Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Honduras and the U.S. Election

I watched the election returns last night with an american, an australian and a salvadorean. Us two americans were glued to the TV set and very emotional about Obama's victory. My other two guests were interested in the elections, but understandably not as emotionally invested. I had a fun time explaining the electoral college to them.

However, there are many Hondurans who are very excited about the elections. I received this text message last night from a friend here in Trujillo:

TE DAS CUENTA
EL MUNDO ES DIFERENTE
¡Change we need!

A dirt road was cleared and repaired yesterday so supplies can be tranported into town. This morning's edition of La Prensa was available at newsstands, and was a hotter commodity than flour, rice, beans or bread. Almost all copies had been sold by the time I got there at 9am. The cover featured a huge color photo of Obama with the headline 'Obama, Elegido'. People were snapping up copies as keepsakes, to show their kids one day. I thought that was remarkable.

It was incredible to see the footage of celebrations across the United States. What most impacted me were the scenes of jubilant strangers hugging, laughing and crying in the streets across the country. I wish I could've been there.

3 comments:

nowak said...

any chance you could scan and upload that paper? that'd be sweet.

Raphael said...

Definitely. I'll get an image up soon.

Leslie said...

Hi- I'm an RPCV from La Esperanza '00-'02. Reading your blog has brought back a lot of great memories! I also felt very nostalgic for the US here in the DR.