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Hi Mish:
All is well. The interview(s) have been prosperous. The name of the bilingual school where I´m going to work is Alba in Siguatepeque. I will start my first work day tomorrow at 8am. Because I´m not a licensed teacher neither here or there (apparently you - a certified teacher can be hired here), I was being considered for an opening as a technology assistant at first. On my second interview, I was being considered for the job they advertised as a Library teacher, and now I have a hybrid job as a technology/library assistant. The pay is whooping 5,000 Lempiras!!!!!! ( only about $250) a month. My cousins say to expect more and that I should ask tomorrow before signing a contract. I´m only glad to actually start a routine and do something similar to what I was doing before coming here. You will love Siguatepeque when you visit during Christmas ;) I only want the job just because it´s in Siguatepeque. We went by it on our way between San Pedro Sula and Tegus. The weather is great, rolling mountains and a healthy level of criminal activity. I´m considering renting an appartment there, but will wait before planting the idea to my cousins, they will definitely be against it. I just have to prove to them that I´m now grown up and should be let go free into the Honduran world. They´ve been very nice, caring and protective.
I´ve been on pulperia duty all this time and have learned the prices of different products. Kids are funny, here they call me "Miissssterr OK," because of my tendency of saying OK after taking care of them at the store. Apparently everyone says "Cheque" and not OK. People say that they wouldn´t doubt that I was Honduran by looks, but that my spanish sounds strange and not Honduran. I found this funny because in California, I was told that my spanish was Honduran but that I looked Mexican or Filipino.
At first, I was disappointed that I would not get to watch the Olympics. I´m now used to the idea and only follow highlight reports in the newspapers here. It looks like China is giving USA a run for the lead in medals count. Similarly I´ve began to distance myself from the idea of watching usual shows we watched at home. I missed them at first, but dont need them anymore. I only miss the Daily Show with John Stewart. I definitely will miss the political campaing and its elections this November. Everyone here sees Obama as the one that should take it.
I´m in the process of getting my Honduran ID which will give me the right to select a runner- up for the presidency in November. I still don´t get the parties (Nacional and Liberal) but, I´m asking around and will not fall for the reasoning that one is better because its blue and so is the Honduran flag.
Speaking of United States in the news here, last week´s report of the killing of a Honduran in Texas was the rage. The Honduran (Chi) was given the capital sentence for killing someone in a robbery in 2001. As you know, Honduras does not have a capital punishment and so killing one of its citizens in this manner is seen as not respecting this country´s penal and cultural system. After his much publicized death, a general statement was made that all Americans in Honduras be on the alert and to not wander out in the big cities. Gangs in prisons, threatened to kill any American in custody (prisoners are all thrown in a mix here and left to wander in their prisons). My cousins were a little excited about this and supported the idea. I had to tell them a little bit about American penal system, and that I thought that capital punishment be abolished because of many mistakes made where many innocent people have been killed.
Another clarification that I find myself making over and over is that not all Americans are blond, blue eyed and white. I think that this misconception comes from United States media televised here where lead actors, newscasters, politicians, soldiers tend to be blue eyed, blond and white. Also, Americans that tend to visit these parts of Honduras as tourists, ministers, aid workers etc., tend to be blue eyed, white and blond. Everyone else that does not fit this description is not a "Gringo."
I made that mistake when I first arrived in the US. At first I thought that I was going to see only Gringos everywhere. To my surprise, months will pass before I saw a Gringo in the hood (Hello Larry). Everyone spoke like a Gringo but looked Mexican or Black, and I expected that Blacks speak like those at home (Belize), but they never did. So, I can understand when people here make that same mistake, but at the same time clarify that Americans come in many colors and cultures. I don´t think that they have accepted my explanations, so for the moment blue-eyed, blond and white Gringos are dammed around these parts. However, as this news dies down this sentiment quickly dissipates.
My cousins tend to be very open with me about their opinions and I find that reassuring because its where real conversations occur. I´m reminded over and over that these are people that have stayed behind while a lot of their family members (including us) and friends have left in pursuit of the American dream. They have witnessed the disintegration of families as moms and dads disappear leaving kids behind. Or lovers forgetting about their sweethearts once they establish themselves in the States. They tend to have a distaste for what is American and what comes from it. They tend to be pro Chaves, pro Alba (Bolivian Trade agreement) and Viva Che!! Its fun beeing with them, because in the end when a love one sends something from capitalist Pennsylvannia or LA, everyone gets excited and happy. Maybe they are glad that someone is thinking about them.
I`m only rambling now Mish. I`m still trying to get used to spanish keyboards, and slow internet speeds. Give Jag a big fat rub, and lets see how I can get those National Geographies donated to Alba here...
Remember that we are one hour ahead, so its ok to call at 10PM (your time)...lets save the 300 for internet for later or for a nice appartment in Siguatepeque. Rent only goes for 750Lp a month ($40)....
P.S. Who won in Last Comic Standing. Let me guess - her?