People in Honduras keep their cars really, really clean. On the way to Tegucigalpa, there is a drainpipe that empties water onto the side of the road when it rains. Taxi drivers are always there, washing their car in the water from the drainpipe. Buses here are always clean too. The end of one bus line is near the church. I am amazed by how much time people spend cleaning those buses.
I have given up trying to keep my car clean to Honduras standards. It's a never-ending battle. It rains almost every day and the road to my house is 6" of mud most of the time. I am lucky because my car is almost the same color as the mud, so it doesn't show up too much.
Today my car was filthy. On my way to the gym I kept my eye out for a place that looked reputable. Right as I turned the last corner I saw a sign that said "Car Wash" with an arrow pointing toward the gym. I came upon a place that advertised oil changes, breakfast, lunch, and car washes. Hahahaha! It was so close to the gym, I thought it would be perfect. I talked with the guy and felt okay about leaving my car there.
After I got to the gym I realized I had left $25 in the glove box. It was still there when I got back. The car was shiny and clean. And the guy gave me a subtle reprimand for letting it get so dirty. First he said to me, "You live past El Hatillo." I told him yes, not wanting to be too specific. He said he only sees cars this dirty with so much mud "glued" to the bottom from people who live on the road to La Tigra. He recommended that I come back at least every 15 days to clean the entire car and every 4 days for the bottom. Tiene razon. (He's right.)
I find it harder to write in English these days. Sometimes there are things I can say better, or more easily, in Spanish.
Yesterday and today I been feeling a little off. I was concerned about how I would do at the gym today. Yesterday I was a little nauseous when I was running. Today I just felt weak but I decided to go anyway. The exercise felt good. Still, outside of the gym I am not feeling quite right. No appetite, and I get tired walking up the stairs. Yesterday I was nauseous and didn't eat. Today I didn't feel like eating but knew I had to get some food into my tummy. So I stopped at my favorite sushi place for miso soup. Nice and salty after all of that exercise and tofu for protein. Perfect.
I always talk to the waitresses there. They are really nice. Sometimes they give me special things for free. Today they brought a little appetizer of rice noodles and vegetables. I am getting to know the sushi chefs too. One of them is a flirt, but it feels nice. I haven't flirted in so long I forgot how. So I sit and smile as he tells me and the waitresses how beautiful and sweet I am.
At the grocery store I found four cups that match really well with the dishes my neighbors gave me as a Christmas gift. That was an exciting find.
Last night I learned that my Aunt needs open heart surgery. She has a meeting with the surgeons on the second of January to plan the surgery. I think either my mom or I will go to New York to be with her.
I feel safe, but have been extra, extra cautious over the past few weeks. About a week ago the embassy sent out a letter saying US citizens in Honduras need to be careful. A few hours after receiving the letter I went to the mall. As I approached the elevator in the parking lot I noticed 2 men standing nearby. After I walked up to the elevator door they came over and stood next to me, ready to get on. My mental alarm went off. It was strange they didn't seem to want to get on the elevator until I was waiting to get on it.
There was a construction worker nearby. I backed away from the escalator and asked the construction worker where were the stairs. He pointed the way to the stairs, but said the elevator was better. I subtly pointed out the 2 guys and told him they hadn't approached the elevator until I was ready to get on it. He told me I could go ahead and take the stairs, but he knew the two guys. They are security for the mall and they are always around, he said.
There was a construction worker nearby. I backed away from the escalator and asked the construction worker where were the stairs. He pointed the way to the stairs, but said the elevator was better. I subtly pointed out the 2 guys and told him they hadn't approached the elevator until I was ready to get on it. He told me I could go ahead and take the stairs, but he knew the two guys. They are security for the mall and they are always around, he said.
I have been extra careful to keep my car doors locked and windows up when I drive. I only go places where I know the guards - my sushi place and the gym. I am so blessed to live in a home in a beautiful place, that is about as safe is any house can be, with people who look out for me.
This is the letter I got from the embassy this morning:
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that the level of crime and violence in Honduras remains critically high. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated June 17, 2013, and includes additional information on crime and security in Honduras, as well as updated contact information.
Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work without incident. However, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country, and the Government of Honduras lacks the resources to address these issues. Since 2010, Honduras has had the highest murder rate in the world. Various institutions and government agencies are still analyzing statistics for 2013. The National Violence Observatory, an academic research institution based out of Honduras’ National Public University, reports that the murder rate was slightly above 81 murders per 100,000 people for January through November.
Crime and Security Threats
U.S. citizens do not appear to be targeted based on their nationality, and expatriates are victims of crime at levels similar to those of the local population. Most resort areas and tourist destinations have lower levels of crime and violence than other areas of the country, though still high by international standards. In 2012, the Government of Honduras increased police presence and established special police forces in areas frequented by tourists, such as the Copan Mayan ruins and Roatan. Tourists traveling with group tours also report fewer criminal incidents.
The Honduran Government is evaluating similar options for other locations, and major hotels, and other tourist installations have increased private and police security. Some businesses report that extra security costs account for up to 15 percent of their total expenses.
The vast majority of serious crimes in Honduras, including those against U.S. citizens, are never solved; of the 50 murders committed against U.S. citizens since 2008, police have only solved two. Members of the Honduran National Police are known to engage in criminal activity, including murder and car theft. The Government of Honduras lacks sufficient resources to properly investigate and prosecute cases, and police often lack vehicles or fuel to respond to calls for assistance. In practice, this means police may take hours to arrive at the scene of a violent crime, or may not respond at all. As a result, criminals operate with a high degree of impunity throughout Honduras. The Honduran government is in the early stages of substantial reforms to its criminal justice institutions.
Transnational criminal organizations also conduct narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout the country, using violence to control drug trafficking routes and carry out criminal activity. Other criminals, acting both individually and in gangs in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other large cities, commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping, extortion, carjacking, armed robbery, rape, and other aggravated assaults.
Kidnappings and disappearances are an ongoing concern throughout the country as well. Kidnapping affects both the local and expatriate communities, with victims sometimes paying large ransoms for the prospect of release. Kidnapping is believed to be underreported. Since January 1, 2012, four cases of kidnapped U.S. citizens were reported to the U.S. Embassy. The kidnapping victims were all subsequently released.
Precautions While in Honduras
U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times and in all locations, especially when entering or exiting their homes, hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, U.S. citizens should travel in groups of two or more. It is also advisable to avoid wearing jewelry and carrying large sums of money or displaying cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. U.S. citizens should avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras or walking alone on beaches, historic ruins, and trails. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are also common in Honduras. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.
The location and timing of criminal activity is unpredictable in Honduras. The U.S. Embassy recommends that all travelers exercise caution when traveling anywhere in the country; however, certain areas of the country demonstrate higher levels of criminal activity than others. Most of Honduras’ major cities (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and others), as well as several Honduran “departments” (a geographic designation similar to U.S. states) have homicide rates higher than the national average for 2013 thus far, including:
DEPARTMENT CAPITAL
Atlántida La Ceiba
Colón Trujillo
Cortés San Pedro Sula
Yoro Yoro
Atlántida La Ceiba
Colón Trujillo
Cortés San Pedro Sula
Yoro Yoro
There are no reliable statistics for the department of Gracias a Dios; however, travelers to the area should note that it is a remote location where narcotics trafficking is frequent, and where infrastructure is weak, government services are limited, and police or military presence is scarce.
