Here is the 'official' update of what's going on given by my volunteer organization. They say it better than I could.
Sunday June 28th, Honduras' national army overthrew President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales and was immediately exiled to Costa Rica; the National Congress officially voted to strip him of his powers and named the president of the National Congress, Roberto Micheletti, as provisional president of Honduras until democratic elections in November 2009 through an act of constitutional substitution. Such act is legally established in Honduras’ Constitution, and was done because the ex-president José Manuel Zelaya Rosales committed a list of 18 faults to the national laws, including the attempt to summon an assembly to rewrite the constitution and overcome the term limits that would have forced him to leave office at the end of this year. The three Powers of Honduras’ Government are currently functioning and are legally constituted. Today (June 29th), a series of demonstrators’ groups protested in some areas nearby the Presidential House at Tegucigalpa, the police and some military troops counterattacked the demonstrations, but the nation remained generally calm. It is only certain groups of demonstrators who are performing these kinds of protests; the rest of the nation (the majority) continues their usual activities. However, we do have a national curfew from 9:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m.
As for me personally, I have been ok. Where I live, the political situation doesn't really affect me. The greatest extent is hearing the personal opinions and comments by the locals on what they think should happen now. It's a really unique experience to be going through right now.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
political unrest
So for those who were unaware, right now there's a lot of political instability because apparently the president of Honduras is holding an illegal poll this Sunday to decide whether or not to change the consistution. He says it's to improve the situation by making it fairer for the lower class people, but most people think he just wants to be reelected (the election is supposed to be later this year and the current constitution says that presidents can only run for one term).
Basically, for fear of riots and other things (protests have already started in the main cities, although most have been pretty peaceful so far). They are advising us all to stay indoors this weekend!! I'm curious to see how this weekend turns out!
Basically, for fear of riots and other things (protests have already started in the main cities, although most have been pretty peaceful so far). They are advising us all to stay indoors this weekend!! I'm curious to see how this weekend turns out!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
the midpoint!!
As I'm at approximately halfway through my experience in Honduras (oh how time goes by so fast!!) I thought I would have a mini summary of my most and least favourite things.
Things I like the least about Honduras
Grease - why oh why does everything need to be fried or oozing with mantequilla (butter)
Bugs - I met my first (and hopefully last) scorpian and what appeared to be a tarantula (it was furry like and big!) at Bencaleth. And it seems like all the insects bite here. My ankles are routinely swollen and my legs are all scarred (ok, that's my fault for scratching)
Pollution - Do not walk too close to the road with white clothing. Emission tests are unheard of here.
Pace - Everything is done in a more relaxed manner. We were supposed to go grocery shopping for Bencaleth one day. They told me to go to the truck at 12:30. We ended up leaving at 3. Coming from a place where everything is scheduled and deadlined, this is something I have some trouble getting used to.
Poverty - It's really obvious in some of the markets and on the outskirts of town. The stories you hear (and when you see it for yourself) of things like kids sniffing glue to ease the feeling of hunger breaks your heart. One of the things I've noticed though is the disparity. Some of the people here live similarly to what I live like in Canada. Others live in the houses on the sides of the mountain which are the first to flood or get destroyed in the earthquakes. It's pretty extreme because the two groups live so close to each other.
Things I like most about Honduras:
People - My host mom here is wonderful. She's funny and treats me like her own daughter. I really enjoy hanging out with her and watching our favourite novela (Spanish soap opera) together. The friends I've made are totally awesome too.
Bencaleth - I have fallen in love with the kids here. Each of them have their own personalities and cute things about them. Even when I get so frustrated that they pull my shirt, take my stuff, drool on me, can't understand my Spanish, I can't help but look forward to the next day with them.
Closeness - Everything is so close. The church, the pulperias (there's one of these neighborhood conveience stores attached to homes every 10 houses or so), and family are all walking distance from home.
Beauty - I still am amazed by the beauty of this place. One of my favourite things is the nightly lightning show. It's rainy season and I guess a lot of static so then you can watch flashes of lightning from storms in the distance all night.
Spanish - Although I am still learning I think the experience of being the outsider and needing to depend on others has really helped me to appreciate the people here.
Things I like the least about Honduras
Grease - why oh why does everything need to be fried or oozing with mantequilla (butter)
Bugs - I met my first (and hopefully last) scorpian and what appeared to be a tarantula (it was furry like and big!) at Bencaleth. And it seems like all the insects bite here. My ankles are routinely swollen and my legs are all scarred (ok, that's my fault for scratching)
Pollution - Do not walk too close to the road with white clothing. Emission tests are unheard of here.
Pace - Everything is done in a more relaxed manner. We were supposed to go grocery shopping for Bencaleth one day. They told me to go to the truck at 12:30. We ended up leaving at 3. Coming from a place where everything is scheduled and deadlined, this is something I have some trouble getting used to.
Poverty - It's really obvious in some of the markets and on the outskirts of town. The stories you hear (and when you see it for yourself) of things like kids sniffing glue to ease the feeling of hunger breaks your heart. One of the things I've noticed though is the disparity. Some of the people here live similarly to what I live like in Canada. Others live in the houses on the sides of the mountain which are the first to flood or get destroyed in the earthquakes. It's pretty extreme because the two groups live so close to each other.
Things I like most about Honduras:
People - My host mom here is wonderful. She's funny and treats me like her own daughter. I really enjoy hanging out with her and watching our favourite novela (Spanish soap opera) together. The friends I've made are totally awesome too.
Bencaleth - I have fallen in love with the kids here. Each of them have their own personalities and cute things about them. Even when I get so frustrated that they pull my shirt, take my stuff, drool on me, can't understand my Spanish, I can't help but look forward to the next day with them.
Closeness - Everything is so close. The church, the pulperias (there's one of these neighborhood conveience stores attached to homes every 10 houses or so), and family are all walking distance from home.
Beauty - I still am amazed by the beauty of this place. One of my favourite things is the nightly lightning show. It's rainy season and I guess a lot of static so then you can watch flashes of lightning from storms in the distance all night.
Spanish - Although I am still learning I think the experience of being the outsider and needing to depend on others has really helped me to appreciate the people here.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
beautiful
Us 5 girls from Canada all met up the past weekend to have a mini outing. We went to the Lake of Yojo, awhich is Honduras' only natural lake, and the famous Pulhapanzak waterfall. We got to climb the rocks and swim at the base of the falls. We also go into a cave behind the falls. It was such a terrifying yet amazing experience. This country is absolutely gorgeous. Even the 5 hour bus ride (It was an interesting ride because they use old/unwanted American school buses for their crazy public transit) was enjoyable because the winding mountainous roads had spectacular views.
la nueva profe
Hola. My role in Bencaleth has changed up a bit. I guess the teacher has more confidence in me now, so I've been upgraded to mini teacher. So far, I've been teaching the 'younger' kids numbers and colours. All in Spanish!! I don't even know how I manage to think up different ways of making learning fun in a language that I am not even close to being proficient in. Somehow it works and the kids love it.
I must thank the years of working at the Community Living special needs summer camp. I believe that's where my creativity and patience was first cultivated!
I must thank the years of working at the Community Living special needs summer camp. I believe that's where my creativity and patience was first cultivated!
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