Gator! Gator! Gator!

It's our last day in this beautiful city! We woke up bright and early went to a billion (aka three) stores to find bug spray, third stores a charm and we got us some breakfast! Then it was off to the swamp tour!

We had so much fun going up and down the bayou of the Honey Island swamp!

We saw a gator strait away! But it was on the the other side of the boat so I sweet talked a gent from NY with my cute innocent charm and suckered him in to taking pictures with my phone for me. I had him all trained up:

When a Kodak moment appeared without even asking he just took my phone to get some shots for Yesenia and I, so ladies if anyone ever tells you boys can't be trained I insist they are dead wrong. 

We also saw some wild bores, turtles, a lizard, and a snake swimming down the buyou. 

We just basked in the sun and enjoyed the atmosphere!

After the tour we changed our clothes headed out to grab at a place called Huck Finns where we split our meal and some pecan pie! After that browsed some shops I got a great pair of new shoes as a souvenir and we made one last stop for some beingnets. As we were walking back to the hotel a mini fight broke out behind us and the streets were slammed with people so we glad even though it was just a bit before seven to be headed back to prepare for our 4:30am journey tomorrow morning! 

Overall though I'm a huge fan of New Orleans! 

Plantation and Beignets

Today we had a late start that was much needed! We ate breakfast and headed out to catch a bus to the Laura Plantation. Before wel loaded up we browsed the Jackson Square and it's near buy shops, but the price of documents was so not in our budget but looking was fun.

It took us about 2 hours to get the the plantation but once we were there it was such a great experience. Hearing about the south and how families used to live was so fascinating.  This specific plantation was a Creule plantation, you can tell by the color of the building. 

We learned about the culture in the early 1800's and the reality of slavery on the plantation. It was so eye opening. One quote that really stuck with me was when the tour guide was sharing a story about how the slaves children would grow up with the families children, but one was being groomed to be a slave the other was not and only one had to pick up the toys. And though the family would love the slaves "integration and equality are not the same thing". The tour really made me want to read more about segregation and slavery in the United States. After the civil war nothing really changed the slaves still lived and worked on the plantation for a small wage because they knew nothing else and they signed a freedom act which is the picture above. 

After we got back we went to get some southern classics! Gumbo and Jambalaya! We loved it to say the least! 

Then we headed shopping! On our shopping excursion in the French Quarter we caught down great street music, which was fun but we could stay long to enjoy it as nature  called ... As is life. 

The final note worthy moment of the day was Cade de Monde where we for our beingnets! Wow were they good! We're thinking we need them tomorrow too! :)) Back at the hotel now for some relaxation to prepare for the swamp tomorrow! Life is good!

New Orleans Time Travel

Day two in the south! We started off pretty slow this morning! The time difference might be winning but we pushed through best we could! We got our tours all set up with the concierge, had breakfast at the hotel and headed out on our first adventure, The Worlf War II museum! 

We had such an amazing time exploring! We watched a 4D movie about the US involvement and really enjoyed ourselves. 

Of course the movie made is a bit emotional and reminded us of all the brave people who stepped up to help during the war. 

I would totally suggest the Museum to any history nerds or any individuals who love learning :). 

After hours in the museum we headed to the water front to get on a a steam boat and do a tour of the Mississippi River.

 We got to see the city from the water and it was beautiful. Apparently the water is 200 feet deep in locations and the Mississippi travels through 31 states! (As you can see we love learning new things!)

It was a great time and we loved the trip. We even got to see a sugar factory in business which I was excited about, I love me some good sugar!

We got off the boat around 5:30 or so and decided it was nap time and spent the rest of the day in our room ordering room service, life is rough. =P. Tomorrow we are off to a plantation and we are doing research now! I think it's safe to say we are making the trip educational :).

Down in New Orleans

Wake up call for the airport started at 3:45am this morning and Yesenia and I haven't stopped yet! We landed in New Orleans finally at 5:30pm after our layover.

We landed in New Olreans and I got teary eyed just thinking about how in the near future I would be consuming authentic sweet tea, don't judge. 

We grabbed a taxi and boy did we luck out with the driver! It was like a bonus mini tour! He gave us the history lesson of the area and showed us all the great spots to go he thought we would enjoy. For instance Louisiana doesn't have county's they have parishes most named after saints. He was from Honduroas originally so naturally I was already a fan, but he talked in both Spanish and English so I got to work on my Spanish skills which was also a bonus. 

Once we got to the hotel we freshened up and hit the ground running. We went to the water and walked through the French quarter on our way to a hot spot suggested by the concierge guaranteed to have live jazz for us to enjoy. 

Turns out you had to have tickets but we lucked out and were able to buy tickets of individuals who didn't show up and enjoy the show. So it was myself, Yesenia, and AARP memebers there to enjoy some of the best live music you can imagine performed by artists who have worked with some of the most popular recording artists in the biz today! It was so much fun! The only downfall was when I asked for sweet tea at the show they told me they didn't have any! Isn't that a southern sin? It's ok though I didn't hold it against my jazzy gents who believe me were smooth as butter and had more soul than I can even express (insert some amens and mhmmms southern baptist style here).

