Day 373: The Rally Is Not Over / Todavía No Termina El Rally

Day 373:  July 12, 2015

Patricia, the ambulance remains at the border of Honduras, just outside of Copán.  The ambulance has been retained there for 344 days.

Why?

How could an ambulance be detained for nearly one year?

Who is responsible for this deadlock?

What is the condition of the ambulance now, after remaining outside in the sun without its engine even being started for nearly a year?  Is it still functional?  Are the new tires that we bought for the ambulance still in good condition after a year sitting in the same place without rolling?

How can we immediately free Patricia from this situation and put her into service as all the organizations, donors and volunteers of this project originally intended?

Follow us on our public Facebook page as we remember our journey from one year ago.  You don't need a Facebook account to view our posts.  If you know someone who knows someone who can publicize our cause and help us get answers to these questions, we would appreciate your help.  

We don't need money; we need publicity and accountability now.


Thank you,

The Roasting Cooks

Day 67: The Art of Waiting, Part 1 (Days 15, 16, and 17 of the Rally)

There were many opportunities along the rally to....wait!  During these times, we made the best of our moments either waiting for a repair, or waiting for clearance from Honduran Customs.  Indeed, we are still waiting for the Honduran Customs to release Patricia!  (Our ambulance eventually earned her name Patricia, derived from the Brazilian "Patricinha."  She requires a lot of attention and maintenance, but she has a good heart.)

In Oaxaca, we had to wait about 10 days for the repair to Patricia's rear axle.  So while we were there we took advantage of our free time to visit the Oaxacan coast.  Not a bad place to wait (and work) while waiting for the repair!  Here we are on a day trip to the Bahias de Huatulco:

This entire place was beautiful.  It would be great to come back here on another vacation on a different kind of budget.

And we spent some time waiting in Puerto Escondido:

And some more time waiting (and working) in Puerto Escondido:

While we were waiting, we learned to slow down and enjoy the nature all around us:

Back in the city of Oaxaca, we also used our waiting time to learn about the history of the place.  We visited our first ruins--the Monte Alban, or White Mountain.  This was our first visit to any ruins on the trip, and it was really illuminating.  Our guide was excellent.  He was a Zapoteco indigenous man from the Oaxaca area; his native language is Zapoteco, the local indigenous language.  He spoke excellent Spanish and English and gave the tour in both languages.

Later, some of the things we saw here for the first time would show up again at other ruins sites, such as Copan Ruinas in Honduras.

Our waiting time was some of the best times of the trip!

The Best of The Roasting Cooks travels in Mesoamerica

Here are the best bits from our trip!

Best Tacos; Tacos in San Miguel de Allende

Best Street Food; tamales de ceviche de camarón & Tlayudas

Tlaydas for breakfast!

Best breakfast; Axels recommended resturant in Puerto Escondido

Best food; Axels mums home cooking!

Best Panqueque: Tie between Angry bird Hotcakes con Dulce de Leche, Mexico City

And D&D Brewery, Blueberry(grown locally) Pancakes

Best Roadtrip snack; Mini muffins

Best cities I think we agreed on the first two and I added the last one
#1 Oaxaca City

#2 Guanajato.

#3Antigua-

Best suprise; going to Puerto Escondido for a few days

Best beach; Huatulco, Oaxaca

Best drink; We had soooooooo many good drinks (with alcohol & with out) But this Passionfruit Mezcal was awesome poured over ice with lime :p

Best hostel; Tie between Iguana Azul, Copan and

D&D Brewery, Lago De Yajoa

Best host; all of them were amazing and we are so greatful for their hospitality. Thank you all so very much!

#FreePatricia!