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Monday, January 27, 2003 Online Edition 4 |
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Women’s day: How are the women of Honduras living
today? The objective was to reduce the gender gaps in agriculture. The existing gaps show clear differences between men (49 percent of the population) and women (51 percent of the population) in relation to their opportunities and access to resources, which could help to improve their well-being and human development. When examining the situation and position of Honduran
women living in the rural sector in the year 2001, it is clear to see
that the increase in poverty in men was less, rising from 54 percent to
58.4. In the case of women, the increase was not only larger, but there
was a huge disparity between areas. For example, in the department of
Lempira, the figure rose from 61.3 to 71.4 percent, in Valle, from 58.9
to 66.9, and in Copan, from 59 to 67.9 percent. However, the importance of women in all areas of the work force cannot be underestimated. For example, in the cultivation of melons, the work force is predominately female on the farm as well as in the processing plant. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) women are essential for the agriculture industry, working in the whole transformation and elaboration process of derived products such as milk, rice, corn, fruits and meat. In fact, they produce between 60 and 80 per cent of all the products consumed in the country, and consequently, are the backbone of the rural family economy. However, this figure does not include their participation in agriculture and domestic work, or the extraordinary contribution women make to the informal market, such as artisan, sewing, commerce, money management and others. Despite the importance of the female work force in Honduras, the mortality rate is still very high, especially in relation to factors associated with reproduction. It is considered to be the highest cause of death of women between the ages of 15 and 44 (21.7 percent), with 220 deaths per 1,000 births. The lack of sexual education, and consequent levels of teenage pregnancy, also result in a high rates of infant mortality, with 45 deaths every 100,000 live births. Given the low quantity and quality of health services, a large number of women die using empirical and traditional methods in their homes during childbirth. The second main cause of death in relation to women in diseases of the reproductive organs, for example, cancer of the cervix, uterus and breast. Sexually transmitted diseases have also risen in females. Recent studies show a rise in HIV, especially in housewives and domestic employees. Today there are 4,454 women infected with the virus. The impact of the epidemic is each year larger in women. In summary, most men and women in Honduras live in
poverty. However, data shows that women, especially in rural areas, are
at a greater disadvantage in comparison to men. If women are present at
all productive levels and are capable human beings with equal rights,
why are they living in these disadvantageous conditions? Their primary goal is to provide schools with the support and training needed to implement and promote the use of technology throughout the school. With 18 supervisors based throughout the country, the school can be flexible about choosing a program specifically designed for them. The supervisors can also ensure that the equipment is maintained, and utilized to its full potential. However, perhaps the most far-reaching consequence of their curriculum, is the training they can provide for all teachers, ensuring the incorporation of computers into all aspects of the pupil’s education. After the success of their technology program,
FutureKids have recently set up “Dyned” (www.dyned.com), a multimedia
language support program that children can combine with traditional
classroom instruction. In the past eight months, it has already been
introduced to three schools in Tegucigalpa, and has brought about
dramatic improvements in levels of English. Ulysses Rodriguez, the
director of academic studies at IHCI (Instituto Hondureno de Cultura
Interamericano) said, “a main difference of this course, is that my
pupil’s really enjoy learning.” Such improvements are also due to the
contents of the package, where the traditionally poorer aspects of
classroom teaching, listening and speaking, are removed from the
classroom, and placed in the lab. The children are then allowed to
interact with the computer at their own pace, creating a more productive
and efficient atmosphere. An Honduran immigrant’s story The journey made by Latin Americans up to North America is particularly relevant this week as it was announced this week that the Hispanic population in the U.S. is now the greatest minority population at 13 percent. The number of Americans of Hispanic origin, for the first time outnumbers African-Americans. Quesada’s tale is very true to reality in its depiction of the huge risks taken by some immigrants to gain entry to the United States. Quesada quite legitimately tackles the issues surrounding immigrants, in particular the attacks made by xenophobes; foreigners rarely ‘take all the jobs’ they more often take the jobs that natives will not do. The book also includes some interesting Central American political contexts. Disappointingly, the main character of Elias is not a
particularly an interesting one, in fact, his tendency to be foolish and
naive make the love interest he appears to attract difficult to believe.
