I've finally started to prepare for "the move". My spring semester ended, I took a week off from doing anything I
didn't feel like doing, finished all three Hunger Games books and now I'm
finally doing all the things I need to do to get ready for my move to
Honduras. I won't bore you, or myself, with the list (it's quite extensive),
but lets just say it includes everything from stocking up on toothpaste to
purging the entire house of things we no longer use and getting them garage
sale ready. Good news, if you’ve ever found yourself coveting any of our
things nows your chance. We will be having a garage sale June 1-3. Feel free to stop by and grab that tie-dye wall hanging you've always wanted.
I’ve been in contact with some of the other teachers I will be working
with in Honduras about safety, clothing needs and cell phones so I’ll share
some of that with you now. Many of you
may or may not know there is a bit of a crime/murder problem in Honduras at the
moment. I was well aware of this when I was hired and spoke to the people who
hired me a great deal about it, but just to make sure things hadn’t gotten any
worse (I don’t make a habit of believing what I read in the news) I decided to ask one of the
other teachers about her experience. Below is what she wrote:
“Oh safety. It is
most definitely something to think about for sure. This place can be dangerous
if you aren't being smart. I tend to not go out very often once the sun goes
down. It can feel quite claustrophobic at times! But really other then that I
have not experienced anything too scary and I hope that it continues. You will
get the horror stories for sure. A drive by shooting at the mall, someone's
house got robbed, someone's cousin’s guard got shot and died, someone got
mugged, but that probably happens in downtown KC all the time! Honestly it's
all the drugs, that is where it's bad and as long as you stay away from that,
don't go to sketch places at night and be smart you'll be just fine. Our
current English department head who is leaving has been here for five years and
has never had a problem”.
One of my other concerns is staying comfortable in the heat and extreme
humidity. See weather
in Honduras. (If anyone has any tips please leave a comment). I’ve been
told cotton is the choice fabric and I need to invest in capris, skirts and
sandals. I tried shopping in my
own closet but it looks like trips to Target, Forever 21 and H&M are in my
future. I’ve never been one to stock up on summer styles. The little shopping
trip to my closet ended up taking all afternoon, as I had to sort all my shoes
and clothes into garage sale, keep for trips to US in winter and take to
Honduras piles. It’s weird that I will need to keep a completely different
wardrobe here for when I’m home for the winter holiday and that the wardrobe
fits into one plastic bin.
I was also a little confused about the phone situation but think I’ve
gotten that somewhat figured out. The school will provide me with a cell phone
from which I will be able to make local calls. I’ll use Skype and Magic Jack
for calls to the United States. If anyone can explain Magic Jack to me please
leave a comment! I don’t understand how people can call you. It seems
complicated but it is free so I need to learn and once I do I will pass that knowledge
on to you.
Other quick updates:
- I leave July 28th
- My going away party will be July 21st – This will be our last opportunity to see each other. The week before I leave is for AP training and Martin.
- My going away party is also my graduation party. My mom wanted to make it my 30th birthday party too but I thought that would be too much and my birthday isn’t until September 23.
- I’m not working this summer but will be plenty busy preparing to move, finishing three graduate courses and AP training – Call me if you want to go to the pool.
- I will be home for the winter holidays and during the summers so if you’re going to get married or have a baby shower and want me there try to do it then.
Cheers!
