Hacienda San Lucas - Copán Ruinas, Honduras

New Hacienda San Lucas Wheels

2011-12-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Hacienda San Lucas has a new truck to transport our guests from the town of Copán Ruinas up to our little piece of paradise. A new truck, of course, deserved a new sign with logo designed by the creator of New Maya Language–Frida Larios. You can read more about the meaning behind our logo on Frida's website.

We hope you visit us soon so that you can enjoy it!

I Am Love

2011-11-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

by Shannon Kring Buset

When my husband moved out, I found myself depressed, alone, and without a sense of purpose--unless you consider sleeping until noon and then going on 12-hour eating benders a higher calling.

For six months, I spent teary nights alone (wearing my husband's socks, one of the few things he'd left behind) in my kitchen, recreating the cream-based pasta sauce he'd made for me on our first date. Friends and family reminded me that I'm nothing if not resourceful, and told me to follow my heart. But how could I follow a heart that, like a bird stunned from hitting a windshield, was wounded and lacking any sense of direction?

Between naps and second helpings of Sour Cream and Onion Baked Lays, I--now heavier in body (literally) and spirit,--found myself thinking of Flavia Cueva and her Hacienda San Lucas in Copán Ruinas, Honduras. When I had met Flavia the previous summer, I was instantly drawn to her fighting spirit. Ten years earlier, Flavia, her own marriage having ended, returned to her family's century-old hacienda in the mountains overlooking the breathtaking Mayan ruins. Out of her own ruins, she built an intimate eco-retreat at which others could find healing.

As I thought of Flavia and my stay at Hacienda San Lucas, I remembered the kitchen, where the rhythmic slap slap, slap slap of cornmeal being pounded into tortillas provides its heartbeat. This place, I decided, was where I needed to go to rebuild my life, and to learn how to restore my own heartbeat. I put down my bag of chips and booked a plane ticket to Central America--to Honduras, the country whose name translates literally to the depths. I had no way of knowing what awaited me in this strange land, or just how fitting its name would prove to be.

Immediately upon my arrival, I plunged head first into the dark waters of the unclaimed parts of myself. I waded in my guilt, my shame, my rage, my stubborn refusal to forgive. I studied with a shaman, experienced temazcal (the Mayan steam bath and rebirth ritual), participated in Maya Sacred Fire Ceremonies, returned to yoga, hiked in the jungle, explored ancient ruins, and cooked alongside Flavia's Maya Chortí staff. No matter what the day held, as the sun slipped behind the hazy, blue mountains of nearby Guatemala, I could be found at the far edge of Flavia's property. Sitting near the fire circle, high above the chocolate-covered river that snaked between Hacienda San Lucas and the Mayan ruins beyond, I prayed, and prayed hard.

"I want love," I'd say, over and over and over again. I made my plea to the birds, to the sky, to the air, to the Sacred Fire, to anyone and anything that would listen, and hopefully help grant my wish to get my husband back from the woman I viewed as taking up space in my dream.

Six weeks into my stay, during a Maya Sacred Fire Ceremony at my special spot, I heard myself. I mean really heard myself for the first time. IwantloveIwantloveIwantlove. I looked across the fire at Leah, the Canadian yoga instructor expat who had for weeks helped me become more flexible in both mind and body. I looked at AumRak, the Guatemalan shaman who had taken me in and taught me the ways of Maya spirituality--teachings that focused on life being a perfect balance of light and dark, good and bad. I looked down at my hand in Flavia's, and when our eyes met, she offered me a warm smile and gentle squeeze. All this time, I had prayed for love, asked for love, begged for love. I was confused, angry even, with the universe, with God. Why hadn't my prayers been answered?

And yet at that moment, I realized that they had been. Love was all around me. It was in the women who gently guided me back to life. It was in the food we cooked, and that was cooked for me. It was in the fresh flowers that were picked by the groundsmen and placed beside my bed by the housekeepers. It was in the resident Labrador Retriever that nuzzled me when I cried, and danced at my feet when my smile returned. Love was absolutely everywhere, in limitless abundance. It was not the love I so desperately wanted, but it was the love I very much needed. With my new mantra--I am love, offered with gratitude and without expectation--I rose from the depths, found new dreams, and remembered how to fly.

