Copan to Antigua

Went to Copan two days ago to check out the ruins. Definitely on a smaller scale than any other highly touted ruins in Mesoamerica but definitely worth a visit. That's all I can think of to say. Although the town of Copan itself (1 km from the actual ruins) is full of tourists, which makes sense since the ruins are its mainstay, it's a nice little town nestled into a valley. Honduras is EXPENSIVE. Atleast compared to Nicaragua. A private room in a hostel in San Pedro Sula was $42 which I haven't seen anywhere. I'm finding that I like impoverished countries alot better. Not only because I can buy cheap combs and batteries but also because, well, they're not as nice and developed. People my parents' age (no offense Mom, I love you) eating in nice restaurants with napkins made of actual cloth eating off of porcelain plates in a town is a sure sign that its been westernized and too culturally paved for my comfort. Antigua, Guatemala (a 5 hour shuttle ride over the border) is much the same. A really pretty town actually, beautiful old churches and clean streets. I can see why aging retirees love it here so much. It's a safe, clean bubble to experience a country from. There's not actually much to do or even see here that you can't see in about a 2 hour stroll around the town is the thing. Antigua exists because of tourism, not the other way around. I can't imagine what you would do here if you weren't taking spanish classes or doing a homestay. It's kind of like Sucre, Bolivia...just more expensive, without as may things around it to see, more tourists and with a McDonalds and Burger King. I like much more having the chance to run into a native Guatemalan on the street rather than another person from my own city. Call it cultural anonymity...I don't know. I'm going to take a shuttle up north to Lanquin which is a lot less developed to see a natural formation called Semuc Champey. More to come later...