Day 4: Traveling with a toddler in Honduras: Copan

Day 4: Exploring Copan with a Toddler in Honduras

Today was our highly anticipated visit to the Copan Ruins, one of the largest centers of Mayan civilization over 1000 years ago. Renowned for its intricate sculptures, the site boasts more carvings than any other pre-Colombian city, featuring impressive depictions of ancient rulers, old residences, bathhouses, and an awe-inspiring hieroglyphic stairway. Although the entry fee of $15 per person seemed steep initially, we quickly agreed it was worth every penny.

As one of the most significant Mayan ruins, we were pleasantly surprised to find only a handful of other tourists, mostly Hondurans. This allowed us to explore the ruins with a sense of tranquility and personal connection. We wandered through partially intact residences, peered inside tombs, admired the detailed sculptures, and marveled at the grandeur of this ancient city.

The sheer scale of Copan is breathtaking. Just when you think you've seen the most remarkable part of the site, you climb another ancient staircase to discover an even more impressive area. After more than three hours of exploring, we still had an entire section left to see, nearly doubling what we had already covered. Unfortunately, the heat and exhaustion caught up with us, and we decided to save the rest for another visit.

Our toddler, Leila, was a trooper throughout most of the adventure. She did slow us down occasionally, captivated by the hundreds of vibrant macaws and her desire to climb each of the many stairs. A friendly Honduran family even asked to take pictures with Leila and their baby, which she enjoyed immensely. They were charmed by her blonde hair and blue eyes, though little did they know her sweet demeanor can sometimes be a facade.

Overall, Copan is one of the best historic sites we've ever visited and unquestionably one of the most extensive. We recommend dedicating a full two days to fully appreciate its beauty, especially given the heat. It's a 10/10 experience you don't want to miss!

The Ugly Face of Tourism

 A Journal Entry written while traveling in Peru 

 (Ollantaytambo, Peru)

It's so sad looking around me... the little old lady with her sidewalk stand selling little cheese sandwiches, mate, coffee, etc honestly for one sole. Smiling at passerby's. All around are numerous restaurants catering to tourists, large signs written in English, "American Breakfast". These restaurants selling the same little cheese sandwiches and coffee, yet on nicer plates and fancier chairs, for ten times the price. And the mindless tourists looking for the comfort of home. Those tourists who travel for the sites yet never look at the culture and beauty that lies right around those sites. Those who balk at the "uncleanliness" of local food. At the little lady that washes our coffee cups with her little bucket of hot water on the side of her little sidewalk stand instead of in a large commercial mass produced dishwasher. The tourists keep flocking in like sheep to their massive tourists restaurants eating and drinking for ten times the price, throwing their crisp bills at these money hungry tourist restaurants, surrounded by other gringos and closing their eyes to all that surrounds their closed little perfect world within mass tourism. All the while the little old lady catering kindly, honestly, and patiently to anyone that wants to stop and share a story or two or listen to a few tales while eating their cheese sandwiches and drinking hot coffee. Locals and tourists alike, treating all the same, complaining about the cold, scolding us like a sweet grandmother for not finishing the last drop of our "pachi" (hot mashed bean drink) because the last part has all the vitamins... honestly and kindly with her worn and torn shoes, constantly with a honest, sweet smile on her face.

Please share similar experiences below! 

Picture of the Week #3

When we went to South America last year, we had in mind to visit the famous Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world. It is to this day the most beautiful natural site that we have had the chance to discover. After visiting the flat itself, our Jeep driver took us to this beautiful lake, where flamingos hang around...yes flamingos in the mountain! Salar de Uyuni is touristic for sure, but missing something like this is a big mistake...

Video of the Week #2

Some people ask why we travel? Sometimes words just can't answer the question completely. This video created by Clemens Kuger, Vincent Urban, and Stephan Templer helps to answer the "why" by capturing some of those moments that one just can't explain. This video shows a trip in South America in 2012 by Landrover covering Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil which immediately brought back beautiful memories of our trip in South America also in 2012. When traveling we often feel like children seeing things for the first time. We explore, question, and sometimes just watch, time becoming just a mere idea.