So it turns out I'm not great at sticking to my
blogging schedule. It went by the wayside along with my Spanish class schedule
and exercise routine for the last month. Who knew being a first year teacher
would take up so much of my free time? Don't worry, it's not like I've been sitting
alone in my apartment with a glass of wine grading papers every single day
since I talked to you last. Just Mondays through Thursdays. I have been able to
get a lot of traveling in on the three long weekends we've had in September and
October. So far I've been to Utila twice to dive and Copan to see the Mayan
ruins. I’ve also started exercising again and am using Rosetta Stone to
learn Spanish now.
In case you haven't been keeping up on Facebook, I
am now a certified diver! Diving is now one of my favorite things in the world
to do. It's like underwater hiking. I love everything about it except for how
heavy the equipment is (bad back). Three other girls and I completed our
certification during the first long weekend in September over three days. Not
something I would recommend for everyone, but we were in a time crunch and it
all worked out. The four of us girls got to experience something on this trip
that most divers spend a lifetime waiting to have the chance to do. We got to
swim with a whale shark. If you don't know how rare and incredible this is
Google it! I also learned two things about myself on this trip: 1. I don't get
seasick. 2. I am getting older. The girls I was with were able to go out hard
every night and still wake up to dive at the crack of dawn. I, on the other
hand, was in bed reading by seven and asleep by nine. My 25-year-old self would
be so disappointed. I've actually taken to disappointing 25-year-old me on a
pretty regular basis since I moved here. I don't care. It's more important that
30-year-old me stays hydrated and gets enough sleep.
The first long weekend in October we went to Copan.
This is a quaint little town situated in the mountains about three hours from
San Pedro Sula. It also happens to host one of the top three sites I've wanted
to see since I was 15, Mayan ruins. The photographs I took do not do it
justice. This site is even considered less magnificent that the sites in Mexico
and Guatemala. I'll be going to Guatemala in March to see for myself. Anyway, I
loved the ruins but I also had one of the most amazing experiences of my life
riding horses. Riding horses is something I used to love to do so I couldn't
pass up this chance even though it wasn't the best idea for my back. To make a
long story short, trail riding is very different in Honduras than in the
states; I had the most fun I've had in a really long time; I saw some of the
most beautiful landscape I have ever seen; and I couldn't walk properly for a
week after. I'm glad I did it, but considering my back problems it may have
been one of the dumbest things I have ever done. So 25-year-old me would be
proud.
Two weekends ago I went back to Utila for some
diving and much needed R&R. The diving wasn't as good as it was last time
but it was still amazing. I was stung by a jellyfish for the first time too.
You would think that would have bummed me out, but instead it made me feel more
like a real diver. I was actually a little excited. I know. I'm weird. The rest
of the trip was dedicated to relaxing, which I guess you could say I did. I
started feeling sick on Sunday but was able to spend the day snorkeling, laying
out, and being feasted on by sand fleas at a secluded dock with some of the
other teachers. We went for a late lunch around three in the afternoon and as
soon as I ate I got really sick. Luckily we had rented a golf cart so someone
was able to take me back to the hotel right away. I spent the rest of the day
and all of the night in the bathroom. Thank god we were staying at a place
where we didn't have to share a bathroom with 10 other people. The next day we
were all leaving for home so you might think, "well at least she got to go
home right away after getting sick." What you probably don’t know is that
to get back home from Utila requires an hour-long ferry and a four-hour bus
ride. Needless to say I was a bit concerned. I decided to take two Dramamine
for the ferry and two for the bus. I don't remember the ride home but I didn't
have an accident so I would say it was successful.
Traveling takes a lot out of me so it was nice to
spend this weekend relaxing at home. I have about two months before I come home
for winter break. I can't wait! I'll admit it; I am very homesick right now. I
miss Martin, I miss my friends, I miss going to movies, I miss the fall
weather, I miss hot tea and hot showers, I miss good produce, I miss KC bbq and
chicken wings from the Peanut, I miss logic (yes, logic), I miss fire pits, I
miss camping, I miss Aurora (I know, weird), I miss being able to safely walk
around my neighborhood, I miss my bed, I even miss football! I love the travel
opportunities here and I love Honduras as a country, but I will be completely
honest about how much I dislike San Pedro Sula. It is crime ridden and dirty.
It is the opposite of what you see when you go to places like Lake Yojoa,
Utila, and Copan. Traveling is what has kept me sane so far. I guess now is as
good a time as any to tell the people that read this blog that I won't be
returning to Honduras for an additional year. Again, to make a long story
short, the contract I signed was only for a year; the city and the school are
not an ideal fit for me; and I don't want to be apart from Martin for another
year. More details to come on my future plans. That's all for now.
Much love,
Melissa
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