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| Monday, August 29, 2005 Online Edition 35 | ||
| All Hail: Taking taxis in Tegucigalpa JOHANNES KOCH & FEDERICO FERNANDEZ-ARMESTO They camp outside our house. They busy themselves – tinkering with the motors of their cars, cleaning, eating or chatting - trying hard, it seems, to ignore us. It is a subtle form of reverse client-taxi psychology. Usually they’d be honking their way over to us, soliciting rides from long range and inviting the ‘Gringo’ to get going, but, at the end of our road, a new breed of ‘taxistas’ is spreading. The position these guys have adopted is understandable. For the Honduran ‘taxista,’ resting outside our house is very much the same as the English cabbie retiring to the Costa del Sol - the hard-working pedal-pusher of tougher times becomes the equivalent of a personal chauffeur, wiling away his hours off at the local pulperia and shifting only occasionally to ferry us hither and yon at inflated prices. The job is a cinch. One chap picked us up the other day in a distant district. The next day I found him virtually on our doorstep, waiting to pounce on his newly found prey. This character, it seems, represents a fresh generation of mobile businessmen. The rugged face hides a keen entrepreneurial sense, fine-tuning a revolutionary new take on market competition that certifies a healthy profit. Rather than undercutting his opponent’s price to guarantee the gringo’s custom, he joins forces. Both then offer the same and leave us with no option. Fortunately, not all members of the profession are so savvy or snide. In most cases ‘cinquenta’ means ‘cuarenta’ and all it takes is a well-rehearsed disparaging look to knock the cabbie off his high horse and make it ‘treinta y cinco’. All this is part of a polite process. The to and froing of a friendly haggle enlivens a camaraderie between customer and client. But it is also symptomatic of the Honduran taxi-driver’s love of sophisticated horseplay and needless over-complication. Even the normally simple question of destination becomes intricate. One day, trying to find someone to take us to Tegucigalpa’s apparently celebrated Café Paradiso, we discovered that precise addresses are far from enough. Several uncomprehending driver’s faces later, it turned out that the necessary landmark was ‘el arbolito,’ a little tree. Hondurans do not care for street names - of which there are decidedly few - or for numbers. The easiest way to get yourself about is to know the businesses and eateries that surround your destination. “Tenemos que ir a banco uno,” is the shortest way to the newspaper’s offices, “en frente del anuncio de Pepsi.” Now though, they anticipate us. They know where we’re going before we’ve hailed them. Anybody planning to take a taxi in Honduras deserves a few words of advice to set them on their way: Never take the front seat. Quite apart from the obligation of idle ‘just smile and pretend you understand’ chitchat, it tends to give the driver added gumption. Tuck yourself on the back seat to avoid near-crash situations. Check that the exhaust is on the outside of the car before entry. This way you can avoid asphyxiation. Don’t use a seat belt. It encourages scare mongering and getaway-style driving. Apparently, of the several hundred taxis in Tegucigalpa, thirty or so have made ‘the list’ – an anthology of the city’s most dangerous drivers. Try and get hold of this to avoid complications. We’ve been trying to get hold of it for quite some time, to no avail. Good luck…….
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The Leeward Course: RN Wednesday Evening Toast By JORGE AGURCIA PART 2 Here’s to ourselves,(as no one is likely to concern themselves with our welfare) The name of rum comes to us from the island of Jamaica, since “rumbullion” was the general effect of excessive cups of this sugarcane-based spirit. Nowadays, Puerto Rico is the largest producer of fine rums in the world, but good rums may be found everywhere in the Antilles, each with its own characteristic taste. Rum and sailing somehow go together. The word grog comes from a famous sailor called “Old Grog” (a.k.a. Admiral E. Vernon). In 1740 he decided that the customary daily ration of rum awarded to British crews during a voyage was causing excessive tomfoolery on-board, and so ordered it be henceforth diluted with water. If you ask for grog at any of the local bars, make sure they get the recipe right: one-part rum and three-part water. By the way, Old Grog received his nickname for his cape, an outlandish cloak fashioned out of unfinished grogram cloth. Now let me share with you a bit of competitive sailing history. The first formal yacht race took place during the month of October in the year 1661, following the Restoration. Participating in the competition were Charles II of England and his brother the Duke of York. The race had a set bet of a hundred pounds. His Royal Highness lost the leg from Greenwich to Gravesend. However, upon the return to the River Thames, the King’s yacht finally upset the Duke’s. Records are vague as to how the money was distributed or who bought the beers at the end of the day. Also there is no mention as to whether the Queen or the Duchess were on the committee boat that day to handle protests! The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork conducted the first regatta almost sixty years later out of Ireland. Thirty years hence, in 1749, the Royal Thames Yacht Club began as the Cumberland Fleet, named after the Duke of Cumberland. The fleet consisted mainly of small, deep-keeled, open, gaff cutters. In North America the first race took place in 1835 around Cape Cod. The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 and held its first event in 1845. The French were doing their thing at Le Havre, having held the first regatta there in 1839. Back then, racing sailboats in the ocean was considered an absurd proposition. It wasn’t until the nineteenth century that yacht racing became a fashionable aristocratic sport. The first Americas Cup would not be held until 1851. In Honduras, competitive sailing began in earnest some four years ago in Lake Yojoa, with the first Copa AHSA invitational regatta. It has been held every year since, around the 15th of September, taking advantage of the regional holiday. Having begun with a single competition for Maxi Class vessels, each passing year the race categories have expanded to make room for competitors coming in from several Central American countries. Now classes include catamarans, Lasers, and an “open” class for other types of vessels not falling into these categories. The Honduran Sailing Federation and the Yojoa Nautical Club were both established in 2004. For more information, you may contact Richard Joint at Honduyate Marina on Lake Yojoa.
