOnCaGP_QzMgRk5Cv5pCTzKhWca5a_bvDwuBbEPmwsJ7x4p_F5xiC69yh5-OL2ogQTaH_vnf8-QCzZwbKE3QrsgXwk8gzRZgknAw6Vk-L5i2D5k77ymrqw5kl4thQk/s1600/white+flower+5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyw7c0uwxDwmMUjOnCaGP_QzMgRk5Cv5pCTzKhWca5a_bvDwuBbEPmwsJ7x4p_F5xiC69yh5-OL2ogQTaH_vnf8-QCzZwbKE3QrsgXwk8gzRZgknAw6Vk-L5i2D5k77ymrqw5kl4thQk/s640/white+flower+5" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXQEMmGrHGbFpKs1pwdjkauiAn5Q-LUNQYAAXrUxunVhPaWFFT_9-vCMHedgbsjXa8eN2AO3EGH0cC9DZH4lw0b-iQEcl2-wxSAdb51IGeQKnFvWzXAAXShjvMwOfnXHbUtW7wldzRFY/s1600/yellow+flowers+4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXQEMmGrHGbFpKs1pwdjkauiAn5Q-LUNQYAAXrUxunVhPaWFFT_9-vCMHedgbsjXa8eN2AO3EGH0cC9DZH4lw0b-iQEcl2-wxSAdb51IGeQKnFvWzXAAXShjvMwOfnXHbUtW7wldzRFY/s640/yellow+flowers+4" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stopped by to say "hi" to Gab.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHegVQVZoGfC9xH7uczM5wQozSOhVVWDSBPDicOzpRpPRAKblbMWiszdxY0Vn6MXQ8HwxtmeEjR6CF2fHiRHEXkdVhhXwQQTsJqAsgaGtIWG9GC4uOi5GQmwrTgGhXP7a9_M_Jwnwqf0/s1600/Pulpa+Gabi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHegVQVZoGfC9xH7uczM5wQozSOhVVWDSBPDicOzpRpPRAKblbMWiszdxY0Vn6MXQ8HwxtmeEjR6CF2fHiRHEXkdVhhXwQQTsJqAsgaGtIWG9GC4uOi5GQmwrTgGhXP7a9_M_Jwnwqf0/s640/Pulpa+Gabi" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our hike ended in a waterfall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkPMD_DsQ17L1czeHXG6rxdENmYcYnzTnyVcrfE_tGKX_O3KmT_igYg42Yi9U81U7B4MRfMA-C_5lYZZFNFLGHUHNGByZAaUoQ5ZMiIbHGnkhcHBzBI4qk3bXH0tMbsKxI5RRPDjf4wY/s1600/Waterfall" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkPMD_DsQ17L1czeHXG6rxdENmYcYnzTnyVcrfE_tGKX_O3KmT_igYg42Yi9U81U7B4MRfMA-C_5lYZZFNFLGHUHNGByZAaUoQ5ZMiIbHGnkhcHBzBI4qk3bXH0tMbsKxI5RRPDjf4wY/s640/Waterfall" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5m66TGizo7HWXISorVKwyu1rGu39BQsOcrObWPeEPueCodTyM5qfOwL_bMwACRDqwj9FMTcG57t6oC-JE_n3kvA_vPkotcgvbnKsvQXQ6aj7TAvETINKuTyjGCuEoQJzi9zGBIUvnkw/s1600/waterfall+II" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5m66TGizo7HWXISorVKwyu1rGu39BQsOcrObWPeEPueCodTyM5qfOwL_bMwACRDqwj9FMTcG57t6oC-JE_n3kvA_vPkotcgvbnKsvQXQ6aj7TAvETINKuTyjGCuEoQJzi9zGBIUvnkw/s1600/waterfall+II" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5m66TGizo7HWXISorVKwyu1rGu39BQsOcrObWPeEPueCodTyM5qfOwL_bMwACRDqwj9FMTcG57t6oC-JE_n3kvA_vPkotcgvbnKsvQXQ6aj7TAvETINKuTyjGCuEoQJzi9zGBIUvnkw/s640/waterfall+II" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1MuQEFjYEprzOQHXnQqKl5aot0CeUs03WmJHp4LqKtHAITlEHLBEf977K6HUOF8XAPL0QSbs4-bfRNAuajEhSyh8G2R4Vn8LWnkxBa7DzGWyo85yWnztERclCn9QMN77KfmbaUkHmMs/s1600/stairs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1MuQEFjYEprzOQHXnQqKl5aot0CeUs03WmJHp4LqKtHAITlEHLBEf977K6HUOF8XAPL0QSbs4-bfRNAuajEhSyh8G2R4Vn8LWnkxBa7DzGWyo85yWnztERclCn9QMN77KfmbaUkHmMs/s1600/stairs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1MuQEFjYEprzOQHXnQqKl5aot0CeUs03WmJHp4LqKtHAITlEHLBEf977K6HUOF8XAPL0QSbs4-bfRNAuajEhSyh8G2R4Vn8LWnkxBa7DzGWyo85yWnztERclCn9QMN77KfmbaUkHmMs/s640/stairs" width="640" /></a></div> Gorgeous stairs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another water reservoir. In the summer, the people of Valle block the openings in the dam (not seen, but to the right of the picture) and swim in this pool.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgmqxsTfK4DwkWPCWsuqpJeQbgIynv_ULaoF6h_NMer9uBb3N5qAjEJv7dhB_tFTlvly2DPXlC-c6xI_d6oicV3rFHMOKCM2ugyuAGqoL9Vh-zI01wXWC0pHcKPmCEaA7XadBJxWEpQs/s1600/pool+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgmqxsTfK4DwkWPCWsuqpJeQbgIynv_ULaoF6h_NMer9uBb3N5qAjEJv7dhB_tFTlvly2DPXlC-c6xI_d6oicV3rFHMOKCM2ugyuAGqoL9Vh-zI01wXWC0pHcKPmCEaA7XadBJxWEpQs/s640/pool+2" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMObKkhG5POlTrfyYAmXGJxqUPkDk6iSDP0pKPzVXakQp6Dj_wZJ8KXfuIHgKH57YuHho6fRPMm3rcqwnoJMzcHiab99Gtr3CtbJIiQw77Op-FGugAW75HnGWEV3qfxetyrtEpVyCvCZI/s1600/bench" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMObKkhG5POlTrfyYAmXGJxqUPkDk6iSDP0pKPzVXakQp6Dj_wZJ8KXfuIHgKH57YuHho6fRPMm3rcqwnoJMzcHiab99Gtr3CtbJIiQw77Op-FGugAW75HnGWEV3qfxetyrtEpVyCvCZI/s640/bench" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After Michelle left last Thursday (sad!), Paula headed back to Valle and I spent three blissful days at Jean and Jairo's house (which feels a lot like home). Jean and Jairo form quite the dynamic married duo; they both work at IST, they enjoy The Office, they allow me to love their labradoodle, Jacko (pic soon!), and they don't mind me hanging around their house for days on end. Plus, Jairo and Jean take me with them to visit Jairo's family where we enjoy <i>incredible </i>Honduran food (Surprise! the existence of another Honduran supermom!) and American movies dubbed in Spanish on TV. <br />
<br />
What great friends I've made in Honduras!<br />
<br />
Coming soon:<br />
- An update with the<a href="http://travails-and-travels.blogspot.com/2011/10/big-birds.html"> Big Birds</a>.<br />
- My thoughts on teaching <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> in Honduras.<br />
- The announcement of my grand return to my homeland.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I took a little video of the waterfall. It's not all that exciting, but I thought the water fall was beautiful. Plus, it wasn't like in the States where one pays to walk on a paved sidewalk to the falls. In Valle, the waterfall felt like mine: no interference, no cement, no railings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxejOCxTjIXhj_1fjoLY4McGk01pWJntule8JqxT52CdhqRSnyk8l6SEa9ULxuAE5db7k-awu2_rPRey4oecQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-51889430023998128422011-12-20T12:23:00.000-08:002011-12-20T12:28:10.428-08:00Backpacking and Breathing Underwater<div style="text-align: left;">As promised, this is me posting my pictures from Utila. I'm home-sweet-home in Tegucigalpa after spending a long and eventful week on the tropical isle. Overall, my experience there was incredible. I traveled nine hours by bus and by ferry each way. I met people from all over the world including England, Scotland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Israel, Ukrane, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, Italy, France, Japan, and in the States, from California, South Carolina, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Hawaii, etc. I breathed under 60 feet of water. I witnessed a sea turtle clean its fin (strangely adorable). I watched plankton glow like stars while sitting on the ocean floor at night. I drank too many gin-n-tonics one night and stumbled my way back to the hostel. I tried lobster quesadillas, lobster pasta, and the super-mega-baleada which included lobster, shrimp, and fish. I received my Open Water Certification in scuba diving. I shared a toilet and a shower with maybe thirty or so strangers. I was stranded for a few days while the island waited for a storm to blow over.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And this is Utila's off season.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, especially considering all the fabulous people I met and all the beautiful things I saw, but the pictures I did take give a roundabout idea of what life on the island is like.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is the view from the ferry dock in La Ceiba. Note the familiar green mountains in the background typical of mainland Honduras.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu6YrsLeaTyM8LL2BNFJ8Qi4vGUop_BljyObfUxK5veX6LGj3Fs_vamtHAxKOmvRaJv_3fEg4O2DAHUsWzzDJ_mTrzPQlCr5AEyqGataLEK1M_MSqfPGWC_w2FRxZoT6wSHUskdIPCL4/s1600/1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu6YrsLeaTyM8LL2BNFJ8Qi4vGUop_BljyObfUxK5veX6LGj3Fs_vamtHAxKOmvRaJv_3fEg4O2DAHUsWzzDJ_mTrzPQlCr5AEyqGataLEK1M_MSqfPGWC_w2FRxZoT6wSHUskdIPCL4/s640/1" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlVSWwmBcLdCfXLFVsrGXd9amq-QsOUgoNeW7d3_ih9ipCR-TQE57nDXhVQ9wtUhqctO4At-nmib9DYXJws5kjL1m0caxMI_9hxmAHoOCgzMwyW2mdiLA1UfRvvRVhQFDRpRMzifsDD8/s1600/Utila+045+color" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlVSWwmBcLdCfXLFVsrGXd9amq-QsOUgoNeW7d3_ih9ipCR-TQE57nDXhVQ9wtUhqctO4At-nmib9DYXJws5kjL1m0caxMI_9hxmAHoOCgzMwyW2mdiLA1UfRvvRVhQFDRpRMzifsDD8/s640/Utila+045+color" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These are the two ferries that dock in La Ceiba: the big, fancy one in back that looks like a cruise ship goes to Roatan and the flat one in the foreground goes to Utila, the "backpacker island."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEuXDaVJrcDuEeh6Wy4JCIpOJxyMyDaPPzqPCanf5nq3RT7Om_zd0lnIMQYGLkM6Qaai-T0Ye7lBbOfF4XvBiGGyDXKsjg_tIfqynZVPyDvVdxd0K4D2lgToswt5h32RhJrqfFIN_l2w/s1600/ferry" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEuXDaVJrcDuEeh6Wy4JCIpOJxyMyDaPPzqPCanf5nq3RT7Om_zd0lnIMQYGLkM6Qaai-T0Ye7lBbOfF4XvBiGGyDXKsjg_tIfqynZVPyDvVdxd0K4D2lgToswt5h32RhJrqfFIN_l2w/s640/ferry" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The first place I stayed in Utila was called the Mango Inn. If you stay in the dormitory-style rooms, it cost about $10/night. If you get a dive certification with Utila Dive Center (the Mango Inn's affiliate dive school) accommodation is free. The room included two bunk beds; with whom you share a room is decided by whoever happens to check in at that time. Bathrooms and showers are communal. Those first two nights I stayed with Ilona and Caroline, friends of the English guys I met at the ferry dock. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2Bx8OIPKJYOK1j6d6cFEESmqXXKfjClyx-rQpBNhAog7rNpuBatalkJ9OUgrRAFxAZ-nJacMq_PlhRrZs8TQrx2_-CLeHqEtJjePSpN48tQ8LQJgePeBwSC888xaYgNHMn63yRNfCCs/s1600/Utila+052+ljk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2Bx8OIPKJYOK1j6d6cFEESmqXXKfjClyx-rQpBNhAog7rNpuBatalkJ9OUgrRAFxAZ-nJacMq_PlhRrZs8TQrx2_-CLeHqEtJjePSpN48tQ8LQJgePeBwSC888xaYgNHMn63yRNfCCs/s640/Utila+052+ljk" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next night I paired up with Heather (from London) whom I met on my way home form Utila Dive Center and we decided to seek different accommodation. The Mango Inn was too far away from downtown, especially if one needs to stumble home at certain hours of the night (not that I planned on doing this, of course). Besides, it was about a 15 minute walk to the dive center from the Inn. Many dive schools on the island either have their own rooms to house students or are affiliated with a hostel. The Mango Inn and Utila Dive Center go together, so we had to sign up at a different PADI school as well. After checking out three other dive schools, we ended up deciding on Underwater Vision. When Heather and I showed up to explain to the staff at UDC we would not be using their services, I opened my mouth to speak but Heather said unceremoniously, "The Mango Inn is shit." A true dive buddy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a picture of the Underwater Vision grounds. The school, the beach, and the dive boat docks are all right in this vicinity. The office is located in the house to the right. Under the house, Underwater has a restaurant/bar that serves great food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauDtCBn-ZSlGBE6YdMgc1RAIkSKtRc5c1VagTlA7AtrPM-A-J5C2Nj7UrIUgu17DHaicptJjjAmAqJjgMaqUhE_tiMTrOHqHuzVfXcUL-jb1rlSFgaSWN6Hro_lPW4P5BOlegwRRHSr0/s1600/underwater" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauDtCBn-ZSlGBE6YdMgc1RAIkSKtRc5c1VagTlA7AtrPM-A-J5C2Nj7UrIUgu17DHaicptJjjAmAqJjgMaqUhE_tiMTrOHqHuzVfXcUL-jb1rlSFgaSWN6Hro_lPW4P5BOlegwRRHSr0/s640/underwater" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another picture of the grounds. Yes, those are buff men playing volleyball. Strangely, many of the men fit the beach-bum/surfer-dude stereotype. I think they might be sneaking workouts in between dives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AM7SsIq95cv9doBGw0eno6Q9squQdI12MJHI9vLm759kQkZvwmi73VJWzXk6DodTL4ItHuRN4f3B1DzkmjU9YsERhc3Ay1U_234TXVw2dPa0FBZiOVnh7Mod_7j-bn4Qr04IwwJvLLg/s1600/volleyball" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AM7SsIq95cv9doBGw0eno6Q9squQdI12MJHI9vLm759kQkZvwmi73VJWzXk6DodTL4ItHuRN4f3B1DzkmjU9YsERhc3Ay1U_234TXVw2dPa0FBZiOVnh7Mod_7j-bn4Qr04IwwJvLLg/s640/volleyball" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hammock time. In Utila, if you snooze you <i>do not</i> lose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4qSpOHJKIMZrk87ygs-KC0N1yW7_gZ0bJ7ScJlOHtmYQCv06Yn1KnmlSnyteiUkkct6pULEwkbTfPm4qWokZwujycRDA30otQcRB4sgaTT6t0vwHtuzxvD0AHI_z-FXg1g3Ut5xvLsQ/s1600/hammock" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4qSpOHJKIMZrk87ygs-KC0N1yW7_gZ0bJ7ScJlOHtmYQCv06Yn1KnmlSnyteiUkkct6pULEwkbTfPm4qWokZwujycRDA30otQcRB4sgaTT6t0vwHtuzxvD0AHI_z-FXg1g3Ut5xvLsQ/s640/hammock" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a confusing pic of the dock. The red roof and the wood pillars belong to Underwater Vision but the boat behind it makes it look like the dock has windows. You can't see it from this photo, but the front part of the dock had swings hanging from the roof so one could swing out over the ocean. I took this photo during the storm so it's pretty cloudy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamW5P8ABMo0eiBydodnQkYmXJS5y2kjrpnRC5XiEPCRayUrILQQYpxxV2PD-lzkpS96-qTel2yz18exXHCeRAYeTRUBmALDb-A8DN2ah7hyd3ogqOjyqJmobsFCNe2y-6vKkuu63GrBk/s1600/storm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamW5P8ABMo0eiBydodnQkYmXJS5y2kjrpnRC5XiEPCRayUrILQQYpxxV2PD-lzkpS96-qTel2yz18exXHCeRAYeTRUBmALDb-A8DN2ah7hyd3ogqOjyqJmobsFCNe2y-6vKkuu63GrBk/s640/storm" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The entirety of Underwater Vision's grounds is sand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwRen-d_su_BBiSglivVv6n_F7Zy7cLvspBYpdQvDC7UzJ099FVG9qbMA6CM0OM4Wd3pFUmZDFHLexMm8N-A0n_H4j0zCygzfe7O6gMymO09xhxeLqTZsk4grY6L7238O0GMWOX7CL00/s1600/beach" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwRen-d_su_BBiSglivVv6n_F7Zy7cLvspBYpdQvDC7UzJ099FVG9qbMA6CM0OM4Wd3pFUmZDFHLexMm8N-A0n_H4j0zCygzfe7O6gMymO09xhxeLqTZsk4grY6L7238O0GMWOX7CL00/s640/beach" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Taken at sunset.