Colonia Miraflores
Lote 8 Bloque 23 Calle Sur
Casa 4012 Apartamento 5
Tegucigalpa, Honduras – The house! It’s bare-bones, except for the frills: pink bedspread, pink curtains, pink bows on the door, pink lipstick.

Lucy, the coworker I’m living with: a fabulous latina diva, and a super-strong, down-to-earth woman. Awesome!

Valle de Angeles, a village in the hills above Tegucigalpa: littered with spindly pine trees, old cars, twinkle-lights, sculptures of flower dieties, and ruggedly kind expats. I’m hoping to explore this place a great deal more!

Cascadas Mall, the place where, apparently, everything in our neighborhood happens. Though I am squeamish about malls, I thank this one for providing me with (so far): cash, a cell phone, and Pizza Hut. I am also squeamish about Pizza Hut, but whereas the others I have seen in town had men with guns patrolling outside, the mall’s Pizza Hut felt totally secure.

God’s Gym, where everyone looks like they are trying to be Fabio. I may be able to exchange English lessons for gym membership, but I’m not sure that my muscles bulge enough to fit in with the clientele.

Prisma Offices, which will be my place of work for the next three months! Lucy took me by immediately after I arrived to meet the other coworkers. I felt guilty presenting my completely disheveled and travel-weary self to the very professional Prisma staff; but they welcomed me warmly and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better on Monday.

Sandra and Marcio, Lucy’s sister and brother-in-law, kindly invited me to eat fish soup with the family. Four-year-old Andres educated me on how to dance like Michael Jackson. He let me borrow his Spider Man mask, and showed me how to perfect Michael’s signature crotch grab. Sandra, Lucy, and the cousins later taught me some Merengue and Bachata steps. I need to work on my hip movement. Thankfully, I brought my hula hoop!

Our roof has a great view over the city. I’m not sure whether hula-hooping up there will be a good way to break the ice with the neighbors, or will just convince them that I am crazy.