In conclusion the book ends tidilly but may leave the reader wanting
more. Intibuca The second important change is the transformation of “normal” schools to colleges. Before, a high school education was enough to make someone a primary school teacher, but now secondary school is not enough, instead a superior education is required. The impact on the quality of education should become visible in a few years when these new teachers begin to exercise their careers. Again, congratulations for taking these positive steps to better the public education system. More recently, however, an important event took place that is even more encouraging for the Honduran public education system. The community of Opalaca, Intibuca, one of the poorest departments of Honduras, held a demonstration demanding the decentralization of the public education system in their municipality, thus, taking responsibility for the improvement of education in their community if given the ability to manage it. It was also very encouraging to see the government response to this petition, which showed respect and willingness to accede. As we stated in a previous article, “experience after experience, project after project have shown that community involvement, parental in this case, are a key success factor.” Intibuca is one of the poorest departments in the country with all indicators below national averages, it has one of the lowest levels of human development. The Opalaca Municipality has a population of 8,000 served by 29 schools. The population of Intibuca receives an average of 3.9 years of schooling, below the already too low 4.8 national average and one of the country’s lowest income per capita at US$ 404.00. Because of deficiencies in budgeting, Honduras already has a very high student-to-teacher ratio. Municipalities that are more distant from the larger cities, such as Opalaca, face the additional problem of teachers not wanting to transfer so far away, despite the 12,000 unemployed and 2,000 more new teachers currently vying for a mere 450 new openings nationally. A government official stated that teachers appointed to those remote areas are sent there “as punishment”. This is where the government has to take steps to make more efficient use of the scarce resources it has available and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) present a good alternative. In the President’s interview, it would’ve been good to hear about the government’s interest towards e-learning. The national universities and the Ministry of Education should begin work as soon as possible to implement certifiable courses through the internet. They must call local writers, teachers and technology companies to sit at a table and co-ordinate efforts to make local education resources available for distance learning programs. Community Technology Centers (CTCs) empower students
and people in general to make use of these resources, making lifelong
learning a reality to Hondurans of all ages, genders, ethnic and
economic groups. We are aware of one attempt to create a CTC by a Lenca
Indian group in La Esperanza, Intibuca. Can the government provide a
solar village type solution? It will be interesting to compare the
educational and economic development of Intibuca in the years to come.
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All in a day’s work: a profile of Casa Alianza’s
street team One of the street teams is called to find another home
for a child resident, as his life in is danger. The other team,
comprising Gustavo and Luz, has to visit the Hospital Escuela
(University Hospital) to check up on Maria. The street team found Maria
on Monday, screaming in agony due to the pain in her stomach. She had
been to the hospital for a check up 10 days earlier. They told her
everything was fine. It wasn’t. The medical team had seen the girls’
disheveled state, and carried out a negligent examination. Maria was two
months into an ectopic pregnancy and was brought to hospital only just
in time to save her life. And what of her life? - a 13 year old glue
sniffing prostitute on the street. The Casa Alianza team will take her
to the children’s center and try to clean her up, both physically and
mentally. They will also pay for her medical treatment, which has taken
place in a facility renowned for being surrounded by funeral parlors,
yet had to make an appeal recently for the donation of children’s
coffins. Their funds are so low that they cannot afford the Lps100-200
(US$6-12) needed to bury each dead child. But today, thankfully, Maria
is relatively safe and will be discharged once her infections die down.
She will be collected in the next few days by the street team.
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By
LUCY CRISFIELD
By
LUCY CRISFIELD
Honduran
born Roberto Quesada’s latest offering ‘Never through Miami’ has been
recently translated from Spanish to English, offering non-speakers the
chance to enjoy a book with plenty of local references. ‘Never through
Miami’ tells the familiar story of a struggling Latin American from
Tegucigalpa travelling to the United States in search of fame and
fortune. As he touches down at Miami airport, the only hurdle he
perceives between him and a ‘better life’ is the mean stare of
officialdom. Of course, Elias has a nasty surprise when he finally
arrives in New York as he is confronted with the reality that all
immigrants face; the high cost of living and lack of opportunity. 
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| CULTURAL
EVENTS
ARTS |
MUSEUMS
& GARDENS TEGUCIGALPA MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA The
Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building
in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries.
It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features
portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents.
Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10
for Hondurans and Central Americans.
