One of my family's favorite escapes from the daily grind of Tegucigalpa is dining out, but I guess that's going to change...
This past Sunday, on Mother's Day, my favorite seafood restaurant, Tony Mars, was assaulted. According to El Heraldo in Monday's edition, two people were killed. It seems the assailants were disguised as police. One of the patrons was armed and a gun battle ensued.
I had heard of restaurants being assaulted with all the patrons being robbed before, but I never thought much about it. I guess it really hit home this time because I've eaten at Tony Mars many times. Their fried shrimp are simply the best I've had anywhere...
Also, they had private security, but the assailants were disguised as police so, so much for the security.
Even though we weren't there at the time, we could have been. That's how random the violence has become in Honduras. While you may not be an intended target, you are always at risk.
Somehow I feel violated myself...and I guess our nights out on the town will be dramatically reduced. In the long run, that means we'll save a little money, but that's also bad for the economy...less money being spent means less income for restaurants, waiters, fewer jobs, etc., etc.
How can Honduras be 'open for business' if you can't feel safe eating dinner with your family?
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Whether rain, sleet, or shine; the mailman never comes...
In the comments section of another Honduran blogger, I opined that I've come to the view that Honduras is a 'semi-failed state', on the road to full-fledged 'failed state' status. Things just don't work in Honduras, basic things, uncomplicated things... The list is quite long...education, lack of security, sanitation, water, etc., etc. On top of it all is the endemic corruption that is pervasive throughout the country, at all levels of government and society.
Last year, Honduras had an exceptionally rainy wet season, but yet was unable to fill its reservoirs. Due to a lack of maintenance, it had to release the water and now faces water shortages again. Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is unable to provide security to its citizens.
But one of the symptoms of its 'semi-failed state' status that really bugs me is the fact that its postal system doesn't work. According to stories I've heard, it used to work...albeit 30-40 years ago. Then there was so much corruption and theft in the post office that people were afraid to mail anything, assuming that it would be stolen and never reach its destination. So people quit utilizing the postal system, and little by little it quit functioning.
The result is that now, whenever you want to pay a bill, instead of dropping a check in the mail, you must go to a bank, wait in line for 20-30 minutes to pay your bill. The chances are that the bank's system is down, but you don't know this until you've waited for what seems an eternity. So, you have to go back the next day and try again. To make it worse, you can't pay all your bills at just one bank. No... This is Honduras. It just has to be time consuming and frustrating. So you pay your water bill at one bank, school tuition at another, electric bill at another, and cable bill somewhere else, etc., etc.
If all the hours wasted by literally hundreds of thousands of people monthly, doing nothing but standing in lines over and over again were funneled into a productive activity, something could actually be accomplished. But no, since people can't trust the post office, it has withered away into nothingness and a whole nation is condemned to waiting in useless lines.
Someday, I'm going to do an experiment and post a letter to my father in law since I know he actually has a 'buzon' (mailbox). I will let you know whether it is ever received and how long it takes.
Last year, Honduras had an exceptionally rainy wet season, but yet was unable to fill its reservoirs. Due to a lack of maintenance, it had to release the water and now faces water shortages again. Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world and is unable to provide security to its citizens.
But one of the symptoms of its 'semi-failed state' status that really bugs me is the fact that its postal system doesn't work. According to stories I've heard, it used to work...albeit 30-40 years ago. Then there was so much corruption and theft in the post office that people were afraid to mail anything, assuming that it would be stolen and never reach its destination. So people quit utilizing the postal system, and little by little it quit functioning.
The result is that now, whenever you want to pay a bill, instead of dropping a check in the mail, you must go to a bank, wait in line for 20-30 minutes to pay your bill. The chances are that the bank's system is down, but you don't know this until you've waited for what seems an eternity. So, you have to go back the next day and try again. To make it worse, you can't pay all your bills at just one bank. No... This is Honduras. It just has to be time consuming and frustrating. So you pay your water bill at one bank, school tuition at another, electric bill at another, and cable bill somewhere else, etc., etc.
If all the hours wasted by literally hundreds of thousands of people monthly, doing nothing but standing in lines over and over again were funneled into a productive activity, something could actually be accomplished. But no, since people can't trust the post office, it has withered away into nothingness and a whole nation is condemned to waiting in useless lines.
Someday, I'm going to do an experiment and post a letter to my father in law since I know he actually has a 'buzon' (mailbox). I will let you know whether it is ever received and how long it takes.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
High Coffee Prices
According to the March 8, 2011 edition of the Wall St. Journal, a headline reports 'Arabica Coffee Prices Near a 14-Year High'. Bad weather in Central America and Columbia have kept prices high with Arabica rallying 46% over the past six months.
