culture shock

Hello. It's me again.

First, I just learned that in order to receive mail at my address (the one I posted a few weeks ago) I have to buy a PO box. They're too expensive so I'm not going to. If you want to send me anything send it to the school where I work. Unfortunately I don't know that address now, but I'll post it next week!.

Right now I'm sitting in Pizza Hut taking advantage of their free internet. The rain is pouring down outside but Maroon Five is keeping the mood light inside.

People who study things like culture shock say that it hits people hardest their third week in a new culture. For me it hit a week later.

I've been in Honduras an entire month now and this past week has been the worst. Nothing horrible happened; just a series of small things that when added together couldn't be ignored:

First, my kids misbehaved all week. They were not only loud, but also rude and outright disrespectful.

Second, the continuous disfunctionality of the school itself was overwhelming. It's near impossible to print anything for class, people are constantly interrupting my class, and the schedule is always changing, but no one ever tells me until the day of, if at all.

Thirdly, a lady cut me in line at Wendy's and didn't show any remorse.

Fourth, the caseta (equivalent to a crappy cafeteria) at school ran out of lunch this week and had absolutely nothing for me to eat except stale Doritos. Plus, the ladies who run the caseta are super grouchy.

Fifth, I still can't speak Spanish and everyone seems to expect me to know it by now. Give me some grace!

Sixth, none of my best friends are here.


As you can see, everything is fine here. There aren't any major problems, just a series of small ones that I can't seem to get over.

But according to the people who study things like culture shock these feelings will fade within a few weeks and leave me feeling even more attached and in love with my new culture.

We'll see.

In other news, I bought internet today. It should be hooked up by Monday or Tuesday, so hopefully my next post will be made from the comforts of my own apartment.

Three days in paradise: Roatan Island

The helmet is a bit goofy, but I still think I look pretty bad-ass riding this scooter through the bustling cities and undeveloped wilderness of Roatan Island.

Micah, my traveling partner, and I were excited to have a few days off of work. We took the 9 am ferry and arrived on the Islands approximately 1.5 hours later. Before long we had rented a scooter and were off exploring the lesser known, and more famous, parts of Roatan.


Driving the scooter was exhilarating, and it completely scared the crap out of me. Every turn I was afraid I was going to wipe out and send Micah and I off a cliff. Luckily we didn't have any accidents. We even got this little scooter up to speeds of about 84 klm.

Of all our adventures, my favorite stop was Punta Gorda, the first Garifuna (or Black Caribs) settlement in Central America. The Garifunas were marooned in Roatan by the British in 1796 and first settled in Punta Gorda. We saw no other tourists in Punta Gorda, but the locals were very kind. I met this little girl at a small grocery store in Punta Gorda. I asked her, in Spanish, where she usually ate lunch. Micah and were looking for somewhere to eat and figured this girl would know as well as anyone else where to get good, cheap food. She replied, "Al Mall, en La Ceiba." Maybe this was only funny to us, but La Ceiba is at least a few hours away and would necessitate the use of a boat or plane. Not exactly our idea of a quick, cheap lunch.

After Punta Gorda we headed toward Oakridge, a picturesque community on the Southern end of the Island. What drew us to Oakridge the most was the fact that it was originally settled by pirates. A local man flagged us as we were driving and convinced us to take a brief boat tour of the town. With the ease that comes from navigating a boat for 18 years, our guide took us past houses on stilts and through tunnels of trees. Above is a picture of our guide and his boat. Oadridge was one of the hardest hit areas during Hurricane Mitch. This is a close up of our guide. He sat on a throne with a Bob Marley cushion in the back of the boat.

Quite a contrast from Oakride, Parrot Tree Plantation was a beautiful stop, but not one of much consequence. It was simply a very luxurious development. This is one house that was recently built. The view was amazing.

Our explorations also brought us to new friends. In West Bay we met Artley, a boat taxi driver and native islander. Later that night we met up with Artley, his girfriend (a californian woman), and his friend. They showed us the coolest nightlife spots in the West End. He promised us a complimentary boat road the next time we come to Roatan.
Throughout all our exploring we found time to swim. Minutes after Micah got out of the water a local fisherman informed us that he had seen a Hammerhead shark at this very spot earlier that afternoon. He also showed us a photo, on his cellphone, of the GIANT marlin he caught four days earlier.

