"Son Extranjeros?"

Traveling alone can be lonely. I have done it before but not quite under these circumstances. Hostels are typically a common place to make friends quickly, and even bus rides usually have at least a one or two other backpackers going to the same destination.

For the first time, in my experience, neither of these were the case. The two British back packers on the bus were headed to the coast. They tried to convince me to join them, stating I am crazy for wanting to go to Tegucigalpa. After staying there for two days I don't disagree with them, but we where both traveling for different reasons. I wanted to experience the people and culture, they were looking to relax on a beach for a few days.


In most Latin American countries, or developing countries in general actually, a huge portion of the population lives in the capital. In only a few days (even in a few months) it is impossible to adequately experience a new country, but if you are going to try, the capital is certainly your best bet.

Still convinced that I will make friends at the hostels I said goodbye to the English friends and taxied to the center of town. At the first hostel no one came to the door, and the second was too expensive, finally just wanting to put my bag down, I chose the disgusting place I talked about in previous posts.

Through all of this there were no tourists in site, and for the first time in my travels in Latin America I was not receiving a very warm welcome.

Walking around the town for the first time was strange. No tourist in site and only Americanized restaurants to choose from. Dunkin-Donuts every few blocks, Berger King, McDonald's, Subway, and numerous Latin American fast food chains the imitate an American style.

Its a strange feeling eating at a restaurant by yourself. The waitress asks how many and you just say "uno," already a reminder that it is just yourself you have to talk to for the next 20 minutes waiting for you food. It certainly makes you self-reflect more, and perhaps better. My mind more easily wonders, the only times I attempt to write poetry is when I am alone. I tend to think more freely when I am by myself.

Just as it was getting dark, my first night in Tegucigalpa, I notice two foreigners who appear to also be looking for a place to eat dinner. Craving companionship and conversation of any sort I approach them and ask: "perdon, son extranjeros?" They paused look scared and confused and then I ask "are you guys tourists?" They say yes but to my disappointment still seem on there guard and uncomfortable. I asked if they are looking for a Honduran place to eat, they say yes, but my attempt to invite myself didn't seem welcomed. Continuing to search in the same direction we find a place but I give up on waiting for them to stop being awkward, apologise for being creepy and go into the restaurant....They later come into the same place and sit behind me. We talk for about two minutes. I learn they are from Sweden and Malaysia and work in NYC. Any further similarities I find still doesn't break the awkwardness so after eating I wished them luck and left.

I will attempt to talk to anyone if I am alone. Socially I am clearly less daring when I am around people I know. But I guess this is common, what is there to loose, another awkward moment with someone I will probably never see again.

From 6am to 3pm the next day I taxi to the terminal and buy my bus tickets, eat breakfast and lunch, and walk for probably 4 or 5 hours while taking photos, all this without seeing a single other tourist.

Exhausted and just about to go blog, read, and then rest to wake up at 4am for the bus to El Salvador, I spot what appears to be two tourist. They pass me and I hesitate to say anything. Thinking it maybe best if I just rest-up anyway. They get about half a block past me and I take a deep breath and think "what do I have to loose." I speed walk up to the other side of the street to them and trying not to be creepy I act like I am just seeing them for the first time and again I ask "son extranjeros?" again a pause, but already more welcoming faces, "do you speak English" they respond?

No matter how improved my Spanish gets the four words "do you speak English" will always bring some form of relief. In essence it is sign that I can express myself naturally.

Twenty minutes later I am accompanying the British and Scottish girls to the Christmas fair they tell me is in front of the President's mansion...
2 hours later I am meeting their other European friends, all there to teach English or French, at the European school in the rich part of town...and...
4 hours later I am at their school meeting all the teachers during there Christmas party.

It is strange how quickly it feels you can get to know someone. Only an hour into the Christmas party and it felt as if I was a teacher there as well.

Traveling alone is certainly an experience. If forces me to write better, think deeper, explore places I may not with friends, but most importantly it challenges me to meet new people and break social barriers. Clearly I am here to learn about Central America and the injustices the people here face, I find however there is more here to learn about myself then anything else.

...

My story above does not include the the Honduran college student (he was my tour guide at a museum) I met and invited me out with his friends but my lack of a cell phone and poor timing in checking my email caused it to fall through.