Honduras Day 2

Now it is my second day in the nation of Honduras, which I have now come to admire because of its diverse people and scenery. Today, I will venture into a different part of Honduras! This area is called the coastal highlands. Here, I hoped to meet a myriad of new people, but also go on a hike in the mountains. After eating some leftovers from my dinner last night for breakfast, I took a cab out to this region where I met an old friend of mine from college who is from Honduras. He lives in the coastal highlands and has 3 teenage children, who receive free education, like all youths in Honduras. My friend, Emma Valle, owns a cattle and pig ranch. Because he is a wealthier man, he can afford adequate health insurance for his family. Sadly, because of costs, many people of this developing country can’t afford health insurance. This contributes to the especially high death rate in Honduras. When I first arrived at Emma Valle’s home, I was served once again seafood, but this time the side items were beans and rice. This home-cooked food was even more delicious than the food I had at the restaurant the day before! After lunch, I was saddened by a story that Emma Valle and his children had to tell me. They explained to me that in 1998, their local community was strongly affected by Hurricane Mitch. There home was devastated, and even worse, they lost their mother. In general, Honduras, as a nation, is especially vulnerable to natural disasters, like hurricanes, due to its location. Because of this, homes must be built with stronger, more expensive materials. This, in itself, is a factor in how poor the people of Honduras are. Thereafter, Emma Valle and I took a long hike in the mountain range nearby in the coastal highlands. Next, it was time for me to say goodbye to Emma Valle and his family and thank them for having me at their home. Last, I took a cab back to my hotel, read some pages from my book, and went to sleep, giving my body a rest from the tiring activities that filled this wonderful day.