Happy New Year

On Thursday, Carlin, a young High School graduate, arrived for a six week visit. She is going to help out with a variety of things and, hopefully, learn some Spanish and enjoy a little of Honduras as well.

Nativity Scene - many homes set up these elaborate villages with a nativity scene.

Putting the final firecrackers inside the head.

Final good by to 2011

Our New Year’s Eve was spent with friends and their extended family. During the day, Carlin and I had bought a bag of firecrackers to bring in the New Year. Of course, they are illegal ... supposedly but are available on every corner and along the highway. For a neophyte to firecrackers, Carlin caught on quickly and by midnight was throwing out firecrackers with gusto.

The family we were visiting had made a stuffed figure to represent the old year. With the help of our additional fireworks, this figure was well stuffed with explosives before midnight came. Then, at midnight, the poor scarecrow man was set afire and amid many bangs, the old was forgotten and the new welcomed.

Each time a new person comes to visit, I get to see familiar surroundings with a new set of eyes. That is always refreshing.

CPI begins the year with hopes for an expanded student body and for many other communities to be involved. Representatives from two new communities have contacted me in the last two days. So, there is hope in that area.

Hike in a nearby rain forest on New Year's Day

Google translate - it is still funny - sign in a restaurant (not sure what you do in restaurants)

Soy cheese - a trial run - will see what people think of the idea

I would like to thank all of you who have followed along with our program in the past two years. It has been rewarding in many ways. The challenges are, as they are for everyone, often daunting.

Happy New Year to all of you.

TTYL

BB