CAUTION:Honduras! part 1

[bigdelta]

On Monday,March 26,there was a strike by peasants/indigineous/Indian locals out in the country.Trying to drive between Copan Ruinas and San Pedro Sula,just outside of La Entrada,roadblocks were set up to completely block the road.They were initiated at about 4 a.m. and by the time we arrived at 7:30 a.m.,were in full force.Both sides of the road were blocked by a half mile of a mixture of trucks and cars that had attempted using that portion of the road.Once you reached the back of the procession,you were blocked and not permitted to track back and try an alternate route.I was traveling in a Dodge p/u with 2 gringos and with Honduran wife of the driver.Everyone around carried a club,some with nails and some with spikes.
Many carried knives and some carried machetes.The vehicles that attempted to backtrack had broken windows,windshields and cut tires.So depending on the length of the blockade,you were stuck where you parked.
I was moving back to the States for a month or so after the apartment was renting was sold after only being in Copan for a month.My neighbor was returning to Baltimore for heart surgery after suffereing his 4 heart attack last week.He was in dire starights.The police were nice but chose not to help open the blockade-a local custom I suppose.They did call an ambulance which arrived about 90 minutes later and ther driver said he'd have been there sooner but was not allowed to pass.So he drove through back roads to reach us.He only got to w/i about 100 yds and we stretchered Mike to the ambulance.We had to return to La Entrada for the paperwork to allow us to transport him to San Pedro Sula.These idiots argued with us both at the stop we were at and 2 subsequent blockades.Eventually were were allowed to pass.:banghead
CONTINUED....

[bigdelta]

We got the necessary paperwork and a medic to accompany us for the ride.
We were in a Red Cross ambulance.So we again tested the gauntlets,each time encountering ever increasing hostility at each blockade.What should have been an 2.5 hr drive took nearly 7 hours.When stopped,the ambulance was hit each time with club-wielding locals.After passing the final blockade, the siren was kept on for the final 2 hrs into San Pedro.Unlike the civilized world,locals generally ignore an ambulance with a siren blaring,so the excellent driver did a wonderful job of getting us to the airport in one piece.Mike missed his noon flight but I got him on the 1:50 flight via Atlanta and he made in to Baltimore around midnight.
Altogether unpleasant to say the least.So be warned-if you're traveling out in the country,not just Copan to San Pedro,expect to be trapped wherever you stop at the blockade.We were the only gringos and it wasn't just us who were not permitted to pass.The ambulance cost USD 300 for the ride but was a bargain-considering the circumstances.
It could have lasted longer than a half day to days-until the President relented and visited or signed a decree to reverse the decision regarding the clinics.Marta,Bill's wife handled the negotiations for the ambulance,but was treated in such a poor manner by her fellow countrymen,it was embarassing.I still haven't been able to contact them and they may still be at the blockade.
Hopefully riders/locals will heed(or not) this advisory and take the necessary precautions.This was NOT just an isolated incident but covered many roads leading to San Pedro Sula.This was my last day living in Honduras and will be a while,if ever,before I return.
John

[chipcall61]

It's been years since I lived in Honduras, but it sounds like the country is continuing to become more and more inhospitable to foreign nationals. I truely enjoyed my stay there (lived in La Ceiba for two years) but even back then, one had to stay alert and aware when traveling.

Hope it hasn't soured you to travel in Central America because the people are generally the warmest you'll find and will literally give you the shirts off their backs. Including most Hondurans.

[bigdelta]

The seige is over.The president signed a proclamation(or whatever) and the blockades are clear.My 71 y.o. friend walked out yesterday,over 20km,and got a ride to SPS.His wife who is Honduran decided to stay the night in the vehicle and she said it got more tenuous as the evening progressed.
John

[bigdelta]

It's been years since I lived in Honduras, but it sounds like the country is continuing to become more and more inhospitable to foreign nationals. I truely enjoyed my stay there (lived in La Ceiba for two years) but even back then, one had to stay alert and aware when traveling.

