Travelling Tuesday: Honduran Boats and Spider Monkeys

Mark and I had a really lovely honeymoon in Roatan, an island off the coast of Honduras. It seems like it was a million years ago, not because our marriage is tiresome, but because so much has happened since June 23, 2007! He chose the spot because my only three preferences were somewhere beachy, somewhere where I can speak Spanish, and not Mexico because I’d been there before and was hoping to go somewhere new. It ended up being an excellent choice. We stayed at Barefoot Cay, a tiny resort on a little island off the main island. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a getwaway!

This week’s Travelling Tuesday picture is one Mark took as we drove around Roatan. It’s a small island and you can see most of it in a day or two. He particularly liked this cute little boat along the way and got several nice shots of it.

Perhaps the most memorable shot of the week, however, is not a scenic one. On one of our days at Roatan, we went to a park where you could zip line through the jungle canopy. It was lots of fun!  You could also walk around their bird and monkey park, and some of the monkeys could come and sit on your shoulder. One of the monkeys actually stole some pesos right out of my pocket, went up the tree to count and taste them, and then put them in the tip box. Cheeky monkey! Talladega Nights, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, had come out not too long before that. I could never stop laughing at the line one of his kids said, (I can’t remember if it was Walker or Texas Ranger), “I’m all jacked up on Mountain Dew, and I’mon come at you like a spider monkey!”

Thanks to my cousin Ace and his son Blake perfectly reciting this line in a hilarious conversation the night before the wedding, I was excited to actually have a spider monkey sitting on my shoulder and send them a picture. He was a delightful creature at first, and let me feel his soft little hands, and proceeded to try to pull the hair pins out of my hair. One of the trainers began giving him sunflower seeds. A few moments later, he mistook one of my freshly-french-manicured-for-the-wedding-nails for a sunflower seed, and begin biting and pulling to try to remove it. In shock, I totally stood there with this deer in the headlights look on my face. Before Mark could put away the camera and come at him like a spider monkey, the trainers had pulled his leash and he was back at the monkey house. Their simple comments regarding our concern that I might need a rabies shot? “Oh no, you be fine. He get a shot ev’ry time he bite sunbody.”

Fortunately the wounds weren’t too bad, although I did bleed for a quite a while. It wasn’t much of a hindrance to the enjoyment of the honeymoon, and hey, we knew it would make for a great story someday!  So, the most memorable shot from this travel adventure, just before he came at me like a spider monkey:

xCC

My Inaugural Blog

So. I’ve caved in to some peer pressure, a little encouragement, and the desire to let friends and family  know a little more of what’s happening with life in the UK.  And here’s my first blog!  I wanted to call the site “baconandavocadoplease” but Mark didn’t like it so much. Alas.

Anywho. The good news is, in honour (yeah … I’ve decided to use British spelling because it’ll get too confusing switching back and forth) of my soon-to-be brother in-law (yay for all those hyphens!) I’ve arranged a special Inaugural Top Ten List that I hope will tickle your blog-enjoying fancy. [Note: You will probably enjoy his blog more than mine. He’s funny.]

The story is, I’m currently back in the Original Washington, North Carolina, enjoying some time with family, connecting with ministry partners and friends, and attempting to raise additional support for our ministry in Edinburgh. And ya know, I think it’s pretty darn nice around here.  This trip has been especially delightful.

Just yesterday, I was working out at the gym, and I noticed a gentleman in Sperry Topsiders (boat shoes) pumping some iron a wee ways away. I smiled and thought, “yeah, I’m back in the south.” Ending my workout, I was on the treadmill and I noticed one of the gym staff personnel come over to speak to the older gentleman sauntering along on the treadmill beside me. And what did my ears hear above the U2 lyrics from my iPod?

“Mr. So and So, You’ve got your cowboy boots on!”

And so it was. I couldn’t make out what Mr. So and So said, but he looked down and smiled and I’m sure explained how comfortable he was. This 60 or 70-something hard worker was in his dungarees and his cowboy boots. Working it on the treadmill. Awesome.

Yeah, I’m back in the South. And it’s good to be home.

Down Home, Down the Street

 

 

Top Ten Reasons Why It’s Great to Be Back in the South

10. (Since you already know it) Seeing cowboy boots on the treadmill at the gym.

9. Mountain Dew. Although I’m really avoiding it and trying to go for water, it’s great to have ridiculously caffeinated options.

8. The novelty of shopping for groceries at a place called “Piggly Wiggly” will never wear out. I’m sticking with the pig.

7. It’s nice to occasionally let “y’all” roll off my tongue and have no one think anything of it.

6. When I first arrive, it’s a multi-sensory overload, but still, you gotta love the Walmark.

5. It’s nice to have a complete stranger call you “Sugar” every once in a while.

4. Bill’s Hot Dogs.

3. It snowed when we got here, and two weeks later, it’s 70 degrees and I’m debating whether the baby needs a light jacket for his stroll.

2. Piggly Wiggly, people!!

And finally…

1. This here’s where my family’s at, y’all!

The Sermon in a Nutshell: I’m not moving back next week or anything, but as a famous Kansian once pointed out, “home is the place like no other.” Or something like that.