b'left because the government would not allow them to directly confront the protesters. We found we couldnt go forward or back.Providentially,aroadsidesignofferedrefuge.The Hakuna Matata resortthe name means no worries, which the group accepted as a good omenwelcomed them.Calls from the resort to both the Canadian and US gov-ernments (the Shortlys fellow travellers were American) produced no results.Nor did entreaties from their grown children back home. A brainstorming session yielded one promising ideaa helicopter rentalbut the only unit available had space for four, and including the guide, six seats were needed.The resort staff resolved the stalemate. On the fourth leg of the journey, the airport opened up just for Risking their business, and dressed in street clothes,this group, to fly the one-hour distance to Quito. Lucky to have they arranged for seven motorcycles. We passed throughthe two guides get them to this point and although the price was We got only so far and were turned back due toAs we waited at Hakuna Matada Resort, our guide showed us visually whatsteep at, $2500 US, it was definitely worth it. L-R; American explosions. this leg of our escape would look like by motorcycle.several barricades thanks to bribes.But our luck ran outfriend Jan, our two guides, Michael and Jane Anne Shortly and a at the seventh: we were allowed through, but not thecouple more American friends, Rosemary and Kevin.motorcycles.Great Escape (continued from page 25) A rented truck pressed them further through the jun- Nor will their Ecuadorian experience discourage fu-We landed just before midnight.When our trans- to make that short journey.It is for now, he told us. gle toward a small airport. At considerable cost, theydture travel.portation arrived, we learned Ecuadors President hadThe tour company presented a revised itinerary, whicharrangedacharterplanetocompletethejourneytoWere off to Panama in December.Maybe thatll be removed government subsidies on gasoline and dieselhappily removed the couple and three fellow travellersQuito.At this critical juncture, the tour company finallyanother story?Maybe youll see us on CNN!fueleffective at midnight! (who were part of the same tour) from Quitos hotbed.provided assistance. Possibly.And if the couple does become part of an The price of both skyrocketed instantly: gas by 30%,Floating down the Amazon on a wooden raft, the groupThe charter company demanded cash, more than weupcoming international news cycle on their next trip, one diesel by 100%.The country was erupting in protest justsoberly assessed its situation. could raise.They advanced us the money. can only hope its for positive reasons.But as Jane Anne as we were touching down.The President declared a stateWe worked together, even though we were strangers,But the charters touchdown in Quito would not endwill no doubt tell you, she understands the risks.of emergency and sent police and troops into the streetsshe recalls of the discussion. We agreed to have a sensethe ordeal. By Scott Mercer, Focus on Scugogto quell the rioting.Our first night, we were booked intoof humour about what was happening. Lose that, andWe stayed the night in a safe section of a dangerous a hotel in downtown Quito, so we had a ringside seat. fear takes over. Maybe sounds hard to believe, but wecity.Thered been injuries and deaths.The couples itinerary would never return to normal.had a good time in spite of what was going on around us. Our guide told us to be ready to leave for the airport The threat of violence escalateda general transporta- But as the wave of unrest spread, leaving the countryat 3 a.m.We werent sure if flights were even going out.tion strike would ramp up the unrestand spread like abecame a must. The groups return to Quito and its air- Fortunately, they were, and at long last, the weary wildfire beyond the capital. port would require patience, assistance from locals, andtravellers flew out of danger.Contacting the tour company would resolve nothing. multiple modes of transportation. Surprisingly, Jane Anne reports they never feared for We hoped theyd help get us out of the country, butOur tour guide told us to be ready to leave at 3 a.m.their lives.they refused.We were on our own. A truck drove us to the river, where we loaded our effectsOur faith gave us strength.We were confident we Their stay in Quito would be extended due to the un- into a 20-foot canoe.A van met us on the other side, andwere being looked after.folding events. we continued for another half hour.But at that point, we We were told it was unwise to travel.We did leavecouldnt go further because boulders blocked the road.the hotel briefly on foot to go to a nearby market.WeThe military was working to clear the blockade, and asked a police officerdressed in riot gearif it was safeadvised us to stay back and follow us.Eventually, they from all of NEW YEAR, NEW HOME, NEW MOVE .us at We are specialists in helping to downsize, de-clutter, organize, sell, donate, dispose, pack, move, unpack and settle into your new home. 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