The town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras (Part 2)
The town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
a typical street in Copan Ruinas, Hondurfas
Unless you have a very long way to go in Copan Ruinas, Honduras, it is easier just to walk everyplace rather than take one of the little tuk-tuk taxis.
The cobblestone streets of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
One note of caution: there are lots of inconsistencies in the sidewalk construction and cobblestone streets, so it is very easy to lose your footing unless you pay close attention to where you are walking. A footnote here: on my last day of this trip, I fell down a flight of concrete steps on the sidewalk, severely spraining my ankle.
a popular tourist hangout in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Every morning, I attended the Ixbalanque Spanish School. I would return to my family stay for lunch, usually take a nap, and then explore the town. There is always something interesting to see.
One of the hot dog vendors in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Occasionally you see some tourists that are visiting the ruins outside of town. For the most part it is just fun to do a little souvenir shopping or visit some of the public markets.
Another popular tourist restauarant in Copan Ruinas
the narrow streets of Copan Ruinas are interesting to walk
Copan Ruinas, Honduras, one of the quaint buildings
sometimes the streets seem to lead to nowwhere in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
I will show some photos of the public markets of Copan Ruinas in my next blog.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about the rest of my travels in Honduras
Read about the rest of my other travels here
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
The town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras (Part 1)
The town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras (Part 1)
One of the advantages of studying Spanish at the Ixbalanque language school is getting to live in Copan Ruinas while you are going to school. I really enjoy this little town that is nestled in the hills of the Copan Valley in northern Honduras. It is one of my favorite places in the world.
As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, the taxi system here is the “Tuk-Tuk” which is a motorized golf cart. They are all over the town.
The Tuk-Tuk Taxi's of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Most of the Tuk-Tuk taxis of Copan Ruinas, Honduras are red, but occasionally you will see a differnt color
Many of the town’s activities are centered around the town square which was just a two block walk from the family with whom I was staying. There is also a very interesting museum on the square. I will have some photos of that in a subsequent blog.
typical street in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Lots of activity around the square in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Early Morning in the town square in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
The town square of Copan Ruinas, Honduras. Always a great place to sit quietly during certain parts of the day
one of the entrances to the town square in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Around the outside of the square are a couple of shops, a market, a few banks, and a coffee shop where I liked to hang in the a.m. and sip Honduran coffee. Sorry, I don’t have any photos of the retail surrounding the square, you will just have to visualize it—just don’t visualize Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This town is for the people who want a totally different experience!
In my next blog, I will post some photos of the streets of Copan Ruinas, Honduras. You really don’t want to miss those, so don’t wander off and start reading some other traveler’s blogs!
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about the rest of my travels in Honduras
Read about the rest of my other travels here
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
McCaw Mountain Bird Park and Nature Preserve-Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Visiting the McCaw Mountain Bird Park in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
By now you have read some of my other posts about different leisure activities I have participated in while visiting Honduras. If you haven’t, you can catch up on all of them by clicking here.
I don’t know anybody that is not interested in seeing the beauty of tropical birds. Well, Copan Ruinas in western Honduras has a great place to see them. It is the McCaw Mountain bird sanctuary.
You will see plenty of colorful birds at the McCaw Bird Sanctuary
One of the beautiful birds
One of the guides available to take you through the park
One of the students from the Ixbalanque Spanish School enjoying one of the birds
My new best friends
One of the teachers from the Ixbalanque Spanish School enjoying the birds
Some of the "inmates"
In Copan, the means of transportation for tourists are the small golf cart taxis. That is what you will ride in up into the mountain where the sanctuary is located.
Taxis in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
On the day I visited, the trip was arranged as a side excusion as part of my studies with the Ixbalanque Spanish school in Copan, but you can find any golf cart taxi to take you.
There is an admission charge to enter the park. Plan on spending 2-3 hours. I wanted to share with you some of the photos I took while visiting the park.
The park is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is $10USD per person. If you are interested in checking out their web site, you can click here.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here.
Comments? Please post below or email me at ssb11@prodigy.net
Horseback riding in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
During both of my one week study programs at the Ixbalanque Spanish School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras, I have taken advantage of their after school excursions. One of my favorite activities is the horseback riding into the countryside.
Both years, I have had the same guide for my horseback ride. I don’t remember his name, but he is one of the nicest, most accommodating people I have ever met. Here is a photo of him:
My guide for the second time on the horseback ride in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
My first trip, I was the only person on the ride with him. When he brought the horses to the school, the other students all came outside of the building to watch me climb on the horse. What they didn’t know was that I was from Oklahoma and have had my share of horseback rides. Foot in the stirrup, swing up on the horse, and away we rode. I think they all expected me to fall off the horse!
My guide brought the horses to the school
When we got to the outskirts of town we rode into the Copan River. We stopped in the middle of it to allow the horses to drink. The water was up to the belly of the horse. I had to raise up my feet to keep them from getting wet. It was 8 a.m. There was a light fog hanging in the Copan Valley. It was a beautiful morning. It was about as good as it gets.
