Whelp, we made it to 2024. Shouldn’t that be enough with everything we’ve been through the past few years without piling on “things we need to do better”? We’ve dealt with Covid, out-of-control inflation, the tanking of the job market, and now a rapidly approaching World War III. I think just keeping my shit together through all that should be sufficient.
I’m starting out the New Year with a new apartment (pics in a week or so), and also looking for a new job, though the one I have is fine for now.
I’m also meeting with Immigration on Jan. 25 to see if my Visa application is accepted, but I am still waiting on my college to be approved by Senescyt. It’s already been three months, and I fear it won’t be done before my meeting! Send good juju!
NO, ECUADOR IS NOT ON FIRE
The US, which sees about 20,000 murders per year, really delights in reporting on every single awful thing that happens in Ecuador and blowing it completely out of proportion. The sky is not falling.
Yes, there is some trouble here with the cartels at the moment. And the new president has declared war on them recently, as he rightly should. Residents here have had enough of this nonsense. They want to live in peace. So Noboa has made some declarations that allow him to use military power to put a stop to it. I, personally, am delighted. It’s nice to see someone say, “No! That’s enough!’ and then fight back with everything they have. Kudos.
BUT, most of the drama and danger and, yes, some violence, has been in Guayaquil, which is far, FAR from where I live. We had a few scary moments here in Cuenca, where someone started a rumor about a bomb in El Centro (the Historic District), and people panicked, but no one has been injured. No bomb was found. I understand the prisoners rioted here at the Turi facility not far from me, but I have not read of any escapes, nor am I concerned.
So, everything is ok. We have a reasonable curfew, but I never go anywhere after dark anyway.
After all, you can’t make a relleno without breaking a few eggs.
ECUADORIOUS 