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| Reading the Broadreach brochure back in January, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect trip than the Honduran Marine Studies program. It combined my love of horseback riding, white water rafting, and SCUBA diving into three weeks in a Latin American country (where I could practice speaking Spanish). As my plane took off on June 25 from Logan Airport in Boston, I knew I would have an unforgettable experience in Honduras, but there is no way I could have even dreamed of everything that I accomplished and gained as a person in the following three weeks. In Copan, we discussed ancient Mayan ruins, took a refreshing dip in a mountain stream, while our horses stood nearby tethered to a tree, and we can’t forget when, that same afternoon, Curt’s horse decided to turn back, while in the middle of fording a river... The hike in Celaque National Park proved to be a challenge to all, as our black and blue marks reminded us after sliding down the mountain on our butts (or kamikaze style, either method worked). Hearing Jorge’s amazing birdcalls could brighten any day. The Botanical Gardens proved interesting with anything and everything from the Cocoa plants to fire ants. In La Ceiba, we took a boat tour through the mangroves, seeing bats and a baby crocodile. White water rafting took us on quite an adventure down the river- backwards. It was an unforgettable experience.... In the Bay Islands, the girls tried the local dances at the Bailey’s key Barbecue, as well as participating in the limbo contest. On the fourth of July, we could be found identifying fish before watching the shooting stars in the evening. It’s impossible to forget Bill’s facial expression as he turned around to find a six-foot long moray eel teething on his knee. While exploring the mangroves, we all felt as though we would appear on the next “Crocodile Hunter” episode, even though the largest critter we found was an upside-down jellyfish. I’ll never forget my “solo” where I did cartwheels on the beach, splashed in the water, and drew designs in the sand. To rid my cabin of its haunting sickness, a cross-dressing Zulu arrived bearing incense and chanting. Hey, it worked! I loved feeling the wind comb through my hair as I raced down the beach on horseback, leaving a rainbow of water in my wake. Diving with the dolphins turned out to be one of the most awe inspiring and therapeutic activities one could imagine. Hitching a ride on Copan and Gigi (two dolphins) during a platform session couldn’t have been more exciting. Robyn and I took turns redefining geometry (my square looked more like a seven sided, nondescript polygon the first time) as we struggled to complete our navigation dive for our advanced SCUBA certification. A few times we could be caught just chillin’- catching up on a tan, reading, or hanging out in the hammocks. No matter where the day found us, or what activity at which we were trying our hands, our Honduran adventure was like experiencing heaven for three weeks with thirteen close friends. In other words, it couldn’t have gotten much better. As I boarded the plane, I felt as though I was taking much with me, but that I was also leaving a little part of me behind. The trip was over, but… “The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” (Ivy Baker) |
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