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImfw9teNZFInhd9fhKIC8_BE3fqR1S0Hn94bBKI7hRwqSjKxgY1O_n3LlbpsMHqBBS3cbkUG4BOC3UxkevgHzBC0U-ZzDUDHABPM-hUpwY9GBJOGZ-bo0zsBtiGA3KzBoajt73js4oL8/s1600/sunset" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImfw9teNZFInhd9fhKIC8_BE3fqR1S0Hn94bBKI7hRwqSjKxgY1O_n3LlbpsMHqBBS3cbkUG4BOC3UxkevgHzBC0U-ZzDUDHABPM-hUpwY9GBJOGZ-bo0zsBtiGA3KzBoajt73js4oL8/s640/sunset" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGymgYrZexHK2G39mNBcoNbzn-oWfazalijAGDJpbTxm0q2s8WYkhww-FxHjjHkojZf16XoV9j8f1D9HcoMm_LbeUf2sDf60D7bc6CogmgJWrCsypFjXyxc9V3FHjoFes6rv8YfZA1Pg/s1600/stumps" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGymgYrZexHK2G39mNBcoNbzn-oWfazalijAGDJpbTxm0q2s8WYkhww-FxHjjHkojZf16XoV9j8f1D9HcoMm_LbeUf2sDf60D7bc6CogmgJWrCsypFjXyxc9V3FHjoFes6rv8YfZA1Pg/s640/stumps" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aXut9iqQyQVua6TXQVfFLg_GldD-ZktwEZJB4Aq8QfLlgRtQ70yXXF5HQrnly0OleaQnJMXHx7yN2HSyc6i2B4wMP-z_HSHbexEb118FkY406DN6LHFf4XNlkmUZvzU-jVzhRyxDLg4/s1600/stumpy" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aXut9iqQyQVua6TXQVfFLg_GldD-ZktwEZJB4Aq8QfLlgRtQ70yXXF5HQrnly0OleaQnJMXHx7yN2HSyc6i2B4wMP-z_HSHbexEb118FkY406DN6LHFf4XNlkmUZvzU-jVzhRyxDLg4/s640/stumpy" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some random pics around the island:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCALj1sParQO0Okt-qaku8p6B08RbcNdOMRG3JbmCExaXb1Yvpy6YkMVA_KdM-pJkwPufmQ3Barg8Ipz4HLqGunsNPwx-Rugyo4IRGpPa6JDUAUD6j0ph_3YQWZ1hYkR0rigBuxL-hycM/s1600/sail" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCALj1sParQO0Okt-qaku8p6B08RbcNdOMRG3JbmCExaXb1Yvpy6YkMVA_KdM-pJkwPufmQ3Barg8Ipz4HLqGunsNPwx-Rugyo4IRGpPa6JDUAUD6j0ph_3YQWZ1hYkR0rigBuxL-hycM/s1600/sail" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCALj1sParQO0Okt-qaku8p6B08RbcNdOMRG3JbmCExaXb1Yvpy6YkMVA_KdM-pJkwPufmQ3Barg8Ipz4HLqGunsNPwx-Rugyo4IRGpPa6JDUAUD6j0ph_3YQWZ1hYkR0rigBuxL-hycM/s640/sail" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Almost all of the houses stood on stilts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyuePwKbNO58BLpuwQ7MqgkqMvMmOF8PI-TS9ENNTxxHBLCJ-ZwrlOF109Y2hwCMllfBwqlRSCvBrmBJ6pwa8SFMX7FHijjhhhn2fLBqAG2c7whU8twA45xq4897k91fG9LoHy8LRXvk/s1600/under+house" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyuePwKbNO58BLpuwQ7MqgkqMvMmOF8PI-TS9ENNTxxHBLCJ-ZwrlOF109Y2hwCMllfBwqlRSCvBrmBJ6pwa8SFMX7FHijjhhhn2fLBqAG2c7whU8twA45xq4897k91fG9LoHy8LRXvk/s640/under+house" width="640" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; color: black; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> </span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEODHpOl8vFqzMwwuYo_snKt7wXI8A4n1P6WodyahscE_FcethwN_S95cDbHWPvAIV11O5FEL0hjufpvp7S5OWDI7k4nlmbamKUSzb77enWvTNQTOQvSh4P7YfSS9SIcT-SbZT1uXuRw/s1600/sunny" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEODHpOl8vFqzMwwuYo_snKt7wXI8A4n1P6WodyahscE_FcethwN_S95cDbHWPvAIV11O5FEL0hjufpvp7S5OWDI7k4nlmbamKUSzb77enWvTNQTOQvSh4P7YfSS9SIcT-SbZT1uXuRw/s640/sunny" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWcnr_Dc_4IXFVJUdTu9ekcIIpqmloBRLYR6O1ljOyNBbBQv1-Yplo0-iGoGnsNaGqMWZvDZHMBqKVSBfAoc4m0dc4NNn-avhPo0DN2y3l4FivO7r8an5Sf5nKKO_0OfNismHbzXy3RA/s1600/sun+spot" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWcnr_Dc_4IXFVJUdTu9ekcIIpqmloBRLYR6O1ljOyNBbBQv1-Yplo0-iGoGnsNaGqMWZvDZHMBqKVSBfAoc4m0dc4NNn-avhPo0DN2y3l4FivO7r8an5Sf5nKKO_0OfNismHbzXy3RA/s640/sun+spot" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPpdqVSBL0cEO3rDBfPo0QQT2CedmoCUEW8hKZMNyQomlgUoJMiCIzuuoKiBoDJRMTm1VPP8rPQAQhzXChLFQW3NBtpILcyAIQAOmM9YXT8ZfbPFLiNsgDKH8X2Er_I8bjw1wDHNcMwM/s1600/sun+boat" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPpdqVSBL0cEO3rDBfPo0QQT2CedmoCUEW8hKZMNyQomlgUoJMiCIzuuoKiBoDJRMTm1VPP8rPQAQhzXChLFQW3NBtpILcyAIQAOmM9YXT8ZfbPFLiNsgDKH8X2Er_I8bjw1wDHNcMwM/s640/sun+boat" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CSL2AVICl0QovO3ivDtc91q82wujq9jCAD-48RjFPo_xfESPqITtTrtFfNBDYogg0btTsIODimM6U23wXiQhA4vd6zK9nhhHNJv4uUJVfsw00QVHmte-6YiNZWxlC6BYlNTZS40DAts/s1600/sun" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CSL2AVICl0QovO3ivDtc91q82wujq9jCAD-48RjFPo_xfESPqITtTrtFfNBDYogg0btTsIODimM6U23wXiQhA4vd6zK9nhhHNJv4uUJVfsw00QVHmte-6YiNZWxlC6BYlNTZS40DAts/s640/sun" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> An interesting concept. . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu9o_50RMfqxIy1C9BTkGsCFLFRWxazxISfpWMTCokbRW-tcQFob87GwPXEA_1G1STSX44BDtdYVO9Ge-jzZ8HXUW0w44PO5pOLbE0XU4PkUQn2HAhpqn5PzFHPlAnUo8sylCViHYzUI/s1600/stick+house" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu9o_50RMfqxIy1C9BTkGsCFLFRWxazxISfpWMTCokbRW-tcQFob87GwPXEA_1G1STSX44BDtdYVO9Ge-jzZ8HXUW0w44PO5pOLbE0XU4PkUQn2HAhpqn5PzFHPlAnUo8sylCViHYzUI/s640/stick+house" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisTGMsx9JrZvI1KVOsb5WavKsm3N7ZZAboAMpwohwmO_wAFtstyYJhTzHLJTLNKRQpi8RocGo_jwj0blPc_py-6zV7t429jywVXVZL0ppVxUqFZCz88VyLXRjj1ORVzDgtl-fl4iAIno/s1600/side+of+house" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisTGMsx9JrZvI1KVOsb5WavKsm3N7ZZAboAMpwohwmO_wAFtstyYJhTzHLJTLNKRQpi8RocGo_jwj0blPc_py-6zV7t429jywVXVZL0ppVxUqFZCz88VyLXRjj1ORVzDgtl-fl4iAIno/s640/side+of+house" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
Someone lost a pair of heels. Unfortunately, Utila's beaches collect a lot of trash.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lu1GHScN64Uyb4aqyCaFwuj0dQBkzgB7w6WqA8-AXRHbMs5sWzOvYEgqBNrkJ7gvLmUB3IcRYP-uBG4tF9F13-_gLdI4i6ywH1VXf9i1fPB86YMbKQHn87LlJjop-MiQ4V9k7IRtLE0/s1600/shoes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lu1GHScN64Uyb4aqyCaFwuj0dQBkzgB7w6WqA8-AXRHbMs5sWzOvYEgqBNrkJ7gvLmUB3IcRYP-uBG4tF9F13-_gLdI4i6ywH1VXf9i1fPB86YMbKQHn87LlJjop-MiQ4V9k7IRtLE0/s640/shoes" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgHLFPgi94PnhDcdEvRClHRj1Tvuo3rndCGf-5j9gwqyiZuXPcwaxncTReGu7sMqUIsfdgmjtelciUUKos5TMJ-U1hnKFv0BHj3oPhhY3hTT_rnTAa_P7Wp9eWXFbfCt2j1dB8xh6cOE/s1600/sea" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgHLFPgi94PnhDcdEvRClHRj1Tvuo3rndCGf-5j9gwqyiZuXPcwaxncTReGu7sMqUIsfdgmjtelciUUKos5TMJ-U1hnKFv0BHj3oPhhY3hTT_rnTAa_P7Wp9eWXFbfCt2j1dB8xh6cOE/s640/sea" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2U7ApL6c8Dp2-7oAXRemSZlVDZk4f2bZNf7daybObOmDQr0aJnqlZCVCkpY9TQq8jgAPNyz7CP2bCx79VHEdtWWzHkQHPq1yLBmeHJ_sF6jey_PCdi3jcu549aKdMfWQKsEDkpgh0pg/s1600/public+bathrooms" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2U7ApL6c8Dp2-7oAXRemSZlVDZk4f2bZNf7daybObOmDQr0aJnqlZCVCkpY9TQq8jgAPNyz7CP2bCx79VHEdtWWzHkQHPq1yLBmeHJ_sF6jey_PCdi3jcu549aKdMfWQKsEDkpgh0pg/s640/public+bathrooms" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw8xT3UKuyO7vlwEHDkzLvQtP4YEYw74Hr03pr_TbZlJm2E-fnk3gTDF9sSCXN-N8tX75SgUHXtagNi8RHFKlr4epU4x6a_8Tf0PYzLclXp7_3IuAO_w8P25pLJYl9PzbxDB49oypAv8/s1600/makeshift" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOw8xT3UKuyO7vlwEHDkzLvQtP4YEYw74Hr03pr_TbZlJm2E-fnk3gTDF9sSCXN-N8tX75SgUHXtagNi8RHFKlr4epU4x6a_8Tf0PYzLclXp7_3IuAO_w8P25pLJYl9PzbxDB49oypAv8/s640/makeshift" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I took these next two pictures behind a house on the main street (on the side opposite the ocean). This is the lagoon and it feeds into the ocean. Many boats dock here, including the yellow one below which belongs to Cross Creek Dive Center.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5pSAWQzT0YYYzL5aBQNPAG6cywJpWn-XCOnGh_xQHJ8fzdnYV9yLzY_lGawYUEnQlXuDUvqq-bc0R-hYcMY12KR5yLliHWmOuv0ONgGkbEX0GG09f_V424LuF014IPzOM2uv8tur3hk/s1600/lagoon" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5pSAWQzT0YYYzL5aBQNPAG6cywJpWn-XCOnGh_xQHJ8fzdnYV9yLzY_lGawYUEnQlXuDUvqq-bc0R-hYcMY12KR5yLliHWmOuv0ONgGkbEX0GG09f_V424LuF014IPzOM2uv8tur3hk/s640/lagoon" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Putting on a show.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H4zR96WDi1Kre7OGrtHxkh94xiGreeXs2UogJ1GJUpv3Ee33ALjiPB9fLDsDz9CGAWIATDS6J5sPNMgCQgCJNfonFUhtrRWST3x7UFRhCKfXzu56xCAJ8iRxsvQ5bqTy3b3oCEzWYfU/s1600/guitar" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H4zR96WDi1Kre7OGrtHxkh94xiGreeXs2UogJ1GJUpv3Ee33ALjiPB9fLDsDz9CGAWIATDS6J5sPNMgCQgCJNfonFUhtrRWST3x7UFRhCKfXzu56xCAJ8iRxsvQ5bqTy3b3oCEzWYfU/s640/guitar" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not sure how this building functions, but it's pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf_abMUkjO3A13sDvj6U5Ha9-k5FdQun1qIMoAFkMcQTcd8LbA-jkLVy0zcGMhWODaG-Mwvhr8ySUb4Us4f5kjztMXK5GZLGmwsLu7dNtrEZtE6hmGTCivcl7-ShpQ8F_TRNu8bLlPSI/s1600/funky" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf_abMUkjO3A13sDvj6U5Ha9-k5FdQun1qIMoAFkMcQTcd8LbA-jkLVy0zcGMhWODaG-Mwvhr8ySUb4Us4f5kjztMXK5GZLGmwsLu7dNtrEZtE6hmGTCivcl7-ShpQ8F_TRNu8bLlPSI/s640/funky" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLAgqd184OQwR4Hv-NlKIwqLYdg7SmFRGOzDbteLZCrcAodkRcQIMQu2cBTF7uNkDR4EJXRMFUb6y7NUeJhIhDRzpHlsh32dN4TL3504VMxFNrdOvkPvmMr5sXgVBsk1N0G-tT13VTyQ/s1600/dock" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLAgqd184OQwR4Hv-NlKIwqLYdg7SmFRGOzDbteLZCrcAodkRcQIMQu2cBTF7uNkDR4EJXRMFUb6y7NUeJhIhDRzpHlsh32dN4TL3504VMxFNrdOvkPvmMr5sXgVBsk1N0G-tT13VTyQ/s640/dock" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Utila, one can go to the dentist and buy a casket (with straps!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu92n2-pMJ-1gTOgbtx7XMRayvwfT7mDG1MTe6GPOUeo7harAZDpYwIWFoUKfVmJvVVAylrpR3c9jyngiesNOW5FkScqg9dlAVWyWlo-LqX5HyRK_3D1W0wrJZnHRNUh2FdL2XsGjb0Y/s1600/casket" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu92n2-pMJ-1gTOgbtx7XMRayvwfT7mDG1MTe6GPOUeo7harAZDpYwIWFoUKfVmJvVVAylrpR3c9jyngiesNOW5FkScqg9dlAVWyWlo-LqX5HyRK_3D1W0wrJZnHRNUh2FdL2XsGjb0Y/s640/casket" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvZOfyEHd7xYXw4VO0zRIevkc7IHbaEpRIRYPrWU4_OIM2IFjE01TxuzCeO0Nc0J52_KuplCnLWrwzVWvbujJamEBVq9ZK9hyphenhyphen_X3Jaq9HXGPOz46EC3DM_gmXscnOhRdBcgoaabjwqTE/s1600/boats" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvZOfyEHd7xYXw4VO0zRIevkc7IHbaEpRIRYPrWU4_OIM2IFjE01TxuzCeO0Nc0J52_KuplCnLWrwzVWvbujJamEBVq9ZK9hyphenhyphen_X3Jaq9HXGPOz46EC3DM_gmXscnOhRdBcgoaabjwqTE/s640/boats" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccWE3AksnjKJLifNsDsxTsSjf5iKthAbgZI5_X_woNGGVpijv5HNEK7z6QHHfkMQ4EB-ugIU6AuPfOJV4FFY2KOMiKC26skBwYHcGR9Fm5V2fiKUTLb3mPCkAVDXzaRQ3rVXGTfXFhvU/s1600/boat+on+the+side" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccWE3AksnjKJLifNsDsxTsSjf5iKthAbgZI5_X_woNGGVpijv5HNEK7z6QHHfkMQ4EB-ugIU6AuPfOJV4FFY2KOMiKC26skBwYHcGR9Fm5V2fiKUTLb3mPCkAVDXzaRQ3rVXGTfXFhvU/s640/boat+on+the+side" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyXifDRq_4nCXjfnxiHY0dvBu3A18tApPUtazygQ6SryW7yI6ZSpsVQhyphenhyphenLPGvw80eoS4gzwp9wAo5x9uVZy4ESDSFKuV4TYVnQMjbIu29tYzufuPLD0OBYWCZLT5U3lG5vojMyHR0YtY/s1600/boat+in+air" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyXifDRq_4nCXjfnxiHY0dvBu3A18tApPUtazygQ6SryW7yI6ZSpsVQhyphenhyphenLPGvw80eoS4gzwp9wAo5x9uVZy4ESDSFKuV4TYVnQMjbIu29tYzufuPLD0OBYWCZLT5U3lG5vojMyHR0YtY/s640/boat+in+air" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiJcOJ4Wie1U8SVytRXEo0I7EGpnaieLK1JFMCjj06w1fVbMewaNoJHYlRdxcNMxIQTfpkkdt8S2vDOxtr3ycY6xBobHZxpek7MUxg712oLXcsybkxi9ysTB_EWB3UGsGsPHNyunLOcU/s1600/boat" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiJcOJ4Wie1U8SVytRXEo0I7EGpnaieLK1JFMCjj06w1fVbMewaNoJHYlRdxcNMxIQTfpkkdt8S2vDOxtr3ycY6xBobHZxpek7MUxg712oLXcsybkxi9ysTB_EWB3UGsGsPHNyunLOcU/s640/boat" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6FDhkpDGpFcRy9uU61ApsWfSQjQ4XrS8RHaYquwQ_JHF5hXYaiCpJdGpTyNwKL_EmLrFroH94jVaSrydmOQX9VJp3bNCVQej4dIKcX3o6iwIpc0lg_ortFufxEZSjCl6LRCQF6dHMYI/s1600/boat+house" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6FDhkpDGpFcRy9uU61ApsWfSQjQ4XrS8RHaYquwQ_JHF5hXYaiCpJdGpTyNwKL_EmLrFroH94jVaSrydmOQX9VJp3bNCVQej4dIKcX3o6iwIpc0lg_ortFufxEZSjCl6LRCQF6dHMYI/s640/boat+house" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I first saw this, I actually thought, "Wow, they offer rehab on this island. That is so amazing." Turns out, "rehab" means "rum;" it's actually the name of a bar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bzlgaHMk1k4IvfzSVS8JO0DaI455Eoj9L_vxPr__62YoLEl4NRDebnGD_nErn6LZL0LuepvAWZMTwQApx3Y8d3XTiJpza6KLzL_evQWFEDX3qjLoTHaBOpPl5v_Z0UeMI68XFDlGFwI/s1600/rehab" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bzlgaHMk1k4IvfzSVS8JO0DaI455Eoj9L_vxPr__62YoLEl4NRDebnGD_nErn6LZL0LuepvAWZMTwQApx3Y8d3XTiJpza6KLzL_evQWFEDX3qjLoTHaBOpPl5v_Z0UeMI68XFDlGFwI/s640/rehab" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One takes the 12 steps towards getting sloshed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP6Jt1AVft8jubGL-XOOP4qeA9c882CnIH3xlbaLGZMnBCwc9vCnRadGCXVW63dBgOzt1xPPM37A026uDhHMwwBcMuVo4Nu69nG5TYNGQSwpEMPGBkgp2THqzY7cQ5tII_o_z7Us4sjA/s1600/12+steps" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP6Jt1AVft8jubGL-XOOP4qeA9c882CnIH3xlbaLGZMnBCwc9vCnRadGCXVW63dBgOzt1xPPM37A026uDhHMwwBcMuVo4Nu69nG5TYNGQSwpEMPGBkgp2THqzY7cQ5tII_o_z7Us4sjA/s640/12+steps" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Babalu's is popular place to eat. Many of the best eateries on Utila look a little sketch, but serve high-quality, large-portioned food.