The national strike has already begun a few days ago as we left Cotapaxi and Quito area. Over the week it has intensified and our prospects of reaching Cuenca were not so good. We have traveled form Porto Lopez along to coast through coastal town of Guayaquil and on through mountain passes into Cuenca. We have encountered two major blockades with trees and tires burning and riot police dispersing the crowds. It was pretty much the last day before the city was cut of from all directions by multiple road blocks. The strike intensified, especially in Quito area and the Amazon region. Over the full period of the events several people have died due to violence of both sides.

Being stuck in Cuenca was not a such bad thing to happen to us. It is a beautiful city with many picturesque buildings representing its Spanish colonial past. The city is also crisscrossed by mountain rivers and parks giving the city a refreshing look. We have spent most days walking and exploring the historic center and neighboring towns till we got limited by blockades surrounding the area. It was an uneasy feeling not knowing when it will end and if my trip has to come to the end. Mariko managed to catch a flight from Cuenca to Quito and connect to scheduled returned flight back to Canada. Getting to the airport was not easy either since the taxi drivers were blocking all major intersections.

So after nearly four weeks together, I stayed on my own hoping the strike will end soon and I will be able to continue south. After 3 more days the government and indigenous people have reached an agreement and just like that roads opened up and the whole country breathed big sigh of relief.

Notes from the Filed: Cuenca and the national strike.