Hello! Sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. The internet in the hotel wasn't working, unfortunately, but I am back now! I also fixed the problem with the last post. For some reason the pictures didn't show up as they were supposed to. They should be visible now, so take a look if you didn't get a chance when I first posted.
Yesterday was an excellent shopping day. I was pretty frantic knowing this was my last good weekend to buy things for people, and I am indecisive as it is. I always want to find the perfect gift! But I think I found some pretty cool things. If you want something, though, there is still time... so please tell me!
We also went as a group to a showing of the Dark Knight at Via Via, a local bar. Ticket price: one dollar. I love Honduras! And the movie quality was pretty decent. Excellent movie by the way. I can easily envision a posthumous Oscar win for Heath Ledger.
Today was our real last day of digging. Most of us start on community projects this week, while others are working in the lab identifying ceramics and lithics, or even excavating further. As I explained earlier, I am interviewing people from around town (with a lot of help from Bill) who worked with some early Copan archaeologists (we're talking 1930s). I talked with Don Felipe for the second time today, and I will be talking with him again on Wednesday. He is really a wealth of information! The interview today lasted a good 2 hours! Tomorrow I will start work on transcribing the interview, which will help my listening comprehension immensely. Can't wait to start on that!
At dinner, two field-schoolers (Alasdair, a writer; and Kenny, an artist) unveiled a project they had been working on for about two-and-half weeks. The title: Archaeology's Finest. It's a comic book starring our professors Bill, Barb, and Marc. Today they released the first installment of three. One of the funniest things I've ever read! I may scan in the pages once I get home to share with you all, but be warned: the references are pretty esoteric.
Speaking of hilarity, here's something I learned today: my name (or, the sounds that comprise my name), when said in Classic Mayan, mean "testicles." Wrap your heads around that!
The pictures today are a little random but have interesting stories attached.
First, check out this hole:
Yesterday was an excellent shopping day. I was pretty frantic knowing this was my last good weekend to buy things for people, and I am indecisive as it is. I always want to find the perfect gift! But I think I found some pretty cool things. If you want something, though, there is still time... so please tell me!
We also went as a group to a showing of the Dark Knight at Via Via, a local bar. Ticket price: one dollar. I love Honduras! And the movie quality was pretty decent. Excellent movie by the way. I can easily envision a posthumous Oscar win for Heath Ledger.
Today was our real last day of digging. Most of us start on community projects this week, while others are working in the lab identifying ceramics and lithics, or even excavating further. As I explained earlier, I am interviewing people from around town (with a lot of help from Bill) who worked with some early Copan archaeologists (we're talking 1930s). I talked with Don Felipe for the second time today, and I will be talking with him again on Wednesday. He is really a wealth of information! The interview today lasted a good 2 hours! Tomorrow I will start work on transcribing the interview, which will help my listening comprehension immensely. Can't wait to start on that!
At dinner, two field-schoolers (Alasdair, a writer; and Kenny, an artist) unveiled a project they had been working on for about two-and-half weeks. The title: Archaeology's Finest. It's a comic book starring our professors Bill, Barb, and Marc. Today they released the first installment of three. One of the funniest things I've ever read! I may scan in the pages once I get home to share with you all, but be warned: the references are pretty esoteric.
Speaking of hilarity, here's something I learned today: my name (or, the sounds that comprise my name), when said in Classic Mayan, mean "testicles." Wrap your heads around that!
The pictures today are a little random but have interesting stories attached.
First, check out this hole:
This is an ancient drainage way that takes water out of the plaza. For some context on where it is:
A few years ago, this drainage way got clogged and as a result the plaza flooded. From what I hear, the water was a few feet high. Well, one man decided to take action. I don't remember what his name was or how he was connected to Copan: he may have been a local, or perhaps an archaeologist. Either way, he took initiative. He dove into the water and swam into the drainage way--yes, that tiny little hole--unclogging it and saving the Principal Group. The big mystery is how the heck he got out of that drain once the water started rushing in. We may never know!
Next, I thought I'd talk a little bit about the local currency, the Lempira. Lempira was a Lenca (the indigenous Honduran people) chieftain and hero. When the Spanish Conquistadors invaded, Lempira managed to unite Lenca tribes that had long been enemies to resist the conquest. The story goes that Spanish leaders invited Lempira to a meeting under the pretense of peace negotiations, and there Lempira was shot in the forehead by a hidden marksman, thereby ending his movement.
The one Lempira bill (seen above, front and back) is my favorite note here in Honduras. A portrait of Lempira graces the front, and the back is a view of the ballcourt (left) and Hieroglyphic Stairway (right). One of my favorite moments here in Copan was climbing to the top of Temple 16 (again, it could be 11), and seeing the very view depicted on the Lempira:
Awesome, hmm?
Well, I'm off! Have a great night, and let me know how you all are doing! I love you, and miss you.
Well, I'm off! Have a great night, and let me know how you all are doing! I love you, and miss you.
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