February 5, 2012

Always something interesting down here. This week, it is street riots again. Apparently in the interior several hours from here, there is an indigenous tribe that is rather upset about some mining that is going on. So they decided to protest in the way they know how. That is to gather together on the Pan American highway (the only road from Panama to Costa Rica) and block the road. This road closure effectively cuts Panama in half. The government (so we have heard) really doesn’t know what to do, because if they go in and force them to stop with riot police, they will be given a bad name for demeaning the tribal people. So they decided to just wait it out and allow everyone to get mad and stop it themselves. So the people living closer to Costa Rica can’t get supplies from Panama City that they need (gasoline, etc.) Panama City is not getting the produce that is grown in that part of the country. And people and tourist traveling back and forth obviously can’t get to where they want to go. Traffic is backed up for miles in both directions. The highway has been closed now for five days and counting, it is crazy! The government actually leased a plane that is flying back and forth to form an air “bridge”. Also, the local Panamanian airlines have doubled their service to that side of the country. Many thought this would over within 24 hours, since most of these riots generally don’t last very long. It is just too sunny / hot, too rainy, too whatever. However, this one is not ending. Blocking roads is one of the only ways for people to get their opinion know. Apparently, some truckers are in sympathy and have blocked some of the roads going into Costa Rica. Glad that I am where I am and not traveling to that part of the country right now.
Last week, I was in the states for an educational technical conference in Orlando. It was strange for me to be in a place where I didn’t have difficulty communicating. But on the other side of the coin, I had no challenge. I think that I really enjoy living here in Panama and having the challenge of trying to survive. Yes, it is difficult, but I feel like I have been successful when I get my point across and communicate successfully.