Obviously, high coffee prices are good for Honduras where coffee is a major export crop. My question though, is how much of the higher prices will actually benefit small farmers and producers and trickle-down into the wider economy as a whole?
Obviously, high coffee prices are good for Honduras where coffee is a major export crop. My question though, is how much of the higher prices will actually benefit small farmers and producers and trickle-down into the wider economy as a whole?
Monday, March 14, 2011
Finding a Needle in a Haystack
I really like honey, I mean I really like honey. And, it's always irked me that the only honey I could find in Honduras is just 'miel de abeja' (often sour tasting or watered down), no other varieties such as clover, orange blossom, wild flower, etc., etc. as this is one specialty that I've always thought that Honduras could produce given the array of agriculture and vegetation throughout the country.
One of my favorites has always been 'orange blossom'. Whenever I'm in Florida, I always buy a few jars to bring home. So I've often complained and wondered why they didn't produce it in Honduras since there are so many orange groves in the northern part of the country. It would be a great artisanal item, and I'm sure I'm not alone in my appreciation of it's unique flavor.
Well, I'm glad to report that my wife was driving past Lake Yojoa recently and stopped at a small stand by the road. She's well aware of my honey fetish, and saw that they had three types of honey ranging from dark to a light amber. The honey was in plain jars without any labels or markings. She asked the vendor what each type was, and sure enough, one of them was 'orange blossom'.
So she bought a jar. The price was about half of what you pay for generic honey in a Honduran supermarket
The flavor was suberb, actually better than much of the honey in Florida, as it was not pasteurized and was totally natural...not as highly processed as in the States, just rich in flavor (and probably more nutrients).
I wish they could improve their packaging somewhat as it would be great for retail in supermarkets and specialty shops.
My wife found me that always elusive 'needle in the haystack'.
One of my favorites has always been 'orange blossom'. Whenever I'm in Florida, I always buy a few jars to bring home. So I've often complained and wondered why they didn't produce it in Honduras since there are so many orange groves in the northern part of the country. It would be a great artisanal item, and I'm sure I'm not alone in my appreciation of it's unique flavor.
Well, I'm glad to report that my wife was driving past Lake Yojoa recently and stopped at a small stand by the road. She's well aware of my honey fetish, and saw that they had three types of honey ranging from dark to a light amber. The honey was in plain jars without any labels or markings. She asked the vendor what each type was, and sure enough, one of them was 'orange blossom'.
So she bought a jar. The price was about half of what you pay for generic honey in a Honduran supermarket
The flavor was suberb, actually better than much of the honey in Florida, as it was not pasteurized and was totally natural...not as highly processed as in the States, just rich in flavor (and probably more nutrients).
I wish they could improve their packaging somewhat as it would be great for retail in supermarkets and specialty shops.
My wife found me that always elusive 'needle in the haystack'.
Monday, January 24, 2011
As seen in Lyon, France
Just thought everyone would like to see that Honduran products can actually sell in upscale stores. My wife and I saw this sign during a recent trip to Lyon. I must admit we felt a certain hometown pride when we ordered an espresso made with the coffee of the month, Honduran coffee that is...
Friday, January 14, 2011
Distressing Statistics
According to 'El Heraldo' (Jan. 13, 2011), the annual murder rate in Honduras is 77 per 100,000 people, and has doubled in the past five years. That's one murder every two hours!!!
In Honduras's two largest cities, the statistics are even more grim. San Pedro Sula has a murder rate of 125/100,000 making it the third most deadly city in the world (after Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Kandahar, Afghanistan). Not wanting to be outdone, Tegucigalpa ranks no. 6 worldwide with a murder rate of 109/100,000 (edging out Guatemala City which is no. 7).
This upward spiral in violence started its dramatic increase under the regime of Mel Zelaya. It simply amazes me that Pepe Lobo's main focus is bringing Mel back to Honduras, instead of focusing on security for Honduras' citizens. Does Pepe have a poor sense of prioritization, or what...?
In Honduras's two largest cities, the statistics are even more grim. San Pedro Sula has a murder rate of 125/100,000 making it the third most deadly city in the world (after Ciudad Juarez, Mexico and Kandahar, Afghanistan). Not wanting to be outdone, Tegucigalpa ranks no. 6 worldwide with a murder rate of 109/100,000 (edging out Guatemala City which is no. 7).
