Brian Boitano in Honduras!

Life here is so laid back and lazy but yet not uneventful.  Each day brings with it new trials and rewards.  For instance, lately we've been dealing with a parasite that has made its way into the boys via there feet and fingers.  It's very common here for young children, especially those that play outside barefooted...no matter how much their mother yells at them to put shoes on.  Anyway, we had to make our first visit to the dive resort for the médico.  No problem, take this and it will go away.  After a trip to three different farmacias to get the medicine (every one only had one or two doses) we got the goods and we took our last dose today. 


Have I ever mentioned the banister?  Probably not.  We live in a split level house...the bedrooms are on the bottom and the living area and kitchen is at the top.  On the second level, we have a railing that overlooks the foyer.  There are spindles that are definitely not 4" apart and the baby can literally walk right through them...not a good realization for a paranoid mother.  So after one too many scares, I took the matter into my own hands.  Working with what I had around the house, I've secured the railing and "babyproofed" it.  I don't know if saran wrap is deemed safe in the U.S. but it makes me sleep better at night here in Honduras.



Things are so different here.  Not bad or wrong, just different.  Leche is an issue.  Our children consume a lot of milk and the leche here is just not the same, unless you spring for the $6 a gallon American Whole Milk that expires tomorrow.  So we've been experimenting with new milk.  Joseph has discovered that he LOVES almond milk, especially the vanilla flavored one.  Well that is great except for the fact that Eli HATES it.  Eli likes the avena (oatmeal) flavored leche so I add a little of that to his milk and he's happy.  This is all fine except for the fact that Joseph (our child who is very sensitive to all things that cause allergies) discovered a full body rash all over him and now we have to determine if it was the milk or maybe something in the detergent that we are using.   Yes, laid back, but not uneventful...



Our house that we live in is set on a hillside that overlooks the south side of the island.  At this point I will say that it is absolutely beautiful, but very difficult to get to and especially, to leave.  Our driveway is on a very steep incline.   In fact, you may have noticed that we purchased a car.  We did this largely in part due to the extremely high rates for rental cars but also because we had problems getting people to rent a car to us because of the house we are living in.  At first, we thought it was because they wanted us to rent a house from them, but now that we have witnessed three (yes that is 3) towings on our road we have begun to think otherwise.  So, that brings me to the ice skating incident...kind of.


We have met amazing people here on the island.  In fact, we spend lots of time with a couple of families that we don't know what we'd do without.  Quiz nights, family dinners, and karoake have become events that we look forward to weekly.  This island has done so many amazing things for our family, some on a large family scale and others at a more individual level.  Anyway, the weather has been rainy...which is expected, being that we are in the middle of the "rainy season."  Our steep hills coupled with days filled with steady rain do not make for excellent driving conditions, or parking conditions for that matter. 



When arriving home one evening, one of our friends drove too far down the driveway and was unable to back up to leave.  Needless to say, it called the attention of our neighbors, their dogs, birds and monkey.  Also, as the car is slowly sliding down the hill on the algae that grows on the concrete during the rainy season, my friend and I are below it trying to get out of the way.  It's difficult to explain, but too bad the guy in the truck was too busy laughing instead of video taping because from what we hear, it was definitely an event to witness.  Imagine two synchronized swimmers...you get the picture.  Anyway, we gave up on the car and I sent them home in mine.  The next day we left the towing to the experts, islanders with a garden hose for a rope, bleach and water.  Long story made short, busted elbow, hip and left leg later....I will no longer be going out in the rain.



The craftsmanship here is beautiful...I can't not mention the front doors that I'm able to walk through everyday.  I pray that my dad is getting the hang of this "internet thing" so that he can take a look at how beautiful they are.  We managed to find a television here on the island and we set up a "den" in our very spacious living room.  Now we just need to find a HDMI cable...shouldn't be too hard, right? 



Okay, enough for now...so much to say but sometimes I feel like I'm just rambling.  So until next time...hope you are enjoying our adventures and please feel free to comment and pass along.

The Llewellyns

Casa nueva, coche nuevo!

