Correction to previous entry!

I must admit that I was not fully informed before I wrote my last entry about the bus strikes. It was, in fact, much more complicated and frightening than my previous report of better wages, road conditions, etc. Unfortunately, the situation in the city buses in Guatemala is much more violent and corrupt.


Each month the city bus drivers of Guatemala city have to pay 1000 quetzales ($125.31) to the local gangs for "protection". If they refuse to pay, they are subject to assaults, and in many cases, death. The bus drivers were getting fed up with having to pay so much, especially because a bus ride costs 1 quetzal per passenger, and decided to go on strike. In solidarity with them, the rest of the bus drivers accross the country decided to go on strike, so as to bring immediate attention to the plight of the city bus drivers. The government is listening - for now - and there is now a larger police force tackling the problem. On almost every red City bus you can see a police officer or security gaurd riding right behind the bus driver. This has made the buses a bit safer for now, but it is unclear of how long assistance will be provided.

Yesterday I had to go to the Immigration office in the capital to renew my visa, which I must do after being here for 90 days (after the next 90 days I will have to leave the country for Belice, Mexico, or Costa Rica - as Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua have an international agreement on migration and travel). After a quick visit and passport pickup, the other volunteers wanted to hop on the red buses to go to a mall called Tikal Futuro. I, however, have heard too many tales of theft and assault on the buses, even with the increased security. City buses in Managua? No problem. City buses in the midst of a gang, transport, and police war? No, thank you.