Supposedly Haiti
I was assisting in the project implementation for the Government of Haiti when the call to travel to Honduras arrived. If only the ground situation in Haiti, primarily the capital city of Port-au-Prince, was peaceful and secured, I would be in the country the soonest. But following the assassination of their President, there was civil unrest in the country and the security especially for foreigners was compromised since July 2021.
So my original itinerary to pass through the US as a transit visitor was Port au Prince because we Filipinos do not require visa to enter Haiti. I cannot declare Honduras as my final destination yet because I need a pre-approved entry visa. That would be my first task while in Miami -- process my application for a business visa to Honduras.
Honduras, Actually
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| El Picacho |
First Entry: August 24 - November 21, 2021
I only heard of Honduras in beauty pageants, like Miss Universe. And before this travel, I did not know its capital city, let alone pronounce the name Tegucigalpa correctly.
Having obtained a special appointment with the Embassy of Honduras in Miami, and after the 4 long hours of waiting while answering short questions from the immigration officer here and there, I got a 1-year, multi-entry business visa. And on August 24, I landed at the city airport. I was honored to get a 90-day entry stamp on my passport while most of my colleagues who went ahead of me only got a maximum of 60 days.
Because I refused to be fetched by the Project Manager, I made my own way to the Ecovivienda apartment, which is the official residence of FreeBalance Team members. While cruising the way, I realized that Tegucigalpa is a city in the mountain. With its high altitude, the climate is chilling for me. I can really feel the nip in the air because it around the end of August.
My happiness did not end there. During rooming me in, I found out that I got a beautiful, clean, fully furnished, and very organized apartment, on a 3rd level, overlooking the community garden. I felt home instantly. And without me knowing it, I stayed there for the next 8 months of my life.
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| At Home |
Golf Lessons: September 11 & 19, 2021
I travelled for work, yes! but it did not mean I have to refuse fun. When VP Gerard came to visit the team, we went golfing in Comayagua, the nearby town. Gerard served as our mentor, because it was our first time, for Brenda from Suriname, Biena, also from Philippines, and myself.
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| First time |
When Solution Architect Nick arrived after Gerard, we went back to the golf course for the second time. This time, Nick was mentoring. For both occasions, our Project Manager was the driver.
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| Second time |
Valley of Angels: September 15 & November 20, 2021
One of our local consultants, Miriam, was our weekend tour guide. She organized tours for us foreign consultants on weekends. One of the most interesting destination was Valle de Angeles. It's a small town in the middle of the pine woods with cool climate, and which offers souvenir items and street foods. In fact, we visited Valle de Angeles twice. I went with Biena, Brenda and Miriam for the first time; and Sandika joined on the second time.
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| First time |
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| Second time |
Big Day --- the Go Live Date: October 11, 2021
This was what I came here for -- the project implementation of Social Security System in Honduras. The first component was about the Core Financials System which has been tested and ready to go on production. Actually. this was the third attempt to go live. I facilitated the change management aspect of the project to make the client ready for the actual implementation of the system.
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| FreeBalance Team with INJUPEMP Director |
The client had prepared a big event for this day... and it was successfully celebrated!
Windy Destination: October 23 & November 6, 2021
Another weekend and Miriam showed us the windy peaks of the Francisco Morazan region. The town of Santa Ana is where the giant windmills are lined up to provide a renewable energy in the country. We started our date with wine and pizza for both occasions. Biena, Miriam and myself for the first time; then Brenda joined us the second time.
But it was on October 23 that we reached another town, Ojojona, where Spanish heritage is well preserved.
And on November 6, we climbed La Tigra where the watershed and forest reserved is located.
Second Entry: November 26, 2021 - February 21, 2022
I exited the country on November 21 when my 90-day expired. I came back after the Thanksgiving Day in the US. I was chosen to remain in the country to represent the international team while all that have families of their own were granted to spend the holidays with their families in their home countries.
This time however, I was only granted 60-day entry.
Christmas in Ruins: December 23-26, 2021
I am fascinated with ancient ruins. I dreamt of visiting all these known ancient sites someday. Ancient Mayan civilization is one at the top of the list. And it excited me to know that Honduras had a share of such history. Its own Mayan ruins are located in the Copan region.
So I researched and booked a two-way bus ride with Hedman Alas and reserved 3 nights at Iguana Azul Hostel.
Among the top stuffs I did while in Copan were the following:
1. Spent a day around the Main Archeological Site
2. That included visiting Las Sepulturas Museum
3. Spent a half day with Macaws and other rescued birds
4. Chilled at the Central Park during the day and Christmas Eve
5. Drunk German Beers
4. Hiked around the town
5. Tried the local foods at Comedor Mary and desserts at Cafe Welchez
New Year in the Caribbean Shores: December 30, 2021 - January 2, 2022
The northern part of Honduras is facing the Caribbean Sea. Hearing the word "caribbean" was so enticing because I only heard it from the hit movie franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean. So, spending holidays there, no matter the cost, would be worth it.
Again I researched about Roatan Island, booked a return ticket with Victoria Bus Liner to reach La Ceiba where the Ferry Terminal is located for vessels going to and from Roatan. I also booked a bed for 2 nights at Bay Side Hotel; a dorm-type accommodation with 6 beds in total but I was alone the whole time.
I walked around both noted areas of the island, the West End and the West Bay. The fireworks display on the New Year's Eve was awesome. The people were having fun, music and jubilation were everywhere. T'was as if there was no covid situation.
I was supposed to go back to La Ceiba on January 1st but the boat trip that day was canceled for the holiday observance. So I stayed in the island for one extra night.
Another Birthday Celebration away from Home: January 9, 2022
This was my third year to celebrate my birthday in the foreign land: Singapore in 2020 attending the regional workshop; Brazil in 2021 for a project in Belem, and this year.
Then my officemates threw me a surprise party on January 8th bringing huge Pinata, a cake, and food in wraps.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Suyapa: February 3 & 13, 2022
The Catholics celebrate the miracle of Our Lady of Suyapa every February. The high mass with huge number of pilgrims happened on February 3. Brenda, Miriam and I participated the celebration on February 2nd to avoid the crowd on the feast day. But I went back walking that early morning of February 3rd to observe the activities of the faithfuls.
Then we registered also to participate in the Fun Run and Family Walk on February 13. In the end, it was only Brenda and myself who hit the road because Miriam injured her foot few days before the race.
Third Entry: March 26 - April 8, 2022
I availed of the 30-day extension so my stay in the country ended on February 19. I exited again to the US for few days before heading home to the Philippines.
I went back to Honduras in the last week of March. This time I was sharing the apartment with Nick.
When I cleared the immigration, the officer gave me 90 days to stay. But I only stayed for 2 weeks. I exited and head to Trinidad for the Holy Week to do some work on change management related to another project implementation there.
Fourth Entry: April 24 - May 21, 2022
This was my last entry in Honduras. My fellow Filipino, our Philippine Project Manager, Arfel, was in the country this time to assist in managing the implementation.
Mother's Day in San Lorenzo: May 7-8, 2022
As I have been planning all this time, I finally visited the southern part of Honduras. Brenda accompanied me to San Lorenzo. There we celebrated the Mother's Day.
And on May 21st, I relocated to Port of Spain, the capital city of Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean Region.