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| CULTURAL EVENTS ART WOMEN IN THE ARTS - Mujeres en las Artes One of the strongest artistic movements in Tegucigalpa. Mujeres en la Artes Leticia de Oyuela constantly sponsors workshops, exhibitions, conferences, art shows and community events in the city. For the complete schedule, log on to www.muuartes.org.hn or contact Veronica Romero at 222 3015. INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL.- Enjoy the beuty of the Indian film productions. Veer Zaara : A love story that goes beyond borders. An Air Force official from India falls in love with a young aristocratic (Zaara) from Pakistan. They find each other 22 years with the help of the attorney Saamiya Siddiqui. Algo esta Pasando (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai): A story about two friends, Rahul and Anjali. Rahul confesses his love for Tina. Anjali is broken hearted and drops college lo let Rauhl and Tina stay together. Rahul and Tina get married. Anjali meets Rahul nine years later when Rahul is a single father after Tina's death. And now (feel the suspense...) Rahul and Anjali fall in love. Impuesto (Lagaan): Set around the reign of Queen Victoria in India, in the year 1893. Lagaan is a tale of the extraordinary circumstances that are put onto normal people, a tale of a battle without blood fought by a group of heroes. Bhavan, a young and brave farmer from the valley of Champaner in Central India fights Captain Rusell, an arrogant officer in the British military who is wants power over the right of life and death in the valleys. In the battle, Bhavan is helped by a young lady Elizabeth, who falls in love.... Felicidad y Tristeza (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham): A family story which reflects the bonds of love between parents and sons. Yashovardhan Raichan and his wife Nandini have raised their children, Rahul and Rohan, with love and affection. Yash tries to transmit their children values and family traditions, while his wife wants her children to experiment with love. Rahul respects his father, and the orders that are given to him, until he falls in love with Anjali and marries her. His father does not approve. He travels to Great Britain, causing his mother to miss him. Rohan makes a promise to keep the family together. MUSIC & DANCE SABOR CUBANO.- Come and enjoy the best Latin Rhythms: Salsa, Merengue, and Rumba. Every Friday at Restaurant-Bar: “Sabor Cubano” ¡Learn how to dance with the best dancers in town and enjoy the original “Mojito Cubano”! Colonia Palmira, No. 1933, half a block from Taco Taco. For more information call: 235-9947. LIVE MUSIC - FRIDAYS - The Medieval Restaurant opposite the United Nations building in Colonia Palmira, Tegucigalpa, has live music every Friday at 9 p.m. Entrance is free. For more -information call 232-5435 ART AND CULTURE IN HONDURAS: “Casita del Pueblo” . Enjoy the band of the house and live shows, Honduran traditional food and beverages, art crafts and more. NOW in Valle de Angeles in front of the Central Park, next to the House of Culture. For more information call: 238-0110, 776-2907 or email us at: casitadelpueblohn@yahoo.com. THE BEST KARAOKE IN BAR NAPOC.- Come and sing along in the best Karaoke in Tegucigalpa! Enjoy in Bar Napoc, Hotel Marriott, the best variety of music every Friday and Saturday. 70’S NIGHT IN CAFE SAVANT.- Come and live the 70’s experience with your friends at Cafe Savant in their new location in front of the Sushi Bar and Pan y Mas, by the mango tree in Col. Palmira. THEATRE BAILARINES EXPRESS.- La Farandula theatrical company invites you to enjoy the funniest, sexiest performance ever in La Reforma Theater. Time: 8:00 pm. Entrance: Lps. 80.00 SATAN EN CAFÉ PARAISO IS BACK AGAIN! To be presented in Salon Tegucigalpa of Café La Plazuela on July 20; 3, 10, 17, 20, 24, 27, and 31 of August; 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 28 of September; and 1, 5, 12, 15, 19, 22, 27, and 29 of October 2005. Time: 7:00 PM. General entrance is Lps. 60.00, students pay Lps. 40.00. FILM INDEPENDENT FILMS - EVERY TUESDAY - Café Paradiso in Barrio La Plazuela, Tegucigalpa, offers independent films every Tuesday at 7 p.m. The films are selected by Cine Olay. Entrance is free. Call Café Paradiso at 237-0337 for more information. FOOD SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE HONDURAN ARAB CLUB IN SAN PEDRO SULA- Enjoy a fine selection of Italian cuisine in the most exclusive atmosphere in San Pedro Sula. Every Sunday at 11:30 am. Club Hondureño-Arabe. Various price. XPRESS LUNCH IN BAR NAPOC.- A new concept and a pleasant place to have lunch. Open from Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm. Prices range from L. 89.00 to L. 129.00. Lunches include starter, soup, dessert and soft drink or tea with refill. COCINA LATINA RESTAURANT.-
In the Marriot Hotel, Tegucigalpa, offers a different buffet each day
at the excellent price of L. 219.00 per person. Includes visits at the
