Birthday Party
Bill decided he wanted to have his 80th Birthday Celebration at our home and invited some of our new good neighbors and our special friends. Turns out he had invited 50+ folks! Be still my heart! So, the adventure began with arranging for tents and tables to be set up in our backyard. I have a very special friend who is Ecuadorian and arranged for a vendor to do the set up for us. But then a few days before the event he called and was cancelling due to the Ecuadorian President implementing a Nation Wide Emergency due to violence by drug cartels. So, this is similar to Marshall Law in the United States. But my good friend Mercedes once again came to the rescue and found another vendor that agreed to do the set up and even saved us money! But first Mercedes had to call a neighbor who was visiting in Australia to obtain the other vendor contact information. So all the party plans were set in motion when…….
WHAT??? National Emergency A Few Days Before Bill’s Party
President Noboa has declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country, ordering security forces to “neutralize” several criminal groups accused of spreading extreme violence. The state of emergency will last for 60 days and imposes a nightly curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. The President said he grants security forces “all the political and legal support for their actions.” Noboa authorized security forces to retake control of the restive prison system, which he said “has been lost in recent years.” The Commander of Ecuador’s Armed Forces, vowed not to “back down or negotiate” with armed groups, adding the “future of our country is at stake.” “From this moment on, every terrorist group identified emergency decree has become a military target”.
Furthermore, the situation sparked concern throughout the region. Neighboring Colombia and Peru expressed concern over the situation and support for Noboa’s government to restore order. Officials in Peru said the country plans to declare an emergency along its entire northern border with Ecuador. Peru’s interior minister has also ordered National Police to reinforce security on the border. A United States department official said the United States stands with the people of Ecuador and is “ready to provide assistance to the Ecuadorian government.”
Panic Sets In
People began to panic and stores and businesses quickly closed pulling down their metal doors. I had a friend that was in the large grocery store in Ibarra that afternoon and suddenly the metal doors were pulled down and the parking lot quickly emptied and taxi’s were no where to be found. Luckily, Bill had just returned in time from Ibarra after having our car in for the required maintenance. But after one day everything in our area started to settled down. The problem is mainly on the coast at least for now. We have lived in Ecuador long enough to know that everything can turn around on a dime. So, you always stay prepared and do not panic. The world needs to also stay prepared during these uncertain times. People cancelled their flights to Ecuador, taxi drivers were left in limbo without the needed income. It is a snowball effect which effects the local economy, tourism and the good hard working Ecuadorians.
Time To Chill Out ….after all party time!
Our little part of the Andes quickly turned back to normal but the coast is still unsafe. But now it was time for Bill’s party!
Bill made his 3 time award winning Texas Chili and Carlos from Taco Bello made his great margaritas. We had my dad’s wonderful Bloody Mary mix plus wine, tea and fresh lemonade made from the lemons off our tree. Plus Bill scared so many of our guests as he carried around the plastic snake that we had gotten in hopes of keeping the birds off our car. Everyone seemed to have a good time.
AND THE WINNER IS: BUFFALO BILLY
Two Time Winner: L&S Cotacachi
Click on the red link below for video highlights of the party.
Happy Birthday Billy Boy
Endings
Rosa washed all the dishes and glasses and now all I had to do is find storage in our small home. Now the question is where do I store the 50 chili bowls and 50 margarita glasses we bought for the party? The tents come down tomorrow. I am planning to rest on Saturday and look forward to a peaceful day of recovery!
