The Protest
My parents, being the best-est parents in the world, came to visit me for my birthday. It was a tight 3 days they were going to be here and as much as I wanted things to go perfectly, things never seem to go as planned in Huancayo. (As a side note, I have decided that I will always plan future vacations for more than 2 weeks). Not only did things not go as planned, but during the few days they were here, my parents and I experienced a series of firsts.
I had planned Sunday to be as Huancaino as possible, which is what my parents wanted – first, the patriotic flag ceremony in the main plaza and the parade that follows, led by the military’s band. I’ve seen at least part of the parade almost every Sunday because I love that community feel when all the families come out, kids running around, buying paper hats and ice cream. So, my parents and I are out there, ready and on time to see the whole thing, but the flags are already up, no ceremony. Turns out, it was the day of the yearly “Marathon of the Andes.” They had suspended the flag ceremony for the day to cheer on the exhausted runners who had started from Jauja.
On the Monday, the last full day my parents would be here, I had to go to work. I left early in the morning for Jauja where we were doing some home visits, finished as quickly as possible and was on my way home by noon so I could spend the rest of the afternoon with my parents. The only thing stopping us from getting back were a million huge stones, lit up tires, and tree trunks lying across the highway – the 2,500 citizens of Concepción (a city in between Huancayo and Jauja) were protesting against all the garbage Huancayo was dumping in their little town. It was my first time experiencing a protest. We walked for two hours past all the vehicles, past all the road obstructions, past the crowd of protestors, past the police on the other side with their body-length shields, to the part of the highway where cars were finally moving.
Thankfully – although the protest continued through the rest of the week – my parents were able to get out of Huancayo safely and on schedule. Thanks for coming to visit, mum and dad!
Tags: challenges, safety
Courteney
Guess what Sambuh?! I FINALLY found your blog…took some creative stalking. Anyways, I wanted to wish you a HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY!!! Sounds like you definitely had an….errr…interesting….birthday, but I'm so stoked for you that your parents were able to make it out to visit! (not to mention a little bit jealous) Miss ya lots, but I'm glad you've having such a wonderful time!!
Abe Palmer
Three day is deffinatlly not enough time to visit Huancayo yet alone to say Happy Birthday to you. I have heard stories about garbage worker strikes in Lima and how agitated the people become. I wondered where the landfill was when I was there. Conception is a beautiful little town. Do they still dump garbage there today? Looking forward to your next post young lady!!!!!
Samantha Bangayan
I guess you're right, but I was uber glad that my parents made it out at all! My uncle was kind enough to gift them some airmiles, so they could make the trip over just for silly old me. =P
I'm actually curious about that too! No idea what came out of that strike. I'll have to check with my sources and get back to you on that one. =)