best salad bar in the city...over 30 ingredients. FAIRS AND SHOWS MINIATURE AIRPLANE SHOW- SUNDAYS- The members of the Aeromodeling Club in Tegucigalpa invite the entire family to enjoy their valuable collection of miniature real flying aircrafts. Small in size but great in entertainment. At the Segundo Batallon de Infanteria, Tamara Valley, Carretera del Norte, a half hour from Tegucigalpa on the road to San Pedro Sula. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. Entrance is free. HONDURAN AIR MUSEUM Toncontin Airport, Behind the Officers Club at the Air Force of Tegucigalpa. Tel 233-4623-233-4692 ext 2108 On weekdays groups are received upon appointment. 18 airplanes amongst them the North American NA-16 left in the world. . F4U5 corsair, P-63,AT-11,T-28,F-86,DC-6 and others. Entrance adults Lps 10.00 Children and elderly Lps 5.00 Non residents US$ 10.00. Open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. SPORTS CANOPY TOUR - WEEKENDS - Canopy tours are available every weekend in Valle de Angeles, 45 minutes outside Tegucigalpa, before 5 p.m. Each tour costs Lps. 375.00. Go to the last bus stop in the town. At the corner of the main street on the right, there is a big white building selling artisan crafts. Ask for more information here. MOUNTAIN CYCLISM.- If you want to get away from it all, on your bike, and enjoy the mountain view call HonduBikes now:239-219. Open all week! Dates, times and locations of events are subject to change. Please contact event hosts for further information.
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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, August 22, 2005 Online Edition 34 | ||
| The Leeward Course
By JORGE AGURCIA PART I The wind that blows The ship that goes And the lass that loved a sailor! — Traditional shanty Turning a sailboat towards the wind is also known as “going to windward” or “luffing up”. Also, going from a beam reach to a close reach is often referred to as heading up. It would follow, then, that most folks would associate heading up with advancement—- regardless of how hard it blows in their faces. If you still think this column is exclusively about sailing—- dearly charitable reader—- then kindly skip to the last paragraph! There you will find lots of naughty nautical bits, sure to please the most relentless tackers and jibers. However, if like many of us you’ve already spent your fair share of time between the devil and the deep blue sea, and are just seeking a small moment’s reflection, or a bit of poetry... a little rapture of sorts... well, then welcome aboard! English speech is filled with sailing jargon for a reason. It is my stated (though probably not original) objective to show—- what is obvious to most sailors: that our lives reflect a sailing past in dissonance with a motor present. A half-dozen sayings come immediately to mind: “Success is not a destination, it is a journey,” or “most of the time we concentrate on where we’re going and forget about how we’re getting there,” and so forth. Well folks, quality is under siege by infidels flying the flag of efficiency. I truly believe that whomsoever would question why one would want to zigzag (in sailing, this is known as “tacking”) his way to a given point instead of heading straight for it under power (and smoke and noise) is a sorry creature, quite capable of proving—- by his own misfortune—- that Darwin was indeed a better scientist than sailor. Man might be descended from ape, but sailors certainly are not. All right, so tech-lovers find some sort of beauty in their motors—- there is no question they put up with ever-noxious side effects. I myself do not find beauty in machines—- Zen and Motorcycles notwithstanding—- and refuse to apologize for it. Please do not misinterpret
me. I do not hate machines. I agree they sometimes make our lives
easier, but I don’t think they are beautiful, and honestly,
I often prefer life the hard way. I am searching for a hammock, two coconut trees and a sunset. Searching for the simple life. Where some folks bring a jetski to the beach, I carry a book. Come along and read along—- no need to pull in that sheet and close haul the craft to get there fast and be the first to round the windward mark. Just enjoy the ride... if it is speed you need, try a Tri-Foiler (at least it does not have a motor)...I’ll see you at the end of the day and the smile on my face will be just as true. Oh yes.... once in a while we will talk about why a mast stayed by a three point 120º system is superior to a traditional backstay arrangement. We will delve into esoteric gunk like why it is convenient for the rubrail to enclose the external lap flange of the through-bolted hull-to-deck joint. But mostly we will stick to bread and butter issues, like for instance: where does the phrase “between the devil and the deep blue sea” come from? So get yourself some sun, some trade winds and a sailboat, and join me on the leeward course. By the way—- about “the devil and the deep blue sea”, yes... well you see, in ships of old, the outermost plank on deck was known to all as the devil. It had to be paid (caulked) with tar to keep it from the ravages of salt corrosion—- hence the saying “he’ll have the devil to pay”. Frequently sailors found themselves trying to best do this difficult job by hanging over the side. Therefore, whenever folks find that they’re in a hard situation, they will refer to themselves as between the devil and the deep blue sea... a sailing present...
