The Presidency of Donald J. Trump: Harm to Ongoing Matter
03-02-2019
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03-02-2019
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Not arguing but just in case anyone is interested in the details of the situation - Nicaragua overall has a valid reputation as the safest country in Central America. They are by far the poorest country too, but the people seem very proud of not resorting to thievery. I went in after the first flare-up had died down and everyone was saying it was fine for tourists again - but of course I knew there was a risk that things got crazy again while I was there.
No one has guns except the police and the Sandinista Youth - who were acting as sort of the dirty jobs/thug wing - pulling agent provocateur stuff and random violence. Apparently you get free college for being in the Sandanista Youth. The biggest weapons the opposition has are some homemade things that seem like an M-80 on a beefed up bottle rocket - which admittedly would suck if it went off in your face but would do nothing to my car.
All the protesters I saw were a mix of farmers and students. They actually asked if I was a Contra at one point. A big theme I heard from locals was hoping the US would get involved again. So they were pretty nice to Americans overall. Their primary concern seemed to be checking to make sure I wasn't smuggling any people out in my rooftop carrier. Maybe someone they were looking for. They didn't search anything too small to fit a person.
Not that I always felt 100% safe. I spent one night at an illegal roadblock and got a lot of stares. Something told me being a gringo in a fancy car for days in a completely lawless situation like that might not be the best idea. Also it was hot and I couldn't idle with the AC on forever. So I drove a few hours back to a hotel in Bluefields on the east coast that became my little haven for a week.
When I finally got through the 4 roadblocks it was tense but at no time did I feel in real danger or that they would steal anything. My biggest fear is they wouldn't let me through. I had beer, water, vodka, soda, extra gasoline and money to offer as potential bribes. But no one ever asked for one. So once they would let me through I'd get out and hand out a bunch of ice cold beer - which was a huge hit and sent out a giant roar throughout the road block.
Finally by the third roadblock, after giving out the beer, I got the nerve to ask for a picture. The farmers didn't seem to mind their picture taken at all. The students always had bandanas covering their faces. The white dude is one of two backpackers I picked up along the way who were stranded in between roadblocks. They connected with me that morning through the Pan-Am traveller's group on FB. There were definitely surprised to see me show up at their hostel. They managed to get packed in about 5 minutes.
No one has guns except the police and the Sandinista Youth - who were acting as sort of the dirty jobs/thug wing - pulling agent provocateur stuff and random violence. Apparently you get free college for being in the Sandanista Youth. The biggest weapons the opposition has are some homemade things that seem like an M-80 on a beefed up bottle rocket - which admittedly would suck if it went off in your face but would do nothing to my car.
All the protesters I saw were a mix of farmers and students. They actually asked if I was a Contra at one point. A big theme I heard from locals was hoping the US would get involved again. So they were pretty nice to Americans overall. Their primary concern seemed to be checking to make sure I wasn't smuggling any people out in my rooftop carrier. Maybe someone they were looking for. They didn't search anything too small to fit a person.
Not that I always felt 100% safe. I spent one night at an illegal roadblock and got a lot of stares. Something told me being a gringo in a fancy car for days in a completely lawless situation like that might not be the best idea. Also it was hot and I couldn't idle with the AC on forever. So I drove a few hours back to a hotel in Bluefields on the east coast that became my little haven for a week.
When I finally got through the 4 roadblocks it was tense but at no time did I feel in real danger or that they would steal anything. My biggest fear is they wouldn't let me through. I had beer, water, vodka, soda, extra gasoline and money to offer as potential bribes. But no one ever asked for one. So once they would let me through I'd get out and hand out a bunch of ice cold beer - which was a huge hit and sent out a giant roar throughout the road block.
Finally by the third roadblock, after giving out the beer, I got the nerve to ask for a picture. The farmers didn't seem to mind their picture taken at all. The students always had bandanas covering their faces. The white dude is one of two backpackers I picked up along the way who were stranded in between roadblocks. They connected with me that morning through the Pan-Am traveller's group on FB. There were definitely surprised to see me show up at their hostel. They managed to get packed in about 5 minutes.
03-02-2019
, 01:19 PM
03-02-2019
, 01:21 PM
03-02-2019
, 01:21 PM