The graduation held on the thirteenth went well. A few minor glitches but ... that is to be expected. The final number of students finishing a grade was 91. Over 200 grade levels have been completed since we started two years ago.
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| Grade 8's |
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| Grade 9 |
What is exciting is to see the interest among parents and communities growing. There were many family members at the ceremony to demonstrate the pride and sense of accomplishment they felt at seeing their children have this opportunity.
The same week, we had Fernando Cienfuegos, a video photographer, spend a few days interviewing and filming our various projects. Since he hails from Mexico originally, he was able to carry on his work without a great deal of help. I was the designated driver and Santiago the equipment man. We are looking forward to seeing the footage and will let you know where to view it when it becomes available.
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| Las Delicias Students |
At the end of the week, I set out by bus to Costa Rica. The government policy of having expatriates leave every 90 days is tedious at best. Our efforts to get a residency permit have been moving at a snail’s pace so that adds to the frustration.
Two fifteen hour days on the bus and I was in Costa Rica. I stayed with a couple I knew from years back and it was wonderful catching up on their lives.
Highlights of the trip. At the Honduran – Nicaraguan border we watched a string of men on horseback carrying bulging bags of high value goods clatter by. Obviously, they were smuggling the goods but the enforcement agencies weren’t all that concerned. The difficulties for truckers was also brought home as I happened to look inside one of the offices that was being renovated and saw huge piles of documents stuffed into gunny sacks. Obviously the paperwork is of little value and simply consumes time and energy.
At the Nicaraguan – Costa Rican border the Christmas travel rush became apparent. There were never less than fourteen big passenger buses in the parking area. Needless to say we spent well over an hour at each border.
The bus company made sure that the air conditioning worked on the bus. I spent the second day in toque and jacket to try and keep warm enough. Other passengers had heard about the temperature before hand and came equipped with blankets and sleeping bags. Lesson – travel with a friend.
I flew back to Honduras. That trip was less eventful but still interesting. At first the clerk was hesitant to give me a boarding pass because I did not have an ongoing ticket out of Honduras. As I went through security check, I realized I had my leatherman on my belt. So ... back to the check in desk I went. Fortunately, I had not checked in my sparse luggage so was able to check that in and return to security. After a twenty minute delay, we taxied out to the end of the runway. Then, after the engines had revved up and down, the pilot came on to say we were returning to get more fuel – one might have thought that checking the fuel gauge might be on the list of “To Check” before starting – it isn’t like you can park by the side of the road and walk to the nearest gas station.
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| Yeni's new baby - Yeni was okay with seeing the 'football' hold |
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| The decorations - who says it isn't a big deal? |
Christmas Eve I went in to San Pedro Sula to the Cathedral for mass. The trip home was accompanied by fireworks and firecrackers going off in every village that I passed. Today, they are still sounding all around – they did wait until 7.00 a.m. today so that was nice.
Thank you to all who have travelled along with me this year. I trust that the coming year will be one of interest and opportunity for you.
TTYL
BB
