Carrizalon

The tension continues here in Honduras, but all is well in Copan. A mandatory curfew has been instated through tomorrow, from 9pm to 6am, but aside from that life continues pretty normally. I hear that there have been problems in Tegucigalpa, and for that, many in Copan are worried about their family and friends in the capital city. But Copan remains tranquil.



I thought I'd take a couple moments to write about the town in which I have been doing my research. Carrizalon is a small Ch'orti' (an indigenous Maya group) community in the mountains surrounding Copan valley. Taking the highway to the Guatemalan border, it is about a 30-minute drive by mototaxi (faster in Moncho's truck!). Half of the drive is on paved road, the rest consists of a dirt road ascending a rocky hill.

Life in Carrizalon is calm and simple. Most families live in plaster homes with metal or thatched roofing. They support themselves with milpas, or cornfields, where corn and beans are the staples. Roosters, hens, and chickens run around, and dogs and cats lounge around in the sun. The people have been incredibly kind and helpful, though at times shy. Very few, mostly the oldest members of the community, are native speakers of the Ch'orti' language, but the kids are now learning the language in school. Though some traditions are still practiced, more and more are being lost every day, and Catholicism is becoming more and more prominent. Hopefully my research will help to preserve some of these customs.

In any case, this is where I have been spending quite a bit of time over the last two weeks. Thought I'd give you a little window to it for now. I have taken a TON of pictures, and will share those with you when I return to the States.

Hope all is well!
Alyce