Hope it hasn't soured you to travel in Central America because the people are generally the warmest you'll find and will literally give you the shirts off their backs. Including most Hondurans.

It'll be a while before I return.I have visited every CA country and luckily this was my 1st experience with a blockade.Every vehicle that was damaged was owned by a local,including the Red Cross ambulance we hired.
My friend had successful heart surgery today in Baltimore,so all is well.I really thought the stress yesterday would have killed him.
John

[kbasa]

Holy crap, John.

[Mar]

Yowza. I am glad that your friend is okay and that you will be out of there for a while.

[Mika]

I too am glad you are safe.

I was in Uganda during Amin’s time in 1972 and can appreciate how a beautiful country can turn ugly on less than a moments notice.

Stay safe.

[bigdelta]

I'm moving to La Paz(the peace) in 3 weeks,so it'll be just the opposite!:hug
I cannot imagine living in Uganda during Amin's reign of terror-talk about lucky to be alive.

[bigdelta]

Yowza. I am glad that your friend is okay and that you will be out of there for a while.

He was actually a neighbor I met when I 1st moved down this month.I felt so bad for him suffering for that entire 7 hr ordeal but the surgery went well,so as they say,"Life's an adventure".

[bigdelta]

Holy crap, John.

the entire ordeal put a different perspective on things for me.I guess every unpleasant experience does just that.:bolt

[dancogan]

the entire ordeal put a different perspective on things for me.I guess every unpleasant experience does just that.:bolt

What's that expression? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Glad your friend and neighbor ended up stronger! :thumb

[Mar]

He was actually a neighbor I met when I 1st moved down this month.I felt so bad for him suffering for that entire 7 hr ordeal but the surgery went well,so as they say,"Life's an adventure".

Hi John :wave

Considering the uprising, your neighbor was lucky it was only 7 hours. He must have been frightened.

I think the availability of good medical care is something to consider when choosing a place to live. When you are young it doesn't matter as much but after you've aged a bit and health problems begin to pick at you, it does matter.

[bigdelta]

Hi John :wave

Considering the uprising, your neighbor was lucky it was only 7 hours. He must have been frightened.

I think the availability of good medical care is something to consider when choosing a place to live. When you are young it doesn't matter as much but after you've aged a bit and health problems begin to pick at you, it does matter.

and also accessability to travel options.Being over 3 hrs from an airport w/o any uprisings was probably not a wise choice on my part.La Paz is a city of 180k w/an int'l airport just 7 minutes away,so it'll be better suited in all respects.
Lesson learned.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I am glad you and your friends are doing well. I will warn a friend of mine to try to take the shortest route through Honduras(s) if at all possible. He is in Ushuaia right now, so he'll be able to swing around the trouble spots I hope. Tx for the warning!. Oh btw, my buddy really enjoyed Bolivia the most so far :buds

[Mar]

and also accessability to travel options.Being over 3 hrs from an airport w/o any uprisings was probably not a wise choice on my part.La Paz is a city of 180k w/an int'l airport just 7 minutes away,so it'll be better suited in all respects.
Lesson learned.

Good for you! So.... I guess you are not going to the Branson Blitz, huh? :)

[BradfordBenn]

Dang. Glad it worked out okay enough.

[bigdelta]

Good for you! So.... I guess you are not going to the Branson Blitz, huh? :)

but my Mom is 85 and has had Alzheimers for a few years now and my sister and I try to spend each holiday/holy day doing something special.So we've planned a dinner on Easter for her.And she got glasses today(again) and said she can't believe what she was missing!:laugh
John

[bigdelta]

I am glad you and your friends are doing well. I will warn a friend of mine to try to take the shortest route through Honduras(s) if at all possible. He is in Ushuaia right now, so he'll be able to swing around the trouble spots I hope. Tx for the warning!. Oh btw, my buddy really enjoyed Bolivia the most so far :buds

I can't be much more than 3 hours away.I need a short ride to prepare for the ride to La Paz in May.Which key are you on?
John

[Mar]

but my Mom is 85 and has had Alzheimers for a few years now and my sister and I try to spend each holiday/holy day doing something special.So we've planned a dinner on Easter for her.And she got glasses today(again) and said she can't believe what she was missing!:laugh
John

That's a better thing to do than the Blitz. Our parents are here for such a short time.

