Economic growth failing
to help the poor

Rachel Fitch
Honduras This Week

Martin Santiago, UNDP, Ruben Katzman, CEPAL, Vilma Morales, the Supreme Court, Lorenzo Jimenez, UNDP, Glenda Gallardo, UNDP, and Fernando Calderon, UNDP, at the presentation of the 2006 Human Development Report for Honduras.

Government reforms have failed to ease Honduras's deepening poverty crisis, a major new report has found.

The UNDP's Human Development Report 2006 for Honduras, published recently, reveals an extra 110,000 families are living in poverty compared to 14 years ago.

Life expectancy has dropped for Honduran nationals and unemployment has risen by 26 per cent since 1990, according to the UNDP.

The 200-page report looks at the expansion of citizenship in Honduras. It focuses on areas like economics, immigration, employment and violence.

Mario Posas, a sociologist involved in compiling the report, said citizenship was a critical issue facing Honduras and was directly linked to the country's development.

He said: "It is difficult to have development in the full sense when there is so much poverty and inequality. We want to put poverty, social rights and economic rights on the Government's agenda."by: Rachel Fitch

Teaching Federation strikes continue

Sophie Cross
Honduras This Week

Sophie Cross/Honduras This Week
Sergio Rivera, president of COPEMH, meets with other union presidents from the teachers' federation to discuss recent developments.

A teachers' union strike of Monday May 22nd saw more than 55,000 teachers refusing to work throughout the country and blocking 18 main roads in protest. The Federation of Honduran Teaching Organizations (FOMH) have organized four protests previously this year as a means of pressuring the government into listening to their demands.

Union leaders met on Tuesday afternoon to evaluate their current campaign calling for the government to abolish the decree signed in January 2004 by former president Ricardo Maduro which has ´frozen´ certain aspects of the Honduran teaching statute, such as salary increase. by: Sophie Cross

Masters course in Central American literature on offer at UNAH

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

The application process is currently underway at UNAH (National Autonomous University of Honduras) for its newest post-graduate degree: a Masters in Central American literature. The specialized course is the only one of its kind in Honduras. Even general literature degrees are scarce in the country, with only UNAH and the National Pedagogical University Francisco Morazán offering them.

University degrees in Literature in the country traditionally consist of the study of materials from around the world, particularly from France, Italy and Spain. For this reason, UNAH's new Masters course is somewhat pioneering in that it not only includes literature from the region in which it is taught, but concentrates solely on Central American work. It is an attempt to restore the importance of Central American literature for the area's inhabitants; to stimulate them to read more about their history and to be more culturally aware of their countrymen's literary accomplishments. by: Hannah Green

Honorary consul bringing Japanese oil explorers to Honduras

Mario Gutierrez
Honduras This Week

Mario Gutierrez/Honduras This Week
The Honorary Consul of Honduras in Los Angeles, George V. Chilingar, has recieved numerous awards and medals.

Professor George V. Chilingar of the University of Southern California recently received the Knight of the Arts and Sciences award from the Russian Academy of National Sciences and the White Elephant Medal of Honor from Thailand. Doctor Chilingar has been Honorary Consul of Honduras in Los Angeles, California, for the past twenty years.

He established the Endowed Fellowship for Honduran students to obtain Master of Science degrees in environmental engineering at the University of Southern California. Last year, David Murillo achieed an M.S. degree in environmental engineering with honours and returned to Honduras to serve his country. His cost of education was $45,000.by: Mario Gutierrez

World cup craze
sweeps the nation

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

It is hard to escape the FIFA World Cup hysteria that is currently gripping the globe. The 32 teams involved begin their campaign to be crowned football champions of the world on 9th June 2006. However, there is another side to the World Cup that has taken hold of a surprisingly wide number and variety of people both worldwide and in Honduras: filling the official FIFA World Cup album with 596 different stickers relating to the tournament.

Football fever is a year-round labor of love for Hondurans. Despite Honduras' first and last appearance in the World Cup being 24 years ago, fans of 'the beautiful game' here still avidly follow the competition. Thousands of fans have contributed to the success of this phenomenon - collecting stickers depicting every player, team and stadium that will feature in the World Cup. Both the albums and stickers are on sale from the most frequented establishments in the country, from petrol stations to coffee shops. The book itself costs 30 Lempiras, and stickers come in packs of five for 7 Lempiras.by: Hannah Green

Chaos in the capital because of taxi strike

Health service in "coma"" because of crisis state

Carnival of goals

Honduras join free borders agreement

President calls for Hondurans to re-subscribe to TPS

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURISTIC SPOT IN HONDURAS
AND CENTRAL AMERICA

The giant dam

A giant hydroelectric project producing 704 megavolts worth of electricity has been suggested by neighbors Honduras and El Salvador and given the name El Tigre. In Honduran, El Tigre is a sly and cunning person, which makes you wonder if the Salvadorians have an ace up their sleeve.