Crossing the Copan River by horseback
My guide spoke no English. I could understand about half of what he said in Spanish. We rode down the middle of the river for several hundred yards, finally climbing the bank to get up on a dirt road for better footing and more rapid travel.
Riding down the middle of the Copan River
We rode past several small farms. As we rode side by side, my guide told me about his life in Copan, his family, and how much pride he took in his horses and making them available for tourists.
horseback riding down a rural road outside of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Part of the countryside outside of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Part of the landscape outside of Copan Ruinas
The countryside as seen from on top of a horse
We continued to climb higher and higher into the hills until we reached the top with an incredible view of the Copan Valley. As I surveyed the valley below, I remember thinking, “only a few days ago, I was sitting in a white shirt and tie in my office and now, here I am high on a hill in the tranquil Copan Valley, sitting on top of a horse”!
A view of the Copan River
A view of the Copan Valley and Copan Ruinas Honduras
So, if you visit Copan Ruinas, Honduras, I highly recommend that you take a morning and invest in a nice leisurely horseback ride through the countryside.
Next-I will give you an overview of the bird farm
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here. If you want to read my entire Honduras blog click here.
Ixbalanque Language School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
For studying Spanish, I really like the Ixbalanque school in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. I have attended it twice and can highly recommend it. The lessons are one on one. They have a very nice, new school building within walking distance from anyplace you would be staying in town.
Outside of the Ixbalanque Spanish School in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
Welcome inside the Ixbalanque Spanish School
The very modern Ixbalanque Spanish School
Inisde the individual classrooms at the Ixbalanque Spanish school
Students taking a break at the Ixbalanque Spanish School
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The entrances to the classrooms at Ixbalanque Spanish School
There are various outside activities that the school offers. I have visited the bird farm and done the horseback riding as part of the school activities.
Amadea and Kathy are the directors of the school (sisters). If you want more information you can e-mail them here: www.ixbalanque.com
Next-I will post some photos and info about the excursion that Ixbalanque offers its students.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
The Kimpton Palomar Hotel-Los Angeles
Just completed my second stay at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in Los Angeles. The Kimpton Palomar is located on Wilshire Blvd. just a stone’s throw from the city of Westwood and a few short blocks to the UCLA campus. This is one of my favorite areas of Los Angeles.
I have stayed at several hotels in the area including the Hyatt and the Intercontinental which are also nice places, but decided it would be better if I stayed with one property and made it my hotel of choice. I chose the Kimpton not only because of the location, but also because they offer some very good internet specials from time to time if you are a member of the Kimpton “in touch” repeat guest program.
The Kimpton Palomar is a nice break from the normal “brass and glass” 4-star hotel. The design could probably be described as an art deco style. You have the feeling of staying in a small, high end European hotel.
Entrance to Kimpton Palomar Hotel in Los Angeles
The staff is very friendly and helpful. Each morning, there is a very nice coffee bar set up in the lobby. There is also an ample supply of newspapers. It is nice to sit in the small lobby, read the newspaper and have your cup of coffee.
Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles Hotel Lobby
The hallway to the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar-Los Angeles
Inside of a double room at the Kimpton Palomar hotel, Los Angeles
The rooms have a modern or art deco style. Takes a little getting used to the first time you walk into one of their rooms. But, it is a nice diversion from the “standard” hotel room.
The furniture in the room has a modern look to it.
The modern furniture inside the rooms at the Kimpton Palomar Hotel
the entrance hallway to the elevators in the Kimpton Palomar Los Angeles
This is the hallway that leads from the restaurant to the main lobby in the Kimpton Palomar
If you want more than coffee, there is a great restaurant in the hotel. Breakfast prices are decent and I like the varied menu. Try the 3 cheese omelet or the yogurt/granola dish. They also offer a good selection of organic teas.
So, if you want to stay at a place that is just a little different, but with an elegant flair, I highly recommend the Kimpton Palomar hotel on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. Kimpton has a number of other hotels in large cities across the U.S. You can check out their web site here or just type in www.kimptonhotel.com
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Copan Ruinas, Honduras-my home stay
My family stay in Copan Ruinas, Honduras
After the fiasco at the border, I was ready to relax in Honduras and start my studies. But first, let me tell you a little about the family with whom I would live for the week. I had checked in with them the day before.
I had been in Copan Ruinas 2 years earlier and enjoyed my homestay with a Honduran family. I asked the school “ Ixbalanque” to assign me to the same family. The family was headed by a very nice woman by the name of “Ruth”. She was a widow and somewhere in her 60’s. The maid that lived in the house was named Trinni and she was the same maid from my previous stay.
I had been met at the bus station by Kathy, one of the owners of Ixbalanque. I told her I could find my own way to the house, but she insisted in putting me in a golf cart taxi which, because of the narrow streets, is the method of transportation in Copan Ruinas.
When I knocked on the door, Trinni took a look at me and then recognized me and gave me a big hug. She went to tell Ruth I had returned. Ruth gave me a hug and we sat down and chatted for a few minutes before dinner.
