The calm before the storm..

It's official, I have lived in Honduras for one whole week! It's crazy to think just last week I was literally overwhelmed with so much unfamiliarity and just a complete stranger to 12 other teachers here in Gracias.

This past week, we had the week off to do whatever we pleased. My roommate and I choose to take the first couple days to familiarize ourselves with the town, settle in and try to make our house as cozy as possible, and meet some of the locals. Then the rest of the week the group of new teachers decided on a place to vacation. We were torn between going to Tela (the beach) and a Microbrewery on Lake Yojoa and in the end we all decided that the lake was a better option. So all 12 of us packed our bags and started on our adventure to Lake Yojoa and if anyone has ever traveled before taking buses can always end up as an adventure. However, we had two amazing leaders in our group who was great at coordinating the bus routes and we made each bus (3 total) in about 6 hours and by the end of Wednesday night we all were enjoying ourselves in the beautiful D&D Brewery. Little did I know that the owner of D&D's was a former Students Helping Honduras volunteer back in the prime start up stages of the organization (very small world).

The group eating dinner at D&D's Brewery. 

The next couple days we all relaxed and did whatever we wanted to do. D&D's has so many options from hiking, to tubing down a river that drops you off in the lake, to climbing behind the waterfalls. Our time was limited so I choose to tube down a river and to scale the side of a 140 foot waterfall. Sounds fun right? When in Honduras.... The ride down the river was so relaxing yet an adventure. The float down the river was about 45 minutes long and dumped you right into the lake of Yojoa where you saw one of the most gorgeous views ever. It was mountains and mountains all on this peaceful lake where the water was about 80-85 degrees. 

On Friday, we decided that we would go to the waterfalls and for just 7 dollars we could take a tour behind the waterfalls of Pulhapanzak. So here is where the story gets WILD! I mean I was not about to expect some baby waterfall that we could just walk through, but then again I was not expecting to see this huge amazingly breathtaking waterfall! Also, when I was told that I was going to be walking behind the waterfall, the American I am thought that there would be this well paved path and after 10 minutes I would be behind a waterfall. Boy was I wrong! We literally scaled rocks and climbed behind, over, under, and beside the falling water of Pulhapanzak! It took about an hour to actually get "under the fall". Once we did, it was the coolest and prettiest thing I have ever done. I looked up and all I could see was rocks that went for tens of feet above me as the water rushed down.

Breathtaking right? Yeah we climbed behind that! 

After we made our adventure through the falls we had the chance to jump off a 27 foot cliff at the bottom of the fall. So of course after a few moments of hesitation, I had to jump (see what I did there) at the opportunity and just do it. The jump itself was one of the most terrifying things I've done yet, even more then actually going behind this waterfall. With all that said and done, I survived and made one of the best memories thus far and keep in mind all for 7 bucks! 

Aside from the crazy time spent in the water this weekend was so much fun and well needed. The group of us teachers that went on the trip all got to know each other so much better. We bonded over silly things and we all stayed up late talking about who knows what! After 6 hours traveling home today, I am now back in Gracias. It is good to be back in the small and welcoming town. We also ran into some more of our students and this time they were twin girls who were about to enter the 6th grade. They were so excited to start school! It amazes me how awesome their English already is and cannot wait to see the growth they gain this school year! Seeing students SO excited to come back to school, speak English, and to meet us teachers is the reassurance of why I am here in Honduras!

I believe that's all i have to ramble about tonight! Tomorrow is my last day of "Vacation" because starting Monday we will start decorating our classrooms and begin preparing for school to start on the 29th!!! So goodnight! Miss you all! 

xoxo!