Bloody Election

Wish I had the camera moment - Marilyn´s face when the waiter told her that the sale of all alcohol is banned in Ecuador for the 3 days running up to the election

We were staying in Cuenca. A lovely, laid back old town, that has a reputation for being lively on Friday and Saturday nights - except when the election is on!

We had got so used to the noise and razmataz of the election that it seemed really strange when it suddenely stopped on Friday. Instead, 100s of soldiers turned up in Cuenca, ready for the election. All armed of course. In Ecuador if you wear a uniform you get a gun. Most decent sized shops have a pimply teenager on guard outside with a massive F-off pump action gun.

We where traveling on election day and every village had a carnival atmosphere with all sorts of food and sales stalls set up outside the election booths.