Following "Santa"

This morning I feel a little like it is Christmas Eve again. When my children were little, we used to track Santa on the radar and internet. Today I am tracking Carlin as she heads to visit an orphanage on the other side of El Progresso.

The trip is only about sixty kilometres but it involves four different buses. We went over the trip carefully and, thanks to cell phone technology, she can phone at each stage. As I write, the third stage is underway. So far, the connections have been quick and straight forward. The next one is the tricky one.

Beginning stages of the tournament - Uniforms optional

A home and party hall made from scrap metal and buses - The truly eccentric welder at work.

 Fortunately, people in the transport industry are generally just as interested in getting you there as you are. And, it is in their best interests to keep travellers safe as well. Because each bus or rapidito has a very specific route, the conductor, driver and regular passengers get to know each other. Happily, there is almost always someone who is able to give assistance in one way or another - especially when you ask for help ahead of time.

The last two weeks has seen a steady stream of new students coming in to register. That is encouraging. Yesterday, a vice-principal from a primary school came in to see if we would be able to use the computers in his school for some of the children who have graduated and need to continue studying. Of course we were delighted with the opportunity. It is so good to see community leaders taking initiative.

January brings with it the usual 'almost-back-to-work-from-December-holidays' scenarios in Government offices. So, we begin the process of getting our names back on 'new' agendas and arranging meetings to renew the different projects we had in the works in early December. Manuel is busy each day writing and phoning people to arrange meetings. Chepe has visited a number of offices in Tegucigulpa and will revisit them again this week to move things along. There is a constant struggle to be persistent but not rude - to be knocking without disturbing unduly.

Pulhanpanzak Water Falls - say it three times after a spoonful of peanut butter

The street in front of my house.

 The local Catholic school built a new cement court in their playground. To inaugurate the court, the priest organized an area wide soccer tournament. Teams from every parish around are competing for a cash prize. The tournament is stretching out over a number of weeks but is providing some lovely evening entertainment. The teams play with a small ball and with five a side. The action is lightning fast on the small court and the intensity level is often rather high (don't you love polite euphemisms?).

Tonight may actually be the final. The final was supposed to be two Fridays ago so ... who knows. Will have to phone later to find out if it is still on. Fortunately, I have a soup already cooked so supper won't take long to prepare.

Yeni, one of our staff, just had a baby. Her maternity leave is over and she is back to work. As with so many young women in Honduras, her case is becoming very typical. Once she was pregnant, the young man began looking elsewhere. So, she is left with a baby and no partner. There are, of course, many more twists to the tale and we do our best to be supportive. It is so difficult to have to watch from the sidelines so to speak.

I won't close this until "Santa arrives". On the bus for the last stage. So ... to get off at the right spot is the last hurdle. Phew - last phone call - adventure is over. Will hear the play by play on Thursday.

As I mentioned last time, having a visitor allows me to see Honduras through their 'lens'. So, a few more photos from Carlin's camera (she is graciously allowing me to get a copy of all her shots - I am hopeless with a camera).

TTYL

BB