8 Feb--Copan Honduras

Wed, 8 Feb Antigua to Copan, Honduras ... 5:45am knock on the door and time to go. Hedman Alas picked me up ... far different from the regular 'shuttles': nice new mini-bus with headrests and seatbelts! .... and only one other person on the bus. Michael is from Israel, started in Mexico and was actually in San Pedro when we were there, ... on his way to San Pedro Sula, via Copan (it's the only way) we visited a bit, then slept, and arrived without delay into their own private bus terminal in Guatemala City. it is chilly here in the city and Michael and i changed into warmer clothes before we walked 2 blocks to a convenience store to get supplies for the trip. banana, yogurt, cookies, and some kind of chile relleno sandwich. there was a guy with a machine gun at the door ... :) i've kind of come to ignore this part of Central America .... and actually kind of appreciate it. they wouldn't let either one of us take our 'carry on' bag because they were too big, (they even had one of those metal stands you have to fit your bag into like the airlines). so we stuffed our necessities into smaller bags and loaded the bus. they had security checking our bags and even 'wanded' me. i have no problem with any security measures that any public transportation enacts. then on the bus. ah yes, this is a luxury bus ... much nicer than the Linea Dorado bus that Eddi and i took from Flores to Guatemala City ... yes, the one with the stinky bathroom. when i paid i made sure that i got a seat up front, but i don't think it would be an issue to be in the back of this bus. they told me that #21 was the closest seat to the front available. hummmmm, must be a LOT of people canceled, because there were only 5 people on the entire bus. our carry on bags could have had a seat to themselves :) it has a first class section that Michael decided to avail himself to once we got on the road ... he returned to his normal seat ... they have locks on the 1st class seats ... :) started down the road and they served us breakfast, some kind of meat taquito, 2 cheese filled herb flavored tortillas, a sugar cookie, which was very good, and some juice or water. i'm impressed ! and it wasn't freezing in there either :) and i'm on my way to Copan, Honduras. leaving Guatemala City i see Blockbuster Video, Walmart, McDonalds, Wendy's, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Sears ... home sweet home. can't see the road, but it must be a mess ... we are bumping and rattling around in here like marbles in a jar. imagine what the ride in the van would have been like ! an hour into the journey and it is still quite hilly. 3 hrs into the trip and i'm still 'clearing my ears' here is a map showing Honduras; ... you can see Belize and Guatemala on the left. ... Copan is the yellow square on the left side of the country, just over the Guatemalan border. cleared Guatemalan and Honduras customs with no delay..... back in the bus, ...i just got situated, and the bus stopped and we were in Copan ... Tuc Tuc drivers everywhere and one latched on to me ... wanting me to go to 'his' hotel, US$20/night. i told him i couldn't pay that much; and showed him my list. he went down the list and had something negative to say about each one. he said he could give me a special price of US$15 and i said i would look at it. first i needed to go to the bank to get some Limperas. i had difficulty with the machine. .... i wanted 6,000Limperas. ...finally it let me have 500L ...about US$30 ... that wasn't going to go very far :( it's a scam ... they charge you for each transacation (plus my own bank fees) ... so the less money you take out at one time, the more times you have to use the ATM and the more fees you pay. grrrrrrrrr. Hotel Mar Jenny was nice enough and i decided to stay, at least for one night. he carried my bags to my room; then he wanted 100L for the Tuc Tuc ride. i knew that 10-20L was normal price ... i argued; but then gave in ... and was so disgusted with myself for not sticking to my guns. it was WAY too much and i'm still mad about it. i reported him to the hotel; but they don't remember who it was. they were not happy either, and told me to go to the Polica. when will i learn to trust my instincts and stick up for myself? grrrrrrrrrr ... this is not a good way to start my time in Copan ! :( i got a map and walked around town. found another bank and got my 6,000Limperas. Copan is very small ... a Central Park and about 3-4 blocks in either direction. they have REAL cobblestone streets here ... very bump -- rounded stones, (not flat), smooth from ware, (so slippery), and uneven. ...better have good supporting walking shoes! i found a couple of the other hotels that were on my list; one was a hostel. i have kind of a personal dilemma when i am traveling alone. i really don't like loud, crowded, busy, places like the hostels ... but they are really are a great way to meet people. ... i decided to stay where i was. i had been on line and looked up several places to eat and located them and decided to eat at Twisted Tanya's. they have a 2/1 Happy Hour and have Backpackers Specials. i had their #2 for US$8 ... pumpkin soup drizzled with cream and a roll--delicious! 3 large meat filled ravioli with more meat sauce and wonderful crisp veggies; ...carrot cake for desert. ...oh ...did i mention 2 Long Island Ice Teas ... not near as good as South Haven's !!!!!!!!!! oh, please note my 'date' on the right side of the photo above ... my lap top! i should mention that i LOVE my MacBookAir that i bought for this trip. it is lightweight and easy to carry around. i take it everywhere and don't even notice it :) ...great investment !!!!!!!! walked around a little more, then back to the hotel, had a HOT shower, did a little work on my blog, and then to sleep. tomorrow is another big day