As many already know, Roatan is famous for its amazing dives. Shipwecks, like the one pictured, are just one example of the types of adventures one could have under the water. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get dive certified this trip (it takes four days), but after talking to several divers we are definitely going to return and takes some dives of our own.

The beaches of Roatan were not disappointing in the least. The sand was truly bright white, and the water truly clear blue. Three days in Roatan were like three days in paradise, only with more mosquitoes. I definitely recommend everyone visit Roatan.

dia de indepencia

15 de Septiembre -- Honduras´Indepenence Day

This morning crowds lined the streets in anticipation, braving the oppressive sunshine to see, and definitely to hear, each of La Ceiba´s schools march. As a teacher I myself marched with the students. We arrived at the meeting place half-past 6 this morning and didn´t begin marching until about 8.

I wish I could say the onlookers cheered as we passed by, or at least that my students´faces were glowing with joy, but in all honesty I felt like one of the only excited people at the parade.

"Happy Independence Day," I said to Andres, one of my 10th graders.
"No one´s independent," he replied cynically.

And that was it. No excitement. No joy. No celebration. Just marching. And sweating. And throwing empty water bags and water bottles on the ground.

The march ended at Vida Stadium, the home of La Ceiba´s soccer team. The bleachers were aout a third full when we entered the stadium for our victory lap. No one cheered. No one seemed to give a crap.

Wish I had pictures to share with you. Overall, Independence Day Honduras style was lacking in enthusiasm and therefore, as a foreigner, hard to take pleasure in.

Next: three days off. I was going to go to Copan to see the ruins, but now I´m hopping on a ferry to go to Roatan Island.

the children

"Dia de los ninos," that's what Honduras is celebrating today. "It's children's day Ms. Moberly," my students told me. "Let's celebrate by not doing anything."
"It's true that you all act like children," I told them and proceeded to give them more class work.

It's hard to believe I'm almost done with my third week teaching. This week has been especially frustrating. Monday is Independence Day. Honduras celebrates by having all their students march through the streets for about 4 hours. Consequentially, my students have been practicing marching all week. This has disrupted every single one of my classes. Next week we have a few days off and then my classes are really going to start, at least that's the plan.

Despite all the interruptions I am loving my classes. The picture above is of one of my 10th grade classes. They usually greet me every day with, "We love you Miss," or "You look so pretty today, Miss." Who wouldn't enjoy that?! Of course they also know how to drive me crazy.

Tonight I'm going to an event hosted by my seniors. Honduras is playing Jamaica tonight and the students have put together a party to raise money for their senior prom. It costs 20 lemiras (about $1) to enter.

On a different note, my apartment is starting to feel more like home. I went today to try and get the internet set up but as with everything else in Honduras, there is no simple task. Every company has different stipulations, which are hard to understand especially considering the language barrier.

My spanish is getting a little better, but I'm still planning on getting a tutor. Then I'll be able to understand what my students are saying behind my back.

That's all for now, but next week I'm going to see the Copan Ruins! Details and photos to come soon!

MAIL!!!!

I got my address!!!!!!

Emily Moberly
Col. El Toronjal No.2, Suites del Toronjal No. 1, Apto. 15
La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras

a week in review

A woman I met at the bus stop. She gave me a piece of chocolate and her grandaughter's name was Kenya. Somehow we managed to have a conversation despite the fact that my Spanish is horrible and her English wasn't any better.

My kitchen! I moved into my apartment yesterday. It's a little ghetto, but I like it. I have a stove, a refrigerator, a bed, a couch, a A.C., a bathroom, and even a TV with cable! Now all I need is the internet. I also have a small balcony with a beautiful view of Pico Bonita (a picture of which will soon find it's place on this blog).

La Ceiba: a taxi driver takes a break Saturday afternoon along La Ceiba's shoreline