Considering that no one spays or neuters their animals and most wander free, I am always amazed at how few conflicts you see. Common “western/northern” knowledge tells us that 2 un-castrated bulls are likely to fight over territory, as are dogs, roosters, probably pigs included. I have seen a few scuffles between dogs. Not surprising since I have also seen two dogs stuck together, often with a third trying to get in on the action. Each time I see two bulls tied together pulling a cart or several bulls with the cows and calves being herded down the highway (yes, these are daily occurrences), I am surprised that I have not yet seen a bull fight. I know, just because they may fight occasionally doesn’t mean they will do it all the time. Today, I saw my 
first “wild” cock fight. I saw the organized type in Yuscarán: betting, blades, owners sucking the blood out of the roosters’ mouths, the works. As I ran through town with Bello this morning, I saw two cocks fighting along side the road. What months ago would have struck me as expected (in a strange reality) was odd and unusual. I didn’t stick around for the outcome since I was in the middle of a run with the day only growing hotter, but quite possibly someone is out a rooster. Maybe it’s just on injury reserve. I guess that is a chance you take when you allow your chickens to graze freely on the garbage in the gutter. I can’t imagine that sort of diet provides the best flavor in the eggs, but it seems quite common.
Why are we so adverse to keeping two males in a single area? Are territorial fights that common or are we overly concerned with the possibilities (as we are with so many other things). I have always considered Americans over concerned and overly worried in general. Living in this country has made me aware of the extent to which we take it. Granted, I still don’t think a four year old should be sent to the pulperia to buy Coca-cola (the consumption is an issue for me as well), but in this environment of complete opposite, were by US standards people do not show concern for safety or possible negative outcomes. [Unless of course, you are talking about me being outside the house after dark, I have seen plenty of concern in that department. Everything is peligroso, especially to me.] A few weeks ago, I met a 5 year old boy who broke his arm falling out of a mango tree. I saw him sitting quietly on a man’s lap for about 15 minutes before his mother arrived, almost hysterical. I don’t know if she was more worried about whether or how she would get medical care for the visibly broken arm or for the pain the boy must have been in. Either way, where was she when the accident occurred that another man brought him to the Alcaldia to wait for her? Our priorities for worry intrigue me. In the US, we are so overly concerned that something bad will happen or that someone will file suit we barely allow are kids to be kids. Here, parents seem so unconcerned with potential hazards that kids run wild in the streets. In a completely different way, the kids are left with so much freedom and responsibility (for themselves, siblings and sometimes jobs) that they too are hardly able to just be kids. Where does the bar tip and how do we find middle ground?
Much of the difference probably results from the general outlook on life. As a population, American are always thinking of the future (or trying/pretending to). How will this affect me in the future?
Here, the future is rarely referred to and probably considered little. It is interesting how these different views clash with materialism. Americans want stuff. We work hard and save money so we can spend it later on vacations, clothes, electronics, all sorts of things. Here, people still want things. The walls may not go all the way to the roof, but there is a TV in the living room. Four kids may share a bedroom and the bathroom may be a dark concrete room with a bucket to bathe but there is a car parked out front or a nice stereo or fancy American products with instructions in English making is difficult to utilize. Again, how do we prioritize and find middle ground? I am as guilty of this odd prioritization as anyone. I still do not have a refrigerator, any sort of oven, a sofa or even a fan, yet I have speakers in which to plug my Ipod. If it weren’t for the generosity of my neighbor/landlady, I still would have nowhere to sit but the floor or bed. Life here is interesting…
I had a second odd encounter today. I ran into a neighbor on my street. Somewhat randomly, he asked where in the US I am from. Of course, I had to explain that Washington State is not the US capitol. He then asked me if my boyfriend was waiting for me in at home, another very common question. When I told him I do not have one, and don’t want one (how do you answer the “why don’t you have a boyfriend” questions?), I was informed that I need a man because it is “God’s law”.
I have heard many times that I should have a boyfriend or husband. Usually, it’s followed by an offer and request to take them back to the States. Usually, I tell them I will take them and every other person in Talanga back to the US when I go. They don’t really like that response and usually say, “no, just me, no one else.” I try to entertain myself with the repetitive questions. “Needing” a man I have heard, that it is “God’s law” was a new one. How do you respond to that without insulting a person’s religion and/or culture? I prefer the “another person is too much responsibility for me” but I don’t think Hondurans are generally satisfied with that answer. Until I have a better one, that is my excuse for not having a man and/or kids. Either that or I saw I am too young but I am sure many people here think I have already missed my prime.