Shannon Kring Buset is an award-winning author, film director, teacher, and motivational speaker. Two years to the month after her realization, she was married to her new husband, whom she met in Honduras, in the very spot where she once asked for love. Their wedding dinner included fresh tortillas made with love. www.shannonkringbuset.com.

TripAdvisor awards Hacienda San Lucas!

2011-06-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Because travelers have shared their opinions on TripAdvisor and they are impressed with the quality of our business we've earned a Certificate of Excellence.

This is the result of a continued effort to strive for the quality and warmth in our service that makes feel each and every guest like at home. And our guests are feeling it:

I have used trip advisor extensively over the last couple of years, but never bothered to write a review. I am writing my first one because Hacienda San Lucas is one of the finest places my wife and I have ever stayed. We received probably the best and most friendly service we have ever encountered. The grounds are beautiful and the view over the valley stunning, particularly at sunset. The Hacienda itself has been beautiful restored and is relaxing environment. The candle light at night (they light perhaps 15 candles in our room alone) was a special treat which further enhanced the atmosphere. The food was superb.

Guest from Washington DC

Hacienda Perfect for Families says The Travel Experta

2011-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

Marina Kuperman Villatoro, The Travel Experta editor, shares her experience:

"The Lodge has 8 rooms in total. Our section had 3 rooms with patios and hammocks. The rooms are lit with candlelight, except for the light in the bathroom. It took some time to adjust to the candles, however, now I wonder why all hotels don’t use this system. It works great for romantic getaways but the affect it has on family travel with 2 little kids was tranquility. I think I’ll do this at home, anything to calm my boys down before night time.

You can read the full article here:

Have You Ever Stayed at a 100 Year Old Hacienda?

Gaia - a universal portal in 2012

2011-05-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Gaia is the ceremonial and yoga center at Hacienda San Lucas overlooking the Copán valley, and one of the major Maya archaeological site's in Mesoamerica. The space was in need of differentiation from the main centenary Hacienda house since so many special events and memorable weddings have taken place here.

A new New Maya Language brand identity was designed by our artist Frida Larios. The emblems that you read in the pictogram mean: Maya ceremonial center on top of mountain. A beautifully reclaimed wood-carved sign by a local artist will be manufactured to be placed at the foot of the Gaia hill, all in preparation for the major Maya Long Count Calendar ending on December 21st, 2012.

We welcome you to enjoy this sacred space during 2012 where 5125 Gregorian Calendar years from the Maya creation date on August 11th, 3114 BC, will be celebrated.

Corn husk wedding decorations!

2011-01-04T22:51:00.000-08:00

We just celebrated another amazing wedding but this time all the accents were created by Chortis women in La Pintada, Copan Ruinas!

Decorating with nature

2010-12-24T15:12:00.001-08:00

Starting to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-12-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

Our famous "guirnaldas" (natural hand-woven Christmas adornments) have been in the making by the "men" for the last couple of days – just on time for Christmas Eve.

Pilo, our driver who has directed is very proud of the outcome. We will post more photos of the finished door decorations when ready.

From our house to yours—Happy Holidays!

Hacienda San Lucas in Destination Weddings

2010-10-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Shannon Kring Buset's wedding to Knut Inge Buset that took place this past March at Hacienda San Lucas appeared on Destination Weddings magazine "Spirited Central America" guide to getting married in Honduras.

You are welcome to enquire about your own magical wedding at our Gaia yoga pavillion overlooking the Maya archaeological site.

"Say your vows in Hacienda San Lucas yoga pavillion, with view to the Copan Valley. Then hold your reception on the lawn of this eight room-inn."

