The Yogi on the Mountain (3rd May 2014 - Honduras)

3^rd Mayo, 2014

Just after noon

I am currently sitting on our flight from San Salvador to Miami and I really lucked out! A window seat and the seat on my other side is one of those trays with cup holders – score!

I am sad to leave Candelaria, as it was a beautiful adventure and I feel that I am really developing an ear for Spanish – funny how complete immersion does that! This is always the point of the trip that is so filled with bittersweetness – “parting is such sweet sorrow,” as the poem goes.  On the one hand, I am sad to be leaving and am not exactly looking forward to the work and reality that awaits me back in Chicago. But on the other hand, I am looking forward to my own bed, my friends and the understanding that I feel back home.  And I don’t mean the misunderstanding of the people of Candelaria, but rather the cultural misunderstanding of some of my colleagues on the trip with me.  I suppose this is giving me a new fervor for really going strong with my new EWB position of social chair.  When I was running for the position, I was very open about wanting to get people from our chapter involved in activities or events that pertain to the cultures that we mainly have projects in (and probably a few that we don’t) and I definitely saw a need for that on this trip. Personally, I am also interested in learning more about these cultures – but that really isn’t anything new for me – I have always had that thirst for understanding people better. 

One of the biggest issues with cultural awareness that really started bothering me was the issue of time. Punctuality is very highly regarded in the US, and yes, I would consider it a part of our culture, however, a fairly substantial chunk of the world hold to the same viewpoint, and when working in these parts of the world, it is very important to abide by their cultural norms.  It isn’t that they don’t value time, but I think it is more of in the moment and more social – if you see someone you know, you stop to say “hello” and ask them how they are doing. Depending on the amount of people you see on your way somewhere, you might double or even triple your travel time. I remember very few times that we were “late” by our standards and had people waiting for us.  Most of the time we were waiting upwards of a half hour for some people or meetings – “ethnic time” as my Slovak mother calls it.  In fact, there was one meeting that we were at least 10 minutes late for, and a few of our members were getting visibly distressed and looked slightly embarrassed as we set-up our stuff “so long” after we were scheduled to meet.  About 40 minutes later, we started the meeting, even opting to start without a few people, who then trickled in during the next few minutes. 

I also wonder what our cook, Rosa, thought when we would tell her 7am for breakfast, then we would show up at 6:45am…maybe that’s why she started putting a box of corn flakes and bowls on the table for us in the morning – something to tide us over until she got our breakfast finished after 7am.  She reminded me of the Slovak ladies back home.  I can only imagine their frustration and embarrassment at their guests showing up to an empty table.  (Although I can hear my mom saying something along the lines of, “that’s what you get for showing up earlier than you said.”)  I wonder how I can get this cultural aspect across to people? I can certainly see a frustration if you were raised on punctuality, but I don’t want to be rude to the cultures we are working with.  This is something I will have to think on…

Back to the mountain yesterday. 

Gus and Liz are both fairly active, Type A people, so they were climbing ahead of Luis and myself.  I would stop frequently to take pictures, a flower here, a chunk of moss shaped like a heart there.  I was more than happy to take the slower pace with Luis – what is the point of rushing to the top of the mountain if you aren’t going to enjoy the view on the way up as well? I also really enjoy the views from the sides of the mountains more so than from the top; I have a greater sense of being part of the scenery than viewing it from above.  Sometimes I feel too much distance when I am on the top of the mountain – although you can see more which is always really cool. 

On the way up the mountain, Luis noticed all the things that I stopped to take photos of and mentioned a book titled “Peace in Every Step”.  It was written by a Buddhist monk, I believe, and is all about appreciating the small things in life. I will have to look it up and maybe it will be the next book I read. 

After a few more stops and starts, and one snack break with the boys where we shared pistachios and our foraged food – we finally made it to the top of the mountain.  It was beautiful up there.  Our “guides” were less than impressed and almost immediately started climbing the trees up there.  It was a great place to stop and rest before heading back down (had to be on time for lunch!).  Because there wasn’t much in the way, there was a nice breeze constantly swirling around us.  There was very little shade, but the sun didn’t feel as hot.  The edge of the mountain was fairly step from our overlook, and quickly gave way to the valley below.  Then just as quickly, rose on the other side for the mountain facing us.  There was so much green!  Green that was dotted with the whites, greys and browns of cattle and a few buildings.  To the one side we could see the red clay roofs and white church of Candelaria, to the other side of the mountain that faded into the tall horizon.  After a few minutes of enjoying the view, and the obligatory photos, we headed down the mountain.

