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Published: December 5th 2012
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Two days in lush gardens, hot showers and Eggs Benedict included, for less than a rate at Holiday Inn Express, should make you jealous!! People are smiling at us and are happy we are here. We are in a quaint small town with cobblestone streets. December 1
stwas a day for rest and exploration. We were told to leave our laundry in bags on the bed and they would have it done by the afternoon. No problemo! Our room was magnificently cleaned and even our toiletries were organized, including toothbrushes (which were stood upright) and toothpaste. Jeans were folded on top of the suitcases and Wilson was given a very special place on the desk.
We travelled around town on foot for quite some time. The roads are uneven stone, but we have learned to maneuver in our flip-flops pretty well. This is a true horse/cowboy town, so dodging the road apples and avoiding getting splashed by mud can be a challenge. The central park had people selling some belts, cell phones and other things that are necessary in the day to day world. Also, there were people just milling about. A snow cone seller (see photo) grinds up the ice
and tops it with sweet juice, then dulce de leche (sweet caramel) and then chocolate. A too sweet treat!!! Clay bought one, so that we could watch the whole process take place, but we gave the finished product to a very, very thankful kid who shared it with her whole family.
We found the public market a couple of streets over. What was rather interesting about this particular market is that it was inside a building. Most of the markets in Central America seem to be outside but covered. This one just happened to be inside, cool! It had everything from onions to cowboy boots and was absolutely a market for the locals! The first floor had food, second floor clothing, etc. See photos. We came across a really cool barber shop, which was too busy for Clay to get a haircut, although he desperately wants one. We returned to the barber shop on several occasions, spanning several days and they were always busy with a line of people waiting. There was a cobbler on the street, fixing leather shoes with rudimentary tools. (see photo) Clothes are often sold out of the back of pick-up trucks. (see photo) Children
sell corn husk dolls out of plastic bags and make sad faces to try to convince you to buy one… or several. They know to ask you if you speak English and then hand you a card with a sad story on it. (Ann bought two!)
We came across an unexpected cheese and wine place and had lunch there. What a seemingly out-of-place restaurant, but nice experience. See photos. Ann made friends with a German-Shepherd there. When we were first seated at our table, the waiter apologized and lovingly brushed off some Gecko poop from the surface. It was at this point that we knew that nature was, truly, all around us. Geckos are in abundance here and make the most God-awful sounds. (Yes… screaming lizards!)
That afternoon, we met some US girls who are teachers in the elementary school here. They were playing a game with Frisbees and a playing area akin to a tic-tac-toe layout on the ground and made from chalk lines. They were dressed in spandex and short shorts. I’m sure they were very admired by the local guys (who really do dress just like cowboys - - belts, hats, boots and all!). We
also met a woman here to who is from Australia and is working as a massage therapist. She lives here during the low season and works a contract in the Bay Islands during high season. She said she just wanted a change and likes the weather here, so she just took off from her country and did it! We have come to learn that boldness can pay off! (Well, we keep our fingers crossed anyway!)
It has been cool and a little breezy, in our short time here – seriously, the climate is close to perfect. In general, the people here seem taller and lighter in skin color than what we have previously experienced thus far. The dress is much more typical of the US and muffin tops and gaping shirts, in the bra area, are quite the norm for women. Men wear cowboy boots and hats.
On Dec. 2
nd, we visited the local Mayan ruins (Copan Ruins for which the town is named). Oh my goodness, how beautiful and huge! This site was a big Mayan city and just as wonderful as Tikal but less crowded. See photos. Also, at the beginning of the site, there were
wild parrots aplenty. See really great photos of these! There was other animal life and one critter that we could not identify. (see photo… maybe someone will tell us what it is) We walked back to town on a really neat stone walkway and hung out by some random cows for a while. We eventually came across a river bridge where the unofficial mini-van/car wash sits. We observed trucks filled with families dressed up and going to church.
About lunchtime, we went back around to the market area. We stumbled across a woman selling the identical, mysterious thing that we saw the girl on the bus to Rio Dulce eating - - that sumptuous looking flesh in green liquid. As it turns out, it was green mango, flavored with salt and salsa negro. It is a wonderful flavor and texture - - sour, salty and juicy. See photos. We did not suck the juice out of the bag, but could see why the girl on the bus might have done so.
Tonight (2
nd) we ate steak fondue (we have been salivating for days and building up anticipation for this hotel menu item). We met a son and his
Mom from Tennessee at dinner and had some great conversation. We could hear a church service down the road. As part of the religious culture here, the churches are really nice, even if people live simply. Christmas decorations are up, both in the park (see photo of tree) and at the hotel. Two very traditional Honduras ornaments for the Christmas tree are gourds and pine cones. And you thought you were not learning something from our blogs!!!
Three countries down (although we will return to Honduras in 5 days for a trip to Roatan) and four to go. Tomorrow we head for El Salvador ---- a new country, unknown adventures and memories to share! If you have any comments on our blogs or suggestions/likes/dislikes, we would love to hear about them.
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