Update long overdue...

Hello friends,

Andrea and I have been very busy since we left Guatemala April 12th. Everything went reasonably well and it was quite a shock to arrive in Charlotte, NC for our short layover. Immediately we were faced with angry customs officials, and ushered into the land of the giants. We were all of a sudden average people, in height, language, looks, and culture, etc. On the other hand, hot water from bathroom faucets and clean drinking fountains were welcome comforts.

Since arriving we have visited with many friends and family starting in Washington DC. An amazingly comfortable apartment kept us rested and warm (frickin freezing outside), and housed my parents while they visited. If you ever need a furnished apartment right near Union Station we know the best option, thanks John and Andy! It was great seeing my sisters and parents and wandering around our old neighborhood, speaking Spanish even!

Since then we've gone to Lancaster City, Pa - Fredricksburg, VA - Philadelphia, PA - Buffalo/Niagara Falls, NY - Rochester, NY - and now we are in Syracuse, NY with Andrea's family. Whffeew, the fun never stops.

I have confirmed my intention to attend NC State beginning July 2nd and we plan to visit Raleigh this week for a look around. We hope to line up an apartment there by June 1st if not sooner. So now you have people to visit in NC, we'll be a short drive from the Mtns and ocean!

Of course this is the cliff's notes version of our last month or so, but we saw lots of good friends, ate some of my favorite foods (Viola's Subs), drank really good beer, and caught up with family.

Check in again soon as we are putting the finishing touches on our best Guatemala photos. We be including a link to another site which should allow a better viewing experience.

I hope your all well, we miss you guys from Guate, and can't wait to plan our return.
Abrazos a todos, Luke

Utila Island, Honduras
April 12 - 17

What turned out to be the last major destination of our trip was the smallest of Honduras' Bay Islands, Utila. You may be able to picture this Caribe island if you can imagine what the entire Caribbean was like 60 years ago before "club meds" and cruise ships took over. We arrived by ferry into the one small harbor, and found our way to the one main street. The majority of the buildings we found here are ramshakle wooden things up on stilts. In recent years Utila has become famous for its incredibly cheap scuba diving courses and thriving corral reefs. We had an amazing time soaking up the natural beauty and intriguing local culture.

If you have time definitely check out the bizarre history of the Bay Islanders. Utilians are primarily descendants of English and Spanish pirates. They speak a rhythmic English creole almost impossible to understand. Yet most people speak Creole, Spanish, and often English. As you can imagine the pace of life here was ultimate chill. Shirts and shoes were optional, and even road construction, beer delivery, and cycling was done in flip flops. Most things close at lunch, and or between 2 - 6 pm, which drove us crazy a few times. We ate Baleada's, the Honduran typical food, at least twice a day, although one night splurged on fresh grilled tuna and maji maji.

Nearly everyday we swam in the warm clear waters close to shore, and 3 times snorkeled around the reefs. We could literally jump in or swim to the reef in a matter of seconds! We even did a night snorkel with a small group off of Corral View point. Being novice reef ecologists I won't bore you with our findings other than to say it was full of life, day and night. We were definitely bit with scuba fever and almost took the three day license course. Theres just so much under water, who knew!

The main highlights were the octopus, squid, phosphorescence, moray eel, puffer, and flounder that we saw. Not to mention the scores of vibrant fish and corral too numerous to recount. On land we loved chasing the blue crabs and iguanas that line the roads and paths there. Plan your trip soon as of course over-fishing and over-development are ruining both the corral reefs and the islands unique forests.

my heartfelt ode, although not Neruda


Ode to my Sunglasses

Oh wondrous form!
Forty pesos of rhinestoned glory;
White rose of Chiapas.
What honored fabrica lovingly tattooed "hecho" on your ample arm?

Guardian of iris and pupil
Deflector of UV
Veil of Obscurity
Biolab goggles
Pick-up riding, mosquito splattered windshield
Unscratched, unbent, unfashionable
Perfect companion
Frosting on my cake
My temple's adornment

When I slipped you on
(tenderly over nose, cheeks, ears and brow)
Shimmering in the sunlight
My inner Latina sa-wa-ayed
her bronzed hips in the rhythm of a sultry tune

Oh! but I let you go!
I underestimated the current of the river!
In an instant
(like an arrow through my heart)
You were snatched from my crown
Swept from my grasping fingers
And sank
Beneath the aquamarine ripples.
Gone.

Yesterday I was Ready For Anything
Now I am simply Blinded Traveler,
Squinting.