Leeches!

My new favorite fun fruit -- leeches!  After passing numerous roadside stands of these mysterious poky fruits, I finally asked one merchant what they were.  He replied "lichas."  As if to say, "What else could it be?!"  After asking what you do with them he popped off the top half of one and told me to try it.  It was slimy inside and odd looking but also very sweet tasting and fun to eat.  My new favorite snack (until mango season)...I bought a whole bag of 20 for 20 Limpiras (about a dollar).  

Our Casita

Here is a picture of the house Heather and I share.  Notice the coconut tree in the front yard!  We haven't figured out how to knock down the coconuts yet to drink the water inside, but we're hoping some good ones fall off soon.  The house has 2 bedrooms, a livingroom/dining room, bathroom and a kitchen.  There is also a pila (cement wash basin) outside that we can use for washing our clothes and boots.  Right now we use it to hold our trash because we haven't figured out where we're supposed to burn it yet!

Our house is located in the village, which consists of a couple long streets of houses close together and a few small stores which sell basics and also snacks, Coke and ice cream.  One of our patients named Santos owns one of the stores and gave us ice cream bars today.  He came in last week to have 3 lipomas removed from his arm along with a thorn which had been stuck in his arm for a couple years.  Since the clinic is on the main road, we walk through the village every day to get to work.  It's about a 5 minute walk but it's been fun to see familiar faces along the way.  

High School Graduation

While the internet is strong enough to upload pictures, I'll continue to blog!  This picture was taken the day after we arrived in Rio Viejo.  I wasn't aware, but American-run schools typically adopt a different school schedule which has the "summer" break during the rainy season here.  This also allows for a break during the holidays for the many American teachers who volunteer at the Christian high school (El Instituto del Rey) directly across the street from our clinic.  The ceremony was similar to the few I've been to in the States and included the national anthem played by the school marching band.  I think there were about 15 graduates this year.

After the ceremony we tagged along to two graduation parties -- one of which was next to our house for the daughter of the pastor of the church here.  Heather and I tried to attend one of the 2 night services last weekend but one was cancelled due to a big wedding in La Ceiba and Sunday the service started early because it was raining so by the time we arrive it was the middle of the sermon and the only 2 open seats were in the middle of the very front row.  Yesterday I asked a patient who is training under the pastor at the church about the services and he answered as if to say "Yeah, so what's the confusion about?  That's how things work here."  We'll give it another go this weekend and hopefully there won't be any more scheduling changes!

First week

Before I forget, don't forget to check out the Williams' blog -- blog.hhim.us -- for some pictures of Heather and me during our first week at the clinic.

I've been here over a week now and it's beginning to feel like home.  I'm getting into a routine here at the clinic and it's seeming easier to talk to patients.  I'm learning new words every day (today I learned Band-Aid, why I didn't know this before, I'm not sure).  The highlight today was assisting in a procedure for a tumor in the back of someone's head.  My job was to shave a patch of hair off and then dab the wound with gauze.  

Yesterday Heather and I ventured into La Ceiba for the first time by ourselves and it was fun to walk around and explore a little.  It took us a little over an hour to take the bumpy bus ride down the mountain and into town.  We enjoyed an authentic Honduran breakfast of coffee and baleadas, which are tortillas with beans, cheese and egg.  We also bought leeches from a roadside vendor who showed us how to pop off the tops to chew on the fruit inside.  Later in the day we called Heidi, a Norwegian friend we met last week at the women's Bible study, and she met up with us for coffee and pastries at a bakery owned by an American lady who also goes to the Bible study.  I was quite happy to indulge in my first chocolate purchase in Honduras, a chocolate-filled croissant -- yum!  

A Picture at last!

Heather and I standing in the "porch" of the house we will be moving into in a couple months. First we need to clean it out (knock down termite nests/feed the chickens, get different furniture, paint, get a stove, etc.).  The backyard of this house has many papaya trees and has a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  For now we're living in a small house in the village about a 5 minute walk from the clinic which has been great.  Pics to come!

Rio Viejo Landscape

These pictures were taken in the front lawn of the clinic (turning around from where the pic on my postcard was taken).  The building is the new house being built for the Dr. Williams and his wife and 2 kids.  Right now they are living in the space that one day will be the rest of the hospital.  I was taking the pictures from the second floor of the dorms which separate the house from the clinic.  

Rio Viejo Safe and Sound!

Arrived in Rio Viejo on Friday night and had the weekend to adjust and get settled in a little.  More details will come later, pictures are to come when the internet will let them through!