"Teatro in Time of Plague – 51"

Radio Progreso ran Los Motivos del Lobo last night at 8:30 and this morning at 10:00. It was pushed back last night by a national government network (which gave the daily details of how COVID is doing) and it was almost 9:00 before they ran it. I don’t think it’s as good as El Lórax, but it’s good. I’m satisfied with it. It’s on Spotify. The actors are doing a workshop in construction of puppets. I know nothing about puppets. The mobile hospital in San Pedro Sula isn’t functioning yet, and it looks like it’s going to be a while.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 72, 075 cases, 2, 204 deaths

We didn’t go to migration today: Luis finally got through on the phone and we have an appointment for tomorrow morning. Maybe we’ll finally get this out of the way. He said they sent a safe conduct pass; today was his number to circulate, which is what we figured would be best for today.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - The official statistics page hasn’t updated numbers

Grand adventure today: a trip to San Pedro Sula. We left the teatro at 7:30 so as to leave us plenty of time to get to our 9:00 appointment in Migración. I can only think of the scene in Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner where the young hero (I forget his name) is let out of the reformatory for a practice run and relishes his freedom. The La Democracia bridge over the Río Ulúa is ready to open. This is the half of a double bridge, standard four lane divided highway bridges. The bridge was felled by an earthquake in 2009 – the central span. Since then all the traffic has had to cross on the remaining bridge, turned into a two way single lane. ALL traffic from the north coast to San Pedro Sula has to pass over the bridge. They promise to open it next week. FINALLY. There was considerable traffic. We didn’t have the safe conduct; but we had luck and the police never stopped us. (The migración papers we had would probably have been enough to satisfy them). We got to Migración with plenty of time. There was already a considerable line of Hondurans seeking passports and a much smaller group of foreigners (mostly from the neighboring CA countries). Universally masked. After a few minutes someone came out with a list; turns out my name was at the head of the list, and he sent me right in. I was the second person they called; I turned over copies of all the documents (which we had already sent on-line) along with my old residency card. The guy told me to sit down and wait. After about 20 minutes he called me, had me sign a thing in a notebook, and handed me a new card. This surprised me because they hadn’t taken my picture (I had even shaved in the morning for the picture). They had last year’s picture: they must have reprinted it from last year’s copy, just changing the dates. So that was it, after all the weeks of hassle. I feel relieved that I am no longer a wetback.

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 72, 675 cases, 2, 204 deaths.

Today wasn’t a very productive day. The pandemic is getting me down. It’s getting us all down. The mobile hospitals won’t be ready till November. The latest word. According to La Prensa, taxis and buses here in Progreso will be functioning next week. No trace of the disappeared Garifunas.

Friday, September 25, 2020 - 73, 193 cases, 2, 249 deaths.

Luis finished editing Los Zapaticos de Rosa, just in time for its broadcast twice tomorrow, at 1:00 and at 4:00. The actors don’t dominate the poetry, in my opinion, and I’m not sure if an audience will understand it. We shall see tomorrow. Two more mobile hospitals are en route and will arrive 3 October. These will be destined to Choluteca and Santa Rosa de Copán. Three more will ship at the end of October. No sign of life from the original two in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, with no signs of opening.

Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 73,840 cases, 2,249 deaths

We had two transmissions of Los Zapaticos de Rosa this afternoon, at 1:00 and at 4:00. I think the piece comes off well. Haven’t heard any commentary. That is the frustrating thing about this radio gig, you never know if there is anybody out there. We had no water in the house all day.

Sunday, September 27, 2020 - 74, 548 cases, 2, 288 deaths

 

We had water in the house. They cut the electricity to all Progreso: 14 hours straight. It just came back a bit ago.

Keep safe and wash your hands,

Jack

 

 

 

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