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggigf-2XQF2M98FTv29qu2iiXr4oIpcKBkcNI1J0fCu3URb-WJurZyfqHIL0WXJ1AOIBilVIupscZmIFNCweoSR740wPTLd1FdU-2GQCv6D98IBl43j0T-8_v6dXjKE83UpzJEECsvDP4/s1600/babalu" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggigf-2XQF2M98FTv29qu2iiXr4oIpcKBkcNI1J0fCu3URb-WJurZyfqHIL0WXJ1AOIBilVIupscZmIFNCweoSR740wPTLd1FdU-2GQCv6D98IBl43j0T-8_v6dXjKE83UpzJEECsvDP4/s640/babalu" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ok. I made this picture red. I thought it would be funny. The truth is, for many, Utila is quite the booze-pot-coke tour. One can walk into any bar, quite easily and without social stigma, and ask where to buy drugs or even make the transaction right there. For most of the people I met, this wasn't weird. However, I grew up in Grandville, Michigan, where people who do coke are assumed to be skeezy, creepy sickos in trench coats. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked. At one point, I witnessed someone snort a line of cocaine in my room off a copy of The Lonely Planet guide, the backpacker Bible. Fitting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU97dTp4YBzXo-0kZzPQbQXJmlsXKO4aEKh04QjxSNDyv6RrqhRqa4lot24C4ODc8Qk3t8oXYgl5dR-aqrPlB_0uJWb_n3nUIEPKg0bDjOQYngXYtd1m6QEk51h7v3cQoXin-ioQZiKAM/s1600/bad+boys" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU97dTp4YBzXo-0kZzPQbQXJmlsXKO4aEKh04QjxSNDyv6RrqhRqa4lot24C4ODc8Qk3t8oXYgl5dR-aqrPlB_0uJWb_n3nUIEPKg0bDjOQYngXYtd1m6QEk51h7v3cQoXin-ioQZiKAM/s640/bad+boys" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a happier note, this is Space Cakes. His eyes are two different colors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv0Yq7uHiMjATNGohCOGqetgN2e5K0xEhKxgUZZ7F3mnDFNQ5Oq8SGGp6jqcLIo8WEvJVvnIEa63BWCzq1X0xjpfu066RyPNPawRwX7AangtjRTpdVZdyWw-rZ_pIHVu-s4g44k692KU/s1600/spce+cakes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKv0Yq7uHiMjATNGohCOGqetgN2e5K0xEhKxgUZZ7F3mnDFNQ5Oq8SGGp6jqcLIo8WEvJVvnIEa63BWCzq1X0xjpfu066RyPNPawRwX7AangtjRTpdVZdyWw-rZ_pIHVu-s4g44k692KU/s640/spce+cakes" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
This is Bec holding Space Cakes. She is from Australia. If you have been around the Brisbane area and have seen a giant banana statue, you've passed Bec's house.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee4AxuHKOHG0m2ARni5YE7R7fBUbjCRaulRzR4XJfQoMRSQXuDRCiS465JuFuQYAJ3twllTUynkvliaznms-Qtv7gbQQrxjXUqKUcnmHIMLPNiaSe3eWYXDpLxaTL3IUsCZZg2J-3y20/s1600/Bec" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee4AxuHKOHG0m2ARni5YE7R7fBUbjCRaulRzR4XJfQoMRSQXuDRCiS465JuFuQYAJ3twllTUynkvliaznms-Qtv7gbQQrxjXUqKUcnmHIMLPNiaSe3eWYXDpLxaTL3IUsCZZg2J-3y20/s640/Bec" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
This is some of the Underwater gang (about half the people actually at Munchies that day) eating breakfast at Munchie's (basically the only place open on Sunday). Note the Blood Mary and the coffee with rum. While spending time around backpackers, I got the sense that taking pictures was a little nerdy, as if backpackers aren't tourists and they don't need the tokens. Hence, my lack of pictures with actual people. When in Rome, I suppose.<br />
<br />
(From the left: Galen, Heather, Frida, and Dan).<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX1BwY4LOEbzc4Q29oKUbX4Q4FRR2aXCUoJA6PHWzefr2-jozIO-76fYIKQhzMiEzJWWbuf-I-_G8uMyxpkKh-3OKPgX3mcmFrbyFj2qkC11l5pm33gXRpW6y-QSnO1hIE_h2f5pisIs/s1600/table" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX1BwY4LOEbzc4Q29oKUbX4Q4FRR2aXCUoJA6PHWzefr2-jozIO-76fYIKQhzMiEzJWWbuf-I-_G8uMyxpkKh-3OKPgX3mcmFrbyFj2qkC11l5pm33gXRpW6y-QSnO1hIE_h2f5pisIs/s640/table" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Munchie's boasts an "iguana garden," located behind the back patio. Enjoy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhL7jZ5ImKjnXj5oFZjnBZGKTzMR_Wjdn4wOln5Qqp_fv6O9S6GCxmS1qhVVxD6WX9KXA40aaEgtF9tLeVjjvFa56hMDSp6SaaYbte9vSfjh44pd7LvR0YfEVj5573oHHJrBTj5IWEN0/s1600/iggie" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhL7jZ5ImKjnXj5oFZjnBZGKTzMR_Wjdn4wOln5Qqp_fv6O9S6GCxmS1qhVVxD6WX9KXA40aaEgtF9tLeVjjvFa56hMDSp6SaaYbte9vSfjh44pd7LvR0YfEVj5573oHHJrBTj5IWEN0/s640/iggie" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The "cinema" is known for it's shakes. I never "saw a movie" there but I the building was no bigger or better than any other in Utila so I am assuming the "movie theater" was a room with a projector and a screen. I ordered the much-recommended peanut butter-banana shake to go and this delicious bag of liquid was presented to me.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqa-41CvTus0kFOV6U1M27MNi5S85Wrzt0vuEmytPW9ranN64hjzyQTCiysoBndal_MGbiQZrTMO53IuS-Oq7uMHPTGubvI7IICh06yqjAaRdyTFeUVg4ca6Smd52W-4pmawG5gZqRGA/s1600/pb+shake" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqa-41CvTus0kFOV6U1M27MNi5S85Wrzt0vuEmytPW9ranN64hjzyQTCiysoBndal_MGbiQZrTMO53IuS-Oq7uMHPTGubvI7IICh06yqjAaRdyTFeUVg4ca6Smd52W-4pmawG5gZqRGA/s640/pb+shake" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This is me in my scuba gear and on the left is Matt inserting himself into the picture.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIdmBXRoc-jnJmGBjY59_BrQFqE8GuMi03CllCWxSSLQnkym4f_nq9WQvQGX99q85TvJXEedFgNIV3BgWOQd1FfChj5RlcjXDZvwXTH4bmyteHzrqSKuatiL_nQ6KoALuV-wg9jRN_BA/s1600/scuba" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIdmBXRoc-jnJmGBjY59_BrQFqE8GuMi03CllCWxSSLQnkym4f_nq9WQvQGX99q85TvJXEedFgNIV3BgWOQd1FfChj5RlcjXDZvwXTH4bmyteHzrqSKuatiL_nQ6KoALuV-wg9jRN_BA/s640/scuba" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I received my Open Water scuba diving certification with PADI, the biggest scuba diving organization in the world. After Open Water, one can do 5 specialty dives such as a night dive, a wreck dive, a deep water dive, a navigation dive, and a buoyancy dive in order complete an Advanced Certification.These specialty dives are the first dives needed to complete a specialty course. After that, one needs to complete the Rescue course in order to go on be a Diver Master (40 dives needed) and eventually an Instructor. Many of the regulars at Underwater Vision (and on the island) had traveled to Utila and, without expecting to, stayed for months to complete the dive master course. Turns out, Utila is quite addicting. Yes, there are drugs. However, the vibe on the island is relaxing in general. Almost everyone who travels there is amiable and inclusive. Really, there aren't clicks with backpackers. Instead, there's an unspoken sense of camaraderie, everyone is traveling with next to no possessions, little money, a couple of intestinal parasites, and an adventurous spirit. Plus, everything on Utila is cheap if not resellable.<br />
<br />
Over the course of the week, I completed five dives, one of which was a night dive. For the most part, I enjoyed them. In order to really appreciate being able to breath underwater, I would have to dive a lot more. That something-might-happen-and-I-might-die-a-horrible-death feeling never really left. Mostly, I attribute this to a list of the major things that could <i>actually </i>go wrong. These were highlighted dramatically in the PADI videos and by the instructors. I have listed some of them here for your convenience:<br />
<br />
- One should always keep breathing underwater. Otherwise, when one ascends the surface one's lungs will expand too much burst.<br />
- One should always "equalize," or force airflow within the sinuses (as one does on a plane) when descending and ascending. Otherwise, one will burst an ear drum.<br />
- One should always breath slower and deeper than normal. Breathing too shallow will deplete the air supply faster.<br />
- One should never ascend at a rate faster than 18m/minute for fear of bursting the lungs.<br />
- One should make a "safety stop" after descending to a certain depth because one's body needs time to release the nitrogen (found in greater quantities at deeper depths) from the blood stream. If the nitrogen is not dispelled, one develops decompression sickness, the nitrogen bubbling below the skin. The body may even develop the "bends," a condition in which one's limbs begin to contract uncontrollably.<br />
<br />
But, you know, don't sweat the small stuff.<br />
<br />
As far as the night dive went, well, I discovered that I wasn't as comfortable with diving as I thought. I spent most of the dive trying to coordinate my torch (flashlight)/fins/ goggles/BCD in a way that didn't destroy any coral reef or hit anyone else.<br />
<br />
There's good news. At least, if something does go wrong and you find your limbs contacting mysteriously and without your consent, Utila has it's own hyperbaric chamber. My dad, Randy Kehr, is responsible for running the hyperbaric chambers at Spectrum Health Hospitals in Grand Rapids, MI. The pics below were taken in his honor. The chamber treats decompression sickness by allowing a person to exist in an environment of nearly-pure oxygen (from what I understand) thereby ridding the bloodstream of the excess nitrogen. Each treatment in the chamber can take hours and usually requires return visits.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGfDh-th7u8p6XsB8Phn5bazn2VdRjSyE5ZHbFt0X1XXaBqH9fY1-xuI79vRQrT0fy6GsmJT8rzWRxGv0XlDkKW9VHYXDU1Dson0EfAa4_23nMES2qSPyvOiEZZIs1Dp-0KrIyl_yjWk/s1600/hyper" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGfDh-th7u8p6XsB8Phn5bazn2VdRjSyE5ZHbFt0X1XXaBqH9fY1-xuI79vRQrT0fy6GsmJT8rzWRxGv0XlDkKW9VHYXDU1Dson0EfAa4_23nMES2qSPyvOiEZZIs1Dp-0KrIyl_yjWk/s640/hyper" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
Prepare the chamber!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEBI689YnIonTROLqdGPXfAgY6BFLN0T3Vsw8oKdu_dFxI3qL8LW5MBRxh6nC9TyVf8B_bQ19LgPAt3wMpVRX9b__D3Ep99WieZmQZzzAjLFRrleFjb_Aka6vzlLSo_carD9DcaqoIHI/s1600/sign" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEBI689YnIonTROLqdGPXfAgY6BFLN0T3Vsw8oKdu_dFxI3qL8LW5MBRxh6nC9TyVf8B_bQ19LgPAt3wMpVRX9b__D3Ep99WieZmQZzzAjLFRrleFjb_Aka6vzlLSo_carD9DcaqoIHI/s640/sign" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is Ben. Imagine my surprise, when I found a fellow Laker and West Michigander on a tropical island. Ben owns <a href="http://www.oceansandsscuba.com/">Ocean Sands Scuba</a> in Holland, MI, and is a professional wreck diver. In fact, he says that Michigan is one of the best places to dive in the world because the Great Lakes are considered ship wreck graveyards. He also dives with a certain Dr. Hodson who works with my dad at Spectrum and is himself an avid diver. Small world!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX552cgyItcyc_qQ6Y1qZJIKPVHJJ5MKKmtnfrQdCePRKjeiXGG04CbPs3uBVpP0HqV4NQJijnWhuGrELNlO6Fhfyr1u8_VrC3lcz0k-q_iNA7CTbzz9DmtwaK48X6x2T2Fk5W5EsI8M/s1600/chamber" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX552cgyItcyc_qQ6Y1qZJIKPVHJJ5MKKmtnfrQdCePRKjeiXGG04CbPs3uBVpP0HqV4NQJijnWhuGrELNlO6Fhfyr1u8_VrC3lcz0k-q_iNA7CTbzz9DmtwaK48X6x2T2Fk5W5EsI8M/s640/chamber" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The end.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned in to Travails and Travels for another update on my trip to Utila (more specifically a great couple I met on the island working for a great cause). Over Christmas break, I will travel to Copan (Honduras' most famous attraction and the sight of well-preserved Mayan ruins), the coast, and Valle de Angeles with Michelle, a good friend of Paula and I, who flies in tomorrow. After break, I will be teaching <i>Romeo and Juliet </i>for two weeks in a ninth grade English class. In February, I'm hopefully heading down to Panama.<br />
