So I just went through Semana Santa here – thought I would use the opportunity to try to post some pictures. Here is a quick recap of what I did last week:
• On Monday and Tuesday had classes as usual. On Wednesday had a half-day. For many Hondurans this whole week is off. Basically the country is 60% Catholic and 40% Evangelical so Easter is a big deal
• Thursday I went to the family farm with my host family, my host ‘uncle’ and his family, and 2 other PC Trainees. At the family farm we checked out the coffee and beans they grow, as well as the patastes (not sure that they have these in the US yet but keep your eyes open as they may be coming soon). We ate lots of fish (fish soup, fried fish) and bathed in their pool. Apparently bathing is big for Hondurans on the Thursday before Easter. Historically Hondurans have believed that if you bathed on Good Friday that you would turn into a fish – so Thursday was a big bathing day. Apparently a few brave souls found out that you don’t, in fact, turn into a fish by bathing on Good Friday.
• I also got my first dose of Honduran time keeping on this day. They told me we were leaving at 7. Like a good gringo I was ready on time. We left at 9:30. They said they were really embarrassed by their tardiness. Not sure I believe them.
• Here is Monica with a couple donkeys. Monica and I hang out a lot because she speaks on my level – that of an eight year old. Also, when I can’t understand her I can distract her by letting her take pictures with my camera. The relevance of the donkeys is that there are a lot of them here – and they make their donkey sounds all night. Also my friends James and Lauren call me donkey.
• On Friday there were a few processions through the city. Unfortunately I have been spoiled for life by the Semana Santa processions of Sevilla Spain – these were nowhere near as good. Still, one cool thing they do is to make colored carpets out of sawdust.
• On Saturday we went to the beach and to church. I got my second dose of Honduran time keeping as well – I was ready at 6 as previously discussed and we left at 7:45. The beach was ok – more rocks than sand – so I didn’t take a ton of pictures. But later we went to a river (to wash off the salt water) and I got a few gems. The first is people bathing / washing their clothes / avoiding massive cows also in the river. The second is people driving their pickups into the shallow river to wash them too. The third is a pizza deal going on right as a pickup drives into the river – Honduran drive through I guess.
I need to read this at home..people at work are thinking I have completely lost my mind. So I have to call you donkey Bojo now?
The Honduran cows look more Indian though….probably b’coz of the hot weather.
Hi Brett! I love the Honduran pizza delivery. I also get hungry while bathing! Can’t wait to hear more. We are thinking of you!
these are great pictures! you have serious photography skills brett!
i miss you as always and i am hoping you are doing well! i love reading this blog, it is really enlightening!
Maybe that pizza thing is a little like a cross between a drive-in movie and a bullfight? They get to watch people washing themselves and their trucks and cars and then possibly go out and get nuzzled by the moo-cows? Sort of an interesting alternative to video game playing, no? Why do you get to have all the fun, anyway? Share a little, will ya?