Roatan Road Trip 101

Ocean view from a mountain ridge

Riding along in my automobile... enjoying the panoramic vista view of the emerald blue ocean from the top of a mountain; taking in the wonders of nature in a tropical paradise, a green iguana crossing the road, inviting blue sky, white clouds drifting aimless overhead...paradise.

Screeeeetch! Halt! Stop! Back up.

Riding along in my automobile... in a third world country, on a small crowded island, under construction, the views change, the mountain is moving on a daily basis, and the traffic patterns is different each time you pass over the road.

To say driving on Roatan is an adventure is an understatement. Many of the roads are narrow, one and half lanes at best, no shoulders, with potholes that are part of the structure of the road rather than a road hazard to avoid. People, dogs, kids, cattle, horses, lizards, big trucks and SUVs are all fighting for space on that cramped, semi-paved/gravel/dirt/path they call a road. Here is a little ditty to sum up driving here is paradise.

"Swerving left, forgetting right,

Traffic laws are just a blight,

Mirror, signal, what's that for?

We're curbing wheels and scraping doors,

Roundabouts a driver's grave

And green iguanas a passing wave,

From zero skill to panic zones,

A road trip on Roatan jars the bones."

Oh and let us not forget to mention the motos, or motorbikes. To describe the motos and their driving behavior, think of these lyrics from the band Stealers Wheel.

"Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you."

The attitudes of the moto drivers are that; "I am small, fast, immortal and I don't need to follow the rules." And they are impatient! They weave in and out of traffic, squeezing through tight spaces, pass you on the left or right, and ride your bumper. If the common sense thing to do is wear helmets the drivers don't; or respect the weight limit of the bike, they don't; respect the purpose of the vehicle's intent they don't. The owners of those motos will pile as many people and kids on the bike as possible, (many times without helmets) like it is a 7 passenger van. They will haul all sorts of oversized and dangerous items as if their bike is a 1 ton truck. Recently a moto driver was hauling five regular sized square gas containers; three were lined up on the rack on the back while two were strapped to his chest and back. At night, many moto drivers do not use their lights but continue darting in and out amongst the cars like shadows; you don't really see them but you can sense their presence all around.

Cringe worthy!

ROATAN ROAD TRIP 101

PART 2: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Riding along in my automobile. Suddenly the traffic slows, creeping along until it finally stops. The road is shifting either right or left as mountains are being moved, concrete lanes ae being built, and curves are being softened. No big deal I got this. I know the drill having driven almost my entire life on America's highways, interstates and back roads, in all sorts of weather and hazardous conditions. I know the rules of the road; Don't cross into the cone zone, follow the pilot car, respond correctly to the hand signals of the traffic controller...stop...wait...proceed. I also understand that it is very important to not to follow dump trucks or heavy machinery into the work zone. I got this!

Creeping along in my automobile in the construction zone is a driving experience in and of itself. The clowns and jokers are still weaving in and out of traffic; cutting you off in mid turn, risking life and limb. The potholes are still an integral part of the design of the road and there may be a guy standing there trying to fill in those potholes with little luck. Now 6 inches of concrete is exposed and make a kidney jolting big bump, when transferring from paved to gravel road. The rocks on the gravel portion of the road are enormous, and sharp. Many a car tire has fallen victim to sudden death as a jagged rock gouged a hole in it. Car tires on the island usually have more patches on them than my grandma's patchwork quilts. The paved lane I am driving 3 inches from, has rebar sticking out at all angles, also threatening to kill my tires; while plastic stick-like barriers, wobble and vibrate as if they are being whipped around by hurricane winds, ready to wipe out a mirror or a window if you're not careful.

The traffic controller has directed me into the construction zone and I am signaled to stop because a steam shovel is breaking up the mountain in my lane and dumping the contents into a dump truck that blocks 1 and a half lanes of traffic. Rocks fall near and over my car as mud slides create an avalanche of debris. With heart stopping panic the swinging end of the steam shovel brushes over the top of my car and I just know that load of rock, dirt and swear words are going to land on me. Then I can sigh, and can breathe again.

I safely survived that encounter, but soon discover...driving along in my automobile, that a second traffic controller has directed me into a hard dirt lane and I am playing chicken with a steam roller!

Insert your own expletives and curse words here!

Oh! and did I mention the people, dogs, kids, cattle, horses, lizards, big trucks and SUVs earlier? Well they are all still here; but we now have added utility workers, with dangling wires across entrances, construction trash piled along the road, unsettling road edges, water trucks squirting water on the rock hard clay to soften it up for digging, unstable trenches and dust storms that would hide the state of Oklahoma.

Riding along in my automobile, taking pause...allowing God to speak to me.

Our lives are like driving along in our automobiles. The scenery is breathtaking and relaxing. We enjoy the ride as our hopes and dreams are before us like the open road. We seek adventure and the lure of visiting new and exciting places. Our family and friends are along for the ride and we are grateful for their company. The cooler is stocked full of snacks and beverages. We are happy and blessed.

Without warning life drives us through the dangerous, ominous road under construction.

The road is broken and sharp; unstable, blocked, and narrow. We don't want to travel on it. It's full of jagged rocks, noisy demanding people, annoying dogs, mudslides, avalanches of verbal attacks and cursing. Exhaust chokes the breath out of our lungs and the dust covers us in grimy shame.

The huge, heavy, power shovel dumps a bucket load of unpleasant crap on us; while the steam roller crushes beyond recognition. Clowns and jokers create chaos, and the traffic controllers lie and misdirect. The dangling electrical wires threaten to zap the life from our bodies; stealing our identities and the purpose God intended for us.

Riding around in our automobiles God has provided a glorious pilot car that He encourages us to follow. God's only son Jesus Christ loves His human creation so deeply that He provides comfort, direction, peace, identity, happiness, wisdom, patience, and so many gifts they are too numerous to list. If we need healing from the jagged rocks, God applies the balm (Psalms 103:3). If we need wisdom in answering the noisy crowds, God will give it abundantly and freely (James 1:5). When annoying wandering dogs are looking for answers, God directs their path (Proverbs 3:6). When mudslides, verbal attacks and cursings weary us to our very bones, God comforts, encourages and

He invites us to come to Him and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:38). While we are struggling to breath, grimy and crushed, God calls us to himself (John 3). He provides peace amidst the chaos (Phillipians 4:7), and truth among the lies (John 14:6). Following Jesus brings us to the Father and the Father calls us children. (Galatians 3:26) Riding around in our automobiles through the journey of life God created us to live we have identify and purpose.

Follow Jesus. He knows the way.