Friday was pay day for the workers. It was also the day
that they received an extra month's salary. This happens in June and December
here in Honduras. Once you figure out the system you can budget accordingly ...
but until then ... . We are organized now so this is not a problem.
Thursday I went to the bank to get the money needed for
the salaries. For some reason, the bank has become most helpful the past couple
of months. It is now "Don Bryan" from everyone. I am not complaining
at all. In times past it was often difficult to get larger sums of money. But,
Thursday thee was not even a blink when I asked for the amount we needed. Maybe
cookies, seeds and candies have finally paid off.
Friday, as we were paying the salaries, Manuel received a
phone call that his oldest daughter was in severe pain. I took him to the Las
Flores junction so that he could catch both the Santa Cruz buses and the ones
coming from Seguatepeca, Comayagua and/or Tegucigulpa. A bus pulled up just as
we arrived so he was on his way in seconds.
In the end, Manuel's daughter was taken to the hospital
for an appendectomy. His adventure lasted until yesterday when she came home.
The hospital is two rapidito rides from his house (an hour's time). Supplies
and medicines are not available in the hospital so a family member had to be on
standby at all times to run for needed supplies. I cannot begin to imagine the stress that
this must have caused.
I have been in a number of hospitals in various countries
of the world but never with my daughter being the patient. Manuel's adventure
was more of a nightmare. Fortunately, the daughter is at home and recovering.
The paperwork still continues as they book appointments for further exams as
she recovers.
My adventure was more along the line of excitement and
discovery ... without terror. It was time for me to leave the country in order
to renew my visa. On Saturday morning, after planting some trees and getting
some Moringa leaves ready to dry, I headed for the Guatemala border. Two years
ago, I did the same trip by public transport. This time, I took my truck as far
as the border ... rather quicker.
At the border, the official was looking for some cash I
think and he took an endless amount of time and raised countless issues before
stamping my passport allowing me to leave Honduras. Fortunately, the Hondurans
behind me in line were also very confused and wondered what his problem was.
I left my truck at a restaurant by the border and got in
a rapidito to Puerto Barrios. Along the way, while chatting with other
passengers, it was suggested I go further to Livingston. So, the rapidito
dropped four of us off at the dock. There I bought a ticket for a boat holding
16 passengers. I was the last person needed so I got right in and we were off.
Thirty minutes later we were in Livingston, a quiet, scenic seaside village.
Although I will miss the Vegreville Agricultural Fair, I
will not miss the adrenaline rush of the amusement rides. Public transport
provides all those thrills more cheaply, for much longer period of times and,
to a certain extent, with a greater fear factor. The boat ride didn't provide
any fear factor but it did provide excitement. The front seat is where the boat
bounces the highest and where it slams into the waves with the most force. For
some reason we were treated to a constant barrage of huge jolts on the trip. It
was comforting to see that the other three people on the bench were suffering
with even greater effect than I was.
The return trip to Honduras was uneventful. The same
official was on duty and he stamped my passport without comment or delay.
Happily he used the "3 calendar day" system rather than counting the
actual hours. I was, in reality, gone less than 40 hours (rather than the
requisite 72) but, much like the Church does with 3 days in the tomb, I was
gone for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Hurrah.
Some of the students want to have a T-shirt with a school
logo on it. So, we have three colours to choose from and are working on the
logo. Next week I will go in to San Pedro Sula to order the T-shirts. It won't
be a mandatory uniform ... but many want something to prove they are in school.
Lots of rain the last few days so the humidity levels
prevent leaves from drying. We are trying to make some more Moringa powder to
try in various recipes. Will also make some other leaf powder for trials.
TTYL
BB
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