hn7

ok, so its the first time ive had access in two weeks, and its only gonna get worse from here on out. ive been writing less as well, mostly because of the monotony of training and life here in la cuesta. not that i dont like it, just there isnt much to write about. but i´m happy nevertheless. training is almost done here, and then we´ll be in teguz for two weeks prior to shipping out to our permanent sites. im really excited. real work is about to begin, and all the awesome things that come with it. self direction, lack of authority figures, own schedule, etc etc. anyway, enough about that. ill write more about those things once they actually happen. for now, ill be posting the entries i wrote in the past two weeks, reflections, accounts of what has been going on. i would love to post pictures sometime soon, but the internet here is so slow, im not sure when ill be able to actually do that. maybe when we get to teguz. anyway, enjoy.

p.s. the second one is a little politically sensitive, so i would like to make this disclaimer, now, as well as again before the entry. my opinion is personal, and is not at all representative of the peace corps or us govt.

part 1
btw, prior to publishing this i should say that my views do not represent the views of Peace Corps, nor of the government of the united states of america. so here it goes.

i thought i might change the pace a bit, and instead of writing directly about my experiences and adventures, i may instead discuss some feelings i have been having. revelations you may say. now im not gonna get all nostalgic on you guys, no im not dying from the absense of my friends and family, although i do miss you all greatly. no, the truth is, i have been thinking a lot about the cultural differences between the states and here, and I think its about time to expound some knowledge on you people. alright, where should i start. first and foremost, honduras is a country that is still recovering from an epoch of colonial rule, in fact, so much of the current problems stem from what was done in the past three centuries. however, worst of all, to this day, the curses of upper class rule affect every aspect of society. now, some of you may say, shit, here comes the communist dribble. but no, i wont go there. in fact, i will remain apolitical, and will only say the following. when a select few are in charge of the financial situation in a nation, and all they care about is new cars and houses, while the remainder of the population, the majority, suffers, well thats a problem. a rather large and significant problem. and to be honest, this happens everywhere. in russia, in the states, and in central america. no matter what name the government goes under, the mismanagement of funds, aid, and resources places a heavy weight on the shoulders of the population. but you may ask, dimochka, how does this manifest itself so that you may express such strong feelings? well ill tell you. when the mayor of a small town drives a brand new car, lives in a mansion, and the only paved road in town leads to his house...thats a problem. when the government receives aid funding every year, but the municipalities and small communities havent seen anything since 06...thats a problem. when people live in cardboard houses with 8 children, and enough food for 4, all because of the lack of infrastructure, education, and local assistance...thats a problem. when people think that the swine flu is more dangerous than HIV...that's a problem. when students in 6th grade can't read, can't multiply, and don't care...that's a problem. when school is closed more days than it is open...that's a problem. what else, well there are a bunch of problems. the country is struggling. as the poorest nation in central america, honduras is hanging on by a thread. thousands are unemployed, maybe millions. the political system is faulty, with corruption at every level of power, regardless of affiliation. and worst of all, the common person seems comfortable where they are. sure they may complain, talk about it with their neighbors, but little is done to create any true change. and that's also normal. the same happens everywhere. and i'm not suggesting revolution by any means, i just feel that through reform, gradual, but progressive, reform, the people here can obtain a standard of living, and amenities, which haven't yet been seen by the majority of this nation. however, after all the negative is said and done, there are certain things which appeal to me. in fact, draw me to this lifestyle. first and foremost, its simple. people work, eat, sleep, watch telenovellas, play soccer, and talk with friends and family. that's mostly it. periodically someone will go somewhere, see something new, go swimming in the river, go to the nearby larger town, but by and large, life is, well, simple. little stress, and even less hassle. the food is simple, but amazing. beans, tortilla, chicken, pork, beef, avocado, vegetables, fruit, oh man the fruit, fresco, topoillos, choco bananos, baleadas, catrachas, tacos (different than mexican), empanadas, fried plantains, everything. its all delicious. and nutritious. but its not complicated, or expensive. and nothing is packaged, or processed. its all fresh. sure people eat chips and drink soda, but in comparison to the states, its nothing. to be honest, too many people can't afford that stuff. and the coffee. of man, the coffee. they drink it all day long, sweet, and black, and delicious. and that's cheap too, even organic. as for the rest of the day, yeah, a lot of time is spent in front of the TV, which dissappoints, but frequently its on mute, and people are talking about things they see, constantly in a state of discussion. its a shame that they don't read more, but that's not their fault, its the lack of education, and the idea that is solidified in the school systems that reading is only for studying. i guess, i'm writing all of this because it makes me realize how happy i am that i have chosen to be a volunteer here. i'll be able to change something. maybe something small, insignificant in the scope of the nation, but regardless, something nevertheless. maybe after i leave, there will be people somewhere here in honduras that will perceive the world differently. that will want to do things another way. a better way. a more concientious, environmentally sound, responsible, way. hell, they may even want to read some novels, instead of watching them.

p.s. now that i have read what i wrote a week ago, it seems a bit cliche. but ill publish it anyway, mostly because it was how i felt then, and why i wrote it. hopefully you guys have appreciated it. if not, ill get rid of it, save it somewhere else.