Destination Weddings Magazine

United, at last: Former Henderson residents travel miles before chance meeting in Honduras

2010-09-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Lynda knew that somewhere in Honduras a former Henderson resident who had been a Henderson County High teacher had established a unique inn in the rustic hacienda that had been in her family more than a century" reads the wonderful article published by Henderson, Kentucky's The Gleaner.

Read the full news here:

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/mar/06/united-last-former-henderson-residents-travel-mile/

Another Day At The Office

2010-07-31T19:10:00.001-07:00

Flavia's grandson, Yax, gives strict orders on how to refill water jugs.

Guests Travel By Horse

2010-06-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

After the flash flood our guests, Dale and Courtney, of Bend, Ore., safely make it down the mountain - and their luggage, too!

Copan River Floods

2010-06-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

After several weeks, if not months of rain, it finally happened. The river went over its bank and into the valley. What is normally nothing more than a big flowing creek, the river destroyed acres of corn not to mention the road leading up to the hacienda. Dinners and rooms have been canceled for the next two days. As you can tell by the photos, the level of the water dropped quickly.

Our sign just after the main bridge surrounded by water.

Destroyed corn.

Creek-like just got really big.

Motor taxi crossing the bridge with debris below.

Travel + Leisure Magazine Feature

2010-06-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

This is Travel + Leisure magazine's May front cover. Rated as one of the best travel magazines in the U.S. with nearly 1 million readers. The article mentions five “must-sees” in Roatan, Utila, Copan and La Ceiba. Hacienda San Lucas is prominently featured in its one-page article and we are proud to be recommended as the place to visit and stay in Copán!

Estilo Magazine

2010-06-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

These are some new layouts we are submitting to Estilo magazine. Estilo is a Honduran glossy magazine. This particular edition will be sold in El Salvador - hopefully to increase regional tourism.

Friends From Kansas

2010-06-03T13:20:00.001-07:00

Dear Flavia,

Just a note to thank you for everything....we had such a wonderful experience at Hacienda San Lucas, and certainly look forward to seeing you again some day. I still have, in my memory, that wonderful view in the early morning, sitting on the hillside, drinking coffee, and looking down on the Copan uins. Thank Argi and your wonderful staff for us as well.

We have recommended your hotel to our friends who I believe are coming to visit Copan sometime this summer. They are wonderful friends, and a lot of fun as well.

Have attached a couple of pictures.

Fondly , Jane W.

Change In River

2010-06-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is how Tropical Storm Agatha changed the Copan River. I believe the river rose nearly four feet but did not leave its bank. No major tragedies to report like in Guatemala and El Salvador. God bless.

Yoga Portal

2010-06-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

One of the best places to come and feel great about yourself! Mayatan elementary and high school teachers have been coming for months! Thank you girls!

Relax, Sleep and More Sleep

2010-05-29T19:28:00.001-07:00

Great photos from our friend Jill from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Hi Jill,

Thank you for the pictures!!! I love them...I believe there are no "Cuando´s" pictures any where..perfect for the blog...and the other is a perfect Kris ´ and Poli moment in Lucas.

Take care of yourself,

flavia

Cual, Kuk the dog and Belgium Kris know what to do best at the hacienda!

Purple

2010-05-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

Just some of the color outside our dining area!

Dinner And A Smile!

2010-05-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

Never a dull conversation over candles, great food and plenty of wine!

All-women weekend

2010-05-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

Women from around the world have breakfast at Hacienda San Lucas this weekend: Belgium, Australia, Wyoming and Tennessee (from left to right in the photo).

Mujeres de alrededor del mundo desayunan en Hacienda San Lucas este fin de semana hospedándose desde: Bélgica, Australia, Wyoming y Tennessee (de izquierda a derecha en la foto).

Hitchin' A Ride!

2010-04-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Another fun day going up and down the mountain

Hacienda San Lucas on Univision 23 - Miami, Fla.

2010-04-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

On the top left corner you will see a video image with the AmericaMia logo on it. Click the play button and you will see all sorts of cool stuff about Copan Ruinas and Hacienda San Lucas!

