The Truth About YOGA: A Layman’s Thoughts

No rocket science needed to figure it out: yoga has gone mainstream because people like what it’s doing for them. Everyone is talking about it.

A couple of friends, intrigued when they heard that I started doing yoga again, asked me to introduce them to the discipline. I was flattered that they would look to me for guidance, but I wasn’t sure if I was up to the task. On the other hand, I thought perhaps my friends could benefit if I put into words what yoga had done for me. The result is this article, my attempt at an introduction on the subject:

I stumbled upon Yoga in 2000, while living in Boulder, Colorado. I joined the university triathlon team but was having a hard time recovering from the workouts, not to mention the races. Regular stretching just wasn’t cutting it. On top of this, I was having trouble balancing school, training and work. Then a teammate who was doing Bikram yoga suggested I join her class. Within two weeks my body was responding, and I ended up practicing yoga for almost three years. At one point I was doing it five times a week. I never felt so alive.

Yoga is for real. Yoga works.

Going through life without yoga is like driving your car from Alaska (your birth) to Tierra del Fuego (your 100th birthday) without changing the engine oil, rotating the tires, or replacing the brake pads. You may have a slim chance of making it, but you probably won’t enjoy the ride as much. Just like a motor vehicle your mind and body need sophisticated, regular maintenance, especially if you want to rack up the extra miles.

Yoga WILL take you the distance. You will not find a single person actively practicing it who will disagree with me.

I hate to be the one to break it to you, my fellow couch potatoes, but your body REQUIRES certain low-tech, repetitive maintenance procedures such as the muscle-stretching, blood-pumping, joint-lubricating, internal-organ-massaging, lung-clearing, bowel-loosening, mind-calming postures that you can’t achieve through any amount of jogging, ab crunching, weight lifting, tennis playing or bike spinning. Couch potating won’t help your flexibility much either, but I WILL vouch for its mental benefits.

All kidding aside, if newborn babies came with an instruction booklet for long-term maintenance and care, it would be B.K.S. Iyengar’s ‘Light on Yoga’, or something of the sort. The fact that yoga isn’t more widespread is a testament to human skepticism. The fact that I stopped doing yoga for the last four years is a monumental testament to my short-sightedness. Lesson learned.

You WILL miss yoga if you stop doing it.

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I will say that the rewards of yoga are so numerous and intricate, it is tough to explain them to someone who hasn’t experienced them. Or, to paraphrase Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram yoga, 21st-century medicine isn’t advanced enough for us to gain a full understanding of the long-term benefits reaped by yoga adepts. And these benefits have nothing to do with a different set of beliefs from those you grew up with. Yoga is compatible with every faith on the planet.

Yoga is NOT religion. It is mind-body connection.

Based on my limited experience, I believe that the mind and body will follow each other when either one is nurtured. If you really take care of your mind, physical fitness will follow. In the same way, yoga consists of using a healthy body as a gateway to a healthy mind. It is a long journey full of hard work and surprises. Because the mind-body connection is powerful and complex, one of the first surprises is that you cannot look to someone else’s journey as an indication of what will happen during your own.

I’ve seen folks get frustrated with yoga because they do not “advance” as fast as other, more flexible people. It doesn’t matter what that limber lady is doing a couple of yoga mats away from you; what matters is your own commitment to making steady progress. The fact is, the stiffer you are to begin with, the greater the benefits you will reap.

I for one am as limber as a tree trunk right now, but that doesn’t stop me. I’m back to five a week.

Nando Castillo is an architect, real estate developer, and yoga amateur. You can reach him at nandocastillo@gmail.com .

Honduras This Week photo contest

Honduras This Week

Capuchins, native to the forests of Central and South America, are considered an important component of the rain forest ecology by their role in dispersing seeds and pollen. They typically live for 15-25 years, but may live twice that long in captivity.

Recognized as the companion to an organ grinder, the most famous capuchin may be “Marcel,” who was seen on “Friends,” as one of Ross’ pets.

They are highly intelligent and considered one of the smartest of the New World monkeys. Capuchins are often trained to assist quadriplegics in activities of daily living, and have been successfully trained to microwave food, wash the quadriplegic’s face, and open drink bottles.

Capuchins are highly active and are usually in search of food, their habitat in the taller trees of rain forests. They eat plants, nuts, insects and small vertebrates and will crack the shells of crabs and shrimp for a meal. They are thought to practice a form of herbal medicine in that they rub herbal plants into their fur, likely to deter ticks. During the mosquito season, they will crush millipedes and rub the remains on their backs as a mosquito repellent. They live in groups of 6 to 40. When fully grown, they reach a size of 12 - 22 inches (30 - 56 cm). The White-headed capuchin is the most commonly seen monkey in the national parks of Central America.