The boys found some large walking sticks that they decided to they would carry between their legs while hopping down the rocks.  All I could think was “Jeeze, one false move and that could be quite painful,” but I am obviously in no place question them. 

Two of them got tired of carrying the sticks, so gave them to Luis and myself – which I was grateful for further down the mountain.  The third held onto his until he would reach the steeper parts, then he would vault his stick down the path, wait for it to land, look back and laugh toward me, then hop down the rocks like it was nothing.  I suppose that mountain and the surrounding mountains are their playground, so it really isn’t a big deal to them.

Further down the mountain, Luis said something to me that was very interesting.  He first asked me if I did yoga, and I told him that there are a few stretches that I do in the morning and at night that are yoga based, but it isn’t anything major and asked what mead him ask.  He then said, “Because you have the heart of a yogi. As you go through your life I think you will come to understand what that means.  You really need to read that book I told you about earlier.”  I have been thinking about that ever since, as I am not exactly sure what he means by that.  I have heard “yogi” before, but am not 100% sure that I know what it is.  I will look it up when I get back home and I will be sure to purchase that book – I am very curious about it all.  I have been told that I have an old soul – maybe it is related?  I am very intrigued by all of this….

My hand is getting tired and I want to try to nap a little before hitting Miami –plus I don’t think I will have enough time to talk about Gualsinse before we touch down in Miami.  That will have to wait for the layover in Miami, or the Miami-Chicago flight.  Until then…

                                                                                                                JLC

Holding Hands on the Mountain: Climbing the Mountain Together - part 1 (2nd May 2014 - Honduras)

2^nd Mayo, 2014,

5:05pm

This morning we climbed one of the mountains that over-looks Candelaria, as we have finished most of what we needed to do while here.  We walked through Barrio San Francisco on the way (between us and the landfill), which was really cool because it was going past a bunch of houses.  It was nice to see a neighborhood that wasn't the downtown area.  And of course, this morning our three little friends met up with us.  They insisted on holding my hand all the way to the landfill [which proved difficult as there were three of them and I only have two hands].  At the landfill we decided that our friends shouldn't follow us up the mountain.  One wasn't wearing shoes and we didn't have enough water to last for everyone.  Nick’s shoe was falling apart at the landfill, so he decided to head back and was going to take the boys with him.  However, we were hanging out at the landfill for so long that the boys got bored and shouted “adios!” as they scampered off down the road.  Shortly after that, we went up the path for the mountain. 

We weren't even fifty feet up the path when we heard some voices behind us and, who else, but our friends.  They ran up the first hundred feet with enough speed and dexterity that it could put a goat to shame.  The one still had no shoes.  When we asked if they had enough water to make it up the mountain, Marlo produced a large green pod from his back-pack, passing it around, showing us how to eat the exterior of the seeds. 

For the rest of the climb, the four of us [me, Luis, Liz and Gus] looked like the struggling mountain climbers we were, while the three boys would run ahead, bounding from rock to rock – they even had enough time to climb a few trees and show us which plants were edible. 

The two plants that we ate the most on the climb were the green pods and these yellow berries that had an apple-y taste to them.  We just hoped that everything they were feeding us wasn’t poisonous….but I am able to write this, so I think that I am fin…going to take a bit of a break now and will hopefully get back to writing more tonight…

                                                                                                                JLC

Out of place in your own homeland: A matter of perspective (31st of April, 2014 - Honduras)

31^st Abril 2014,

8:09 am

With Jimmy sick, and Luis with the landfill team, I have become the third translator, going off of one year of Spanish in middle school and my mother and co-worker, Mario, talking to me occasionally in Spanish.  Major props to them, but that amount is not at all recommended for travel….