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| Monday, August 15, 2005 Online Edition 33 | ||
| Reggae livens up itself By FEDERICO FERNANDEZ-ARMESTO Behind tinted windows of well-built jeeps and pick-ups, bangs an infectious beat. The streets are full of it, the clubs obsessed: Honduras it seems is smitten. The bastard child of the promiscuous rhythms of hip hop and the faithful tones of reggae, ‘reggaetton’ is a recent cultural phenomenon sweeping through Latin America to the rest of the world. Walking through Tegucigalpa, the relentless boom bap-bap of this new musical hybrid is inevitable. Almost overnight, reggaetton has ousted more traditional dances from the local palette. Still, the reggaetton rhythm is not entirely unfamiliar. No musical mould has been broken, merely warped by pounding drum tracks and over-enthusiastic synthesizers. Though such a description may sound futuristic, reggaetton’s roots can be traced back to over three centuries ago, when Africans were first brought to the Caribbean as slaves, bringing their own music with them. Where the two cultures met, two new forms emerged – Bomba and Plena. Both are almost instantly recognizable as African, both clearly noticeable in today’s reggaetton. Plena especially is an obvious ancestor – in the past, slave populations would broadcast news amongst themselves to the rhythm played on a conga drum. This survives in the verbal picture-painting of reggaetton’s rappers. Puerto Rico is generally considered the home of reggaetton. It’s predominantly mulatto population and the widespread popularity of hip-hop culture on the island, made reggaetton a natural evolution for the natives. In 1985, Puerto Rico’s Vico C released one of the first Spanish rap records and since then, the island has been the most heavily represented Latin community in hip-hop. Hip-hop is as much a Latin phenomenon as it is a black one. That the Hispanic contribution to the culture in its earliest stages was overlooked by both the industry and the media is an inexplicable injustice. Apart from a few exceptions – most notably Puerto Rock’s Big Pun, “the first Latin rapper to batter your soul”, who died of heart failure in 1999 – this contribution has never really received full credit. Now, with the rapid rise of reggaetton, that credit may well be due. For the first time, Latin rap has asserted its own identity, proclaimed in a voice that is entirely its own. All the same, it is easy to overestimate Puerto Rico’s role in the creation of this new form. The meetings of Latin and African cultures in the rest of the Caribbean are all too easily forgotten. Here in Honduras, for instance, reggaetton fans are keen to emphasize their own country’s contribution, stressing the importance of the Punta rhythm, brought over by ancestors of the North Coast’s Garífunas. Punta plays a major part in the music of Los Locos del Barrio, one of the nation’s favorite groups. Equally important to the movement is Panama, where Spanish reggae was first produced. The Panama sound is more organic, more traditional, closer to the Jamaican than the staccato and energetic style of reggaetton. Perhaps more similar to reggaetton, in fact, is the Dominican Republic’s ‘merenrap’, a mix of the traditional Merengue beat and the funky hip hop sound of the early 90’s West Coast. Despite such diverse influences, reggaetton itself does not seem to be a very varied form. Passing parked cars and pulperias, it is hard to differentiate between tunes. Simple chords, rigid rhythms and machine-gun flows characterize the genre. This does not necessarily belittle the form: reggaetton thrives not on creativity, but on pure energy, just as its artist build reputations not on variety or technique, but on their ability to outdo their competitors. Honduras most successful export, Dj Sy, has furthered his career by ‘beefing’, lyrically gunning-down not only his counterparts, but also his former colleagues. An ongoing battle between Sy and Killa, who together made up the group La Flota, has seen Killa’s career all but washed under. Where reggaetton will go in the future is an open question. However, the ever-increasing popularity of hip-hop bodes well for the genre and the gradual merging of the two forms suggests a new goldmine for Latin America. Fortunately, unlike gold, music is not so easy for foreign investors to steal. While the gold belongs to the land, the music belongs to the people. Though it may be exploited and imitated, the reggaetton sound is so tightly woven into the fabric of the culture that here, it seems, is a local product that will maintain its Latin American identity. |
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Get
to the punta: reggaetton inspires revellers to shake it.| Monday, August 8, 2005 Online Edition 32 | ||
| Photography Exhibit Tours Honduras By CHRISTINA MONNELLY A mobile photography exhibit with a difference has been making its way around Honduras since the beginning of July. The exhibition, entitled Images of my life, the city and the countryside, is the latest project conceived by the organization “Libre Expressión”. The exhibition displays the works of children expressing their life and struggles through the medium of photography. 42 children from Tegucigalpa,
the valley of Amarateca and the rural area of Santa Barbara took part
in the project. All come from deprived areas, some of whom have been
completely excluded from education. A workshop given to these children
consisted of talks on child rights as well as allowing the opportunity
