Honduras Strikes Again

Last week, the story running around the country was that all major cities were going to be closed down today, for a supposed heat wave that was coming. Apparently the risk for heat exhaustion and skin cancer was so high, just for this one day, that all cities were going to be shut down, and power in the entire country was going to be cut. Two days ago we were informed this "shut down" had been canceled. Interesting how this country works sometimes.

Last night at 10:30, a knock on my door tells me that we will be unable to go into the city today for our appointments in the infectious disease department because the bus and taxi drivers are going on strike. These strikes aren't taken lightly, by any means. It doesn't just mean that these people don't work, but buses and taxis, tires and large rocks block off all roads going down into the city, and major roads throughout the city, making it impossible for you to get anywhere. If you try to pass these roads, even on bike, you're sure to get pelted by rocks or get water thrown on you (from what I'm told...I luckily have never actually been present for one of these strikes). We decided it wasn't safe to even attempt to bring these kids in, even at ridiculously early hours before the strikes start. Down side to this being, we were unsure if we were going to be able to get them their HIV medications for this weekend. The doctor just told me, "Well, if we (meaning the doctors) are unable to get to the hospital tomorrow, we'll just have to wait until Monday. There's nothing we can do." Well now there's a happy thought...leaving us short on some of our meds. Luckily, a girl that grew up on the ranch, is now in med school, and lives near the hospital. She was willing to walk there for us today, to go at least pick up the prescriptions. She thinks by evening the madness will be over, and she'll be able to leave with no problem
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