Filling up in Copán
 Via Via advertising shuttles to Guatemala |
 Like small tostadas, but called gazpachos |
I decided it was too early in my trip to delve into Thai curry (and I happen to pretty picky about my Thai food anyway) so I ordered something called gapachos which were similar to Mexican tostadas. The dish was 2 thick deep-fried tortillas covered in spiced juicy chicken and a salad of chopped tomatoes, cukes and peppers. Topping it off was a pineapple juice smoothie, costing a total of 75 lemps. Via Via wasn't nearly as popular as I expected, considering it was normal lunch time; it was definitely tourist-oriented, with English menus (albeit no English-speaking servers) but no one else was there when I was. Perhaps it was just a slow time of year for Honduras.
After my ass-breaking horse ride on an unsuitable saddle, I decided I needed a treat. At Llama de Bosque I ordered a local specialty called anafre, basically a cheese-and-bean dip warmed over a pot of coals. This pot is shaped vaguely like a pig head...I cannot imagine why.
My version came with chorizo mixed in and freshly-fried, very oily (but yummy!) tortilla chips. With a few Salva Vidas, it was absolutely decadent. It was a monetary splurge too, at 105 lemps (about $5.50).
Llama de Bosque was across the street from Café Via Via, and definitely a large gringo place, so I felt more than a little guilty when in the morning I felt unadventurous and returned for breakfast. The breakfast was delicious, though—one thing I can usually count on in bland Central American cuisine is good hearty breakfasts. This one was no exception, coming with fried eggs, avocado, maduro, cheese, cream and corn tortillas. A fragrant pot of café con leche completed the meal, for a total of 50Lps.
I had sensed that food would not be Honduras' strong point, but everything was decent so far. I certainly wouldn't spend the rest of the trip starving, and was eager to try a few other local specialties.