House in the Honduran Hils

Driving away from the coffee plant Moises took us to a house. We were going on later to a jungle hotspring, but first Moi wanted to show us how either his family, or someone close to his family, lives.

We pulled over, entered the gate and were greeted warmly. This was exactly the kind of experience we were looking for. For next time, this type of place is exactly the kind of place we'd like to stay.



In any case, the family began showing us around. Their home was mud-pack over woven branch. The floor was dirt and the windows had no glass, they were covered in fabric. The doors were similarly non-existent, save for an occasional sheet. They cooked over an open wood burning fire that burned quietly in the corner of the cocina.

We then went on a trip around their property. They grew corn and sugar cane, both seen here:



Bananas:



Coffee for personal use (here're the coffee buds):



Papaya and oranges, flowers for market, and fowl--chickens, turkey, duck, and guinea hen--for market. Some of their lush flower areas:



They had a freshwater creek running through the back of their property, and excellant views facing back towards their house. Check out their fantastic bridge:



It's the irony of the day, of course, that families like these envy us and our "rich American" status: they do quite well for themselves. Sometimes they really just want air-conditioning and washing machines. Sometimes we just want dirt floors and coffee bushes out back.

Here's a shot of the family:



They were gracious and fun, and I send out my thanks.