Honduras: deep waters

Reading a guide book about Honduras before moving down here a week ago, I learned that "Honduras" was named for the "deep level" or "deep waters" of the eastern port (should have figured that out!).  That's stuck with me as I've tried to get settled this week.  A mix of images come to mind: jumping in with two feet, or being in over your head, or a tree beside a stream sustained by deep water (psalm 1).  There's been this strange feeling of peace and comfort, despite being almost entirely out of my comfort zone.  Partly this is due to the fact that my coworkers at Tegu have gone above and beyond to take care of me.  Partly this is due to the fact that I've lived abroad before and gone through the transition, so I can rationalize through a fair number of the concerns that my brain concocts.  But I can't help but also feel there's something incredibly right about all this...

In the meantime, I'm working very hard to be patient with myself and this new life.  Because otherwise its a bit sad.  I live in a 3 bedroom house by myself.  I have 2 bathrooms, a maids quarters with another bathroom, an office, a living room, entryway, dining room, kitchen... all to myself.  And the only furniture at the moment: 2 beds, one couch, 2 plastic chairs- thoughtful loans from my boss and his wife.  If ever I was going to have a rager, now would be the time to do it.  Thankfully, I'm moving into the house next door at the end of the month, which is supposed to be a bit smaller (& more updated!). Then the nesting will begin!

It's always a bit strange to move to a new place because you're so limited.  The most independent thing I've done is drive to the grocery store, which is one block from my house (thankfully!).  Still an accomplishment for week 1! The rest of the time, I have no idea where I am and often have no idea how to say exactly what I want to say (despite 10 years of Spanish classes).  It's incredibly humbling, overwhelming and strangely freeing to rely on others.  I'm also growing stronger in knowing when to ask for help, something that will surely take a lifetime for me.

Thankfully, my coworker and friend Mariale has been keeping me company this past week. It's been a tremendous blessing: we get up, get ready, make breakfast together, each sit in our little plastic chair to eat, wash dishes together... then drive to the factory.  At the end of the day, Mariale drops me at home on the way to her 2-hr English class.  Then I make us dinner or she picks something up.  And she usually stops by her grandmas house to pick up food for both of us for lunch the next day.  It's a bit like having a babysitter and a bit like having an instant best friend; either way it's exactly what I needed.  

Next week I start driving the company's automatic Hyundai to the factory, with Mariale as my copilot.  Baby steps...