Today I walked into my room to find three girls screaming from the showers. An enormous centipede had come out of the shower spout on to a roommate mid-shampoo session (to clarify: mid-freezing cold body-clenching shower experience). There was a time when I feared small spiders. Nothing was worse than spotting a quarter sized eight-legged creature from across the room.
Now late at night I sit in bed and suffer through the chronic apprehension of insect attack. Mosquitos and spiders are the least of my worries, although the tarantula is still surely on my radar here. Each day the old volunteers and employees enjoy regaling to us a new type of bug, watching us squirm and ask if that species could possibly be real! One type of bug burrows into the skin of your scalp, lays its eggs under your hair follicles and happily departs, leaving you with a glowing taut infection of bug eggs on the head. Only an intense milking of the larvae will rid you of birthing them via hair follicles. This type of bug, the scorpion and Dengue Fever mosquitos terrify me: I live in constant fear of what tiny terror will be my downfall. But it gets worse...I would think that I would only find in scientific fiction a bug that engorges on a chunk of your face skin, defecates on the wound, which YOU then unknowingly scratch into the wound and infect yourself with a parasite. This parasite does not cause typical digestive problems, nor does it cause immediate side effects. This parasite waits SEVEN to TEN YEARS inside your system to finally spring heart disease on you! Fortunately you can get tested for the parasite if you have a large bite on your face...so I do not plan on death by heart disease by age 33.
Never fear: I am well-equipped with bug spray, a nurse as a roommate, an on-site clinic and an intense dedication to ward off any insect looking creatures. The other night, I definitely leaped out of my top bunk in the dark (headlight securely on), sprinted across the room and destroyed an enormous spider with my handy (and apparently multi-purpose) Spanish-English dictionary. Part of me was quick to the offense because my roommate was in a panic after spotting it in the shadows, but also it creeps me out to imagine these creatures crawling over me while I innocently dream of chocolate.
Perhaps I have learned my true calling. Hailey the exterminator.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Perspective and Chicken Feet
SALUDOS AMIGOS Y FAMILIA!!
I am at loss for words to describe my few weeks at el Rancho Santa Fe
in Honduras. Aside from basic orientation of the organization, ranch
and honduran culture, I have spent the last week constantly
challenging my language skills, my stomach and most importantly my
perspective. I am still not mentally prepared to eat a bowl of chicken
feet, kidneys, heart and liver (a soup called menudo served about once
every 2 weeks)!
But this is what I came here for: to LEARN, to push my understanding
of the world and of people, to give as one person in a huge
organization. It is incredible to learn the entire network of the NPH
organization. The intricate processes, crucial offices and support of
people that it takes to make NPH Honduras function well on a daily
basis is astounding: social work, the kitchen, la tortillaria, the
farm, the projects office, donations, volunteer medical brigades...
My own perspective, and even desire to volunteer and work abroad, has
been almost entirely molded by studying and reading about the
developing world.. but this is my first experience of LIVING the
developing world. Coming here, I knew that communication back home
would be difficult, I knew that I could potentially face theft, I
understood that there would be an initial language barrier, and I was
aware of the living conditions. But it is the small minor details of
living and working here that excite me, challenge me, and teach me the
most. It is difficult to recount my entire first two weeks but here
are some moments/fun facts about Honduras that especially stick out to
me!!
- FOOD: the hondurans LOVE beans, rice, and to put lard in EVERYTHING
they cook. One of the most difficult adjustments has been to accept
eating the same thing almost every day, to not being able to get much
meat off the chicken bones, and to swallowing food with a smile.
Fortunately when we were served menudo one night, a girl in my hogar
was JUMPING up and down for my chicken feet. I tried not to laugh as I
happily passed off the chicken feet to her, and watched as she slurped
on those chicken toes! I MISS CHOCOLATE, steak, hamburgers. One of the
new volunteers here even dreams about food every night! One of our
favorite things to talk about is FOOD. At the grocery store about an
hour and a half away you can buy a few "american things": stale
snickers, peanut butter, pesto powder.I definitely dropped 7 US
dollars for a back of fun size snickers.. and do not regret it.
- To do ANYTHING here requires much time (especially for
transportation) and concentrated and deliberate effort. To get food, I
need to take two different buses to the city and can only purchase
what I am able to carry back. Simple tasks just as grocery shopping,
mopping and even flushing the toilet remind me how easy and mindless
these activities are at home: everything is instant, disposable and
almost always WORKS.
