The Rainy Season

 Honduras only has two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is considered summer or “Verano” in Spanish and is roughly from December through May. The wet season is considered winter or “invierno” in Spanish and is the rainy season that happens from June through November. As a reference, the local city of Tegucigalpa gets about 50 inches of rain per year. Since we arrived in late May, we have basically been in Honduras all during the rainy season, which was fine until about a month ago when it really started pouring. Maybe the weather is trying to close out the rainy season with all the rain it can muster!


Average Rainfall by Month in Tegucigalpa

Recent Rainstorm at the Volunteer House

We are used to thunderstorms and cloud bursts in the afternoon and subsequent puddles that take a while to soak into the ground. But now we are experiencing more lasting drenches that not only result in puddles, but also creek swelling, trees uprooting, and (worst of all) drips in the ceiling of our kitchen, entry way, and salon. The kitchen roof leaks are particularly bothersome as they drip on your neck as you use the microwave or stove and are probably dripping on any dishes and food left on the counter. We need a new roof over that end of our living quarters or (Allen’s solution) put a covering on the piazza which is basically the flat existing roof. The issue has been reported, but it is not an easy or cheap solution and is probably low on the list of needs for the ranch. I am definitely getting tired of sweeping and mopping out the floor puddles and looking forward to December if it means a reduction in the leaks.

Local Swollen Creek
Gross Roof Leaks in Our Kitchen

On the plus side, the temperature is a bit cooler (in the mid-70s instead of 80s during the day and down in the 60s at night) which makes it quite nice for sleeping, especially with the accompanying sound of rainfall outside. I am finally getting use of my light sweatshirt and raincoat. We bought a second umbrella in Copan and I carry that everywhere; if not for rain, then for sun. Also, we are hearing and seeing a lot of frogs (ranas in Spanish). They come out at night and sit on the sidewalks like little statues until you get close.

Local Frog (Fist-sized if you were wondering)

I am no longer going for walks in the morning as it is dark and wet at 5AM which is my walk time. Instead we have a 45 minute yoga session on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:45 and a 30 minute session on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The other volunteers that join us keep us motivated not to miss a session!

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