MOVIE REVIEW: 'The Assassination of Jesse James'

Todd Ellertson
Honduras This Week

A somber, moody Western clocking in at 2 hours and 40 minutes proved to be a hard sell to American audiences last fall: “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” only made $ 4 million at the box office in the U.S.

The movie finally made its way to Tegucigalpa last week and the theater at Mall Multiplaza was probably 75% full, which makes me think Brad Pitt (who plays the title character) is truly a global movie star. That, or there are aficionados of somber, moody Westerns here in Honduras!

Either way, I mostly enjoyed the movie, especially Casey Affleck’s performance as the Coward Robert Ford. We haven’t seen much of Ben’s younger brother, though he has been skimming the radar for the past few years, most notably in George Clooney’s star-studded “Ocean’s 11, 12 & 13” extravaganzas. In those, Casey was rele­gated to minor but supporting status, but always stood out as giving some of the more interesting performances in the fluffy (but profitable) franchise.

Casey’s days as being solely known as bit player and as Ben’s younger brother are now officially over. He is nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for his performance in the Jesse James movie and also received great reviews for his leading role in “Gone Baby Gone,” a 2007 kidnapping thriller directed by big brother Ben. His turn as the unlikable and almost forgettable Robert Ford was justly recognized by the Oscar voters as he turned in a truly haunting and memorable performance.

The film, based on a 1983 novel, takes place during the final days of Jesse James and his gang’s infamous run of bank and train robberies back in 1870’s and 80’s. Jesse learns of a bounty on his head following a train heist in Missouri. Instead of looking within his own ranks, he looks outward, to his eventual undoing.

Apparently, both the movie and the novel on which it was based are historically accurate.

Whenever I watch Brad Pitt in a movie lately, I can’t help but think “oh wow….that’s Brad Pitt….acting.” In 2006’s ‘Babel’ he came close to making me forget I was watching Brad Pitt, but not quite. I couldn’t help but think it during this movie, and that’s unfortunate, because Pitt is great and as it turns out, received some of the best reviews of his career. But, for me, it was Brad Pitt…..acting like Jesse James. It may not be entirely fair to Pitt, who has proven that he is more than just a pretty face. But with the kind of media attention he gets because of his wife, whats-her-name, it’s almost impossible to separate the man from his roles.

Not the case, thankfully, for Casey Affleck, who completely immersed himself in his role as Robert Ford.

Ford was remembered as being barely memorable, off-putting and annoying to those who knew him, including Jesse James himself. His opening scene with Sam Shepard (Jesse’s much older brother, Frank) introduced us to an insecure but ambitious nobody, who sets out to prove that, along with his exhaustive and reverent adulation of Jesse James, that he is indeed, somebody with whom to be reckoned.

It’s Affleck’s consistent perfor­mance that gives the movie its emotional weight. Also notable is the cinematography, which seemingly tried to replicate looking through flawed, often blurry, window panes, common during that period of history. The filmmakers created an atmospheric, often gloomy backdrop that allowed the story and its characters to advance the story.

Interestingly, the only other Oscar nod the film received was in cinematography, specifically for Roger Deakins, the cinematographer to whom the Coen Brothers turn for the often ethereal, other-worldly look to their films. Deakins also got a nomination for ‘No Country for Old Men’ this year, the Coen Brothers film that is expected to win a bunch of Oscars.

As mentioned earlier, the 2 hour and 40 minute running time may keep some away from ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,’ but don’t let that be what keeps you away from it. A friend commented, after I told him I’d seen the movie, “I’ll wait for the DVD and rent it.” Between Casey Affleck’s performance, the outstanding cinematography and a mostly engaging film, it might be worth your while to commit to the better part of an afternoon or evening to seeing it on the big screen.

A Layman’s Tips for Yoga Beginners

1. Do yourself a favor, find the time.
There is NO credible excuse not to do yoga.

2. Don’t look for instant gratification. Strive for long-term satisfaction.
Try doing yoga AT LEAST three times a week, for a couple of months so you can judge the results. Although something is better than nothing, some good things are much better in large quantities.

3. You can start doing yoga at any age. The earlier you start the better.

4. Yoga is as portable as your own body. No special gear. Most poses don’t even require a Yoga mat. A towel will do when no mat is at hand.

5. Your level of enjoyment dictates your level of advancement, not the other way around.
You’ll know you’re doing it right when you begin to relish the poses for their benefits, not for their challenges.

6. Focus on full-body development.
Some stick to postures that they are good at because it makes them feel proficient. The best thing to do is to concentrate on your entire body, while paying attention to problem areas that need the most.

