Pool Parties and Karaoke (Sept 26)

It has been a fun few days. After curfew was lifted on Tuesday afternoon, we all went to the shop to celebrate. Poker and hilarity ensued! We even had a guy from another shop in our rinse tub with one dollar bills on fire sticking out of his ears. We know how to have a good time! Pretty soon we moved our crew to the local pool bar to chill out for the rest of the evening. Even though I had a bikini on underneath and planned to swim, Simon (another DMT) got the festivities started by throwing me into the pool fully clothed. Here are a few pics...it was one night neither Kevin or I will ever forget.

The day after the pool party we had our weekly 80's night...where one of our instructors, Monty, is a DJ. I did a solo interpretive dance to Step by Step by the New Kids on the Block. I may have been the only one on stage and the only one who knew the words, but I'll do it again damnit. Thursday night was Kevin's night to shine when he brought it home for all of West End during Karaoke. I can't remember all the songs he sang, but he brought out some old favourites and the gang cheered and banged on the tables as loud as we could in support. He even recruited three ladies to come in to try scuba...how I haven't asked!! HAHA!

The days keep ticking by on this strange and intoxicating island. Today it's been exactly four weeks since our arrival. I can honestly say it has been a series of ups and downs. The first and third week were difficult and the second and fourth ones have been fantastic. Slowly we are finding our equilibrium here...making great friends...and balancing Roatan's stunning beauty with its seedy underbelly.

Cake and Curfews (Sept 22)

UGH...the internet connection here is really dodgy and I never seem to have it when I need it. Sorry to all that are awaiting updates. I will talk about the political situation in a minute.

Let me start by saying that Kevin had a great 29th birthday. Thank you so much for all the happy birthday wishes. He was thrilled with his new dive computer and the dive shop even made him a cake! Well, it's not exactly what you think. They threw eggs at him and then covered him in flour before pushing him off the dock! It was hilarious. I have photos, but I'll have to post them when my connection is better. He then went diving and played poker...two of his favourite things. It was a nice day for him...next year will be even better.

Other than that, we've been diving a lot...until yesterday that is. Zelaya is back in Honduras at the Brazilian Embassy and it's causing all kinds of havoc. The people really don't want him back in power and I don't blame them. Last night we were forced home because of a countrywide curfew that started at 4 pm. This morning we discovered that it has been extended all day and night. We are unsure of when it will be lifted. Anyone seen on the streets will be arrested, but they seem to give the tourists a bit more slack.

At this time I have no minutes on my cell phone and no shops are open. The dive shop owner also owns a little corner grocery store which he opened for 10 minutes so we could get some supplies. The airports and ferries are shut down and no one is allowed to come in or leave. We've heard of riots on the mainland and there is talk that all our visas will be revoked. It's scary for those who own property or have their whole lifes here. For us...well...we'll just move on to Belize and finish our DMT program later on if they force us out. We have a year to do it.

The internet has been especially bad over the past 24 hours...no internet at the dive shop which is rare. Our connection at the house is always dodgy but the 3G networks are usually good. Some have speculated that the cell phone signals are being scrambled to avoid communication with the outside world. I have heard media reports that cell phones are being totally blocked in some areas. It is hard to know what's accurate when you're in the middle of it. What I do know is that the international media is not reporting all of the facts. Their biased reporting says that the people want Zelaya back in power when that is clearly not the case. The journalist in me wants to get involved, but I won't. Every person here has told me not to report from within the country...that's it's much too dangerous. I believe that and will keep my nose out of their business. Like I said, I'm just here to dive...nothing else.

So, we are riding out the curfew not knowing when we will be allowed to play in paradise once again. We wanted adventure...and this is definitely adventure. I don't feel unsafe...just a nervous energy popping within my veins. The air is electric with tension as this country sits on edge awaiting its fate. Let's pray it's a good one.

Blossoming Hope (Sept 17)

As I meet three weeks in Roatan, I feel an impending shift approaching. I feel like I'm lying on the surface of the ocean after a great deep dive. The ebb and flow rocks you back and forth as you await your turn at the boat ladder. Sometimes you'll catch a wake and feel the water push you up like a sea nymph emerging from the depths. There's a small quake of excitement in the bottom of your belly before the ocean cradles you in her gentle grip once again.

I feel like I'm slowly drifting in a new direction...one I'd been hoping to find for a very long time. I can't explain it without going into crazy detail, but I find myself craving the things I'd forgotten I loved. The things I used to enjoy but pushed aside when time got short. For a long time I became a very serious...very worried person. Life became a series of steps I could calculate and analyze. Living was something to be manipulated and molded. Being free and fun-loving shifted into worry and stress. Eventually things just got convoluted. People very close to me know that was much of the reason for this trip...this grand adventure...for me to find the person I lost. I don't know how it happened, but it did. I changed into someone I couldn't recognize, but slowly, very slowly, I see glimpses of her.