New Mayan Language In Toronto, Canada

2010-04-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

From left to right Ixchel Goddess, Supernatural Portal and Hacienda San Lucas symbol.

The Carlton’s purchased three of Frida Larios´ original paintings during their Christmas 2009 stay at Hacienda San Lucas. After refurbishing their dining area and commissioning a new hand-made table, this is how they were framed.

“This is what everyone that comes into our home will now see as they walk in. We have gone from the old county look to the new Central American look … We love your work and you have made our home more welcoming and full of love. Thank you for the wonderful artwork.”

For more info about Frida Larios and her New Maya Language project visit her website or come and visit our Hacienda San Lucas gallery!

What A Wedding!

2010-03-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Love was definitely in the air the night Shannon Kring and Knut Buset got married. Friends and family from Norway, Guatemala and the United States all contributed to what was absolutely an amazing celebration of loving memories and warm hopes.

Safe, Coupless Holiday

2010-02-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Fast Forward Weekly of Calgary, Canada, just gave Hacienda San Lucas and Honduras a green light for a safe and fun getaway.

Blue Crown

2010-02-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Flavia,
I wanted to share this bird photo with you, which I took at Hacienda San Lucas while I was there. The bird is a blue-crowned mot mot. I enjoyed my stay there and will return next year with some friends.
Take care,
Greg

Greg has a lot of Maya information on his website Maya Ruins Only.

Hope For Honduran Children

2010-02-23T07:38:00.000-08:00

Flavia, Karen and John share laugh while sitting beside a stack of blankets, clothes and toys they brought for local children. Karen and John, founders of Hope For Honduran Children, bring volunteers to Honduras annually.

Space Shuttle Landing

2010-02-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

An amazing thing happened on the night of February 21st: the space shuttle shot right over the hacienda and our Gaia meditation/yoga pavilion creating this huge sonic boom, flash of light and streaming trail of white water vapor. The sound was so great one guest exclaimed over dinner, "Oh, no, Guatemala just attacked Honduras!" At first we thought maybe it was a thunderstorm but the nighttime sky was as clear as a starry starry night.

Approach Guides

2010-02-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

Approach Guides just gave us a wonderful recommendation for those looking to make travel and culture more meaningful.

Salad Nights

2010-02-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Just waiting for some crouton crumbles and that special vinaigrette.

Club Rotarians from North Carolina enjoy a little moonlight.

And what is a night of candlelight without spirits?

Summer Is Here

2010-01-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

We are doing our best to rake a mountain!

Over The Rainbow

2010-01-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

It is true: Hacienda San Lucas is at the end of the rainbow!

Houston Chronicle

2010-01-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Houston Chronicle just gave their readers two thumbs up for a Copán Ruinas and Hacienda San Lucas new year getaway!

Love Magic

2010-01-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Only at Hacienda San Lucas! Connie Santiago and Sean Dean in a memorable moment. The engagement ring was hidden inside the dinner tortilla basket! YouTube.

Come To Honduras Magazine

2010-01-19T05:32:00.000-08:00

Come To Honduras just highlighted us as one of their favorite places to eat while staying in Copán Ruinas. The magazine reviews and promotes tourism in Honduras and can be bought internationally.

Cold Outside, Warm Inside

2010-01-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

Joseph and Josepha Canton of the Netherlands take in the warm glow of the kitchen while having their dinner. Copán Ruinas' temperature got down to nearly 45F or 10C last night. When it gets that cold there is nothing like finding a cozy spot in the kitchen!

Copa Airlines

2010-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

Lights, cameras, action! Food presentation a must especially if it is going to be seen at 30,000 feet! If you are flying Copa Airlines sometime in May you may see their new in-flight commercial highlighting Honduras and Hacienda San Lucas!

I'll Be Back!

2010-01-04T10:23:00.000-08:00

One happy camper!

Grant is amazing…one of a kind! He made me cry when he talks about how he found Hacienda San Lucas and waited six years to come. Flavia

Here is the write-up Grant wrote on Trip Advisor!

