We're here! (Post 3)

Madeleine Jones

It was a long journey here, but after waiting then flying then waiting then flying, and then going in for the most roller-coaster-like landing we've ever had, we finally got here. We just got back from playing with the littlest kids which was probably the highlight of everything so far. I'm so glad I know some Spanish so I could understand them a little bit. As soon as we got there, they collapsed around us, getting eye contact with their eager expressions and then tossing us a ball or drawing us a picture. Their excitement helped it to be even more fun and even if we couldn't understand everything they were saying, at least we could see that they were happy. The whole ranch is a really nice place. It's not luxurious, but driving through the city and outskirts before made us appreciate it even more. Looking out the window at home isn't as interesting since I'm so used to my city and the billboards on the freeway. When we got to Honduras, though, my eyes were just glued to the window. All of the signs are in Spanish, which is expected, but to actually be in a whole town where everything is in Spanish is really cool. Most of the houses outside Tegucigalpa are makeshift homes built out of wood. I've never seen such poverty before and it made me wonder how the US can have so much while Honduras has so little. Tegucigalpa had lots of barbed wire, things were rusting, and we would consider it a poor town in our country, but to many of the people living outside of it, it seems really nice. The ranch is sort of a haven among all of it, though. It feels very safe here, but still different. What caught me most was seeing tiny kids just doing work like everyone else. Everyone works hard here, but they also take the time to play and just be together. I think they've rubbed off on us... but then again we've always been willing to do work and willing to play. We're all having so much fun (at least from the looks of it). Probably the most interesting thing about the ranch is the cows. They have a field they're supposed to be in, but they usually escape and just roam around. There are dogs and cats, too. The dogs are friendlier than the cats, as you might imagine. In a little while, we're going to have dinner with the kids in the hogares, so I have to go. Sorry my writing is a little scattered, but my mind has been going in all directions since I got to the airport. Hasta luego! Adios!