Yesterday, during our surface interval between dives, Shona and I swam in the beautiful warm waters off of the boat. She went in first and I followed but, instead of rising, I went under. I swam through the salty sea and grabbed her leg pretending to be a shark. We doubled over into fits of giggles unable to stop as I hit the surface. I thought I might drown because I couldn't keep afloat and laugh that hard at the same time. I looked up at the clouds as water gushed around my face from the deep laughter and thought, "This is how I used to be. This is how I will be again."

Slowly, I feel the stress of my old life leaving. At night I feel the numbing fingers of worry less and less. I've even had the urge to write human interest pieces again...one of my favourite things to do before things got "serious." There are so many stories here. There is so much left unsaid. For now I'll simply let this blossoming feeling of hope bloom in my belly a little longer...

Car rentals and Chinese Food (Sept 11)

Yesterday we decided to rent a car and go for Chinese food...in Honduras. Need I say more? HAHA!! First I'll recap the day before yesterday. In the afternoon I get a knock at the door. It's my landlord's fiance. He says there's been talk that I clean a lot....like a lot, a lot. In fact, it's making the maid very nervous. HUH? There's a maid here? Apparently yes...she comes in once a week to do all the cleaning and wash the sheets. AND, get this...there is a washing machine downstairs. I guess I'm the only one who didn't know. It would have been wonderful to know all of this before I handwashed, sheets, towels and clothes in the sweltering heat!! Oh well...we both had a good chuckle and I still intend to clean on top of her cleaning. Cleanliness really is next to Godliness when you're living in Honduras....

Anyway, like I said, we rented a little Geo Tracker yesterday. It's pretty cute and did the trick. We set out to explore the island and got up early so we'd have enough time. Turns out, this island is only 30 miles long and 3 miles at its widest. Exploring it didn't take as much time as we thought it would!! BUT, let me tell you, it sure is beautiful. I mean, the scenery is breath-taking. Along the roads you can see parts of sunken ships sticking out of the water. I've never imaged something so awe-inspiring in my wildest dreams. Of course, I couldn't get a picture because Kevin's idea of exploring and mine are very different. I envisioned stops along the way to get loads of photos...he envisioned driving like a local cabbie...forget signaling...and slowing down to take corners anyway? It was an experience. Finally we ended up on the north side of the island at a place called Paya Bay...incredible! Here are a few pics...

I managed to delete the middle pic which was a cute one of us!! ARGH...will add it again later.

We then hit up Eldon's which is where all the US, Canadians and English get their groceries. It has almost everything you'd need at almost double the price! We got some great supplies but it wasn't cheap. Roatan really isn't cheap at all...it's quite expensive (except rent). After we looked around some more we decided to pick up Shona for dinner. After driving around aimlessly we spotted a Chinese place that a) didn't have any Chinese people working there that we could see and b) served Wan Tan soup. We didn't let it faze us and decided to order.

Never in our lives have we seen such huge portions. Below is what we got AFTER our Wan Tan Soup and egg rolls. It was HUGE and we couldn't believe our eyes. This is just the fried rice..



This is after the three of us (remember that Kevin was there too) ate ourselves into exhaustion. This is our "after" photo!! Can you believe the left-overs? Shona sure can't! It took us forever to try and pack it into to-go containers and, when all was said and done, we dropped it off at the dive shop. If you want a feeding frenzy drop off Chinese left-overs at the shop after a dive. It was amazing!

Anyway, I thought I'd better include a few photos of our new apartment. We are getting pretty comfortable in here now and like it more and more. The photo below is our living room (note our twin bed couch). The tv doesn't have cable so it's pretty much useless! Oh well...

Looking through our balcony doors (which both open) to our hammock.

This is the view from our hallway. I didn't post a photo of the bathroom or bedroom because this damn website takes forever to load them. They are right behind me as I take this photo below...To your left is the kitchen and the right is our living room. Up ahead is our beautiful huge balcony...the best part about the place.

This is our kitchen! It's small but well-stocked after our trip to the market. It's funny but this is the first time I've ever had a toaster oven...had to come all the way to Honduras to get my first one! They're pretty awesome.


Today we are going into the dive shop (as we do everyday anyway) to work on some diving academics. Tonight I'm going to make a nice pasta dish and it should be a good day! Although most days seem to be great on Roatan. I'll leave you with a photo I took last night as the sun was setting behind our boats Bottom Time and Wish U Were Here.
We certainly do wish you were here! xoxox

A few photos...

The first two photos above and below are the views
we have just steps from the dive shop...



Below is the view directly from the dive shop...
note our pier and you can kind of see Wish U Were
Here which is one of the dive boats. The other is
called Bottom time.