for the children to interpret the world arou The 50 best pictures from the workshop have started their tour of the country, already visiting Naranjito de Santa Bárbara and Santa Rosa de Copán, and can now be seen in San Pedro Sula. By the end of the tour, the exhibit will have been displayed in 5 cities and 6 towns. This exhibition aims to give the people of Honduras the opportunity to see their country through the eyes of their children and think about the daily reality in which they live. It also hopes to introduce a form of art and culture, photography in this case, in such a manner that demonstrates the accessibility of art to everyone. The tour also aims to enhance the knowledge of teachers and children alike concerning the issue of child rights, as workshops are being held in the days after the exhibit. These workshops are set to benefit hundreds of teachers and thousands of children nationwide. The organization in charge of this project, “Libre Expressión”, is a recently founded International Non-Governmental Organization, which aims to provide Honduran children with complementary education in the field of art and culture. Through the work of Maaike Smulders, a Dutch volunteer, Anna Berardi, a UN Volunteer Specialist of Italy, and Heleci Ramirez, an Honduran photographer, “Libre Expressión” has expanded greatly. This project and subsequent
mobile exhibit were able to happen due to the services of the French
Alliance in coordinating the sponsorship from various organizations,
such as the Holland Embassy, ONG Compartir, Kodak, Arte Acción,
UNICEF, SETCO and the Secretary of Culture Art and Sport. The exhibit schedule is as follows: 27 July - 08 August San Pedro Sula, 11 - 24 August La Ceiba, 27 August - 02 September Tela, 05 - 16 September El Progresso, 21 - 27 September Catacamas, 30 September - 13 October Chuloteca, 16 - 21 October Paraíso, 24 October - 1 November Danlí, 04 - 10 November Yuscarán. Social Tourism By MARCO CACERES I’d like to dedicate this column to First Baptist Church http://www.firstbaptistnewalbany.com) of New Albany, Mississippi, and specifically to Dr. Ron Feather who lost his life during a recent mission trip to Honduras. Dr. Feather was a dentist who was part of medical/dental/construction volunteer team sent by First Baptist to work at the Hospital Bautista de Guiamaca. Dr. Feather died on July 26, 2005 when the pick-up truck in which he was riding lost its breaks and overturned in the mountains near Guiamaca. The truck was carrying about 20 team members, including volunteers from Crosspoint Baptist Church of Sumter, South Carolina; a student leadership team from Helps International Ministries of Asheville, North Carolina; and staff members of the Hospital Bautista. All of the passengers were ejected and were injured during the accident. six of them critically. Dr. Feather was killed instantly. The team was returning from one of its daily mobile clinics to the mountain communities near Guiamaca. Each time I travel to Honduras and return to the US, I make it a point to observe at airports the members of volunteer mission groups that visit Honduras daily. There are hundreds of these groups, usually consisting of anywhere between 10-100 people. Most are either professionals with an expertise or skills to contribute or students wishing to help in any way they can. I always make an effort to approach these humanitarians, these volunteers and thank them for their work. It is the very least we can do for foreigners who freely choose to give their time and money to help the people of Honduras. These individuals could easily be playing golf or tennis at a country club somewhere. Instead, they are trudging through the mountains of Honduras. Usually, they are having the time of their lives. That’s the kind of stuff North Americans just love to do. The loss of Dr. Feather, however, tends to bring us all back down to earth. The following is a selected list of upcoming missions to Honduras. Please share this information with anyone you feel may benefit from the services that will be provided. August 12-20, 2005 / Send Hope, Inc. (www.send-hope.org) of Allen, Texas, will sponsor a dental mission to La Mosquitia during August 12-20, 2005. Contact Tom Brian, DDS, atbdds@yahoo.com August 13-21, 2005 / A medical mission team from Reveille United Methodist Church organized by The Friends of Barnabas Foundation (www.fobf.org) of Chesterfield, Virginia, will visit Honduras during August 13-21, 2005. Contact: Ellen Bruny, at (804) 285-4690 or Rev. Linwood Cook, friendsofbarnabas@hotmail.com August 27-30, 2005 / Honduras Baptist Medical Dental Mission (www.medicaldental.org) of Laurel, Mississippi, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to San Pedro Sula (Cortes) during August 27-30, 2005. Contact: Steve Long, atlong@carolina.rr.com August 27-September 4,
2005 / Christian Medical & Dental Associations (www.cmdahome.org)of
Bristol, Tennessee, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to Langue
(Valle) during September 4-11, 2005 / Life Church of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, will send a 20-25 member mission team to work in Hope for Honduras, Inc.’s (www.hopeforhonduras.org) the Nueva España de Mogote neighborhood of Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan) during September 4-11, 2005. The work will vary from construction & repair and feeding children to medical care and evangelism. Contact: Ron and Shelley Jones, hondoron@multivisionhn.net September 10-17, 2005 / Honduras Baptist Medical Dental Mission (www.medicaldental.org) of Laurel, Mississippi, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to San Pedro Sula (Cortes) during September 10-17, 2005. Contact: George Hardin, george.hardin@teknovation.net September 10-18, 2005 / A medical mission team from Laurel Hill United Methodist Church organized by The Friends of Barnabas Foundation (www.fobf.org) of Chesterfield, Virginia, will visit Honduras during September 10-18, 2005. Contact: Erin Caldwell at (804) 706-5663 or Rev. Linwood Cook, friendsofbarnabas@hotmail.com September 16-24, 2005 /
Send Hope, Inc. (www.send-hope.org) of Allen, Texas, will sponsor
a dental mission to La Mosquitia during during September 17-24, 2005.