We have had quite the experiences here lately!  We purchased a new-to-us car recently here on the island, which makes for more ease of getting around (back and forth to the beach).  Also, it makes us less needy and I'm sure this makes our friends here happy.  So, after much questioning and surprisingly little time, we found the car of our island dreams...a Toyota 4-Runner, some model made in the late 90s.  It has a few quirks and qualms, for example the passenger side window doesn't lower, rear driver side window doesn't raise, some water under the seats for some reason, right side door leaks (Joseph noticed this, maybe this is why there's water under the seat), and best of all when raising driver window one must count a full 10 seconds before releasing the button or it lowers...not 9, a full ten.  Yes, that's me, the idiot in the car counting to ten.  I type all of this in tears from laughing because it truly is entertaining.  The funniest thing of all is that we've already had four offers from people wanting to buy it whenever we decide to leave. 



We also moved to another house here on the island.  Maintenance is a really big issue here, this is interesting to me as a designer/builder.  If a house doesn't have a property manager and consistent maintenance here, the house deteriorates quickly.  It's very unfortunate, but salty air and conditions tend to have that effect.  Anyway, we've moved to another location and LOVE it.  Definitely God's plan; just wish he would have skipped the first part!  We're still on the West End of the island; but now we have an unobstructed view of the ocean from every room in the house.  The cruise ships pass right in front of our house every Tuesday through Thursday and the kids are thrilled every time.  They wake up in anticipation to see the ships.  Eli even says "boat" and points.  Maybe one day it will get old, but I secretly still like to watch them port into the dock. 



The house was designed beautifully, taking into account the sun and weather.  During the day, the children and I are able to get school done in a breezy and cool area and can also read and lay in the hammocks on the deck...nothing beats that!  As of now, we do not have a tv and this has turned out to be quite interesting for our family.  Monday we lost power, which is incredibly common here, and although usually it is recovered after a few hours it was out all day and into the night.  The children wanted to entertain themselves by playing charades and now it has been the thing to do before bed every night since.  Julianne is exceptionally good at acting out the clues; although she tends to talk more than she should :)  Joseph usually just stands there and laughs and as for Jesse, we all just wonder what it is he's doing. 

Okay, so I probably said the best thing about this house is the view...well, I lied.  The best thing is the gigantic pool!  The pool is incredible.  We find ourselves stealing hours away from the school day to go down to the pool and swim.  It is an infinity pool stolen right out of some California sitcom show...I'm personally thinking of The O.C.  Anyway, the kids love it...and so does Mom. 



We also have a yard...it's practically vertical but that doesn't stop the boys from playing on the grass.  They never tire of rolling down the hill.  It's rather amusing. 



Eli now goes onto the porch to throw a tantrum..it's his new favorite place!  

He is such a ham! 

Until next time...

Thanksgiving, Honduras Style!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving, as you all know, and we were able to celebrate our country's tradition in a foreign land.  The day here started off overcast and then rainy.  However, the sun pulled through at around 2:00 and the beach started swarming with locals.  We grabbed a quick snack at a local restaurant on the beach called Beachers and noticed the people next to us sounded a little too familiar with their y'alls and yeahs.  Turns out that they were from Baton Rouge!  Even crazier than that was the young man at the table next to them wearing a STM shirt...and yes, he was from Lafayette!  Both of the families were on the Norwegian Spirit that passes through along with the other 35 cruise ships that port in Roatan monthly.
Anyway, Thanksgiving was Great!  The day before, we spent celebrating with our church at a pot luck dinner on the beach.  It was an amazing turnout..about 300 people showed up with their favorite dish and there was more food than imaginable!  We have been so blessed to be able to be a part of a wonderful church community here. 



On Thanksgiving, my husband was able to fry two turkeys to add to the other 5 baked or rotisseried turkeys at a restaurant catered dinner.  The restaurant, Bananarama, put on a thanksgiving dinner for all of the American locals and it was delicious!  The kids were able to color Turkey bags and then go on a turkey hunt.  Afterwards they created there own turkeys with their fingerprints to take home. 





We are buying a car today.  We will be the proud owners of a very old Toyota 4-runner.  But it will climb hills and get us to the beach successfully!  It's been a long time since we bought a car without a loan and I can tell you that it feels great be debt free! 

We have to move today or tomorrow to the new house...and it's amazing how many people are so giving here.  We've been here for less than three weeks and we've already made so many friends that are willing to help with whatever we need at the drop of a hat.... It's so hard to describe the feeling.  Overwhelmed with joy, amazement.  With all the trials that we've been dealing with, we are more at home and relaxed than we've ever been.

Until next time.

Arana, Arana , y mas Aranas!