Cleaning and flying cochroaches (Sept 8)

I have spent the past two days getting this place spic and span. It's been hard work. Yesterday I walked the kilometer or so to Woody's Grocery Store to get some cleaning supplies. I walked home with one of the biggest buckets I've ever seen, a broom, a mop and a ton of cleaning products. It was a long walk home and I even briefly considered packing it on my head for Justin's sake back home. He's convinced all Africans can balance things on their head. I was, however, already amusing many of the locals so I didn't want to completely humiliate myself...anway, I picked out the cleaning stuff based on what little Spanish I know and tried to follow the directions. I'm still not sure what's what. I washed all the curtains, sheets, pillowcases and our laundry. I then disinfected the countertops, side tables and floors. I wished my mom was here to help. She can clean anything twice as well as I can in half the time. It would have been nice to team up against the job! I can't believe it's only 10:46 am...I've been working since 7 am this morning and the floors and sheets are finally done. Here sleeping in doesn't happen. Between the roosters, the dogs and the sun, everyone is up at 7 am. It's actually quite nice.

Last night I had tea for the first time since my arrival. Although we only seem to have dehydrated milk close at hand, it actually tasted quite nice in my tea. I managed to find Lipton teabags and that first sip was delicious. It made me a bit homesick though...my last real cup of tea was with Jenny and her belly :( I dedicated my cup to her. This morning I broke out the coconut bread I bought yesterday and slathered it with margarine and jam. Truth be told, it tasted quite a lot like regular bread...not so much coconut but whatever. It was still awesome! I've been craving toast, jam and tea forever! It's nice to be grateful for such small graces. The little comforts really count here. I'm starting to like Roatan more and more.

I've made a couple of friends although the dive shop is mostly full of guys. Shona is a DMT from England who is here for (hopefully) two more weeks. She is softspoken and funny with a great tan! I quite like her. She has given me a ton of useful tips on surviving Roatan and our male-dominated dive shop! She's awesome. Last night we went for supper and, come to think of it, the night before I think we went for supper too. We were the only two people in the restaurant with soft lighting and Barry White playing in the background! HAHAHA...we joked it was a date! She cracks me up! We gossip and share stories of our lives back home. It's nice to have her here and I'm really going to miss her when she goes :( It just won't be the same. Another nice girl I've recently met is Tati. I haven't had too much of a chance to chat with her but she has a sweet disposition and a quick smile. She's originally from El Salvador and has been diving since she was very, very young. Her skills are impressive and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Kevin's ear infection seems to be breaking. Will, the course director at the dive shop, had a new bottle of antibiotic ear drops and that seems to be helping. I wish it worked yesterday so that I could have had some help hauling my gear from Woody's and the rest of our stuff from the apartment. Anyway, last night Kevin decided he wanted to go and lie in our hammock after dark. Our balcony is just beautiful...anyway, off he goes only to discover a HUGE flying cochroach had already laid claim to his beloved hammock. The creature started attacking him and I, being the faithful wife I am, did the only thing I could do. I threw him a can of raid and locked him outside to battle it out head to head. Kevin won, but he wasn't impressed. He's since decided not to venture onto the balcony after dark. Wise choice, I'd say.

Speaking of yesterday, it was my brother Arno's 19th birthday!!! I did phone him but since I couldn't write on the blog, I'll write it now!! I hope this is your best year yet. You are a fantastic brother and I am so lucky to have you in my life. I know your talent, humour, smarts and compassion will take you very far in life. I can't wait to see you meet your full potential. Love you SO much!! Happy birthday monkey!

I've tried to post photos but the Internet connection doesn't like it so far. It went down completely yesterday but I do want to post pics of the new apartment (especially while it's clean). I'll keep working on it. Lots of love to everyone...back to my Roatan adventure....

Home sweet home! (Sept 6)

Tonight we moved into our new apartment. It is directly next door to our old apartment and, because our current landlord is a bit of a firecracker, we decided to move after dark in secret (we've already paid for the month). Problem is, Kevin has a raging ear infection and is feeling terrible, so it was really just me moving. We are in the basement suite and, a couple of times, I'd drop something leaving the place and the upstairs lights would come on. I'd have to freeze with my heavy bags in hand until the lights went off again. Don't get me wrong, the place we were staying at was nice....but I discovered where the crab came from. Apparently it came in through a gaping hole in the ceiling by the shower. I can pretty much guarantee that is not the last critter that will be coming through there. It can easily fit a cat so I can't imagine what else it can fit. The place we have now is a one bedroom (not a studio) so Kevin can sleep while I enjoy my internet connection!! YAY!!! It's sooo nice being able to email and Facebook regularly again.

