Sorry, I know it has been quite awhile. I don't know whether to say that I have been busy or that I haven't done anything new to post about but neither is really true.

Bello has been keeping me busy (sorry, I haven't taken any photos recently). He makes sure I get up in the morning and encourages me to go running a few times a week. Getting up early helps that cause as well since if I don't leave by about 7:30, it gets too hot. The raining season is ending. Early mornings are cool and the shade is refreshing but it often reaches sweltering in the sun by 8:30 or 9. I spent most afternoons for about two weeks traveling around Talanga with one of my counterparts. He is a teacher in one of the schools but is working with the Alcaldia as well. The purpose of visiting each aldea around Talanga was to check on funding and progress for on-going projects. Many of the projects have been started but not finished. Of course the problems arise when the project isn't done but the money is almost gone. Worse yet, in a few cases, they couldn't tell us where the money went or who would know. I rode along to learn about all the villages of Talanga. Little communities hiding in the mountains and up dirt roads which I highly doubt are passable during the height of the rainy season.

Sometimes I feel like I suddenly, and briefly travel back to parts of the Pacific Northwest, usually, the north Cascades. There are places in this country that look exactly like familiar places in Washington. Other times, I feel as if I could be in the middle of an Asian jungle (how I imagine it). The vegitation varies greatly depending on the slope, sun exposure and most improtantly, altitude. One major difference between the mountains here and the mountains at home (besides the presence of snow) is the absence of a tree line. Up north, as the mountains rise into the clouds, the trees disappear. Here the top of each hill is think with trees but lack old growth or natural vegitation at the base. Much of this is probably due to deforestation and clearing land for farming.

Lately I have been keeping myself busy but not doing much to talk about besides traveling around my municipality. All the volunteers in the Youth Development project spent the last week of January at a "reconnect" training in Santa Lucia. The was some useful information but the days were long and at times quite boring. I deeply appreciated being around friends and socializing for a few days. I don't socialize much in my site and when I do, it usually means playing with 8-12 year olds in the park and letting them give treats to Bello. After the training, a few friends stuck around an we went out for a fun night in Tegus, partially because friends from the west were in town and partly to celebrate my birthday a few days early. We had a great time and each made it back to our sites safely. I can't begin to explain how nice it was to just hango ut with friends. That is definitely one of the things I miss most.

I returned to Talanga to attend a frist birthday party. The little girl in red, Sofia, was the day's VIP. She is the daughter of the counterpart listed above. I was amazed at the number of people present for a first birthday but many of the guests were family. We had a "Dora la Exploradora" pinata, cake and presents were left to be opened later. Parties of all types require food and beverages for everyone. Although an entire meal is not required, a few appetizers doesn't cut it. I actually spent my own birthday teaching Sofia's mom and sister how to make bread. I know it's silly, but I LOVE to bake here. Since I don't have an oven I have to find appropriate ways to borrow one.

Kids are enjoying the last few days of vacation before the new school year starts. That means I will be very busy quite soon. I have projects to plan and coordinate with each school and prioritize what to do where first. There are so many needs it is difficult to decide where to start. On top of that, I am preparing for a visit from my parents. I will try to update this again soon but at times it is difficult to find time to write.

PS: Thank you for all the birthday messages. I know I didn't respond to all of you but I really appreciated each one! Love from Honduras...