After our “interesting” time in San Pedro Sula where men walking around with unsheathed machetes felt normal (don’t you love how traveling changes your sense of social norms?!), we continued on our journey of reaching Copan Ruinás in southwestern Honduras. The express bus not running that day due to engine problems, we hopped on a smaller bus that would leave us in the quaint crossroads town of La Entrada. Transferring busses all the hallmarks of a good crossroads town were present – a tiny parking lot of more busses than you could count and no signs marking anything, combined with that sweet smell in the stagnant, humid air of trash, foul water, and diesel fumes. We left quickly.
On our next bus we were joined by three members of the Honduran arming, all carrying fully loaded 12-guage pump action shot guns. Apparently, there is no law in Honduras about where you can and cannot point your fully loaded weapon, but as it draped sideways across his lap the woman and young boy sitting next to him seemed not to mind.
Finally arriving in Copan, we checked into a lovely hotel that was clean, had private baths, and also a nice rooftop kitchen and hammock area. Our time in Copan was filled with souvenir shopping, wonderfully delicious dinners, and cheap full-flavored breakfasts. This area has the best coffee in Honduras, but personally I think I am more partial to the coffee of Costa Rica – Honduras is a close second though. Of course, we also visited the ruins which are home to the longest hieroglyphic staircase in all of Central America. This was nearly as far south as the Mayans region extended, and the work that archaeologists have done is incredible. While other sites like Chichen Itza are known for their grandeur and temples, Copan is known for its sculpture and artistic beauty – and it did not disappoint! The price of admission is a bit ridiculous at $15/pp just for the ruins, plus another $7 for the museum (which was worth it). We also sucked it up and hired a guide – such a hard choice because if he’s good it’s totally worth the $25; and if they aren’t you feel it was a waste of money (and of course you can’t know which ahead of time!). We got lucky, and our guide was fantastic. It certainly enriched our experience of visiting the site.
After two hours in the hot sun walking around the ruins, an ice cream treat was in order and then a trip through the museum which housed many original works that had since been replaced with replicas inside the site. About half way through the large museum we both realized we had studied enough Mayan history for one day, and sped through the second half a bit quicker before retreating for naps and pool time at the hostel.
Our final dinner was wonderful and romantic as we shared a bottle of vino and had the most delicious steak and shrimp dinner. Tomorrow, we will head back north to San Pedro Sula and fly out Sunday morning. (Update: we successfully did both of these things safely, and even got stamps at US Customs. I think Amber should post a picture of the first stamps in her passport!)
On our next bus we were joined by three members of the Honduran arming, all carrying fully loaded 12-guage pump action shot guns. Apparently, there is no law in Honduras about where you can and cannot point your fully loaded weapon, but as it draped sideways across his lap the woman and young boy sitting next to him seemed not to mind.
Finally arriving in Copan, we checked into a lovely hotel that was clean, had private baths, and also a nice rooftop kitchen and hammock area. Our time in Copan was filled with souvenir shopping, wonderfully delicious dinners, and cheap full-flavored breakfasts. This area has the best coffee in Honduras, but personally I think I am more partial to the coffee of Costa Rica – Honduras is a close second though. Of course, we also visited the ruins which are home to the longest hieroglyphic staircase in all of Central America. This was nearly as far south as the Mayans region extended, and the work that archaeologists have done is incredible. While other sites like Chichen Itza are known for their grandeur and temples, Copan is known for its sculpture and artistic beauty – and it did not disappoint! The price of admission is a bit ridiculous at $15/pp just for the ruins, plus another $7 for the museum (which was worth it). We also sucked it up and hired a guide – such a hard choice because if he’s good it’s totally worth the $25; and if they aren’t you feel it was a waste of money (and of course you can’t know which ahead of time!). We got lucky, and our guide was fantastic. It certainly enriched our experience of visiting the site.
After two hours in the hot sun walking around the ruins, an ice cream treat was in order and then a trip through the museum which housed many original works that had since been replaced with replicas inside the site. About half way through the large museum we both realized we had studied enough Mayan history for one day, and sped through the second half a bit quicker before retreating for naps and pool time at the hostel.
Our final dinner was wonderful and romantic as we shared a bottle of vino and had the most delicious steak and shrimp dinner. Tomorrow, we will head back north to San Pedro Sula and fly out Sunday morning. (Update: we successfully did both of these things safely, and even got stamps at US Customs. I think Amber should post a picture of the first stamps in her passport!)
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