Thursday afternoon in Old Town Quito we spent some time watching the policia (police) gather in their respective squadrons in San Francisco Plaza. Since Pope Francis was due to visit Quito in four days’ time we thought perhaps the policia are just practicing for the Pope's arrival, but by Thursday evening we were informed that the policia had in fact been gathered due to the pending political marches that were scheduled to take place that evening.
As we were headed back to Casa El Eden walking down Sebastian de Benalcazar Street we heard the drums and could see the green flags waving above the cars and other pedestrians. At first I thought it was a parade coming down the street but in reality it was one of the political marches, in what turned out to be the people in favor for the current President.
You see the current President was elected 7 years ago and at that time a president could serve two-two year terms. In his first term he proposed a new policy that stated the president can serve two-four year terms, which is not an unreasonable amount of time for one person to be president according to most countries around the globe. At that time he was doing good things for the country of Ecuador and the majority of the people were pleased, and he was promptly reelected for his second four-year term. But by year six things turned toward the favor of the President and away from the favor of the Ecuadorian people. There began to be grumblings among the Ecuadorians who were looking forward to the election of a new president. However, Señor President now says that he would like to be President indefinitio.
The election for a new president is to take place in April of 2016, and the people have started to rally and announce their favor or dislike for the current president and his desire to stay in power.
It wasn't long after we had made our way back to Casa El Eden when another march started coming down Guayaquil Street. These folks were in dislike for the current president and chanted for him to go and for a new president to be elected in April. I should add in that this march was five times as long and lasted well into the evening, in fact when we were coming back from supper at 9 o'clock that night there were still policia lining Guayaquil Street and several groups of Ecuadorians standing around making ready to posture for their cause.
Before supper, at the height of the evening marches, we were standing outside Casa El Eden with our host Mario and he was describing to us the events that were taking place and the reasons why the people were so animated with their options. At one point there were people on the street to our right who were pro president and the street to our left was the march for the anti-president and we were caught in the middle. Keep in mind these are relatively small blocks with narrow streets, and the two opposing sides were taunting each other to come forward.
You see the current President was elected 7 years ago and at that time a president could serve two-two year terms. In his first term he proposed a new policy that stated the president can serve two-four year terms, which is not an unreasonable amount of time for one person to be president according to most countries around the globe. At that time he was doing good things for the country of Ecuador and the majority of the people were pleased, and he was promptly reelected for his second four-year term. But by year six things turned toward the favor of the President and away from the favor of the Ecuadorian people. There began to be grumblings among the Ecuadorians who were looking forward to the election of a new president. However, Señor President now says that he would like to be President indefinitio.
The election for a new president is to take place in April of 2016, and the people have started to rally and announce their favor or dislike for the current president and his desire to stay in power.
It wasn't long after we had made our way back to Casa El Eden when another march started coming down Guayaquil Street. These folks were in dislike for the current president and chanted for him to go and for a new president to be elected in April. I should add in that this march was five times as long and lasted well into the evening, in fact when we were coming back from supper at 9 o'clock that night there were still policia lining Guayaquil Street and several groups of Ecuadorians standing around making ready to posture for their cause.
Before supper, at the height of the evening marches, we were standing outside Casa El Eden with our host Mario and he was describing to us the events that were taking place and the reasons why the people were so animated with their options. At one point there were people on the street to our right who were pro president and the street to our left was the march for the anti-president and we were caught in the middle. Keep in mind these are relatively small blocks with narrow streets, and the two opposing sides were taunting each other to come forward.
This being our first time as bystanders in a political march rally in a South American country, we were a little bit nervous but Mario assured us we were fine as we were right by the front door and he knew how to lock it quickly. Mario and Blanca, our hosts at Casa El Eden, is a house divided; a small version of the tale of the Montagues and the Capulets, only there is humor and smiles. Blanca took part in the pro-presidents march that day while Mario stayed home and in private turned his thumb down to the president's current practices in the political arena.
Around the world, the people of each nation struggle with their current governments and the policies or taxes that are in place. We are all fighting for a piece of the pie, happiness, belonging, and prosperity.
Around the world, the people of each nation struggle with their current governments and the policies or taxes that are in place. We are all fighting for a piece of the pie, happiness, belonging, and prosperity.
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