This upward spiral in violence started its dramatic increase under the regime of Mel Zelaya. It simply amazes me that Pepe Lobo's main focus is bringing Mel back to Honduras, instead of focusing on security for Honduras' citizens. Does Pepe have a poor sense of prioritization, or what...?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Los Jabones de Mis Hijas
This past September, I was in San Salvador for business. Close to my hotel, I stumbled upon a jewel of a boutique, specializing in handmade soaps called, 'Los Jabones de Mis Hijas'. It's located in the 'Zona Rosa', and is run by three sisters. They have over 30 varieties of soaps available, all handmade by the sisters. The soaps all cost $3.50 per 100 grs. I bought mango, honey and beewax, coffee, and rose.
If you're traveling to San Salvador, I highly recommend stopping in as the soaps make great gifts! The quality is what you would expect to find in a specialty boutique in France or Spain.
My only question, why don't Honduran artisans make unique, quality products that travelers actually want to buy?
The blog their shop is: www.losjabonesdemishijas.blogspot.com
Also, check out their Facebook page.
If you're traveling to San Salvador, I highly recommend stopping in as the soaps make great gifts! The quality is what you would expect to find in a specialty boutique in France or Spain.
My only question, why don't Honduran artisans make unique, quality products that travelers actually want to buy?
The blog their shop is: www.losjabonesdemishijas.blogspot.com
Also, check out their Facebook page.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Ya Abrimos!!
The Tegucigalpa branch of the Guatemalan steak house 'Hacienda Real' (*****/$$$, Blvd Juan Pablo II, tel. 2239.6860) recently opened. Sure enough, my expectations were exceeded. You see, I go to Guatemala City every year for business, and I always eat at least one meal at the 'Hacienda Real' in Zona 10. I've been doing this for over ten years!! Recently, during my last trip to San Salvador, I also dined at the branch there. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw an advert in Taca's Inflight magazine and I noticed a small blurb saying 'proximente Tegucigalpa'.
Why do I like 'Hacienda Real' so much? For all the reasons that make a restaurant a great dining experience...
First, the food is amazingly good. All the steaks are grilled on an open bbq pit in the middle of the restaurant, the portions are generous and the meals are consistently good- consisting of quality meats, cooked to the specified temperature, tender and juicy. (Obviously, I'm not a vegetarian). The meals are always introduced with a cup of complimentary broth served as soon as you are seated.
Secondly, the ambiance is informal yet elegant, decorated in a colonial Spanish style. You can eat inside or on the terrace. There is even a rooftop terrace here in Tegucigalpa offering cozy, romantic dining in the evening.
Third, you receive real value for the price. While 'Hacienda Real' is not cheap, it is not overly expensive. Most items cost less or the same as other similar restaurants in town.
Finally, 'Hacienda Real' raises the bar on the level of service if offers its patrons. The wait staff actually knows what they are doing and are eager to please...attentive without being overbearing, friendly in a sincere sort of way. They even walk differently from waiters in other Honduran restaurants, not the typical slouchy walk that connotes 'I'll eventually get to your order, but don't bother me too much'. Instead, its a determined gait that makes you know they are ready to serve and are good at what they do.
As an aside, my wife commented that it's impossible to find waiters like this in Honduras, and she was skeptical as to whether they were actually Honduran or not. So I told her to ask, and sure enough, all the waiters are from Guatemala. They come here for rotating three month stints. While I feel bad that the management does not feel that they can find competent locals to do the job, I also feel reassured that they are so quality conscious as to their product, that they make sure every detail is just perfect, even down to importing the wait staff.
I'm sure diners will notice the difference in the level of service, and maybe, just maybe, they will start to expect the same level at other establishments. If so, other restaurants will feel the pressure and be forced to actually 'train' their staff. Imagine that...going to restaurants in Honduras where the staff is competent, knowledgeable, and make you feel welcome.
New standards have been set for Tegucigalpa dining, and I highly recommend 'Hacienda Real' to all (even non-carnivores as the salads will most certainly please).
'Hacienda Real' is one of Don Godo's favorites.
Why do I like 'Hacienda Real' so much? For all the reasons that make a restaurant a great dining experience...
First, the food is amazingly good. All the steaks are grilled on an open bbq pit in the middle of the restaurant, the portions are generous and the meals are consistently good- consisting of quality meats, cooked to the specified temperature, tender and juicy. (Obviously, I'm not a vegetarian). The meals are always introduced with a cup of complimentary broth served as soon as you are seated.
Secondly, the ambiance is informal yet elegant, decorated in a colonial Spanish style. You can eat inside or on the terrace. There is even a rooftop terrace here in Tegucigalpa offering cozy, romantic dining in the evening.
