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.

30,000 + (2)

In my last blog, 30,000 +, I revisited just one of my post that continues to receive hits over three years later. There are a couple other post that I'd like to comment on today.

My most read post of the 148 I have written is Live like a King on $1200 a Month.  This post is visited almost daily. I imagine folks who read this are looking to beat the "system" or looking to retire in a place where their social security dollar goes further, or like us, just wanting to do life different(ly).

I recently read a post in another blog where the writer claimed that it took $110,000 USD per year to live in El Salvador, Honduras' neighbor to the west which, admittedly, does enjoy a slightly better economy. Even still, I was shocked to say the least. (Also understood; should you choose to live in one of Honduras' 2 larger cities, cost will be higher than we experience in Siguatepeque) However, here are few things I want to mention to help keep things in the proper perspective which, as I wrote in my last post, is of paramount importance to retain.

• Many Americans moving here choose to live in very elite neighborhoods because in comparison to the US it is such a bargain. However, in general we would NEVER be able to live in a similar neighborhood in the US on our incomes. (Here is where proper perspective is needed.)
• Most Americans, because we do want a comparable lifestyle to the US, have multiple vehicles, something that only the very rich here enjoy, which does elevate our expenses. (I would estimate that 80% of Hondurans have NO vehicle)
• We enjoy internet and cable TV packages with US programming in English.
• We shop at the "American" style food stores and buy the foods we love.
• We eat out often.
• We go to the movies.
• We fly back and forth to the States a lot.
• Perspective/reality check: The GNI per capita income in Honduras is $2,270 yearly. (avg. middle class personal income is $400 -600 per month.) Question: If you live in Honduras, what is your monthly income for comparison purposes and what income category does that place you in?

Most Americans that come to Honduras actually want to live in "little America" here, and because it possible to do that at bargain basement prices, it is easy to end up living an "upper class" lifestyle on a "middle class" North American income. Which actually makes my point, that living in Honduras, no matter what level of life style you choose, is an incredible bargain. 

Have you seen pictures of the house we live in which is in the best "barrio" in Siguatepeque? Granted, we live here because the Spanish Institute of Honduras operates from here, but even still, we could afford this on even a minimal American income. Here's the question; could I as a small business owner in the US live in an equivalent house in an equivalent neighborhood? I think not!

Myth Busted:

I stand by my original post; you can live like a King here in Honduras on $1200 a month.

La Casa Grande

Another post that has received many views is Carlos; the baby in the bag. Carlos is now "Carlitos" and is the light of our lives. 

Each Easter Las Alfombras de Comayagua is viewed repeatedly.

Las Alfombras

Another much viewed post is Avoiding the God Complex. I find it interesting that many of my more read post are usually the ones I write to try to keep my self honest and with a proper perspective. Or the ones that I have written with open honesty. Writing Naked, A Boring Life?, just to mention a few.

So there you have it. Here's something honest and true. It's April, my least favorite month of the year to be in Honduras. It's hot, dry, dusty and smokey here in Siguatepeque and will be for all the month of April and some of May. The air hangs heavy and oppressive. I say this so that I won't leave you with the impression that Honduras is the Garden of Eden. It isn't. I don't write for a travel blog trying to sell you a "lifestyle". I freely acknowledge that Honduras has many problems and many issues that Hondurans and foreigners alike must deal with. But I will say this; we are blessed to be here.