Weekend on Lake Yojoa

I'm starting to realize that we are NOT the only Americans in Honduras.

This Thursday the 7 of us strapped on our backpacks to get the most of our long weekend. Three bus rides later (complete with a 3 lempira bathroom break at a little store in the middle of no where) we found our self at the Lonely Planet guide's pick of places to stay at el Lago Yojoa--the D&D Bed and Breakfast. It was also a brewery. Haha. The seven of us opted to stay in one cabin instead of two (saving 300 lempira--approx. $15!!). 7 girls in 3 beds makes for an interesting night.

We met so many eccentric people! The D&D is run by an American--Bob Dale from Oregon-- and an eccentric British nomad named Malcolm. At breakfast on Friday he told us about the area and his uprooted life--working on farms in France, traveling through India, and finally deciding to settle down in a third world country village because of the amazing amount of unique bird species. He just looked odd, stroking his waist-length white beard and speaking Spanish in a British accent. Every time I thought the conversation was about to get interesting he'd jerk his head towards the bushes and pronounce, "That's a violet saber hummingbird making that clicking noise." Haha. The traveling community exists and thrives at the D&D.

We also met a group of 6 college-aged Americans! They're part of a group studying Spanish in a homestudy program from Calvin College in Tegucigalpa. On Sabbath morning we combined groups and rented rowboats out on the lake. It felt like something straight out of the Amazon... our guide Rafael probably found our rowing skills entertaining; he had 12 Americans to laugh at for 3 hours on the lake. Unfortunately, I didn't put on sunscreen on; the sky opened up and roasted me.

The lake was gorgeous and calm, but my knees and my shoulders have taken on the appearance of rare meat. But OH BOY did I lather myself in bug spray and I didn't get bitten once! Haha.

We've exchanged info with the Calvin kids, and they're going to come "student teach" in our classrooms one of these days.

I keep realizing just HOW AMAZING it is to be here. We are sooooo blessed!