<br />
Lots of stuff up ahead, but I must confess that I missed home terribly yesterday. I traveled to the airport to say goodbye to Gabbi but ended up watching all the other North Americans board planes and fly home for Christmas.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and cherishes the time spent with family and friends!</div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-67665299651144286212011-12-18T20:20:00.000-08:002011-12-19T07:47:05.597-08:00La granja<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have yet to post pictures from Utila, I know, but I <i>must </i>write about the wonderful day I spent I <i>la granja </i>(the farm) on Saturday. While I learned to scuba dive in Utila, my good friend Gabbi fell in love with a Honduran family with three kind, energetic boys and loving parents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One day, about two weeks ago, Gabbi was approached by Mario, one of the boys who lives next to her apartment. He wondered if any of his North American neighbors could give him piano lessons. By the time I returned to Tegus from my tropical adventure, Gabbi was spending about an hour every night at the Salinas' house, teaching Mario on his table-top keyboard and hanging out with his younger brothers, Alisandro and Juan Angelo. She refused pay, but was then given generous portions of <i>jamaica </i>(a delicious spiced juice) and hearty Honduran food.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The Salinas family had invited Gabbi to spent Saturday at the family <i>granja </i>about an hour away from Tegus and I was lucky enough to tag along. <span style="text-align: left;">Sr. (Mr.) Salinas' dad (the boys' grandpa) owns the farm and the surrounding lands. For the Salinas family, the </span><i style="text-align: left;">granja </i><span style="text-align: left;">provides what a cottage on the lake allows us Michiganders: relaxation, tranquility, fresh air, and amusement.</span> So, around 9:30 am on Saturday, we all (Gabbi, Mario, Alisandro, Juan Angelo. Sr. Salinas, Sra. [Mrs.] Salinas, and I) packed into the spacious vehicle pictured below and headed to the mountains:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_PUmxlar319TVFE9lfklJwx4geDCvJWawtvA_FTAmXh72LrCkv97YYo_hQ3KzOw18xHcpWBNUncy3-VmWOtOQe5f9ajZrf2uZdOjyXAK1CHw2pIwLv_NgT9uh8yBeM-RXvOslejio-Q/s1600/DSCN1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_PUmxlar319TVFE9lfklJwx4geDCvJWawtvA_FTAmXh72LrCkv97YYo_hQ3KzOw18xHcpWBNUncy3-VmWOtOQe5f9ajZrf2uZdOjyXAK1CHw2pIwLv_NgT9uh8yBeM-RXvOslejio-Q/s640/DSCN1103.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;">I loved every minute of the drive. The Honduran landscape (if you haven't noticed in previous posts) is filled with broad green mountains, beautiful valleys, and colorful architechture. As we drove, we passed the weekly market where fresh, local produce is sold </span><i style="text-align: left;">de la tierra a la mesa </i><span style="text-align: left;">(from the land to the table). We stopped to buy tortillas made from scratch and Sra. Salinas insisted </span><span style="text-align: left;">(congenially opening my door)</span><span style="text-align: left;"> that we stop in the kitchen and see the process; how the tortilla dough is made, shaped into dough-balls, put through a press, and then cooked on a flat stove lit by fire beneath. As we left Tegus, the Salinas' explained which crops grow where and why. B</span>ecause only the boys speak English, I used my Spanish the whole day, even interpreting for Gabbi. I almost forgot I was speaking a different language by the time we left.<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;">As we left Tegus, we passed Zamorano, a prestigious agricultural school, and Sra. Salinas explained that the university students tend to all the neatly-planted, fertile fields in that particular valley. As we left the valley to wind our way around a trio of mountains, Sr. Salinas asked, "You see that mountain peak in the middle there?" I did. "That's where we're going." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pretty soon, the road turned to dirt and mud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_2OgRvGx1w3uc8Gzd4H2pHOHLm6K-8uvWO_rsppKSI_HipXZx2XNu_N4WszJuTeWScVbWj3KzPPDxKJtgz_CfbkJQWICNtqle7e5Fp8m1qylXwO_TCQ1RsbjDn5n_Q3CZOenralVL0o/s1600/1+trail+crop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_2OgRvGx1w3uc8Gzd4H2pHOHLm6K-8uvWO_rsppKSI_HipXZx2XNu_N4WszJuTeWScVbWj3KzPPDxKJtgz_CfbkJQWICNtqle7e5Fp8m1qylXwO_TCQ1RsbjDn5n_Q3CZOenralVL0o/s640/1+trail+crop" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the farmhouse:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ8N45NwTuy5cLiF9ZGWiuwiGNYd1qn-KPZYIOT2H-bV-vVChv9edOJGaohv97FRq89GJjKHXs9YEJ91zez5owE56X7UPJb4YCiidEY1lxVw9Kg1QsowJuhnwEoHno0Wewy5M0BEkbYU/s1600/La+granja+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ8N45NwTuy5cLiF9ZGWiuwiGNYd1qn-KPZYIOT2H-bV-vVChv9edOJGaohv97FRq89GJjKHXs9YEJ91zez5owE56X7UPJb4YCiidEY1lxVw9Kg1QsowJuhnwEoHno0Wewy5M0BEkbYU/s640/La+granja+121.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another view of the house. This is the same side as the above picture; the house is really long. To the right is a pile of coffee beans drying on the concrete.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnNty_XIWCiyP-jF0UyCzJ1ZR99MmfevAEh89tOuCu1gKhiMm-cbs3Yoq-mYhElKDYBzwsuPSrYaBwwuUtVJLjASRxpbdvikxHrVbDbgO8dQUgaQeNYHBKU56cr-RtLvUemG8mmyyB-A/s1600/La+granja+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnNty_XIWCiyP-jF0UyCzJ1ZR99MmfevAEh89tOuCu1gKhiMm-cbs3Yoq-mYhElKDYBzwsuPSrYaBwwuUtVJLjASRxpbdvikxHrVbDbgO8dQUgaQeNYHBKU56cr-RtLvUemG8mmyyB-A/s640/La+granja+119.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This pavilion, situated in front of the house, is used for cookouts and meals eaten outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndvZEy64rZ1o833jSMqsn9Vs3q9aG4u-dE35l-_vLUS_StbIv1W7feGGW1CdlCu9eofA5vTt03tHFJh0-bbapNq5QZIkDyfDgBzgqJGTqWmd61h6keXivsEY1ekOncJbpEd3B6Y1IX7A/s1600/La+granja+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndvZEy64rZ1o833jSMqsn9Vs3q9aG4u-dE35l-_vLUS_StbIv1W7feGGW1CdlCu9eofA5vTt03tHFJh0-bbapNq5QZIkDyfDgBzgqJGTqWmd61h6keXivsEY1ekOncJbpEd3B6Y1IX7A/s640/La+granja+122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The land on the Salinas farm is like a natural fun-house. We took a long walk around the property and sampled all kinds of fruits and burned all kinds of calories. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabbi and Juan Angelo on the trail. A lot of my pictures are similar to this one, but I couldn't resist. They make a very photogenic pair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlVp7tGPqRxMSBHWByTSjdk2Ku97Tizjm8MGUfysnSir8vqrOWYlCY3hnPS1SQHX95is30BWWsLyAMZX2lP2OCLjodv_GuBFEVUDTlwRvL9vGiGGWWH8mxb0GOcPje3bUnFhLQt5PtHo/s1600/La+granja+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlVp7tGPqRxMSBHWByTSjdk2Ku97Tizjm8MGUfysnSir8vqrOWYlCY3hnPS1SQHX95is30BWWsLyAMZX2lP2OCLjodv_GuBFEVUDTlwRvL9vGiGGWWH8mxb0GOcPje3bUnFhLQt5PtHo/s640/La+granja+022.JPG" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From the left: Sr. Salinas, Alisandro, me, and Juan Angelo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgpNHeZ6m5qpxLhMnXCt0o6eWMBSrLfr46J9zRJG5fy8NZtiBlDVI0lhM3jTDpYDl7VazlqK6SWNzawbAia1KdNS_JK00rzicSTJvhKSG0fPm273hufpYJrWxH3v8k6xHhWxvysjDB0k/s1600/DSCN1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgpNHeZ6m5qpxLhMnXCt0o6eWMBSrLfr46J9zRJG5fy8NZtiBlDVI0lhM3jTDpYDl7VazlqK6SWNzawbAia1KdNS_JK00rzicSTJvhKSG0fPm273hufpYJrWxH3v8k6xHhWxvysjDB0k/s640/DSCN1087.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><br />
A <i>guanabana. </i>Sr. Salina knocked it down with a long branch and<i> </i>I took this bad boy home to Tegus.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXE2JBPgU_e806xRIFCcjKcM1_Ma89jv5ic4O-Lsngar1228y6ctLOyHiIUnWFrMk6wvSxp8taOGxrrOQtHeDQrMetsyniWYfK0PP9pihxfpUzsGArCj_2Io4V3BSQkI6WZvcL0bkKHk/s1600/La+granja+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXE2JBPgU_e806xRIFCcjKcM1_Ma89jv5ic4O-Lsngar1228y6ctLOyHiIUnWFrMk6wvSxp8taOGxrrOQtHeDQrMetsyniWYfK0PP9pihxfpUzsGArCj_2Io4V3BSQkI6WZvcL0bkKHk/s640/La+granja+024.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<i>Mandarinas de limon. </i>I find that what we call "oranges," Hondurans call "lemons."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHCUovdN8tvCKeao97xAgRALPnpwmlYayeNuibnUNBk057cFlLruP5tgqpC-GZ4Odq7nJ_Gjx_GNBr6IO4I_ZmNqifZhtK1lHxvUo5cF-n79Te__zC_RxZsiOlFzrafb8u13WY2jgSg8/s1600/La+granja+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHCUovdN8tvCKeao97xAgRALPnpwmlYayeNuibnUNBk057cFlLruP5tgqpC-GZ4Odq7nJ_Gjx_GNBr6IO4I_ZmNqifZhtK1lHxvUo5cF-n79Te__zC_RxZsiOlFzrafb8u13WY2jgSg8/s640/La+granja+037.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Young coffee plants.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEp8Xa7gxbuBdHrGV5TnoMIks39_qzf2yTK3EM5dk7mHWIKRMzISUCcigbcewsXiuggsC8u7CMKWifNOKOhp_iH_XTV8FgKvTKxdFCFpT4Jm2HKVD8-6esNDU-SqrU8qRXWdOW1b7Yto/s1600/La+granja+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEp8Xa7gxbuBdHrGV5TnoMIks39_qzf2yTK3EM5dk7mHWIKRMzISUCcigbcewsXiuggsC8u7CMKWifNOKOhp_iH_XTV8FgKvTKxdFCFpT4Jm2HKVD8-6esNDU-SqrU8qRXWdOW1b7Yto/s640/La+granja+077.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
This coffee fruit is <i>tierno, </i>not yet ripe.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQShfLg-6aS9Jr6M4G1TclD9qKtUwEo_ibbxf-w9KTQwGM4-9Tyh3QjxP-NqCKW0S0BjrRdf5fLqCKQPKVHPu8ticRPd4H5DaB02OqyfIuREbabv2S93sH5_UmDq0bna9BIJlxAnA4Mg/s1600/La+granja+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQShfLg-6aS9Jr6M4G1TclD9qKtUwEo_ibbxf-w9KTQwGM4-9Tyh3QjxP-NqCKW0S0BjrRdf5fLqCKQPKVHPu8ticRPd4H5DaB02OqyfIuREbabv2S93sH5_UmDq0bna9BIJlxAnA4Mg/s640/La+granja+040.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
When the fruit is ripe, it's red in color and sweet. In order to taste the fruit, one bites into the red berry and sucks up the juice without actually eating the fruit. Inside one finds the golden coffee bean. This bean is then washed, dried, and roasted in a very fussy process.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4dR5mSDLsNViZTdg2GBbtjcWCC9B12m3ofg68jtQeKrWnqxDXaRgf1tyahWEaHbnFepsHMYcWx4yMOCGAEGh8N4oMUleS_PIzK4089Ky7Si7NaPzuv_MselydDycdHUhiPYH2gWCeuE/s1600/La+granja+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4dR5mSDLsNViZTdg2GBbtjcWCC9B12m3ofg68jtQeKrWnqxDXaRgf1tyahWEaHbnFepsHMYcWx4yMOCGAEGh8N4oMUleS_PIzK4089Ky7Si7NaPzuv_MselydDycdHUhiPYH2gWCeuE/s640/La+granja+072.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
More lemon-oranges.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWGnaIEyAFZQDF2EUHAMhNAf5aWI0bFMeVKzAqzziaxucjt6a8xEh_G0N_uDfzf5hJ4wpmIWytxWzCuaOoY5v9P7InVgYFIeDjNVkersC-Ym_lUhn8GQ-71Q2pXGBkwXdYTzP2cDd-Wc/s1600/La+granja+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWGnaIEyAFZQDF2EUHAMhNAf5aWI0bFMeVKzAqzziaxucjt6a8xEh_G0N_uDfzf5hJ4wpmIWytxWzCuaOoY5v9P7InVgYFIeDjNVkersC-Ym_lUhn8GQ-71Q2pXGBkwXdYTzP2cDd-Wc/s640/La+granja+084.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<i>Sacate de limon, </i>or lemon grass. Sra. Salinas used this to make tea later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEO617CUfobAq8q7FeEj81ULWFEhph6gkppd92uoBE8hOhZGkVWpXRrc66DvdkMKgJuS65u1RaA-r27I5jzmPDj_Sw-we3cfCuq7NvZoeovSgZKpRcwbKLcH5Zqg3I1HmSjVDCVMbXJk/s1600/La+granja+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEO617CUfobAq8q7FeEj81ULWFEhph6gkppd92uoBE8hOhZGkVWpXRrc66DvdkMKgJuS65u1RaA-r27I5jzmPDj_Sw-we3cfCuq7NvZoeovSgZKpRcwbKLcH5Zqg3I1HmSjVDCVMbXJk/s640/La+granja+110.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
Like so, combined with <i>jengibre</i>, ginger root (pulled straight out the ground by Sr. Salinas). It was truly the most delicious tea I have ever tasted. Upon leaving, the Salinas's gave me a huge bundle of <i>sacate de limon </i>and <i>jengibre </i>to make my own tea, plus the rest of the tea we made that day.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfH0RBKJTGr_pc-oJ81iByk04K5gEbZAnG1DEUibUZiuvxC9gFzTyKm5TBukLNVkm6hPfErlCGmVLoZMP88BWx7FGH3rzo9lvYNNvHqeGPIAEm2T06NQsff-sswsH-46Q_eGfGjKJO_4/s1600/roots" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfH0RBKJTGr_pc-oJ81iByk04K5gEbZAnG1DEUibUZiuvxC9gFzTyKm5TBukLNVkm6hPfErlCGmVLoZMP88BWx7FGH3rzo9lvYNNvHqeGPIAEm2T06NQsff-sswsH-46Q_eGfGjKJO_4/s640/roots" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