For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM The
Central Bank of Honduras located at the Comayaguela annex building
is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
It has a permanent coin and painting exhibit. For special presentations, call the Emision y Tesoreria department
at 237-2270 (-78), ext. 2117 (-2120). [CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.] NATIONAL ART GALLERY The
Galeria Nacional de Arte features rock art, pre-Columbian ceramics,
colonial paintings, religious art and a wide selection of 20th century
Honduran painters. The
gallery is located at the Plaza de la Merced in downtown Tegucigalpa.
It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday
from 10-2 p.m. Admission
is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for senior citizens, Lps. 3 for students
and Lps. 1 for children accompanied by adults. IGUANA FARM The
Biosfera Ecocentro Iguana Farm in Colonia La Joya invites the public
to come and learn everything about iguanas.
Admission is Lps. 5 for adults, Lps. 3 for children.
The facility is open every day (except Wednesday) from 9 to
5. For more information, call 230-6346. COMAYAGUA,
COMAYAGUA COMAYAGUA MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY Located
in the city of Comayagua, two hours north of Tegucigalpa, the Comayagua
Museum of Archaeology is in the building that served as the seat of
government in the 19th century.
Exhibits include prehistoric fossils, cave art, ceramics, and
objects used by indigenous cultures during the pre-Colombian era.
The museum, which also has a small library, is open to the
public Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. COMAYAGUA RELIGIOUS MUSEUM Located
in the Casa Cural in front
of Comayagua's cathedral, this museum features religious paintings
and objects dating back to the 16th century.
Hours are 8-12 and 2-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
For more information, contact Leonardo Letona at 772-0348.
LA
PAZ, LA PAZ LA PAZ HOUSE OF CULTURE The
La Paz Casa de la Cultura
is located in downtown La Paz.
It features an attractive exhibit of the Lenca handicrafts
and culture. It is open
Mondays through Sundays. SAN
PEDRO SULA, CORTES SPS MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY The
Museo de Antropologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula features exhibits
on the development of Sula Valley, from 1500 B.C. to the middle of
this century. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for students and children
under 12, and Lps. 2 for senior citizens.
For more information, call 557-1496/557-1798 or fax 557-1874. MUSEUM OF NATURE OF SAN PEDRO SULA Sponsored
and managed by the Fundacion Ecologista H.R. Pastor Fasquelle, this
new museum was inaugurated last December in its current location at
the Biocentro on 3 Avenida and 9 Calle Noroeste.
It has 24 exhibits on the environment, natural resources and
biology of Honduras. Hours
are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Admission is Lps 5 for students from public schools and Lps.
10.00 for everyone else. YUSCARAN,
EL PARAISO YUSCARAN HOUSE OF CULTURE
Yuscaran's
Casa de la Cultura is located
at the former Casa Fortin
in downtown Yuscaran, El Paraiso department, just 45 km from Tegucigalpa
on the road to Danli. It
is open Mondays through Saturdays. OLANCHO PECH CULTURAL CENTER The
Pech have built a small house in El Carbon, Olancho to display their
modern handicrafts. An
exhibit of archaeological finds in the area is planned.
You can ask to see the collection and/or get a tour of a Post
Classic era fortified site.
The Pech Cultural Center also offers medicinal plant tours,
nature hikes, Pech dinners, etc.
There is no admission fee to the cultural center.
Hours: If you ask, they will open it. COPAN COPAN ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Located
in the village of Copan Ruinas, Copan department, the museum exhibits
a splendid assortment of Mayan pieces that have been found in the
Copan Ruins Archaeological Park just 1 km away.
LA PUENTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
MUSEUM Featuring
a sizeable collection of Mayan handicrafts and photographs as well
as a room with Japanese antique ceramics, this museum is located at
the El Puente Archaeological Site, about an hour's drive from Copan
Ruinas. MAYAN SEPULTURAS MUSEUM Inaugurated
in 1996, this is the premier Mayan museum in the Mundo Maya, featuring
the finest examples of Copan's tombs, sculptures and architecture.
Located at the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park, the museum
is open Monday through Sunday. TELA,
ATLANTIDA LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS Located
2 kilometers from Tela on the Atlantic coast highway, the gardens
feature one of the largest collections of tropical and subtropical
plants, shrubs and trees in all Latin America.
It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Sundays.