[drharveys]

That's a better thing to do than the Blitz. Our parents are here for such a short time.


And our in-laws just hang in there forever! :banghead

[bigdelta]

And our in-laws just hang in there forever! :banghead

:laugh

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I can't be much more than 3 hours away.I need a short ride to prepare for the ride to La Paz in May.Which key are you on?
John

I live in Key Largo at around MM 100. Pm me if you like to meet up for KK etc.

[bigdelta]

I live in Key Largo at around MM 100. Pm me if you like to meet up for KK etc.

and not the KK from the Anonymous book!:buds
As soon as I can unblock the bike from storage,I'll drop a line.You're close-I'm in Pembroke Pines-about 5 miles from 27 and another few miles to 997.
John

[riderR1150GSAdv]

and not the KK from the Anonymous book!:buds
As soon as I can unblock the bike from storage,I'll drop a line.You're close-I'm in Pembroke Pines-about 5 miles from 27 and another few miles to 997.
John


Conch and colada it can be :drink . All depends on my work schedule. Being a fishing guide can be tough at times :violin :lol. I am getting booked up pretty good for Tarpon fishing though. Do you ever go to Everglades Holiday Park at Griffin RD and US 27?? Sundays are pretty busy with lotsa bikes and BMW's too :p

[bigdelta]

Conch and colada it can be :drink . All depends on my work schedule. Being a fishing guide can be tough at times :violin :lol. I am getting booked up pretty good for Tarpon fishing though. Do you ever go to Everglades Holiday Park at Griffin RD and US 27?? Sundays are pretty busy with lotsa bikes and BMW's too :p

I've been by there but never stopped.Keep busy and I'll stay in touch.

[Hodag]

I just had lunch with a friend of mine that just returned from Honduras, and rode through the blockade. He asked me to cross post this from ADV, to calm anyone's fears of riding about in Honduras or Central America. He was riding 2 up on a R11GS with his girlfriend.



John...we were in the belly of the blockade on tuesday 3/27.....the blocakde was 15km east of La Entrada......we will post more pics.....we squeezed the GS between truck to get forther up to see if we could pass.....and felt the tension in the air....I will upload more pics......sorry for your hassle

we turned around and found a different epic route thru santa rosa de copan, and La Esperanza....I put track logs in GPS forum
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4372058&postcount=2
anyway here is one pic of what the truck drivers do in the blockade..
http://jeffshelly.smugmug.com/photos/140556087-M.jpg

pics from the back of the blockade
http://jeffshelly.smugmug.com/photos/141115880-M.jpg

squeezed thru

http://jeffshelly.smugmug.com/photos/141115362-M.jpg

and turned around here...some locals were askign us to give them money....I denied and told them they are not the boss (el Jefe)...
http://jeffshelly.smugmug.com/photos/141115910-M.jpg

[Visian]

and not the KK from the Anonymous book!:buds

'scuse me, but are we talking about saving the bales here? this is the keys and central america we're talking about, after all.... :burnout

[riderR1150GSAdv]

'scuse me, but are we talking about saving the bales here? this is the keys and central america we're talking about, after all.... :burnout

The days of the 'square groupers' are over :thumb. Once the powdery stuff started coming in, it was the end of the 'friendy' smuggling days and many locals pulled out of that business as there were too many guns involved...:stick. And I don't mean just law enforcement...:bolt

[bigdelta]

I just had lunch with a friend of mine that just returned from Honduras, and rode through the blockade. He asked me to cross post this from ADV, to calm anyone's fears of riding about in Honduras or Central America. He was riding 2 up on a R11GS with his girlfriend.

but I stand by what happened to me and many others for 36 hours.It wasn't safe by any interpretation.

[Hodag]

but I stand by what happened to me and many others for 36 hours.It wasn't safe by any interpretation.

my buddy jumps off cliffs for fun...

our definition of "safe" may differ