Words I need right now for buying Gatorade for Jimmy, not sure what they use here/what is most common [these were notes to myself for easy reference]:

è Receipt – recibo, formula, receta

è How much? – Cuantos?

8:53 am

Well, getting the Gatorade was super easy, I only used “tres Gatorade” and I understood the amount that she said they were.  She didn’t have anything for producing a receipt, so I didn’t need that.  While in the store some of my young friends spotted me and called out to me, and were delighted when I said “hola” back to them. 

Currently, I am sitting on the steps of Cocepradil while the workers clean our room, which is nice that they can get in there today to do it since I was in there yesterday.  The dirty sheets and towels don’t bother me; it’s not like I change those every day back home, but it’s the amount of waste in the waste bin that is getting to be a bit much.  We have indoor plumbing here (no outhouses at the NGO, but the water gets shut off a lot), however, the toilets can’t handle toilet paper, so we have to throw away all of that in the garbage…and with me being sick yesterday….it’s nice that they are able to get in there now. I am also happy that I brought toilet paper. No matter where I travel, I always bring soap, a towel and toilet paper...

Taking a moment to document the day's events and plans. 

It rained again last night after dinner. In our room it sounded like it was going to come through the ceiling tiles and soak our beds.  I didn’t feel anything, but I guess the guys next to us (Gus and Nick) got a little wet. 

The storm brought some cool air with it, so I slept pretty well and even got a little cold during my shower – a feeling I kind of miss from Chicago. Although with this past winter I should probably be careful what I wish for [referencing the “polar vortex” winter of 2013/2014]. 

The plans for today are to finish the leachate collection system at the landfill, which Liz, Gus and Luis are already working on. Then the rest of us will work in the river constructing the gabion baskets – and by that, I mean, we will be putting rocks into the baskets, or as Nick puts it “we’ll be chuckin’ rocks.”  It’s going to be a tiring day.  I need to be sure to wear lots of sunscreen and probably my hat.  But since we will be in the water, I think I will be able to wear my shorts. Hopefully the water will help to keep me cooler today.  We will see how I am feeling then…

One other thing that I wanted to write about a bit is something that actually happened on Monday.  Orlando was talking to a group of people that were going to get some free (?) vaccines and food.  He mentioned us in his speech and pointed us out (we had been shopping close to the town square).  Afterward, a young woman in pink scrubs came up to us and started speaking in English, asking where we were from, what we were doing here, etc.  She told us that she was from one of the bigger cities in the north and was here on an internship - or something like that – for dentistry for about 6 months.  She said that she had never heard of Candelaria before and had to Google it to see where it was.  I noticed that she was wearing a Victoria’s Secret “Pink” hat, had on some nice earrings and had a nice purse (possibly also Victoria’s Secret).  She had a look in her eyes that she felt very out of place here – a bit of culture shock to come here.  She really seemed to feel more comfortable talking and relating to us than to people from her own country – she seemed really out of place.  She had that look of confusion that I am sure I had when moving to Platteville – “these are people that are from the same place as me (for me same state), yet their culture is so much different than mine – what?!?” It was interesting to see that dynamic here, and to also be reminded that Candelaria doesn't represent the whole country – the way people live here isn’t the way people live in all of Honduras.  I feel that this is something that Americans, including American volunteers, often forget.  “Third world” covers a relatively broad spectrum of life-styles and the corner of the country you have in mind for representing the country – whether you have been there yourself or seen pictures or heard about it – might not be accurate, and usually isn’t accurate, for the whole country.  I have very little in common (in terms of life-style and several view points) with someone from a small northern town in Wisconsin, or a small town in southern Illinois [Note: I’m from Milwaukee and am currently living in Chicago].  It was nice to be reminded of that.

I should get going as the group might be getting back at any minute – or they might not, we will see how things go. I should probably change clothes though….