<i>Cacoa. </i>Chocoate is made from the bean-esque things inside this fruit.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK42bWrc1nFVXrazts-RVxMCWYeUeEkghXy2tpBn9B8bPJ_KEadNi35zKGg557gyo8EK3UnaRVDM0jtPHpZPXXq4qCoqlnBRU6i9dna1chBkUPq0ryQgSUYYhc5rYzsTTWmDgO4ZMlqc/s1600/La+granja+112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK42bWrc1nFVXrazts-RVxMCWYeUeEkghXy2tpBn9B8bPJ_KEadNi35zKGg557gyo8EK3UnaRVDM0jtPHpZPXXq4qCoqlnBRU6i9dna1chBkUPq0ryQgSUYYhc5rYzsTTWmDgO4ZMlqc/s640/La+granja+112.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
This is a <i>cacoa </i>fruit cut open. Inside one finds (to be precise, if a little graphic) a number of filmy sacks that contain the beans that hold the chocolate substance. You can enjoy the fruit juice by (once again) chewing but not eating the fruit and spiting out the beans. I got to pick my own <i>cacoa </i>fruit to take home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQHIqKdxEtb_sjpUvaR20i68K6N0T3bIEvJ75dH7HiQMxebQnZWTTgd_htzDfkDnRY-ARcQD0zqqDijzxsyVmC9pIgBqz6LOzB9EL56QIrHUSSZMTc_K7aP2FxH9We2x9oIruws3T0uM/s1600/DSCN1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQHIqKdxEtb_sjpUvaR20i68K6N0T3bIEvJ75dH7HiQMxebQnZWTTgd_htzDfkDnRY-ARcQD0zqqDijzxsyVmC9pIgBqz6LOzB9EL56QIrHUSSZMTc_K7aP2FxH9We2x9oIruws3T0uM/s640/DSCN1121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mango.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXwIIqgmagIoVDhvchCyqZYhSuhVZ9nbPtgLHD0bCWP6yxJIbV8LWj-zG0VZoHJGMqrYmN18oUXW4dCzMAILL36UGkNbzhOH-y_OiR4H_N-qQZSjhfqpSQZtENVdgsFr1LQ8jds_2DJw/s1600/La+granja+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXwIIqgmagIoVDhvchCyqZYhSuhVZ9nbPtgLHD0bCWP6yxJIbV8LWj-zG0VZoHJGMqrYmN18oUXW4dCzMAILL36UGkNbzhOH-y_OiR4H_N-qQZSjhfqpSQZtENVdgsFr1LQ8jds_2DJw/s640/La+granja+135.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
These are ripe red beans. And this might possibly be the best picture I've taken in my life (no editing involved, people!)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs5clyKa2zYtjq6CUYp8Imhilxehho7RL9sSc9kKHhlluY6LLLvs1v48a61kiaryrcGHBLFJgb7wiujGhHgniHPYdRCT2-w6mwQUjJUa7tIpHSJ9fKNM_Zdbz2Muv01KezcgZrtNghRU/s1600/La+granja+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs5clyKa2zYtjq6CUYp8Imhilxehho7RL9sSc9kKHhlluY6LLLvs1v48a61kiaryrcGHBLFJgb7wiujGhHgniHPYdRCT2-w6mwQUjJUa7tIpHSJ9fKNM_Zdbz2Muv01KezcgZrtNghRU/s640/La+granja+080.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
The stalks are all dried out and they provide great fertilizer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXF9GqkDvGhDpNn7-4cbNa4IvkbCbDfiKOZ6PQAHo4hdL22ILGL0hgcMK_yFxVf3pz7bI9yJOJczvPShnqXCZFIth6rtGwxuWFDQw_ZLiD9rpR4iR3zfVha1AsfPa-6iMtHbIQ0Pv4us/s1600/La+granja+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXF9GqkDvGhDpNn7-4cbNa4IvkbCbDfiKOZ6PQAHo4hdL22ILGL0hgcMK_yFxVf3pz7bI9yJOJczvPShnqXCZFIth6rtGwxuWFDQw_ZLiD9rpR4iR3zfVha1AsfPa-6iMtHbIQ0Pv4us/s640/La+granja+081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Yuca, </i>a potato-like root. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uz6bsxTX2GCo4wbLpNZbnejdwB0YR6ilh5-dF6JFogWoWQe_E_-60qfOQeRK6JPUd3vV5kId9myy_owqlOKol5fXtu_Dm6rykkEQ-E9gInjooo2frXd09FwEOvI4AmQAJkzpQvZwXeM/s1600/yuca" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Uz6bsxTX2GCo4wbLpNZbnejdwB0YR6ilh5-dF6JFogWoWQe_E_-60qfOQeRK6JPUd3vV5kId9myy_owqlOKol5fXtu_Dm6rykkEQ-E9gInjooo2frXd09FwEOvI4AmQAJkzpQvZwXeM/s640/yuca" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <i>yuca </i>made a delicious snack with garlic/cilantro <i>mantequilla. </i>Cooking with <i>yuca </i>is like cooking with fool-proof, guaranteed-perfect potatoes. Eat it, Idaho!<i> </i>Sra. Salinas gave me some <i>yuca </i>to take home. I cooked it this morning for Gabbi's last breakfast in Honduras. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14_ZUr3L38CqIgah2T0idLiEHgUEhO0vt0FcpgMvpC-PYeWJcUmhvhqCiGLImkE8AjACETt-75oh82WwOiEq-rmB4WDgtmCxx6EafM_brhFe8dsCIam1xQQQjLyDNW0CgTPiXejFiTGM/s1600/DSCN1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14_ZUr3L38CqIgah2T0idLiEHgUEhO0vt0FcpgMvpC-PYeWJcUmhvhqCiGLImkE8AjACETt-75oh82WwOiEq-rmB4WDgtmCxx6EafM_brhFe8dsCIam1xQQQjLyDNW0CgTPiXejFiTGM/s640/DSCN1168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure what kind of tree this is (maybe banana?), but the circles inside the trunk tell it's age, just like with sturdy midwestern trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghagg78EBZiUbXgbA2vnAnsXG7WTJox_2v50ylwiMTBOVB4AvwdVlBDsWFKGSDS3J6wLt042JgMu-bYE2wmrbvOACxMl0S7wJO2M311IerUlCKNm8w5Tu-k63gaDbS39cuCSgy-skeKu0/s1600/log" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghagg78EBZiUbXgbA2vnAnsXG7WTJox_2v50ylwiMTBOVB4AvwdVlBDsWFKGSDS3J6wLt042JgMu-bYE2wmrbvOACxMl0S7wJO2M311IerUlCKNm8w5Tu-k63gaDbS39cuCSgy-skeKu0/s640/log" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some favorite pics from the day:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabbi and Juan Angelo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfopFWeoVP0RNFDLyuVlDvgYAsSHmX2fBB5lSems5IVgoI3rhvhJAIHg4sM6YxNbGhrKqtVaGe9_b6yBmu33X6hL2C1pHK7Obdf8p_R8qZtxyx5WDVDWXp5Uqc0IqIDIEcJEVmghH8sgE/s1600/La+granja+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfopFWeoVP0RNFDLyuVlDvgYAsSHmX2fBB5lSems5IVgoI3rhvhJAIHg4sM6YxNbGhrKqtVaGe9_b6yBmu33X6hL2C1pHK7Obdf8p_R8qZtxyx5WDVDWXp5Uqc0IqIDIEcJEVmghH8sgE/s640/La+granja+089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Flowers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3kn-Yowe2gzpERq_3QSsBg8XffhKqnpr7OpH1bUNYEmlT7XDXnk3yda2LQCaHAlJNTbPQdb-0CeIYiqzKOnXpwkF9FdaI9ImnJ_pblihubLmZy_A_5busygOR6FDviDS-64IWofo_XM/s1600/La+granja+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3kn-Yowe2gzpERq_3QSsBg8XffhKqnpr7OpH1bUNYEmlT7XDXnk3yda2LQCaHAlJNTbPQdb-0CeIYiqzKOnXpwkF9FdaI9ImnJ_pblihubLmZy_A_5busygOR6FDviDS-64IWofo_XM/s640/La+granja+109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7dkKr_82grXqUjyCsizK06BV6UfJyc0PkoPDv7T7Lhw2md453UtIreukV_nMGLVUHLqQ8OAAnIiJNsgTeQ6tLirsMV4V__pfdCTJ7gbWiFx7AC_XvoOe4qqu4qpWh1WP8rsG5kcDLOg/s1600/La+granja+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7dkKr_82grXqUjyCsizK06BV6UfJyc0PkoPDv7T7Lhw2md453UtIreukV_nMGLVUHLqQ8OAAnIiJNsgTeQ6tLirsMV4V__pfdCTJ7gbWiFx7AC_XvoOe4qqu4qpWh1WP8rsG5kcDLOg/s640/La+granja+031.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">A view of the valley.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xcd0O_vmuT44791d_UK0v3or_zIcE_KzQ122g3EJm4_ndZtCXzKovR7sRfzd_2FkiYIWwappZlokSG8OtdXzNL6nriPUkzgngrBQ8NWJPkdVuqYnLw7r4xL9DVjyUR0uiI8Q3LQX2l8/s1600/La+granja+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Xcd0O_vmuT44791d_UK0v3or_zIcE_KzQ122g3EJm4_ndZtCXzKovR7sRfzd_2FkiYIWwappZlokSG8OtdXzNL6nriPUkzgngrBQ8NWJPkdVuqYnLw7r4xL9DVjyUR0uiI8Q3LQX2l8/s640/La+granja+056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabbi, Juan Angelo, Alisandro, and Mario.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzitfA25NGnnAAwqidPIwMxRk8SI33tW9breIO9HMjPi2AWwSi9amaTeNvgfyDyPPnFm5HCv6gwkrdLfeHOR8dSh9IEAZ0UlWFiT_4CRA8JjmgPEubhWFGfP-It-39vrzGmSJUK3Hm9k/s1600/La+granja+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzitfA25NGnnAAwqidPIwMxRk8SI33tW9breIO9HMjPi2AWwSi9amaTeNvgfyDyPPnFm5HCv6gwkrdLfeHOR8dSh9IEAZ0UlWFiT_4CRA8JjmgPEubhWFGfP-It-39vrzGmSJUK3Hm9k/s640/La+granja+065.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPyv0YCYlC2D1i_yhpO_x7pxXwcIehe1I1EBsi-KXHfdlk-YKutGS-KNWpd9v2CAVLY7BBuNPdiQL_6pZcqpKeUtxE-GDEOuUeFPc1m7I0bdLCLmJN01jX3Qu6_mnW7PN5ASSM4J5RmE/s1600/La+granja+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPyv0YCYlC2D1i_yhpO_x7pxXwcIehe1I1EBsi-KXHfdlk-YKutGS-KNWpd9v2CAVLY7BBuNPdiQL_6pZcqpKeUtxE-GDEOuUeFPc1m7I0bdLCLmJN01jX3Qu6_mnW7PN5ASSM4J5RmE/s640/La+granja+066.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimK4TCETDPq3hjXpoI7hhJ8k4gVz9iBu_xvagneMJOIhR-CPm8t1XWji9oMXaZKoFljoMPulAAFF1D5EkO-E2wRjGgLo6cdqYS5DKnY26dZE21pSr7xR46X9Yst0eFA6ePpybAznK_hyI/s1600/La+granja+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimK4TCETDPq3hjXpoI7hhJ8k4gVz9iBu_xvagneMJOIhR-CPm8t1XWji9oMXaZKoFljoMPulAAFF1D5EkO-E2wRjGgLo6cdqYS5DKnY26dZE21pSr7xR46X9Yst0eFA6ePpybAznK_hyI/s640/La+granja+102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL1dxT9DV7FLAKhc5lrmJeaqF_40RMBXCWsNTQXRgJxG22Z5SZYR6-PLFlr-02Jbe5TOMdZFcJ639BXYfLbRuMeE8Zfi-Eeffu0O75np8SnnGBr3FrWAc-JvvF0zJ8G3i8LrwogAFLXw/s1600/better+color+veggies" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL1dxT9DV7FLAKhc5lrmJeaqF_40RMBXCWsNTQXRgJxG22Z5SZYR6-PLFlr-02Jbe5TOMdZFcJ639BXYfLbRuMeE8Zfi-Eeffu0O75np8SnnGBr3FrWAc-JvvF0zJ8G3i8LrwogAFLXw/s640/better+color+veggies" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Eating sugar cane. Sr. Salinas peeled the stalk with a machete.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DeIFNeQ8M4aUiux9NaLLPjTiRosr2e6T7ydn1kRosX2oMHBEt5Ve-VvxDxhIlAezI_PVOJDsO-ACnqnbMXIZTP0aKZYvgG1hcMZCu4naNBffuJd1W7vlWQOJGU2xpvps9DjKYgURWBk/s1600/caning" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DeIFNeQ8M4aUiux9NaLLPjTiRosr2e6T7ydn1kRosX2oMHBEt5Ve-VvxDxhIlAezI_PVOJDsO-ACnqnbMXIZTP0aKZYvgG1hcMZCu4naNBffuJd1W7vlWQOJGU2xpvps9DjKYgURWBk/s640/caning" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
More flowers!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB1VQnbuW-dW1jodCm8TKAcpVTKNP4eB2rxfCbAwGvkLE1g5Quoh7sWSbU5mlf4seEHV37hyphenhyphenpte1EZYlUtQouzSWwU_1pEXQvdfX0XEpBnxRS5w0cd7TfTZjsx3Dhsv1VLjxU3hQsidM/s1600/flower+field" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB1VQnbuW-dW1jodCm8TKAcpVTKNP4eB2rxfCbAwGvkLE1g5Quoh7sWSbU5mlf4seEHV37hyphenhyphenpte1EZYlUtQouzSWwU_1pEXQvdfX0XEpBnxRS5w0cd7TfTZjsx3Dhsv1VLjxU3hQsidM/s640/flower+field" width="640" /></a><br />
Juan Angelo. If only he was cute. . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtDIoePa97qHnUsxjQUyL4L-ab0BFMG7o9OD1Ykau4maPbmVoiyTxjUrxyk4MrpIV_GiZEId8Gn7rEkJUuP1AQB6AG3jCsoI5ZIn-bTlOCs3dgeOVVv2gReG4IXqwNLBSnr2EdLKGwu0/s1600/juan+angela" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtDIoePa97qHnUsxjQUyL4L-ab0BFMG7o9OD1Ykau4maPbmVoiyTxjUrxyk4MrpIV_GiZEId8Gn7rEkJUuP1AQB6AG3jCsoI5ZIn-bTlOCs3dgeOVVv2gReG4IXqwNLBSnr2EdLKGwu0/s640/juan+angela" width="480" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtDIoePa97qHnUsxjQUyL4L-ab0BFMG7o9OD1Ykau4maPbmVoiyTxjUrxyk4MrpIV_GiZEId8Gn7rEkJUuP1AQB6AG3jCsoI5ZIn-bTlOCs3dgeOVVv2gReG4IXqwNLBSnr2EdLKGwu0/s1600/juan+angela" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
Sra. Salinas explained that, in order to control deforestation, only the marked trees can be cut down.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwg4IHRryJDwsmjjJ8WV3wXA6MOfMNL8meTHFbmHcnA-zlZc9ox6J61wjHRAvIlTm28ZpKJrh3YYzMTkUdZGyPCyoYz5P2eT36jBLdvwknLAxAavK7prAQZ6Jlu3gJSR5YClvS5uNZo4/s1600/lines" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwg4IHRryJDwsmjjJ8WV3wXA6MOfMNL8meTHFbmHcnA-zlZc9ox6J61wjHRAvIlTm28ZpKJrh3YYzMTkUdZGyPCyoYz5P2eT36jBLdvwknLAxAavK7prAQZ6Jlu3gJSR5YClvS5uNZo4/s640/lines" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The reservoir. This wall was built into the moutain to catch the run-off water. There is a pipe on the front of the wall that runs all the way to the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtW_1uw3tqxKtpGYNXRom4BKHEZvXssVCVeBEVuSRNWpYTNgREYawI75DU3d2MSjjoVsKOycCHnuAxwaCuMKayozeWReqPxaroPBlMD23w13tdEm7Ikjt74Rn2eP6yZJpyJ3IFYYozZU/s1600/resevoir" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtW_1uw3tqxKtpGYNXRom4BKHEZvXssVCVeBEVuSRNWpYTNgREYawI75DU3d2MSjjoVsKOycCHnuAxwaCuMKayozeWReqPxaroPBlMD23w13tdEm7Ikjt74Rn2eP6yZJpyJ3IFYYozZU/s640/resevoir" width="480" /></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjwg8fjMkMT_wWLvHr52O6ugCzAJ8Wlm8O-gHEHJOJw0tsAJVl4Opw1DqWUAPsOqzKdas8S0DRLvsEYVu5az4afeiDz-WlnGWOp0SIOubMADGZWP6y8wb7aVwV6PT8KkfZY2K9gxSULQ/s1600/rock+pile" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjwg8fjMkMT_wWLvHr52O6ugCzAJ8Wlm8O-gHEHJOJw0tsAJVl4Opw1DqWUAPsOqzKdas8S0DRLvsEYVu5az4afeiDz-WlnGWOp0SIOubMADGZWP6y8wb7aVwV6PT8KkfZY2K9gxSULQ/s1600/rock+pile" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjwg8fjMkMT_wWLvHr52O6ugCzAJ8Wlm8O-gHEHJOJw0tsAJVl4Opw1DqWUAPsOqzKdas8S0DRLvsEYVu5az4afeiDz-WlnGWOp0SIOubMADGZWP6y8wb7aVwV6PT8KkfZY2K9gxSULQ/s640/rock+pile" width="480" /></a> <br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>El arbol pino</i>, the pine tree is the national tree of Honduras.