From Honda to Honduras!

It is impossible to portray Copan Ruinas in a blog! We (Allan and I) arrived safely from ATL around lunch time to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Our new friend, Tito, was waiting for us at the airport with "allan and abby" scribbled on a piece of computer paper! It was so nice to be greeted by such a welcoming face. Tito (and 2 other men) proceeded to help us carry our 340 pounds of luggage, carry-ons, and pillows to the autobus. The ride to Copan was amazingly beautiful. We were lucky enough to get to see a protest happening in the streets of San Pedro Sula. Hundreds of people were walking up and down the street in a peaceful protest in favor of Mel Zelaya. I felt like a mini-movie star because people kept looking in our car, waving, and a tipping their hats to us. Once we made it past the protests, we stopped for an authentic Honduran meal...at the local texaco gas station :). It was so cool to get to see part of the city, the protests and the poverty that exists in the outskirts of the city. We passed rows and rows of mud houses with stray dogs and lots of trash as decoration on the way. Arriving in Copan was breathtaking. The streets are made of cobblestone, the women carry baskets on their heads, the mountains paint the background of the town, and everyone was so friendly! (we are constantly greeted with smiles and Holas!) We spent the next day and a half getting aquainted with the town. Its so nice to run errands here because you can compare prices at 3 different stores in less than 15 minutes because everything is so close! Our houses are also very cool. I live with 2 other girls and Allan shares a house with 3 other guys. We each have our own room, complete with roosters/chickens/dogs and cats in the backyard :) Its awesome.

Last night, Honduras played Costa Rica in soccer! What an experience! We got to watch the game in the midst of Hondurans, who LOVE their soccer team. Each goal was a party for the Hondurans. Even after Honduras was ensured a win (by being up 3-0 with about one minute to go), the 4th goal caused an uproar of excitement from the fans (actually, the biggest one of all the goals!). After the game, the streets turned into a parade. The people ran to their cars, moto-taxos, and dirt bikes and started driving in circles around the town. The cars were LOADED with people. Backs of trucks had no less than 15 people hanging off of them. They honked the horns, they screamed Honduras, they waved flags...all for about 45 minutes driving in a big loop. Imagine everyone getting on their bike or in their truck and driving around a cobblestone street a fourth of the size of Franklin Street after UNC beats Dook. CRAZY!

Right now, we are at the school where we are going to be teaching this year. It is a good 30 minute UP hill hike from our houses, but it is so gorgeous. Our classrooms are open air and the cafeteria is outside! We have a lot of work to do on our classrooms to make them "kid-like" but we are both so excited! The Honduran teachers and the administration are so nice and helpful! Please keep praying for us as we continue to get to know people and prepare for school! We met a few kids today and its going to be such an adventure! I can't get over how cute they are! We are thankful for each of you and will update soon!





Allan and I before the soccer game with our new jerseys!


Dinner on our first night! Enpanadas!


A truck loaded with people celebrating the win!


My classroom! :) Second grade A! (with Megan, the director!)