The Mysterious '4 'Clock Oldest in the Americas

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Date: 30/01/2013 to 01/02/2013

Path: We left the spa in the region of Gracias, passed rapidly through La Esperanza and slept in Siguatepeque. We continue south along the Carretera del Norte and spent a few hours in Comayagua. Follow toward Tegucigalpa and stopped to sleep in Choluteca - our final destination in Honduras. The Honduran roads are not well marked nor good conditions. Lots of hills and holes hinder the average speed.

“After the surprising and touching passage by Gracias rumaríamos toward Nicaragua. The path to be followed there would continue aligning with our main purposes in Honduras, and most of the countries of Central America: better understand the history and cultural background of those countries and give a last, or for few hours they were, in their capital.”

We agreed on pracinha Gracias and night we had been quiet: without risks and, in the morning, were still welcomed by vendors and onlookers who watched those "strange creatures" coming out of two tents in the middle of the main square of his small town. Breakfast consumed in trade around the square, so we went to the recommended Hot Springs President, is approximately 4 miles from downtown.

Surrounded by trees and a very well preserved the Hot Springs President are natural springs! The area is public and there is an entrance fee for maintenance of the structure that has clean bathrooms. We combine business with pleasure, because besides the warm, soothing waters, enjoyed the spot to take our "cc" accumulated a few days hahahaha

Follow road to the south Ruta Lenca (see more infos on the Lenca people in our other post here). The nearby colonial city of Route is the city of La Esperanza. No entanto, Thanksgiving differently, the city is wanting as to maintain their colonial aspects. To have a closer contact with the Lenca culture (as we had in Gracias) we might have to go within more around the city. It was late afternoon and some Hondurans thronged in some bars to watch one of the passions of the Central American: Match of Barcelona (or Real Madrid – given the lack of major football clubs in the region, the two big Spanish clubs are the passion in almost all Central America: everywhere you see shirts, flags and stickers on cars and motorcycles these teams!) Who knew then the classic Barcelona X Real Madrid for the King's Cup semifinal! Huh, faz parte da cultura, we also gathered!!! We sat in a bar that convey the game while we appreciated one Salva Vida! No, not. There was no beach or pool nearby…hehehe…this is the name of one of the most typical Honduran beers!!

We spent the night in Siguatepeque known stopping point of the Ruta Lenca for its pleasant climate! And it puts nice. Turns out that night took off a "time" of our tents in the vast parking lot of a good hotel in the area that had to pool! And we went around 21h at night take a dip to cool off! After, was just going to take the chuveirão chlorine and jump purchases tents to sleep 'sleep of the just'! That was a nice balcony that yet discovered in Mexico. These hotels with great structure within small towns were always likely to provide a corner to Tanajura. He was just negotiating a precinho of "camping" (sometimes less than $ 5 per person) and could use any external infrastructure!

Morning, we reach toward our last, and very important, historic city of Honduras. For nearly 3 centuries, to approximately 1880, Comayagua was an important historical and religious center of the country. Filled squares, little churches and its cathedral, everywhere noticeable aspect of the colonial city – strong Hispanic influence. Its streets are busy: Ladies with large fruit baskets, lords hat throwing crap on the banks of the squares and people of all ages in and out of local businesses.

The highlight of the visit was to observe the Comayagua what the Honduran claim to be the oldest clock in the Americas! Located in the Cathedral of Comayagua – located in the main square - the clock is actually one of the oldest in the world! This is a clock built around Arabic 1100 the 1350 and placed by the Moors in the Alhambra Palace, in Granada - Spain. Por time de 1600 (not known by whom: by King Felipe III or the Duke of Consentaina) the WATCH is easy to Fray Jerónimo de Corella, when appointed Bishop of Comayagua. Interesting to notice the style is still archaic Roman numeral '4 'we know today as' IV', and the clock is marked as 'IIII' - a representation very common to ancient antique clocks, whose use may have several causes: from mystical-religious aesthetic tied!

And leaving him Comayagua Honduras. Following the beautiful green hills of the country! But before, we decided to take our traditional last for Tegucigalpa, a agitada capital Hondurenha. Transit messy, a lot of garbage in the streets, and the fact of Hondurans we know is not much to call attention to some attractive tourist / cultural special, decided to run only a few hours by city, stop to replace oil Tana and follow road. (surely we should have devoted more time to the city for better judgment – but it is noteworthy that in some other cities were very recommended to visit for its socioeconomic importance and tourist characteristics make the country, but unfortunately will be for the next, as: Trujillo, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba.

That's how we say goodbye to Honduras and a new chapter on the legacy and pride of Central American culture would open days ahead: Nicaragua!