La Cucarachita

It's still a legend. 

1982 VW Cucarachita

With 21,529,464 produced world wide, the VW Beetle holds the record as the longest-running, most-manufactured car ever produced on the same platform. First built in 1938, the "peoples car" became one of the most popular and affordable cars ever made. Finally, after 65 years of production, on the 30th of July, 2003 in Puebla, Mexico the last "Bug" rolled of the assembly line.

The Beetle has been sold under various names around the world. In the USA it was called the "Bug". In Brazil the "Fuzca", in France the "Coccinelle" and here in Honduras the "La Cucarachita".

The Bug is an amazing little car really. It has a very simple, horizontally opposed, air cooled engine that can be removed from the car in about half an hour making roadside repairs a cinch. The independent rear suspension combined with the front swing axle gives the car a very decent ride, even on the roughest terrain. It's narrow chassis made it ideal for the small streets of old European cities and narrow mountain or jungle roads alike. With the engine sitting directly over the rear wheels, the traction is quite good, and if all else fails, it is so light that it is easily pushed or lifted. Its flat bottomed floor pan leaves nothing to drag on uneven roads and at times has even allowed the car to float.

In the '60s and '70s the Bug reached iconic status during the "hippie" era. It even became a super star in the 1968 hit movie Herbie, the Love Bug. Another claim to fame the Bug has is the infamous children's game "Punch Buggy". Over the years, millions of bruised young shoulders have attested to the popularity of this game. The game is played like this; whenever a Bug is sited you shout the words "punch buggy, no return" while accompanying them with a solid punch to the upper fore arm of your unsuspecting and less observant companion. (No return means that if the bug passes you again, it cannot be reused against you, an interesting form of self protectionism)

And now Thomas is the proud owner of a 1982 Cucarachita made in Brazil

We saw this little guy for sale on the side of the road in Valle de Angeles last November and decided to buy it as a birthday present for Thomas. It's original owner was from France and when he sold it, it was passed down through several different hands until it reached us. It needs some TLC and we just rebuilt the engine, but overall it is a solid little car that we hope will give us years of fun.

Who says life has to be boring!

Below is an interesting embankment/rock formation Barbe and I saw during a recent trip to the natural hot springs near Gracias Lempira. It has nothing to do with the VW Beetle, but I thought it was cool enough to warrant publishing.

When the righteous prosper the city rejoices...

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 11, verses 10,11 (NIV)

King Solomon

10. When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

I think about this proverb almost every time I go to San Pedro Sula or Tegucigalpa. I think about it almost every time I read the paper or watch the news here in Honduras. The media isn't shy about showing in bloody detail the bodies of the daily slain. Corpses slumped behind the wheel of a bus or lying like rag dolls on a dusty street, blood seeping from bullet holes, staining the ground.

I preach this message every chance I have to those in power. Congressmen, mayors, Ministers of one branch of government or another, military leaders and the common man. But especially to those in positions of governmental leadership because they have the power and responsibility to initiate change. 

A proverb from a biblical perspective is; "a short saying that expresses a general truth for practical, godly living".

This particular proverb is also a principle; "a basic truth or idea that forms the basis of something, a law or fact of nature that explains how something works or why something happens."

I like biblical principles because, in general, anyone, saint or sinner alike, should they choose to live a life based on these principals will prosper and benefit by doing so. They are universal. 

What is it about Proverbs 11:10 - 11 that captures my attention? 

Honduras has a crime and security problem. There's no denying it, the numbers never lie. It's rampant and out of control. Gangs extort protection money from businesses. Muggings and robberies are common. There are areas of the government where corruption is alive and well. Changes are being made, but the problems are huge, deeply embedded and seemingly insurmountable. The wicked are prospering, but there is no rejoicing in these cities. Instead there is fear, economic depression and little hope.

On the other hand. When the righteous prosper, those who are "living right" socially, morally, and ethically responsible lives with regard to themselves and their neighbors, a city does rejoice. Why? Because when people are able to employ freely, to invest, to expand their businesses and their personal lives without fear for their lives, fear of extortion, free from the threat of crime and corruption there is security and freedom to follow their dreams and this breeds prosperity. A healthy, safe environment brings economic and intellectual growth. When men and women are living and working in an atmosphere of safety and security, they find ways to create a better life for themselves and their families. Prosperity created righteously invests in things that are good and beneficial for society. Things like schools, universities, hospitals, parks and infrastructure, but wealth created through criminal activities is rarely spent on things that improve and strengthen a city's well being.

Honduras is an amazing country and has such tremendous potential for growth and development. Honduras is not a poor county. It is a country teeming with natural resources and a population desirous of work and a better life. Sadly, until the government can control the criminal elements and eradicate corruption I have serious doubts that Honduras will ever fully achieve and maintain a vibrant economy and obtain First World status.

When the righteous prosper the city rejoices...

The same can be said for a country.