Recently, I received a phone call inviting me to identify a piece of pottery a visiting foreign anthropologist had just bought. All over the Trujillo area people dig up North Coast Applique pottery. What difference does one piece make more or less? Full Article by WENDY GRIFFIN in Opinions & Editorials

In 1994, a CARE study identified the areas of Honduas most affected by poverty. According to their study, the three poorest departments are Intibuca, Lempira and La Paz. As the industrial and commercial regions of San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Puerto Cortes, and Choluteca experience economic growth, these departments are left behind, and create a corridor of misery is southeastern Honduras.Full story in Opinions & Editorials

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TEGUCIGALPA -- The traditions of nativity scenes and decorating pine trees to celebrate the birth of Christ, little by little have been disappearing in Honduras. These days the poor are resigned to admiring them through the window displays of shopping centers, while those who have the resources have become frantic consumers of every imaginable product. Merchants are aware of this trend and have encouraged the frenzy with "sales, offers, and reductions" especially for the Christmas season. Full article by BLANCA MORENO in National

Earthquakes are major part of seismic events in Honduras 

TEGUCIGALPA -- Although Honduras does not have any active volcanoes like some of its neighboring Central American countries, seismically speaking it is a fairly active place. The most recent event was an earthquake, registering three points on the Richter scale, that hit an area 20 km from the Honduran-Guatemalan border on Oct. 18.Full article by ROSIBEL PACHECO DE GUTIERREZ in National

Episcopalians help Honduran poor and needy in many ways

Come flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster, whether in San Pedro Sula or Las Marias in the Mosquitia, it is likely that you will find Allen Bodden with his helpers passing out sandwiches and soft drinks, aiding people to catch their breath in the teeth of disaster.Full story by Michael Thannisch von Zwelbrucken in National
 

Week in Review

Deborah De Moss receives rights prize
Two bank robbers apprehended
Lights installed at Toncontin airport
Vigil for Carney continues in El Salvador
Vessel with toxic waste docks in Puerto Cortes

Against all odds: 
The Maya-Chorti hang on

"...Do not look at monuments and palaces. Do not tarry in gilded cathedrals and fancy concert halls. The essence, the soul, the tragedy and the hope that is Honduras are all found at the core of its indigenous communities." Book review by W.E. GUTMAN in Cultural 

It is a cold, misty day at the zoo. Tendrils of fog twist in and out of the bear cage, the jaguar cage, the monkey cage. Pancha, the spider monkey, sits huddled on the bench, head tucked into her long black arm. I sit down next to her while waiting for Rosy the zoo director. Full story by SARA MORRIS SWETCHARNIK in Cultural

The Maya Calendar
A guide to the best in Honduran culture

ETHNIC ART -- PROPAITH and the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History is sponsoring exhibitions and the sale of traditional indigenous arts and crafts. The exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at PROPAITH located on Calle Morelos in front of the Museo de Historia Republicana in Villa Roy, Barrio Buenos Aires. Call 38-0608 for more information. Full Maya Calendar in Cultural.

Dreadful critters lie in wait for victims in Honduran wilds

ROATAN -- Remember the movie Alien, when the monster bursts out of the chest of John Hurt? Well, this is not so far fetched to people who have traveled the exotic areas of Central America and specifically Honduras. First in a series by TERRY CLYMIRE in Travel & Tourism

Web review: bulletin boards

One of the advantages of the web is that travelers can assist each other with finding critical information, regardless of where they live. Where to go in Oaxaca? Which Spanish language school to attend? Expert advice is available in a keystroke. There are a number of online bulletin boards where travelers can place queries and answer questions on the web. Full story by RON MADER

Are you looking for fine cigars? We have the best from Honduras & Nicaragua. Famous brand like: Don Melo - Petrus - Santa Rosa. If you are interested in cigars to launch your own brand, contact to: Christian Salinas: rlainez@david.intertel.hn. Tel/Fax (504) 32-4298 FREE! NEED TRAVEL INFO CLASSIFIEDS FREE! EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFIEDS