I just got back from a week long trip to Honduras. An absolutely amazing experience to say the least, so I have to share it with you. One of my best friends is a hiking guide at D&D Brewery in a village called Los Naranjos (check it out by clicking HERE), which is an awesome place by the way. I went with another friend to visit him and genuinely experience Honduras. And ohh boy, it definitely didn’t disappoint. We spent most of our time in rural areas. The week consisted of a lot of hiking, row-boating, cliff jumping, camping, whitewater rafting, traveling, practicing my Spanish, crazy taxi rides, and interacting with all different types of people.
Overlooking Lake Yojoa
So many aspects of the world we live in are very paradoxical. Though extreme poverty is widespread throughout Honduras, many Hondurans are rich in ways that Americans aren’t.
Nature comes to mind first. There are epic landscapes everywhere in Honduras. Lush greenery, majestic mountains, and gorgeous waterfalls shape the countryside. There is natural beauty everywhere you look, which is a stark contrast to the concrete jungle of NYC. Food also comes into the picture as an extension of this environment. Yes there are (sadly) economic factors that come into play with access to food, but locally grown, natural food is readily available. And plus there’s the possibility of growing food in your own backyard. How many Americans can say those things?
The other aspect is family. In the midst of widespread poverty and hardships, the family structure has maintained importance in Honduras. Families stick together and help each other out, while some families in the US can’t even share a meal together. This type of culture extends into the world of hospitality as well. Many people will help you out with directions, a meal, or anything you need without second thought. It is the embodiment of the expression, “mi casa es su casa.” It’s a beautiful thing. While here in the US most people don’t even say hi to their neighbors.
Things we take for granted in the US and the rest of the Western world:
Safety– In Honduras, there’s armed guards in front of anything of importance. All homes are fenced off with barbed wire. Police are corrupt and unreliable. It’s like the wild west. You can’t safely walk the streets at night. Compare this to New York City, where you can stumble around drunk at 3am and be alright.
Lack of extreme poverty– Yes, we have poverty in the US and other western countries, but not third world poverty. The poverty in some parts of Honduras is on another level. You really have to see it for yourself to wrap your head around it. This leads me to my next point.
Opportunity– For the impoverished people living in third world nations, there is very, very little opportunity. People are relegated to their small world, without the ability to go anywhere else. With no access to books or new knowledge. It isn’t impossible to find a better life, but it’s a steep, uphill battle. Compare this to the US, where everybody has access to information (libraries, internet, newspapers…etc). Anybody can start a business. Even for people born in the poorest areas of the US, for example, there is at least the opportunity for a better life. A lot of people in third world countries don’t have that kind of opportunity.
Lessons I learned:
Appreciate everything I have. I was forced to. As an American, the contrast is so in your face that you’re literally forced to appreciate everything you have that many people don’t. I’m instantly more grateful.
Admire nature. I don’t get to see landscapes like those of Honduras everyday, ya know? Check out the pics.
Savor the moment. Every moment is fleeting. Every moment is once in a lifetime. A vacation to a new place makes this blatantly obvious.
Go with the flow. Don’t resist new experiences. Be flexible. Be easygoing. Do new things. Don’t worry about what you can’t change. As Bruce Lee said, “be like water, my friend.” Life is more enjoyable that way.
Realize what’s really important. Experiences and the bonds made with others. That’s what is really important. That’s what life is all about. Chasing material wealth and gathering “stuff” is intrinsically unfulfilling.
All in all, I’m so grateful for my experience in Honduras. Thank you Cerone for accompanying me, and thank you Jwalk for having us. It was one of the best weeks of my life.
Here’s some more pics from my trip:
Cliff Jumping
Sorry TLC, I went chasing waterfalls
Sunrise