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKqy9KWZytsZqCCQt142O44zpNv1J1ebe_wfdojF12LVsCKJ8CFxyoDAcC88NTKGntZZV2eDAzQhuJZi2JDFmeEJ_ZM7DWSlu2tEyXMhO1cPvdp1zFsPRFCiNOHm38AglU889IsrqfTk/s1600/national" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKqy9KWZytsZqCCQt142O44zpNv1J1ebe_wfdojF12LVsCKJ8CFxyoDAcC88NTKGntZZV2eDAzQhuJZi2JDFmeEJ_ZM7DWSlu2tEyXMhO1cPvdp1zFsPRFCiNOHm38AglU889IsrqfTk/s640/national" width="640" /></a></div>Not sure what this cement basin is for (extra water? washing coffee beans?), but we scaled the walls and played games in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1irO7a25oxQBG_RcMegm7340A3PtpMTJ-gAsWh51krIsJaNLO1Vkmsg3s8OA3MTY_OJ3zOIjyIWGkkE7epFAOfDDN4QQFhmGi81tPQw-p535GmAfIANckDhRCUWueHHTilz2OdWuaU/s1600/jump+basin" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth1irO7a25oxQBG_RcMegm7340A3PtpMTJ-gAsWh51krIsJaNLO1Vkmsg3s8OA3MTY_OJ3zOIjyIWGkkE7epFAOfDDN4QQFhmGi81tPQw-p535GmAfIANckDhRCUWueHHTilz2OdWuaU/s640/jump+basin" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWC9AmJd-fxF72cr4zwpoF2_2saha7h_TEXi0lI2D5huHko8WtDgT3zVADog5Gy753uwjGtUFEPWJbKLLJ84CRyuqy8oapkUvRZ3hKrIdFWFF_J8iEFJZqhU_BU9dKa-iFUwxdA-BLJA/s1600/jump+basin+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2OzQMVTSx7Yszr59UWe5SEBK_XEPjRxiTUy4inLyc7XQYr0zKc5ZKRhb87NmnDYI2rdQZ-57MUGHchkvuk1dHfWpucIuGqaR_hlc9bWglYOyKoByNc8l0BYwSPAI1DSHtdW64oGvA3A/s1600/shooter" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>This is a stick-up.<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2OzQMVTSx7Yszr59UWe5SEBK_XEPjRxiTUy4inLyc7XQYr0zKc5ZKRhb87NmnDYI2rdQZ-57MUGHchkvuk1dHfWpucIuGqaR_hlc9bWglYOyKoByNc8l0BYwSPAI1DSHtdW64oGvA3A/s640/shooter" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWC9AmJd-fxF72cr4zwpoF2_2saha7h_TEXi0lI2D5huHko8WtDgT3zVADog5Gy753uwjGtUFEPWJbKLLJ84CRyuqy8oapkUvRZ3hKrIdFWFF_J8iEFJZqhU_BU9dKa-iFUwxdA-BLJA/s1600/jump+basin+2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWC9AmJd-fxF72cr4zwpoF2_2saha7h_TEXi0lI2D5huHko8WtDgT3zVADog5Gy753uwjGtUFEPWJbKLLJ84CRyuqy8oapkUvRZ3hKrIdFWFF_J8iEFJZqhU_BU9dKa-iFUwxdA-BLJA/s640/jump+basin+2" width="480" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnwfQHoMbu5LWeaN22ry5wcza7VDAhp0Dc9ZALcT3a0sp5OxpXgoiBx6cGhvj4RMrPuTm3YDU8aRJ2-LPqOSmaMKPv_mzyRwyG_V6UP60zyqZApTEqe-8GBd-E9qbfvAkSMB7xjETtQc/s1600/stable" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnwfQHoMbu5LWeaN22ry5wcza7VDAhp0Dc9ZALcT3a0sp5OxpXgoiBx6cGhvj4RMrPuTm3YDU8aRJ2-LPqOSmaMKPv_mzyRwyG_V6UP60zyqZApTEqe-8GBd-E9qbfvAkSMB7xjETtQc/s640/stable" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Sra. Salinas (right) cooked up a mean feast: <i>chorizo </i>(a spicy sausage), <i>pollo</i> (chicken), <i>carne </i>(red meat), <i>frijoles </i>(beans), <i>chismol </i>(homemade salsa), <i>queso semi-seco </i>(semi-dry cheese - white, crumbly block cheese), homemade tortillas, <i>arroz </i>(rice), fresh fruit, fresh cilantro, etc. She's supermom.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZywiTC72qQBq0NZJ13KVWmIvaqros3ntVy9SyFEfIWwzcSLGpxsPS_zyL8q9UAqm-lib4ECSRIH5MFmXXK3ylXd5eFBVHmmtJDr1JaW_zAfrf-Zu9EzKvDfNu0dqU6uS-Q3vh9aZcgy8/s1600/La+granja+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZywiTC72qQBq0NZJ13KVWmIvaqros3ntVy9SyFEfIWwzcSLGpxsPS_zyL8q9UAqm-lib4ECSRIH5MFmXXK3ylXd5eFBVHmmtJDr1JaW_zAfrf-Zu9EzKvDfNu0dqU6uS-Q3vh9aZcgy8/s640/La+granja+125.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHBeH6Colg8tLMgMC3k3sP0kLGZKZWb6QdYIUEGB_gHbr3i4CaxQJpe8R14op6hjeq4cGg_3LyXLRvDsehuFZ5CgYtKSCTJi7VMW2ehBW75RubPtjp8c70qZfpNqX8w3KCiCyJ-jZbmM/s1600/DSCN1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHBeH6Colg8tLMgMC3k3sP0kLGZKZWb6QdYIUEGB_gHbr3i4CaxQJpe8R14op6hjeq4cGg_3LyXLRvDsehuFZ5CgYtKSCTJi7VMW2ehBW75RubPtjp8c70qZfpNqX8w3KCiCyJ-jZbmM/s640/DSCN1097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2YfYW-2_mDo_h-FYniMOMYla-qrSdq-xmeM78IIl_8HjU54r1iCLWlCgKa_taSQWXyk-H2seia13vjbbtAURTe5Mr4SaWBzRTFeQ-wynMfxpewwvbs8QTjhML5M9yCxIJd9JN1MibsA/s1600/DSCN1131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2YfYW-2_mDo_h-FYniMOMYla-qrSdq-xmeM78IIl_8HjU54r1iCLWlCgKa_taSQWXyk-H2seia13vjbbtAURTe5Mr4SaWBzRTFeQ-wynMfxpewwvbs8QTjhML5M9yCxIJd9JN1MibsA/s640/DSCN1131.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>In exchange for a short stroll, we visited the <i>laguna </i>(lagoon). The boys love it! From what I understand, there's tilapia in the lagoon that the Salinas family frequently catches and fries. (Juan Angelo and Alisandro).<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKQ6JInYXD_SREcwL3u3wy8a5cvXr8tjz0nvs61ZwMLFAwTG3w_z4mmDnmRLjfJvtxNn8V2-5Wd06LrNHIl9L9eHr4I3hxFoyVABgMUNTI8yM2a-PKKSdJuHk5tnuJKuwbsycKw_sZNI/s1600/DSCN1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKQ6JInYXD_SREcwL3u3wy8a5cvXr8tjz0nvs61ZwMLFAwTG3w_z4mmDnmRLjfJvtxNn8V2-5Wd06LrNHIl9L9eHr4I3hxFoyVABgMUNTI8yM2a-PKKSdJuHk5tnuJKuwbsycKw_sZNI/s640/DSCN1106.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
Standing by the lake. Friends.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4eccVVU8oeOXsLp_oLbTsXI_Qd2WXfROAd5j5rpnFT9T4iZ2HjXtjtqFLSXYV12JbX_drr9tDHQLO9muAhzyj6pcheuCRWoLV92X-yIeCW2_P47hCAGvHL9yZYnZD2-xMQ7QW0LFO3Y/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4eccVVU8oeOXsLp_oLbTsXI_Qd2WXfROAd5j5rpnFT9T4iZ2HjXtjtqFLSXYV12JbX_drr9tDHQLO9muAhzyj6pcheuCRWoLV92X-yIeCW2_P47hCAGvHL9yZYnZD2-xMQ7QW0LFO3Y/s640/DSCN1108.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The elusive turtle. This is one of maybe fifteen pictures I took, trying to catch this guy at the surface.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn05AoXuzEINav_mBl23CbUl9isc1JO0hnVwX_QzF8qBeDYD47QMo94BLdIs1QHEtwMyU6p55ZU0KZUgvgQKbSfXrBkaD1pGKJz6DpG3hZRQuzsySYEUDE_4Ae_lZFenzS0mXRGy97JcQ/s1600/turtle" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn05AoXuzEINav_mBl23CbUl9isc1JO0hnVwX_QzF8qBeDYD47QMo94BLdIs1QHEtwMyU6p55ZU0KZUgvgQKbSfXrBkaD1pGKJz6DpG3hZRQuzsySYEUDE_4Ae_lZFenzS0mXRGy97JcQ/s640/turtle" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Fresh starfruit. Sra. Salinas gave me these, too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Js4U7QDLh66U4MGIGe8IaAXofl0Q-nNFZcKDZ4V-c7bgj7wQ-f0jzQcwOzJp7Xh-KV_UUlKW5DmC440CFbBQDZ98oF99DgQzONpBJ54FdgKahbCnlcihm9DA7bsZauismaUrUb_Nusc/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Js4U7QDLh66U4MGIGe8IaAXofl0Q-nNFZcKDZ4V-c7bgj7wQ-f0jzQcwOzJp7Xh-KV_UUlKW5DmC440CFbBQDZ98oF99DgQzONpBJ54FdgKahbCnlcihm9DA7bsZauismaUrUb_Nusc/s640/DSCN1157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>This is where the coffee fruit/beans are washed. The water enters the basins through the two pipes at the top and exits at the other end of the basins.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1Roh9XEOS01xjr1Mg_AMLPF0VnOq2DuQ9kgF7uxYdGBYKqNyBdnmE88jDThjDG6Qn4a_rkiDbeJgOEhh-z6zlyK0ahWKJpl2uYsNEk0oS2EltBNSCeWzZRCyHuknHk7QGt3uwkxYcOY/s1600/La+granja+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1Roh9XEOS01xjr1Mg_AMLPF0VnOq2DuQ9kgF7uxYdGBYKqNyBdnmE88jDThjDG6Qn4a_rkiDbeJgOEhh-z6zlyK0ahWKJpl2uYsNEk0oS2EltBNSCeWzZRCyHuknHk7QGt3uwkxYcOY/s640/La+granja+003.JPG" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
The beans end up in the bottom basin, drying.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmr8SvCkkP5goq5DWfusBDo2YT1TNy-wHcqb6ypDiqRga-qyZvfkxbcl6yUiQlgYjuR72ebQzpKTR1WdYve7PYuZ6_BGq1c9J-nFEYTZfJuHKlU14I3m5KmM6FCkB7AMP8afBu3Xxyxk/s1600/La+granja+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmr8SvCkkP5goq5DWfusBDo2YT1TNy-wHcqb6ypDiqRga-qyZvfkxbcl6yUiQlgYjuR72ebQzpKTR1WdYve7PYuZ6_BGq1c9J-nFEYTZfJuHKlU14I3m5KmM6FCkB7AMP8afBu3Xxyxk/s640/La+granja+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A view of the valley and the fields harvested by the agricultural school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1n6fueYV6lUcYdpdEhsHfPLJ0jfh5Wbr3putJakiYO1jmigCsep8nU9KbDazbYZAy7DanmoSQhQirv1C2ThUFpR0nqDESRRiPNLnzZidz8QmNTTkp3T3bVYRN-0vdYLVV_0agbXcvJk/s1600/the+valley" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1n6fueYV6lUcYdpdEhsHfPLJ0jfh5Wbr3putJakiYO1jmigCsep8nU9KbDazbYZAy7DanmoSQhQirv1C2ThUFpR0nqDESRRiPNLnzZidz8QmNTTkp3T3bVYRN-0vdYLVV_0agbXcvJk/s640/the+valley" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gabbi and the boys just chilling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqxaTi4d4mySeRfRANsC-dPT7za6xytVhOdlZ_bwyRB-1LRjq8cpIP3Cg3sRjbv0OhvjUsPatLyGSII0_bTndg3zq-blCDQ8_mD0J3mRkPKSeDL6RBTzGtzxrl0Juyqo9CPIxoHnMhwI/s1600/La+granja+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqxaTi4d4mySeRfRANsC-dPT7za6xytVhOdlZ_bwyRB-1LRjq8cpIP3Cg3sRjbv0OhvjUsPatLyGSII0_bTndg3zq-blCDQ8_mD0J3mRkPKSeDL6RBTzGtzxrl0Juyqo9CPIxoHnMhwI/s640/La+granja+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Mario picked flowers for Gabbi's hair.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9qQGLDwCnvxy4076mr2A1kpZ3hUu0CGZOUBf5SfMcjj-Vld6VYrq8fO8sCgpYdIHhuiPETZZD0KmlfzmQec-sfnro7SBfUbPWF0jOMbcgRzAMRdAqVx3JrOpOmg7Nch_hyXjztuEcPE/s1600/hair" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9qQGLDwCnvxy4076mr2A1kpZ3hUu0CGZOUBf5SfMcjj-Vld6VYrq8fO8sCgpYdIHhuiPETZZD0KmlfzmQec-sfnro7SBfUbPWF0jOMbcgRzAMRdAqVx3JrOpOmg7Nch_hyXjztuEcPE/s640/hair" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A nest? Looks like one of those decorative twig-balls people put in fancy bowls nowadays. Who needs Crate and Barrel? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63L6ja-npMHY5bL1oIFcrhRGrDQc7gH5zqmfvigsOP7Kjbkh0dVc84KJsPtwmQd2TesEn3nNBQjYKKsdf6ENKPBQE_UfmeJIHqVzMt2fy0rPMTMjMCjCVIPeyZvBm7De3ht_X8UfYbow/s1600/nest" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63L6ja-npMHY5bL1oIFcrhRGrDQc7gH5zqmfvigsOP7Kjbkh0dVc84KJsPtwmQd2TesEn3nNBQjYKKsdf6ENKPBQE_UfmeJIHqVzMt2fy0rPMTMjMCjCVIPeyZvBm7De3ht_X8UfYbow/s640/nest" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pine cones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPudTHM1GKNqlpXI_YRP4CFz8FjCdzndV86_ok88XYlzAoaSyXZjJyfvIzKUyixPdoFLAJEaUyhXQhgmOjdfSebT1kjc94YxleEDp-vwQVnZ9RelP18NWKuHW_KYHXHjmK2B0Dk2jmTf0/s1600/cones" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPudTHM1GKNqlpXI_YRP4CFz8FjCdzndV86_ok88XYlzAoaSyXZjJyfvIzKUyixPdoFLAJEaUyhXQhgmOjdfSebT1kjc94YxleEDp-vwQVnZ9RelP18NWKuHW_KYHXHjmK2B0Dk2jmTf0/s640/cones" width="480" /></a> </div><br />
A picture of what Sra. Salinas jokingly calls the <i>bodega </i>(grocery store). She gave me about ten of those little bananas to take home; they'll ripen in about ten days.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPFXZhqhhktuDvO21HmctXwmmtJRGmGQ5BZ3r_g-f1BGAkux8JXWBrSx7wqVuodSbf63ptH4LB7Ktd-qoY3xTsUuBqKvDC9ARyjb1t6JWpvxn0bnEo0ppQsLavB9Ph9zIULoeODwzSUg/s1600/door+veggies" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPFXZhqhhktuDvO21HmctXwmmtJRGmGQ5BZ3r_g-f1BGAkux8JXWBrSx7wqVuodSbf63ptH4LB7Ktd-qoY3xTsUuBqKvDC9ARyjb1t6JWpvxn0bnEo0ppQsLavB9Ph9zIULoeODwzSUg/s640/door+veggies" width="480" /></a> <br />
<br />
Here's a video of the us throwing food to the fish. One of the boys shouts, "Tortuga! (Turtle!)" and this causes quite the commotion.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyU-MO3dgUyAUTmrtkW2X_oDPHxTxxsWGgREsS_6ypCU8-TVSodQW0UJLyEyqrQzZ5hVr-JvX-OF4bb9H8b3g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">As you might have guessed, the Salinas family is extremely generous. After the trip to the <i>granja, </i>I have enough fresh fruit and vegetables to open a <i>bodega </i>of my own. Since Gabbi was going to leave the next day, she didn't take home any produce. However, on the way back to Tegus, Sra. Salinas insisted on making a special stop to show us around the Zamorano store with all the products grown and made by the school. There, Sra. Salinas bought Gabbi so many Honduran treats, kindly insisting that they are <i>para su madre </i>(for her mother), that both Gabbi and I were overwhelmed her kindness, by how someone we've known only a few weeks (and me only a two days) could give us so much. The Salinas' constantly reiterated that we are always welcome on the farm and in their house in the city.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'm so grateful that the Salinas family allowed me to enjoy the <i>granja </i>with them. When I think of Honduran families, and especially Honduran mothers, I think of the Salinas family and of Sra. Salinas; of their generosity and the pride they take in their family and their work. I think of my full stomach, the tea, the <i>yuca, </i>and the bananas I will enjoy in about a week or so. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Utila pictures soon!</div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-46643305334845000082011-12-05T10:56:00.000-08:002011-12-05T13:39:14.309-08:00UtilaI am currently writing from the computer at the Mango Inn in Utila, one of the Bay Islands off the northern coast of Honduras. There are three Bay Islands, Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja. Roatan is the most popular and the most expensive. I arrived at the ferry dock yesterday around 2:30p after a long seven hour bus ride from Tegucigalpa. <br />
<br />
