Two weeks ago Barbe and I traveled to Gracias, Lempira, partially for business and partially just for the drive. Leaving Sigautepeque, the road winds up and over a pine covered mountain range before dropping into a drier and much warmer valley. After crossing the valley the road again climbs steeply before reaching La Esperanza. I love this part of Honduras. It reminds me a bit of western Montana, except for the banana trees scattered in among the pines. And the sky isn't quite as big.
The road between La Esperanza and San Juan is being reworked and will soon be a very nice highway. The same cannot be said for the road between San Juan and Gracias. Here the road is full of potholes and washouts. Even still we made good time driving the 150 kms in just under three hours.
Leaving La Esperanza I was not sure which road to take, so I stopped and asked directions from a man standing by the roadside. Oh... he just happened to be headed in that direction and would gladly show us the way. He hopped in the pickup bed and off we went. Driving slowly through Yamaranguila he banged on the roof of the pickup, the signal he wanted us to stop. I did. Oh...there was a family on the corner he knew and would I mind giving them a lift. In they climb and away we go again and that's the way it went all the way to Gracias. Letting people off and picking people up. All of them were very polite and would come to my window to offer payment. "No gracias. Es un regalo de Dios" Everyone left with warm smiles, handshakes and friendly waves. And why not? Gifts from God should be received joyfully. When we arrived in Gracias we had only one man left with us. He too wanted to pay us and when I refused payment he came back and offered us six oranges from his bag which we accepted...joyfully.
One of the reasons we visited Gracias was to spend a few hours with our friends Melissa and Kevin Goodwin. They are missionaries with A.I.M. and are in the beginning stages of starting a children's home. They just received their first child, a boy of four and half years who has some mental disabilities. For most of those four years he has lain in a crib staring at the ceiling. Because of this he cannot even hold his head up because his neck muscles have not had a chance to develop. Kevin and Melissa are good people. Check out their website Goodwin Global. I know that as they start up this new home they are going to have a number of financial needs. If you are looking for someone to give a donation to this Christmas, I feel very comfortable recommending their ministry as a place to do that.
We spent several hours visiting with them and then decided we needed to head back for Siguatpeque so we could arrive home before dark. We made a quick detour in to town just to look around and ended up deciding to spend the night. We checked into the Posada de Don Juan located two blocks off the central park. It was very nice, although I thought a bit pricey at $50 for a small, but comfortable room including two breakfast. The hotel was built in the old Spanish style seen in Antigua, Guatemala with rooms opening into an enclosed courtyard with a pool surrounded by plants and flowers.
After checking in we wandered the streets until dark, stopping for a "cafecito" and an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant. We stopped to talk with one of the fireworks vendors preparing for the Christmas season. Fireworks are very popular in Central America at this time of year. This gal was a very determined sales person.
The next morning we climbed the hill to the old fort that overlooks the city. Even though it was worth the visit and the $5 we paid to enter, the trees have been allowed to grow up around the star shaped walls of the fort and have pretty much obscured what once must have been a commanding view of the city below and the surrounding area.
Leaving Gracias we headed back towards La Esperanza. There are still many Lenca people living in this area. One of the things they are known for is "atol". This is a sweet corn drink made with milk and sugar. There is also a bitter type which I do not care for. Barbe and I decide to stop at Atol Lenca just out side of La Esperanza for a bowl of the warm drink served in a gourd bowl.
We had a very enjoyable trip, just the two of us. Although sometimes I really miss our boys being children, having them as responsible teenagers who can stay home alone and watch over the house, Alfredo the Donkey and Terrible Tiger has it's benefits too!
The road between La Esperanza and San Juan is being reworked and will soon be a very nice highway. The same cannot be said for the road between San Juan and Gracias. Here the road is full of potholes and washouts. Even still we made good time driving the 150 kms in just under three hours.
Leaving La Esperanza I was not sure which road to take, so I stopped and asked directions from a man standing by the roadside. Oh... he just happened to be headed in that direction and would gladly show us the way. He hopped in the pickup bed and off we went. Driving slowly through Yamaranguila he banged on the roof of the pickup, the signal he wanted us to stop. I did. Oh...there was a family on the corner he knew and would I mind giving them a lift. In they climb and away we go again and that's the way it went all the way to Gracias. Letting people off and picking people up. All of them were very polite and would come to my window to offer payment. "No gracias. Es un regalo de Dios" Everyone left with warm smiles, handshakes and friendly waves. And why not? Gifts from God should be received joyfully. When we arrived in Gracias we had only one man left with us. He too wanted to pay us and when I refused payment he came back and offered us six oranges from his bag which we accepted...joyfully.
One of the reasons we visited Gracias was to spend a few hours with our friends Melissa and Kevin Goodwin. They are missionaries with A.I.M. and are in the beginning stages of starting a children's home. They just received their first child, a boy of four and half years who has some mental disabilities. For most of those four years he has lain in a crib staring at the ceiling. Because of this he cannot even hold his head up because his neck muscles have not had a chance to develop. Kevin and Melissa are good people. Check out their website Goodwin Global. I know that as they start up this new home they are going to have a number of financial needs. If you are looking for someone to give a donation to this Christmas, I feel very comfortable recommending their ministry as a place to do that.
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| The courtyard at the Posada de Don Juan, Gracias, HN |
We spent several hours visiting with them and then decided we needed to head back for Siguatpeque so we could arrive home before dark. We made a quick detour in to town just to look around and ended up deciding to spend the night. We checked into the Posada de Don Juan located two blocks off the central park. It was very nice, although I thought a bit pricey at $50 for a small, but comfortable room including two breakfast. The hotel was built in the old Spanish style seen in Antigua, Guatemala with rooms opening into an enclosed courtyard with a pool surrounded by plants and flowers.
After checking in we wandered the streets until dark, stopping for a "cafecito" and an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant. We stopped to talk with one of the fireworks vendors preparing for the Christmas season. Fireworks are very popular in Central America at this time of year. This gal was a very determined sales person.
The next morning we climbed the hill to the old fort that overlooks the city. Even though it was worth the visit and the $5 we paid to enter, the trees have been allowed to grow up around the star shaped walls of the fort and have pretty much obscured what once must have been a commanding view of the city below and the surrounding area.
Leaving Gracias we headed back towards La Esperanza. There are still many Lenca people living in this area. One of the things they are known for is "atol". This is a sweet corn drink made with milk and sugar. There is also a bitter type which I do not care for. Barbe and I decide to stop at Atol Lenca just out side of La Esperanza for a bowl of the warm drink served in a gourd bowl.
We had a very enjoyable trip, just the two of us. Although sometimes I really miss our boys being children, having them as responsible teenagers who can stay home alone and watch over the house, Alfredo the Donkey and Terrible Tiger has it's benefits too!
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| A bowl of atoll |
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| The Lenca family who owns Atol Lenca
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