                                                                                                                                JLC

8:00 pm

We finished the gabions today and it was so nice to be in the river.  It wasn’t super-hot again today, but then again, I spent most of the day in the shade or the river. At any rate, having the cool fluid rushing over my feet and dipping my hands in the river to pick out rocks felt great. We placed and filled the gabions in less than two hours, which is even more impressive when you realize that it is about two tons of rocks moved by hand.  For that, it was myself, Nick and the local workers provided by the community.  (The rest of our team was at the landfill giving a demonstration on a way to safely dispose of needles from the medical facility.)  Once the workers understood what we were doing, they formed a line and tossed rocks to one another to save time and the hassle of walking across the slippery, rocky terrain.  I don’t know how other communities are to work with, but this community has been great to work with; they pick up on things really quickly, are very interested in the projects that we are working with them on, and just overall, have been very receptive and hospitable to us.  We have had a few hiccups here and there, but overall, they have been a real pleasure to work with. 

"Chuckin' rocks" with some of the local workers.

Finishing the gabians - Final wires to hold basket together. 

Orlando, the mayor, has also been fantastic. He has been driving us around everywhere, taking us to have “snacks”/”refreshments” and even welcomed us into his home today for coffee and cakes.  What is very interesting is that I am told the people call him “the prophet”.  From what I understand, and I might be wrong on this as I don’t speak fluent Spanish, and haven’t delved too far into it, the older political party was run by people who had businesses, whereas the current political party is run by people who had other positions, such as educators or other roles that weren’t running businesses.  It is interesting that when we are driving through town with Orlando, he honks at people EVERYWHERE and frequently stops to talk to someone, in a pick-up truck or walking alongside the road. It does appear that he is well-liked, but maybe I am not seeing the other side of it? Either side, I like him so far and have been extremely grateful for his hospitality and for the amount of time he has taken to work with us. 

I keep getting distracted, so I should probably get going.  Buenos Noches!

                                                                                                                                JLC

Heat Exhaustion and Tonsillitis: Getting Sick in Honduras - part 2 (30th April 2014 - Honduras)

30^th Abril, 2014    

7:21pm

Proof that there is never a dull moment…we started the work this morning and things were going fairly well, the workers were great and the one knew a little English, so communicating with them wasn’t too complicated.  After a little while of working, I started to get really warm (in the sick kind of way), so I decided to sit down for a minute or two.  After a few minutes, there was something for me to help with, so I stood up to lend a hand, and that is when I felt it…my “great” low blood pressure-light-headed-dizzy feeling.  I asked Liz for the key to our room and on my way off the site, I tripped on a piece of gabion basket we had just put together – “great, my vision is starting to go” I realized. I made it back to the room and ripped off my pants, wetted down my face and arms (thank God the water was working today) and I sprawled across my bed, on my back, and waited for the heat exhaustion to go away. 

Lunch was shortly after (about a half hour), so I figured I would just have some salt-water there to restore my electrolytes.  I could eat very little and ended up going back into my room for a two hour or so nap/resting period. I woke up around 3 and realized that I hadn’t gone to the bathroom since this morning – a pretty good indicator that I was dehydrated, even though I had drank several water bottles during that period. I re-filled my water bottle and changed into shorts and by 4pm was feeling great so headed out to help with the gabions, but everyone had already finished.  Since I was out just after they finished, they all made fun of my timing saying, “Jessi was probably watching us, waiting and came out when we finished.” Haha boys.  They were happy that I was feeling better though – and I guess I should point out that they only made fun of me after making sure I was OK. They care.  J

One of our friends standing next to a finished (not filled) gabion basket. 

Unfortunately Jimmy didn’t have my luck.  He was sick in his room all day today - sick and lethargic - and by the end of the day had a temperature of 101°F.  Orlando said he could get a doctor (this was before taking his temperature), so we got one as soon as it stopped raining – it had started pouring around 4:30pm, and when it rains so hard, the whole town has to stop….but in a really social way.  People duck into shops to get out of the rain and they socialize for however long the rain lasts, which is usually around a couple hours. 

Part of town in the afternoon rain.

But back to Jimmy…

The doctor took a look and with fever, sickness and finding that he had swollen tonsils, he said Jimmy had tonsillitis and took him to the clinic for treatment with Luis.  In his condition, we all assumed that he would be there overnight for treatment and observation, especially with the rain.  But within the past few minutes, there was a knock on our door and “SHAGGY!!”  (Jimmy  was standing there looking a lot better – the light in his eyes was coming back and he looked like he had more energy, though he said he is still feeling tired and is looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep.  He was given antibiotics and is on an ibuprofen regimen, so hopefully he is feeling a lot better in the morning.