So today I finished my rescue course and I'm now a certified rescue diver!! I am totally thrilled. Unfortunately Kevin couldn't finish his last day because of his infection. He's on oral antibiotics and a steriod ear drop...along with tylenol 4 for the pain. He left it a tad too long and is in pretty rough shape. It really came on suddenly, but he'll be okay. I'm practically a doctor ;-) hehehe...Anyway, the last day of the course was intense. I had to "rescue" my instructor who was found unconscious at the surface of the ocean. I towed him into the boat against the current for at least 15 minutes giving him rescue breaths every five seconds. It was tough! Then, just as I found relief at the boat and took off my gear, two other people started panicking and drowning. I then had to swim out to sea with my snorkel, mask and fins to rescue them one at a time while the one tried everything she (my new friend Shona) could to rip off my mask. I can tell you one thing...the dive shop I'm at takes the safety very seriously. We went through drill after drill, practice after practice until we nailed each and every move. It is probably one of the most informative and useful courses I have ever taken in my life and it's made me a much better diver. I plan to go along on Kev's dives so he can rescue me....it's not really fair though because I had to save him a few days ago and tow him 200 metres during a drill. As you can imagine, there is a slight weight difference between us. It was a silent rescue as I pictured him eating burritos while I hit the gym back in GP. Anyway, I digress....

Things are much better here for us now...like I said, it was a big adjustment. Roatan is pretty far removed (in terms of political unrest) from the mainland, but every now and then you get a reminder. For intense, two huge military helicopters flew up and down the coast yesterday checking out the boats. I guess they were looking for drugs but machine guns above your head are always unnerving. Most people here are very upset with how the coup has been reported on....every single person I've asked is happy Zelaya was ousted. They say he would turn Honduras into a dictatorship and they feel the move is the first real act of democracy they've seen from the rest of their government. I find most of the locals and expats very well informed about their political situation. The coup has had a serious impact on businesses here in Roatan however...most people are too scared to travel even though the Bay Islands really are an entity unto themselves. It's slow and is bound to get slower as rainy season approaches. A lot of people are suffering because of biased reporting.

Our dive shop owner suggested putting me in touch with a few key people she knows to do some reporting out here, but I don't think that's a good idea for now. First of all, I don't know enough about the situation and second of all, there are Zelaya supporters here that wouldn't take too kindly to it. I'm here to dive...best keep it at that for now. The local police are very friendly though and they have a "tourist" police station not far from here. As far as I can tell, there isn't much crime aside from petty theft. Besides, Kevin and I are pretty much taller than everyone here and he's very intimidating. I feel very safe (aside from the damn taxi drivers!).

I'm going to try and add a few photos.....

A Week Already?!? Sept 5/09

I can't belive we've already been here for a week. Internet has been hit and miss for the past few days so I haven't updated nearly as much as I will in the future. Sit back, this will most likely be a long post.

What can I tell you? Life on Roatan is different from anything I've ever experienced before. Kevin and I were pretty overwhelmed at first. It is a collision of old and new and seems to be having difficulty finding its legs. Power outages are common. Taxi drivers are crazy (where in the world aren't they?!) and they have the biggest bugs/lizards/cochroaches I've ever seen!! The day before yesterday I saw a HUGE lizard. I mean, it was gigantic and I was fascinated. Last night when we got home, I discovered a crab bigger than my hand sitting in the bathtub. It had fallen from the ceiling. It was huge...like Red Lobster style huge. They are land crabs though. I doubt they're very good for eating. Kevin had to round it up using a plastic bag and a mesh food cover. It was quite amusing but I stood faaaaar back!!

The diving here is fantastic. We have gone diving most days and have finished our Advanced Open Water Course. We are now in the process of becoming rescue divers and will be finished tomorrow. At this dive shop, it is intense!! Eight full hours at the surface rescuing divers and practicing skills. I've never had sunburn on my hands and scalp before. Tomorrow will have even bigger obstacles for us to overcome but it makes us 100 times better divers and more skilled. It definitely irks Kevin that I'm at the top of our class but I, of course, relish in the fact. Kevin likes to be the best at everything and so do I so our competitive streaks come out at times like this. He's still excellent though. He's turning into a really good diver. I'm proud of him and he's super enthusiastic. Anyway, once we're done our rescue course we become dive master trainees. For those who don't know, a divemaster is the first professional level of scuba diving. They lead dives, help instructors etc. It's involves an internship and it's a lot of work!! Heavy lifting and lots of diving are coming our way. We are excited and know we couldn't have picked a better dive shop to do it at (Coconut Tree Divers). Everyone there is fantastic and it really is like a great big family.

Hopefully we'll be moving into the place next door within the next few days. There we will have our own Internet and I'll be able to post photos and more updates. I've been using the internet cafe so far and it's not always reliable. Anyway, we need to settle in still...our stuff is everywhere and it's difficult to get organized. Once this rescue course is finished we are taking a few days to explore the island and get ourselves ready for the DM course. Should be tons of fun. Anyway, love to everyone...I'm going to try and send some emails before my internet time runs out! Will blog again soon!