The construction of the dam is inconvenient and it makes it evident that the Hondurans are not as wise as the Salvadorians.

There are several reasons for this. Constructing the floodgates on Salvadorian land will extend their territory and they will gain rights over the mirror of the water located on the Honduran side of the border. Where you find the turbines, you find the administration - and of course all that is found on Salvadorian territory. Accumulating and administrating the water in this way is a guarantee for the Salvadorians that they will have permanent access to water without any cost. Also, El Salvador has already invaded Honduras twice, which has led to a lack of confidence. Maybe they should even finance the dam, due to the damage inflicted on Honduras during their 1969 invasion. Full Editorial

Honduras This Week
The Maya Sculpture Museum with its full sized replica of the Rosalia Temple is a must see on virtually all visitors' lists to Copan.

Restaurante Yaragua opened its doors a few months back and the initial results are very promising. It is wedged between Hotel Yaragua and Yaragua Tours - the restaurant that goes by the same name and shares the same owner - and has earned quite a name for itself amongst locals and tourists for their large well-prepared portions of hearty typical fare. The dining room is a simple affair and reflects the town itself: saddles, ceramics and other local paraphernalia hang from wooden beams and walls, chairs and tables are simple and sturdy, stressing utility over comfort. There is a small bar with the requisite color television and the place is one of the few in town to boast air-conditioning for those hot days when staying cool is the priority. The menu is heavy on typical Copan chow like grilled meats that come with the requisite sides of refried beans, rice, hard country cheese, tortillas and chismol. It offers up heaped portions of perfectly grilled steaks and chicken as well as fish and seafood dishes.Full Update

Roatan Bruce Interviews

The Changing of the Guard

Bruce Starr
National Tourist Police Chief Jaime Barahona, National Police Commissario Carlos Mejia, and Deputy Police Commissario Julio Benitez.

So much is changing right before our eyes on Roatan. One of the most dramatic changes the Bay Islands are going through is the changing of the police in charge. We are losing two of the top National police chiefs who have been with us for a few years. The National Police Commissario Jorge Carias is leaving after a little more than one year of service as well as the National Tourist Police Chief Jaime Barahona who has been with us for 2 ½ years. See Complete Interview

Don Pearly
Honduras This Week

PUT AWAY THE CRASH HELMETS

A NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK IN BRIGHT YELLOW

ABOUT THAT CEIBA CARNIVAL

HE CAME, HE SAW AND HE LEFT WITH AN EMPTY SHOPPING CART

AN OPINION POLL

Courtesy of University of Liverpool
Robin Knox-Johnston - one of few sailors who have earned the title "Mariner."

"During these days a feeling of awe crept over me. My memory worked with startling power. The ominous, the insignificant, the great, the small, the wonderful, the commonplace all appeared before my mental vision in magical succession."--Joshua Slocum, Sailing Alone Around the World

Seven years before my birthday, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the tallest mountain on the planet. In 1967, Francis Chichester sailed alone around the world. In 1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin reached Earth's moon. By:Jorge Agurcia Fasquelle.

I recently received an e-mail from a manager of a five star resort hotel in the Caribbean advising me that the resort has "relaxed" its no pet policy, and now permits guests to bring their pets on vacation. There is something to be said for a resort that does not allow children under 16, but will allow dogs. The resort has taken the pet policy one step further by offering a gourmet in-room dining menu for your pet. Apparently, anytime a hotel can command room rates in excess of $500 per night, the phrase room service is automatically replaced with in-room dining. I have to wonder, when you call to place an order, does the receptionist answer the phone with "in-room dining, how may I help you?" The e-mail also guaranteed gourmet handmade doggie treats as part of their evening turndown service. By Daniel O'Connor

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Armando Sarmiento, new director of the Honduran tax authority DEI, is determined not to let politics influence his work.

Previously unknown both to politicians and the general public, 33-year-old journalist Armando Sarmiento was a surprising and somewhat controversial choice as the new director of the Honduran tax authority DEI. The youngest director ever and with no experience in tax questions, many considered it an obvious case of nepotism since he is related to the first lady Xiomara Castro.By: Anette Emanuelsson

Mixed reactions over plans to commence free trade talks

Rachel Fitch
Honduras This Week

Courtesy of the European Union
Manuel Zelaya with his Central American colleagues and representatives from the European Union.

Negotiations will be held between Central America and Europe in the hope of strengthening the continents' links.