There is an admission charge. LA
CEIBA, ATLANTIDA TROPICAL BUTTERFLY FARM The
Tropical Butterfly Farm & Gardens of La Ceiba is open to the public
Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The farm is located at The Lodge at Pico Bonito in the village
of El Pino, about 25 minutes west of La Ceiba.
Admission is Lps. 30 for adults, Lps. 15 for children and $6
for international visitors. BUTTERFLY AND INSECT MUSEUM Thousands
of butterflies and insects from Honduras and 18 other countries are
on display in La Ceiba' private Butterfly and Insect Museum.
It is located in Colonia El Sauce, 2nd etapa, casa G-12. Visiting hours are 8-12 and 2-5, Monday through Saturday.
The museum is closed Wednesday afternoon.
Fees are Lps. 15 for adults and Lps. 10 for students.
Tel. 442-2874, e-mail: rlehman@ns.gbm.hn TRUJILLO TRUJILLO RUFINO GALAN MUSEUM A
private museum which has a memorabilia section, old chairs, anchors,
silverware, beds of famous people locally.
There is an industrial archaeology section on how lights, axes,
stoves, sewing machines, typewriters have changed over time.
They have a good collection of Garifuna handicrafts and the
best collection of NE Honduras archaeological pieces -- all unmarked.
A written guide to the museum is available at the Trujillo
Tourism Office in English and Spanish.
The museum is open 8 to 4, closing for lunch.
Adults Lps. 20, children Lps. 10.
Located on Calle 18 de Mayo, next to the Crystales River and
the famous "piscina" or pool, about a 15-minute walk out
of town. ROATAN,
THE BAY ISLANDS CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL GARDENS h
located in Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands.
A wide variety of exotic plants is featured here, including
"Roatan's most extensive orchid collection."
It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 445-1117 and ask for Bill or Irma
Brady. BAY ISLANDS MUSEUM A
private museum at Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands,
it mostly includes archaeological pieces, but there is a small section
on the modern Bay Islanders.
Museum admission is included in the cost of the dolphin show
at Anthony Key's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Small buses or taxis will take you to Sandy Bay from most Roatan
towns. |
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Monday, January 20, 2003 Online Edition 3 |
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Honduran native sets sail for the Persian Gulf
By W. E. GUTMAN “She wanted a better life and greater opportunities
for me. We have been blessed with both,” Jorge told me three years ago. “I yearn to know more about my origins, my heritage,” Jorge said. “What’s the first thing you’ll want to do,” I asked him. Jorge smiled wistfully. I could see stars in his eyes. “Go to the nearest Garifuna village, sink my feet in
fine, warm sand, break open a coconut, close my eyes and let the milk
dribble down my chin as the music of my people fills the air.” “America gave me more than I had the right to expect — I owe her plenty,” he had told me when we first met. “Fighting for my country if called to do so is a very small price to pay.” When his mother called me to tell me that Jorge was headed “for parts unknown,” she had tears in her voice. Mothers go through hell, I thought. Fretting about children is a mother’s lot. I tried to calm her fears. Hopefully sanity will
prevail. Hopefully, should there be one, the engagement will be swift.
Jorge will be back soon, safe and sound.
Global competitiveness
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Italian archaeological exploration project in Copan By SUYAPA CARIAS With the purpose of undertaking an exhaustive exploration project, a mission of Italian archaeologists is visiting the Mayan ruins of Copan. María Antonieta Fugazzola, Superintendent at the “Luigi Pigorini” Ethnographic Prehistoric National Museum, and Claudio Cavatrunci, who works as curator at the same museum, arrived in Honduras last week, and were received by the Minister of Culture, Mireya Batres, and the Italian Ambassador Stefano Cacciaguerra. During a press conference held upon their arrival, the visitors explained that after having toured the archaeological site thoroughly with the guidance of Honduran specialist Ricardo Agurcia. Afterwards, they will analyze and determine the length of time and cost of their research work, which will be financed by the government of Italy. According to Batres, one of the project’s main objectives is to make new discoveries, value them, restore them and then bring them to Italy to be exhibited at the most important museums. The official estimates this work may take about two years. Moreover, the Italian government is offering training courses for Honduran archaeologists by the means of scholarships, as well and technology transference in exploration matters. This is the first time the European nation will be working on an in-site project concerning the Mayan culture history. “Exploring the Mayan world is the greatest experience any archaeologist may wish for”, said the experts.
