R is for Roatan

I visited the islands of Honduras as often as possible while I lived in Comayagua.  I got SCUBA certified in Utila and advanced certified in Roatan. I established my life as a diver on the islands. I feel in love underwater.

My trips to Roatan were lackadaisical and carefree. I loved island life. I loved diving. I made elaborate plans in my head how I could return to either island and teach there, or simply become a dive bum.  Alas, that never did happen, though I still have aspiration of living on an island one day. Instead, I would visit and relish the island life I so longed for the rest of my time in Honduras. I enjoyed a simpler pace of life there, with rolling blackouts and water outs.  The only traffic consisted of golf carts, bikes and the occasional horse. The rum was plentiful and the people friendly and kind. The diving was incredible and cheap.  The nightlife was always alive.

Another thing I enjoyed about the islands was the language. The first language on the islands is English, though not an English I was ever used to hearing. It was more of sing songy, Jamaican-y English that I couldn’t hear enough of.  I’d eavesdrop on little blonde haired blued eyed girls, natives of the islands, while having breakfast in a café and simply be in awe of their language which I could barely make out as my own.  I found it even more fascinating because the rest of the country spoke Spanish, which I struggled to speak daily while living there.

There is little that would bring me back to mainland Honduras, especially now, as the violence and corruption increases.  But the islands will always hold a special spot in my heart, and I would eagerly return and do another dive.