Honduras is one of six Central American nations that have agreed to enter into talks with the European Union. The establishment of a free-trade zone will be at the heart of discussions, due to begin sometime before the end of the year.

Leaders from Central America and the EU agreed to launch trade talks when they met at a summit in Vienna, Austria, last weekend. Both blocs hope an agreement will bolster trade growth between them and encourage economic improvements in the poorer countries.By: Rachel Fitch

Smog will disperse soon

Weather experts predict the mist that has been shrouding Tegucigalpa will disperse within the next few days.

The captial city has been covered with a blanket of hazy smog since last month. The conditions have brought with them soaring temperatures.

But Ernesto Salgado, of Honduras's National Meteorological Service, said the start of the rains should help disperse the particles in the air, improving visibility and making it cooler. He predicts the rainy season will begin in the country's central zone any day now. Full Story . by: Rachel Fitch

Olimpia going for their third consecutive title

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Luciano Emilio will be one of the key players in the football finals between Olimpia and Victoria.

Olimpia from Tegucigapla and Victoria from La Ceiba are the two teams that will be competing for victory in the national football league. The first final is played in La Ceiba on May 20th and the other in Tegucigalpa on May 28th.

According to Chelato Ucles, who coached the Honduran national team until 2005, these are two worthy finalists. "During the season there have been better teams but what they lacked was consistency." He exemplifies Vida from La Ceiba. They were among the top teams until recently, but only managed to obtain two out of 15 points in the last few games. Olimpia, on the other hand, has been the most stable team of the season - since they took the lead they stayed there. Victoria has had its ups and downs during the season but never sank as low as Vida and now enters the finals with a rising form chart. "In the last five games, Victoria has scored an impressive number of goals," according to Ucles.Full Update

Gang members terrorise university students

Petroleum negotiations with Venezuela

Investigations promised into closed schools

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURISTIC SPOT IN HONDURAS
AND CENTRAL AMERICA

National vehicles

It has been decided that only half of the vehicles belonging to the government are allowed to circulate on any given day. The idea is to save fuel, but the move is nothing but a smoke screen and doesn't affect the consumption of national gasoline much. And although it is important to save fuel, it is just as important for the government to have access to its fleet of vehicles in order for it to carry out its functions.

Government responsibility, when it comes to the uncontrolled fuel consumption, is to be found on another plane. It has been unable to dissolve the traffic congestion on our streets when it could at least start an information campaign stimulating people to leave their car at home and use public transport or even walk. Full Editorial

Looking for something to do on a long, hot Honduran springtime weekend? Well, why not consider heading up to the Cangrejal River for a weekend of fun in the Honduran mountain sun. And I've got just the place in mind where you can engage in a bit of adrenaline pumping outdoor adventure, eat great food and commune with the nearby Pico Bonito National Park. The Omega Lodge run by longtime German residents Udo and Sylvia is the place to check out on your next Cangrejal River adventure, and they've got everything you need for a fun, refreshing weekend getaway.

Omega Lodge specializes in white water rafting adventures. We took the 1/2 day rafting trip which first involved a lot of non rafting experiences to get the day rolling. Donning protective helmets, lifejackets and a waterproof jacket we plunged into the river to do a bit of cross rapid swimming, heading up river. Next a bit of river walking in and on the shores of the Cangrejal River. The highlights of the river hike were the huge boulders which we used as diving boards, the tallest topping out at some seven meters in height. Although they weren't really that high, standing on the edge and looking down into the swirling rapids below was a bit daunting at first, but the best way to set off from the edge is to just resign yourself to the fact that you WILL jump no matter what and that there is no turning back. The jumps were great and the water refreshing on a hot, hot day. After all that river hiking, swimming and jumping, it was time to do a bit of down stream floating which got us to our point of departure for the rafting adventure part of the program.Full Update

Roatan Bruce Interviews

An Eleven-Slip Marina in West Bay Beach?

On Saturday morning May 6th, a crowd of around 40 people gathered at the dock near The Bite on the Beach Restaurant in West Bay Beach to either support or protest the arrival of a large barge with a crane. Rumors spread quickly throughout the island that developer and real estate broker TJ Lynch was going to dredge an area of West Bay Beach and even dynamite the reef in order to make room for boats to use his proposed 11 slip marina. The ad in the newspapers said they were offering the slips for $75,000 each

In order to get the facts, I interviewed both TJ Lynch and later the representative of West Bay Beach, Don Marco Galindo. Here is what they had to say:See Complete Interview

Don Pearly
Honduras This Week

SMELL THAT DOUGH

COMING SOON

WEST END

THAT WEST END SITUATION

MINI MASS MIGRATION

TOO MANY CONDOS ON THE HORIZON

Take-away poetry set to be a success

Courtesy of Pez Dulce
Carlos Izaguirre, Jorge Federico Travieso, Rafael Paz Paredes, and Celeo Murillo Soto are just some of the Honduran poets included in Hondureños para llevar.

