Kier and Madi went to school. Their cousin did her homework in a hammock at her parent’s hotel. Cali continued her week of delinquency by being and was in the pool by 9 a.m. and swam most of the day with her grandma.
There was also a wagon ride of sorts.
We went to buy some paper for my niece to complete her homework. On the way home we stopped at PanaSuper to get some Fritos and Coke Lite.
Paul called from the top of Santander to tell us there was some was some kind of tuk tuk strike going on. Tuks were blocking off the street at all major intersections so no one could get through. At the bridge the guys had actually dismantled the road. Here the road is made by individual bricks that can be taken apart and put back in place if pipes have to be fixed underneath the street. The protesters were creative and simply dismantled the road so no one could get through.
Reasons for the strike differed according to who you spoke to. Some tuk drivers said they were dissatisfied with the number of tuks allowed in Pana and no one can make a decent living. Some said 5 years ago when tuks came to Pana, the mayor thought he’d make some extra cash and sold 250 tuk licenses. There are also many tuks who simply aren’t licensed. Others said the tuk drivers are upset because the mayor is considering prohibiting the tuks from driving on the main tourist drag, Santander, during Semana Santa (Easter week, the biggest holiday here). The tuks are afraid they’ll lose business. There were as many reasons for the strike as there were people giving explanations. My brother and I walked back down a very quiet Santander, maybe there’s something to the mayor’s suggestion. The tuk strike lasted only about three hours, but it did get everyone’s attention. If only we knew why it had our attention.
At noon Kier and Madi cut their school day short and came down to the hotel to swim. They were going to catch a tuk to come down to the hotel. It made for an interesting trip since the driver had to find road which wasn’t being blocked by the tuk strike. Madi was a bit concerned because the tuk driver wasn’t going a direct route. But when he kept asking people along the way if a certain road was blocked, they felt better. I’m glad she was aware.
We went to the Deli for lunch. Cali had a large fancy fruit drink that she was very excited about. I don’t ususally get her those drinks, but when she is with my brother and I’m out of earshot, she seems to get more of what she actually wants. She loves, loves, loves my brother. Madi couldn’t find anything that she could eat on the entire menu. We took up a collection of tomato garnishes, so at least she had that and some crust of bread. I wish she was easier to feed.
After lunch we set out to do a bit of shopping because they leave in two days. It started to rain so we tried to hop from stall to store. My brother bought a belt buckle, his wife got a table runner and place mats, My niece got notebook covers for herself and a Quetzal bird for her friend, Sandy got a wooden sun for the front door and four place mats, Cali got a change purse that had Quetzals on it. Madi not into a lot of things, so she got a slice of cheese pizza. She watched them cooking on the grill at the empanada place.
Kier got a pair of earrings and bought two scarves she’s had her eye on since we’ve been here. She not only got them, but for the price she wanted to pay. She has always been a good shopper, regardless of country. Kind of a global shopper extraordinaire. She had to go to play practice and then salsa dance practice. Instead of going out with her friends afterwards, she decided to come home and hang out with family (awww, we do matter). Madi was bummed that she missed watching Grey’s Anatomy, but felt better when she found out it was a rerun.
We went to the restaurant Atlantis for dinner. I’d only been there for hot chocolate (best place in town). I’ve seen lots of tour groups eating in there, so it must be reasonably safe. We were all wet from the rain, arms full of purchases. The restaurant was lit with candles, it looked magical, inviting, and most importantly, dry. It was also next door to the bar where play practice was taking place. We were sold. It was the best meal we had so far, and the best ambiance. There were lots of options for our group’s diverse food needs; two vegetarians, healthy low fat/salt softer food for my dad, something Madi will eat, large fancy drink for Cali, meaty stuff for Paul, interesting experimental food for my brother, and preferably something with bacon for me. Sandy and Kier are probably the easiest two to feed. This restaurant had something for everyone, and the food was excellent.
Since Kier was practicing next door Madi and Ella ran over to tell her where she should meet us for supper when practice was finished. She is the easiest person to order for, I got her a pesto spaghetti. She bounded in a happy ball of energy.
After supper, Cali was almost asleep. I tuked home with Madi and Cali in one that had bull horns on the front of it. When we got in the tuk driver said he knows where we live. Those guys have good memories, not necessarily comforting.
Cali and I went to bed right away, we were beat. Digesting huge amount of food takes lots of energy. The girls and their cousin stayed up for a while giggling and doing other cousiny stuff. They gel.