Several trips to Honduras over a period of ten years has provided some very interesting insight into development of Central American countries.  The last trip was about 8 months after the devastating hurricane and floods of 1998.  The first trip was a very pleasant and typical Latin American experience, with many small restaurants and a neat small Hotel.  The last trip, while just as pleasant, revealed the slow and deliberate intrusion of U.S. culture - multiple copies of McDonalds, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, and TGI Fridays were everywhere.  While these are familiar and comfortable, they aren't what you'd expect in Latin American countries.