Sep 11

Written by: reh
9/11/2004

September 11, 2004


In the publication Let’s Go: Central America, Krutzinna, Benjamin et al, 2003, St. Martin’s Press, New York, under the heading Honduras, subheading Southern Honduras, page 446, our destination is described as follows:
“A thin expansion of Honduras runs south to the Golfo de Fonseca, giving the country all-important access to the Pacific Ocean. Travelers here are usually en route to some place else: both El Salvador and Nicaragua are an easy trip down the Carretera Panamericana. Traveling south from Tegucigalpa, a road heads west to the Salvadoran border at El Amatillo from the junction at Jicaro Galan.”

The Honduras map(International Travel Map, Honduras, Scale 1 : 750000, Joyce, Jack, 2000, ITMB Publishing LTD,) shows El Amatillo to be on the El Salvador side of the border, which is not correct.

So our destination is described as a place en route to some place else and is shown on the map in the wrong country.

Elise and I are going to attend to affairs for my little charge, Anabel. Clearly, El Almatillo, Anabel’s home town, is not a tourist Mecca. In fact, given the level of poverty in the country, it is not really the safest place to vacation. In our opinion, it is essential that Elise meet Anabel. For that reason we’re going to El Amatillo.

Since our conversations will pertain to specifics of Anabel’s care and our level of involvement we will take an assistant. He will work as our translator. Elise doesn’t know it but our assistant is also a body guard (personal security guard to those of a more delicate persuasion). The best body guard is one that keeps you out of trouble, not one that gets you out of trouble. The biggest threat is from predators, opportunists. That element prays on the lost, confused, hesitant, visitor. It is intended that, with our assistant, we will not be vulnerable visitors.
Assistants that double as body guards are fairly common in Central America. The following ad is from the Honduras Weekly News, an on-line English language publication. I like this ad because it is unambiguous. Not only do you get a translator and “personal security” guard, you also get a “fixer” with the package. I don’t know what a “fixer” does, but, when traveling with one’s wife to a place in Honduras that others simply pas through and is shown in the wrong country, having a “fixer” seems like a good idea.

TRANSLATOR, GUIDE, FIXER, - ENGLISH, SPANISH, GARIFUNA SPOKEN
www.honduguide.com
GUIDE SERVICE - will meet you at the airport or port, accompany & assist as you desire. Arrange hotel,transport.etc

REFERRAL SERVICE - Introductions to reputable local professionals such as attorney, contractor, medical, financial, real estate, customs broker

EXPEDITOR - assist with governmental procedures and paperwork including passport, immigration, residency, marriage, birth certificate, real estate, customs, taxes, etc.

SHIPPING TO HONDURAS - importation of motor vehicles, equipment, goods etc.

BUYING SERVICE - Locate, buy, & ship household, business equipment, parts, etc. to BAY ISLANDS. Can also order & deliver direct to your door in Honduras from USA. What do you need?

PROJECT OVERSIGHT - oversee your construction project, send reports,etc

NIGHTLIFE GUIDE - casino, disco, karaoke, etc. Recreate in safety

CONSULTATION SERVICE - Special projects & services needed? Just ask.

SECURITY SERVICES - Personal & project security - Can travel.

HOW MAY I SERVE YOU?

SR. Antonio Martinez, honest local Honduran will save you time, money, frustration & disappointment.
honduguide@yahoo.com

VAST EXPERIENCE & CONTACTS IN LACEIBA & THE NORTH COAST OF HONDURAS

This is not the guide we actually used but I like his unambiguous ad.

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