cafe yat b'alam

on a semi-regular basis, the electricity in Copan Ruinas goes. sometimes it's due to rain and storms, sometimes it's due to scheduled maintenance, sometimes no one has any clue as to why we don't have electricity for days at a time. today is one of those days.

days that i work, this causes a bit of a hardship, so most of the staff packs up and comes to yat b'alam. here, they have a generator (so we can plug in our computers and their router works, so there's internet capabilities) and just as important, their internet company has a generator (which means they are able to transmit the internet here... to the router here... to my computer here...). it's amazing how many things need to come together in order for internet to work. so many things that we take advantage of in the US.

the cafe is "open air", as most places are here in Copan. there's a nice balcony/patio area that's right on the street and a VERY friendly staff who I think I am beginning to regard as friends. :)

the UPH team has off this week and everyone (except me) went home to the states or canada. in all honesty, i have mixed feelings about being here "on vacation" by myself, but i'm hoping to take full advantage of the time to get settled in my new apartment and relax before the craziness of summer and bilingual camp descends upon me.

this afternoon i'm heading out to a "free garage sale" as the bilingual school teachers are heading out after their year of service. they leave behind all the things they either don't want, don't need, or just plain can't fit in their suitcases... us UPH-ers get to pick through for things we need. this comes at an especially convenient time for me since i'm just setting up shop. i'm sad to see my new friends depart, but i'm VERY thankful for their generosity!