Third, you receive real value for the price. While 'Hacienda Real' is not cheap, it is not overly expensive. Most items cost less or the same as other similar restaurants in town.
Finally, 'Hacienda Real' raises the bar on the level of service if offers its patrons. The wait staff actually knows what they are doing and are eager to please...attentive without being overbearing, friendly in a sincere sort of way. They even walk differently from waiters in other Honduran restaurants, not the typical slouchy walk that connotes 'I'll eventually get to your order, but don't bother me too much'. Instead, its a determined gait that makes you know they are ready to serve and are good at what they do.
As an aside, my wife commented that it's impossible to find waiters like this in Honduras, and she was skeptical as to whether they were actually Honduran or not. So I told her to ask, and sure enough, all the waiters are from Guatemala. They come here for rotating three month stints. While I feel bad that the management does not feel that they can find competent locals to do the job, I also feel reassured that they are so quality conscious as to their product, that they make sure every detail is just perfect, even down to importing the wait staff.
I'm sure diners will notice the difference in the level of service, and maybe, just maybe, they will start to expect the same level at other establishments. If so, other restaurants will feel the pressure and be forced to actually 'train' their staff. Imagine that...going to restaurants in Honduras where the staff is competent, knowledgeable, and make you feel welcome.
New standards have been set for Tegucigalpa dining, and I highly recommend 'Hacienda Real' to all (even non-carnivores as the salads will most certainly please).
'Hacienda Real' is one of Don Godo's favorites.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Driving in Honduras 1.01
While I've always known driving in Honduras to be a somewhat dangerous activity, I've still presumed that the rules of the road are somewhat universal...but, boy am I wrong on that!!
Driving Tip #1 When turning to the left on a country road, put on your left turn signal, pull to the right, look for cars coming from the opposite direction and look for cars coming behind you, if no cars are coming then turn left. If cars are coming from either direction, wait for them to pass, then turn left. Reason: Cars will try to pass you on the left, even though they 'know' you are turning left.
My wife has long told me to do this, but in my stubbornness, I believed that if you are turning left, that if no cars are coming from the opposite direction, then just go on and turn and the cars behind would slow down or stop...But no. They will pass on the left, even though on the surface that seems suicidal.
I learned the hard way. Not too long ago, I was turning left, I put my blinker on, slowed down to turn and started turning. At that point I saw the car spending up behind me to pass on the left-hand side, so I immediately slammed on my brakes in order to let him pass. At the same time the driver behind evidently realized I was going to turn so he slammed on his brakes too, and a third car coming from behind plowed into the car behind me. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, and I didn't get hit.
I bet the other two drivers will be more careful in the future.
Driving Tip #1 When turning to the left on a country road, put on your left turn signal, pull to the right, look for cars coming from the opposite direction and look for cars coming behind you, if no cars are coming then turn left. If cars are coming from either direction, wait for them to pass, then turn left. Reason: Cars will try to pass you on the left, even though they 'know' you are turning left.
My wife has long told me to do this, but in my stubbornness, I believed that if you are turning left, that if no cars are coming from the opposite direction, then just go on and turn and the cars behind would slow down or stop...But no. They will pass on the left, even though on the surface that seems suicidal.
I learned the hard way. Not too long ago, I was turning left, I put my blinker on, slowed down to turn and started turning. At that point I saw the car spending up behind me to pass on the left-hand side, so I immediately slammed on my brakes in order to let him pass. At the same time the driver behind evidently realized I was going to turn so he slammed on his brakes too, and a third car coming from behind plowed into the car behind me. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, and I didn't get hit.
I bet the other two drivers will be more careful in the future.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Imagine that...good Italian food, no, I mean 'really' good Italian food
La Ghiottona, a new Italian restaurant has opened in Tegucigalpa in the Col. Palmira. Although the decor is simple, the food and service more than made up. My wife had 'carpaccio salmon', and my children ate 'ravioli marisco' and 'spaghetti vongole', while I ate a 'filetto' served with 'real' mozarella cheese as the side. When my family keeps talking about how much they enjoyed a place, I know that's a really good sign that the restaurant will be around for a while. In this case, everyone was ready to go back again a few days later.