This is Trinni and her daughter
My room was very similar to the one I had before: a single bed, private bath and the room opened out to the courtyard. Just fine for me. Here are some photos to give you an idea of my accomodations:
Copan Ruinas, Honduras-the patio of the home where I stayed
Copan Ruinas Honduras-the view from my room in my homestay
Copan Ruinas Honduras-the entryway to my room in my homestay
Copan Ruinas, Honduras-the garden view in my homestay
During dinner we had a chance to get reacquainted and get caught up on each other’s life. It is hard to explain how you can be caught up in a very busy life in the United States and then just a day later be living in a small Honduran town in the Copan valley. Life was good.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Next-starting classes in the Ixbalanque Spanish School in Copan Ruinas
Guatemala to Honduras border crossing-Problems (con’td)
Problems crossing the border from Guatemala to Honduras (cont’d from part 17)
The guard refused to budge on the issue. My companions were very nervous because they had depended on me to keep them out of trouble. At least they had their original passports!
Finally, the guard said she would allow them to pass, but not me. I kept telling her the bus driver had assured me there would be no problem when I had left Copán Ruínas that morning. She wanted to know the driver’s name. Geez, I didn’t know his name!! She just could not believe that I left Honduras with only a photocopy of my passport and that I had not stopped to clear Guatemalan immigration upon entering.
I knew I was a long way from a U.S. Embassy at this small checkpoint. Also, complicating things was that my family back home had no idea I was even in Guatemala.
I remember standing in the immigration office looking at the trees on the hill through the window and wondering if I would end up sleeping on the leaves until I could figure a way out of this jam. I also thought about making a dash for the border, but without knowing the consequences, I decided that was a foolish idea.
During all this time the guard kept asking me the same questions: what driver had told me it was ok to cross into Guatemala without an original passport? The answer from me was always the same: How do I know what his name was? We were just going around in circles.
Finally, I decided to swallow my pride…….and beg for forgiveness!! I explained I was just a student that didn’t know any better. I showed her my business card and told her I was a legitimate businessman. I may have even showed her my AAA card……..I’m not really too sure. I promised her I would never do this again. She finally just looked at me and said something like “get out of here”.
We walked quickly across the border which was about 50 yards away, no one saying anything to anyone else, never looking back. We all ducked under the road barrier at the same time.
Have to say, when I stepped across the border, I breathed one big sigh of relief. There was a mini bus waiting and the driver shouted for us to get on, he was leaving. I was not going to miss that bus and risk staying around.
We jumped on the mini bus and headed back to Copan.
Next-I will start giving you a perspective on the town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Jocotan Guatemala, crossing back into Honduras-problems begin
Honduras-problems crossing back from Jocotan, Guatemala into Honduras(Part 17)
Do you remember in Post #13 where I said I should have known better than to cross the border with only a copy of my passport? Yep, it was time to pay the price for that.
When we arrived back at the Honduran border after a day in Jocotán, there was a man waiting outside the bus to make sure we checked in with the immigration office. This was a big change because when we had crossed into Guatemala that morning there was no one at the border making sure we stopped and checked in.
The man at the border made sure that we checked in with the Guatemala immigration office where the guard was stunned that we had originally entered the country without registering. After a long discussion, he told us we would have to pay a fine of $10 per person. Grudgingly we paid the fine. We were not negotiating from a position of strength.
We thought we had satisfied everything and were ready to leave when we were told we would also have to check with Honduran authorities. That is where it really got difficult. The guard was not going to allow us to re-enter Honduras because I only had a photocopy of my passport which was not sufficient to allow me entry.
When I tried to tell the guard that all my stuff was in Copán Ruinas, Honduras and I was enrolled in a school there, she wanted to know what proof I had that I had EVER been in Honduras! Naturally without my original passport with the Honduran arrival stamps in it, I had no proof that I had ever entered the country legally. I was in a real mess!
To be continued
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Jocotán Guatemala, strolling the streets
Strolling the streets of Jocotán, Guatemala
After we spent some time walking through the markets, we strolled through the rest of the small town. When in Jocotán, Guatemala, you really feel like you are away from the rest of the world.
We found the people to be very friendly there and we enjoyed exploring a different world for a few hours.
To give you a feel for what you can expect when you go to Jocotán, here are some more photos:
Store front on the streets of Jocotán, Guatemala
Chicken and Papas on the streets of Jocotán, Guatemala
street scenes from Jocotán, Guatemala
the Streets of Jocotán, Guatemala
a colorful storefront in Jocotán, Guatemala
the central park in Jocotán, Guatemala
a neat set of wheels in Jocotán, Guatemala
Murals in central Jocotan, Guatemala explain the rights of the students
the 2nd mural in the central part of Jocotán, Guatemala explaining the rights to the students
the third of 3 murals in the main part of Jocotán, Guatemala
At the end of the day, it was time to return to the border so that we could cross back into Honduras.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about the rest of my travels click here
