Our First Week In a Nustshell

Internet is still hit or miss. We've been assured that they are working on the problem. Monday we started Spanish school. Mom and I are together and Kate and Leah have a different teacher. We've learned a lot already and our brains are on overload! We woke up at 5:30am monday morning with the school band marching down the street along with all the roosters crowing.

Wednesday we started scuba with our instructor, Tatiana. We love her! She is going slow since we are busy with Spanish. Our first confined water dive (at a beach) will be at the end of next week! I took mom's stitches out on Thursday so a week to heal with steri-strips and she should be ready for the water! (For those who didn't know, mom had a 2 inch incision to remove skin cancer.)

Instead of Spanish class on Wednesday, our instructors took us to the Cuevas (the caves). After a 2 mile walk to the other side of the island we crawled on our hand and knees for 10 minutes. Finally we came to an open area the size of a living-room. Then we could stand! We cooled off in a tiny fresh water pool in the cave. In order to see we carried candles and flashlights. We tried to avoid touching the giant spiders while dodging the flying bats! (If you watch Lost - the spiders looked like the one that paralyzed Niki and Pablo!) Afterward, we heard there are snakes in the cave as well...thankfully they did not make an appearance!

Thursday we experienced our first Utila blackout. No fans, no water, and no lights! Electricity is very expensive here so we don't use A/C. We use one light in the house, otherwise flashlights or lanterns. Fans are a necessity as it is in the 90s and very humid (105 heat index). Bodies and clothes are constantly drenched from sweat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Water must be filtered - we have socks over the spigots to remind us not to use them.

Well, our internet time is up. Other than extreme heat and bugs we are having a great time learning a new language, culture, scuba diving, and visiting with the Mills. Pictures to come ASAP!
Until next time,
Lori and gang


Vamos a la cuevas!


The caves are not toilets.


Heading into the caves into the opening
directly behind the ladder.


Andi leading the way!


Crab walking into the caves.


Exploring the caves.


How many can fit in a tiny fresh water pool?


We survived the caves!



This parrot speaks English and Spanish.


Chillin' in hammocks while the others snorkle
at sandstone.


Taking mom's stitches out.


Hanging out at parrots dock after scuba class.