- The other day I spent an entire day working as the tia (caregiver)
for Casa Emmanuel- a group of 8 mentally and physically challenged
boys. They had a group chore to do in the afternoon and tried
explaining to me in Spanish what we would be doing. With my beginning
level of Spanish I understand that we would be going to the "granja"
or farm, and we would be putting something in sacks. Next thing I know
we are wheeling into the cow pasture with shovels, I am standing in a
field of cow poop with Casa Emmanuel, shoveling manure into massive
bags for compost. I did NOT want to show weakness or disgust at
getting poop all over my toes so I dove head first into my job and
could only laugh to myself the whole time.
- Yesterday we went to Talanga, a nearby town, to visit the Comedor
Infantile, which is essentially a soup kitchen for impoverished local
children. It was an insightful opportunity to see the typical living
conditions of many Honduran poor, from which many of the NPH kids come
from: oxen wandering the destroyed streets strewn with garbage, mud
wall and metal roof shacks, a dirty river for washing clothes and the
clear signs of malnutrition and poor health. Although I witness the
effects of poverty and neglect at the ranch, the opportunity to spend
time with the kids at the Comedor Infantile emphasized how fortunate
and secure the NPH kids truly are. Many of those Talangan children
only eat meals when they come to the kitchen, have rotted out teeth,
do not wear shoes and have incredibly stunted growth. It made me
grateful to even have beans and rice for every meal.
-CELLPHONES/MUSIC: Honduras just got hooked up to cell phone networks
within the last 5 years.. its SOOO cool to have a cell phone and to
blast reggaetone music in public everywhere. Cellphone etiquette does
not exist so everyone always answers their phones mid-conversation. I
am currently sitting on the internet porch and a group of NPH kids
just just pulled up, whipped out their stereo and pushed the volume
up to full force.
Even on the bus ride to Talanga the other day, I felt as if I walked
on to a music video bus: the bus driver was blasting Ludacris tunes.
Hondurans love LOUD music: rap from the United States, cheesy love
songs from the 1980s and Honduran punta music.
I have many more stories, thoughts and ideas to post soon! I send all
of my love back home: I am so grateful for everyone's thoughts and
support. I hope to be more consistent in posting but the internet
always shuts off when I finally have time! Please do send e-mails- I
LOVE GETTING THEM!! haileyrad3@gmail.com
Adios,
Hailey
Monday, January 17, 2011
Estoy en Honduras!!
Hola amigos!
I finally arrived in Tegucigalpa on Saturday afternoon! Luckily I happened to run into some other volunteers for NPH in the customs line, stumbled into a "currency exchange offficer" (aka an old man with a massive stack of bills who probably ripped me off), and the next thing I knew I was in a Honduran mall ordering food from some locals who were laughing at my spanish, and going to a grocery store to stock up on breakfast goods. I felt like I was on a game show: put 5 gringa girls in a Honduran market who have jet lag from hell, give them 20 minutes to find all the essentials and GO.
The voyage to the ranch was a crazy bumpy and inclined ride stemming from the city, but it was also an incredible glimpse in to the lives of locals: beyond impoverished, rundown and crumbling, but people are everywhere just talking, waiting for buses, carrying wood- similar to most central american countries. It was such an overwhelming and surreal first few hours, but one image in particular sticks out in my mind: a toddler standing barefoot in a gigantic heap of garbage, with a panoramic view of the city behind him.
Here are some fun facts about the ranch experience so far (I will update more specifics soon)
-we literally eat beans with every meal. (tonight was just beans, with a huge chunk of hard cheese)
-there are 8 new volunteers- 7 girls, 1 boy (but around 10 others already here!)
-we all live in a huge volunteer house, Casa San Vicente
-there is NO hot water (aka 5 second showers, with shampoo prepared in my hand before take off)
Buenas Noches!
I finally arrived in Tegucigalpa on Saturday afternoon! Luckily I happened to run into some other volunteers for NPH in the customs line, stumbled into a "currency exchange offficer" (aka an old man with a massive stack of bills who probably ripped me off), and the next thing I knew I was in a Honduran mall ordering food from some locals who were laughing at my spanish, and going to a grocery store to stock up on breakfast goods. I felt like I was on a game show: put 5 gringa girls in a Honduran market who have jet lag from hell, give them 20 minutes to find all the essentials and GO.