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Jorge
(George) Berry, a native Honduran,, proudly serves in the United States
Army.|
Monday, January 13, 2003 Online Edition 2 |
Ted Danger produces Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve video By:
LAURA YVONNE FACUSSETEGUCIGALPA — What does the zone of La Mosquitia mean to Hondurans? The real answer is in the facts: the zone is still virgin, untouched, isolated, and not properly attended. As the zone was recognized as a national archeological park in 1969 we would assume that interest in it would increase. However, as locals say, the financial help that has been geared to improve and maintain “The lung of Central America” has not been used properly and as a result the only changes the area has experienced have been negative ones like loosing much of its biodiversity and facing an illegal market of authentic artifacts. Dating back to Hernan Cortez in 1526 there has been a continuing interest by explorers in the area. Many were led to an adventure into the wild in search of an ancient walled city named “Ciudad Blanca.” Its location is still uncertain, not even the Honduran map maker Jesus Aguilar knew where it was; however, he placed the name Ciudad Blanca on the map and put a question mark next to it. Most of the time, foreigners inform Hondurans of their own treasures. A disinterest in what is Honduran is commonly relevant in our society. There are a few exceptions of course, like the Honduran explorer Astor Acosta who intended to find Ciudad Blanca. Sadly though, when there is genuine interest often what stops Hondurans is financial ability. Luckily for Honduras, on the other hand, the world outside is somewhat curious and attracted to what the country hides. An interested foreign explorer Ted Danger decided to investigate if the myth of the existence of Ciudad Blanca had factual origin. His interest began as an accident in a library while researching Spanish mining activities in Honduras where he came across many references to a mythical lost city in La Mosquitia. He also recalled from previous trips to La Mosquitia seeing artifacts in the shape of a serpent, and this is how Ted Danger began his realization. Danger filmed a 28-minute documentary of his quest to Ciudad Blanca. Danger’s investigation can be regarded as a gift of knowledge to Honduras concerning our patrimony. The documentary has excellent background on historical information of the area, an edgy out in the wild adventurous touch, and a informative situational analysis of what the Mosquitia is going through. With his friends and guidance from the locals, Danger also obtained useful information by interviewing those that control the illegal market of artifacts, as well as archeologists, ecologists, residents, and explorers. Aside from being well researched and containing excellent footage the video accomplishes something more: it raises awareness that the zone needs to be attended promptly. As Susan Solomon put it and as the documentary opens, “When you encounter something new or interesting, I think it’s a duty to convey that to the public.” Ted Danger did his part in making the film; however, the hands that hold the film now have the responsibility of informing national and international minds about the global sanctuary, the Rio Platano Biosphere. U.S. Colonel and academic writes new chapter in Honduran history
By JONATHAN MARCIANO
Power to the parents
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Honduran hospitals left on the operating table By ROBERT SPAIN A recently published academic study highlights the deficiencies in the system of user fees charged to patients within the Honduran health service. The article by John L Fiedler and Javier Suazo was published in the December 2002 of Health Policy and Planning (17,4) and is the first in depth survey of the implications of user fees and the accompanying decentralization of power. The results, unsurprisingly, are not overly positive. The poorest one fifth of households, for example, are more likely to pay for the medical attention they receive, and pay a relatively higher amount. More worryingly, abolishing fees in some health centers would actually save the Ministry of Health money. While user fees have been charged in Ministry of Health centers since the ministry’s foundation in the 1950s, originally they were set by the heads of the individual facilities. The lack of a consistent political attitude to charging for these services - at least in part due to the electoral problems with any proposed solution - has long damned many countries in the region to a “haphazard” system, the report stated. Dr Fiedler, in a separate study, discovered such results in countries including Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Even once this political will is found, intra-governmental clashes have long been a further obstacle. In 1984 the Ministry of Health ordered hospitals to raise 30% of their finances from user fees by the end of a five-year period. This was never achieved, as all money collected was to have gone to the Treasury. Hospitals had no real incentive to comply. Addressing this situation, in 1990 the government instituted “The Regulation and Manual for Recovered Funds” (RMRF). This was to encourage community participation in the running of hospitals, but also specific lempira prices for services, and restrictions on the use of these revenues, and also which patients and treatments should be exempt. Thus active community health workers and families on low incomes were to pay lower fees, while no one was to pay