The Riots

Once again (sorry i really should think of another way to begin my introduction) ia m sitting, relaxing on another beautiful day in Plaza de Armas.  A large Plaza, similar to those found in Argentinas but with a hint of modernisation to it.  But all the same it is surrounded by beautiful buildings with the typical Spanish feel to it.

I don't know why on such beautiful days, when i decide to sit and have a coffee i am at my most reflextive.  Unfortunately, although in a spritely mood it is a little tainted with sadness because i am forced to be reminded that my days are numbered here in Chile and as everyday that goes past i think of it more and more.  Yes i know i should make every minuter count and not worry about something that hasn't come to pass, but i am only human after all, it may surprise you but i am.

Pinochet's family were on TV with the politicians from parties who support similar policies

Well the reason for my writing today was not to tell you my thoughts, i have to leave some things to the imagination.  No the reason i am writing is to tell you of the Protests that have occurred here in Chile over the last couple of weeks.  When i was told that there was going to be a protest, which may get a little ugly it didn't surprise me, the people are very open about expressing their political feelings here in South America, maybe because of their past, i leave you to ponder on that one.  My surprise wash the reaction of the people, the cautiousness that their showed was not what i was expecting and also the route the protest took.

The reason behind the protest will not be strange to your ears, little pay, poor system, the norm in many countries.  It began early in the morning,  and by ten o'clock Plaza Italia was full of people chanting, waving their banners and before you knew it, by the time i had come back from my morning classes the police had begun to try and seperate the people using water.  From what i could see no violence had taken place.  I only saw the decision to try to disperse the crowd with water only aggaravate the situation.  It also caused people to start marching.  What i forgot to tell you was for a protest to take place their needs to be permission from the government.  No such permission was asked as the protestors said that they were staying in one place, and it wasn't a march but a gathering amongst similar minded people.  So when the police in their big tanks, on horses or armed on the ground started to use force the protestors had no choice but to move.  Angered they made their way down the main street, Alameda as predicted.

Movement therefore had occurred and the police came out in full force.  On walking to my afternoon lessons i decided to take the back street listening to the sound of horses galloping to the masses.  After the water came the tear gas, once the majority of people had arrived to La Moneda, at the end of my street.  I was advised by all not to go to work or travel that evening just incase it flared up again.  But it never, windows were smashed and a few homemade fire bombs were set off.  Everything, shops, houses, was barred and bolted for precaution.

The situation was soon dissolved and the next day it was like nothing had happened, strange.

The next protest was on the day of the military coup made by Pinochet in 1972 or 73 on the 12th September.  Supporters of Pinochet came out along with Human Right protestors.  My bosses building door was broken, where HR protestors had tried to get in with the knowledge that a torturor from that time lived there.  I never knew this until the morning when i was walking down the main street and saw the police lining the road, huge vans at the ready for any distubance.  Pinochet's family were on TV with the politicians from parties who support similar policies by their side, strange that they are so open about their views, without fear.  I couldn't imagine Nazis in Germany being quite so obvious.

Of course these situations are made worse by those who use these times just to cause trouble and rob what they can.

I hope that as you read this you will not have the image in your head of South America, dirty, destitute and full of anachists.  Please do not think that, because i know that anyone who vists this beautiful continent can see how blind we aaare to the rest of the world.  The little we do know is moulded through the images we see with the help of the media.  And no i am not going to say anything about the influence the media has, this is just the way of life and the way we live it.

Probably my poor description of these days does not help to paint the best picture btu this is the best i can do for the moment, as there are other things on my mind, like the preparation of the Baptism of my first goddaughter.  Pray read on.