The Chilean Strike

My first run in Punta Arenas provided a microscopic view into what a strike looks like here. A little background first: The governmental powers that be had decided to raise the gas prices in the Magellan’s region by 20%. This clearly did not go over well with the citizens of this region. All the taxi’s, collectivos (a service like a taxi, but you share the ride with others that are going in the same direction as you are…much cheaper than a taxi), businesses etc. decided to go on a strike indefinitely. This meant that they closed the entrance/exit to the city so that supplies couldn’t get in and people here couldn’t get out to catch their flights. For us this meant the grocery stores were closed along with any hope of traveling outside of the city on the weekends. 

So, as I struggled to keep up with Lee and Emily, my attention was caught from either one of two things: the smog I just inhaled or the sounds of horns held down by heavy hands of resistance from the men and women who decided to challenge the decisions made by the leaders they elected to represent their interests. Black trash bags flew by tied on the antennas of cars marking their participation in the strike. As we continued on our route we came across the reminiscence of last night’s protest. An ashy black line of burned tires was part of the collection of images we passed. Toward the final lap of our journey we were greeted by a group of protesters by the ship yard. They encouraged us with arms raised in the air and shouts hoisted from their diaphragm to run through the gap they parted for us and cheered as if we were the first to understand their cause!

Chilean Propaganda

After all the work the Chileans put in, the gas raise was significantly decreased. A successful strike is like winning an argument with someone who you dislike. You put in so much force behind your fuel not only because you know you are right, but also because you can´t stand to see the other person win. And when you win, it´s such a prideful and eventful win with no mixed emotions as to the validity of your fight. But it seems like it will be a continuous struggle as we all know too well gas prices never stay the same for too long.  

Pinera, as you are an entrepreneur, sell us to Argentina and do us a favor.

Check out this news story
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/punta-arenas-chile-strike_n_810277.html

Hasta otro tiempo

Yenny