We crossed the border into Honduras on Tuesday, November 30th.  Very close to the Guatemala and Honduras border is the town of Copán Ruinas, home of the famous Maya ruins of Copán.  This would be our first stop in Honduras.  We had a wonderful time in the town and visiting the nearby Los Sapos, Aguas Calientes, and, of course, the Copán Archeological Site.  

The Maya Kingdom of Copán goes back to at least 426 AD.  Copán was also a very important astronomical site and university for astronomists.  During its heyday which began in late 600 AD,  Copán enjoyed a population of 20,000.   The Mayan nobles lived within the walls of Copán, while the wealthy lived just outside and south of the river, and the common people lived north of the river.  However, the Great Plaza was built to accommodate all 20,000 citizens where they would congregate to enjoy Mayan rituals and watch the Maya ball game in the Ball Court.  Towards the end of 8th century, the population of Copan escalated dramatically causing agricultural resources and water to become more scarce, diseases spread, and a revolution of the people erupted.  All of these factors combined led to the collapse of the Mayan civizilation at Copán.  

However the great architecture and magic of Copán lives on and can be enjoyed by the world today.  Each king contributed beautiful pyramids, palaces and stone carvings to Copán, many of which can still be seen today.   

Copán is often compared to Tikal, and they are both great Mayan ruins .  Tikal, the New York City of the Mayan world, is known for its tall temples and pyramids while Copán, the Paris of the Mayan World, is better known for its emphasis on sculpture.

Los Sapos is a small site where some old Maya stone carvings may be found.  It was a beautiful uphill hike to this spot.  Sapos is spanish for "toads".  The Mayan women came up to Los Sapos to give birth.  Here Rich and I sit next to one of the toads carved in stone.

That evening, we went to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes with our new friends (from left):  Juan, Peter, Anco, Giji, some unknown guy, and Robby.  It was an hour ride from town through beautiful countryside with coffee fincas dotting the land.  A finca is a ranch or farm in the country.  When we arrived to the hot springs, the weather was chilly and rainy, which was the perfect setting for sitting in very hot pools of water.

The following day, we woke up early to visit the Copán Archeological Site.  Our first glimpse of Copán was in the West Plaza, also known as the aquatic area.  Although there was not any water here, the temples were adorned with shells, lilly pads and other mythological symbols of the sea.  Here our guide and friend, Juan, stands on the steps of the Inscription Temple, also known as Temple 11, as he describes the meaning of this temple which was that it was made up of the heaven, the superworld (Earth) and the underworld.  The body of this statute is under water (representing the underworld), while her head is rising above the water into the superworld.  A window above her represents heaven.

The Great Plaza of Copán.

The great emphasis of Copán architecture was the intricate sculpture.  The history of Copán can be read from these sculptures.  The grotesque face on the left was sculpted in 780 AD when the workers were sick from diseases, hunger and oppression.  This face shows how they were feeling.  The face on the right was sculpted during happier times.

Here is another photo of the Great Plaza.  On the left you can see two stair-like structures facing eachother.  This is the Ball Court. 

Here is a close up photo of the Ball Court.  The main object of this popular Mayan game was to hit the macaw heads that you can see at the top of the court and score points.  They could only use their feet and body, but not their hands.  The ball that was used weighed approximately 12 pounds (mas o menos).  The players could not let this heavy ball touch the ground, or they would automatically lose.  The winner dies, but it is an honor.  

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