Interesting times in Ecuador

Hello all... here I sit writing a blog, on on what would normally be a full day in our field ministry in Cuenca ..... Why you ask? Well seems that the Policía Nacional went on strike today ..... that would not normally be a good thing, as the Policía normally are the ones who try to stop riots and problems such as these.... It seems from what is reported that the President supposedly "has tried to reduce some of the benefits" due to the police.... So their response is "lets see what happens when the police are not working" ..... Well you can imagine ... reports of 5 bank robberies in Quito were on the news wire, and most if not all the shops here in Cuenca are closed for the day... when we say closed that means they pull the steel door down that covers the window and entrances... the malls closed down and there is not much activity on the street... you hear an occasional siren in the distance... not sure if its from the problems or from the lack of traffic, so they stand out more .... but whatever it is, it's for sure, different..... These kinds of problems are common here from what the friends say.... one thing Carol read was that in the last 120 some years, the presidency has changed 100 times.... so we will see what happens this time....

They also shut down the airport in Quito as part of the strike ... and the American Embassy encouraged all Americans to stay indoors .... so here we are, indoors!

There is something missing ..... but not strangely missing ... Carl, Eslie where are you guys?...... Ooooooooh that's right your in the USA..... always missing the happenings while serving here in Ecuador... last month they were in the US for work, while we suuuuuuuuffered terribly through one of the strongest earthquakes in years here in Ecuador..... and now the police strike, with bank robberies, rioting and looting and general decay of society ...... and where are the formally known GC? .... NOT HERE!  .......You guys are always avoiding all the fun stuff! Have fun on your trip to places beyond. (You know I couldn't miss that opportunity Carl)