Not one comment explains what the protest was about. This whole conversation seems at odd with my idea of travel and discovery. I travel to gather experiences, some are mundane, some funny, lots are seemingly traumatic. Seems like there was a missed opportunity here to learn more about the culture, politics or economy of the region. Instead these people where in the way. They were selfishly blocking the ticking off another bucket list goal. Hmm, what if their goal was more important than yours? What if they where protesting for human rights, against corruption or any number of the rotten things in the modern world? I understand that the townspeople you spoke to didn't support the protest, but clearly some did or it would not have happened. Speaking to the protestors might have lead to an understanding of what they where all about. If as adventure riders we don't try to understand the cultures we travel through what's the point. Maybe we should just stay home and watch "Long Way Around."

Finally, "we were being held hostage." Really. Being held hostage goes something like this. A group of 12 year olds, part of a boys army, armed with AK47s stops you at a road block, they take all your papers, and tosh you in a mud hut. You sweat out the night wondering if you'll be raped and murdered while your capturers get drunk outside. In the morning a blurry eyed kid throws your papers at you and tells you to go while the rest are laying about passed out. Happened to my sister in law in Africa. She also lost 12 of her teachers. Machine gunned to death in a school bus.

Do I have sympathy for your inconvenience? What do you think.


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