Around 2003 or 2004 I got to thinking about taking a vacation someday to Honduras. While looking at Honduran locations on the Internet, I discovered a place called Hacienda San Lucas that sounded really interesting. Over the years, the more I read about the place on the Internet and in guidebooks, the more interested I became in actually visiting San Lucas. My wish came true about five or six years later in November 2009 when I visited Honduras on my own for a 19-day stay. I spent a total of 10 nights at San Lucas, with a break during that 10-night period at another location north of Copan Ruinas. Ten nights really is not too long for a stay at San Lucas. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful and I became like family there.

The owner, Flavia Cueva, and the driver of the San Lucas truck, Pilo, met me at the Hedman Alas bus terminal in Copan Ruinas when I arrived on November 10, 2009 and drove me to the property. I was made to feel like I had known them for years. Flavia has connections with a guesthouse in San Pedro Sula. The guesthouse owners in San Pedro Sula are extremely helpful and will meet you at the San Pedro Sula airport, take you to their home to spend the night, and then transport you the next morning to the bus terminal in San Pedro Sula for the scenic bus journey to Copan Ruinas.

The Hacienda San Lucas property, which actually comprises several hundred acres, has been in Flavia’s family for over 100 years. By the mid-1990s Flavia returned to her native Honduras after several decades in the US and began a back-breaking task of lovingly restoring the property to its present magical state. A photo album in the hacienda’s bar area documents the incredible amount of work she put into repairing and restoring the main building, not to speak of the grounds. The “before” and “after” photos in the album reveal the hard work she put into transforming the place. She has created a masterpiece of a property that she loves to share with her guests, many of who are repeat guests. I’ll certainly be back!

All of my expectations about San Lucas were exceeded! The property is beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. Guestrooms are extremely comfortable, clean, and authentic hacienda! The cedar beams exposed in the guestroom ceilings give off a great aroma. The bathrooms and the ceiling fan in each room are run off solar-powered electricity. Candles are used after dark to light the rooms, the dining and bar area and lounge, and the walkways on the property. And you’ll need to use the blanket on the bed at night; it’s chilly after dark even though daytime temps are warm. Bring a light sweater or a sweatshirt with you for the chilly evenings and very early mornings. I didn’t and that was a mistake. The showers in each attached bathroom are stone-lined and huge, and the hot water is heated by propane. The landscaping is lush, tropical, and beautiful thanks to the two gardeners on staff, Mauro and Damacio, who do an awesome job. They’re also busy planting coffee trees on portions of the huge property.

Flavia and her day manager, Argi, speak fluent English. Argi is a Spaniard and a professionally trained archaeologist who visited Copan Ruinas four years ago to look at the Copan Mayan Ruins. She stopped at Hacienda San Lucas to view the Maya Ruins (Los Sapos) on the San Lucas property. Flavia was in need of a manager, and Argi has been in Copan Ruinas and at San Lucas ever since. Argi essentially runs the property during the day and hosts large lunch and dinner events. Argi can help make any arrangements for day excursions you want.

The original hacienda building includes the two original guestrooms, along with the old and new kitchens, the lounge, and the bar. Six additional guestrooms in two, beautiful, separate buildings were constructed a few years ago up the hill behind the original hacienda building. I recommend any of the six rooms in the new structures up the hill. The front lawn of the hacienda building offers amazing views of the Copan River Valley and the town of Copan to the northwest across the river. A very small part of the famous Mayan Ruins of Copan is visible poking through the trees due north across the river from the San Lucas property.

It’s nearly a two-mile walk west into town or you can take a mototaxi for about $3 one way. I walked into town each morning along the dirt road that parallels the Copan River, and then back again after spending mornings exploring the area and eating lunch in town. The walk is very scenic. The road was shared by many residents of the Chorti Mayan village of La Pintada located about a 20-minute walk to the east of San Lucas. The Copan Ruinas area is quite safe and the town is very clean, colorful, and easy to get around in. The cobblestone streets and the town square in Copan Ruinas are scenic and are typical Central America, with the square being the gathering place for locals to sell their crafts and homegrown produce. I liked sitting in the square in the mornings for a while, reading the Honduran paper and watching the local life.

