Trucker Strike and other Itapira happenings

(NOTE FROM SONJA: We asked Elizabeth about the trucker strike happening in Brazil. I had not heard anything about it until Juliana made us aware. Truck drivers are protesting the price of gas by refusing to deliver products, including gas. They are making exceptions for hospitals and beer hahahah.  Because there is no gas, there is no public transportation, so Juliana indicated her school is canceled, as is her job (as she teaches school).  Anyway... we asked Elizabeth about it and this is what she said:)

So, I have only a vague idea of what is going on, so here´s what I know/have seen.

The gas stations were packed a couple days ago with whole fleets of motorcycles and cars.

The gas stations are now empty, and have a little chain barrier surrounding them.

There have been huge parades/caravans of cars and motorcycles that just wind their way around the city and honk their horns incessantly.  I've heard them at least twice a day for the past few days.  Driving around to protest the lack of gasoline seems counterproductive, but whatever.  Humans are weird.

We received an email from the mission president that we should stock up on water and nonperishable food.  

If a protest flares, they will call us and tell us to head home until it´s over, so we need to keep our phones charged and with us.

Our district and zone conferences are cancelled until further notice, but arrangements are being made for our conference with Elder Cook.

Honestly, I don´t think we have too much to worry about.  The caravans have been the only thing that I've noticed, so as far as protests go, I think it will remain calm.