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Honduran Unrest: an Insider's Perspective
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By Amy E. Robertson
I live in Honduras’s capital, Tegucigalpa, but on Sunday morning I was in Seattle, Washington, visiting my parents. A ringing woke me up early that morning – my husband calling to let me know about the arrest of the Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya. He, in turn, had been woken up by the sound of gunshots. I still don’t know exactly where Zelaya’s residence is, but apparently, it’s only about a ten-minute drive from our house.
My husband’s reports to me during the day on Sunday summarized the situation as “tense, but calm.” He stayed home, along with most people in the city. More, and bigger, protests yesterday, but by the time my husband went home from work in the evening, streets were deserted as citizens prepared for the curfew that has been imposed from 9pm to 6am. The streets were quiet and being cleaned up this morning as my husband headed back to the office, but everyone is bracing for more.
Things on the island of Roatan couldn’t be more different. Just forty miles from the Honduran north coast, Roatan is the country’s most popular tourist attraction. When I saw my family at Christmas, I raved so much about the island’s crystal waters and golden sands that my aunt planned a trip with her husband and three adult children – booked for this week. Continental’s non-stop Houston-Roatan flight arrived right on schedule -- a little after noon on Sunday. Seems that business there is pretty much as usual, at least for now. Her report has been that powdery West Bay beach is great, as is the snorkeling. Tranquility. Roatan’s weather forecast includes wind Wednesday through Friday. Here’s hoping it blows a few tranquil vibes over to the mainland.
Amy E. Robertson is co-author of the upcoming Moon Honduras and the Bay Islands, 5th edition, October 2009
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Thanks for report. From your
Posted by rose gala on July 1, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Thanks for the report. From your post it sounds as if the areas where travelers tend to visit are pretty much business as usual. Is that your view?
situation update
Posted by MoonHonduras on July 8, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Yes Rose, the most popular tourist destinations in Honduras, the Bay Islands and the Mayan ruins of Copan, remain calm and safe. San Pedro Sula continues with business pretty much as usual, but due to a curfew that has been imposed, some flights that arrive late at night (namely those by Spirit Airlines) have rescheduled to arrive earlier.
Those looking for late-night partying will certainly be disappointed by the curfew, which remains in effect, but has been shortened to 11pm - 4:30am, so still allows for dinner and a drink out.
Tegucigalpa is still a mixed bag. The airport has reopened after a few days closure, but it is here that unrest is greatest and demonstrations most frequent. If I were a casual tourist headed to Honduras in the next couple of weeks, I would definitely avoid Tegucigalpa, and fly through San Pedro Sula instead.
-- Amy