International Observer Update

HI all!

This will be a quick note about what has transpired in the last 3 weeks or so that Tyler and I have been living in Junin.

Essentially all is very peaceful. WE spend our time reading, helping around the cabañas, teaching english, traveling all over the region to various meetings, and doing various other odd things that help fill the time.

Recent things of note: Tyler and I have only been called to the control twice on account of miners arriving. Both times after we responded that we were in route, the mining truck stopped at one of the lower communities. On one occasion the miners actually entered into the reserve from Cerro Pelado, but when DOn Julio and various others went searching for them all they found were footprints. They were in and out very fast.

Of other note is the other night Edmundo Lucero´s brother (Hugo? the one that has sold to the miners) came to the control around midnight demanding to be allowed to pass. Don Julio and only one other person was there. Lucero had various family members with him. He stated that if he was not allowed to pass in his truck that he would come back with a motorcyle and go around the control. At this point Don Julio went to Junin and roused a few people to come to the control. The face off lasted until 4am when Lucero and Co. finally left. Most community members went home also but a few stayed until around 6am to make sure there was no repeated attempt.

In other news, we have spent 2 or 3 days at Polibio Perez´s house as official observers. He seems to have warmed considerably to the thought of using us. I think his idea if to get us involved in some community projects in The Bajo to better acquaint the community with us and vice versa.

Also, it seems as if the community of Barcelona will vote to put in a control of their own. Now we just need one in Cerro Pelado!

And one more thing, the community leaders met with an environmental lawyer from Quito about a week ago, and it seems like the ball might start rolling in an attempt to legalize lands in the name of the communities, especially the Junin Reserve.

Anyway, that´s about it. I will meet Amy tonight and spend the next week or so getting her acquainted with Ecuador and Intag, then I am home again in a week and a half. How the time flies!

Peace, Nicki