My name’s not Chuck Holton

Day  9 -August 2, 2013

Chuck Holton is my nephew – he was an Army Ranger when he was younger and has all his life been living on the edge.  He flies all over the world, going to dangerous locations – I think, because he can.  He complains because it seems everyone around him is going so slow – he’s just in turbo mode. He was built that way.  And I’m not him. 

Now, my comfort zone may be just a little larger than some other people I know – or maybe just in different areas.  Bob and I have lived in many places – experienced different cultures – rarely, if EVER, planning ahead.  Well – I like the planning thing – he doesn’t.  No hotel reservations – no certain days when we’re gonna get there – none of it.  So, needless to say, it has stretched me – a lot.  But I’m still not Chuck Holton.

And that’s OK.  The Chuck Holtons of the world are made the way they are for a reason – just as I (and you) are uniquely made.  I am special just like I am – God gave me certain qualities, gifts, etc – just like He’s given you – and that’s the way we’re supposed to be. So there!

Just knowing that, and reminding myself of it, is making me realize that my reactions to things on this trip are OK….and I’m certainly being stretched some more.  That, in itself, has been a huge gift to me in the past day or so.

Another thing that clicked today is that these countries we’re in just don’t have infrastructure that we do in the US and Canada – and even Mexico.  SO, there’s really no need for me to be stressing out about this narrow, winding road that is either running up and down the sides of mountains or weaving through traffic in a crowded but small village.  That’s the best they’ve got right there - and when we are on those 6 lane divided, beautiful highways, we’re missing the culture. 

Shacks set up in rows along their highway (2 lane-curvy-lucky-if-you’ve-got-shoulders highways) selling every kind of produce you can imagine.  Today, we saw literally stacks of fruit at each stand – or rows upon rows of pineapples (3 for less than $1.00), buckets of tropical flowers, large hand woven baskets of strawberries.  A young man walking up the road carrying a load of sticks on his back so heavy he could barely walk.  Small children walking with their mom down the road – all carrying something. A bridge built from stone.  Tall, giant trees hanging over the roadway.  Boulders along the roadway painted various colors – for several miles, they were all a mint green, then miles of red, then miles of purple.  They painted all the telephone and electric poles as well – as far up as they could reach them.

We live in a brown world; mono-chromatic – everything toned down.  But these sweet people, with their weathered skin and dark brown eyes, live in a riot of color.  Houses that are purple, pink, orange, lime green, red, etc – no matter the size of the house.  Their clothing, their colorful baskets on their heads, their bicycles, the flowers that grow abundantly….all of it…in wild, crazy, happy  color!

And against the backdrop of the deep green jungle, it just makes me really happy to have to chance to see it all.  I’m gonna enjoy it while I can.

Todays memories:

Yummy breakfast at Caroline’s Resort Hotel – Fabulous food (inexpensive) overlooking gardens and a very fun looking pool with 2 super slides.  They have a bit of a zoo, tropical gardens, another pool further back and cottages that rent for about $28.00.

Love/hate relationship with the GPS on my phone.  At times, we have been so very grateful we have it – and in others, we’re not real happy with it. At. All.

Locked the keys in the car today – at a gas station.  I think one of the dogs hit the lock when I was getting them out of the car to go walk.  Guys at the gas station worked and worked on it with Bob (while I prayed!) until they finally got it open.  Note to self:  Always carry another key in your pocket!  We now have a few dents around the driver’s window where they had to pry their way in.

2 lane roads with shoulders  - or without – on curvy roads don’t seem to mean a thing to these people.  If they can fit 4 across while passing on a curve, so be it!  Sometimes I get tired from holding my breath.  We quite often have seen the passing car being passed by another vehicle – and motorcycles?  They’re just looking to die!

Steep mountain hillsides today were absolutely COVERED with corn.

School kids in uniforms climbing the side road to their homes – so steep, you’d have to have 4 wheel drive – and such big boulders - well, I don’t know how you’d do it.