From the Czech Republic to the Banana Republic

He left the Czech Republic just days before arriving in Honduras. His basketball season just ended and he quickly found himself sweating in Don Wil’s rickety truck on the way back from the San Pedro Sula aiport. My first-graders took Ian by storm, as he entered the dusty grounds of San Jeronimo. After their initial shock at his 6’9’’ stature, they swallowed him in hugs and “pick me ups!” There were even a few times when he needed my assistance to escape the grasp of eight 6-year olds latched to his legs at one time.

After a day of school his first week here, Ian and I took a weekend trip to the beaches of Tela and Truinfo de la Cruz. Escaping the heat in the shade and in the Caribbean waters for the weekend, we enjoyed the coolness of licuados and delicious meals right off the beach. Here we are enjoying a sunset in Trinunfo de la Cruz.

After our relaxing weekend, we prepared ourselves for a busy week at school. Using the shiny new basketballs that the Mistaaaiir (as the kids called him) brought, we played basketball on our dirt soccer field, using the top of the soccer goal as our hoop. All week, my class wore him out, as they asked him to race or play basketball or throw them over his head. On Wednesday, he held a basketball camp for the students at our school. With an excellent turn out students, he taught dribbling and shooting techniques and of course, wowed the crowd with a few dunks. He also got the opportunity to work with a middle school girls team from another school for two days. Full of enthusiasm for the sport they knew little about, these energetic girls listened as he explained how to move the ball around the court, without fouling. All in all, two great days of teaching and playing ball. Here is Ian teaching the youngsters some dribbling skills.

This past weekend, we went to Copan and explored the Ruins and the town. After another restful weekend, we returned to Cofradia for one more day at school. Here is Ian with a group of students from the school! There were quite of few tears and “que no se vaya”s (don’t go!) from the kids yesterday morning as Ian made his farewell. But this is one Mister that I know will not be forgotten in Cofradia.