There was a blockade (striking banana plantation workers, from what I gather) on the northern route between Panama and Costa Rica (Guabito/Sixoala border crossing). The highway is blockaded ten or fifteen miles into Panama by strikers, including a contingent of angry young men with, of course, their machetes. They're not letting anything mechanized through, even gringos on battered overland motorcycles. Walkers and bicyclists are allowed through, although I'm under the impression that some payment is required for this.

I was told that it might be over tonight but could as easily last a week. If planning to use this crossing, best check ahead. However, note that I'm now back in David (near the turnoff from the Pan-American), and no one seems to have heard anything about what was going on this afternoon. Maybe there's a better source of information.....?

This is the first time I've actually been turned around by a blockade during 9 months in Latin America. Usually they'll let me pass after a lot of handshaking and declarations of world friendship and castigating of politicians. Sometimes there is a route around the barricade. In this case there's not, and although some people wanted to let me pass, the Angry Young Men prevailed. Others might succeed.

Hope that saves someone the same 250 mile ride that I made today.

Mark

The problems are still going on. There have been two people killed in the last 3 days, and many injured. The Changinola bridge is blocked by protesters.

AVOID THIS ROUTE until it clears up.

__________________
Steve Barnett
Panama City, Panama