Day Two at Copan Ruins

Monday was a day full of fun ... we started our day with a 2 hour horseback ride.  I am not a big fan of horses - but Daniel loves them ... so I decided to be a good sport and go with him on the ride.  I am so thankful that I did - it was amazing!

Crossing Copan River

We went up the mountain to a local Mayan village.  On the way, we saw the most beautiful sites.  It was amazing ... when we arrived in the village ... Hector (our guide) took us down a trail through the woods to see a part of the ruins that was found separate from the main site.  As we were walking down the trail, Daniel said, "You realize we could be walking to our death?" (Hector only spoke Spanish so he didn't understand)  I couldn't believe he said that - but he was so right!  We were so trusting to just follow this fella down a trail in the middle of nowhere ... but thank the Lord ... we were safe! :)

This is the path we followed Hector on - it was crazy!

Site of Ruins

Frog - place of sacrifices

After the trail, we went back to the village to see some of the homes there. We were bombarded with little girls - begging for us to buy dolls from them. They were as little as 3-4 years old - begging for money. One of the little girls, Reina, followed us the whole time - asking for money. It is so sad and so difficult to see.

We headed back down the mountain and finished our ride. It was such a great way to spend our morning - and I was so proud of myself ... I carried on 2 hours of conversation with Hector in Spanish! Go me! :)

COFFEE :)

Houses made from Pine Trees

Rena - following us around

Mud Huts

View from the top

Another View

Beautiful flowers - see the blue?  That is dyed corn husks drying out for the dolls

Reina still trying to sell her dolls

Woman walking up the trail with basket on her head - just a cool picture :)

Trail down the mountain

Hector told us that this is a home where 10 American Missionaries live!

Medicine from a plant - only good for sore throat :)

Almost made it back

At the end of our ride

We headed back to the hotel for a quick shower and went to get some lunch.  At 2pm - we had scheduled a bus ride to the Hot Springs.  We had heard that this was something that you have to do here - so we were super excited.  We went to get on the bus - and realized it was just a truck with two benches in the back.  We had an hour drive to the hot springs in the back of a truck ... it was so fun!  I got a little sun burnt - but we met some great people that were going there with us.

The Hot Springs were amazing!  We did a mud bath - soaked in the water and Daniel even sat under the massage waterfall - it was so neat.  If you ever get a chance to see something like this - do it!

View from the back of the truck!

First Hot Spring

Tunnel to go through to get to the rest :)

Layered pools

Part of this spring got up to 90 degrees Celsius!

Massage tower - reservations only :)

Our first mud bath!

relaxing :)

Second Mud Bath

can you see Dano? :)

View from the bridge

View of the whole bridge - very cool :)

We have one more day in Copan before heading back to San Pedro Sula on Wednesday.  Then it is back to SOUTH CAROLINA on Thursday!  We land at 5:30 at the airport - Praise the Lord!  Please continue to pray for safe travels - we are so close! :)