#sigchos

[beardedmrbean]

Chicago police cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment on DePaul University's Lincoln Park quad Thursday morning.

Officers in riot gear were seen on the North Side campus just before 6 a.m.

The encampment had been in place for over two weeks; it began on April 30.

In a letter to faculty, staff and students early Thursday, DePaul President Robert L. Manuel said, "despite our good faith efforts to come to a shared resolution with the DePaul Divestment Coalition, we were unsuccessful."

He said since the encampment began, "the situation has steadily escalated with physical altercations, credible threats of violence from people not associated with our community, an inability for the other members of our community to take part in the core academic experiences on our campus, and an ever-growing series of threats to the people involved in the encampment and our community members."

The letter said those in the encampment were given the opportunity to leave peacefully, without being arrested.

"I urge all there to leave peacefully and return home," Manuel said.

Police appeared to quickly clear out the site, and protesters moved down Fullerton Avenue. No physical confrontations could be seen, but some protesters claimed police forcibly removed them.

Chicago police held a news conference about 7:45 a.m., saying there were no confrontations, but two people were arrested.

A man and woman, ages 21 and 25, were arrested for obstructing traffic on Belden Avenue, police and DePaul said.

Protesters moved into the neighborhood after being cleared out of the quad, and police blocked some roadways in the area.

The DePaul president said during the encampment, protesters vandalized university buildings, causing nearly $180,000 in damage.

DePaul's quad and all other green spaces on the school's Lincoln Park campus will be closed to everyone while repairs are made, the president said.

"Anyone who tries to breach the fence around the quad or any of the green spaces on the Lincoln Park Campus will be trespassed, arrested, and suspended. DePaul will continue to investigate every reported complaint of harassment or discrimination that we receive resulting from the encampment or subsequent events," he said.

The school said classes will proceed as scheduled Thursday.

The school had given protesters a deadline of noon Sunday to remove the encampment, but they had remained until Thursday.

Students told ABC7 Chicago they were preparing for and coming up with plans in case the university tried to forcibly clear the encampment themselves.

DePaul's was one of the last remaining anti-war encampments in the Chicago area. Throughout the last month, college campuses across the country have seen large-scale protests.

"It is shameful that DePaul chose to abruptly and violently engage in a raid on students early in the morning without warning. I condemn their use of force rather than engaging in dialogue with the students. I am proud of the students for being the voice of reason," Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez said in a statement.

There was a student walkout at DePaul University Wednesday after students in the encampment and the administration reached an impasse on demands to divest from Israel.

By 4 p.m. Wednesday, there was a large group of protesters and their supporters in the center of the quad, listening to speakers and chanting rallying cries, in what had been overall a loud but peaceful gathering.

Encampment organizers said they mobilized a 3 p.m. walkout of students and faculty; though, it was not immediately clear how many actually walked out of class.

The gathering was a show of solidarity with protesters who had been camped out for more than two weeks, calling for the university to divest from companies that benefit Israel.

DePaul's president has said he respects the rights of students to protest, but said the encampment has drawn counter-protesters which have led to security concerns. DePaul said talks with protesters reached an impasse a few days ago, which prompted the university to cancel a planned music festival that was to be held in the quad Friday.

Encampment organizers said they were willing to keep talking.

"We did invite them a few days ago to another negotiation meeting in which they pulled a no-show. They didn't even offer us an email as to why they couldn't. So, yeah, we are still willing to negotiate. We're still here. We're not, we're always going to be willing to negotiate. It's more so on administration side," said Henna Ayesh of the DePaul Divestment Coalition.

Protest organizers said they chose Wednesday for the walkout in part because many Palestinians mark this date as the start of displacement following Israel's Independence Day on May 14, 1948.

Alderman Timmy Knudsen, who represents the 43rd Ward, released a statement Thursday, saying:

"This morning, CPD and DePaul University campus security took action to remove the DePaul encampment. We are in touch with university leadership and City officials and will keep residents updated as we learn more about the next steps for the area.

"Please click here for a detailed explanation from DePaul.

"As the conflict in the Middle East continues, we will continue to advocate for the City to balance a commitment to upholding First Amendment rights to protest, while ensuring our neighborhoods remain safe."