"There are many Honduran poets, but not much of their work is ever published or sold in bookshops," Gabriel Vallecillo tells me. Vallecillo has released several books of his own poetry, and now has another work to add to his collection. "Hondureños para llevar" (literally "Hondurans to take away") was released at a special presentation at El Museo del Hombre on Thursday featuring poetry recitals and complementary music. It is an anthology of solely Honduran poetry compiled by Vallecillo along with Ruben Izaguirre and Victor Saborío. The main stimulus for the three writers' project was their perception of a desperate need for greater cultural awareness in Honduras. By: Hannah Green

Courtesy of Zack Clark
Skipper & Crew: Jorge Agurcia, Alfonso Martinez -Bordiu and Santiago Agurcia, Copa AHSA 2005, Invitational Regatta, Lago Yojoa.

Solo sailing-The only situation in which the skipper does not immediately blame the crew for every thing that goes wrong.
--H. Beard and R. McKie, A Lubber's Dictionary

During a regatta at the lake last year, I found that I was fighting to cross the starting line with another boat that was already out of the competition. It was the fourth race and this particular skipper - the one blocking my start - had placed last in the previous three. Therefore, since he was already out of the competition, he derived no obvious benefit by blocking my start. Or so I thought. By:Jorge Agurcia Fasquelle.

As the sun is setting on another glorious day in paradise, I am blessed with company of friends and family for a happy hour celebration. The menu is frozen margaritas, nacho style chips with a homemade salsa, followed by grilled "blackened" chicken tacos.

The secret to a great margarita is blending fresh limejuice and simple syrup into a sweet-n-sour mix. To this mixture we add Grand Marnier and Tequila. The recipe is in proportions and given for a full batch in a quart sized blender. By Daniel O'Connor

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Tustacas and rosquillas are some of the products that could find a new market thanks to the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Last Thursday, twelve Tegucigalpa companies participated in the annual Hemispheric Congress of Latin Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Miami, this year with a special focus on the US-Central America free trade agreement CAFTA. Central America has traditionally had limited representation at the Congress, but this year the Chamber of Commerce of Tegucigalpa (CCIT) made a special effort to motivate its members to participate in order to show off their products and find U.S. business contacts.By: Anette Emanuelsson

New mall to cater
for a different market segment

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

Hannah Green/Honduras This Week
Marketing Manager Vanessa Peraza doesn't think that competition between the new Metromall and Multiplaza will be a problem.

This Friday saw the opening of Tegucigalpa's latest commercial attraction: the Metromall. It is the work of the same company that also brought the Multiplaza to Honduras' capital, Grupo Roble. The day of its inauguration exhibited a unique variety of discounts and offers throughout the mall. Such celebrations will continue on Mothers' Day where mariachis will play and presents will be distributed.By: Hannah Green

Taxistas seeking solution to raised
gas prices

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Cesar Pineda, Juan Angel Elvir and Edilberto Robels at the Radiotaxi garage.

The rising fuel prices have upset the public transport sector in Tegucigalpa. The bus owners have been lobbying the government for a 2.50 Lempira increase on ticket prices and threatened to block the streets. Some taxi drivers have joined forces with the National Board of Transport, which represents the public buses, and asked for a 2.50 increase also on collective taxi prices. However, many taxi drivers have opposed the increase. "We don't want to raise the prices because we don't want to affect the people," said Edilberto Robels, president of the Association of Taxi Drivers of Honduras (ATAXISH). "We have always identified with them and they have always helped us." Edilberto refers to a study from last year according to which the reasonable price for a collective taxi ride would be 15 lempiras, rather than 9.50. "There is no way the people would tolerate that," he said, also stating that such an increase would mean a loss of passengers and a reduced income for taxi drivers. By: Annette Emanuelsson

Preventing HIV/AIDS
by seeing, hearing and talking

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Hollywood actress Ashley Judd with Tatiana and Eduardo Kafati from Espresso Americano.

