Protest in Colombia, A Parade in Ecuador

On a previous blog we wrote about some struggles Colombia was having with its neighboring countries, Venezuela and Ecuador.

On our last day in Pasto Colombia, we heard lots of noise coming from a couple of streets away so Nancy and I went to investigate. It was students, many, many students, maybe 500 or more protesting, not the fact that Hugo Chavez was sticking his nose into a struggle between Colombia and Ecuador but the very fact that their own government had the audacity to invade a neighbouring country to capture and kill Farc guerillas in the first place and totally ignoring international law.
And what was wonderful about it was the fact that they were allowed to have this protest. There were many police around but none of the riot gear we had shown previously. It was all very peaceful and lasted a couple of hours.


There was no tear gas but she was prepared.


At the end of the march, the students put on a play that was ridiculing the Uribe government and its lack of human rights.

The next day we changed countries, moving from Colombia to Ecuador, a big day as we travelled all the way from Pasto to Ipiales at the border in Colombia and after crossing the border we were in Tulcan Ecuador. We still had time to go a little farther so hopped on a bus heading for Ibara and once again, upon arriving we heard noise and music coming from a few streets away that drew us to witness a grand parade.


Not mounties but the uniform sure is similiar. We think it is firemen, rescue workers etc. We were pretty tired when we arrived here yesterday so we think we will take an extra day before we move on to Otavalo and right now plan to spend a few days there.

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