One of the things
I love most about living in Honduras
is being able to hike every day without too much hassle or costs involved. Back
when I lived I Amsterdam, I always had to make an effort to exercise or pay a price
to enjoy the outdoors. Here in Copán, I roll out of my bed each morning, put on
a pair of sweats and sneakers, and off I am, just me and my dog, at the river
within ten minutes. Although I usually get up before 6am, I’m not a natural
early riser, but walking half asleep along the river is a perfectly gentle way
to wake up. By the time I’m on my way back, I’m usually fully awake and ready
to tackle the day.
Hiking in Copán
is one of the best things to do, and I’m forever amazed that not everybody is doing it! The climate is
perfect (if you get up early enough to beat the tropical heat), the trails
around Copán offer ever changing views and the people I meet on their way to
work or school have become such a part of my daily routine that I miss them if
I don’t see them for a day. Since the Honduran climate doesn’t have seasons the
way I was used to back home, the changes are more subtle, but always
intriguing. I love the lush green in the rainy season, so bright against the
intense blue sky. I’m also very fond of the early morning mist in November, or
the crisp morning chill of December. Even the oppressing heat of the dry season
in March and April is bearable in the early morning and a welcome relief from
what’s to come.
 |
| The Friendly Giant |
I’m never ever
bored when I go out hiking. I like to explore new trails, or stick to old ones,
observing changes in plants and trees as I move along. I enjoy the presence of
birds, lizards and an occasional mammal such as a fox or agouti. Scarlet macaws
make themselves heard over a long distance from the archaeological park where
they live, as do the doves, in a more subtle way, with their somewhat
depressing, soft hooting. I love making up stories for what I call charismatic
trees: there’s the Friendly Giant and the not-so-friendly Bridezilla, a creeper
that over the years has killed her husband, the tree that so gently reached out
to her.
The river’s shore
is one of my favourite places to be with always something to find. Whether it
is weathered drift wood, an awesome texture in the mud on a virgin beach, or a
heart shaped rock, there are very few times I don’t find some kind of treasure.
Walking in the
afternoons is also great, especially after spending a whole day behind the
computer or in my studio, so I often go for a second walk. The great thing
about afternoon hikes is the beautiful light that softens the world and makes
everything look warm and welcome: the bent corn stalks, the tall eucalyptus
trees and the sudden open field strewn with rocks and occupied by patiently
grazing cows and horses. When I climb down to cross a stream, a sudden coolness
settles on skin, to be replaced by the warmth of the last rays of sunshine
there where the sun manages to break through the trees a little later onto the
path.
Walking the
trails in the mountains around Copán never cease to make me feel incredibly
happy, grateful and alive. And even though I’m usually tired and hungry by the
time I get back, it is always a bit of a sad moment to walk back into town.
Another walk down.
But there’s
always another one in the morning!
Dedicated to my walking buddies Ana Maria and Ganja, who, love hiking as much as Luca and I
do…