Favorite Bello moment yet: Yesterday, he ran into a glass door in the alcaldia. There is a logo on the door but apparently that is above his line of site. Poor guy! Generally he is quite smart but this was obviously not one of his brighter moments.
first “wild” cock fight. I saw the organized type in Yuscarán: betting, blades, owners sucking the blood out of the roosters’ mouths, the works. As I ran through town with Bello this morning, I saw two cocks fighting along side the road. What months ago would have struck me as expected (in a strange reality) was odd and unusual. I didn’t stick around for the outcome since I was in the middle of a run with the day only growing hotter, but quite possibly someone is out a rooster. Maybe it’s just on injury reserve. I guess that is a chance you take when you allow your chickens to graze freely on the garbage in the gutter. I can’t imagine that sort of diet provides the best flavor in the eggs, but it seems quite common.Why are we so adverse to keeping two males in a single area? Are territorial fights that common or are we overly concerned with the possibilities (as we are with so many other things). I have always considered Americans over concerned and overly worried in general. Living in this country has made me aware of the extent to which we take it. Granted, I still don’t think a four year old should be sent to the pulperia to buy Coca-cola (the consumption is an issue for me as well), but in this environment of complete opposite, were by US standards people do not show concern for safety or possible negative outcomes. [Unless of course, you are talking about me being outside the house after dark, I have seen plenty of concern in that department. Everything is peligroso, especially to me.] A few weeks ago, I met a 5 year old boy who broke his arm falling out of a mango tree. I saw him sitting quietly on a man’s lap for about 15 minutes before his mother arrived, almost hysterical. I don’t know if she was more worried about whether or how she would get medical care for the visibly broken arm or for the pain the boy must have been in. Either way, where was she when the accident occurred that another man brought him to the Alcaldia to wait for her? Our priorities for worry intrigue me. In the US, we are so overly concerned that something bad will happen or that someone will file suit we barely allow are kids to be kids. Here, parents seem so unconcerned with potential hazards that kids run wild in the streets. In a completely different way, the kids are left with so much freedom and responsibility (for themselves, siblings and sometimes jobs) that they too are hardly able to just be kids. Where does the bar tip and how do we find middle ground?
Much of the difference probably results from the general outlook on life. As a population, American are always thinking of the future (or trying/pretending to). How will this affect me in the future?
Here, the future is rarely referred to and probably considered little. It is interesting how these different views clash with materialism. Americans want stuff. We work hard and save money so we can spend it later on vacations, clothes, electronics, all sorts of things. Here, people still want things. The walls may not go all the way to the roof, but there is a TV in the living room. Four kids may share a bedroom and the bathroom may be a dark concrete room with a bucket to bathe but there is a car parked out front or a nice stereo or fancy American products with instructions in English making is difficult to utilize. Again, how do we prioritize and find middle ground? I am as guilty of this odd prioritization as anyone. I still do not have a refrigerator, any sort of oven, a sofa or even a fan, yet I have speakers in which to plug my Ipod. If it weren’t for the generosity of my neighbor/landlady, I still would have nowhere to sit but the floor or bed. Life here is interesting…I had a second odd encounter today. I ran into a neighbor on my street. Somewhat randomly, he asked where in the US I am from. Of course, I had to explain that Washington State is not the US capitol. He then asked me if my boyfriend was waiting for me in at home, another very common question. When I told him I do not have one, and don’t want one (how do you answer the “why don’t you have a boyfriend” questions?), I was informed that I need a man because it is “God’s law”.
I have heard many times that I should have a boyfriend or husband. Usually, it’s followed by an offer and request to take them back to the States. Usually, I tell them I will take them and every other person in Talanga back to the US when I go. They don’t really like that response and usually say, “no, just me, no one else.” I try to entertain myself with the repetitive questions. “Needing” a man I have heard, that it is “God’s law” was a new one. How do you respond to that without insulting a person’s religion and/or culture? I prefer the “another person is too much responsibility for me” but I don’t think Hondurans are generally satisfied with that answer. Until I have a better one, that is my excuse for not having a man and/or kids. Either that or I saw I am too young but I am sure many people here think I have already missed my prime.Favorite Bello moment yet: Yesterday, he ran into a glass door in the alcaldia. There is a logo on the door but apparently that is above his line of site. Poor guy! Generally he is quite smart but this was obviously not one of his brighter moments.
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