Not going to lie, this trip marks the first solo voyage I have undertaken. During the past few weeks, it's been difficult to tell the difference between nerves and excitement. Luckily, the trip did not require a lot of bus-switching, maps, or complicated navigating. Yesterday, at around 5:30am I called a taxi to take me to the bus station around 5:30am. I then took the bus all the way to La ceiba (right on the north coast). From there, I took a taxi to the ferry with some nice Danish people I met. Finally, I rode the ferry to Utila, and hurray! I reached my destination.<br />
<br />
Utila itself is less tourist-oriented than Roatan and more affordable. As my fellow North Americans in Tegus called it, Utila is very "chill." Locals live and hang out here. I find that I am able to strike up a conversation pretty easily so there doesn't seem to exist much resentment towards foreigners. I do get all manner of cat-calls; one <em>muchacho </em>naturally took it upon himself to simply meow at me. The buildings are colorful, clever, and makeshift all at the same time. No one cares what you wear. As far as cuisine goes, there are countless cheap, quaint diners with names like "Munchie's" and "Bambino's," and numerous bed-and-breakfast places, too. The menu includes fried chicken, typical food, milkshakes, burgers, and here at the Mango Inn, stone-oven pizza and calamari rings. <br />
<br />
When I got to the ferry dock, I was somewhat wide-eyed. I parted ways with the Danish people and then I was alone. What do I do? Sit and wait, obviously. But should I change clothes? Should I buy food? Should I save my money? When you travel alone there are many, many options and only one person to make the call. As it turns out, I had my third mini-scare of the morning when I tried the ATM to pay in cash for my ferry ticket and it wouldn't take my card. The first scare happened when the taxi driver took me to the wrong bus station in a very shady part of town. Luckily, Julienne had described the correct station to me and I told the driver that this was definitely not it. The second occured when I arrived at the correct bus station and read a sign which said that the bus company required the use of a passport. I panicked because, of course, I didn't bring my passport (being in Honduras already). The ticket-seller called a few numbers for me and said I would be fine. Back at the ferry, I discovered a second <em>cajero </em>(ATM) and I was able to purchase my ticket without any more trouble. <br />
<br />
While waiting to board the boat, I met a couple of Englishmen with serious cockney accents on their way to Utila. They had been traveling for few months in California, Nevada, Mexico and Guatemala, Utila is the last stop for them. While in Guatemala, they met up with Ilona and Caroline (from Switzerland and Belgium, respectively) and the group has been traveling together since. The guys knew some friends at the Mango Inn so we all stayed the night in the bunk-style lodging, the girls in one room and the boys in the other. For dinner, we enjoyed our vegetarian and apple/blue cheese pizzas in the open cafe. I have enjoyed getting to know these fellow travelers immensely. I am especially eager to hear backpacking stories. For example, the guys attended Burning Man (a crazy-loco arts festival in the Nevada desert) for a week, but the 1970's camper they purchased for the festival is still parked at a friend's house in San Francisco. Iona and Caroline are just fresh out of secondary school (maybe 20 years old?) and yet they began traveling as lone women in Central America. All of them carry huge backpacks twice the size of mine. James explained to me that he has also explored southern Asia and India in this same way. He actually completed his diving certification in Thailand, so he will continue on with an advanced certification here in Utila. <br />
<br />
Hopfully, the rest of the crew will do their basic certification with me this week so I will know some people in the class. If not, I suppose I can meet up more people along the way. <br />
<br />
Pictures next week!Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-23946328146873449502011-11-23T09:08:00.000-08:002011-11-23T11:12:44.625-08:00Teach it, sister.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I cannot boast any concrete teaching experience, I am lucky to work as a substitute teacher, especially at an international school in Honduras. Since arriving here, I have taught Kindergarten, sixth grade, seventh-grade English, and high school Bible classes (no giggles, please). Every time I subbed for a class, the teacher expressed immense gratitude, not because I am so talented, but mostly because subbing usually involves finding 5-7 different teachers to take various hours of each day. This requires exhaustive planning and transforms into a big hassle. Finding one person who can sub an entire week, or even a whole day, is dynamite.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As an amateur teacher, I am learning on the job. However, at International School Tegucigalpa, it's pretty normal for teachers to lack experience in the classroom upon arrival. Every year, IST recruits at specific private, Christian colleges in North America including Taylor University in Indiana, Calvin College in Michigan, and Judson University in Illinois among other colleges in California and Canada. Thus, many of the North American teachers are newly-graduated from university, green in life and unversed in teaching. IST also hosts numerous student teachers for a few months at a time. Not every new recruit to IST has a teaching degree, either. The ratio is maybe half-in-half, the non-certified teachers comprising the teachers who specialize in certain subjects (chemistry, biology, algebra, etc) and do not teach elementary skills such as writing and reading.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like schools in the States, bilingual schools in Honduras run from September to June. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A public Honduran school will begin the school year in February and end in November. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Besides IST, there are a number of bilingual schools in Tegucigalpa including Mayan School, American School of Tegucigalpa, England School, Discovery School, Hamilton School, and of course, Happy Land School, among others. Native Hondurans inform me that IST is among the best, if not the most prestigious, of the bilingual schools. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At International School Tegucigalpa, each teacher signs a contract; the school requires North Americans to stay for at least two years.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The school provides furnished housing, cable, internet, and bus transportation to and from school. Normally, only third-year teachers can request one of the school's personal vehicles. However, this year the school bestowed a Ford Escape upon the ladies of <i>Casa Amarilla </i>(yellow house) despite their second-year status. We pay for gas while the school pays for all repairs (at least those not accrued while crashing into other vehicles or inanimate objects). Health insurance is provided, as well as a land line phone to call the U.S. and a cell phone for each teacher. Like IST teachers, I buy minutes from Tigo (the cell phone company) to maintain enough <i>saldo </i>(balance) to make calls and send messages on the cheap phone I purchased myself. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week, Mr. G traveled to the States to recruit for IST in the Midwest. He asked me to teach his three sections of 7th-grade English for the week. I readily agreed because I'm looking to get experience in teaching numerous grade levels to see if I might like to pursue education as a career.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, Mr. G prepared some top-notch plans for me. I proctored quizzes, I enthusiastically taught a lesson about adjectives (even the positive, comparative, and superlative forms), I reviewed vocabulary, I reminded them of their assignments and assessments, and I made coffee for the other teachers (as Mr. G usually does). I did many teacher-ly activities.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Most of the time, however, I used the infamous Stink Eye, I yelled over noise, I started my collection of banned objects used while I talked (balls of playdough, personal notes, art projects, scissors, glue sticks, magazines, food, toys, etc), I repeated myself, I bestowed detentions, I ordered kids to the Recovery Chair and then to the hall and then to the principal's office, and doled out other strange and unusual punishments. One kid decided to eat a hot dog during class, condiments and all. Several of the students who asked to get materials from their lockers didn't return for 15 minutes. Two students received my wrath when I noticed the swastikas, or the "nasty signs" as they called them, drawn on their notebooks and hands. I caught numerous students talking and cheating on quizzes; I grabbed the papers without a word and wrote big, fat zeros in red pen with comments like, "Talking to neighbor" and "Passed note to Carlos O."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two kids cried on Friday. The first boy passed notes during the vocab quiz. He cried for most of the hour while his fellow classmates consoled him and directed dirty looks my way as if to say, "How could you do this, you witch?" The second crier spent lunch hour with me. Earlier in the day, when I asked the students to pass their quizzes forward, he had taken the quiz from the student behind him and quickly copied all of the answers. After I informed him that he was in more trouble than he realized, he leaned on my desk until his face stopped about six inches from mine. I watched the evolution, impressed by his showmanship, as his eyes turned a pitiful red and big, fat tears rolled down his face: "Please, mees," he pleaded, "do not do this." I had threatened to send an email to Mr. Atkinds, the vice principle charged with disciplining unruly middle-schoolers. Hiding my laugh in my hands, I attempted to end the melodrama with comments like, "Go on, Carlos" and "Ok, Carlos. Time to go," and finally, "Please leave, Carlos."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I must say, the situation got a little crazy and I got a lotta mean. Turns out, sub-time is go-nuts time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Lessons learned:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- You cannot make friends with your students. Most teachers go with the motto, <i>No smiling until Christmas</i>. Discipline first, even if it means your students look at you like they want to punch you in the larynx.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Follow-through (the double-edged sword). One teacher recently told me that her students never enter the classroom quietly as she has instructed them to do. One day, she became so frustrated, she threatened to make them exit and enter the classroom correctly ten times in a row. Of course, she was forced to go ahead with this plan, despite the time consumption and the confused looks from the other staff members.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Fake it till you make it. Even if you have to make your students exit/enter the classroom 10 times, you should pretend like everything is going as planned. <i>Yes, Carlos Enrique, I MEANT for this activity to fail miserably. In fact, I knew you were going to eat that hot dog in class just now. S</i>tudents smell timidity, hesitation, and indecision.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Do not believe students when they insist that the teacher normally allows them to eat in the classroom or gives them "free time." I subbed an hour of sixth-grade last week and when the middle school bell rang, about 70% of the class insisted that this marked the beginning of a daily "five-minute break." They behaved so convincingly that I conceded and announced that the "five-minute break" had started. Later, when I mentioned this to Esther (the actual teacher) she had no knowledge of this said "break." </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Do not ignore bad behavior. It never works. Address everything, unless it's crying. I ignore that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Shut down situations completely and right away. For example, one student (who is typically a nuisance) complained last week, "Mees, my cheek is swollen. I need to go to the school's doctor." Uh huh. I assume she hoped to wander the halls and to "bb," or Blackberry, her friends. I admit that the excuse proved clever as anyone would hesitate to hinder treatment in the event of a health issue. However, I decided to answer her with, "If you can talk, it must not be that bad. You can go after class." When she complained about it later, I responded with, "You can either stay here and stop whining, or you can visit Mr. Atkins' office but you are not going to visit the doctor during my class." She didn't ask again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Learn names. No kid responds to, "You in the purple, why are you singing Justin Bieber songs right now?