Luis and Liz trying to contact EWB and our insurance company via satellite phone.
Location (distance from large towns and the mountains) and the rain complicated things. 

After our work for the day was done, and while it was still raining and Liz, Nick and Luis were trying to get the satellite phone to work so they could contact the insurance company, Gus and I hung out with the kids. The power had been out since 1pm or so, so everyone was pushed outside while there was still light, but the rain kept people under shelters.  The kids, of course, sought us out.  They wanted to use my camera again, so I obliged and lost track of it several times, but the pictures they took with them are absolutely priceless! I happened to have my dad’s camera (he loaned it to me for higher quality photos) and the kids kept asking to use both my cameras, going so far as to try to snatch the other camera (my dad’s) away from me.  The one girl, Carina, went so far as to try to get the camera and when that didn’t work, she tickled my arm pit when I was pouring the tamarind juice – sneaky girl!

Gus and me hanging out with our new friends. 

There has yet to be a dull moment yet here! WE were lucky enough to have the electricity turn back on shortly before I started writing this – I thought I would have to write this all by candle-light and just as I was about to do something else, the power turned back on. It has been on ever since, but I won’t hold my breath for consistency – it’s gone off every day we have been here.  At least we are prepared though if it turns off again.

I think that this is also a good point to reflect on things thus far….

Other than the short lived sickness, I have been having a lot of fun in the working-hard-and-seeing-some-results kind of way.  I have also been living much more in the moment, which has also been helping me with some issues I was dealing with before coming here.  I have been reminded of the simple things in life and how you don’t need much to be happy. Any time I think about how complicated our lives back home can be, and how stressful we make things for ourselves, I think of the toothless smiles of the kids we hang out with and how insanely happy they are to see pictures of themselves, or take pictures of each other, or to swing from one of our arms.  And it’s just absurd the things we stress over back home. 

It’s interesting exploring different human experiences and perspectives.  The kids were also going through my phone and found the picture I have of Freddie Mercury in his white shorts from “Live at Wembley” and they thought it was hysterical [which I love him, but he was very “unique”, which is probably why I love him].  The found photos of some of my family and friends and were asking about them.  It was really nice to share part of my life from back home with them – even if they weren't super impressed - as Carina wasn't when looking at pictures of the Slovak Easter eggs I make with my family every year.  She got to them and just casually scrolled through them without any hesitation at the ornate patterns that took me hours to do with wax and different dyes, saying “huevos, huevos, huevos”, with the least bit of interest.  It was very humbling, that’s for damn sure. 

I should shower now, as it is late and Liz and I have been talking as I have been writing this.

Buenos Noches

                                                                                          

                                                                                           JLC

Sharing photos in the dark. 

A Rumble and a Scream: Getting Sick in Honduras - part 1 (30th April 2014 - Honduras)

30^th Abril, 2014   

6:52am

Plans for today include supervising the landfill leachate collection installation and making and installing the gabion baskets.

8:00 am

How is it this for facts of life?…I ate breakfast, which was great, as all of the meals have been thus far, I went to my room to wash up and as I was brushing my teeth, I got that feeling in my gut…the one that is a cross between a rumble and a scream….the one that is telling you that you need the toilet and NOW!!!

Luckily, I was in my bathroom and could relieve myself almost as quickly as the feeling had come on…I don’t feel really sick, just not 100%.  I took some Pepto as a pre-caution, as we have a lot to do today and we split up into 3-person teams, so each member's contribution is vital to the sub-groups.  Another member of my team is also feeling sick, so that could pose some problems on our team.  Luckily I am on the gabion basket team, which is working at Cocepradil, so there will be a bathroom readily available, along with my bed…and other clothes – if it gets to that.  :/

Well, gotta go engineer and stuff…

                                                                JLC

10:01am

We were waiting for an hour, but Orlando didn’t come, so we decided to go to the hardware store to buy some work gloves and to fix Gus’s shoe (which Victor offered some super glue the other day to fix it).  On the way out we ran into Orlando, I think that the materials just arrived later than expected, so Nick went with Orlando, while Jimmy and I went to the hardware store to get some Gatorade to replenish lost electrolytes. 