The team will be hosted by Save the Children. Contact: Lynda Peters,
drector@medico.org
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Interview with Jack Clinton Everett A. By EVA BROOKS HTW. Thank you for coming to talk with me. You have been Governor of the Bay Islands for two years, now. Briefly what has been your greatest achievement? G - During 2002 -03 we had this terrible problem: An embargo on the fishing and shrimp industry imposed by the United States. It strangulated the economy, not only the fishing industry, but also the “trickle down” effect caused much harm in the community. I, and others, worked to get the embargo lifted and we hope there will be no recurrence of this kind again. HTW. We can’t
get into the details of this event because we have much to cover. G - It involved many people, especially Julio Galindo and his sons, owners of Anthony’s Key., but this expansion has done so much for this Island. Huge cruise ships – some with more than 3,000 passengers – board here. Several times each week. They are a shot in the arm for the economy. The consequence of this can only be guessed at. Potential real estate investors, restaurant, museum, gift shop visitors, divers, lookers, - they scrutinize everything the island has to offer. They might be swimming with the Dolphins at Anthony’s Key , taking tours all over Roatan, inspecting H.B. Warren, our schools and hospitals, etc. Of course they spent which in turns increases in various ways Revenues that the island is able to send to the mainland. So my work on the docks was essential and a priority at that time. HTW. What are some of your major goals for the island’s future? The governor smiled and then sighed.… G - This is an election year. We hope, we think, that Julio Galindo a former Senator, who is running for mayor against Dale Jackson will be elected as Roatan’s mayor. He has done more than most for Roatan. He has created jobs, Anthony’s Key – a model of a tourist destination – employs more than 170 poeple. He has been instrumental in support of Roatan’s infra structure, for example schools, the police, hospitals, etc more than anyone I know of. So we hope – and there are some positive indications. If Galindo is elected in November and becomes mayor in January 2006, that I will be working with Julio in behalf of Roatan as his Vice Mayor. HTW - We are encouraged to hear this, What will be the new administrations priorities. G - Clearly Roatan has many needs. Much of those – improvements of health care, Smaller classrooms in schools, teacher encouragement and continuing education, preschool facilities, a viable police presence, upkeep of major roads, and so on – need our immediate attention, so it is difficult to predict what our priorities. However, the islands, and especially Roatan have worked to make this a very desirable tourist destination, for example the Shrimp Festival and the upcoming other festivals, the cruise ships, etc. have provided revenues for the Federal Government. We need to see that the Federal Government contributes adequately to Roatan’s welfare, so that its citizens are served. As everyone is aware we must have an experienced police force, who is supported by an adequate infrastructure which should include vehicles, motor cycles, bicycles and a comprehensive communication system, phones, cell phones, etc. On the other hand the islands need marked roads, street names, numbered houses, so that they can be located by the police, by fire trucks, ambulances and so on. HTW - We feel assured that you have been thinking and planninG - The future seems brighter, if you can work out some of these problems Meanwhile since security is on every ones mind, what to do, right now? G - People , neighbors must look out for each other. In newly created communities, people must learn to shift for themselves, get dogs, build high-wire fences, hire private police protection, get a watch man, install burglar alarms, Rome was not build in one day… HTW - The future of the islands, indeed of all of Honduras depends on educated man and women. People, who can plan, lead, compete in the global economy, set standards for others, etc What is happening in the island’s schools at the present time. G - I have some good things to report, although we have a long way to go… First, I am most concerned that the delay of the opening of Bay Island University in French Harbor is still in question. This institution led by Pastor Elwin Perry has great potential. It would feel the needs of Not only Roatan, but also Utila and Guanaja. Without getting into too much detail this university is trying and is able to educate youngsters to become leaders much as you described.
