Busy week

Sorry for the slow update, here comes a big summarizing post. This week has been full of very interesting activities in my project. I am working as a volunteer in a national women's organization called Centro de Estudios de la Mujer-Honduras, and it has been busy times in the CEM-H. 
On wednesday I had the privilege to join the CEM-H to a breakfast seminar with the female deputies from the parties Libre, PAC and PINU of the national congress of Honduras. The aim of the breakfast was to initiate a process of reconciliation between the parliament and the different goals of the women's movement and feminists under this new legislative session. The topics of the discussion were setbacks in human rights for women in recent years that have had a high impact on the lives of the honduran women, for example setbacks in laws and other actions that are on the expense of the struggles and achievements made ​​by the feminist and women's movements in the country. Women from different feminist organizations brought up several problematics concerning women's rights and the importance and duty of the congress to acknowledge and ratify the CEDAW. The deputies could later add their thoughts and questions to the dialogue. In my opinion, it seemed like a real success. Great speeches, and a feeling of "lucha" and optimism in the air, from both feminist organizations and female deputies. It felt like it could the beginning of something very important for the women of Honduras.

At five o clock the morning after, I jumped in the car for a trip to Intibuca and La Esperanza with Suyapa from CEM-H and Marco, our driver. We were going to have a two-day workshop with several smaller feminist organizations from different municipalities with the topic of political participation, making political agendas and strategies to convince authorities etc. It was very interesting to see the work of the different women's organizations, what issues they wanted to include in their agendas and the analyzes and strategies they made. It's very inspiring to see their passion, determination, creativity and joy. The laughter is never far away.

La Esperanza and Intibuca are two small twin villages in the lenca region. The lencas are one of the various indigenous groups in Honduras and it is very common to see the lenca women dressed in their typical handwowen fabrics and colorful dresses. I fell in love with this place, it had a small town feeling to it, more life in the streets, markets, a relaxed feeling and very pretty squares and picturesque houses. People were riding bikes, and I could walk alone in the streets at night! wonderful. We were also lucky enough to be there during a craft fair. They were selling beautiful lenca fabrics, all sorts of things made by the "leaves" of the pines (don't know what it's called in english), and nice bowls and other items made of clay. We were supposed to have a lunch meeting with the mayors of La Esperanza and Intibuca the day after, but they didn't show up, they sent some other employees instead. Too bad. The meeting went well anyway, I hope we managed to make an impression that is going to last and hopefully improve the actions of the authorities.

When we came back to Tegus after three days in the countryside, it was time to go to La Cantina to meet "old" and new friends. I had one too many margaritas, (got one extra for free, thanks bartender guy!) and a really good time. At seven o clock the morning after, it was time to get up and go hiking in the cloudforest of La Tigra. What a beautiful forest, it was totally worth only sleeping 4 hours! It felt so good walking in the middle of this wonderful scenery, all green and full of life. 

After some hours of zen and hiking in La Tigra, we were all dying of hunger and went to eat chinese food. It felt like the best food I have ever tasted! Overfull and pretty tired, we continued to the jazz festival in a square in Palmira. Great bands, happy people and wonderful weather, a perfect way to finish the weekend.

Today I still feel pretty exhausted, but very grateful for being here and for all the great experiences I've had so far. 
Got to seize every moment of every day!