Day 1 in Honduras started with me waking up at 8am and it was already a balmy 80 degrees. Since everyone hadn't arrived yet I went for a walk with Morgan and Lisa (no not my mother) around the city we're staying in El Progresso. The city is an interesting mix of developing world and developed. For example, the streets are liked with various markets, stands, and cultural spaces selling various fruits, vegetables, household needs etc. And then next to these markets you have Maxi Bodega, the Walmart of Honduras and any chain American fast food resturaunt you can think of including Popeyes, KFC, Dunkin Donuts, and Pizza Hut. Once again as it was in Europe, Pizza Hut is this fancy sit down resturaunt you would take a date to.
We also met up with a dealer during our walk. An money exchange dealer that is. Apparently one gets better exchange rates when you go to an individual rather than the bank. We hit up this nice man around the corner chillin on the street in a plastic resin chair. At 18 Liamperas for one one US dollar you couldnt possibly beat the price And this is where the title of the post comes into play. While walking back to the hotel I ran into the most charming Honduran man who told me that he loved white peple. Essentially he was using me for money. Shortly afterwards I was introduced to the infamous baleada (could be spelling that wrong) theif. They are basically tortillas that are filled with creams, eggs, chicken etc. It's one of the national dishes of Honduras, yet I have been unable to try it yet.
After a great morning walk it was now 100 degrees and we were off to get some Super Jugos at the mall. The mall was your typical shopping mall you would find in the US, yet no one can afford it. Even if I couldn't I would still go for the AC Super Jugos is this amazing smoothie place where they take freshly squeezed fruit that they prepare in front of you and make smoothies. I had the papaya, pineapple, and orange juice one and it was delish, to quote Rachel Ray. Our next journey was to visit the house our leaders Morgan, Sam, and Morgan's brother Alex were living at. While touring the house we had the honor of meeting Chewey, one of the cutest but biggest son of a bitch of a dog you'll ever meet. For example, he just like to scratch on the door and run into the house even though he belongs to the nextbdoor neighbors and always wants to sit under you so as if your legs are going to scratch his back. And when he isn't up your ass he's chasing cars. I made the stupid comment, that the dog didn't have a tail I don't know what I was thinking, somehow I thought he'd be cuter if he had a tail?
After meeting Chewey and the next door neighbors who work with FASSO and OYE we went down to the local public schools. Public schools are different in the sense that they are free, yet the families have to buy their own books, supplies, lunch, and uniforms. Sometimes children commute over an hour to get to school. Additionally, class sizes are enormous comared to US elementary and high schools with almost over 50 students in a class. Usually there is never enough room for the students. Teachers also dont get paid on time. One teacher, for example, went three months without getting paid but still teaches because if she didnt the kids would have jothing to do and wouldnt lead to them bettering themselves. In a nation where 40% of the population is under 16 education is ever so more important. The soccer coach took us on a tour of the school, it was divided up into various buildings with sections of classrooms. Apparently the soccer coach was one of the best referees in the world at one point, working for FIFA. There were thousands of students at the school and the school day was divided into three blocks, including nights due to the large size. Eventually once in high school you pick a certain area of interest. One of the neighbor kids, who everyone nicknames "negro" because of how dark he is, is studying business and operates a microfiance company that makes underwear. It is small projects like this that are helping Honduran youth get and education and be the leaders of tomorrow their country needs. More on that in the next post. (Don't ask about the r and q at the bottom, using my phone and the cursor won't get rid of it)
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