Violence cont.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Today my aunts invited me to go with them to a near by town called “Luis Moya”.  The town is known for their textiles and variety of clothing.  The theory is that if you can’t find it there, you can’t find it in the state.  Part of me was afraid to go, it would mean that we would be out on the main road where the shooting took place but I also can’t stay locked up in fear, if the people who lived here where going out then I would join them.  On the way to the neighboring town we could help but talk about what everyone was talking about and share the information people had heard second and third hand.  One of my aunts told us how the federal police had raided her neighbor’s home.  The rumors out there are that several federal police officers were take hostage and the full force was in town looking for them.  They were knocking down doors and asking questions later.  A police helicopter was out since Thursday and it was a big deal to everyone who saw it circling the town.  A few minutes after we were on the road we counted 7 cars and 8 trucks filled with federal police heading into town as we were leaving it.  Everyone in the car counted them and at them same time sat in silence as we imagined all the reasons they were there.  We drove in silence until we arrived at the town, we got off and started to shop, although the thrill had passed and no one was in the mood to continue the day’s events. 

As we ended the days events early we once again headed home in silence.  Arriving home e shared what we saw with the rest of the family and they too sat in silence.  I have family members here with brand new vehicles they can’t use.  If the bad guys see a vehicle they like they take it, usually they leave the occupants on the side of the road but sometimes they take the occupants with them, never to be heard from again.  The shiny new vehicles remain behind locked gates under car covers and I once again wonder how this isn’t considered a war.  People are afraid to be outside, to drive their vehicles, to own anything of value, shots can ring out at any time and people go missing on daily basis.  Is this really a way to live?