As part of a global HIV/AIDS prevention campaign, Hollywood actress Ashley Judd arrived in the country last Monday to get Hondurans to see, hear and talk about HIV/AIDS. Standing in front of one of the campaign posters - a picture of herself with duck tape over her mouth - at the launch of the Honduran leg of the "See, Hear, Talk" campaign, Judd explained: "The campaign is an ironic pop culture commentary on see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil." The message is spread in the shape of metal tags to hang around your neck with the campaign words on them. According to Judd, the tags, which have been sold in 20 countries worldwide, represent a challenge for the buyer to follow the campaign catchwords and to share the message with their peers.By:Anette Emanuelsson

Congress outlines national security plan

Medicines not yet arrived at the hospitals

President travels to the Summit of Vienna

Cohep requests change of labor schedule

Dunkin Donuts announces investment

Spanish industries look to invest in Honduras

Energy renegotiations could save 500 millions

Venezuelan company wants to buy DIPPSA

Decameron interested in Tela Bay

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURISTIC SPOT IN HONDURAS
AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Power and public administration

The word power has one meaning in developed countries and a completely different meaning in the developing world. In developed countries, power is not so much related to warfare as to commerce. In the Third World, power means servitude for the vast majority of people and kingdom for a chosen few.

According to former Liberal leader Modesto Rodas Alvarado, knowledge and capability can be found in any party. He never mentioned the fact that you need to demolish the public administration for sectarian benefits, and get rid of public officials from the opposition parties, like the current administration has done. Instead, he held the opinion that the Liberals didn't depend on government jobs since they knew how to find work in the private sector.Full editorial

Iguana Azul, Copan's first hostel type hotel accommodation, is now sporting a brand spanking new sign. The Iguana, as it is locally known, serves the niche market for budget backpacker travelers seeking a higher standard than usual of comfort and quality as opposed to the standard drab, dank and dark hospedaje type accommodations. The funky, multicolored sign of hand painted tiles made in Guatemala takes the place of the original hand painted sign on the front wall, which was there for the past ten or so years. Full Update

The Night the Lights Went Out in…Utila!

In the late afternoon of Friday May 5th, I walked through the Roatan International Airport after attending another event. On my way out, I saw the good Mayor Alton Cooper of Utila waiting for a plane. It gave me the opportunity to confirm the news I had heard about his island not having electricity. My source surprised me with the news that they had not had electricity for several days. Those of us living here on Roatan may complain about service, but for the most part, we have service. It was quite surprising to hear what Mayor Alton Cooper had to say about this crisis. By: Bruce Starr

Don Pearly
Honduras This Week

OVER REACTION?

HTW was alerted by other members of the Roatan Press that there was a possible altercation taking place on the beach behind Costa Tesoro, an upper class, under construction development featuring "Private Estate Villas". The facility is located between Los Rocas and Foster's resorts in beautiful West Bay.

Upon our arrival we found two distinct factions huddled a few yards apart. The group on the right was afraid that a large barge tied to an existing pier was there to begin a dredging process that would allow larger vessels to tie up to a proposed marina. They passed out a letter and copy of an ad that showed some ten slips and room for a 45 foot plus vessel on the end. This group questioned whether the Black Wolf Resort S.A. group had a legal right to do anything to alter or add to the long-standing pier.By: Don Pearly

Hope for struggling Honduran theatre

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

The Teatro Laboratorio de Honduras works to capture Honduras’ present history.Courtesy of TELAH

Honduran theatre is currently being preserved by the dedication of the few people in the country who are most passionate about it. However, there is a noticeable lack of new talent as a result of diminishing numbers of teachers and resources trying to compete with the attractions of other media. There is much to build on, but measures must be taken soon to ensure its survival. By:Hannah Green

"Tack - To shift the course of a sailboat from a direction far to the right, say, of the direction in which one wishes to go, to a direction far to the left of it."

- - H. Beard and R. McKie, A Lubber's Dictionary

Victor E. Frankl, holocaust survivor and developer of existential psychology, would say that everything can be taken from man but the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. So, we can be robbed of everything, including life itself; but no one can take our capacity to decide what to do with it while we are living.

As humans, we generally seek welfare and happiness. The U.S. Constitution, for instance, unabashedly guarantees man's right to pursue these. At times, however, conflicts get in the way of these attempts. These may occur from relationships or other external sources. But more often than not, they are caused by a misalignment of our needs, wants and desires. By Jorge Agurcia

"Stir it up, little darling, stir it up. Come on and stir it up, little darling, stir it up"

I enjoy listening to music when working in the kitchen and when Caribbean cuisine is the theme of the dinner it is the reggae tunes that get my rhythm going. My all time favorite song when cooking island recipes is Bob Marley´s Stir it Up. I spent some time in Negril, Jamaica, last week and would like to share with you one of the national dishes that has become quite popular in many Caribbean islands, including the Bay Islands of Honduras. This recipe is more of a cooking process and a technique that can be used with a variety of meats. Be forewarned that this it is not for the weak stomach, as it can become very spicy depending on the amount of time the seasoning is exposed to the product. For pork it can be rubbed and marinated for 30 minutes before cooking, for poultry, fish and seafood I strongly suggest a LIGHTER hand and to begin cooking immediately after the seasoning is applied. By Daniel O'Connor

One hundred days
of disarray

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

President Mel Zelaya (right) and Security Minister Alvaro Romero have been criticized for not having a plan for combating crime.