After the show we headed back because it had gotten dark and we are a bit on the caughteous side seeing as it's just the two of us and we are not as tough as we think we are... We are so tough that we both had our pepper spray on the ready =P. It's an interesting group of people here that's for sure. 

Once we made it to the hotel we went to its cafe where I finally got my sweet tea! Not to be a negative Nancy but I really built The stuff up, so it wasn't nearly as awesome as I was expecting, but hey I'm not complaining that's a ✔️ off my bucket list =). 

Day 10: ¡FÚTBOL!

Today was such a wonderful day. It was our last final full day in the village. I already started to feel sad knowing tomorrow is our final 'see you later' With the kids, but it's ok because today was great.

Right when we got there Nicholas came running at me with a finished bracelet that I just adore! I was so excited about it! I put it right on! Then I got to know Nicholas a little better and decided I really want to support him as he grows up in the village.

I played soccer with Loiuse for about an hour and then we played a puzzle game, which in the end he gifted to me. It was so sweet. It totally melted my heart and you don't want to take it from him, but you know how much it would hurt if you denied the gift! My favorite passage in the bible is in Luke and it reminds exactly of these moments and to even begin to explain how much it touches me is impossible.

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
[1] … While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” …

Right before linch I got s chance to spend some time with one of the house moms. She was so nice. She told me though a translator child that I looked like Miss America and was so kind. I also got to talk to the older boys for a bit and I enjoyed that as well.

After lunch I went to the girls house to make headbands. Julianna was waiting for me to give me s huge hug. She did my hair then she made me a headband. After that Myra planned a water fight for us. She rat at us as sitting ducks open to play her game and let her pour bucks of water on us, then she handed us our own buckets. So we ran a poured buckets on each other for s bit then soaked clothes and all we played volleyball. Once we couldn't take being soaked anymore we went back to the boys house where our backpacks were to change (she did at least worn us to bring extra clothes bless her).

After that it was fútbol time! We all went out to the field and played a game of soccer together. It was so much fun having everyone out here playing together! We all came together and had so much fun. Most of the girls and the house moms were all out watching the festivities aka the boys dominate the gringos. It was a great way to end our day there.

Once we were back at the hotel we went on a boat ride around the Caribbean and it was also so much fun. We got some great shots and the time with each other was great.

I can't believe how this trip is starting to wrap up. I just pray that I can keep my emotions together in front of the kids because wow have they blessed me and leaving is going to be such a challenge. But I have been so grateful for this experience and for all those who have prayed for me or wished me well on this trip, I truly feel so completely blessed by these kids.

Day 9: Bracelet Day!

Today was such an amazing day! (Like I'm sure I have said about every other day, but still.... 

We went to the village and we started at the boys house making bracelets. Wow they loved it! I can't even tell you how much! We spend so much time in the super hot room making bracelets together. I made bracelets for Christian, Carlos, and Loiuse. Christian loved it!  Louise said he didn't like bracelets, but once I restated I made it specifically for him he was all about it and pretended to like it. 

Loiuse then came in and made me a string bracelet, which I love and I probably won't take the sucker off until it falls off or starts to rot. 

During lunch the gringos always get one cup of soda. Normally I don't take it but today I decided that I would take my portion and give it to the boys to share. I'm so glad I decided to do this, because they are just so grateful when ever you give them anything. 

After lunch we were going to go to the girls house to do bracelets, but some of the boys who were working didn't get to make them so I stayed behind for a bit to give the older kids a chance to get supplies so they could make bracelets too. They are only 11-15 but they work so hard and it was such a great feeling to stay behind to let them do something that was still a bit kid like. 

I then walked down To the girls house where we did bracelets again with them. I can't even tell you how many rubber jewelry gifts were made for me... So many. 

While I was at the girls house I made one of the older boys named Denis some bracelets. He wanted to learn how to do a certain style I had on my anklet I made, but he said he was to busy to learn so I said I would make him one. Which turned to two, because it was just too much fun. He was appreciative, but he did say I was supposed to teach him and then I felt guilty =\. 

Today was solid. I literally made bracelets all day! I mean what an accomplishment. I also got  to know some more kids a bit more which was nice. It's hard to think that we are building these relationships and starting to get to know these kids so much better and in two day we won't get to see them anymore. 

I am having such a hard time deciding which child to sponsor and support from the village. I have a top eight and it is so hard to narrow it down. I just have fallen in love with each of them. 

Day 8: Iglesias de Domingos

Today was a relaxing day. Not to much to share really. 

We went to Sunday service at church where we sang songs with the kids then separated by age group to do a lesson. We met with the head of Heart to Heart and she shared the story of how it came to be. Then we prayed for one another individually. 

Someone today told me during prayer I was very meek and humble and how useful that is and so I had to look it up because I didn't actually know what it meant really. And I was so flattered that that is how I was viewed. 

After church we went and had lunch at the village. I didn't eat all my plate so I offered the left overs to the boys. I know that sounds terrible in first world eyes, but it's unimaginable to me to think about throwing away food that I know kids playing outside would feel treated too if I offered it. I had a cup of soda I only drank half of and same thing. You hand it to them and they get so excited for the treat and then without hesitation they share with each other so that everyone gets a treat. It is such a reminder to me about being happy with what you have becomes some have so little. Enjoy your blessing and use your blessing to bless others.