Dawn Darling

Dear Travelers, <BR>I am moving to Tegucigalpa, Honduras next month. Never been and would appreciate any do's and don'ts <BR>you could share. Will be there at least a year. <BR>Particularly interested in Bay Islands and Tegucigalpa. Has anyone traveled, worked there? All information GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

RobertQuirk

I've been to Tegucigalpa and one of the Bay Islands, Utila. Tegucigalpa ( Tegus for short ) is not exactly the greatest spot. The market in central Tegus is reputedly full of thieving Hondurenos - it is also filthy. The river running through the centre of Tegucigalpa is filthy too. On the other hand the Bay Islands are splendid - although there is not much to do if you don't Scuba dive - you'll be warned about the biting sandflies before you get to this island but I took antihistamine tablets ( Benzadryl ) and didn't really find them a problem. The crossing point to the Bay Islands La Ceiba is decidedly dodgy but unavoidable. Copan is a good mayan archaeological site and I quite enjoyed Trujillo but it is nine hours by bus from Tegus. I guess you must be a student or something if you're going to spend a year ( a year is a long time in Honduras! ) so your itinerary will probably be very different anyhow. Hoduras is a beautifully green country ( after Guatemala ), the people are extremely poor. I have pictures on my website http://www.softreq.co.uk/robq follow the Central America link. If you need any more info drop us an E-mail telling me a bit more about what you intend to do.

Victoria Louden

<BR>I love Honduras. You are lucky to be going for a year. I was there last summer and am going back in two weeks. It's a whole different world there. It is a very poor country. Many people live in what Americans would call shacks! But the country is also very beautiful with lush green hills. <BR> <BR>If you get a chance, travel around. I like the smaller towns, such as La Paz. It's tiny and no one speaks English. There are plenty of small towns, try out a few. The people in the smaller towns are very friendly and you get a good feel for the country. <BR> <BR>Copan is fun and very educational. Hire a guide to take you around the ruins. They can be very entertaining. Outside of the ruins and around town, you will be swamped with young children trying to sell you concrete statues and other trinkets. They speak a little English. Don't be afraid to tell them no or else they will follow you everywhere and pester you. They are harmless, just irritating to Americans. <BR> <BR>Oh, don't be afraid if you see men with shot guns and such. You will see them outside of banks and shops. It's just like the old west. They are just guarding their stores. I was suprised when I first saw them. At Lake Yoja, we had them outside of our hotel. The guard doubled as a bell hop -- carrying a gun in one hand and my suitcase in the other. <BR> <BR> I am not a fan of Tegus. You should not wear any jewelry. Hats and watches can be taken right off of you. I'm not trying to scare you but trying to prepare you. I wear a money belt around my leg under my shorts. You can get one at any AAA shop. They are very handy because no one can see them and they are easy to access. Just make sure no one is watching you. <BR> <BR>Things not to miss, Coffee, Pineapple, plantains, cigars, and cheap beer! <BR> <BR>Like I said, it's a whole different world. Back in the states, I am disgusted at the amount of food people eat and how big our houses are. I don't have the need to have so much junk. Americans "need" too much stuff! I gained an appreciation for the simple life. <BR> <BR>Have fun! It's a great country. <BR> I feel in love with it!

Victoria Louden

<BR>Why are you going to Honduras? <BR> <BR>

Dawn

<BR>Dear Victoria, <BR> <BR>Thanks a TON for the great advice and front line information. I have <BR>never been to any country in Central America and am looking forward to <BR>the adventure. I am going to be teaching at the American School in <BR>Tegucigalpa and just took the position a week ago! Needless to say, I <BR>am still getting used to the idea, but it sounds like a great school <BR>from what I know - 90% Honduran, private, small. I will be teaching <BR>fifth grade there for at least a year and am trying to get all the <BR>information I can before I leave. I have heard a bit about the safety <BR>issue, hopefully with time I will get accustomed to it. You said you <BR>are going back in 2 weeks? What are you going for and how long will you <BR>be there? I would love to hear from you again - it is possible you will <BR>still be there when I arrive? <BR> <BR>One other question - what type of clothing did you find women wore? I <BR>am more of a shorts person that a skirt one. Are shorts ok? What kinds <BR>of clothing do you normally pack? I am trying to pack but don't want to <BR>bring things I will never wear. <BR> <BR>Thanks! Hope to hear from you again. <BR>Dawn Darling <BR>[email protected] <BR>

Victor Hugo Aulestia

Thank you all for the info about tegu. Now I need some help from you experienced travelers. <BR>I will be traveling to Honduras (Tegu) in Jan. I have a Fulbright Senior Scholar assignment at the Universidad Tecnologica de Centroamerica. <BR>I will be there for three months. I speak Spanish. <BR>My main problem is finding a place to live. I have been reading reports from former Fulbrights about the difficulty of finding decent accomodations in Tegu. I would like to rent an apartment or aparthotel for those three months. <BR>I would like to stay in the residential part of the city with certain amount of security and peace. Does anyone know or have connections in Honduras related to rentals?? <BR>I would appreciate any help. <BR>[email protected]

Brian

I have been to Honduras 3 times and worked with the kids in the orphanages down there. They are beautiful people and I would like to live there someday. I would say, watch out for some of the "American" crooks looking to capitalize on the Hurricane Mitch tradegy. As for the country, Tegoose is completely different from the northwest part. I absolutely love the San Pedro and Puerto Cortez area (to include Amoa), it is very green and lush. The rainforest in that part is awsome and it has a raw beauty. HOwever, it is also very humid and hot all year. Tegoose is quite a bit higher and dryer. The previous writer is correct, it is dirtier, hot, and well populated. Tegoose and the north part of Honduras are like two different worlds. Landing by plane in Tegoose is very awkward to say the least. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions, I do regularly contact my friend down there. <BR>