The Rev. Michael Pfleger also put out a statement, saying, "Very Disappointed in DePaul University for having CPD close down the Encampment this morning Msgr Jack Egan would be Ashamed of you. Demanding Disinvestment from Israel due to the Apartheid taking place in Gaza is our very Catholic roots. And the DNA OF OUR FAITH. A sad day for DePaul University."

[fatehbaz]

In 2023, "the world's largest mining convention" took great interest in Latin America. With the active help of the Canadian federal government, Canadian mining companies are moving to expand their power in Peru and Ecuador.

---

On January 18, 2023, as thousands of Peruvians were taking to the streets in Lima to denounce the spiralling political crisis in the country, Canadian Ambassador Louis Marcotte was meeting with the Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines. [...]. Demonstrators have been met with widespread arrests and brutal violence. [...] [S]ince [protests began] [...] the Canadian mission has met with numerous top-level Peruvian officials in unprecedented fashion. [...] Ambassador Marcotte tweeted several photos from the meeting, using the occasion to promote mining as a benefit for communities and to express Canadian support for the upcoming Peruvian delegation who will attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto from March 5 to 8 [2023]. Each year, the world’s largest mining convention draws tens of thousands of [...] company officials, and government representatives to [...] promote an expansion of mining -- with little concern for the consent of those most affected, including in Peru. [...] For years, MiningWatch Canada and the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP), alongside organizations including Red Muqui, Cooperacción, Derechos Humanos Sin Fronteras-Cusco and Derechos Humanos y Medio Ambiente DHUMA, have documented the many harms caused by industrial large-scale Canadian mining to rural communities [...]. Ambassador Marcotte chose to promote more Canadian mining investment in the country and plug PDAC 2023 -- where a session dubbed “Peru Day” promises to discuss “opportunities [...].” Canada’s priorities in Peru could not be more clear. [...]

Text by: Kirsten Francescone. “State-sanctioned violence in Peru and the role of Canadian mining.” Canadian Dimension. 6 March 2023. [Bold emphasis added by me.]

---

Canadian companies invested over $8 billion in 10 projects [in Peru in 2021] [...]. Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals operates the Constancia mine; Vancouver’s Pan American Silver operates the Shahuindo and La Arena mines; and Teck Resources’, also headquartered in Vancouver, operates the Antamina mine, with a 22.5 percent ownership stake in the project. Antamina is Peru’s largest mine, ranking among the top 10 producing mines in the world in terms of volume, and is the single most important producer of copper, silver, and zinc in the country. In 2021, the mine generated over $6 billion in revenue and nearly $3.7 billion in gross profits. [...] Companies can sign service contracts directly with the National Peruvian Police, and off-duty police officers are permitted to work for private security companies while using state property, such as weapons, uniforms and ammunition. [...] These harms are not minimal: contamination of agricultural lands and waterways around Pan American Silver’s Quiruvilca mine and the criminalization of community leaders and land dispossession due to environmental contamination at Shahuindo; violation of Indigenous self-determination and the right to a clean environment around Plateau Energy’s proposed lithium and uranium mine, sitting atop the region’s most important tropical glacier; undercutting of economic benefits for communities most affected by mining operations, and more.

Text by: Kirsten Francescone. “State-sanctioned violence in Peru and the role of Canadian mining.” Canadian Dimension. 6 March 2023. [Bold emphasis added by me.]

---

Two Canadian mining companies are drawing the ire of activists and Indigenous groups in Ecuador, where the government [...] is using Toronto-based Adventus Mining’s Curipamba copper-gold project in Las Naves and Vancouver-headquartered Atico Mining’s La Plata project in Sigchos as test sites to impose a new and controversial process for environmental consultation under Decree 754 -- an executive edict issued on May 31 [2023] that has been roundly denounced as unconstitutional and illegal. Decree 754 [...] affords communities no rights to veto development projects on their lands. [...] The pro-mining [...] government, which swept to power in 2021, passed the decree a few weeks after dissolving the elected national assembly and proceeding to govern by executive fiat. National protests subsequently erupted [...]. [P]residential elections [are] scheduled for August 20 [2023]. [...] Residents of Las Naves and Sigchos have faced heavily armed military and police forces, which have come in to break up protests [...]. Stephen Potter, Canada’s ambassador to Ecuador, who was in Las Naves to visit Adventus’s Curipamba project at the beginning of June [2023], said in an interview that the mine is a “responsible investment that has the support of the community.” [...] There has also been ongoing conflict and opposition tied to other Canadian mining projects, including in the Ecuadorian Amazon where the Shuar Arutam people have denounced the militarization of their territory to advance Vancouver-based Solaris Resources’ Warintza copper project. [...]

