Honduras Travels

Upon my arrival in Honduras, my initial thoughts were, “OK, another vacation.” After two weeks away from home, “vacation” ceased to apply. I was living in Honduras and would live there for six weeks.

After riding in a packed bus without air conditioning, we arrived in El Obraje and hitchhiked in the back of a pickup to reach our host family. Don’t be alarmed: Hitchhiking in Latin America is the equivalent of taking a taxi in New York, and it’s free.

El Obraje is a serene community: Everything is green, butterflies are everywhere. After a 20-minute uphill hike with 50 pounds of luggage in 113-degree heat, I arrived at my host family’s home.

I became close with the community and my host family. An interesting note about the Spanish language, at least in Honduras: There aren’t words for sarcasm or awkwardness, not because of the language’s small vocabulary but because sarcasm and awkwardness don’t exist.

– Emmett Egan
Davis High School

A little less than a year ago, I started preparing for this trip. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I learned so much living in my community of 1,000 people, and it was more than just the small things, like sleeping with cockroaches and bathing in public watering holes.

My host mom taught me that life in Honduras is much easier than people in the United States make it out to be. And her 6-year-old daughter was the happiest little girl I have ever met.

On my last day there, I packed my stuff and came across some lotion that I knew she loved. There was only a little left, and I decided to let her use the rest. It was such a simple act, but when the tears came streaming down her face I realized how much it meant to her.

I went to Honduras to try and help people but ended up changing my life instead.

– Jessica DeTinne-Cassel
Bella Vista High School