Sunday May 7th will mark the point where 100 days have passed since the government of Mel Zelaya was inaugurated in the National Stadium of Tegucigalpa. That means the end of the traditional respite period that is given to a new Honduran government. The 100 days are seen as an opportunity to discover the real intentions of the government and determine its capacity to fulfill the promises made during the election campaign.By Anette Emanuelsson

May Day demonstrators supporting immigrants

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
"The workers of Honduras support the Honduran immigrants fighting for their legal status in the U.S."

On May 1st, immigrants in the U.S., many of them of Latin American origin, took to the streets under the theme "A day without immigrants," protesting against a bill that would turn the millions of illegal immigrants in the country into criminals and hoping to show how important immigrants are for the U.S. economy.By:Anette Emanuelsson

Solution for cell
phone theft

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

The problem of cell phone theft is growing, particularly in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. 20,000 phones on average are stolen every year in each country. Petty crime such as this is a massive problem in itself, but it has also developed into something much more serious. About three people every month lose their lives to criminals in search of cell phones in Honduras. COMTELCA (The Commission of Telecommunications in Central America) is in the process of setting up a system to combat this worrying trend. By:Hannah Green

Congressman killed

Plans to put the clocks forward

Budget approved

May Day demonstrations draw thousands

Japanese study confirms oil in Honduras

IMF worried about Hondutel and ENEE

Reactivation of construction sector

Honduran economic growth on the rise

Many interested in selling fuel to Honduras

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURISTIC SPOT IN HONDURAS
AND CENTRAL AMERICA

The beginning of an Atlantic Oil Crisis

On April 26th, an editorial comment in the newspaper La Tribuna pointed to the strange intentions of the Nicaraguan government on the Atlantic coast above the 15th parallel, that is, part of Honduran territory.

Any such plans are entirely out of place since that area has been part of Honduran territory ever since it was granted to the country by Spanish king Alfonso XIII. Today Nicaragua is making claims because of the likelihood of finding oil, even letting two US companies proceed with the exploration in Honduran water.

The fact that Honduras doesn't protest makes one wonder what benefits Honduran politicians might gain from the deal. Why such consideration for those with expansion plans? Even the media mostly disregards what is happening.Full editorial

This week, let's talk Utila nightlife. If you're looking for trendy, brass polished bars, glitzy clubs and dress up night spots, you have hit the wrong island. Utila is famous around these parts for its laid back, chilled out, funky to the extreme atmosphere. Here, a night out starts with happy hour at one of the sea side bars. I highly recommend Tranquila Bar, which as its name suggests is a very tranquil place for worshiping the setting sun and slam down a couple of cold Honduran beers and scarf down some pre-dinner munchies. Tranquila boasts a simple open air, wood deck built out over the water. Before heading out to dock, be sure to stop by Scotties.Full Update

Kandy Hyde and New Health Facilities on Roatan

I recently had Kandy Hyde on the show. She has been leading a movement on Roatan to have more and better health care facilities.

Roatan Bruce: You have started a group called Little Friends Foundation in December of 2005 and you have since been registered by the government of Honduras as a legally recognized foundation. How did the idea for this foundation first come about?By: Bruce Starr

SO JUST WHOSE BOAT IS THAT ANYWAY?

Don Pearly/Honduras This Week
A luxurious yacht is creating buzz on Roatan.

Somehow a magnificent yacht made its way through a narrow cut in the reef and tied up at a prestigious marina here on Roatan. She is at least one hundred and fifty foot in length and probably about twenty foot abeam as they say in boat talk, abeam meaning wide. From the outside it looks like there is every possible piece of electronic gear imaginable with little domes and lots of antennae and revolving gizmos. Her stern opens up hydraulically to reveal a hold you could easily drive a truck into. Rumor has it she supports a full time crew of 14 and that they live like mini-kings and queens aboard their floating job place. By: Don Pearly

It's almost noon on a sunny day in early March as I fly out of the raft and get swept down the Cangrejal river just outside of La Ceiba. I'm wet, trying hard not to keep sliding over the rapids sans boat, and enjoying every minute of this rafting adventure.

Eventually the rafting guides catch up to me, having flipped the boat sunny side up, they pull my soaking body back into the raft and we continue down the river. Luckily, we're in Honduras so the water is warm and almost inviting.By: Don Peat

Sai•ling 1. n. the fine art of getting wet and becoming ill while slowly going nowhere at great expense.

