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19th MAY 2009 - A LITTLE TIME IN COPAN!!
My alarm went off at around 3.30am. I tried putting the covers over my head and wishing I could just have another hour at least but unfortunately, the time kept ticking and I had to get up. After a quick wash, I dressed and we headed down to wait for the bus. Sooooo sleepy and as usual being on the mini bus was like being on a rollercoaster but I did manage to get a little bit of shut eye!! Would have got more sleep if 2 English guys hadn’t kept jabbering on to us. Honestly….I love meeting people but at 4am, my conversation skills are limited!! One of them never shut up but I think he was a little bit special so I overlooked it!!
We eventually arrived at the border and this time we were armed with cash for the border fees. No more getting ripped off for us and the exit and entry went smoothly. I felt sorry for one couple on the bus. They were denied entry as the passport had to travel all the way back through Guatemala and Honduras to rectify the mistake in the
passport. That’s about 2 days travelling!! I did not envy them at all!! Once we were through the border and back on the bus it took about 15 minutes until we arrived in Copan Ruinas…our destination!!
Our first stop was at a bank. Bit strange out here though as they are all guarded by mean looking men with machine guns!! Not the most comforting feeling being surrounded by men with guns but at least it’s secure. We then headed to the hostel. It was tiny. There were only 2 dorm bedrooms, a small kitchen and one bathroom. There wasn’t an office or anything and one woman seemed to do everything…cook, cleaner, receptionist and owner!! I was given my bed - all named - I was in the Madonna bed (or Madogga as my father calls her)!! Nat got Al Bundy!! After securing our stuff in the lockers we headed out into the small town to explore.
Usual stuff…small square, little church on the square, cobbled streets and a mountain backdrop. Probably the smallest town we have visited actually though it didn’t feel cosy like I expected it to!! We wandered around and bought some stuff for tea and
breakfast. We were going to cook for a nice change though it didn’t work out any cheaper than eating out!! Loaded up with food bags, we headed back to the hostel and I enjoyed a 2 hour siesta whilst Nat wrote her journal. Ooh…it’s a hard life!!
Once I had woken and we were both ready, we went out for a walk to Hacienda San Lucas. It was supposed to give great views of the valley and the ruins and the walk by the river to get to the viewpoint sounded lovely too. As we headed to the start of the track we ended up stuck on a corner. A lorry was coming around it and had taken it a bit tightly. We were worried for our toes and so Nat jumped up onto a concrete block at the side of the road and I stepped up onto a big log. It looked so sturdy, yet when I stepped up the log rolled over backwards and you guessed it…I went down!! Nat heard my shout and looked around to see me in press up position with my bum up on the air over the log and my feet about
to get run over as they were in between the front and back wheels. It was a good job the driver saw me else I would have been going home at least a foot shorter!. I didn’t half go down with a bang. I seem to trip up or fall on a daily basis at the moment and Nat’s reaction was one of laughter and a “what you doing down there” comment. I was covered from head to toe in dust and couldn’t help but laugh at myself. When I became so clumsy I don’t know but at least it provides some entertainment for us. Me falling is becoming a ‘standing’ joke…how ironic seen as it’s my lack of being able to stand that seems to be the problem!!
Once up and on my feet again, we crossed the bridge over the river and then walked the steady incline along the river bank. Both in flipflops as usual…highly inappropriate for the terrain we walking on!! We skidded a few times on the loose stones and as the path became steeper, it turned into quite a tough walk! The view at the top wasn’t all it was cracked up to
be either. Don’t get me wrong, the view of the valley was nice but you could see neither hide nor hair of the ruins. Still, at least we had got some exercise and had a few laughs (mainly at my expense). We stayed at the top for a good ten minutes and then set off walking back to the town. It was a hot hot day and I could hear a can of Fanta calling my name!!
We got back to the room at around 6pm and after an hours milling about and chatting to a guy in our room we headed out to use the internet for an hour. Hostel research for our next destination. Back at the hostel at 7.30pm we set about cooking tea. One of my tasks was to open a tin of tuna. As I squeezed the juice off it squirted upwards and I got a shot straight to the eye!! Not pleasant and it seemed to get stuck all in my eyelashes. Nice!! As usual, we went overboard on the quantity of ingredients and made enough to feed four. Never to be defeated though, we ate every last morsel. Greedy guzzlers!!
After tea, we sat with an Aussie guy and an English guy for a while. We had a very intellectual conversation about money, house prices, the government and the recession. I cannot say the topics were my 1st choice of conversation but I managed to add input without looking totally blonde!! Pat on the back for me!! Once chatted for a bit, Nat and I headed off to bed where we did some writing, a spot of reading and then went to sleep. Load of sand lies and mosquitoes in the room though and so I slept with one eye open. Even then, the crafty beggars managed to get a few meals from my feet!! So itchy!! Thank heaven for Savlon!!
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Sarah
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Hi, Have been enjoying your blog. I just found it added to my favourites, started reading when you were in se asia just before I went. Got back the other day (so depressing!!!) and caught up since I last read. Im so jealous, you look like you've had a great time! Hopefully I'll get a chance to go to south american and oz one day.