Election Day 2009

Sunday was the long talked about, long anticipated presidential election in Honduras.

We had a good part of the work group scheduled to leave on Sunday. We left early for the airport, already knowing the Delta flight had been canceled. Since there were three people on Delta, we were hoping to get them on another airline. We also did not know what might be happening in Tegucigalpa.

Much to our pleasant surprise, there was nothing happening in Tegucigalpa. It was the calmest day ever, maybe more so than the end of Holy Week. Much to our unpleasant surprise, not only did Delta cancel, but American and Continental did also. The Continental and Delta people were scheduled to go out Monday morning. The American people on Tuesday morning. Problem. Most of these people are college students. American could get them on Monday from San Pedro Sula. They gave them vouchers for a hotel in San Pedro Sula and two meals, just not a way to get there. We loaded luggage back in the cars and headed for the bus station. I am sure those guys have a wonderful story to tell.

We saw several polling places and everything was calm. Things are so different here than the U.S. Both parties had pickups full of people taking them to vote. It was interesting to watch.

We got back from the airport and Marc had to take Siomara to Los Pinos to vote. We cannot keep them voting. Elvia left early so she could vote. There are so many people that cannot read or write here that the ballots only have pictures of the candidates.

I guess the people spoke loudly and clearly. The former removed president and the current president are both of the red party. I guess this country is tired of those shenanigans. Every state in the country voted very solidly for the blue party. With so many observers and the whole world watching, it was the cleanest elections Honduras has ever had.

Here in Santa Ana was the only excitement we heard of. The current mayor won by three votes and there was a recount. I think during the recount the other candidate won. The police came to take the ballot boxes and count them and no one wanted to give them up. At 5:00 p.m. on Monday it was announced the current mayor would remain mayor. There were parades and honking and screaming. Marc was on his way from town and ended up right in the middle of the parade.

Or so we thought. The ballot boxes were confiscated on Tuesday and no one has been declared a winner.

The promise the person running against the current mayor made was to remove these awful speed bumps. That is why it was such a close race.

It has just now been announced that congress has voted to NOT reinstate Zelaya. We do not know what will happen to him, but he will not return as president.

The United States and most other countries will recognize this election as legitimate.

Come on Torch teams. It will be business as usual next summer.

Terri