--H. Beard and R. McKie, A Lubber's Dictionary

Photo taken by Jorge Agurcia's friend after he dragged himself onto shore in Chachahuate, while Agurcia is taking notes for this article. Courtesy of Jorge Agurcia

Cayos Cochinos (Hog Keys) are 18 nautical miles north by northeast from Boca Vieja, La Ceiba. This, by the way, is where the marinas - including the ferry dock - are located. The keys are composed of two large islands and thirteen smaller keys scattered around the southeastern approaches.By Jorge Agurcia

"I love cooking with wine; sometimes I even use it in my recipes."

Great food begins with great ingredients and cooking with wine is no exception. I have two culinary commandments about cooking with wine: First, if you won't drink it, don't cook with it and second, all wine used in cooking must be used in the form of a reduction.

The first commandment is all about quality. If the quality of the wine is undrinkable, save it for vinegar; but please don't cook with it. The second commandment says all wine used in cooking must be reduced in the sauce or dish you are cooking to extract the essence of the flavor without overpowering the dish.By Daniel O'Connor

Seeking protection from raised fuel prices

If it weren't for the price regulations, premium gasoline would cost approximately four lempiras more than it does today.

After the latest increases in gas prices, the Honduran government has come up with an unconventional approach attempting to lower gas prices: public bidding. A week ago, a contract was signed with American consultant Robert Meyeringh who will facilitate a month-long international bidding process, trying to find the lowest prices on the international petroleum market. And although he hasn't promised any price decreases, Meyeringh said that he hoped to at least provide the Hondurans with price stability.By Anette Emanuelsson

A shot in the arm for public health

George Reynolds/Honduras This Week
Doctor Iria Molina is organizing the annual Pan American Vaccination Week in Honduras.

The children of Honduras, mainly as a result of malnutrition and poor sanitation, are faced with a bewildering assortment of diseases. Polio, tetanus and influenza cut swathes through the child population every year, and many grow up with little or no protection against these killers.By: George Reynolds

Chief of police promises new station in West End

Anette Emanuelsson/Honduras This Week
Aaron Etches, owner of Sundowners and the Black Pearl in West End, has been fighting for a police station in the area.

On April 1st, business owners in West End, Roatan, held a public fundraiser to collect money for the construction of a police station in the area. Barbecue and games raised over 3,000 dollars - a first contribution to the 25,000 needed to build the police station.

Aaron Etches owns several bars in West End and he is one of the people behind the campaign to bring a police station to West End. He has seen how West End has changed from a little beach town to a major tourist destination in only a few years. "Fifteen years ago when someone came to West End we knew within one hour where they were from and for how long they were staying." By:Anette Emanuelsson

Tourism success of Semana Santa

Hannah Green
Honduras This Week

Courtesy of the Honduran Institute of Tourism
The traditional Easter procession in Comayagua attracted many visitors.

Every year, Honduran tourism soars during Semana Santa and 2006 has been no different. The Honduran Institute of Tourism recorded that in the most popular resorts such as La Ceiba and Tela in the North, Copán in the West and Choluteca in the South an average of 90% of hotel rooms were occupied during the week. The majority of the occupants were Hondurans but also consisted of a rising number of foreign tourists. By: Hannah Green.

New manager of ENEE

Airport closed owing to smoke

Teachers take to the streets

US Ambassador craves cooperation

Honduran businesses to benefit from China agreement

Zinc prices on the rise

Exporters prepare for Free Trade Agreement

Hydro-electric project could cost over a billion dollars

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURISTIC SPOT IN HONDURAS
AND CENTRAL AMERICA

Drug cartels entering Honduras

On September 12th 1997, an airplane from the Mexican Inspector General was detained with 74 kilos of cocaine on board. The detainment confirmed that drug trafficking had penetrated the Mexican state since both the plane and the crew belonged to an aero-interception team whose principal mission was detecting airplanes transporting drugs.

