Copán Ruinas

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After five weeks of Spanish school our brains fell out of our heads and we walked around incoherently mumbling for a good six hours. The local authorities were kind enough to escort us home where we decided it was time for a vacation. We headed east to Honduras for two weeks of relaxation. Our first stop in Honduras was Copán Ruinas. It is a quite town just 10 km across the boarder from Guatemala, but far enough from where we live in Xela to merit a good stiff drink upon arrival :D

We stayed there two nights. The first night was a lot of fun. We ate fire baked pizza at an open air restaurant. We sat facing the hills to watch a thunderstorm roll in, and even got to see a double rainbow. We stayed in a hostel that night. The upside was the cost. We stayed there for all of $8. The downside was sleeping on a double bed in the same room as four other people, one on a fold-out bed inches from our own. I'm just grateful that I didn't start snuggling in the middle of the night. It was Sarah's first hostel experience, so she was a little weirded out by all the shared space and lack of privacy. The best part was early the next morning when a late night partier divided her vomiting bouts evenly between the bathroom in our room and the one next door. We really didn't mind, though. That's just part of traveling. We did, however, switch to a hotel the next night with a private room and spent a whopping $8.50 to do so. Exchange rates are fun in this part of the world.

We visited the ruins the next morning, and they was well worth the visit. The ancient mayan ruins are located an easy fifteen-minute walk down the road from the town. They were incredible. We went early enough to beat the heat and to enjoy the tranquility of the morning. Some people have described the ruins there as the "Paris of Mayan ruins" because they have retained so much of the artistry in the carvings and the stonework. We were equally impressed with the size of the ceiba trees there. A few of the trees literally dwarfed us. They appeared to have been around since the time the structures were built. If only they could talk about all the things they have seen over the years.

Copán Ruinas was a great introduction to Honduras. In the next blog Sarah will tell you more about our time in the Carribeeen (to be pronounced like any pirate worth his weight in calamari would say it).

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Photos

The Ballcourt
This is where the mayans played an ancient game somewhat akin to basketball. The bummer was the loser sometimes was killed. Try being an agent for those guys!

Tree with Vines
We were captivated by this enormous tree that had vines hanging all the way to the ground. It felt magical!

Heiroglyphic Detail
Copan is known for the detailed carvings on almost every surface. Very amazing to see and touch artwork from people so long ago.

Comments

[Miss Hernandez((Cheyenne0]

Journals
Hi Guys! Sounds like you are having a very adventourous time..Your journals are like from a travel/history/comedy catalog...They are great...Thanks for sharing it is a joy in my day to read your blogs...Many blessings to you both.