H - I am confident that BIU will become an accredited institution. They do have great teachers and an experienced knowledgeable leadership. Just briefly, now, what is happening in the public schools? G - Teacher attendance is closely monitored, new textbooks have been issued, and the local government is keeping close watch. Some time ago I was able to collect contributions from various business people, so that we could put computers to check attendance, etc into some of the schools. H - Are you thinking and planning for Day Care and early childhood education? G - We are indeed. Some small steps have been taken. Viviene Tugliani, who is the director of a day care center, whose space was donated by the local government, has managed to get some good people. These women not only provide care, but also managed to see that even the youngest are beginning the learning process. They are learning to remember letters, numbers, days of the week, names of animals, how to share, wait your turn and much more. I had the pleasure to observe. I was moved and impressed. H - There are many – much more I would like to explore with you. However, for the time being we have covered a great deal and touched on many issues. I am most grateful for your sharing your thoughts with us and being so generous with your time.
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nd them through photography.| Monday, August 1, 2005 Online Edition 31 | ||
| HGTV films House Hunters segment on Roatan By MARCIA QUINN Home & Garden Television (HGTV) cameras rolled this week on Roatan as they taped a 30-minute segment for their reality series House Hunters. This is the first time the series has moved beyond U.S. borders to feature a prospective home buyer in an international location. The HGTV network broadcasts to more than 80 million U.S. homes. It is one of the fastest-growing networks in cable television history. “This show is going to cast Roatan into the limelight and bound to have an profound impact on the number of people coming here for both tourism and investment,” says Roatan Realty Office Manager, Mike Brown. “After seeing the three luxurious homes on the show, people are going to realize that Roatan has some very unique, posh properties in addition to beautiful beaches and diverse underwater reef.” Mike Brown was the catalyst behind bringing HGTV to Roatan. He was first approached by a show executive who wanted to feature a couple moving from the United States to an international location. Roatan Realty clients Gary Howorka and Rebecca Anderson, a happy, vivacious couple, were perfect House Hunter “stars”. Roatan Realty agent Jeff Thekan’s friendly outgoing personality, which rivals that of his clients, made the casting decision for an agent very easy. So, for the last three months, Mike and his Roatan Realty staff quietly worked behind the scenes making all the necessary arrangements to bring the show to the island. They put the entire shooting schedule together, ensured all the homes were available, flew in the buyers, provided accommodations, transport and boats. From touring houses to making offers, each half-hour House Hunters episode highlights the real experiences of finding and purchasing a new home. The TV crew, consisting of a camera person, audio engineer, producer/director and production assistant, follow Gary and Rebecca on Roatan as Jeff takes them to look at three upscale homes, located in Port Royal, Politilly Bight and Gibson Bight. Viewers also go on the home tours and are taken behind the scenes as the couple weigh up the pros and cons of each property. The show focuses on the buyer and real estate agent as they go through the home-buying process. Much of the tropical island scenery was also taped for the program. Although the couple purchased several parcels of land on Roatan the show focuses on selecting a suitable house. The couple plan to move to Roatan from Minnesota in October. So, which house did they select? Was it Casa Bonita in Port Royal, Fuego del Mar in Politilly or the beachfront two-story near Half Moon Bay? The surprise outcome will be shown on HGTV this fall. HTW will publish the date and time as soon as the show is scheduled.
Tegucigalpa. At the clay tennis courts in La Ceiba, tennis fans may feel like playing on the (brick dust) surface, rare in Honduras . But if you add real life Argentine (ATP) pro coaches to the courts, the temptation is total. For the two men that run the place, coach players, and guide them into the pro tennis circuit are real Argentine coaches. Mentored by legend Guillermo Vilas, one of them once toured with Guillermo Coria and Gastón Gaudio (Roland Garros 2004 runner-up and champion) as a trainer. The relatively new tennis camp is located in Honduras, in the middle of Central America. Far from Argentina, home country to quite a bit of tennis history, Martín Errecalde and Eduardo, his brother, dream of spotting and training local aspiring stars tired of throwing away their money on commercial academies like many in the USA. The battle is hard. Local mentalities are hard to overcome,and with no professional tennis history in Honduras, the dream seems harder to materialise. But tennis at the Errecaldes´ is a solid and interesting option to the existing roads to greatness. Both lived most of their adult lives in Europe, touring as pro tennis players and then as professional coaches. Both speak Spanish, Italian, French, English and German. In touch with Argentina’s tennis elite, they know the comings and goings of the main associations of world tennis, the ATP and ITF. Seduced by Caribbean beaches, they bought a large chunk of seafront land in La Ceiba. They created a no-nonsense, high performance complex consisting of six courts (five of them brick dust, one hard) and two lovely, large bungalows with rooms that can house up to ten people. They take in a few players at a time to ensure direct, personalized contact. Stressing on physical training, game techniques, psychological preparation and match tactics. They also orient the best to get on the way to the ATP rankings. “Tennis is an expensive sport, but the money you get if and once you are seeded into the top one hundred, provides instant rewards”, said Eduardo. “Talent is obligatory, as well as inner fire and hunger to win matches. You need to want to win each one of your matches” he added. “The desire to win is a must”. Playing on these courts at noon-time provides about the toughest conditions most players competing in the ATP tours have to face. Hot and humid temperatures, reminisce sites like Miami, Monte Carlo and Sydney, sites of top ATP competitions. Already in Honduras for
2.5 years,it has been tougher than they imagined. Used to well organized
tennis clubs in Buenos Aires, tackling a high performance tennis camp
locally is a different story. But they do train Guatemalan rising
stars Santiago Centeno and Christopher Diaz Recently, the Argentine
team beat Australia´s in their quest for the 2005 Davis Cup.
