Not All Who Wander Are Lost...But I Usually Am

Office Space

pwalton — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:03:00 GMT

I'm nearing the end of my first week in Honduras as well as my first week at work. Its been kind of rainy so I haven't been able to see much of Tegucigalpa but what I have seen is awesome. My coworkers are so welcoming and the atmosphere is really relaxing considering there are only six of us! Today, I had my first meeting where a representative came to talk to us about the new technology of mobile phone finance. My Spanish is slowly getting better and my sense of direction in Tegucigalpa is also slowly developing. I hope it stops raining for the weekend so I can finally see the city with Marissa (another student from UOP volunteering here in Honduras. I also added a couple more pictures of the office.

Gallery: Honduras

pwalton — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:58:00 GMT

Tegucigalpa

pwalton — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:42:00 GMT

I arrived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Getting up early to make my flight was a struggle and I cut it pretty close getting to the airport. But I made it to Tegucigalpa. The city is placed in a valley between large mountains so the views are awesome. The driver for Katalysis Luis-Enrique picked me up along with Carolina another employee. I am staying for the time being at my boss' house which is really nice. Last night I met up with some friends of a friend (Grant's) and we went out for some dinner and I was introduced to many locals and foreigners. I finally was able to sleep in this morning but rest is short lived because I start work on Monday and still have to find an apartment somewhere in the city!

Gallery: Cartagena

pwalton — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Summit/Santa Ana/Playa Blanca

Santa Ana and la Playa Blanca

pwalton — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday was the conclusion of the microcredit summit, it consisted of a discussion of the future of microfinance with the former president of Peru Alejando Toledo, Professor Yunus and Sam Daley-Harris. Its so awesome to watch those who are at the forefront of this new field discuss the possibilities for its growth. I don't leave until Friday so I had all of today off. During the summit I met some fellow Americans who are just a couple years older than myself and are in a program called World Teach. They are the first to enter into the World Teach Colombia program and are working in a village outside of Cartagena. I woke up early this morning to visit where they live/work as well as go to la playa blanca (an incredible beach close to the village). Getting to the village was just as exciting as being there. We took a taxi to a town called Pascaballos where we got onto a canoe to cross the water to the island of Santa Ana. When the canoe got to the port we got onto the back of dirt bikes and took motorcycle taxis to the school. The school was incredible. The kids had so much energy. They are proud of the music that their island is known for called Champeta which is a mix of rap/reggae/african and Colombian beats. When we got there we became a part of their English lesson because the teachers offered extra credit for those that could carry on a conversation with us. After class we got back onto the taxis to go to la playa blanca. It is a white sandy beach where we went snokeling, ate fresh pescado and my new favorite food platacones which is flattened and fried plantains, as well as took a siesta in some hammocks next to the water. The day was so incredibly relaxing and such an eye opener to both the diverse people of Colombia and the huge contrast in urban and rural poverty.

A photo with Muhammed Yunus

pwalton — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More Cartagena

pwalton — Tue, 9 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Summit is going really well, I have met so many people that have started some really incredible organizations. Because I'm volunteering I'm constantly busy and on my feet. Tonight was a dinner for the delegates put on by the Government on top of the wall of the old city overlooking the ocean. They had live performances of traditonal Colombian dances and some awesome food. I've noticed that Colombians take a lot of pride in their fruit and half of the meals consist of different fruit and juices. My hotel is pretty nice with an awesome view of the beach, but kind of far from the convention center because its in a district called The Bocagrande. Colombia is very hot and humid which mixed with long pants and a sportcoat means constant sweat (the locals said its because the foreigner's cooling sytems are all broken).

Cartagena and The Microcredit Summit

pwalton — Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

My journey began on Sunday morning at 2:00am leaving LA for Panama City. The flight was fast because I was asleep the entire time, Disneyland took a lot out of me. I was so stoked to get to see the Panama Canal from the air while landing...yeah its only something I would get excited about. My next flight to Colombia was only 45 minutes. I arrived in Cartagena in the afternoon with only 2 hours to go through customs, check into the hotel, and find the convention center for a meeting/training for volunteers. I was skeptical about finding a cab in Colombia but luckily my buddy Joaquin from Argentina needed one too so we shared. I have to admit that I feel like a fairly independent traveler but the first day/night in Cartagena was, although incredible, kinda overwhelming and had me ask myself what I got myself into coming to Colombia of all places, alone and not knowing anyone for thousands of miles. But that skepticism was short lived. The next morning was the opening ceremonies of the Summit. After an incredible introduction to Colombian dance and music, President Alvaro Uribe spoke to the delegates. He is an incredibly well spoken person and very passionate about supporting microfinance...yes I am retaining most of my excitement about seeing him because everyone already knows how big of a nerd I am for politics. Then Muhammed Yunus, the father of microcredit, spoke. It is no wonder how his bank has been so successful in providing so much help to victims of poverty with enthusiasm like his. I met so many people at the conference which is easy when your around a bunch of people who care about the same issues. I was amazed about how many students there were, American and Latin American. After dinner some new friends and I wandered around the Old City of Cartagena, originally a slave trade city, until we got to the city walls on which we sat and watched the ocean as well as some street dancers preform mapale (an extremely energetic and intense dance). First day and a half = Successful!