Well, Roatan with stood yet another quiet month. Seems like the whole country was on standstill. The Elections were just waiting out there on the horizon. The one thing that the waiting game offered up was the time it took Zelaya to totally make a fool of himself, lie and prove his true character. He signed the accord that all had agreed upon to let the elections proceed and then immediately did not follow it.
Since this has been a long drawn out story and of course not everyone has followed it, I will just report (being on the ground and the sand) the events of the election of Nov 29. And anyone that wants to catch up on a bit of History…how a little country stood up to the world and fought to remain free and Democratic when they were being pressured to put a corrupt, drug running Dictator back in office even though he was kicked out constitutionally and legally then go to www.world4honduras.com/ .
The Election was legal, had a record breaking 60 percent turn out and the New President is National Party candidate Porfirio Lobo ( Pepe for short). It does appear that the U.S. will recognize this election and lift the sanctions and it is also a set back for Venezuelan President Chavez’s strongman expansionist agenda. Hopefully this will give hope to other Countries struggling to overcome oppressive Governments.
One of the reasons that the U.S. withdrew support is a two-page US intelligence report describing Zelaya's complicity in corruption and narcotrafficking. A US State department rep told a source of a blogger that I follow that this report was "frightening". Fausta's Blog is a great source for Honduran Information.
Other than that we slowly see more visitors returning and the businesses that have weathered this year will come out stronger and have new creative marketing ideas that helped them survive.
Some good rainy storms blew through but that sun is always quick to return. The Island is beautiful and the Christmas lights are going up. Lots to celebrate and be grateful for here.
Hope your Holidays will be bright and hope to see some of you that are off the rock, back on the Island next year.
Somehow this long never-ending summer has been so symbolic of Honduras in need of a change that just seems illusive. It’s been the summer of waiting and the term manana has never been more relevant.
The huge ray of happiness that lifted everyone’s spirit was the qualification for Honduras to advance to the World Cup playoffs. . Honduras beat El Salvador to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa! The streets in Tegus were blocked but this time not by protestors but by excited Honduran fans and the country came together. The President declared the 15th a national Holiday! Imagine that…shows you the importance of Soccer down here. Boy was that a needed little victory. To quote a blog author that I follow (www.lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com) “Crime will be reduced because everyone is so happy and because all the private ammunition of the country was used up tonight to shoot the guns in the air….It is like Mardi gras in Honduras.-“—
One thing that is moving ahead is the Black Pearl Golf course and it is good to see some building going on and people employed. They hire local town folks to go out and pick weeds from the new growing grass to avoid pesticides from running off into the ocean and hurting the reef…Very cool! The first 9 holes should be open in December.
The Cruise ship docks near completion (Carnival and Royal Caribbean) No one is cursing those Cruise ships from coming. Seems to be the only brave people in the world go on Cruise ships.
Looks like we will not see a hurricane this season since the water temperatures have cooled. After the Earthquake down here we did not need to sample anymore of Mother Nature.
Fosters on the Water in West End is being renovated. Maybe we will not see it fall into the water.
As always Halloween was a huge success with two nights of partying….This Island loves to dress up and the lack of Halloween stores makes for some interesting costumes. The little kids trick or treat down West End Road and the dive shops hand out the candy (or at least what is left of all the treats they don’t eat themselves). Very fun to see the cute kids.
Be sure to visit the Marine Parks updated web page…. www.roatanmarinepark.com
Grandson Castle 2 months
Granddaughter Paia
ongoing renovations - Fosters
New cruiseship dock for Carnival cruiseline
West end now has a fancy Police station
West End Voting station
No problems voting in West End
Pretty quiet for the Military
This boat sunk on Election day. I thought it quite symbolic of the Zelaya presidency...but the flag still was waving