fees for services such as vaccinations, prenatal care, family planning and the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Suyapa Carias details the state of HIV/AIDS care in Honduras elsewhere in this issue of HTW. According to the data compiled by John Fiedler and Javier Suazo, the average consultation price works out to just US$0.16, in total amounting to just two percent of the Ministry of Health’s budget. Administrating these fees account for 67 percent of this revenue. Consequently, many types of health care facility have to spend more collecting this money than they receive. The Honduran health care system is split into National Hospitals (7), Regional Hospitals (6), Health Area Hospitals (16), Health Centers with physicians (254), Health Posts (848) and other types (26). All but the National and Regional could save money by not charging. This system has been fostered by the ability for different hospitals to charge different fees. Average prices for a consultation are the highest in the smaller, predominantly rural Health Posts, and the lowest in National Hospitals. This gives a financial motivation to visit larger health center, but also skews the funding of the health service. A patient seen at a Health Post has an 89% chance of paying for their visit, compared to 49% had he visited a hospital. The contribution to the finances of the poorer in society is thus one product of RMRF, which is not applied across the entire spectrum of medical care services. Further, as a result of a wide survey conducted in 2000, Fiedler and Suazo discovered distinct variations in the charges levied for certain services in branches of the same type of health facility, differences in regional administration processes, and inefficiencies. Some of these problems may result from the implementation of the system. Many institutions have not changed their prices since their inception over 10 years ago. The decentralization inherent in RMRF is often overseen in a “consistently poor” manner, “raising questions about their integrity”. Given that Ministry of Health facilities are - even only in part - used by just 59% of the population, and that the entire health care system produced just enough patient appointments to reach World Health Organization minimum targets, the reports hints needs changes.
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Colonel
Sewal Menzel: At the cutting edge, Cold War campaigning with the US army
1964-1989’ is currently in preparation, and is due for release in 2004.
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| CULTURAL
EVENTS
ARTS |
MUSEUMS
& GARDENS TEGUCIGALPA MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA The
Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building
in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries.
It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features
portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents.
Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10
for Hondurans and Central Americans.
For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM The
Central Bank of Honduras located at the Comayaguela annex building
is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
It has a permanent coin and painting exhibit. For special presentations, call the Emision y Tesoreria department
at 237-2270 (-78), ext. 2117 (-2120). [CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.] NATIONAL ART GALLERY The
Galeria Nacional de Arte features rock art, pre-Columbian ceramics,
colonial paintings, religious art and a wide selection of 20th century
Honduran painters. The
gallery is located at the Plaza de la Merced in downtown Tegucigalpa.
It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday
from 10-2 p.m. Admission
is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for senior citizens, Lps. 3 for students
and Lps. 1 for children accompanied by adults. IGUANA FARM The
Biosfera Ecocentro Iguana Farm in Colonia La Joya invites the public
to come and learn everything about iguanas.
Admission is Lps. 5 for adults, Lps. 3 for children.
The facility is open every day (except Wednesday) from 9 to
5. For more information, call 230-6346. COMAYAGUA,
COMAYAGUA COMAYAGUA MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY Located
in the city of Comayagua, two hours north of Tegucigalpa, the Comayagua
Museum of Archaeology is in the building that served as the seat of
government in the 19th century.
Exhibits include prehistoric fossils, cave art, ceramics, and
objects used by indigenous cultures during the pre-Colombian era.
The museum, which also has a small library, is open to the
public Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. COMAYAGUA RELIGIOUS MUSEUM Located
in the Casa Cural in front
of Comayagua's cathedral, this museum features religious paintings
and objects dating back to the 16th century.
Hours are 8-12 and 2-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.
For more information, contact Leonardo Letona at 772-0348.
LA
PAZ, LA PAZ LA PAZ HOUSE OF CULTURE The
La Paz Casa de la Cultura
is located in downtown La Paz.
It features an attractive exhibit of the Lenca handicrafts
and culture. It is open
Mondays through Sundays. SAN
PEDRO SULA, CORTES SPS MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY The
Museo de Antropologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula features exhibits
on the development of Sula Valley, from 1500 B.C. to the middle of
this century. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for students and children
under 12, and Lps. 2 for senior citizens.