Gastón Etlis, member of this team, used to be Martin’s
pupil. Argentina is no doubt one of the brightest shining stars in
the tennis circuit. “Having us in this country is a luxury”
stresses Eduardo in his famously Argentine attitude. “It is
a chance to be taken, for we are capacle of getting good results.”
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Social Tourism By MARCO CACERES
The month of July seems to be the peak period for foreign volunteer missions to Honduras. We counted 23 teams that traveled to the country to provide a mix of medical, surgical and dental care, construction and repair services and feeding programs. With 20 missions, January was the second most active month thus far, this year. The teams in July came from medical brigade organizations, churches, universities, and high schools from a dozen states in the US including Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The teams averaged 20 members each, for a total of about 400 “social tourists” visiting Copan Ruinas, Gracias, Muchilena, Nueva Esperanza, Orica, Puerto Lempira, Quimistan, San Pedro Sula, Santa Rita, Tegucigalpa and Tela. The missions lasted an average of 7-10 days each. Each one cost an average of $1’500 including airfare, fees, food, ground transportation and lodging. We estimate an additional $100 were spent on souvenirs and miscellaneous items by each team member and an average of $200 per individual were donated to the projects. Based on our numbers, Honduras benefited (directly and indirectly) approximately $720’000 from social tourism in July. When you consider that we probably only capture about 10% of the foreign missions to Honduras, the figure could well be $7.2 million. Now we’re talking real money. The following is a listing of selected upcoming missions during the month of August. Please pass this information on to anyone you feel may benefit from the services that will be offered. August 2005 / Liberty Church and MamaTara Miskito Ministries will send a mission team to the MamaTara Miskito Orphanage (www.mamatara.org) in Puerto Lempira (Gracias a Dios) during August 2005. The team will provide a children’s ministry and evangelism, as well as work on small construction projects. Contact: Tracy Houpt, tracy@mamatara.org August 1-15 / Journey
Church of Norman, Oklahoma, will send a 20-25 member mission team to
work in Hope for Honduras, Inc.(www.hopeforhonduras.org) the Nueva España
de Mogote neighborhood of Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan) during August
1-15, 2005. The work will vary from construction & repair and feeding
children to medical care and evangelism. Contact: Ron and Shelley Jones,
hondoron@multivisionhn.net August 6-13 / Medical Ministry International (www.mmint.org) of Allen, Texas, will sponsor a medical mission to San Jose de Copan (Copan) during August 6-13, 2005. Contact: Gustavo and Mildred Elicegui; Julie Borrenpohl, julieb@mmint.org August 12-20 / Send Hope, Inc. (www.send-hope.org) of Allen, Texas, will sponsor a dental mission to La Mosquitia during August 12-20, 2005. Contact Tom Brian, DDS, atbdds@yahoo.com August 13-21 / A medical mission team from Reveille United Methodist Church organized by The Friends of Barnabas Foundation (www.fobf.org) of Chesterfield, Virginia, will visit Honduras during August 13-21, 2005. Contact: Ellen Bruny, at (804) 285-4690 or Rev. Linwood Cook, riendsofbarnabas@hotmail.com August 27-30 / Honduras Baptist Medical Dental Mission (www.medicaldental.org) of Laurel, Mississippi, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to San Pedro Sula (Cortes) during August 27-30, 2005. Contact: Steve Long, atlong@carolina.rr.com August 27-September 4 / Christian Medical & Dental Associations (www.cmdahome.org)of Bristol, Tennessee, will sponsor a medical/dental mission to Langue (Valle) during August 27-September 4, 2005. Estimated mission fee (per person) is $1,600. Contact: William Sasser, MD, gho@cmdahome.org
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Gary
gets wired for sound on the HGTV set.
By
ALEJANDRA PAREDES
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