The Indians definitely have their back up. And they should.
Why is it that the indigenous people always get the shaft?
Here's how the story goes...
The president said he would talk to the Indians in Panama City. They want to talk at an old cathedral out in the Camarca, otherwise know as the boondocks.
The President got in his trusty helicopter and visited the Indians out in the country at a couple of the road blocks. They don't want to talk to the President because it is the legislature that is screwing things up. (Who knows who is really the fly in the ointment)
So they give the Pres the boot.
Needless to say, this is not moving things along nor is it making any friends.
So the president is loading planes in David with produce for Panama City. There are a string of barges headed to the port of Pedregal, see previous post about this "charming" little berg, which is near David and will be loaded with mucho food for Panama City.
Is anyone thinking about getting fuel to Chirqui? Hey, dumb shits, you can't get food to the markets without fuel!
In addition, the cell phone service to the road block areas has been cut. The Indians say this is a strong arm tactic by the government and the government says it was sabotage by the Indians.
How many fingers do they have to point?
Panama has also added 5 FREE flights, round trip, between David and Panama City to move the tourists along and out of the country so they are no longer stranded.
This is a good thing. I was at the David airport yesterday picking up a friend and it was mayhem. The terminal, which is small, was packed with almost no place to stand and wait. The outside was populated with milling groups of disgruntled, waiting people. The terminal is designed to handle about 100 people at time and there were about 500 people in and around the terminal.
Not a good thing.
And we are picking up our son and his girl friend this afternoon at the David airport.
This is a sidebar...
We know several drivers in Panama City. If you visit us, an English speaking driver that I set up, will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel or the in-country airport. These drivers are wonderful! I called to confirm that our son was in Panama City. Then the driver called back an hour later and said that Daniel was now at the in-country airport, in the correct line to check in and all was well. These guys go the extra mile to make sure that your safety and well being are cared for.
Back to the mess...
We are getting international pressure to resolve this stuff because tourists from various countries are stranded. Those stuck at the airport are moving along but all the people in cars, taxis and buses are stranded out on the highway...and have been for 5 days.
Tell me that doesn't get old.
I know of pressure from Costa Rica and Argentina now. I am sure that other countries are in the mix too.
The US State Department has issued a travel restriction for US citizens.
What a mess!
In the end, I find it hard to criticize the Indians. After being fu#$ed over in almost every country in the world over the centuries, I suspect that they should escalate the fight.
Because we all know how this will turn out.
You know where the term "Indian Giver" comes from.
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