“Memories of My Melancholy Whores” by Gabriel García Márquez (2005)

Todd Ellertson
Honduras This Week

I have been on a little bit of a roll with Gabriel Garcia Marquez as of late, as those who have kept up with both my movie and book reviews might agree. In my defense, I only learned of his work and learned to appreciate his gifts to the world of literature recently, so, in my mind, I am making up for lost time! Nonetheless, I will make an effort in the near future to share my opinions on other worthy writers as well. For now, it’s another take on the Nobel Prize winning Colombian author.

“Memories,” Garcia Marquez’ first work of fiction for more than 10 years back in 2005, is actually a novella and therefore, due to its length and form, cannot compare to earlier masterpieces such as “One Hundred Years of Solitude” or “Love in the Time of Cholera.” In short, it’s a rather odd tale of old age, redemption and second chances, told by a unique character.

The story revolves around the unnamed, self-described ‘horse-faced’ narrator, a cable editor and columnist who, upon his 90th birthday, decides to hire a virgin whore, as a treat to himself and a nostalgic hope of a lusty roll in the hay.

No stranger to sex-for-hire, he began keeping a list of his conquests in his much younger days and by the time he turned 50, he had amassed 514 names. The madame of the brothel, a deliciously created character, comes to his rescue, provides him with his wish and figures prominently during the course of the story.

(It turns out Garcia Marquez himself lived in a brothel and wrote about the experiences in a newspaper column. His memories obviouslysupplied the material for both this book as well as “Love in the Time of Cholera,” as one of the main characters in the latter offering spends a good part of his adolescence in a brothel.)

Most of “Memories” is the narra­tor’s account of his 90th year, with special attention paid to his repeat rendezvous with his 14 year-old ‘melancholy whore.’ The narrator, a cranky and often obsessive old man, is charming in that he seemingly doesn’t care what his audience thinks of him. “I’m ugly, shy and anachronistic,” he describes himself and proves to be reliable on that count throughout the course of his narration.

“Memories of My Melancholy Whores” might best be described as a perverse short story, but as Garcia Marquez tells it, it reads more like a simple, unlikely romance between an old man and an adolescent. In less skilled hands, the subject matter might have merely read as a sordid, bizarre tale. In this, Garcia Marquez tells a simple story that needn’t be examined too closely. The narrator admits that his foray into ‘puppy love’ during the autumn of his life is silly, and this reader found himself laughing delightedly at the often hilarous results.

Prado Alto Café - El Prado

Tess Gool & Caroline Knell
Honduras This Week

The Prado Alto Café succeeds in doing what it sets out to do without assumption or pretension. In short, it´s an honest, relaxed and friendly restaurant which places more importance on the quality of the food than the décor, usually a good sign.

Situated in the El Prado district of Tegucigalpa, an area renowned for it´s unattractive concrete landscape, the Prado Alto Café offers a welcome escape with an inviting patch of green grass.

On arrival, the place seemed promising although eerily quiet as we were the only customers. A fairly large outside patio area adorned with fairy lights, a few tables and chairs set back from the noisy main road and surrounded by fairly tall trees, almost gives the feeling of being in someone’s back yard, if you take the bar and outside toilets out of the equation, of course.

I should point out that there is an inside area, but it is currently under construction. We were informed that they plan to make this area a ‘cozy lounge,’ a kind of ´home away from home´ which would involve installing a wide­screen television, along with some brown leather couches and brown wallpaper to match. Personally, I´m not too convinced about the color scheme and I suspect they may change their minds when it comes time to execute their deco­rating plans.

We were greeted by the chef and co-owner of the restaurant, Fabricio Garcia, smiling and eager to please. His passion for food is evident, I´ve never known anyone to get so animated when discussing the dishes.

The chef´s history takes in years of experience working at hotel restaurants in Guatemala City and Panama and most recently, at a restaurant within the prestigious Hotel Clarion in Tegucigalpa. Now he is here, working as his own boss, which suits Garcia well: “it’s different working for yourself, when you work for someone else you’re a slave to them, whereas now I can make my own rules.”

To drink, we had the house special, the ‘Traditional,’ a delicious guava-based fruit drink. I opted for the alcoholic version and my co-diner sensibly asked for the non-alcoholic one. Both were excellent.

The menu is a mix of European, Argentinean and Honduran food, which makes for an unusual combination but a refreshing change to see some European dishes in the mix.

We started off with a pleasing array of canapés, including crab and rocket salad. There were some others but we didn´t know what they were, we just grabbed and ate. They were all equally tasty.

For the main course, we were presented with zucchini which was perfectly decent, a well-accomplished and confident dish served with integrity.

Overall, service was charming, prices affordable, good food and a very easy going atmosphere - a worthwhile restaurant which, with a little more time and work, prom­ises to be a real gem.

Prado Alto Café is open Monday through Sunday from 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 a.m.

ARTS

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.muaartes.org.hn or contact Veronica Romero at 222 3015.