This week has been a little difficult; however, the good is still overcoming the bad.  We have been very disappointed in the house that we have attained to live in.  For the amount of money that we have paid; we expected the house to be in superb condition to say the least.  It has been one thing after another here.  We have someone here that is paid to help, however, he's never here and his wife "speak no english."  So I believe Chris and I are about as tolerant as will ever be.  Chris has done everything from fix the garbage disposal to replacing the propane gas.  We feel very taken advantage of and are pretty much done with the whole situation.  It would be one thing if we were being paid to live here and take care of all of these problems but it's the complete opposite.  Not working.  So anyway, hopefully soon we'll find something that works a little better.

The biggest deal has been the spiders.  Not the tarantula spiders that stay outdoors, but the minature spiders that are everywhere.  They are poisonous and dangerous and at first we thought they were just something that one had to deal with in the jungle but we have been notified that they are in fact dangerous for the baby and are caused by the owner's inability to properly maintenance his house.  Hence, the feelings of being fed up. 

Besides all of that, we've managed to become more familiar with the ways of living here.  For instance, it's no problem for me to catch a water taxi and go get some quick groceries at the "minisuper" in the neighboring town.  The only thing I still have to get used to is that long uphill road to our house from the beach.  I will definitely have great thighs and calves before too long!

Joseph and I got to steal away on Tuesday or Wednesday to the beach by ourselves.  We were able to snorkel and swim and enjoy the beach.  Tuesday through Thursday beach days are usually bombarded with tourists from the cruise ships, so it's a lot of locals trying to sell you jewelry, hammocks, or massages.  Joseph spotted a beautiful starfish and we both saw some stingrays. 

 

I have to say that Joseph is becoming quite the fish in the water.  Jesse is still into building castles and turtles in the sand.





Julianne went to the youth group meeting here on the island on Thursday.  She was able to carpool and everything.  I believe we're starting to get the hang of it all. 

Yesterday, the older kids and I were able to make a trip to the beach while Daddy and baby napped, or baby napped and Daddy...well, I don't know what Daddy did.  Although we didn't see any more stingrays, we did see another starfish, some local fish that we couldn't distinguish and the sun was amazing! 



On Friday, Chris and I went with a local real estate agent to search the island for nice hidden spots.  On our journey, the real estate agent took us up to an empty lot to show us the view.  As he pulled onto the lot, Chris and I both said to ourselves, "ooooh, he's gonna get stuck."  Sure enough, he got stuck.  So we're two for two.  When we went to Belize, the same thing happened to us there.  That time, Chris had to get out with the agent and push our golf cart out of water that smelled nothing better than sewage.  This time, Chris was able to direct and not push.  I was very proud of him; he had on a white shirt and flip flops and managed to stay absolutely clean...and we were able to get out after about 30 minutes.  Still the trip was very fun and we were able to gain alot of knowledge about the island that we are now starting to call home!

Playa Dia y Iglesia

On Saturday, our family walked to the beach (or playa) for the entire day.  The children had been taking random trips to play in the sand, but we promised them a full day on Saturday and everyone was excited!  We live on the West side of the island which boasts the best beaches and we must agree! 

 

We live about 100 yards from the beach, but we walk to a place called West Bay because the snorkeling is phenomenal.  The walk takes about 15 minutes with four kids and snorkeling gear.  The walk itself is very pleasurable. 



West Bay is very active during the weekend.  There are locals selling everything from handmade necklaces and hats to handmade hammocks.  It is very interesting.  With all of the choices we opted for 9 DVDs of movies from U.S. 

Eli makes friends quickly with his blond hair, fair skin and beautiful blue eyes.  Before we knew it, the local girls were sharing their sand castle making supplies and he was building a beautiful castle! 

 

Joseph and Jesse were interested in digging holes and reaching the point of water...they found it fascinating!  Julianne on the other hand, prefers to live like a fish and swam the entire time!  She found many exciting things in the sea!  She got her first real taste of snorkeling.  She had a great time. 

We also learned that Roatan is very small.  Everyone knows everyone.  We met so many people and most of them already knew of our little family.  We learned of a church to go to on Sunday and were overjoyed. 

Before we left the States, we had been "church hopping" so that the kids could get used to different sorts of services.  We know that not every Christian church does service in the same way and we wanted to prepare everyone for this new experience.  It was a success.  The church we attended was in the conference room of a local resort and the pastor and his wife ran the whole thing!  The pastor said congregation could vary from 40 people to 140 people, it was always a mystery.  It just so happened that this was the weekend that it was 140!  Hallelujah!  It was great.  There were people standing in the back against the wall because it was so full.  The pastor played the African drum and a girl from the congregation accompanied on the guitar while the wife did the media.  The first song of worship was "He Reigns" and we knew we had been led there by God.  Can't complain, things are great!

