Nationwide Protest

Today was a weird day.

I had known that the protest was coming...but everyone had a different opinion about what would happen. When I woke up, I had a message saying that my Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour had been cancelled because there were security concerns--just in case. I started checking the news and discovered that while there were protests all over the city (mainly around the university area), only one metro station had been closed down, albeit briefly, and was already reopened. Some streets had been shut down for the marches. But worst of all, no alcohol was being sold (!).

The protest was mainly students and people in the arts who were protesting the current president's policies.

I watched some TV since I didn't really have a plan for my day now. Then I decided I would go see a movie. There was a mall about a mile away, and like Thailand, the theatres are modern, clean, and very beautiful. Most of all, they are CHEAP. I got my ticket, popcorn, hot dog, and a drink for less than the cost of just a movie ticket in the States.

I walked back toward the airBNB and went in search of some dinner. Several places were closed. I found a taco place that was pretty good...but again, no alcohol.

Once back to my room, Maria gave me info for another tour company in case I can't get into the tour for another day--I had some really good conversations with her about Medellin. I was watching TV again after it got dark, when I heard what sounded like someone banging on a pan outside. Since I was on the 7th floor, I thought it was strange. Then more and more people joined in. Then I heard Maria go onto the balcony and join in. She told me that it was part of the protest. See what I mean? The government had made it seem like things were going to be dangerous...when it was 99.9% marching and banging on pots and pans. Typical. From what I could tell in the news, there was an incident in Bogota where police threw a gas canister into a crowd...and some minor skirmishes in smaller cities.

#comuna13 #medellin #protest