The Benefits of Yoga
(The Ones I Can Personally Vouch For)

• PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Increased Flexibility
Reduced Joint Pain or Discomfort
Reduced Muscle Soreness after Exercise
Massaging of all Body Organs (it only sounds inconsequential)
Improved Breathing and Clearer Sinuses
Weight Stabilization (in my case, weight loss)
Improved Muscle Tone

• PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Increased Energy
Improved Digestion
Regular Sleep Cycle
Decreased Hunger and Cravings
Increased Alertness
Decreased Mood Swings and Anxiety
Decreased Irritability
Increased Awareness of Body Movement and Posture
General Feeling of Well-Being
Peace of Mind

• THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS

Reduced Chance of Injury
Faster Recovery from Injury
Early Warning System for Musculoskeletal Disorders and other Internal Problems
Better Sex
Strengthened Immune System
Reduced Dependence on Caffeine, Alcohol, Nicotine improvement.

7. One and a half hours is ideal; one hour is enough; half an hour per session is the minimum.
Whether done on your own or as part of a class, try to stick to a cycle of warm-up, core postures, and wind-down. However this doesn’t excuse you from sneaking in a posture or two while drumming away in your cubicle at work.

8. EXPLORE yoga and make up your own mind. Don’t take anyone’s word as dogma.
You can try different types of yoga, different instructors, home videos, different settings, and/or different times of day. What works best for me is to practice at home or nearby in the mornings, while attending a class once a week so an instructor can fine tune my poses.

9. If you are the restless type, focus on yoga’s physical aspects first.
Most instructors will compel you to explore Yoga’s mental benefits from day one, as well they should. However, if you have difficulties with meditation or other ‘mind-calming’ tech­niques (like I did) you should focus on the physical chal­lenge and, as your body starts to respond, your mind will feel inclined to follow it. Also try the more dynamic types of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Vinyasa or Bikram.

10. Combine yoga with cardio, even if all you do is walking.
Some types of yoga don’t exercise your heart enough. You could try practicing yoga every other day and do cardio in between. I like to walk or hike for half an hour right before yoga, because my body is warmed-up and more responsive to the poses.

11. Explore the wilderness and try to find your own ‘private yoga spot’ for weekends.
I live in Valle de Angeles and once in a while I hike to a clearing next to a waterfall to practice my postures. I also like to go to La Tigra when I have the chance.

12. DON’T PUSH YOURSELF TOO HARD.
In yoga some soreness is good, but pain is BAD. Learn the difference, and listen to your body when it sends you a signal. When in doubt about what it means, ask someone with experience.

Types of Yoga and
Sources of Info

• Ashtanga

A vigorous form of yoga with a fixed order of postures and an emphasis on breathing tech­nique.
www.ashtanga.com

• Bikram

A series of 26 postures (two sets of each, back to back) that was designed by Bikram Choudry and are performed in a heated room. This is, for beginners, the most physically demanding form of Yoga, but it delivers the greatest cardio benefits. You won’t get a chance to try Bikram in Honduras anytime soon, but do try it out for a few days when traveling in the U.S.
www.brikramyoga.com

• Hatha Yoga

My understanding is that “Hatha Yoga” can describe any of the physical practices of yoga, but that it is usually used to describe the more relaxed, meditative approach. I’ve heard, among other things, that it is a good place for beginners to start learning poses and controlled breathing.

• Hot Yoga

The term used for yoga classes that are practiced in a heated room but are not “licensed” by Bikram’s Yoga College of India. Expect a similar routine and benefits as Bikram, but make sure the instructors know what they are doing. www.hotyogausa.com

• Iyengar

A very mentally demanding type of yoga developed by B.K.S. Iyengar.
www.bksiyengar.com

• Kripalu

Founded by Amrit Desai, it is billed as a holistic approach to spiritual development that emphasizes both breathing and meditation in a challenging form of yoga. I haven’t tried it, but I hear good things about it.
www.kripalu.org

• Kundalini

Also known as “Awareness Yoga” because it focuses on unleashing hidden human potential. www.kundaliniyoga.org

• Vinyasa

Based on Ashtanga yoga but without a fixed set of postures.

Yoga Resources in Honduras

COPAN RUINAS:
Hacienda San Lucas
www.haciendasanlucas.com
info@haciendasanlucas.com
(504) 651-4495
Type of yoga: Kripalu

LA CEIBA:
Casa Verde Eco-Ashram
www.wendygreenyoga.com
(504) 408-7180
Type of yoga: Ashtanga

ROATAN:
Yoga On Roatan
www.yogaonroatan.com
yogaonroatan@yahoo.com
(504) 3388-8680
Type of yoga:
Bikram, Kundalini and Hatha

TEGUCIGALPA
Yoga’s Garden Spa
www.yogasgardenspa.com
yogas@yogasgardenspa.com
(504) 236-9139

Metta Studio
www.mettahn.com
mettahn@yahoo.com
(504) 239-5278

Nelson Mendoza
Private Yoga Instruction
nrmendoza@amschool.org
239-333

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.