Roatan - Day 39

M convinced us to take the day off today to have one last play day before we leave tomorrow.  J and I didn’t need too much convincing.  We’ve really been working hard here (contrary to what Instagram might show you…).  M picked J and I up this morning bright and early to meet B and her parents at Earth Mama’s for breakfast.  Nothing like banana nutella coconut drizzled crepes with fresh fruit to start the day!  Then we all piled into the truck for a 30 minute drive up north to the Iguana Farm.  J was a little hesitant about going since she thought the iguanas might try to bite at her feet and she wouldn’t feel them, but that wasn’t the case.  All they want is fresh leaves to choke down whole.  Those suckers were HUGE.  I even dared myself to pick one up!  Those are the craziest creatures ever; they are like miniature dinosaurs.  There were also turtles, monkeys, and giant fish including a barracuda.  J introduced herself to the Iguana Farm owner and proceeded to chat it up with him, which won her a free Sprite (after I paid a steep $2 for mine…).  I like her tactics.

On the way back, B’s dad and I kicked it in the back of the truck and talked about everything from the housing crisis to why people behave the way they do to places I must visit when I go to Maine.  He’s a very likeable guy, both of her parents are.  We enjoyed the scenery on our grand tour of the island.  Riding in the back of a truck is definitely the way to see it best.  I wish I could have captured the people and things I observed (typical island life) in photos to show to you.

M took us for a tour through the public hospital in Coxen Hole, the only one on the island.  I’ve seen hospitals in third world countries before so I wasn’t too shocked at what I saw.  Let’s just say the clinic we’ve been working at here is 10 times nicer.  To give you some indication… the door into Labor and Delivery was an old front screen door and the door into Surgery was two pieces of plywood making a swinging door.  The word out there is that you only go to the hospital for two reasons – either to have a baby or to die.  So true.  There’s no way I would ever want to spend ANY time there.

B headed back to the clinic for her afternoon shift and then M, J, B’s parents, and I headed to West Bay to drop B’s parents at their hotel.  But first we ate lunch at Nice n’ Spicy where I enjoyed a delicious Thai beef salad.    M dropped us off at our apt. where we took a short nap then I headed off to basketball practice to assist the hondureño doctor with his basketball teams. 

I love how important God is in the lives of the people here and how much recognition they give Him.  The doc/coach always starts and ends practice in a team huddle with a prayer.  So he had me lead out with a prayer today, a real honor.  I introduced some new drills, worked with the post players on their inside moves, coached one of the girls teams playing 5 on 5, then played with the girls’ team against the boys.  Oh yeah.  I embarrassed the heck out of myself when I airballed 2 free throws IN A ROW (I literally haven’t shot a free throw in 2 years, sad I know).  But I redeemed myself on the next free throw and made basket, not to mention defense.  The hondureño doc (who calls me “Doc”) said the kids were impressed and thought I could probably dunk it.  If only that were the case….

Well turns out I was at practice for 2.5 hrs and still had to leave early to meet up with the rest of the gang in West End to say goodbye before they all took off.  The hondureño doc just up and left his practice just to drive me to West End.  We stopped for a delicious pastelito on the way.  Caught the gang for a few then M drove us all home.  We said goodbye to B and her parents.  Now we get to spend late hours into the night getting evaluations done and packing.  Can’t believe 6 weeks has already gone by…

CANNOT WAIT to take a warm shower, drink water out of the faucet, throw toilet paper in the toilet, wear cute clothes & jewelry, and actually do my hair and makeup.  It’s going to be a good day to be back in the U.S.