ORIGINAL “HONDURAS VERDE” PAINTINGS.
Ecological collection of paintings. Visit www.hondurasart.com

PAINTING WORKSHOP. For adults and children.Instructor: Mauricio Garay. Fridays from 3:00 p.m. thru 5:00 p.m. Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. thru 12. Tel. 235-4463

FRENCH ALLIANCE CINEMA CLUB. Contact www.afhonduras.com or phone: 239-6165

“WE WANT TO BE LISTENED”, A RADIO PROGRAM.
At 88.7 FM from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. from Monday thru Friday. Contact smarybelsanchez@gmail.com.

EL PARNASO. Visit www.elparnasohn.triplod.com , you will find all kind of artistic expressions.

“PROVOCATION”: AN ART EXPOSITION. Artists: Claudia Lardizábal and Cora Lardizábal de Bendeck will be exposing their art. National Gallery of Art in Tegucigalpa, since January 24th. Fulbright Association of Honduras, Pro Art and Culture Foundation and the National gallery of Art are inviting.

TERCO CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. Contact them; they always have info on cultural activities. E-mail: tercoproducciones@ gmail.com. Visit www.karlalara.com.

PROYECTO GRITON ACTIVITIES. Visit www.proyectogriton.com and focus on KUPIAKUMI, you’ll find the daily logbook of the activities of this cultural group.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT CAFÉ PARADISO. Café Paradiso (downtown) is always performing cultural activities. Contact paradiso@cablecolor.hn

EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE OF HONDURAS. Visit the website www.telah.org. They are presenting plays, essays about theatre culture. Tel: 220-0690, 238-3726

NATIONAL LIBRARY INSTALLATIONS FOR EVENTS- These installations are appropriate for book presentations, expositions, conferences and any other cultural events.

SPANISH CULTURAL CENTER (CCT) ACTIVITIES. January 12, 19, 27, and all Saturdays of February: “Modern Dancing ” by Isadora Paz. From 8-10 a.m. For inscriptions: ccet@aecihonduras.hn from January 1-10th.
January 23rd: Book Presentation by Tito Estrada. 6:30 pm.
January 24th: Theatre play presentation “El Maizal” from the group “Sombra Roja”. 6:30 pm.
January 29th: Books presentation by Maribel Suazo: “En Honduras hablamos con CH” y “Recuerdos imborrables”. 6:30 pm.

CHIMICAMPAMENTO.
January 14 -30, Chimicampamento for vacations at Chiminike facilities. Supporting the imagination of kids; (6 – 11 years old), from 8:30 am thru 12:00 m. Art, painting, sports, theatre play, artistic presentations, cooking, For reservations: reservaciones@chiminike.org.hn, Tel: 291-0339/42, Fax: 291-0347.

FICTION PRIZE FOR YOUNTH AND CHILD. Dead line: February 15, 2008, 12:00, for more information contact: ccet@aecihonduras.hn

MUSIC & DANCE

INFORMATION ABOUT PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ACTIVITIES. Contact 235-4019

CLASSIC MUSIC WITH GREAT MASTERS AT PANAMERICAN RADIO: 95.9 FM. 7:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays. Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, Tchaikovsky.

VOICES AND SONGS OF HONDURAS. “National identity audio”. Saturdays, 9:00 a.m - 10:00 1.m. at H.R.N. (92.9 F.M.)

GUILLERMO ANDERSON’S AGENDA. To know the famous Honduran singer's schedule, visit: www.guillermoanderson.com

LAST PRODUCTION FROM KARLA LARA. “Donde Andar”, L. 250.00. Make your request: (504) 238-5797.

LIVE MUSIC, 60/70’s- Restaurants Pa-pa Chacalín at Blvd. Morazán. For more information contact bigbbang_arte@yahoo.com.

ENJOY AT HONDURAS MAYA HOTEL. Thursdays and Fridays enjoy the “Catrachas and Mexican” nights. On Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy your beer around the pool.

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.

EXCELLENT LIVE MUSIC- Fridays and Saturdays at Restaurant El Corral, Col. Alameda. Meats are their specialty.

EXCELLENT MUSIC FROM 60´S AND 70´S. At “Memories” in Plaza Millennium. From Wednesdays thru Saturdays from 7:00 p.m

MARRIOTT HOTEL ACTIVITIES. Every Thursday you can enjoy live music with the artist Hector Casas, from 8:00 p.m. thru 11:00 p.m. Happy hour from 5:00 p.m. thru 8:00 p.m. 2X1 Miller bear, frozen Margaritas and tequila Jimador.

COCINA LATINA AT MARRIOTT HOTEL. A special flavor every day of the week: Monday: Asian, Tuesday: Italian, Wednesday: Peruvian, Thursday: Mexican, Friday: seafood, Saturday: Italian/Mexican, Sunday: Honduran cuisine.

HONDURAN TALENT
Luis Alberto Elvir and Hugo Medina from Danli offers a little taste of their talent. You can watch their videos on youtube at:http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aszepeda

MISCELLANEOUS

VIRTUAL GALLERY FOR FREE. An online tool for the exposition, promotion and marketing of art works. www.elmerchant.com.

