We're back!

We actually got back on Thursday but I just didn't have enough time to post anything - what with heading straight back to work, having my first microbiology lab, and such I just didn't get to it.  Also, I wanted to make sure I uploaded a few photos so I could include them.  I will probably post most of the photos and stories on Maple and Mud since that's my "life" blog, so make sure you check there too.

However, here are some great spots of happiness from the trip - there are actually probably too many to share, but I'll try my best!

All in all the trip was amazing!  I must admit I was a bit nervous about going - I never know how it's going to turn out and my best friend moved to Spain this year so she wasn't there.  However, I think this was the best trip I've ever had - I truly had a wonderful time and it was so great seeing Ivan so happy.  I don't think we'll go back for two years but we'll have a ton of memories until then.

The minute we landed I felt like I was home - everything stays exactly the same in Honduras.  The scenery is the same, the people look the same, the routines are the same, the food is the same, everything is the same.  The only difference is that some people have left for the States, some people have been deported from the U.S. and are back, some people have moved to the city to look for work, and some people have died (I know that sounds horrible, but it's the truth down there).  So, because everything stays the same it is very easy to slide back into my old life (minus the fact that I don't have my own house anymore).  Here are some pictures of the scenery from Tegucigalpa to Yusguare.  I lived in southern Honduras - a very dry place during the dry season and very lush and green during the rainy season.  What forest is left is tropical forest and it's nothing like the rainforests that exist in the rest of Honduras.  It is no less than 95 degrees every day and more like 100 in the sweltering sun.  The good thing?  The sky is so very blue every day. 



The view of the mountains close to Tegucigalpa - less dry.



Mountains going down the mountain from Tegucigalpa to Choluteca.



The big "hump" outside of Choluteca - see how much drier it is?



The road to Yusguare

And here are some pictures of Ivan's family and my "Honduran" family - they were all so great and took such great care of us.



Heydi, Orfelia, and Dona Alba - my second family.



Ivan's young cousins



Ivan with his grandmother and some aunts



Ivan's sister and her husband.


Ok, I don't want to bore you too much, so I'll save some of the stories until tomorrow.  I've missed you all and can't wait to catch up on everyone's blogs!  Have a great Monday!