The voyage to the ranch was a crazy bumpy and inclined ride stemming from the city, but it was also an incredible glimpse in to the lives of locals: beyond impoverished, rundown and crumbling, but people are everywhere just talking, waiting for buses, carrying wood- similar to most central american countries. It was such an overwhelming and surreal first few hours, but one image in particular sticks out in my mind: a toddler standing barefoot in a gigantic heap of garbage, with a panoramic view of the city behind him.
Here are some fun facts about the ranch experience so far (I will update more specifics soon)
-we literally eat beans with every meal. (tonight was just beans, with a huge chunk of hard cheese)
-there are 8 new volunteers- 7 girls, 1 boy (but around 10 others already here!)
-we all live in a huge volunteer house, Casa San Vicente
-there is NO hot water (aka 5 second showers, with shampoo prepared in my hand before take off)
Buenas Noches!
Friday, January 14, 2011
The journey has begun
Hola amigos!
Currently en route to Tegucigalpa ...16 hrs and counting. Nothing could prepare me for the goodbye to my family at the airport or thinking about all that I will miss in their lives..Olivia's 8th grade year, Katharine's senior year and college search. Only at the Spokane airport would the TSA identification checker offer me Kleenex instead of an angry grunt.
The fact that I will be living a whole new life tomorrow afternoon seems like a dream. I can't fathom being in Honduras, not seeing my sisters everyday or not being able to contact my friends with instant ease. The reality of knowing that I need to speak Spanish hit me hard on the airplane to salt lake city...here is to hoping that my next few hours of flashcard practice inspire me with divine fluency. Anxiety has finally set in...conquering my ecstatic naive volunteer spirit! Never fear...once I listen to some Journey, "wheels in the sky" at 6 am tomorrow I will be PUMPED.
Thank you so much for the cards, the calls and words of love. I hope I have fun stories to share once I wrap my head around what's going on! Cheers to challenges!
Much love and gratitude,
Hailey
P.s. I can't wait for emails!
Currently en route to Tegucigalpa ...16 hrs and counting. Nothing could prepare me for the goodbye to my family at the airport or thinking about all that I will miss in their lives..Olivia's 8th grade year, Katharine's senior year and college search. Only at the Spokane airport would the TSA identification checker offer me Kleenex instead of an angry grunt.
The fact that I will be living a whole new life tomorrow afternoon seems like a dream. I can't fathom being in Honduras, not seeing my sisters everyday or not being able to contact my friends with instant ease. The reality of knowing that I need to speak Spanish hit me hard on the airplane to salt lake city...here is to hoping that my next few hours of flashcard practice inspire me with divine fluency. Anxiety has finally set in...conquering my ecstatic naive volunteer spirit! Never fear...once I listen to some Journey, "wheels in the sky" at 6 am tomorrow I will be PUMPED.
Thank you so much for the cards, the calls and words of love. I hope I have fun stories to share once I wrap my head around what's going on! Cheers to challenges!
Much love and gratitude,
Hailey
P.s. I can't wait for emails!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
7 Days til Take Off!!!
Hola Amigos!
In only ONE WEEK I will embark on a 13-month adventure in Honduras! I have been waiting for MONTHS to leave..chilling with the parents and sisters.. I could not be more ready, or more sad, to say goodbye. In the last week I have been cramming in spanish lessons with mi amiga y profesora Maria Esther, stocking up on sunscreen, playing laser tag with my sisters and eating all of the food that I will miss so dearly: scotcheroos, costco hotdogs.. and preparing for the beans, rice and Honduran water meal plan.
I am ecstatic to finally begin my Central American experience and look forward to sharing everything with everyone back home: pictures, stories, and thoughts about my year away. PLEASE WRITE TO ME TOO!! (my address/email is at bottom of post). The title of my blog, "yes is a world", comes from one of my favorite e.e. cummings poems (at the bottom of this post if you wish to read it). My goal for this volunteer experience, this year, and my life is to say yes to the world: to challenges, to experience, and to serving others.
WHO I am working for: Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a catholic organization that provides a permanent home for abandoned or neglected children who live in extreme poverty conditions. The fundamental purpose of the organization, with 8 different homes across Central and South America, is to provide a stable foundation of love, education, healthcare and spiritual formation. Check out nph.org (and feel free to ask me questions about this really amazing organization!).
