95% Catracha

So this weekend completes my first 4 months here in Honduras...the period of time in which most people back home told me I would begin feeling more comfortable with the culture, lifestyle, language, etc here. And, I must say, all of the words from the wise were definitely true...I officially feel Honduran...or like a "Catracha." Of course I will never be 100% Catracha since I'm way too tall, way too white, and way too blonde...but...I sure can try to fit in here for a while, can't I? Here are some recent acquisitions I've made my own here:

1. I use the words, "pucha!" (shoot!), "cheque" (cool), "fresa" (cool, fresh), and "Que onda, vos?" (What's up, dude/man/etc) WAY too much here! Just trying to talk the slang of the locals!

2. I've started regularly doing the 'exaggerated finger snapping' motion that the Hondurans do when they're really excited or emotional about something...it's hilarious.

3. Last week, for the first time, I ran out of 'saldo' (balance) on my cell phone. Everyone's cell phone minutes here are bought in given amounts of minutes (or lempiras), and EVERYONE in Honduras seems to run out of 'saldo.' It drives me nuts, 'cause people are always asking to use my phone since they don't have any saldo. Well, I finally ran out of my own saldo after everyone continued to use mine!!

4. I drink my coffee (nearly every day now!) just like a Catracho...not too strong, and with sugar. I always assumed that, since much of the coffee we drink in the U.S. is produced here, the majority of the people here would drink their coffee 'straight up' with nothing added...but I was wrong. Everyone needs azucar with their drink!

5. I have begun hanging out with Hondurans during my free time. The first few months, when I wasn't working, the last thing I wanted to do was continue to talk in spanish! But now, I'm really interested in seeing the lives my employees life outside of work. I visited my fellow 'tia' at her house 20 min. away from here this week, and I'm planning to visit other co-workers' houses and towns in the near future! YAY. Their lifestyles are so interesting, and I'm all about free baleadas (flour tortillas, fried beans, and mantequilla).

6. I finally understand the difference between 'quesillo' (a sweeter, better cheese here) and 'queso' (regular, not-as-good cheese:); I was confused for a while!!:) And I made the big mistake of buying queso instead of quesio once...my godson was not too happy.

7. I'm doing what I can to make things from scratch...tortillas, cakes, breads...and trying to improvise with whatever we already have at a given time...saving the little money I make is a great thing! And I'm finally learning to cook---WHEW.

8. I can finally do the girls' hair here like the Hondurans do...it was really tough for a while...they do it so perfectly! In general, the Hondurans are very up on personal appearance...I'm always impressed. And I love that everyone here uses gel in their hair (hence, "gelatina" in my previous post's title...never got around to talking about it!)...the kids are so dang cute when I put it in their hair for school!

9. I frequently call people "guapa/o" (good-looking) 0r even my "novio" (boyfriend...ha!), and I use the word, "feo" (ugly) to describe not-so-good things...some of the most common words here.:)

10. I get just as excited as the kids when there's pan, leche, and arroz for dinner (bread, milk, and rice)!! Anything but beans, please!

11. I finally use a sombrilla (umbrella). Never in my life have I owned an umbrella...I always just ran through the rain quick or used my rain jacket. You can't buy rain jackets here (just sombrias everywhere!), but there's been TONS of rain for this rainy season...it lasts for 6 months here, until December. From Jan. to June there's nothing but dry heat!

12. I actually know a tad bit about the big wide world of soccer/futbol...can you believe it?! Sorry, bro! And I've seen the lines outside of the fast food joints in the big city after Honduras wins...free food for everyone!! Totally cool.

13. I've actually watched parts of a telenovela (the infamous spanish soap operas)...and I must emphasize the fact that it happened ONCE...it's all I could handle...haha! And the television acting is definitely not up-to-par with Hollywood standards...well, maybe Full House, but that's it!!!:)

There you have it, the life and times of the new Honduranian...besitos and abrazos to you all!!

P.S. Please note that, in the pic of me with the ladies, I am actually totally croutching down...and I'm still huge! Eek!