Curfews and Carrateras...

Yesterday, Manuel Zelaya, the former president of Honduras, who was rightfully ousted from power in June, snuck back into the country and holed himself up in the Brazilian Embassy. His bold move caught the current president off-guard and also led to thousands of pro-Zelaya supporters flooding the streets of Tegucigalpa, converging upon the Brazilian Embassy. Roberto Micheletti, the current constitutional president initally called for a curfew from 4pm yesterday until 7am this morning, but later extended the ending time until 6pm this evening.

Here in Comayagua, we were watching the news on TV as much as we could. Things here were calm all day yesterday and from 4pm on, things got quieter and quieter as people went home in obedience to the curfew. About 6pm last night, I walked up to the front gate to look at the highway. It was pretty much empty. There were a few cars and trucks still passing, but at 6pm, it should be non-stop traffic in both directions. The Esso across the street was completely dark, with only a few security guards standing around outside it. They had also put up some yellow police tape to keep any people still driving from pulling in to the lot.

Last night before I went to bed, I noticed how quiet everything was. No cars. No neighbors sitting outside my living room window talking and laughing. Even the dogs were strangely silent. The overall quietness was almost eery, but also somewhat soothing.

This morning, things here in Comayagua are still abnormally quiet, although, the roosters have been busy for more than a few hours now. Sitting at my dining room table, I can hear the sounds of nearby children playing in the street. I can also hear the very occasional car go by my window -- it's a side street. A few minutes ago, I walked to the front gate and took a few pictures of a mostly carless carratera (highway). Although, a taxi was passing, saw me with my camera and yelled out for me to take his picture as he mugged for the camera. The Esso is still closed and dark, but I did see a few of the street children over there talking to the guards.

Everything is very calm here in Comayagua and we're all safe.

We're hearing reports of a few skirmishes in Tegucigalpa early this morning, centering around pro-Zelaya supporters and the Brazilian Embassy. Keep in mind that pro-Zelaya supporters are actually a huge minority here, but a very vocal one. Also, many of those demonstrating are being paid to do so. In her blog, La Gringa has posts and links from more news sources, which tell so much more of what's going on here. http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/

Without me going into a huge discourse of the happenings here, please realize that the ousting of Mel Zelaya was done within the power and authority of the Honduran Constitution. At NO TIME during this has the military been in control of the nation. Regardless of what you may hear from US news sources, it WAS NOT a military coup.

If you're interested in more information, just get in touch with me via email or Facebook. The biggest thing we need right now is PRAYER!!! Prayer that Zelaya would do the right thing and renounce his claim to the presidency. Prayer that the elections would continue in November as scheduled. Prayer that GOD will reign and rain HIS peace and power over this nation.

I guess the gecko poop will still have to wait.