WHERE I will be living: about an hour outside of the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, on a huge ranch. I have a stash of potent bug spray, and will most likely be a machete master upon my return. The NPH Honduras home, which holds over 550 kids, is located on the 2100-acre Rancho Santa Fe! (But NPH also has facilities in Tegucigalpa for children with severe mental and physical disabilities and a daycare center).
WHAT I will be doing: my official job title is Communications Officer. My day job will consist of photography of daily activities and events, writing newsletters, updating donors, etc. I am stoked for the opportunity to take pictures for my job- make sure to check out all my photos! But I am most excited for my "hogar" or household of children that will become my family throughout the year- through eating meals together, working on the ranch together, and becoming friends on our adventures. The volunteer experience is a total lifestyle commitment: fulfilling my job requirements, serving as a mentor, and being available for all of the kids at all times.. I can't wait!! (although I am definitely concerned about my spanish conversation skills- I'm hoping they are impressed by my ability to point and name all of the food at the dinner table).
WHY I am doing it: to put my French degree to use, to get a high paying job.....right! I am thrilled to learn a new language, understand a new culture, meet amazing people, and of course to travel on my time off. But I truly am looking forward to volunteering abroad, to working with children who are building new families and discovering their potential, and to LEARN as much as I can.
So excited for this journey and to share it with you all. Please stay in touch! Come visit! You are in my thoughts :)
Love,
Hailey
haileyrad3@gmail.com
skype: hailersrad
(address for letters)
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos
Apdo. Postal 3223
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Central America
In only ONE WEEK I will embark on a 13-month adventure in Honduras! I have been waiting for MONTHS to leave..chilling with the parents and sisters.. I could not be more ready, or more sad, to say goodbye. In the last week I have been cramming in spanish lessons with mi amiga y profesora Maria Esther, stocking up on sunscreen, playing laser tag with my sisters and eating all of the food that I will miss so dearly: scotcheroos, costco hotdogs.. and preparing for the beans, rice and Honduran water meal plan.
I am ecstatic to finally begin my Central American experience and look forward to sharing everything with everyone back home: pictures, stories, and thoughts about my year away. PLEASE WRITE TO ME TOO!! (my address/email is at bottom of post). The title of my blog, "yes is a world", comes from one of my favorite e.e. cummings poems (at the bottom of this post if you wish to read it). My goal for this volunteer experience, this year, and my life is to say yes to the world: to challenges, to experience, and to serving others.
WHO I am working for: Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a catholic organization that provides a permanent home for abandoned or neglected children who live in extreme poverty conditions. The fundamental purpose of the organization, with 8 different homes across Central and South America, is to provide a stable foundation of love, education, healthcare and spiritual formation. Check out nph.org (and feel free to ask me questions about this really amazing organization!).
WHERE I will be living: about an hour outside of the capital of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, on a huge ranch. I have a stash of potent bug spray, and will most likely be a machete master upon my return. The NPH Honduras home, which holds over 550 kids, is located on the 2100-acre Rancho Santa Fe! (But NPH also has facilities in Tegucigalpa for children with severe mental and physical disabilities and a daycare center).
WHAT I will be doing: my official job title is Communications Officer. My day job will consist of photography of daily activities and events, writing newsletters, updating donors, etc. I am stoked for the opportunity to take pictures for my job- make sure to check out all my photos! But I am most excited for my "hogar" or household of children that will become my family throughout the year- through eating meals together, working on the ranch together, and becoming friends on our adventures. The volunteer experience is a total lifestyle commitment: fulfilling my job requirements, serving as a mentor, and being available for all of the kids at all times.. I can't wait!! (although I am definitely concerned about my spanish conversation skills- I'm hoping they are impressed by my ability to point and name all of the food at the dinner table).
WHY I am doing it: to put my French degree to use, to get a high paying job.....right! I am thrilled to learn a new language, understand a new culture, meet amazing people, and of course to travel on my time off. But I truly am looking forward to volunteering abroad, to working with children who are building new families and discovering their potential, and to LEARN as much as I can.
So excited for this journey and to share it with you all. Please stay in touch! Come visit! You are in my thoughts :)
Love,
Hailey
haileyrad3@gmail.com
skype: hailersrad
(address for letters)
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos
Apdo. Postal 3223
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Central America
| love is a place & through this place of love move (with brightness of peace) all places yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skilfully curled) all worlds -e.e. cummings |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)