Stranded in Panama

I woke up this morning very early with the expectations of getting to David City or maybe even Boquete today.  Such was not the case as I was headed off at the pass by the Indians. Unbeknown to me before today, the local Indians are protesting the conditions they work under.  This protest has led to road blocks in the north and east - around both Bocas (where I was yesterday) to David City. When I took the speed boat from Bocas, IU then got a common taxi with some backpackers from Spain.  Their English wasn´t good but better than my Spanish.  Any way, instead of going south from the marina I went north right in the heart of the local problems.

Although the taxi had a way around the road blocks, they weren´t pretty.  Now I find myself in the "city" of Changuinola where the only way out by road is through Costa Rica!  Naturally I don´t want to do that so I went to the airport to check out flights.  The best I could confirmed is a Monday night flight to Panama City.  I also am going back to the airport this afternoon as I´m on the waiting list.  So there is some hope...

For whatever reason the Government is not stopping this mess.  Although there were supposed to be some talks with the Indians this morning, no resolution is in sight.  So my plans are to go to the airport and hope.  If not today, maybe tommorrow.  If not tommorrow, I have a confirmation of a flight Monday evening.  Although this "city" is pretty grim still there are hotels (such as they are) and restaurants here.  So it could be worst.

If I don´t get out tonight, I will probabaly update this blog from a hotel - assuming they have wifi. I will have lots of time to kill.

Update:  It is now Monday afternoon and I am still here.  This city is very hot and grimy with nothing to do.  During this stay, I have had a room at the Hotel Hawai;  This hotel has several good points: A/C is great, the bed is good, reliuable Wifi in the lobby, Cable TV and Convenient to both bus and airport.  The cons:  Bad lighting, the A/C drains to the shower, tthe Cable TV has no American or English channels and the hotel needs fixing up in general.  Still I guess I should consider myself lucky as I have money for a reasonably comfortable place.  I'm sure other stranded travelers here aren't so fortunate.

Although the government opened the Pan American highway yesterday, they have left us in Changuinola stranded.  In fact, the Indians have cut off the Costa Rican bridge too so there is no espace by land - only by air.  In addition, the Indians burned down a police station in St Felix which I understand is on the road south of here.  Two Indians are dead in this frisco so far.

The good news here is that I paid for my ticket on tonight's flight to Pnanama City.  I am confirmed onboard.  I can't wait to leave.