News from the House of the Holy

So this morning I have experienced a miracle. I slept through the previously mentioned over-zealous pump-up jesus music and managed to finally complete the 8 hours of my REM cycle. I feel so refreshed and rejuevenated. Today is a day to dream big.

Today is also Tuesday, approximately 2 days and 16 hours after the much anticipated Copan Conference had finally adjourned its many meetings. The conference lasted 3 splendid days, starting on Thursday. We got there on thursday as well. only at 2:30 in the morning. Don't ask me how Marcio managed to drive so fast for so long, so late. But we all arrived in one piece, granted a little puffy-eyed and tousle-haired, to stumble into our cute* little moldy hotel for a nap before the festivities.

*disclaimer: the usage of the word cute here signifies the griminess of a mildewy hotel at the top of a cliff-like hill. We loved it so much that 3 out of 4 of us came home sick.

So, the festivities. About 18o people braved the potholes and winding roads to gather in a freezing banquet hall in Copan's municipal building like some sort of Honduras volunteers pilgrimage. We each came to worship the conference leader, Marco Caceros and his unbelievably sweet wife's, coordinating skills. And, to admire, to critique, and to learn from the different projects going on throughout the country. That freezing cold banquet hall in the Copan Ruinas Municipal building drew quite a varied crowd. First off, there was the US Embassador, Hugo Llorens, (whose business card I now have!), some other SHH prospective volunteers, like Claire from G Mason, some with interesting names (Mr. Turnipseed), and of course the most large and in charge group of awesome people, the SHH team. I think we surprised everyone by bringing 9 of our meanest, Copprome-hardened volunteers to the event. Indeed, we ended up taking over two tables in the very front of the room. And if thats not intimidating enough, Cosmo's presentation blew everyone out of the water, prompting a personalized mini-speech out of Marco at the end. For full details visit the 21 minute long YouTube vid.

The conference was all about networking and network we did. We found hundreds of useful contacts for our various projects. And some more, just of the people that we admired or got along well with. We also made friends outside of the conference, such as the chilean-italian street-vendor couple who sold the craziest things. And of course, Eva, being such a sweetie, made friends wherever she went; the rest of us were too busy holed up in our hoodies with our noni tea, coffee, and Sudagrip cough medicine.

At the end of the weekend, we put so much into the conference that we visited Copan without ever seeing the ruins there. But alas, it was worth it.

On a short note- On Sunday, we took the Copprome kids to the Tela beach to celebrate Kate' as it was her last day here. I must say, I have never seen as many half-naked, sandy Honduran children at one time in my life. for good reason. Yet they splashed their little hearts out in the surf, catching sand dollars, rolling in the sand, and annoying Pantera. And to those of us here in the SHH house, it was the perfectly tiring ending to a long weekend. With its fun bits as well of course.
Well it looks as if my stomach might start digesting itself so I'm off to go make some delicious breakers. Peace out, or as the germans say, Tschusse!