This restaurant has elevated Italian cuisine to a new level in Tegucigalpa. It's dishes are much more genuine and innovative that the traditional Honduran Italian eatery. Imagine an Italian restaurant in Honduras without pizza as their main forte or even on the menu! (****/$$$, Ave. de Mexico, tel. 2236.5513)
This restaurant has elevated Italian cuisine to a new level in Tegucigalpa. It's dishes are much more genuine and innovative that the traditional Honduran Italian eatery. Imagine an Italian restaurant in Honduras without pizza as their main forte or even on the menu! (****/$$$, Ave. de Mexico, tel. 2236.5513)
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The 'Grand Slam' is here!!
What could be more exciting than the return of the 'McRib' sandwich? The opening of a new Denny's in Tegucigalpa, that's what...and the introduction of the 'Grand Slam' breakfast to Catracholandia...
While my wife still anxiously awaits the coming of an 'IHOP', this at least fills the void in the interim. Just opened, still sparkling clean, and not as 'greasy spoon' as in the States, 'Gourmet Grill' now has some serious Sunday morning breakfast competition. It's located just down the block from the Marriott Hotel on Blvd. San Juan Pablo. (***/$$, tel. 2232.5410)
While my wife still anxiously awaits the coming of an 'IHOP', this at least fills the void in the interim. Just opened, still sparkling clean, and not as 'greasy spoon' as in the States, 'Gourmet Grill' now has some serious Sunday morning breakfast competition. It's located just down the block from the Marriott Hotel on Blvd. San Juan Pablo. (***/$$, tel. 2232.5410)
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
As seen on a shop window in Panama City's Casco Viejo
CITY WITHOUT PATRIMONY
CITY WITHOUT SOUL
Wake up Tegucigalpa before it's too late...
Friday, September 24, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: REALLY GOOD PIZZA
Finally a restaurant has opened in Tegucigalpa with really good pizza!! Piola (***/$$, tel. 243.0645/42, www.piola.it) recently opened at the new Novo Centro mall behind Los Proceres. It's a franchise restaurant with locations in the USA and several Latin American countries. I won't hold being a franchise against it in this case since the quality of the pizza more than compensates. The key here is that the restaurant has a authentic wood burning pizza oven and the pizza's quality reflects it. The crusts are thin and slightly charred, and the ingredients are all premium quality. The list of pizza options is extensive. I had a pizza with shrimp and mushrooms, and my children had one with artichokes, olives, and feta cheese. Both were delicious. The small pizzas (four slices) run in the L.180-230 range and the medium pizzas (six slices) are around L.300. The menu also has pastas, etc., but really, this the place to come for pizza! The service was good, and my only complaint is that I found the music a little too pulsating for my taste.
Piola's is now on my list of Don Godo's favorites.
Piola's is now on my list of Don Godo's favorites.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Rapidly going downhill
In the July/August issue of 'Foreign Policy' (FP) magazine, the cover story is 'Failed States'. There is a smaller article within the main feature called 'Watch List' in which Honduras and Guatemala are cited as two of four countries in 'big trouble'. The other two are Nigeria and Iran.
The article states: "A mere 1 percent of South American cocaine went through Central America as recently as 2007; today, somewhere between 60 and 90 percent does. Cartels from Mexico,...have moved south, while Columbian traffickers have moved north."
It goes on to say that the only place where the violence may be worse than Guatemala is neighboring Honduras where "the country of just 7.3 million sees 15 murders per day...the state has very limited control over entire chunks of the territory...they are very weak states by almost any indicator."
One authority is cited as saying that the task is daunting because "a lot of people in the Honduran Elite are doing business with drug traffickers."
This says a lot and paints a very pessimistic picture, but I truly hope our future in Honduras will not be so bleak...
Pepe wake up!!!
The article states: "A mere 1 percent of South American cocaine went through Central America as recently as 2007; today, somewhere between 60 and 90 percent does. Cartels from Mexico,...have moved south, while Columbian traffickers have moved north."
It goes on to say that the only place where the violence may be worse than Guatemala is neighboring Honduras where "the country of just 7.3 million sees 15 murders per day...the state has very limited control over entire chunks of the territory...they are very weak states by almost any indicator."
One authority is cited as saying that the task is daunting because "a lot of people in the Honduran Elite are doing business with drug traffickers."
This says a lot and paints a very pessimistic picture, but I truly hope our future in Honduras will not be so bleak...
Pepe wake up!!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
The more things change, the more they stay the same
I was in Managua a couple of weeks ago on business, and couldn't help thinking about while some things change, they are still the same...There's a sad consistency to history repeating itself.