Text by: Viviana Herrera and Ivonne Ramos. "Violence surrounds Canadian mining projects in Ecuador." Canadian Dimension. 4 August 2023. [Bold emphasis added by me.]

---

[T]he [...] government is on the cusp of signing a free trade agreement with Canada and becoming the “next destination for mining.” Only two mines are currently in operation in Ecuador [...]. In September 2022, [...] Ecuador’s Minister of Mines and Energy [...] announced six new ‘strategic’ mining projects. Five of these will be led by Canadian firms [...]. According to the minister, these projects may [against existing laws] obtain an environmental license without the requirement for prior consultation [with local communities,]. This announcement happened after one of the largest national strikes in the country called by CONAIE, demanding the [...] government issue a moratorium on mining and nullify another decree -- Executive Decree 151 -- that would allow for mining in the Amazon [...]. Earlier this year, [the Minister of Mines and Energy] spoke in Toronto at the annual conference of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), the world’s largest mining convention, about Ecuador’s plans to become Latin America’s next premier mining destination by speeding up project approvals and signing a new trade pact with Ottawa. “A free trade agreement with Canada would make Ecuador the best mining destination,” he reassured investors. [...] With $3.7 billion invested, Canada is the leading foreign investor in Ecuador, and the majority is already invested in the country’s mining sector. [...]

Text by: Viviana Herrera and Ivonne Ramos. "Violence surrounds Canadian mining projects in Ecuador." Canadian Dimension. 4 August 2023. [Bold emphasis added by me.]

[chicagochinesenews]

芝加哥市長放棄盧漢仕--提名伯內特任規委會主席

(芝加哥時報快訊) 因為25選區市議員盧漢仕（Byron Sigcho-Lopez）未能在議會中獲得足夠的支持，部分原因與其有關於國際衝突的爭議性言論有關, 所以芝加哥市長布蘭登·強森改提名副市長沃爾特·伯內特擔任市議會規劃委員會主席，以取代盧漢仕。此決定反映了市議會內部的政治變動，並與市內多項重大發展項目有關，如聯合中心的擴建及新的熊隊體育場。伯內特的提名需經市議會投票確認，並可能影響未來的城市經濟發展。 Continue reading 芝加哥市長放棄盧漢仕–提名伯內特任規委會主席

[drmariajestrada]

Byron Sigcho-Lopez Explains Why Brandon Johnson for Mayor

[danilo-uvidia]

#Pampamesa #disfrutando la #comida #Andina #Ancestral con #Magníficas #Personas #compartiendo en #Comunidad #BuenProvecho ❤ . . . . . #Cotopaxi #Latacunga #Salcedo #Saquisili #Pujili #Sigchos #Pangua #LaMana #TierraQuerida #MiLindoEcuador #DaniloU (en Cotopaxi Province) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaxsSVhvQiZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[hairbrush9]

I gotta get linked in to my ward leaders bc I love helping them campaign so I'm curious who is going to be running in 23' , or hell I'd help adjacent wards if I like their platform. I helped Byron sigcho Lopez in 2018 I think and he won his election against a 40 year incumbent ! Huge win for that ward in pilsen tbh. There's this woman Melissa Hernandez who does mutual aid near me I think she may be running

[valeriejackscruise1920]

Quilotoa loop - hiking in Ecuador for 3 days / 2 nights.

Started in sigchos (went there by bus) and hiked to inslivi about 14 easy km.

Super nice hostel with ☕️ and 🦙 and an open fire place ! Starting to get cold around 2.500

[beardedmrbean]

Aug. 19 (UPI) -- As the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago on Monday, police already have arrested several demonstrators, including some who breached a security fence.

Protesters broke through the barricades on the north side of the United Center on Monday afternoon. On Sunday, a man and woman were arrested during a protest march.

Four people were arrested on Monday, ABC reported.

Chicago police officers in riot gear were called to handle the situation as Capitol Police wearing gas masks were in the area, WLS-TV reported. They formed a barricade to block the breached fence and pulled protesters from the fencing inside the secured area.

