Quite a day for Ecuador. I'm watching the President address crowds in the Centro Historico after being rescued from the Police Hospital where he was stuck all day after the police tear gassed him this morning. The police are on strike against a change in the law regarding their salaries and benefits. Ecuador has a national police force and when they go on strike things kinda go to hell.
Buses stopped service today so our nanny Teresa took a taxi to get here. I paid her today as well and told her to be really careful with all that cash. To which she responded by wrapping the cash I had just handed her in a paper towel and stuffing it in her bra. She's in her late 60's which made the whole thing really funny. She took a taxi home since she lives on the north side of town and doesn't have to pass through the area of protests. My morning housekeeper lives on the south end so I'm concerned she didn't make it home today. We'll see if the buses will be running tomorrow.
The airport has been closed all day and roads in and out of the city have also been blocked. Looting and protests have been reported in Guayaquil and the consulate closed at 1PM there. I stayed home and didn't leave. Everything seemed very quiet in our part of town. Tristan had to work late but said Eloy Alfaro seemed very quiet--gas stations closed and not much traffic. Most people went home early and the schools closed early. Only distressing things was that some of the classes where many Embassy kids go are on field trips out of town.
I'll post more as things develop.
New York Times Article
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Police on Strike
Warden Message – U.S. Embassy, Quito, Ecuador
URGENT - Nationwide Police Strike Closes Ecuador Airports, Highways
September 30, 2010
The U.S. Embassy in Quito would like to inform U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador that a large, nationwide strike by all levels of police, including military police, is developing at this time. As a result, airports in Guayaquil, Quito and other major cities are closed and major highways may also be closed going in and out of Quito, Guayaquil and other major cities.
Due to blockages of multiple roads and tire fires being set by police, the security situation has degraded significantly. American citizens are asked to stay in their homes or current location, if safe. American citizens with immediate travel plans may be forced to put them on hold until the situation improves.
The U.S. Embassy recommends monitoring Ecuadorian news outlets for updates on the strike. We will also continue to provide new information as it comes available.
The U.S. Embassy reminds American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Please note that foreigners participating in political demonstrations or protests of any kind may be subject to arrest and deportation under Ecuadorian law.
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Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador through the Department of State’s travel registration website.
U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's website. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone number for American Citizen Service (ACS) inquiries is (011 593-2) 398-5000. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. Public call-in hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and Friday 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Appointments for ACS are available through our website.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies.
Anyone can follow the activities of the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador through the Embassy web site, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
URGENT - Nationwide Police Strike Closes Ecuador Airports, Highways
September 30, 2010
The U.S. Embassy in Quito would like to inform U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Ecuador that a large, nationwide strike by all levels of police, including military police, is developing at this time. As a result, airports in Guayaquil, Quito and other major cities are closed and major highways may also be closed going in and out of Quito, Guayaquil and other major cities.
Due to blockages of multiple roads and tire fires being set by police, the security situation has degraded significantly. American citizens are asked to stay in their homes or current location, if safe. American citizens with immediate travel plans may be forced to put them on hold until the situation improves.
The U.S. Embassy recommends monitoring Ecuadorian news outlets for updates on the strike. We will also continue to provide new information as it comes available.
The U.S. Embassy reminds American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Please note that foreigners participating in political demonstrations or protests of any kind may be subject to arrest and deportation under Ecuadorian law.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Americans living or traveling in Ecuador are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Ecuador through the Department of State’s travel registration website.
U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Ecuador and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's website. Updated information on travel and security in Ecuador may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.
The U.S. Embassy in Quito is located at Avigiras E12-170 y Eloy Alfaro. The telephone number for American Citizen Service (ACS) inquiries is (011 593-2) 398-5000. Within the same city use the last seven digits. Add the city code for intercity telephone calls. Public call-in hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. and Friday 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Appointments for ACS are available through our website.
The U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil is located at the corner of Avenida 9 de Octubre and Garcia Moreno (near the Hotel Oro Verde); telephone (011-593-4) 232-3570 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or 232-1152 for after-hours emergencies.
Anyone can follow the activities of the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador through the Embassy web site, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Rolling! 6/16/2010
I caught Lillian in slow-mo with my camera-phone demonstrating her new rolling skills. For a while, I would turn my back and she would flip over by the time I turned around. This was the first time on camera--of course, she's dressed in UW gear! June 16, 2010.
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| Here I go! |
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| I did it, Mom! |
Lillian and Hillary Clinton
Here's a few pics from the June 8th visit of Secretary Clinton. These are from the Meet 'n Greet that she did with the Embassy staff. Parents weren't allowed for the official picture with her and the children but Lillian's in there if you can find her!
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| Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Hodges |
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| Lillian cried through the whole thing. (Our friend Travis is behind Tristan) |
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| I got my handshake! |
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| Secretary Clinton and the children of Embassy Quito (we'll have to pull the official picture which is better--Lilly's in red on R) |
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