You may remember that the Sandinista revolution was all about change...The dictator Somoza was corrupt and had his hand in every business. Now it seems that Daniel Ortega (and the Sandanistas) has become quite the businessman. He owns a hotel, bank, oil company, and the list goes on and on. He seems to have his hand in everything. And guess what? Just like good ole Somoza didn't want to give up power, Ortega doesn't want to give up power either...so the Sandanistas rigged the last municipal elections, and had the Surpreme Court rule that the constitution didn't mean what it said regarding the president's ability to run for reelection.
At least one local has seen the irony in all this. There is ton of FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional) graffiti everywhere. It seems someone has been busy with a paint brush turning the S in FSLN into a $ sign, so that now much of the graffiti reads F$LN.
VIVA F$LN!
You may remember that the Sandinista revolution was all about change...The dictator Somoza was corrupt and had his hand in every business. Now it seems that Daniel Ortega (and the Sandanistas) has become quite the businessman. He owns a hotel, bank, oil company, and the list goes on and on. He seems to have his hand in everything. And guess what? Just like good ole Somoza didn't want to give up power, Ortega doesn't want to give up power either...so the Sandanistas rigged the last municipal elections, and had the Surpreme Court rule that the constitution didn't mean what it said regarding the president's ability to run for reelection.
At least one local has seen the irony in all this. There is ton of FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberacion Nacional) graffiti everywhere. It seems someone has been busy with a paint brush turning the S in FSLN into a $ sign, so that now much of the graffiti reads F$LN.
VIVA F$LN!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
That's some name for a new town
In 1578, the Spanish founded the city, La Real Villa de San Miguel de Heredia de Tegucigalpa. Today the city is simply known as Tegucigalpa or 'Tegus'.
I prefer the modern name...
I prefer the modern name...
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
'In search of Mel Zelaya' or 'What Tegucigalpa could be, but never will'
I'm in Santo Domingo searching for Comandante Mel, but so far no luck. Where is he hiding? What is he afraid of? Well actually, I am in Santo Domingo, but really do not care to see Mel. If per chance, I saw him in a restaurant or shop, I'm sure I would give him a piece of my mind and that would not be good...
Having been in Santo Domingo now for a few days, I have a couple of observations. First, and foremost, this place is just too nice for Mel. A more fitting locale for Mel's retirement haven is Port au Prince.
Apart from that, I have really been impressed with the city. The colonial section has been painstakingly restored and as a result, tourism is booming. The city is non-threatening and there are tourist police everywhere. In Honduras, there are tourist police in some areas, but you never actually see them. They are there in name only.
Not only is it safe, it is relatively clean. Hey, that's a novel idea. I wonder why they never thought about that in Honduras! You know, putting trash into trash cans on the sidewalk instead of simply throwing it whereever and everywhere.
I guess it takes a certain national pride to restore a nation's patrimony and to keep a city clean. If only Honduras had pride about some other than soccer...
Having been in Santo Domingo now for a few days, I have a couple of observations. First, and foremost, this place is just too nice for Mel. A more fitting locale for Mel's retirement haven is Port au Prince.
Apart from that, I have really been impressed with the city. The colonial section has been painstakingly restored and as a result, tourism is booming. The city is non-threatening and there are tourist police everywhere. In Honduras, there are tourist police in some areas, but you never actually see them. They are there in name only.
Not only is it safe, it is relatively clean. Hey, that's a novel idea. I wonder why they never thought about that in Honduras! You know, putting trash into trash cans on the sidewalk instead of simply throwing it whereever and everywhere.
I guess it takes a certain national pride to restore a nation's patrimony and to keep a city clean. If only Honduras had pride about some other than soccer...
Monday, August 09, 2010
Beware of that Gringo you meet at the local expat watering hole...
Below is a BBC article published on BBC's website on Aug 4.
Panama 'serial killer' case: more bodies recovered
Mr Holbert was arrested in Nicaragua. Panamanian authorities say they have recovered three more bodies on the property of a US man accused of murdering fellow American expatriates. The bodies of a man, a woman and a child were found buried in the grounds of a hostel owned by William Holbert in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Two other bodies were found there last month, sparking a search for Mr Holbert and his wife.
They were arrested in Nicaragua last week after fleeing Panama. Prosecutors say Mr Holbert, 30, has confessed to killing five people to steal their money and property, and has been giving them information about where to find the bodies.
"He has explained what he did, how he did it and why he did it", assistant prosecutor Angel Calderon told the Associated Press. His wife, Laura Reese, 27, has also been charged over the murders. Mr Holbert is also the main suspect in the disappearance of two Panamanians.
Murder in paradise
The case began when the authorities found the bodies of a man and a woman buried behind Mr Holbert's hostel on a small island in Bocas del Toro, a Caribbean archipelago popular with tourists and US expats.
