No mas vacciones...

I start work next week and can't wait! While it's been great hangin with the fam and relaxing, I'm ready to get back to work - which from what I've been hearing I will be worked! I'm stoked though. I've never been one to sit...and sit...and sit. It's good for me though. 

The past 2 weeks have been great - did some treasure hunting (a lot of pirate history here), kayaking, hiking, boating, diving, etc. Worked on my tan a little too :)

For Easter mom and I colored eggs and made some fun rice krispie treat things. Then went to the neighbors on Easter Sunday for lunch after takin dad to the airport so he could head back to FL for the week. 

It's pretty awesome down here. You meet some interesting people with incredible stories (although where my parents are I'm kinda the only youngin). Many are sailors who are care taking someone's home. Or they are just a sailboat anchored in the harbor. Saturday I get to meet even more of the "neighbors." Going to a little party a few docks over. 

I'll update more next week once I start work...let you know if they killed me with exhaustion diving daily, carrying equipment and so on. Should be a good weight loss program - ha. Oh...and say a lil pray my roomies are cool...there will be 6 of us :) Peace n love to all! Miss you guys!

Makin homemade pizza dough...

The end results...it was delicious! And I was impressed :)

A baby pineapple

The chicken come with their feet on them here...ewwwy!

The journey begins...

Welp, I finally made it to the island safe and sound after 2 long days - and may I say it was a journey to get here. 

My trip began with a 2.5 hour flight from Miami to San Pedro Sula where I was oh so fortunate to sit next to a creepy guy on the plane. The ENTIR

E trip talked to me (in Spanish bc he didn't know English). Got his whole life story about his band, kids, how he like white woman and refers to his children's mother as "mi mujere" or in English "my woman". He persisted I ride with him after the plane trip instead of taking the bus - and I persisted that I didn't want a change of plans. Ha. 

Once I reached the airport I gathered my luggage and caught a taxi to the bus station (which again I had a driver who persisted I stay and hang out in San Pedro for a while). -As a side note: I'm thinkin if you have low self esteem just come to Central America bc I could have gone home with a few guys- 

Made it to the bus, bought my ticket and went on a 3 hour BEAUTIFUL bus trip through mountains, banana farms, pineapple farms and even some corn farms. Saw cows, horses, goats, pigs and many others. 

From the bus in La Ceiba it was cab time to the hostel Banana Republic Guesthouse where I paid $5 for a bed and good company sharing stories with others traveling from Canada and Oregon over a beer. 

The next morning I took a walk to town to exchange money and get some much needed coffee, walked around and headed to the ferry station. The seas were the worst experience ever that day. About 75% of ship got sea sick which led me to putting on my iPod and closing my eyes to avoid seeing and hearing vomit. 

Then arriving to Roatan after 2 hours of rocking my dad decided we would conquer the bad seas to get home (keep in mind there are no roads to my parents house). So in the dark with only moonlight there goes dad in I through 15' seas and 30 mph winds - not the smartest thing. It was like a hurricane and I thought I was gonna die - no exaggerations.

But...we made it safely and now I relax...

Hasta Luego a los Estados

Yes, It's that time. Sitting in the wonderful Orlando Int'l Airport awaiting my flight (which has already been delayed). My journey has began with a loooong day ahead. Here's a little idea of my next 2 days...

Leave Orlando appx 10:15a to Miami

2 hour layover in Miami

Arrive in San Pedro Sula, Honduras at 1:15p (3:15p Eastern time)

Taxi to bus terminal - 3 hour bus trip to La Ceiba

Stay night in $5 hostel

Wake up, wander and catch ferry to the beautiful island of Roatan where I will spend the next 2.5 months.

I must say I'm stoked for the adventure ahead but slightly exhausted thinking about it. Ha.

As for thoughts and time in FL...nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. lol. For those who know me well I've never been one of much emotion aside from a big cheesy smile on my face 24/7, but I must say NYC sure did change that one for me - which in all honesty is probably a good thing. It was amazing to see some of my dearest in FL, catch up with some others and have random run ins with people I haven't seen in YEARS!

For the first time in my life I had 2 weeks to just sit back and look at life (hence the emotional roller coaster). I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had at such a young age - I feel like I've experienced so much and grown tremendously. The hardest thing I've come to find lately is that final hug before you walk out the door again. As excited as I am to continue my journey figuring out life and my place in it, it's always hard to leave the ones you love so dearly - the ones who encourage you and love on you. It's like there's that fear instilled that once again I'm alone again, back at stage one - a feeling I know too well. but then I sit back and look at what the last year of "loneliness" brought - lifelong friends, growth and an even better understanding of my lifelong partner, God. 

I've come to know my purpose in life is not a career or where I live or where I go - but how I serve and love. (I've been reading a book called "Irresistible Revolution" which I strongly encourage all to read - Christian or not.) I'm starting to truly understand God and where I stand in my faith. I know my purpose is to love and to care. To show beauty to the broken. To bring light into darkness. Not to convert, but to give hope and break the negative viewpoint of Christianity and just get back to basis - LOVE - a word that goes far beyond the romantic relationship - a word the world needs more of. 

Thanks again to those who love. And to those who are broken - you are loved. And know there is hope in the midst of struggle. 

It's off to tropical paradise now - I'll write again soon. Love and blessings to all!

Hasta Luego...