Wow . . . I'm having a little difficulty comprehending that in just
114
days . . . we are moving to the middle of an amazingly different world.
The small country of Honduras.
Officially the Republic of Honduras.
Specifically . . .
the city of San Pedro Sula.
Honduras is bordered to the West by Guatemala, to the Southwest by El Salvador, to the Southeast by Nicaragua, to the South by the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Gulf of Honduras, a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea.
I'm sure you're thinking . . .
What on earth are WE thinking!!! ??
Especially when I share the following information with you all . . .
I must admit I was a wee bit worried when I read this
Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work. However, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country. Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world. San Pedro Sula is considered to be the world’s most violent city, with 159 murders for every 100,000 residents in 2011. These threats have increased substantially over the past several years, and incidents can occur anywhere. In January 2012, the Peace Corps withdrew its volunteers from the country to conduct an administrative review of the security situation.
Transnational criminal organizations conduct narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout the country and use violence to control drug trafficking routes and carry out other criminal activity. Other criminals, acting both individually and in gangs in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, rapes, and other aggravated assaults.
(Pico Bonito - dense National Forest - home to large number of endangered species)
(San Pedro Sula)
U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes or hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more persons. Avoid wearing jewelry and do not carry large sums of money or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras, and do not walk alone on beaches, historic ruins, or trails. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.
I'm sure you're thinking . . .
What on earth are WE thinking!!! ??
I think we'll be okay on the "travel in groups of two" we have that part figured out. Avoid wearing jewelry . . . don't really have any . . . but I may just have to stock up on the indigenous locally crafted earrings as I do love that sort of thing . . .
No chance we'll be carrying large sums of cash.
So I guess we'll have to be cautious AND smart . . .
so . . .
I guess you could say I experienced a few moments of anxiety.
Until I saw this . . .
and it took me about . . .
5 seconds
to realize that I am going to love the people.
I know it.
And I can hardly wait.
So stay tuned . . . because there is certainly
MUCH
more to come.
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