After church, we met so many locals and Julianne was able to go with them to the beach.  She met lots of girls and now has friends to call that even live in our own neighborhood.  Things are happening much quicker than we could ever have hoped for.  I was able to accompany a neighbor to the grocery store and get our family some food and then we were invited over for rotisserie chicken for tonight's football game...American football that is because they are from the States as well.

One last thing, we've been warned of the boa constrictors, bugs, and more recently tarantulas!  Last night, Chris spotted two of them and engaged in war with Raphael against them.  The picture is pretty blurry but you can get an idea of about how big they are...and unlike typical spiders that run away from you, these run towards you!
 


Until next time...

Our New Neighbors

Raphael and his family moved into their casa on Thursday!  Raphael is the hombre responsible for the property we live on and for our safety while we are here.  It was extremely interesting to watch them move in because they are very resourceful.  He was unhappy with the sidewalk situation; so, he made a new one.  No problemo!  It took Raphael no time to form up and pour himself a new walkway...and as an added bonus he made his dog a permanent concrete water bowl.  So amazing how concrete is the go to for everything here.

A great thing about living here is the fruit!  Even better than that is the fact that they come to your door.  There is nothing like fresh pineapple and bananas!  Negotiating with the fruit lady is definitely an event to look forward to.




We invited Raphael's wife to come cook for us on Friday.  Chris got an authentic Hondurian cooking lesson.  She made rice, beans and vegetables with chicken fried in some sort of tomato sauce.  We also had ensalada with tomatoes and avocados.  As an added bonus, she made boiled bananas with salt...which tastes just like boiled potatoes.

 

She then came again later (tardes) to show the kids how to make corn tortillas...interesting.   Joseph and Jesse both were able to make one; though not as quickly as she.  Raphael's wife does not speak any English and Raphael speaks very little so this was a very enjoyable event.  Chris believes that speaking English in a Spanish accent is speaking Spanish...very entertaining!



When she came to cook she brought the family which consists of Raphael, and their two daughters, Liliana and Phani. The girls played with Eli and he enjoyed showing them his toys...which is the same in any baby language. 

By the end of our stay here, hopefully we have all learned to communicate with Raphael's wife...or at least be able to pronounce her name.

Where to Begin?

I laugh as I think about what to write first...there are so many things that we've had to adapt to as one would expect in a new country.  The funniest of these would have to be the pet bats, yes bats...like the scooby doo kind.  When we first arrived, Joseph looked out the window expecting exotic birds and he let out little yelp of excitement, "Mom! There are bats!"  Now grant it, they are the little fruit bat kind but still very ugly looking and a reminder of dark caves and spooky things.  Chris went down to the "watchee's" house when we first arrived so that Raphael, the watchee, could show him his soon to be living quarters and Chris said that bats flew out when he opened the door.  That's just pure funny.  I'm imagining my husband ducking and running, funny. 



Roatan, Honduras is paradise; even with the bats.  The "rainy season" has consisted of a couple of rainy hours at night on the first night we were here.  Every other time it's just been sheer heaven.  We have been able to walk down to the beach and snorkel.  The baby, Elias, is still getting used to the sand.  He doesn't understand that it is not to eat.  We go to the local restaurant to eat and all of the kids are playing in the sand at the foot of the table.  So, no we don't blend in just yet. 

Yesterday, was our first full day of school and I have to say, it's easier to get it done with the promise of swimming and snorkeling! 




So many people when hearing about our adventure say "why?" or "you're crazy!"  But, one day here and God has removed all doubt that the devil has planted and we have been free to just enjoy and bask in the wonderful decision that we made to spend more time with our family.  Chris is having a hard time adapting to doing nothing...he has already fixed the ceiling fans, chairs and is in the small town of Coxen Hole as I write buying a barbeque pit and whatever else he can find. 

The architecture here is fabulous...for my architecture friends.  My house has concrete everything!  LOVE IT.  My friends will understand my obsession with concrete.  All countertops are concrete, the bathtub is solid formed concrete...just fabulous!  From the exposed rafters and ceilings to the beachfront exposure layout the architecture is absolutely inspiring! 

Enough talk, I'm going to go sit on the deck and read a book with my feet in the pool until the boys return!