It was nice to walk through town a bit, and get a better feel for what everyday life is like here.  We heard children from the elementary school doing some kind of recitations and of course, saw other people going about their day, carrying split tires or riding donkeys with loads on the sides of the donkey’s belly.  People have all been very kind to us, staring a bit at first, and then when we smile and say “hola”, or “Buenos dia”, they reflect the emotion. At Cocepradil, when we are in the front waiting, people will typically come and say hello and shake our hands. I do not know who around town all knows who we are, or why we are here, I know some do, but it is very nice of everyone to greet us so kindly.

Donkey  (or horse?) with loads on sides

The landfill project isn’t moving as planned, the operator has yet to arrive and was supposed to be there an hour ago…gotta go…workers are here. 

                                                                                                                JLC

View towards town from Cocepradil

Hospitality and Stolen Cameras: Getting to know the community (29th April 2014 - Honduras)

29^th Abril, 2014 11:12am

We have just had a refreshment with the mayor –an hour long and now we wait to continue with the next steps.  Our project isn't moving at the pace we all want, but this is the way these things go – gotta go with the community and their pace – I have learned that well at work.  You can’t push people with projects; you need to make sure there is understanding and a level of comfort before moving forward with work. 

Refreshments at the city hall building

The mayor is a great host and has been working with us on everything. It’s great to have the community’s leader so interested and involved in what we are doing - and I do think that he is genuinely interested in what we are doing and wants our input on his ideas. There have been times that he has asked “what do you think?” and then he takes some of it into his ideas by expanding on or asking questions. One concern is that he has a great vision, but we are not sure that he has plans for all the ideas – example, he has a 20 year plan, but when asked about a 5 year plan, he didn't have a solid answer. I think that is true for politicians anywhere, but I do have a feeling that us asking about some of these things will get him thinking about some of those plans. He has done a lot since taking office in January, and he is all around the community, which is great to see and very promising….

Gotta go engineer now…

                                                                                                                                JLC

29^th Abril, 2014, 8:50pm

Great project news! We presented our aquaponics project to some community members this evening and they seem very excited and interested in it. They were asking all of the “right” questions, meaning they were thinking about how it could really pertain to them and be of use to them; from asking if they could grow cattle feed in it (before we asked them what they would want to grow), to asking if they could use this idea with families at their houses. It is so exciting that they are asking these questions because their concerns and visions are in line with our concerns and visions - we are looking for this being a pilot project, with the hope that they will use the concept to build more. It is fantastic that we are all on the same page.

Our aquaponics presentation.  (me on the right)

There was a slight problem at the landfill though. We had asked them to dig a trench, which they did, but they also put part of a cap on part of the landfill while we were running errands today. This is an issue because we might need that area to be accessible, but now it isn’t so much; perfect example of some miscommunication.  They did what we asked, but also did something else that they thought was being helpful, but wasn't and we didn't know about it until after it was done.  Oh well, what is done is done and you just have to work with what happens – go with the flow. 

Discussing landfill plans with the mayor and team

  Speaking of flow, we are going to be building our leachate [“garbage water”] collection system tomorrow; it will be interesting to see how that goes.

Measuring length of pipe needed for leachate system.  

Outside of the engineering side of things, we were visited by the kids again – of course.  This time they were bolder, with more of them coming in to say hello, which then escalated to them taking my camera and taking photos of EVERYTHING with it. They were jumping all over us wanting to be picked up and swung around, or they started playing a game of tag.  They kept asking us to play futbol, but after last night, we are too tired so told them that “Shaggy”, who had left for a walk, had the soccer ball. Which was not only false, but also made them very unhappy, which I felt bad about - until I look at the time and realize that I am not encased in sweat as I am writing this tonight.  It’s nice to have one night that isn't too sweaty.

Hanging out with the kids. 

Trying to get my camera back.  I was not successful.

I should get going though as I would like to get the dirt off soon…it’s everywhere from the landfill...one of these days I will write an entry on the nitty gritty of being here.  I had a friend who, a while back asked me to write about the “facts of life” and I will….just not now.

                                                                                                                Buenos Noches, JLC