La Marcha

Today was an indigenous march in Quito, so basically half the city was shut down and school was canceled. EXCEPT, I don't go to school in Quito. Cumbaya wasn't affected at all...so I had classes. Que chevs.

Anyway, these indigenous people live in a region of Ecuador that was recently contracted by the President to a Chinese mining company. The mine is going to affect their water supply, its taking over their land, and they probably won't receive many of the financial benefits of the mine at all. So, starting March 8th, they began walking...and walking...and walking some more...until they arrived in Quito today. Now that's impressive.

In my grammar class today we spent the whole time reading articles and talking about it, and then my teacher taught us the chants for both sides (there is also a counter-march organized by the government)..ya know like 1, 2, 3, 4 we don't want you here no more 5, 6, 7, 8 I'm so hungry, I wish I ate. Ok, so that's probably never been a protest cheer but you know what I mean. Anyway, we spent probably 5 minutes just shouting at each other, one side of the room chanting the indigenous cheer and the other side the government one--waving fists, angry faces...the whole shebang. Very entertaining let me assure you. But hey, that's just how we learn Spanish here in the Dor.

Sidenote #1: wore rain boots and it rained today. that never happens!

Sidenote #2: supporting k-butter here in the Dor.