Notes on the Economy of Scale in Tegucigalpa

Hotel Agua Azul

Held captive for the diversion of furtive couples on weekend flings, below the terrace a spider monkey swings by his tail, kicking off the tree trunk with one hind foot while the other clings to the chain dangling from the collar. He keeps it up for hours, as if driven by hidden gears & springs. But draw a chair within range & the pendulum stops, he clambers onto the deck & slings a hairy palm in your face, importuning food, trinkets. Whatever brings relief to a life of boredom, you think, searching your pockets, going through your things. How friendly he seems–until you notice the strength of his grip, how he enrings your leg. It takes the help of half the hotel staff to pry him loose, & days later the spot where he bit still stings.