Chiriquí Chatter

I was just going through my photos and realized that I had some that I had not posted. Sorry that I didn’t get them posted sooner. These were taken during the time of the David Fair. For several days there was a protest that blocked all traffic from entering and exiting Panama into Costa Rica on the Pan American Highway as well as traffic going from David to Puerto Armuelles.

I understand the small-scale banana producers claimed that the transnational banana company owed them money and they said they had nothing to live on. The farmers’ hopes were that President Martín Torrijos would visit their protest and intercede in their behalf. To the best of my knowledge, Torrijos never went.

For all the people that worked in the surrounding area or in Costa Rica, their only way to get to work was on foot. All trucking and buses were shut down for the period of the protest.

I loaned my camera to a person that worked in Costa Rica so while I didn’t take these pictures, they did come from my camera.

Ok. Imagine that you work every day in the Frontera or across the border in Costa Rica and each day your only access was to cross this area on foot. If you were in the US, and you had a problem you would probably just call in sick. All of these people you see walking couldn’t afford to go without a day’s pay. The one’s standing and watching are part of the protest and wondering why you are taking their photo.

To orient you, we are at the ACCEL station by the bridge at the bottom of the hill. You have just gotten off a bus from David.

Get ready. Lets take the walk

I hope you are in shape, because this is uphill.

Notice the large stones in the road blocking cars from passing. As a side note, if there are road repairs, the large rocks are what are typically used to keep you from going into a hole. Sometimes they aren’t even marked with a warning flag. When you are driving at night you have to drive with caution.

Here are some of the protestors. Notice the cardboard boxes that have been spread out so they can get some sleep.

Here is one of the workers carrying a Panamanian Flag.

This is one of the terminal buildings at the border.

It is about 7:00 in the morning. Notice the man on the left with the cardboard over his head. It is already starting to get hot. Notice the man on the mic talking to the people. Also notice the man in the center checking the badge of the other man.

More covered heads, and more photos.

If you are lucky you can crawl under a truck.

No cars can pass here either.

Look ma. No hands.

I caught a fish last night and it was this big! The fella to his right is laughing thinking it is just another fish tale.

You really sure you want to take my photo?

Well that gives you an idea of the protest. Now for me, when I hear of a protest, I know that that day is going to be a really good day to just stay in and read a book, surf the Internet, or watch CBS. That is if CBS is broadcasting here. Make that CNN.

Sorry for the delay in the photos. I guess it is better late than never. However that may be the reason Torrijos didn’t get to the protest. He didn’t read about in Chiriqui Chatter.