Iron fencing panels were restored and the inner perimeter was not breached, police said.

No skirmishes or scuffles broke out.

The largest protest group, the Coalition to March on the DNC, have demonstrations planned for the convention's first and last days, with thousands of activists, including students, expected to show up in protest of Israel's war in Gaza, according to The Hill.

Coalition to March on the DNC, which represents more than 200 activist organizations, said about 15,000 people were at a rally Monday in Union Park, near the convention site.

The city has designated Union Park as a protest site. It includes a stage, a sound system and portable toilets but tents are not allowed.

Protesters included native Chicagoans. Ken Justus, 68, who rode his bicycle, brandished a "Swing Left" sign and sleigh bells. Nevertheless, Justus said he plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

"I want to make sure we still have a government," he told ABC News. His motto: "Vote blue no matter who."

Nearby, a coalition of nearly two dozen women from Indiana represent Jewish Voices for Peace. National board member Malkah Bird, 45, said they to put pressure on the White House "no matter who is in office."

"We want our money reinvested in the U.S. to help our communities and not used to bomb Palestinians," Bird said.

Two Chicago aldermen, Carlos Ramierz-Rosa and Byron Sigcho-Lopez, marched through the streets of Chicago's West Side from Union Park toward the United Center.

They then marked back to Union Park for another rally.

On Sunday, the nearly four-hour-long "Bodies Outside Unjust Laws" march was seen going from Michigan Avenue to the loop in Chicago's Grant Park.

The protest, organized by a coalition, largely called on Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee, for action on Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.

Chicago police arrested an unidentified 23-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man in the 600 block of Wabash Avenue, where the mostly peaceful event first began. They were charged with misdemeanors for alleged defacement of property and allegedly resisting/obstructing an officer.

Local officials previously said that the city was bracing for scores of protests for various causes expected to blanket the Windy City while the Democrats are in town. Several different activist groups have demanded action on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ issues and a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

On Friday, Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a new police helicopter and the $11 million Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter is expected to be busy during the coming days with as many as 25,000 extra people possibly expected to arrive to protest in the streets. This is expected to come in addition to the 50,000 convention attendees also expected.

Many protesters likely are to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The Chicago area is home to the largest Palestinian population in the United States.

The National Lawyers Guild says it has set up a hotline and trained about 150 lawyers and law students who are ready to assist individuals in protest-related arrests at the DNC.

Recently, U.S. Northern Illinois District Judge Andrea Wood ruled that the current protest route near the convention's site at the United Center gives demonstrators a chance to "speak near their intended audience" and does not violate their First Amendment rights, even though the organizers had wanted to march closer to the United Center.

Meanwhile, 30 DNC delegates elected to represent the "uncommitted" vote at the DNC say no endorsement for Harris will be given without assurances her administration will embrace an arms embargo on Israel.

The DNC will meet this week through Thursday with planned night-time activities at the United Center in downtown and daytime events at McCormick Place about five miles away

[huellaverdeearth-blog]

Mi nombre es Evelyn Sigcho, soy de Ecuador

Actualmente estudio Agronomía en la Universidad EARTH (Costa Rica) y formo parte de este blog donde le mostraremos que se puede mejorar día a día empezando por uno mismo y así ser un ejemplo para así contribuir con un granito de arena al medio ambiente.

[chicagochinesenews]

【凌晨最速報】芝加哥前中國城區長盧漢仕獲市長力推出任規委會主席

(芝加哥時報快訊) 芝加哥市長布蘭登·約翰遜正在積極爭取市議會支持，推動進步派盟友前中國城第25區區長拜倫·盧漢仕(Sigcho-Lopez)成為規劃委員會主席。此舉旨在解決卡洛斯·拉米雷斯-羅薩辭職後的職位空缺問題，並通過調整委員會領導來促進市政發展。現任副市長瓦爾特·伯內特將接任住房委員會主席，以確保投票順利通過。盧漢仕將負責推動全市的開發項目。 Continue reading 【凌晨最速報】芝加哥前中國城區長盧漢仕獲市長力推出任規委會主席

[susannaprouse]

Seven - Latacunga & Quilotoa Loop, Day One

We had an early start and early breakfast at our hostel in Latacunga before making our way to the bus station to go to the starting point for our 3-day Quilotoa Hike. The hike is something we'd both put a lot of thought and planning into as we were doing it on our own and weren't sure how it was going to go. It's safe to say we were both nervous, Mike about navigating and me as to whether I'd actually be able to do it or not.

