Cha-Cha-Chachahuala

When you plan a trip for a group, it's a good idea 

to have some kind of special treat, present, or 

experience scheduled for the last day. That way, no 

matter what happens,even if it's beyond your control, 

you've left people with a little proverbial sugar on 

their tongues, and chances are that'll color the trip 

favorably when they remember how it all went down.
There was no such manipulation here, and yet, our last 

day was a joy and a success in every way.
Down from 4 doctors to 2, and a handful of others 

departed early, we remaining 12 (from 19) had some 

rearranging to do. I was pleased to take several roles 

today- in-take, translator, and dispensary - as it gave 

me opportunities to work on vocabulary and other skills.
In 8 hours (8:40-5:00) we treated 285 people.  
 
The village of Chachahuala (cha-cha-wa-la) is more 

concentrated than Barba Chelas, less polluted than 

San Pedro Sula.
The weather was ideal: warm, but with some cloud cover.
There's no hitch to report today.
At the end of the day, we were weary and worn, but decidedly 

pleased with the outcome and our work. The group visits 

these three villages annually and so several group members 

have relationships with people in the communities.
What more can I say?
No tarantulas. No death. No illness. To robbery. No trouble 

from traffickers. No accidents.
Veritable bliss and harmony.
Take a moment to sigh with contentment and relief.
(Now go on and admit that it's a less exciting email 

without a bit of trouble. Com'on. )
 
it's been called to my attention that I have neglected a major 

and important theme in my writing. The food. 
This IS unheard of for me. Usually I relish the opportunity to 

tell you all about what I eat and see, and send photos. To fill 

this hole, I'll tell you a bit now.
Admittedly, I have been a far more conservative eater here and 

now than I usually would be. Additionally, I've had fewer 

opportunities for diversity in food exploration. Most of my 

meals have occurred in 2 hotels.
In summary... The food isn't very interesting or notable. 

Each morning I have some oatmeal which is tasty, milky and 

sugary. And also a desayuno tipico (Tab, you'll be glad to 

know what normal Breakfasters order if we return) which is: 

small, hot, flour tortillas (thick and delicious) on a plate 

with small piles of scrambled eggs, black refried beans, 

crema, cheese similar to cotija, and a piece of ham. Tasty 

enough.
For dinner, the best things I've had were shrimp in garlic 

butter and another plato tipico, add plantains and beef to 

the breakfast plate (minus eggs). 
The seafood has been good, if over-cooked consistently. I've 

had a lot of fish. Even in the village at Barba Chela, where 

they made lunch for us, the freshly caught whole fried fish 

was excellent. When I asked where it had come from, the cook 

pointed to the vista out the window, and indeed, I could see 

the ocean just a few miles away down the mountain.
The most flavorful thing here has been the fruit. There's no 

contest for fruit that actually gets to mature on the vine/

tree. The bananas here bear only distant relation to our own 

mouth-coating, firm variety. These are creamy and tender, 

unaffected by refrigeration. Yesterday they villagers brought 

me fresh young coconuts to drink from when I was thirsty. The 

water was lightly fermented , refreshing and revitalizing.
 
Tomorrow, the plan is to leave here by 10am and return to 

San Pedro Sula. Once there we'll tidy up some loose ends with 

the medication and clinic business, and then .... Explore the 

market place. I'm hoping to have a few hours of that as for me 

there's no better way to get to know a place than to see their 

cottage industry arts and crafts, and by that virtue, what they 

value, cherish, crave. I may have more to tell you from the 

airport afterwards.
 
Thank you for your ears and eyes. It's so satisfying to translate 

my little adventures for you. 
I wonder if I could get work as an Adventurer for Hire. What do 

you think? Imagine... You hear of an opportunity for something 

interesting or wild or strange. Part of you would like to go, 

but constraints of time, inclination, aversion to travelers 

diarrhea prevent you from setting out. You could pay for *me* 

to go and I'd not only give thorough reports back, but I'd 

return with flavors, sights, scents and sounds of the 

experience! I'd help you be a sensory intensive armchair 

traveler. Like the Shrek in 4-D ride at Universal!
Think about it.... My passport is ready for the next 10 years, 

and I'm current on all my vaccines.