Advertisement
Arrival
Walt and I in the back of the truck on the way from the airport to Comayagua What a trip. It was truly an amazing time. I went back to visit Walter, old students, Honduran friends, teacher friends, and the mountains that I've missed so much.
I won't give all the details of what I did but some highlights included:
- Jogging through the streets with Walt, Kenny, and Bryan, followed by watching the guys playing bball in the park
- Visit to the centre where I used to volunteer, where I got to visit again with my sponsored child
- Walt hiring a Mariachi band to play for me in the street as we walked by
- Bar nights at Morgan's and Villa Real that felt like I never left
- Parties with my amazing students who have grown more than I can fathom in the last year
- Spending lazy afternoons in bed with Walt AND all his nieces and nephews
- Returning to Roatan and giggling at Walt's giddiness over never being there before
- Getting back into the ocean for my first scuba dive in a year
- Visiting the homes of many families living in poverty in order to deliver clothing donated by my family and my mom's co-worker
- Simply seeing
El Centro
Visiting with the kids at the centre where I used to volunteer the mountains that were the background of my life for a year
Being back was amazing. From the moment I saw Walter at the airport, I felt like I was returning home. The streets were so familiar. The people. The smells. The traffic. The catcalls. The food. The bars. The students. The park. The streets. The stores. Everything was familiar. There's a new mall, a new Dunkin Donuts, Pollo Campero, and Burger King, but I kept telling Walt in the ride to his house, that it felt right. It felt as though time had stopped while I was gone and now life was carrying on. It's so hard and strange to try to explain how a country that is not my own could feel so much like home.
Things with Walter were amazing. He's changed so much in this last year. I felt it over the phone and e-mails, but I needed to witness it. Last time he held back a lot, as he said he couldn't commit his whole heart for fear of being hurt. This time we both agreed to let go and just enjoy what time we have been granted. He said he prayed all
Alma
Exchanging gifts with my sponsored child. year for God to return me to him, even if just for a short time. He said my visit was a gift from God.
I spent a lot of time reflecting in the two weeks I was there. There were challenging moments (living with a family of 10 people, sharing one small bathroom with no lock on the door is not easy) but there were also beautiful moments that made being there all make sense. The biggest thing for me is being shown time and time again, how lucky I am to live the life that I live. It's a blessing to be in debt because it means I have the means to money when I need it. Not having my own place is okay because I have parents who never abandon me, a roof over my head, and food on the table. The price of gas isn't so bad when you have the money to own a car and therefore means of easy transportation. I have the freedom of a passport and being able to travel to anywhere I desire, without worrying about whether or not I will be granted that ability. I shouldn't worry about the job
Students!
First party with my students - pool party at a new local pool! in Spain not working out, because I have the privilege of access to so many opportunities of work in Canada, or wherever my heart desires. I should feel blessed to have my own bedroom and my own bed as well as fluffy pillows and clean sheets. I had the chance at amazing education while growing up: one that I didn't have to pay for. We truly are blessed to live the lives that we lead up here.
Will Walt and I be together in the future? We're leaving it again up to God. Chances are extremely slim, and we have decided to live our own separate lives but know that if our paths are meant to cross again in the future, they will. We enjoyed our time together, shared some beautiful moments that we will remember forever, and lived in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or the future. In Walter's words, "If we can't be together in this lifetime, maybe it will happen in another."
The trip was much needed time away. I lived every moment as if it were my last, and feel refreshed coming home. Despite plans for Spain falling through, I know
Cake in the Face!
Walt thought it'd be funny. My students did too! there is another opportunity for me that I am meant to have. There are more lives to touch and more people waiting to touch mine.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.152s; Tpl: 0.015s; cc: 14; qc: 31; dbt: 0.095s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
clara
non-member comment
Sarah- what a touching entry. I had tears in my eyes as I read your story. Welcome back...and may we all appreciate life the way you do....The wonderful people in Honduras have truly had an impact on your life that will last forever.