The woman has been identified as Cheryl Lynn Hughes, from St Louis, Missouri, who had been living in Panama for 10 years but has been missing since March. The man was identified as Bo Icelar, who has been missing since November and is thought to be from New Mexico.
Prosecutors allege Mr Holbert befriended Ms Hughes and Mr Icelar by posing as a potential investor before murdering them and taking over their properties - a hotel and a house.
Mr Holbert and his wife went on the run after the bodies were discovered, but were arrested by Nicaraguan police as they tried to enter the country from Costa Rica, and extradited to Panama in chains.
The three bodies found on Tuesday are thought to belong to another US man, Mike Brown, and his wife and son. Prosecutors allege Mr Holbert - known to his neighbours as "Wild Bill" - befriended Mr Brown before shooting him and his family in the head after discovering they had a lot of money in bank accounts.
The couple were using false documents in Panama and living under the aliases William and Jean Cortez, police said. Mr Holbert is also wanted in the US for allegedly selling a house that did not belong to him in the state of North Carolina, as well as for alleged car theft.
Panama 'serial killer' case: more bodies recovered
Mr Holbert was arrested in Nicaragua. Panamanian authorities say they have recovered three more bodies on the property of a US man accused of murdering fellow American expatriates. The bodies of a man, a woman and a child were found buried in the grounds of a hostel owned by William Holbert in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. Two other bodies were found there last month, sparking a search for Mr Holbert and his wife.
They were arrested in Nicaragua last week after fleeing Panama. Prosecutors say Mr Holbert, 30, has confessed to killing five people to steal their money and property, and has been giving them information about where to find the bodies.
"He has explained what he did, how he did it and why he did it", assistant prosecutor Angel Calderon told the Associated Press. His wife, Laura Reese, 27, has also been charged over the murders. Mr Holbert is also the main suspect in the disappearance of two Panamanians.
Murder in paradise
The case began when the authorities found the bodies of a man and a woman buried behind Mr Holbert's hostel on a small island in Bocas del Toro, a Caribbean archipelago popular with tourists and US expats.
The woman has been identified as Cheryl Lynn Hughes, from St Louis, Missouri, who had been living in Panama for 10 years but has been missing since March. The man was identified as Bo Icelar, who has been missing since November and is thought to be from New Mexico.
Prosecutors allege Mr Holbert befriended Ms Hughes and Mr Icelar by posing as a potential investor before murdering them and taking over their properties - a hotel and a house.
Mr Holbert and his wife went on the run after the bodies were discovered, but were arrested by Nicaraguan police as they tried to enter the country from Costa Rica, and extradited to Panama in chains.
The three bodies found on Tuesday are thought to belong to another US man, Mike Brown, and his wife and son. Prosecutors allege Mr Holbert - known to his neighbours as "Wild Bill" - befriended Mr Brown before shooting him and his family in the head after discovering they had a lot of money in bank accounts.
The couple were using false documents in Panama and living under the aliases William and Jean Cortez, police said. Mr Holbert is also wanted in the US for allegedly selling a house that did not belong to him in the state of North Carolina, as well as for alleged car theft.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Memory Lane
Both of my children were born in the United States and have U.S. citizenship, however, my wife is Honduran and we wanted our children to have dual nationality. Under Honduran law, my children were entitled to Honduran citizenship since the mother is Honduran. So soon after the second child was born, my wife went to the Honduran consulate in New Orleans, and asked about the process, what she had to do, etc.
The lady at the consulate looked at her, looked at the children, and then asked if they had U.S. citizenship. My wife responded in the positive, that yes, they were U.S. citizens. The consul worker then looked amazed and asked, "But why then would you possibly want them to have Honduran citizenship?"
Beyond the obvious putdown that the consul worker implied about Honduras, there are many reasons:
My wife is Honduran and proud of it, so we wanted to pass that on to our children.
Dual nationality opens up additional options. What if the U.S. is in a war when they are eighteen? What if there is a draft?
They can apply to an university as a Honduran, and maybe this will give them an extra edge in admissions (if the university is concerned about diversity, or attracting international students.
When they are grown, they will have the opportunity live in either country, depending on where they find more opportunities. (Personally, I believe developing countries present more opportunities to suceed and make money if a person is well educated and has an entrprenurial spirit).
The list can go on...
There was a lot of paperwork, and it all had to be done in Honduras. The consulate was of absolutely no use and could do nothing, not even give directions as to where she needed to start. So my wife consulted an attorney friend in Honduras, stood in many lines for countless hours as various government offices in Tegucigalpa, filled out many forms, and today my children have dual nationality and two passports.
