La Ceiba – Day 1: Pink Lights and Potent Smells
LA CEIBA
Day 1: Pink Lights & Potent Smells
November 10, 2022
My next destination in Honduras would be the city of La Ceiba – the eco-tourism capital of Honduras! This port city is famous for its carnival, a massive national park, and as a transit point to reach the Bay Islands, found to the north in the Caribbean Sea.
Having arrived around noon, I had enough time to roam around the city, with the walk along the promenade being one of my favourites. The long, winding pavement is lined with white lampposts and artfully designed benches, with a picture-perfect tropical beach as the backdrop. A bit further away from the city centre, but still along the coast, is another promenade called Paseo de los Ceibeños – yet another winding path, this time with pink lampposts and benches.
An Unlikely Friendship: Bonded by BO
After enjoying my afternoon stroll, I headed back to my hostel for a nap. While by now I had stayed in many hostels, usually I’d opt for a private room. After encountering so many backpackers and hearing all about their crazy tales, I decided to give shared dorms a try for the very first time.
The second I stepped into the room, I was hit by the strongest, stinkiest stench of musty, old, fermented sweat I’d ever smelled. I’m talking BO so bad it made my eyes tear up and my airway reject further air passage. I could barely breathe.
Lying on the bunk bed above mine was this French guy who introduced himself and quickly excused himself to the bathroom for a shower. “Thank the Lord!” I thought, unsure whether I’d be able to survive another second. But once again, the universe spat in my face – the guy came out of the shower smelling marginally worse, something that still baffles me to this day. He then told me he had a toothache and, being the good and diligent doctor that I am, I sent him far, far away to a distant pharmacy to get some meds and recommended he see a dentist.
As soon as he left, I tried to fumigate the room with my deodorant – to very little effect. His sweaty clothes still lingered, scenting the entire room. And just as I was dealing with this crisis, in walked two others – Emma and Julia, two Dutch girls who thankfully, didn’t reek. Needless to say, we bonded over the Stinky Guy – as we oh-so-smartly and creatively dubbed him.