On February 13th 2006 an airplane traveling between the Venezuelan towns Valencia and Barinas ended up in Tegucigalpa's Toncontin internatinal airport for unknown reasons. The crew was identified as Pedro Gomez and Cristobal Jimenez, names not coinciding with the official flight plan.Full editorial

Breakfasts in Copan Ruinas are always a treat, heaping piles of hand made corn tortillas fresh from the griddle, eggs, fresh country cream, sweet fried bananas, a heaping plate of sweet tropical fruit, maybe even a slice of steak or a couple of sausages on the side, hot fresh brewed Copan coffee and if you are here in season, freshly squeezed orange juice. For many visitors to Copan, especially those from the US, breakfasts like these are a real treat, especially for those more accustomed to a bowl of Cheerios and a bagel with a shmear of cream cheese. In fact, Americans ate more than 95 million boxes of Cheerios in the past year. That's a whooping $288 million worth! Full Update

Romeo Silvestri - The Newly Re-Elected President of Canaturh Bay Islands

In January 2006, there was an election for the Presidency of Canaturh Bay Islands (the Tourism Chamber of Commerce) for the next two years. There was a great deal of activity surrounding the election. Tourism in the last two years has taken the place of our fishing fleets as the most successful and profitable industry on the Bay Islands, so this was a very important election.By: Bruce Starr

The president of Canaturh Romeo Silvestri, Roatan Bruce and newly elected Mayor Dale Jackson

GUEST OF HONOR AND HONORED GUEST

As a tribute to her husband, Suyapa Edwards threw one of the finest birthday parties ever seen. John Edwards turned 40 plus and had a couple hundred friends and family join him for the event. One of the personal friends happened to be President Ricardo Maduro who almost, unintentionally, stole the show for a half hour or so from John. Upon the Ex-President's arrival the guests politely stood in line to shake his hand and thank him for his achievements as president of Honduras. Then the attention shifted back to John where the entertainment included a ventriloquist, a mime, a dance band, Arabian dancers and much more. Everything was done to perfection, the standard modus operandi of Suyapa Edwards.Full Update

ABOUT THAT CRUISE SHIP EPISODE

ARE WE KILLING THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE GOLDEN EGG?

WAS IT HER OR WAS IT NOT HER?

Beauty, art and culture at Bellas Artes in West Bay Beach

Jeanine Padilla
Bella Wilshire with friends at Bellas Artes.

The beauty of West Bay Beach has been accentuated by the arrival of Bella Wilshire to Roatan. After years of adventurous travel, Bella arrived in Roatan five years ago and finally felt like she'd arrived home. She fell in love immediately with the natural beauty of the island and its people. The seed of the idea of 'Bellas Artes' was sown from the very first day on the island, when she first laid eyes on the house that is now her home, studio, gallery and cafe. By:Jeanine Padilla

If music be the food of love, Playero on

George Reynolds/Honduras This Week
Nilo Espinal of ADN and Carlos Escalante, manager er of Bullaka Musik

The house just off Boulevard Los Proceres seems an unlikely location for one of Tegucigalpa's most successful production companies, but for two years it has been the place the Bullaka Musik has called home. One of the few well-established companies of its kind in the capital - most are found in the more international San Pedro Sula - Bullaka Musik devotes itself to the production and management of national artists, and is also responsible for promoting and organizing the tours and gigs of visiting artists, among them famous names like Hector el Bambino and Daddy Yankee. With a small staff of just ten, the workload is high, but a passion for music - from Rock to Reggaeton - provides all the motivation they need. By: George Reynolds

Don Peat/Honduras This Week
Lake Yojoa is a center of energy where universal vibes are collected and maintained by some sort of invisible harmonic.

"For example, Nigel, it is sooth that for every collection of beasts of the forest, and for every gathering of birds of the air, there is their own private name so that none may be confused with another."
--Sir Nigel, Arthur Conan Doyle

Sailing in Lago de Yojoa has been a constant source of enjoyment for me ever since I was a teenager. I remember the first time I heard that someone was organizing a regatta in the lake, some 15 years ago. I immediately set out in my Suzuki jeep, with my girlfriend, sans sailboat, to see what it was all about. I figured somebody might need a crew.

My expectations were exceeded when Richard Joint offered to let me borrow his old Sunfish for the competition. I clearly remember Richard, Ernst Dittmann, Holger Peters and Leticia, and a few other folks. I also remember coming in sixth in a fleet of five boats (I did not finish a race, which penalized my position).

The evolution of tequila has produced a number of $40, $50 and $60+ bottles of top shelf designer tequilas aimed at an up-market clientele. Applying technologies adapted from France's cognac industry, entrepreneurial Mexicans have repositioned tequila from a spring break shot of choice to a sophisticated sipping beverage that is best enjoyed with sangrita - a spicy tomato and fruit juice infused compliment. My re-introduction to tequila occurred during a visit to one of Mexico City's most famous restaurants, Hacienda Los Morelos. My wife and I had embarked on a benchmarking expedition with key staff members to Mexico City in an effort to identify true "first class" service in a Latin American culture. I was managing an award winning hotel property in Tegucigalpa at the time and I wanted to show our executive chef and food and beverage manager first hand what first class really meant.By Daniel O'Connor