I am not writing this post to cause alarm, but rather to say in advance that I am ok, in case the news get out into mainstream media about the difficulties in Ecuador.
Today gas and diesel prices went sky high – diesel, going from 1.03 – 2.30$/gallon. This has caused a great deal of anger as they are heavily reliant on diesel here. To raise the prices so drastically will of course cause a domino effect for pricing for food and travel. Understandably, with the majority of the population living in poverty, this causes a great deal of problems. There were no buses or taxies running today, many shops closed early or did not even open, due to the inability for people to travel and shop. Rather the buses and lories were used to block the highway, so no travel outside the cities or towns, the cities in chaos with no public transportation. You are not allowed to cross the blockade.
They are showing no signs of giving up the blockade, so the military is supposed to come in tomorrow to break them up. The concern is of course, the violence which may occur as a result. For now all is well, but I am in Cotacachi and am unsure if I will be able to get back to the Intag Valley as planned tomorrow. Also I have a very important meeting set up for Monday, and may not be able to attend now. Having never experienced this sort of thing, I am unsure what to expect, but whatever it is, I will just have to go through it.
I am with friends and am fine at this time, so please do not worry unnecessarily, as I am sure all will be well once things settle down, the tempers cool down. For me it is a reminder of how thin the line is for so many in South America, something living in Canada did not prepare me for. To hear about it in the safety of our homes where the threat does not touch us, cannot accurately help us to understand how difficult this will make it for the people trying to survive here. It affects absolutely everything.
May I ask that you all keep the people of Ecuador in your thoughts as they struggle to deal with this severe issue. Many positive thoughts can change the outcome of any problem I believe. I thank you for the support……
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