“LA JOYA” AND “TAMARA”, TWO VILLAGES WITH THEIR OWN “CULTURAL HOUSE”. Arte Acción informs that these “cultural houses” will be open to the public since November. This cultural association will provide workshops in painting, puppets, circus, theatre, stilts. These cultural houses can present expositions, video presentations and both of them have library room. For more information: Tel: 239-6356 or e-mail arteaccioncomunicacion@gmail-com

“UN DIA EN LA VIDA” A HONDURAN FILM. Directed by Mayra Alvarado. See a demo visiting www.youtube.com/watch or visit http://douglasalonso.blogspot.com

DAY HIKES INTO THE PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK AND THE LODGE AT PICO BONITO. Includes a guided hike on the Lodge´s natural trail into the Pico Bonito National Park with a stop at the Mermaid Falls swimming hole (Hike can be made at 8:00 am or 1:00 pm). Before or after your hike enjoy a delicious meal at the Lodge´s restaurant and explore the Butterfly Farm and Serpentarium also located on the Lodge´s property (before or after the hike). Price includes guide service, lunch, and park entrance fee paid to the Pico Bonito National Park Foundation (Drinks not included) Please call ahead to be sure we have guides available. E-mail: picobonito@caribe.hn, Tel. 504-440-0388/0389/0468

GUAYMURAS EDITORIAL AT SANTA MONICAL MALL. Near Col. Kennedy. This editorial has Honduran, Latin American and classical literature, and textbooks. Phone: 228-2192

GUAYMURAS: PUBLISHING AND SELLING HONDURAN BOOKS. “Naif in Honduras” by Leticia de Oyuela, this book reflects the Naif painting in Honduras. “Aventuras de la Rana Mariana y su amiga Capuchona” by Teresa G. de Coello, a treasure of infantile literature. Contact: libreguay@cablecolor.hn

“COPAN, KINGDOM OF THE SUN”. This book written by the Honduran Archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia can be purchased by contacting: congreso_ copan@yahoo.com

REPUBLIC HISTORY MUSEUM AT VILLA ROY. Schedule: 8:00 – 4:00 pm from Monday thru Saturday. Barrio Buena Vista, Tegucigalpa. Entrance fees: Hondurans and Central Americans: L. 10.00, from other countries: L. 20.00. For more information contact Patricia Leon Gomez at: pattyleongomez50@hotmail.com

HONDURAN DOCUMENTARY CENTER OF HISTORICAL INVESTIGATIONS (CDIHH). Has a great collection of books and national file documentary. Old Presidential House, Barrio El Centro. Visits from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Attended visits, all Wednesdays, cost: L. 5.00

NATIONAL EDUCATIVE TELEVISION CHANNEL (TEN). Channel 10 from 6:00 am – 11:00 pm

DOCUMENTARY ABOUT LATIN AMERICAN CITIES. For more information about this contest, visit www.ciudoc.net

SANTA MARIA DE LOS ANGELES MUSEUM. This interesting museum is open since October 2006. It is located in the town of Valle the Angeles. You will enjoy a great collection of interesting objects, old photos from 1800 - 1900, antiques of history, art and culture. Visit us at www.museosantamaria.com or e-mail us to: santamariamuseo@yahoo.com

WEEKLY ENCOUNTER OF MARRIAGES. Supporting the family ministry. Every Friday, Col. Las Colinas, Bloque Z, # 1613, 7:00 pm. Tegucigalpa. Free participation, including diner. Tel. 239-7190

BUSINESS WOMEN MEETINGS. Sharing testimonies
and praying. Every Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. at Glifo Room in Honduras Maya Hotel, free entrance. yam@cablecolor.hn or Tel. 9996-6707

INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY SUITABLE WOMENSchedule of meetings: Every first Saturday of the month, they offer a breakfast at El Candelero Room, Honduras Maya Hotel, 7:40 a.m. L. 100.00.

CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND INFORMATIVE BULLETIN. This is a cultural publication of International Spanish Agency for Cooperation. You can get the digital version visiting: www.aeci.es

EL PARNASO, THE FIRST CULTURAL PAPER IN HONDURAS. Visit www.elparnasohn.tripod.com

SWEDISH SCHOLARSHIPS- For Ph.D and post Ph.D. studies or for Master programs.
Visit www.studyinsweden.se or contact the Swedish Institute, Box 7434 SE-103, 91 Stockholm, Sweden.

NEURAL STIMULATION. Hands without Borders movement. Healing treatments on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. at Avanti Building in Barrio La Granja, Comayaguela, room No. 308. For more information contact: ijhondurasneuralq@yahoo.com or Tel: 9945-5729

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.] SANTA MARIA DE LOS ANGELES MUSEUM It is located in the town of Valle the Angeles. You will enjoy a great collection of interesting objects, old photos from 1800 - 1900, antiques of history, art and culture. Visit us at www.museosantamaria.comNATIONAL 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
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.