Adios Copan!

Good Bye to Copan. As usual, it was extremely difficult to leave this wonderful and special place. I want to write some random things about this place that make it special and that make it a memory to last forever in my mind. The giant hill Maya and I have to walk up every day. We call it Puta Diabla, not a nice word in Spanish J The sickly and starving dogs that walk the streets of Copan. The pretty girls in the streets and Gabriela or Gaby. Watching Honduras football (the real football). Dona Elena, my Mama of Honduras. I will miss her dearly but will see her again one day soon. She is a woman of strength and endurance who continues to love those around her amidst 10 hours of work each day at her Bed and Breakfast/Restaurant. Nelly, the best Spanish teacher in Central America. My dear friend and a remarkable woman who has had a difficult life but has persevered and who spreads happiness and joy each day. Ellen or Gringita! My Gringa Honduras friend who I will always stay in touch with. I will miss her funny stories and motivating journey. Ixcel, Dona Elena’s dog and I must mention the healthiest dog in Honduras. Tuk Tuk rides, Isiayis, Alexander, Maria, and Mercy; I love them all. The ride in the back of Edgar’s truck each day to school, the smiles and positivity of the children in San Rafael. Holding the hand of a child full of optimism and strength who battles poverty each day and thinking, what does his/her future have in store? Football games with Mario and Pablo, two of the craziest kids in Honduras. Can’t help but love them though. Café VillaMil and the wonderful people that work there. Papa Changos and the crazy nights it brought, Sapo Rojo-drama and good drinks, Balleadas, stepping in a lot of dog crap, Hacienda San Lucas, Wes-a wonderful person and someone with a brilliant mind and future. Katia-a Quebec friend and a wonderful Spanish student and a future pharmacist, Britta-a new friend and someone I hope to hang out with many more times in the future! My local eating buddies who put up with my bad Spanish! A lot of honking in the streets, Tuk Tuk corner, the best Spanish school ever-Julia and the others there! Salva Vida, Uterus shots, and jellyfish shots, our song by Foreigner-this will not leave with Copan, Snickers bars, the food at Dona Elena’s, tamales, climbing the fence with help from Maya, Utila and life under the warm and clear water, Picante’s restaurant in Utila, Sophie and Traci, two new friends and great GVI Interns, Pamela and Erick, new friends and two people I want to stay in touch with. The Christmas Tree in the Park and the song that needs to end, fishing in the river, the amazing Copan Ruins, coffee and more coffee, hanging out at the Spanish school and parties at the Spanish school, bus rides, building the pila, my room at Dona Elena’s, my view at Dona Elena’s, Dona Elena’s family-all remarkable people, walking from school when Edgar was late, working on my Spanish, greeting people in the street, New Years, Skyping m family, hanging out with Dom and eating at Momo’s, long chats with Ellen, seeing the pain and suffering that is life for some humans, feeling guilty about eating so much, days that last forever, no stress, siestas, saying really stupid things in Spanish, watching the sunrise one morning, roosters and more roosters sounding off way before sunup, the kindness and friendliness in Copan, riding horses, pushing a Tuk Tuk in mud, meeting so many cool people, vowing to come back someday. And, of course my compatriots and my family during this journey: Susan, Aviv, and Maya! I’m sure there’s more, but this is a start.