World AIDS Day

So.... world AIDS day in Santa Rosa came and went unnoticed by most people. It was pretty much a bust on our half. I had made this whole big plan, including a parade, activities in the park and a play/candle ceremonyin the evening. But when it came down to it we weren't able to do anything!
The day prior to world AIDS day was the primary elections here in Honduras and because of this the government decided that the 1st would be a public office holiday. My counterparts used this to explain to me that we couldn't do anything in the park because there would be a poor circulation of people (i find that hard to believe cuz if they aren't at work where else are they going to be-- hanging out in the park like every other weekend). Well, in addition to this, there was also a public ordinance that it was prohibited to have any sort of public demonstrations before 3pm. So the parade and and gran bulla we had planned was a no-go. In addition to all this, the head people in teguc of my counterpart organization (organization dedicated to HIV work) decided to have their national conference the day following, Dec. 2nd, making it that much harder for us to do anything considering we have to travel 7 hrs to get to the conference(meaning leaving at 4am on the 2nd to get to teguc in time).
So seeing as we had to travel early in the morning to make the conference and the fact that it was a holdiay and the park activities were a no go due to the ordinance... they decided to cancel the event all in all. I was pretty disappointed because I really was looking forward to using this activity to show the counterparts the good work I can do, but I realize that I can't make anyone do something they don't want to do and if I am the only one who is really trying that it isn't going to work.
We were suppose to have a make-up world AIDS day tomorrow, but that also has fallen through.
I still really want to do something and so do the teenagers that work in the office with me, so we might try to plan something super fun and educative on our own. It is just hard for me to believe that the largest city in the west did not commemorate the day at all and I feel like we need to do something and do it ya!
At least I was able to stop by the festivities in Quimistan.. exposida in the park and a movie! Good work Katie! I am proud of your AIDs day activities and happy I could be a part of them.
eh...Life is difficult and frustrating. It is just one of those days! It really is "the toughest job you'll ever love"