#1: [20-Nov-04] (incomplete)

06-Aug-2009 --

We started from Copan Ruinas’ town early in the morning. We drove in direction towards La Virginia or San Antonio Villages. At about 10am, we ate breakfast and proceeded to ask about a gas station. The general population agreed that a neighbor sold fuel by the liter. We purchased about seven gallons. Dennis had the opportunity to dispense the fuel using a homemade funnel which consisted of a piece of plastic and a wool sock to aid filtering it.

We came to El Paraiso at about mid day. We tried to follow the GPS’ directions, but unable to cross the river. We found a suitable place to leave our car and asked Mrs. Marta Lidia Dubón Aquino if we could park our car in front of her house. We started to wade across the river; the current was a bit strong and kind of deep in certain parts. We decided to go back to our car. We offered to pay for the parking and Mrs. Dubón Aquino stated that it was unnecessary. Her husband, Gersón Barrientos was there and he was kind of curious about our endeavor.

As I was explaining, his brother came around and we invited him to go with us. He said yes, but only if he could have a piggy back ride. I stated that maybe he could just float down river; otherwise it could be kind of heavy for us. I asked him who is bigger your brother or you? He looked puzzled and looked at his brother’s belly and then held his; “I think we are just about the same size” - he said. I started to laugh, and stated that I meant age wise. Mrs. Dubón Aquino could not help to laugh out loud with all of us. Gersón and his brother pointed to us that there was a hammock bridge we could use to go across the river, and pointed us in the right direction.

We walked for a while and asked permission to go across a farm, were some young men were working: Tending some stables and riding some broncos. We went across another hammock bridge. It began to rain…we got soaked and pleasantly refreshed. The temperature was very hot and sticky prior to the rain. We came onto a cross roads we left on our right side San Marcos and head toward Santa Lucía.

We found our way and asked Mrs. Gloria Cruz permission to go and find the coordinates in her stables. She clarified that the land owner wasn’t around; her husband Luis Antonio Avila and her only took care of the cows. They have been working in this land for the past six years. The farm is called El Chicharrón, which in turn was named after the creek near the last hammock bridge we crossed. They have five daughters: Delmy, Evelyn, Marveny Gloribel, and Erika.

Trying to find the point, was a bit grueling, by now the rain was really cold. Dennis fell down a couple of times, flat on his back. I stood back and just said: I saw that. He answered: I felt it.

This region was one of the greenest and peaceful of a place one could find in Honduras.