With our convoy now the size of a small army we decided to ignite the cultural bone inside us and head to the mountainous Copan Ruinas. This is the home of the ancient Mayan ruins, Copan.
After a long day of buses we arrived in the small village in need of showers and nourishment. We were greeted with great hospitality and delighted to hear the hostel had hot showers, a rarity in Central America. We were recommended a fantastic food place and all went to bed full and happy.
With an early rise and a lift from the hostel owner we arrived at the site of the ruins. Deciding to go without a guide we roamed around aimlessly trying to figure out what we were looking at. We all agreed the detailed carving was impressive even if we couldn't understand any of it!
A local guide overheard my accent and decided he needed to say hello to the Irish. Much to our delight he gave us some great information about the structures of the ruins and the activities that would have gone on there. The reason he needed to say hello (it wasn't my great charm!) was the founding archaeologist was indeed an Irish man.
John Gallagher was the first to produce a map of the ruins and is regarded in the highest respect in the world of Mayan ruins. He discovered the Mayan ruins at Copan in 1834 after he went searching for what the locals called a lost city. Deep in the rainforest he was surprised to find a Mayan city, almost completely preserved, with no less than 28 palaces.He became famous in Central America. He is buried in the city-state and is the only non-Mayan to be buried there, a great honour.
It was with great pleasure to hear the strong connection with an Irish man in a remote location in Honduras. His influence has left a great trail for Irish people who are greeted warmly by the people of Honduras.
After a long day of buses we arrived in the small village in need of showers and nourishment. We were greeted with great hospitality and delighted to hear the hostel had hot showers, a rarity in Central America. We were recommended a fantastic food place and all went to bed full and happy.
With an early rise and a lift from the hostel owner we arrived at the site of the ruins. Deciding to go without a guide we roamed around aimlessly trying to figure out what we were looking at. We all agreed the detailed carving was impressive even if we couldn't understand any of it!
A local guide overheard my accent and decided he needed to say hello to the Irish. Much to our delight he gave us some great information about the structures of the ruins and the activities that would have gone on there. The reason he needed to say hello (it wasn't my great charm!) was the founding archaeologist was indeed an Irish man.
John Gallagher was the first to produce a map of the ruins and is regarded in the highest respect in the world of Mayan ruins. He discovered the Mayan ruins at Copan in 1834 after he went searching for what the locals called a lost city. Deep in the rainforest he was surprised to find a Mayan city, almost completely preserved, with no less than 28 palaces.He became famous in Central America. He is buried in the city-state and is the only non-Mayan to be buried there, a great honour.
It was with great pleasure to hear the strong connection with an Irish man in a remote location in Honduras. His influence has left a great trail for Irish people who are greeted warmly by the people of Honduras.