For more information, call 557-1496/557-1798 or fax 557-1874. MUSEUM OF NATURE OF SAN PEDRO SULA Sponsored
and managed by the Fundacion Ecologista H.R. Pastor Fasquelle, this
new museum was inaugurated last December in its current location at
the Biocentro on 3 Avenida and 9 Calle Noroeste.
It has 24 exhibits on the environment, natural resources and
biology of Honduras. Hours
are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.
Admission is Lps 5 for students from public schools and Lps.
10.00 for everyone else. YUSCARAN,
EL PARAISO YUSCARAN HOUSE OF CULTURE
Yuscaran's
Casa de la Cultura is located
at the former Casa Fortin
in downtown Yuscaran, El Paraiso department, just 45 km from Tegucigalpa
on the road to Danli. It
is open Mondays through Saturdays. OLANCHO PECH CULTURAL CENTER The
Pech have built a small house in El Carbon, Olancho to display their
modern handicrafts. An
exhibit of archaeological finds in the area is planned.
You can ask to see the collection and/or get a tour of a Post
Classic era fortified site.
The Pech Cultural Center also offers medicinal plant tours,
nature hikes, Pech dinners, etc.
There is no admission fee to the cultural center.
Hours: If you ask, they will open it. COPAN COPAN ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Located
in the village of Copan Ruinas, Copan department, the museum exhibits
a splendid assortment of Mayan pieces that have been found in the
Copan Ruins Archaeological Park just 1 km away.
LA PUENTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL
MUSEUM Featuring
a sizeable collection of Mayan handicrafts and photographs as well
as a room with Japanese antique ceramics, this museum is located at
the El Puente Archaeological Site, about an hour's drive from Copan
Ruinas. MAYAN SEPULTURAS MUSEUM Inaugurated
in 1996, this is the premier Mayan museum in the Mundo Maya, featuring
the finest examples of Copan's tombs, sculptures and architecture.
Located at the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park, the museum
is open Monday through Sunday. TELA,
ATLANTIDA LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS Located
2 kilometers from Tela on the Atlantic coast highway, the gardens
feature one of the largest collections of tropical and subtropical
plants, shrubs and trees in all Latin America.
It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Sundays.
There is an admission charge. LA
CEIBA, ATLANTIDA TROPICAL BUTTERFLY FARM The
Tropical Butterfly Farm & Gardens of La Ceiba is open to the public
Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The farm is located at The Lodge at Pico Bonito in the village
of El Pino, about 25 minutes west of La Ceiba.
Admission is Lps. 30 for adults, Lps. 15 for children and $6
for international visitors. BUTTERFLY AND INSECT MUSEUM Thousands
of butterflies and insects from Honduras and 18 other countries are
on display in La Ceiba' private Butterfly and Insect Museum.
It is located in Colonia El Sauce, 2nd etapa, casa G-12. Visiting hours are 8-12 and 2-5, Monday through Saturday.
The museum is closed Wednesday afternoon.
Fees are Lps. 15 for adults and Lps. 10 for students.
Tel. 442-2874, e-mail: rlehman@ns.gbm.hn TRUJILLO TRUJILLO RUFINO GALAN MUSEUM A
private museum which has a memorabilia section, old chairs, anchors,
silverware, beds of famous people locally.
There is an industrial archaeology section on how lights, axes,
stoves, sewing machines, typewriters have changed over time.
They have a good collection of Garifuna handicrafts and the
best collection of NE Honduras archaeological pieces -- all unmarked.
A written guide to the museum is available at the Trujillo
Tourism Office in English and Spanish.
The museum is open 8 to 4, closing for lunch.
Adults Lps. 20, children Lps. 10.
Located on Calle 18 de Mayo, next to the Crystales River and
the famous "piscina" or pool, about a 15-minute walk out
of town. ROATAN,
THE BAY ISLANDS CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL GARDENS h
located in Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands.
A wide variety of exotic plants is featured here, including
"Roatan's most extensive orchid collection."
It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 445-1117 and ask for Bill or Irma
Brady. BAY ISLANDS MUSEUM A
private museum at Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands,
it mostly includes archaeological pieces, but there is a small section
on the modern Bay Islanders.
Museum admission is included in the cost of the dolphin show
at Anthony Key's Institute of Marine Sciences.
Small buses or taxis will take you to Sandy Bay from most Roatan
towns. |
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Monday, January 6, 2003 Online Edition 1 |
 Learning to fish By JORGE GALLARDO RIUS
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