By reh on 2/28/2008

February 28, 2008 (Thursday)

9:00AM Fernando and I went by Mr. Ochoa’s office. This is the first time I have seen him since we received our registration documents (if you recall, he was not invited to our meetings with Dr. Avila and Director Carlos Berganza when we actually received the signed documents). I wanted him to know that I understand all of the setup/behind-the-scenes work he did during the previous 2 months so that the final papers could be brought forward during our one hour-meeting last week. I also asked that Mr. Ochoa set up the paperwork to officially change the L4L Person of Record in Honduras to Fernando. Mr. Ochoa prepared these documents while Fernando and I completed some chores (among the chores is ordering an official L4L rubber stamp; it seems that every corporate check must be signed by an authorized person and stamped with an official corporate seal-don’t ask me, I just follow the rules).
... Read More »

By reh on 2/27/2008

February 27, 2008 (Wednesday)

“Patience is a bitter tree that bears sweet fruit.”

You thought that, since we are successfully registered in Honduras, we could simply walk a bank in and open a checking accouter, didn’t you? Wrong!

8:30AM Fernando, Jessica, and I walk into the bank and explain that we want to open a checking account in the (registered) name of L4L with Fernando and me as authorized signatures to the account. The bank manager asked who is listed in the registration and Fernando said “Roxana”. The manager said Roxana must write a letter authorizing Fernando. I said (possibly in a direct way), “that’s not correct, the Registration documents speak for the Corporation, not for one individual. Suppose Roxana gets run over by a train, then what? (all thought the train metaphor was amusing, possibly because there are no more trains in Honduras)” The manager said “N ... Read More »

By reh on 2/26/2008

February 26, 2008 (Tuesday)

8:00PM Checked out of Marriott – there has to be a better (less expensive) option.
8:45PM Jessica arrived and we headed south.
11:00PM In Nacaome, signed in motel, ate lunch.
1:30PM Principals start showing up.
2:00PM Fernando had arranged for a local doctor to explain the importance of the daily vitamin. The Dr. Juan Pablo Cerrato took an entire hour to explain the inter-reaction between each vitamin in the daily multiple-vitamin, including natural foods that contain the vitamin! Fortunately, he is a good speaker and everyone was interested. As I have mentioned in the past, meetings are events and long talks are enjoyed by all. Actually, I had little new to relay; just wanted to get everyone together for a meal.
I thanked the principals for all they do for the lunch program, explaining that all involved with L4L understand that t ... Read More »

By reh on 2/25/2008

February 25, 2008 (Monday)

9:00AM At the gate of the guard house of the V. President’s house. Jessica explained that we were here for a meeting with the V.P.’s wife, Becky de Santo at 9:30. The guard checked his records and signaled us in. No metal detector, bag search; nothing. Receptionist showed us unto a very pleasantly appointed, fairly large sitting room.

Kristi: The next part is a narrative of the meeting. Please read because by the end of the meeting I volunteered you to coordinate a joint effort with the V.P.’s office and L4L. We will talk a great deal about this coordinated effort among ourselves and, hopefully sooner than later, you will be down here working with the V.P.’s wife, Becky de Santos and her secretary, Rosibel Ramirez, putting this together.
The V. President: Elvin Santos
The V.P.’s Wife: Becky ... Read More »

By reh on 2/24/2008

February 24, 2008 (Sunday)

8:00AM Drove to Teguci. Marriott. Stopped on the edge of town and had a taxi driver guide me through Teguci. to the Marriott. Paid taxi $5.00. Kept the rental car just in case we do see the V.P. at 10:30AM on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. After that meeting we will have to make a mad dash to Nacaome for the principal’s meeting at 2:00PM.
11:00AM Am still trying to establish a corporate account with the Marriott. Nobody can do anything on Sunday. Believe it or not, I ironed my shirts (very wrinkled from traveling) and other mundane chores.
6:30PM walked across the street for some papuces.

By reh on 2/23/2008

February 23, 2008 (Saturday)

Note: Yesterday, after our conversation with Roxana, I invited her to join us for lunch at the seafood restaurant in San Lorenz. She insisted that we stay for lunch; Zareth is cooking and expects us to stay. I said I would be glad to but she will have to go to lunch with Fernando and me tomorrow. This is tomorrow so am marking time till lunch.
8:00AM Drove out to the place that makes Linka Indian pottery to check out her stock. Set aside a few pieces to pick up next Wednesday.
9:30AM Working on expense account; as usual, my receipt keeping is failing me.
11:00AM Fernando, Roxana, Suyen, and I were on our way for fried fish in San Lorenz. One of my favorite places to eat.
1:30PM At an internet café attempting to send scanned copy of the scanned Honduras Registration material and Trip Log through yesterday. Not sure how successful we were. ... Read More »