As to the consul worker...Well, this happened many years ago, and consul employees change every four years with every change of government in Honduras (Its a financial perk for being friends with the winner).
I guess one lesson that can be learned is that a 'professional' civil service has merits, and maybe secondly, that Honduran consulates (from my experience) are generally worthless...
The lady at the consulate looked at her, looked at the children, and then asked if they had U.S. citizenship. My wife responded in the positive, that yes, they were U.S. citizens. The consul worker then looked amazed and asked, "But why then would you possibly want them to have Honduran citizenship?"
Beyond the obvious putdown that the consul worker implied about Honduras, there are many reasons:
My wife is Honduran and proud of it, so we wanted to pass that on to our children.
Dual nationality opens up additional options. What if the U.S. is in a war when they are eighteen? What if there is a draft?
They can apply to an university as a Honduran, and maybe this will give them an extra edge in admissions (if the university is concerned about diversity, or attracting international students.
When they are grown, they will have the opportunity live in either country, depending on where they find more opportunities. (Personally, I believe developing countries present more opportunities to suceed and make money if a person is well educated and has an entrprenurial spirit).
The list can go on...
There was a lot of paperwork, and it all had to be done in Honduras. The consulate was of absolutely no use and could do nothing, not even give directions as to where she needed to start. So my wife consulted an attorney friend in Honduras, stood in many lines for countless hours as various government offices in Tegucigalpa, filled out many forms, and today my children have dual nationality and two passports.
As to the consul worker...Well, this happened many years ago, and consul employees change every four years with every change of government in Honduras (Its a financial perk for being friends with the winner).
I guess one lesson that can be learned is that a 'professional' civil service has merits, and maybe secondly, that Honduran consulates (from my experience) are generally worthless...
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Top Ten Things I Like About Honduras
10- Quirky Thirld-Worldness of it all
9- Climate. It seems just about perfect, except for when there is a drought or constant rains from tropical depressions.
8- Colonial villages. My family loves visiting small little colonial villages for an afternoon diversion. And they are everywhere, each unique in its own way. I especially like Santa Lucia, Valle de Angeles, Cedros, Copan Ruinas and Ojojona. Still waiting to visit Gracias.
7- Mayan history. It seems as if I can't visit Copan enough times. There are also some secondary sites such as El Puente that few people visit, but are diamonds in the rough nevertheless.
6- Natural Beauty. Honduras is absolutely beautiful, whether it's the Bay Islands or the Mountains.
5- Cost of Living. I can live much better in Honduras. In the USA, I simply can't afford the same lifestyle.
4-The private bilingual school system. My kids are getting a much better education in Honduras then they would in the USA. But, I regret the public school system doesn't afford any opportunities whatsoever for the average Honduran.
3- Pace of life. Sure, I like the hustle and bustle of the States from time to time, but the slow pace of Honduran life adds an immeasurable boost to my overall quality of life.
2- Family values. The sense of family is much more important in Honduras than in the USA. Children live at home longer, extended family (cousins, 2nd cousins,uncles, aunts, etc.) are all best friends.
1- My wonderful Honduran wife. What else can I say? God really blessed me on this one!!!
9- Climate. It seems just about perfect, except for when there is a drought or constant rains from tropical depressions.
8- Colonial villages. My family loves visiting small little colonial villages for an afternoon diversion. And they are everywhere, each unique in its own way. I especially like Santa Lucia, Valle de Angeles, Cedros, Copan Ruinas and Ojojona. Still waiting to visit Gracias.
7- Mayan history. It seems as if I can't visit Copan enough times. There are also some secondary sites such as El Puente that few people visit, but are diamonds in the rough nevertheless.
6- Natural Beauty. Honduras is absolutely beautiful, whether it's the Bay Islands or the Mountains.
5- Cost of Living. I can live much better in Honduras. In the USA, I simply can't afford the same lifestyle.
4-The private bilingual school system. My kids are getting a much better education in Honduras then they would in the USA. But, I regret the public school system doesn't afford any opportunities whatsoever for the average Honduran.
3- Pace of life. Sure, I like the hustle and bustle of the States from time to time, but the slow pace of Honduran life adds an immeasurable boost to my overall quality of life.
2- Family values. The sense of family is much more important in Honduras than in the USA. Children live at home longer, extended family (cousins, 2nd cousins,uncles, aunts, etc.) are all best friends.
1- My wonderful Honduran wife. What else can I say? God really blessed me on this one!!!
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