Manuel, a teenage son of one of the gardeners, Mauro, is interested in biology, botany, and tourism. Manuel practiced his natural history and tourism skills on me by giving me about a two-hour, guided walking tour one Saturday afternoon on trails criss-crossing the very large San Lucas property. The friendly house dogs tagged along, too. We eventually ended up in the village of La Pintada to the east of San Lucas where he and his parents and many siblings live. I also had the pleasure during my stay of meeting one of Flavia’s sons, his wife, and their new baby boy. They were in temporary residence in a guesthouse on the property and were a fascinating couple to get to know.

Hacienda San Lucas is a very friendly and tranquil place to spend an extended stay or just an overnight if you’re limited with time. I recommend at least three nights minimum if you have the time. You can be as active or as lazy as you want. I was both, and spent several afternoons in the hammock on the porch outside my room reading and dozing. You will be treated like a family member and it’s a pleasure to get to know the owner, the manager Argi, and the great local Honduran staff, including the cooks and restaurant staff, Pilo, the friendly gardeners Damacio and Mauro, and the night staff characters Tono and Carlos. It’s a very special place with very special people and I still get news from them.

Holiday Photos

2010-01-01T10:37:00.001-08:00

Traditional door decoration.

The friendly kitty.

The friendly dog.

Making tamales from scratch.

My grandson playing with Kensy and the watchdog!

Carrots and beans.

Copán Ruinas and Seattle, Washington

2009-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

To our friends in the great northwest - here is an article about Copán Ruinas by The Seattle Times.

Christmas Spirit

2009-12-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Darlene and Dani Carlton of Toronto, Canada, packed small gifts they had brought to share with the community. Along with these items they also packed hundreds of books brought by another special guest Grant Kolb of New Mexico, USA. Grant was our special guest in November who went through great efforts to be able to bring knowledge and enjoyment to many local school children who would otherwise never have access to this type of literature.

Special thanks to Argi Diez for organizing this special event and taking the great photos!

Manuel unloading the books!

Darlene and Beatriz gift wrapping.

Beatriz and sister Aura helping Darlene.

Sustainable Tourism

2009-12-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

A wonderful article written by JoAnna Haugen and the Matador Network.

YouTube!

2009-11-27T14:07:00.000-08:00

A wonderful video provided by Y Partnership! Thanks to all those involved for making Honduras possible again. Come back and see us soon!

A Hacienda Wedding Anniversary

2009-11-23T06:48:00.000-08:00

One year ago Tyler and Frida got married at the hacienda and now they are back for their one year anniversary! This time around my grandson, Yax, is 11-months-old and Frida finally got to taste her sapo wedding cake!

This is me with my nature boy grandson!

My son, Tyler, with Yax.

Tyler and Frida enjoying one year of candle light!

Honduras Newspaper Article

2009-11-10T19:28:00.001-08:00

After we won the Premio Copán 2009 this article was published in El Heraldo!

Maya Decipherment

2009-11-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

David Stuart, Professor of Mesoamerican Art and Writing at the University of Texas at Austin, and a our special friend, shares his Maya decipherment blog with us. We specially recommend reading his 2012 opinion.

Thank you David!

Flavia

Tourism Award!

2009-10-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

We were recently awarded (Oct. 24, 2009) the 2009 Premio Copan. This is like the "Oscars" of Honduran tourism! My sister, Marcia Carolina, went to Tegucigalpa to receive the award!

Our family humbly accepted this recognition honoring our father's dreams of protecting the land and its people. None of this could have been achieved without the hard work, dedication, commitment and love of all those who have joined me through the years in creating a home away from home for countless, amazing and generous visitors.

Thank you very much. Blessings.

