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Continued from Random Roadtrip…

“Now, Walter is in Italy… pursuing his dreams just as I am mine.”

Mako wouldn’t wake up when I came a knocking. But, that turned out better because I would up calling Walter and meeting up with him. This trip back to SPS I was able to spend much more time with Walter and I even ended up accompanying him to one production of a sports TV show that he began co-hosting while I was away in Europe and in the States. The show is produced at his University and I must say I was quite impressed with the studio the school had set up. We were in Honduras so I didn’t know what to expect but, from what I could tell, the school was equipped with nearly everything MU’s infamous broadcast program can boast. I was also surprised to see how well Walter performed on TV. He has never studied broadcast journalism, yet his on air presence was impressively engaging and professional. He was a complete natural and his skill rivaled that off any of my colleagues at graduation. Yet, given Walter’s personality… when I thought about it, his raw talent didn’t seem so surprising after all. I hope he continues to pursue broadcast. I could see him becoming quite successful at it. Now, Walter is in Italy… pursuing his dreams just as I am mine. He scheduled a month abroad but he’s hoping to land some work and find a way to stay. Just as my heart lies in Latin America, Walter’s lies in Italy. I wish him success!

That night was, as expected, another night of musica en vivo (live music) and salsa dancing. It seems to be quite a good idea to work a day job and own a bar. Nearly every night you get to disengage with lively music and your clients are the ones who are not only paying for it, but are paying you for providing it. I could see myself in a similar situation some day. And, my longer-term goals align with a similar idea. It’s definitely invaluable to observe how Mako makes it all work.

After thorough hunting, I discovered that an Apple adapter/charger that would cost me $30 in the States would cost me $150 in San Pedro Sula. I found just one in the city, so the high price on the hard to find item made sense. It appears Apples haven’t really broken into the Hondureno market. I decided to contact Jonathan, a friend who was planning to come down and visit, and petition him to bring one for me. The only downside was he was yet to arrive for about another two weeks. That meant some serious time out of pocket where I wouldn’t really be able to work or pursue work through online correspondence. Eeek. So, I parked my computer bag in the corner and left it until I could use it again. In the meantime, I spent my time with Mako, his brother Antonio, Walter, Harol and David – an old friend from my Honduras visit months ago. Movies, coffee, baleadas… with friends. Not a bad way to spend waiting to be able to get back online, back to work. I was probing work options that Mako might possibly have for me. I also spoke with the owner of Casa de Sol about selling prints of my photos in her shop. I got a great response, but I have yet to receive Nuri’s contact email from Mako… grrr. When I go back I’ll be sure to get it.

I was surprised to find out I would get to spend more time with the Colombianos and Alfredo. The trio was making their way back from diving at Utila. I was happy to round out a nice evening with them before the left to return to where they live in Miami. Unfortunately, while they were back is when my laptop suffered fatal damages. Mako had gotten a hold of a friend’s adapter for me to borrow after the trio had left. But, I was quite surprised to find the screen on my laptop had a big splot of distortion that began in the top right corner and across toward the bottom left. My stomach dropped to the pit of my stomach. All my work is conducted through my computer. It’s necessary for what I do. I had no idea what had happened. From the damage, it appears that either something extremely heavy got placed upon it or someone stepped on it. The unexpected damage was a blow, but the computer did still work and the screen wasn’t damaged to the point where you couldn’t see your work. The computer has been to more than 15 countries around the world and had served me well for two and a half years. After the initial shock, I just sucked it up. What else could I do? It was damaged, but at least it was still working. I still had all my files and photographs. Being upset wouldn’t improve the situation. So… I just accepted it. I used the adapter Mako had gotten for me on loan to fire up my computer. It wasn’t long before I discovered something else was wrong. The computer worked while connected to the adapter, but it wasn’t charging. As soon as I unplugged the adapter the laptop would shut off. The battery had official been zapped. Batteries are known to go after a year and a half to two years though. I had managed to squeeze juice out of mine for two and a half years. It was another unwanted surprise but also another “what can I do?” So I needed a new adapter, I had a dead battery (replacement valued at $200) and I had a damaged screen. In better circumstances I wouldn’t have hesitated to just invest in an upgrade right then and there. But, since I was trying to milk my cash as I worked on setting up shop in an entirely new country, I didn’t want to have to make the investment unless it was absolutely necessary. Once Jonathan brought the replacement adapter for 30 bucks, I would be able to use the computer… or so I thought!

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