Would you like a tortilla with that?

I have to begin by apologizing. I know it's been a long time since my last post. And for those who have asked for more, you'll be happy to know this is a New Years resolution.

I went home for the holidays and everyone kept asking the same question.  How do I like living in Honduras?  My response came easy.  I LOVE living in Honduras!  But when I tried to explain why I didn't have a good answer.

What was it that made me love living here?  The country is dangerous, impoverished and I have to say, a little boring... So what was it that made me fall in love??

Well, today was a good example of why Honduras has captured my heart.  Although there aren't any museums or salsa clubs each day is a new experience.  Today was just one of many great examples of what makes Honduras so unique.

The kids summer break is nearing an end and we decided to break out of the orphanage and take a walk.  Our group consisted of 11 9-13 yr olds, 2 nannies and me.  It was meant to be an easy, leasurley walk down the quiet road that winds through town. 

We set out on our journey and the kids entertained themselves by finding hidden wildlife along the roadside.  On our route we saw small fish in a river bed and a baby owl perched on a tree.  What we also found was a giant hornets nest.  I don't know what it is about dangerous looking objects but they attract little boys.  Before I knew it they were throwing sticks and rocks high into the tree branches trying to hit it.  After a few minutes of me yelling "STOP!!" they moved on.  Phew.  Tragedy averted!  Or so I thought...

20 minutes later we were making our way back to the orphanage.  As we walked the road was full of cheerful yelling, laughing and complaining.  This might be why it took me so long to notice the sounds of objects hitting tree branches.  Before I could even get a word out of my mouth I heard a CRACK!  All of a sudden every single child started running and screaming!  "No way!" was all I could think until I turned and saw a GIANT black cloud of hornets pouring out of a nest high above our heads! 

It only took that one look and I was racing down the road behind all of the screaming kids.  Some were swatting at their clothing, others were screaming and crying as they tried to shake the swarms of wasps out of their hair.  I remember thinking 2 things at that point 1) oh Lord help us and 2) thank God we are going down hill. 

After a quarter mile of screaming, running and swatting we were finally rid of them.  And even though most of the kids had big, stinging bites they started LAUGHING!!!  Really?!  Yes. Laughing!  Some how this was not a horrible experience but a great adventure.  One of the biggest highlights of this 'adventure' was seeing their teacher (me) running so fast.  And I have to admit, after my heart stopped racing I started laughing too!

Was there a good lesson learned here?  I don't think so.  But the kids will be talking about this forever.

This is just a normal day for me in Honduras.  And I promise to share many more :)