Flavia

(Our little) Green Child

2009-10-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

This symbolic pictogram called Green Child was designed by Frida Larios (Flavia's daughter in law) for the cover of The Mayan Sacred Calendar 2010, a daily spiritual guide. The birth of Yax, Flavia's grandson, was the inspiration. Mother Earth’s hand preserves the seeds of our planet through a baby and corn sprouts. She opens up to the regeneration of the universe and our spirit.

It earned an honourable mention by AIGA–the largest professional design association in the world based in New York–at AIGA Cross Culture in Design awards. The original gouaché painting is being showcased at the Hacienda's restaurant and is also to be shown at this year's Beijing Typography (bt '09) exhibition–China's most influential and largest international design exhibition to date where Frida has been selected to participate.

The Magic of the Old Kitchen

2009-10-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Our kitchen not only prepares great Mayan foods but is now an amazing family culinary destination for Italian food!

The Hacienda's Roots

2009-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a story about one of the most interesting, and unique places I have ever visited in the country of Honduras. The place is called San Lucas, and it is an authentic mountain Hacienda that has been a part of Copan Ruinas for over 100 years. This lovely hacienda has been in the Cueva family from the day it was constructed. The house was originally built by Jose Cueva back in 1888. It was rumored that from some of the discovered gold he found in the Copan river, he was able to purchase the lands of San Lucas, and build his hacienda high above the village of Copan Ruinas. The estate covers hundreds of acres to the south of the Copan river, and is steeped in both Indian folklore, and Mayan history. Located on the property are the famous Los Sapo's ruins which are a series of large Mayan stone carvings in solid rock depicting the figures of frogs. Although there are many theories as to the Mayan significance of these carvings, most people believe in the theory that the area was a place for women to give birth to their children.

Now, old Jose Cueva was well known for his odd idiosyncrasies, one of which was his fondness for his burro Pepi. The old man delighted in giving the burro the run of the entire house, and it was rumored that the two of them would sit out on the front porch at night, drink rum, and smoke a cigar. When questioned about his odd behavior, the old man would laugh, and reply that the rich are called eccentric, but the poor are called crazy. But, regardless of his reasons, there was no doubt that the old man had a special place in his heart for old Pepi. So much in fact that before he died he made an arrangement in his will that stated the burro would always be provided for the rest of his days. He even went on so far as to place a special restriction on the property that stipulated that the blood line of the burro must always be maintained, and that each succeeding burro was to be the direct decendant, bear the name, and be accorded all the privileges of the original burro. If this stipulation of the will was not maintained then the property would be forfeit to charity.

Today San Lucus is a thriving business where you can stay as a guest in one of the most authentic early Honduran haciendas in the country. Situated high over the Copan valley over looking the impressive Mayan Ruins of Copan, people come from all over the world to experience the mystery of the Los Sapos archeological site. There are spectacular views of the Copan Valley, the village of Copan, and the archeological site below.

The main building has two rooms for rent at a very reasonable rate, and the food is typical Honduran dishes of steaming tamales, tortillas fresh from the griddle, fresh baked bread, strong aromatic coffee, and refreshing drinks. It also sports one of the best bars in all of Copan. After a long day of horseback riding, I enjoy stopping by the hacienda for a cold drink, and a comfortable hammock. It was last January that I, and some of the other PFC volunteers happened to stop by San Lucas after hard day of delivering school books to some of the children in the nearby mountain schools. Seated at the bar that day was Flavia Cueva, and her brother Jose. They are now the owners of the estate, and the direct decendants of old Jose himself. As the conversation turned to the history of the hacienda, I brought up the story of the Burro. Was the story true? Did they really have a burro that was the direct decendant of the original burro that had belonged to old Jose, and was it true that he had full rights to the run of the hacienda?

Flavia and Jose smiled at my question, and tried to change the subject, but I wouldn't be put off. At last Jose sighed, and told me that, yes, the story is true.

