Errands & Beauty

San Pedro de Catacamas

This past Tuesday my husband and I went to run a few errands.  He helps rent out apartments and houses here in Honduras. One of his responsibilities is to collect the rent.  It’s not the same as in the USA. He must go and collect the rent money otherwise it’s never paid.  In the States you can just mail your personal check or money order and “voila” the rent or mortgage is taken care of.  Here going out to each renter is your best bet.  I don’t know of many people that use the post office in Honduras.  Sending your rent money will do no good – it will never arrive.  He goes and collects it because no one is going to come by and pay it.  So many people can’t afford to buy a car let alone pay the gas money, which is currently about $5.30 where we live. The trip to drop off the rent money is far for most by bicycle or walking.  Sometimes it’s frustrating for him to take his own time to do this, but he has learned that this is the best way to get his job done.  My husband asked me to go with this time.  It gets me out of the house a bit and I learn where more places are.  I meet new people along the way, and he and I can chat during the car ride about the day or how the kids are doing.  It’s kind of a way to just check in with each other.

As my husband was collecting the rent at a particular house I decided to wait in the car.  It was cool this evening.  I think about 60 F.  I looked out and thought, “This is the life.  This is why I love it here”.  Not only was it cool but there was a breeze.  As I looked out I saw houses to my right and mountains to my left. Kids were out playing soccer and having fun.  Adults were out doing their errands by walking or riding bikes. Yet others were sitting on their porches enjoying the same evening I was. One thought kept coming back to me – the mountains are such a beautiful & powerful sight; I feel so lucky to get to enjoy them.  I see beauty in the mountains, families taking time for each other, and a stroll among the neighborhood, etc.  I think not everyone stops to take time and enjoy such things. I know I didn’t do it enough before.  Since moving I have had the time to enjoy where I live. I get to take a break and just “breath”.  I know the fast pace of the U.S. can really take the life out of a person.  Since the move I have been able to enjoy my surroundings and my family.  I was so glad to take the time to run errands with my husband this particular Tuesday evening.  While we got things done I was able to also marvel over where it is my family and I live.