My town had the annual Festival de Arroz at the end of October, and Tricia and I had a group of about 12 volunteers over. We checked out the festival booths and parade and made a fire pit in our backyard to hang out.
I am finally settled into my apartment and recovering from "flea infestation 2011," as it will now be called. I even went running for the first time in over 3 months, and it was marvelous! Since I don't have a picture of me running, here are the mototaxis driving in the festival parade (as viewed from outside the apartments).
The president of Honduras, Pepe Lobo, came to town for a project called Bono 10 Mil that gives financial assistance to single mothers, and we got to meet him!
I made a gigantic pizza!
Tricia's shower broke, and they had to shut off the water in our apartments for a week. It was not pleasant, especially having to take the dishes outside to be washed in the pila (needless to say they piled up).
I had my 25th birthday in Honduras. I had to sit in some pretty intense meetings all day, but my counterparts at the muni surprised me with a cake and Tropical Banana (which I no longer think is repulsive, although it's still not great, but it's the thought that counts). I ended up having 4 cakes over 2 days, with lots of good company. Not a bad way to spend a birthday!
My town is getting a Despensa Familiar grocery store, grand opening next week. They have been building it the past 2 months in one of the fastest construction jobs I've ever seen. You know you've got a good PC site when your town has a Despensa.
Finally, today was my first Thanksgiving in Honduras! I had to work during the day, but luckily I was able to eat dinner with the staff, students, and parents at Georgetown School. The kids put on a short program and the parents brought the food, which was Thanksgiving classics with a Honduran twist -- chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and ayote (which is a squash similar to pumpkin).
Overall , I'd say things are going well. I've had to make several trips to Tegus recently, for a VAC meeting, business conference, and medical appointments, so that has shaken things up a bit, and things are only going to get more eventful as the year wraps up. I did get to spend a few days visiting my original host family, which was wonderful! As for Thanksgiving, right now I'm most thankful to be free of amoebas, fleas, and various infections, and very thankful to have water again. Among other things.
