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Chris Smith commented about Egotistical People are Better Looking, On Friday September 18th, 2009 06:12:47 PM
"Beans Make You Pretty" -- Bumpersticker on a Model A Ford cruising between Tijuana and Tecate, Mexico. Pickup truck was driven by an enormous man who entirely filled the truck cab (arms hung out the windows).
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Chris Smith commented about Haiti Day One as HoboTraveler.com, On Thursday November 5th, 2009 12:36:15 AM
Hit the ground running, eh? Happy trails.
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Chris Smith commented about Mr Hidalgo starts Cuba, On Friday December 4th, 2009 01:04:24 PM
JD,
Going across Idaho between Lewiston, ID and Lolo, Montana you should stop at my brother's family's resort, "Three Rivers" at the confluence of 3 designated Wild and Scenic Rivers (Lochsa/Selway/Middle Fork Clearwater) at the foot of Lolo Pass - Lewis and Clark's route. Also there are 4 hotsprings (!) on the scenic drive between my brother's resort and Lolo, MT and the camping is really some of the best! Tell 'em Chris says HI!
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Chris Smith commented about Vigilante Force in Cite Soleil Haiti, On Wednesday December 30th, 2009 01:14:02 PM
Andy,
OK, about the lynchings here (Linchiamentos), as they are called Internally:
In a recent 2 week period (Nov - Dec 2009) there were mob killings and burning of thieves in something like 5 cities in Guatemala. I count nearly 20 reported body burnings in that period and as many attempted of the living and very recently deceased.. This is known as "Justicia Maya" and itself is an ancient form of vigilantism with contemporary upgrades. Towns where other burnings had occurred sent "Experts" to educate the Maya populous ("don't forget to bring your water to the execution to counteract the Police's teargas"). The Experts and local liasons go door-to-door in some neighborhoods to assign mandatorily "Shifts" of watchers to follow the thieves and accomplices around-the-clock. In Panajachel where I live, the thieves were followed for 10 days before 'they dropped the hammer'.
The thief was beaten and kicked and after being dragged about town, was killed by the crowd throwing bottles and cobblestones at him, before attempting to burn him by the City Hall (MUNY). As you are well acquainted with this area Andy, at the head of Callejon Santa Elena the mob collected and gasoline doused the thief's 2 sisters and their pregnant friend and just as they were about to be put to the torch a group of Maya women interceded (because one was pregnant, I've been told) and marched the female accomplices to the Police station, past where their brother had been executed. The Police wouldn't release the women to the angry mob (estimates up to 2,000) who now just wanted to burn all 4 together, like in nearby Solola where 3 had been burned a week prior and in 3 other town the week before. The Panajachel Police (here considered corrupt, criminal and ineffective by the Maya - 60 of the pop. - in the majority), sped the 3 women to another undisclosed city and covered their prisoner transport by closing the roads leading in and out of Pana and placing teargas cannisters there and in sites of congregation. Meanwhile, the Mayan mob overturned 4 Police patrol pickup trucks and burned them and set fire to the Police station due to their intercession and as a Vote of NO Confidence. Over 36 years of Civil War here - ending 15 years ago) 230,000 Mayan were killed in Guatemala, so basically the disenfranchised have their own form of extra-governmental authority.
Oh, the Mayor here was encircled a few days later at the top of Calle Santander by a Mayan crowd but was rescued, then yesterday the President of the Republic sped through the town at high speed in a motorcade, not lingering hereabouts.
I love it here and with caveats find it safe here for Travelers and Expats.
All's quiet since, however petty theft against Traveler's occurs as before and is tacitly tolerated by the community. Much the same everywhere else in the developing World.
- Chris
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Chris Smith commented about Coffee Filter Alternative Travel Tip, On Thursday December 31st, 2009 05:49:10 PM
Happy New Year!
Thanks again for tips I can really use RIGHT NOW!
Fuegos Artificiales!!!
pregunta ... Fiesta o Pachanga?
Quien Sabe.
Muy amable,
- hotspringfreak
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