Headlines do not tell the story. They bring your attention to it ... briefly, most of the time. Then, you quickly move on to the next.
Most stories, however, live on. They do not end with the newscycle. Many of them carry a message for all of us. In this blog, I try to go a little deeper into Honduran current events, history and trivia that have important and useful take-aways.
Researching and learning the facts and then reflecting to understand the context before sharing also means taking a little more time to write - and for you, taking a little more time to read. The entries will be longer than what you are used to scrolling through on you phone. However, the extra minute of reading may change your initial appreciation of an event or headline, help you understand better, encourage you to search for more and maybe share your findings.
One of the examples that comes to mind is the 1969 "Guerra de Las Cien Horas", which the rest of the world refers to as the Soccer War. Upon hearing the misnomer, people assume Honduras and El Salvador had an armed conflict literally because of a soccer rivalry or the score in a qualifying match to the World Cup. If you are Honduran, you have probably been asked the question. Actually, tension over migratory and border issues had been simmering for some time between the two countries and were the underlying motives for the conflict. This is the kind of information that is lost to the "headline readers". Teaser: there will be a post on the subject this summer.
So, curious about concepts related to Honduras that you my have heard? Such as: garra catracha, the Honduran spirit? or ...baleadas, anyone?(our food preferences) ... and soccer, arguably one of the - if not the -country’s greatest passion? Where can you find the best scuba diving coral reef sites of the Caribbean? How did the caravanas (migratory exodus in large groups) get started? Why is the Lady of Suyapa the patron saint of Honduras? There is a good chance that the T-shirt you are wearing was made in Honduras - how come? Why do Hondurans have a different date to celebrate Father's Day and Women's Day?
On each of those subjects, there is a little more to "it" than meets the eye.
Will start posting soon. Hope you decide to explore and give me the opportunity to share with you some facts and thoughts on all things Honduras.
Best.
Markina