Of course I had to ask the question, where is the burro? Where is old Pepi? At this request Flavia and Jose exchanged a nervous glance between themselves, and confessed to us that the burro was directly behind the hacienda in a small pasture. As if to affirm his existence,old Pepi commenced to bray in the distance.

Of course nothing would do, but that we discover if the story was true. Did Pepi really have the right to enter the house?

Now, Flavia has known me for several years, and she knew where I was going with all of this. I was on a search for the truth, so I set off to find the burro. I discovered old Pepi out back munching on some hay that one of the workers had left for him. When I called his name he looked up, and started to walk towards me as if he knew what I had in mind. This was no ordinary burro. I untied his tether, he fell right in behind me, nodding his head, and snorting his approval. When we got to the door he simply walked into the house.

Up until we actually brought the burro into the house, I though that Flavia and Jose would stop us. Surely it was a joke, but to my surprise, both of them never said a word as I loudly declared that according to the will of old Jose himself, I was hereby invoking the right of the burro to enter the house.

And, enter he did! Old Pepi strolled right up to the bar as if he owned the place, and in fact, in a way, he does! We all had a great time for the rest of the afternoon. Pepi, it seems, enjoys the company of the guests, and even has his own special drink that is served to him at the bar. It's called the Pepi special, and it consists of a touch of rum, suger water, and a carrot as a swizzle stick. He prefers it served chilled in a large plastic tupperware bowl.

So now you have heard the true story of the burro Pepi, and the Hacienda San Lucas, as far as I know, the only resort in the world that is owned by a burro.

As for the caretakers, Flavia and Jose, I can honestly say that they were pretty good sports about the whole thing. So, if you are ever in Honduras, you must stop, and visit Flavia and Jose at the Hacienda San Lucas. Be sure and tell them that Pepi sent you. Oh yeah, don't forget to buy the burro a drink. He prefers Honduran dark rum.

HSL Staff Audition for Major Documentary!

2009-09-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

A major production team is making a new film about the Maya here in Copan Ruinas! Some of our staff were selected as extras!!

Hacienda San Lucas on YouTube!

2009-09-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Today’s new video is up!Some great scenes from San Lucas included!

BELLO, BELLO, BELLO...ESTA ES LA ODA A SAN LUCAS...MUCHAS MUCHAS GRACIAS

2009-09-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

PERO UNA CHOZA EN LA MONTAÑA...

Para mi hijo Luis
Y mi prima Flavia Elisa

No deseo grandes cosas...
¡Pero una choza en la montaña!
Esa, de troncos gruesos y techo rojizo.
Esa, con su corredor al viento
Y horcones torcidos.
La que tiene un manantial de agua fresca.
La que otea el mundo desde la colina.

No deseo grandes cosas...
¡Pero una choza en la montaña!
Donde la quietud y la paz
Dancen en torno mío
Y pueda bostezar,
Estirar las piernas
Y recostarme sobre sus gramales,
Bajo la sombra protectora de los pinos
Para escuchar su sonido armonioso
Con los ojos muy abiertos.

Los ojos muy abiertos
Para contemplar el inmenso azul del cielo.
El horizonte en su línea difusa.
Las colinas de esmeralda
Y el Río serpenteando entre las rocas.

Seguir el apasionante vuelo del colibrí.
El multicolor encanto de corolas inquietas.
Los verdes cambiantes de los árboles
Y la luna tras el encaje de sus ramas
Bordando la noche con sus hilos de plata.

¡No deseo grandes cosas...!
¡Pero una choza en la montaña!
Dejar vagar mi pensamiento.
Componer versos sentimentales.
Recordar nostálgicas tonadas.
Gozar el deleitoso sabor de libertad.
Encontrar mi YO interior.

Renovar mi fe en el hombre
Y... en cada nuevo amanecer
Dar gracias a Dios por permitirme
Seguir siendo,
UNA VOLUNTARIOSA VAGABUNDA.

No deseo grandes cosas... ¡Ah!
¡Pero una choza en la montaña!

Marina de la Cueva