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- If you tell students to stop talking, they will begin to whistle, mumble, rustle, and make noise in any other way possible and in such a way as to make it impossible to track. Mostly, I deal with this by demanding, "Who is whistling? Who is it?" in an angry voice because . . .</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Students will rat each other out. Use this to your advantage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- If a student succeeds in punching you in the larynx, abandon ship.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To conclude, I want to share<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxgT4e9Z_lE"> </a>a YouTube which shows more of the school grounds and the classrooms at IST. Tashina, Paula's sister, makes an appearance as the teacher in the teal sweater. I attempted to embed the video directly in my blog but it didn't work, so please click on this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxgT4e9Z_lE">link</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There. Now you are aware that IST supports dark orchestral music, Yummies, Frutilicious things, Coca Cola, Oodles of Noodles, Vienna sausages, slow motion, gymnastics, men who stare, and walking backwards.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope everyone enjoys an ecstatic, delicious, food-filled Thanksgiving tomorrow! I will stay here in Tegus: reading, watching movies, and, I admit, venturing to the movie theater to see <i>The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn </i>(hopefully in English). Currently, I am in the process of planning solo trips to touristy places around Honduras like <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Roatán and the other Bay Islands. </span></span>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-74163812431792004042011-11-16T10:01:00.000-08:002011-11-16T10:01:25.437-08:00WaterworksThe other day I tried to wash the dishes, but when I turned on the faucet only a dribble of water responded. This is not the first time I'd noticed the inconsistent water pressure. I thought I'd imagined it but this time I asked my roommate, Sarah, what the deal was. She explained, "The water's almost out." <div><br />
</div><div>Uh. . . . what?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Apparently, the water system here involves having a <i>cisterna, </i>or cistern, which a house uses to store water. Our <i>cisterna </i>(pictured below) looks like a large concrete box and sits on top of our house. <div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5lE41pECuPamsiJ6O8asMAcHC66uwP1-gTfdWIDl5VDnNL7sI34oduk6vgcQfWfC-XLgkZ8ov7ar0YG_PrB38fvgI2rGUxFR89yViD8WG8jOPRwKXiEksTsPJDpcsAkfCi9Rurzr9vQ/s1600/Pila-Water+Storage+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5lE41pECuPamsiJ6O8asMAcHC66uwP1-gTfdWIDl5VDnNL7sI34oduk6vgcQfWfC-XLgkZ8ov7ar0YG_PrB38fvgI2rGUxFR89yViD8WG8jOPRwKXiEksTsPJDpcsAkfCi9Rurzr9vQ/s640/Pila-Water+Storage+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Someone (not sure who, but I'm guessing it's The Man or one of his Honduran affiliates) refills this tank when we are not looking. This struck me as odd because, technically, there's a possibility of simply running out of water. We don't know who refills it, so we could be stuck for days: shower-less, pasta-less, tea-less. There's a lot of trust built into this <i>cisterna </i>system<i>. </i></div><div><br />
</div><div>Likewise, it is also possible to run out of drinking water. Each household, not just the germ-a-phobic North Americans, uses plastic Bubbler tanks to store purified drinking water. When the water in the tank is gone, one has to run to the local <i>pulper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">í</span>a </i>(sort of like a convenient store/kiosk) and exchange the empty tank for a full one. However, if one doesn't have a car, the water usage can get tricky; it is not safe to walk around on the streets, even in the "suburbs" where I live. Plus, the <i>pulper<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">í</span>as </i>aren't open all night. So, there are times when one simply cannot access proper drinking water. At the Halloween party, for instance, Casa Gigante ran out of purified water and no one brought beverages. Literally, there was nothing to drink. </div><div><br />
</div><div>For this reason, most Honduran households drink a lot of Coke (instead of the dreaded Pepsi). Hondurans think it's strange to carry water all the time. Even the poorest of families do not cut Coca Cola out of their budget, but bring it home by the 3-liter. I assume that, before good water storage, most people developed a precedent for maintaining a supply of store-bought beverages. The idea of drinking Coke (rumored to completely dissolve rusty nails) like water is shocking to me, especially when I think of the health fuss soda has created in schools in recent years. The Honduran Coke fetish reminds me of Medieval families that (children included) used to drink beer constantly due to a lack of safe drinking water. In these moments, I realize that few people have the privilege of simply reaching for their Nalgene bottles whenever parched. While I am never truly in danger of complete water deprivation here in Tegucigalpa, it's scary how few steps one unwittingly takes to reach that point. </div><div style="text-align: center;">____________________________________________________________________________</div><div><br />
</div><div>On a quirky side-note, this is our <i>pila</i>:<i> </i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-UAIesJOyyLS_Sk6egEFY3Wkk03l1N9J4BbzYllQ6pz3dyrmJ-gd6xeGfxqPwJxMiBXcnOvsnv3kMdEZUvLvDuVENnsdWErSlbK_adRY2eO8c4FTfrGGuoJ2_kzqcBtZSkLS3jaVbgg/s1600/Pila-Water+Storage+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-UAIesJOyyLS_Sk6egEFY3Wkk03l1N9J4BbzYllQ6pz3dyrmJ-gd6xeGfxqPwJxMiBXcnOvsnv3kMdEZUvLvDuVENnsdWErSlbK_adRY2eO8c4FTfrGGuoJ2_kzqcBtZSkLS3jaVbgg/s640/Pila-Water+Storage+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div>Doesn't it look like one of those fancy/creepy baptismal pools? </div></div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7785871644475978041.post-90825071241329278252011-11-14T15:32:00.000-08:002011-11-14T15:39:05.087-08:00Fall Party<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apologies for the absence. Last week I developed a special relationship with a parasite and then with the toilet. Our painful affair lasted a week but the memories will live on forever. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With the holidays approaching, Hondurans are preparing themselves for celebration. In fact, I walked into school this morning after a week-long hiatus to find an elaborate nativity scene marking the entrance. Somehow, all the figurines appear to be Caucasian and Baby Jesus could be albino. IST is not the only early bird. In the city, restaurants and public buildings have garlanded themselves and placed wreaths everywhere. I forget that without Thanksgiving and, really, without anything to mark fall as a season, there's no holding back the Christmas cheer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Having said that, I want to share some photos from the "Fall Party" at the Yellow House this weekend. Many of the North Americans in Tegus, especially us Michiganians, miss autumn in the worst way. Here there are no pumpkin spice lattes, hay rides, pumpkin carvings, cider, cinnamon donuts, Halloween costumes, cornucopias, Thanksgiving turkeys, leaves falling, sweaters, scarves, etc. Thus, a Fall Party was in order. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In order to simulate autumn in the States, we carved a gigantic grapefruit and an apple. Here they grin at us, backs to the city. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3BUD6MH_Pgh0TXgt7UfGVDARGC2z-RA7fBoKtuIWY1KniYvIlytHmi68pi_axYqyWOAB6fxlcTuiKDRKhvlJWAD7l6-VRFL1mZ76FFsBQafrIRlaRkBeOSAsrLw23hsFAXt8KeGFPiI/s1600/Fall+fest+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3BUD6MH_Pgh0TXgt7UfGVDARGC2z-RA7fBoKtuIWY1KniYvIlytHmi68pi_axYqyWOAB6fxlcTuiKDRKhvlJWAD7l6-VRFL1mZ76FFsBQafrIRlaRkBeOSAsrLw23hsFAXt8KeGFPiI/s640/Fall+fest+005.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Julienne, Sarah, and Jen decorated the balcony. Julienne strung authentic Midwestern leaves, sent to her straight from Michigan by her wonderful boyfriend, Jon. Perched in the corner are the brooms Sarah and I bought in Manzaragua. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhn7QnbUMrgi9oZFK6NtfS2tunBkmlbhI3bwGJYHiKa3PcLW7-u4pM_4R5CaWLI9K2Lynk-0n6wQ7X8pOnPItcF0JSuUqsSzmLyrs_HF-0pAxwH7DLf3H7mUuhK5biBEd3YJm46YPK6A/s1600/Fall+fest+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhn7QnbUMrgi9oZFK6NtfS2tunBkmlbhI3bwGJYHiKa3PcLW7-u4pM_4R5CaWLI9K2Lynk-0n6wQ7X8pOnPItcF0JSuUqsSzmLyrs_HF-0pAxwH7DLf3H7mUuhK5biBEd3YJm46YPK6A/s640/Fall+fest+009.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sEXEU3UuIxioJpwYx8Y0A59ny4zkqCivQynVi3c1Cs-3ko3l3OSIk7ft4abndGeSeJmxfsx7Y8yxBROBls7Z3gtL8ZtOugMVpUHedex_n59eEtCCcEDJHVbOo5VhMOekVRHDrsoVgLA/s1600/Fall+fest+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sEXEU3UuIxioJpwYx8Y0A59ny4zkqCivQynVi3c1Cs-3ko3l3OSIk7ft4abndGeSeJmxfsx7Y8yxBROBls7Z3gtL8ZtOugMVpUHedex_n59eEtCCcEDJHVbOo5VhMOekVRHDrsoVgLA/s640/Fall+fest+008.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Sarah made apple cider, complete with orange slices and sticks of cinnamon. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqAAP16luhQuwvMjoV_ey1-cJkuOyNORiKQSoFZC96FB_GWuWEFZZXFOFSuY77U_hrFMJJc_i65qMp-PDfSNsAn1SkaM2biT0G5Ck2hrQ9qq_JBNnOsDyk8qyO0XeIWPFau5TlEiGiyo/s1600/Fall+fest+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqAAP16luhQuwvMjoV_ey1-cJkuOyNORiKQSoFZC96FB_GWuWEFZZXFOFSuY77U_hrFMJJc_i65qMp-PDfSNsAn1SkaM2biT0G5Ck2hrQ9qq_JBNnOsDyk8qyO0XeIWPFau5TlEiGiyo/s640/Fall+fest+010.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jen hollowed out apples and we melted caramel for dipping. Other deserts included chocolate-covered peanut butter rice crispy treats, pumpkin pie cake, apple crisp, iced pumpkin cookies, apple cinnamon </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">empanadas </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">with caramel dipping sauce, etc. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjoH854u2KHP-sFwWEpdPef-PjGvWtMLhf43DlwAkH_d9ePVerE-PpHQykryUNQDiEn9S9Kzg_nij18b3xVF501qrpaBZv5o_mFsC9IEfu4hvwH44dg39CG6ZyO0uviFcjapJ1mzwjUc/s1600/Fall+fest+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjoH854u2KHP-sFwWEpdPef-PjGvWtMLhf43DlwAkH_d9ePVerE-PpHQykryUNQDiEn9S9Kzg_nij18b3xVF501qrpaBZv5o_mFsC9IEfu4hvwH44dg39CG6ZyO0uviFcjapJ1mzwjUc/s640/Fall+fest+012.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jen swinging on the hammock.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8Y60miRgoSHxhLaZNM-rdbAdeOJ-5FxG5qNcjgADSFpcb17XihZ_4rtgy8ZDVascvHgeB6s_MmGDQcHH9MlV07ofUHqaFluho_I7Tdj_J3fYoQXe0EfRDDilVsgNoiQF80lyFH8v0MU/s1600/Fall+fest+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8Y60miRgoSHxhLaZNM-rdbAdeOJ-5FxG5qNcjgADSFpcb17XihZ_4rtgy8ZDVascvHgeB6s_MmGDQcHH9MlV07ofUHqaFluho_I7Tdj_J3fYoQXe0EfRDDilVsgNoiQF80lyFH8v0MU/s640/Fall+fest+013.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Livin' it up. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOrhbRhDMFLdh0vqb-kfSrWj4y61rpVKSF9BQf8-P4UdoLzKtfaKC6fkxaEshrW57KWp1yu5jipSI7D2g6QLNSMR_4_qAylCJyM7XsLz1l614AQKj7ytzFuoIkwRBc2x50aDBbviphuY/s1600/Fall+fest+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOrhbRhDMFLdh0vqb-kfSrWj4y61rpVKSF9BQf8-P4UdoLzKtfaKC6fkxaEshrW57KWp1yu5jipSI7D2g6QLNSMR_4_qAylCJyM7XsLz1l614AQKj7ytzFuoIkwRBc2x50aDBbviphuY/s640/Fall+fest+016.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hope everyone started the week well. I am once again subbing for Mr. Goasdone's 7th grade English class. Today, all of my students were obnoxiously out of control. In one class, I threatened to pass out the quiz on adjectives immediately because I insisted that their chatting led me to believe that they already knew the material. I then gave them a worksheet and called it a quiz. In response, they talked amongst themselves. Gah. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Julie</span></div>Travails and Travels!http://www.blogger.com/profile/12908084867798000204noreply@blogger.com0