Conflict with the Ngabe-Bugle

There was an uprising by the Natives two weeks ago over mining and river rights on the Comarcas (reservations). Roads were shut down for several days paralyzing the country. The main road closure was in the middle of the country on the Inter-Americana, the ONLY road that goes through the entire country and serves as the transportation route for goods. Boquete ran out of gasoline and diesel at the pumps. My car was out of diesel so it sat for several days and I walked everywhere. Tourists were pretty much trapped. Grocery stores were running out of packaged goods. Propane disappeared completely for a week and I just so happened to run out in the beginning, so no hot water or use of the dryer for a week. Luckily, I am on the side of the country that grows crops and livestock for the other half, so food was not as much of an issue. Finally, the Ngabe-Bugle called for a recess in discussions with the government and the road block was removed......Now, it has all started again. There were road blocks in town, one of which I drove through with Jessica the other night (only half of the road was blocked). The other half was slowly being squeezed closed and the natives had big sticks. I am being very cautions with regard to where I travel and am ever-vigilant with the local news and most recent protest locations. As far as agreeing/disagreeing with the protests, I see both sides, and both have their points. It's history repeating itself similar to Native North American conflicts with the government.

My car has been running great since the latest overhaul. A hose broke the other day, a 3/8" rubber cooling system tube. I contemplated taking it to the mechanic because it was deep within the engine. But, since the protests had everything shut down and I had all the time in the world, I walked to town and went to 6 different stores before finding the right hose. I dismantled my intercooler, the electrical connections, and several other hoses to get at the one that was broken. In the end, it took me all day but saved me at least $40. She's up and running once again.