By reh on 2/22/2008

February 22, 2008 (Friday)

5:30AM Received email but still can’t send. Very frustrating; I am mad at myself every time I waste time with the internet. It seems that everyone has the latest gadgets and they all work…almost.
7:30AM While checking out I talked with a “business manager” about a corporate rate. He will do some figuring and will send me an email (that I may get some day). Maya has gradually crept up from $64 to $90 and their service is not what (I think) it should be. If the Marriott comes close, will stay here. We really don’t need this many creature comforts but the cost of next-best is so close and we’re not staying at also-ran places; not in Honduras. More as details drift in; the long-and-short of it is that we will be close to $100 in Teguci to maintain a prudent level security and cleanliness.
9:00AM Airport, Avis rental car, on my way to Nacaome.
11:15AM In the motel ... Read More »

By reh on 2/20/2008

February 20, 2008 (Wednesday)

8:00AM Fernando met Jessica and me at the motel. Still no word from the Mayor Antonio Valosquez. We decided to ride out to the Mayer’s office in Goascoran. If we cannot find the Mayor, at least he will know we are serious about seeing him. He was not at his office so decided to check on Elsa Lazo so Fernando could show her to the cafeteria cook. Pictures of the high school and cafeteria to follow. We met Ms. Canas who explained that Elsa and her mother arrived as scheduled. Elsa was assigned to a class but she was very uncomfortable because she thought the class was all rich kids (actually, none of the kids were from El Amatillo so she knew nobody) so she was reassigned to the class where Helda is assigned and all is well. When Fernando summonsed Elsa to meet the cafeteria cook, both girls came and they both looked very comfortable in their new environment.
9:30AM Decided to drive to ... Read More »

By reh on 2/20/2008

February 21, 2008 (Thursday)

7:00AM Breakfast with Jorge Lineras.
8:30AM The events of yesterday got ahead of me. I didn’t expect to walk out with our registration papers in hand. I was going to use the day knocking on doors of friends and officials that Roxana, Fernando, or I had contacted over the last 3 months. Instead we simply called most of them to thank them for their (real or perceived) assistance.
Also, tied up a bunch of loose ends; turned in rental car junker, mover to Marriott (not cheap but not $200 per night either).
3:00PM Making notes, resting up. The Marriott has wireless internet but, guess what, the internet provider is having trouble. I really want to get copies of our Honduras Registration documents in the hands of others as the originals will travel with me for 10 days and that’s not a good thing.
It turns out that Roxana is really upset because we c ... Read More »

By reh on 2/19/2008

February 19, 2008 (Tuesday)

Drove to Policarpo Paz Garcia elementary school, Principal’s name is Mrs. Sory Ilbea Rivera The children cleaned the school rooms yesterday are cleaning up the school yard today (beginning of the school year activity). Kitchen is ready. The principal already had a preliminary meeting with mothers to set up cooking schedule and will have her annual meeting with all parents this afternoon. We were invited but I think she was being polite; this is her meeting with the parents.
Mrs. Ilbea asked if we could supply half of the cement to build a wash basin for the kitchen. The families will provide sand and labor. Half the cement necessary is left over from the kitchen job. The cost of the cement will be $40. I told the Principal I would think about it. Later, I told Fernando to provide the cement. Always a very pleasant visit to this school.
Meeting with Alcalde is off so we we ... Read More »

By reh on 2/18/2008

February 18, 2008 (Monday)

7:00AM Breakfast
7:30AM Jessica arrived in anticipation of the rental car. We made several calls and continued to wait till 11:00. Finally walked across the street and rented an off-brand car.
11:30AM On the road to Nacaome. Jessica tells me that Fernando has been the driving force to get the registration project off dead center (assuming it is moving again). Fernando called Roxana who, in turn called Edvardo (who happens to work for the Vice President). Roxana had a meeting with the Vice President who said he would help, we’ll see. Pr. Schemechel’s lawyer, Carlos Gomez, did acknowledge the email from me.
2:30PM Fernando, Roxana, Jessica, and I met in the motel restaurant. There seems to be general consensus that the Registration process is on a fast(er) track and will be signed within days; we’ll see. I spent quite a bit of time explaining that, when talking ... Read More »

By reh on 2/17/2008

February 17, 2008 (Sunday)

6:15 – 12:30AM Flew from Montgomery to Teguci. via Houston. Met a Dr. Tom Stoll on the flight from Houston who will do foot surgery on small children in Honduras.
12:45PM Jorge met me at the airport. Set up for an Avis rental to be delivered at the hotel at 8:00, clerk asked if 8:30 was ok. Jorge took me to Maya Hotel. Late lunch, early to bed.