The bus journey took us through the beautiful Ecuador mountains and all the types of weather. One minute it was beautifully sunny and the next grey and foggy. We were both hoping for the former on our first day's hike.

We arrived in Sigchos, a tiny town with not much in it. The sun was beating down, and it was very warm. We debated getting more snacks but thought better of it when we remembered we'd have to be carrying anything we bought. Instead the hike began.

The first hour was so lovely, it was all downhill through the most beautiful scenery, rolling hills, small farms, rushing rivers. I knew the worst was to come but I really didn't expect it to be so bad.

We soon arrived at our first hill and this hill was steep. It was also extremely hot with no shade. The ascent was 500m which normally wouldn't be too bad for me but I didn't realise quite how much the altitude would affect me. I was out of breath within 15 paces, my legs felt like lead and jelly at the same time and my head was spinning. I felt awful. People were overtaking us and what made things worse was the thought that this was the easiest day of the hike. I cried. Not sobbing, just a few tears. I felt pathetic and frustrated. I knew my body could do this but also felt like it was letting me down and I felt so bad for Mike as I know he'd have been up the hill very quickly. As always he was patient and encouraging and didn't mind that I had to get my breath back and head clear every 5 minutes.

Eventually we made it to the top. I was pleased but still really worried about the next 2 days of hiking which would be a longer climb and at a higher altitude.

We finally made it to Isinlivi, our first stop on the loop. We arrived at our hostel tired but happy, when the guy on reception found out we'd walked from Sigchos in 3 hours 15 he said we were really fast given how hot it had been! I was so relieved as I'd worked myself up thinking I was the slowest person ever. Apparently the day before it had rained all day so we counted our blessings and hoped the weather held for the next few days.

Our hostel was AMAZING, by far the nicest hostel we'd ever stayed at. We had a small private room (with bunk beds ha!), there was a lovely seating area inside and outside with the most amazing view, a resident St Bernard called Baloo who I fell in love with and, best of all, a sauna and hot tub!!! My aching legs were ready!

We spent the afternoon showering, eating cheese toasties (with cheese made in the village), reading, cuddling Baloo and enjoying the sauna and hot tub. There was no WiFi which made the experience even more enjoyable.

Dinner was included in the hostel price (excellent!) so at 6.45 we found a table and were joined by a middle-aged couple from Belgium, a girl our age from Italy and a family from Canada. We had such a nice evening chatting with everyone, it was so nice to speak to people from all over and of all sorts of ages. Dinner was also good - pea soup, a kind of upside down cottage pie and cake with handmade ice cream.

After dinner we were exhausted but put off bed with a quick game of bilingual Scrabble, on a Spanish board with letters such as ñ worth 10 points! We then went back to our room at the acceptable time of 9pm, read for a while and were asleep by 9.30!

[autodidactlife]

You’ve gotta love it when the guy that was sent to America by his parents to get him out of their socialist country then turns around and advocates for it.

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/02/byron-sigcho-lopez-chicago-democratic-socialists-america-pilsen

[danilo-uvidia]

Trabajando con mamita, humildad y respeto #MamiLuz #MamiHilda Foto casual 😊 . . . . . #mother #family #amiga #madre #abuela #hija #esposa #familia #Latacunga #Sigchos #laspampas #Cotopaxi #campo #agricultura #TierraQuerida #Foto https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtY-XvPH8u/?utm_medium=tumblr

[svguavajelly]

Quilotoa Loop Trek

My partner Riki is a keeper, folks. He stayed home with Tomu & Jade for 5 days so that Mo, Luz and I could do a 24 mile trek from village to village in the Andes, ending at the Quilotoa Crater. What a treat for a mama of 3 little kids! 

We began our trip with an 8 hour bus ride to Latacunga on a rainy Wednesday morning. We had been advised that we could go somewhere closer to Cuenca if we wanted to hike in the rain. And when it rains in Cuenca, it is a often a torrential downpour (or pour down, as Tomu says). As in deafening, coming in our house in many places. Mo looked at me while it was raining, and said, so we could be hiking in this? Yep, I replied. But, we reasoned that we were staying in hostels in the evenings, so we knew we could get dry and warm. We brought umbrellas as well as full raingear for the three of us. And we planned to start hiking early, to try to beat the rain, which usually falls in the afternoon/evening. It felt like the right adventure level for traveling with a 9 month old baby.

In Latacunga, we took a taxi to the next town to wait for the bus to Sigchos, where we would begin our trek. Then another bus to an intermediate town, and finally we arrived at Sigchos at 6 pm, after 11 hours of travel. Whew! Luz did great, napping on us in the Ergo, and playing in our laps on the buses.

Waiting for bus #2

I’ll let the photos tell most of the story, but basically we walked 8 miles a day, for between 4.5 and 6 hours a day. We left at 8 am. each day, hiked down to the river, crossed it, then up to the plateau on the other side. The trail was a combination of small trails and wide dirt roadbeds. The Andes are impossibly green and breathtakingly gorgeous. They are so steep, and many ridges reminded me of dinosaur spines, they were so skinny at the top. We passed farmers working in their fields and met people on the trail. All were enamored by Luz.

I normally carried Luz and the small pack.

A rest break turned into frantically hurrying on as we were attacked by large flying biting beetles that land on you and are hard to flick off.

The river we crossed each day.

This is Maria holding Luz. Maria had 11 children, 2 of whom died shortly after birth. I cannot imagine 11 pregnancies, having my body stretch out so many times. She was very sweet, we chatted with her for awhile. She speaks Quichua. It was cool to be in indigenous villages where all the women wear traditional clothes: a fedora, long hair wrapped in a colorful cord, knee-length skirt, tights, flats, and often a scarf. These women live at 12,500′ and are farmers--it boggles my mind that they wear skirts and tights all the time. And so cool to hear people conversing in Quichua.

Hiking around the crater rim.

We met two brothers from Argentina, and they taught us a hilarious card game called “truco”, or trick. It involves communicating your cards to your partner via a memorized set of facial expressions. (Ex. Raise your eyebrows=ace of spades). I can’t wait to play it again. The last day we had to also hike up to the crater, than partway around it, so it was the toughest day. And…we didn’t get rained on at all the whole trip!

We saw these rainbow flags everywhere, and at first we thought: gay pride in Ecuador? Sweet! But later we found out the rainbow flag is the flag of the indigenous Pacha Kutic political party, and elections are coming up in the Cotopaxi province.

Waiting for the bus to Cuenca in a shelter at the side of the highway by Latacunga. The way home took only 9 hours instead of 11.

[enpilsen]

From the Facebook page of the 25th Ward Alderman, Byron Sigcho Lopez ⬇️ • A #chicagofire Football Club ⚽️ training facility could open nearby 👀 (virtual community meeting) • Upcoming 25th Ward Public Safety Meeting info and location📍 • Upcoming filming advisories 🎥 #enPilsen #chicago #pilsenchicago #chicagonews (at Pilsen, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chnbgtava--/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[halenabohs]

Quilotoa Loop day 1

Today was by far the most incredible day we've had in Ecuador. It was our first day of the Quilotoa Loop, so we left our hostel in Latacunga around 9 after a simple but filling breakfast and took the bus to Sigchos, a town about two hours outside of Latacunga. 

The bus ride itself, through rural highland filled with cliffs, rivers, small farms, and wilderness, was breathtaking. To say we were underprepared might be an understatement, as we decided to actually do this trek, which will take up three days and two nights of our trip, yesterday afternoon when we accidentally ended up with some free time to research. Anyways, we had neither a map nor a clear set of directions, so we were lucky to run into some Brits who had a map and step-by-step directions for the first leg of the hike. After they allowed us to photograph their directions, we embarked on the 14km (about 9 mile) journey. 

 It is impossible to convey the first hour or so of our hike -- we were absolutely awestruck, commenting on the beauty of the landscape literally every minute. We often had 180-degree views, so it was overwhelming just trying to take everything in. In addition to us dawdling to photograph and state at the sights, we were also hiking at nearly 10,000 feet, a new and breathtaking (literally) experience, which made the 14km journey take about 3 hours in total, an average of about 3 miles per hour in US terms. 

Our hostel for the first night was Llullu Llama, a beautiful mountain cottage with comfortable beds, a three course dinner, full breakfast, and a porch with a beautiful view over the valley.