U.S. Embassy to Tourists in Peru: Don’t Confuse Political Protests with Folk Dancing
Maybe it’s the mood I’m in lately, but I found this recent Warden Message (sent from the U.S. Embassy to U.S. expats in Peru, via email) rather hilarious.
The embassy warns that gringos have been arrested in prior years for inadvertently participating in political demonstrations that they mistook for folkloric events.
Political protests are expected to erupt during the upcoming April presidential run-offs, so gringos are urged to avoid said fun-looking demonstrations and go someplace safe instead. (Author’s note: To the nearest T.G.I. Friday’s franchise?)
Here is the first part of the message:
WARDEN MESSAGE: ELECTIONS 2011
The U.S. Embassy advises travelers that there may be increased political demonstrations in the lead up to the April 10 presidential and congressional elections and, if there is a run-off, the second round of elections on June 5.
It is illegal in Peru for foreigners to participate in demonstrations. If you take part, you may be arrested. American Citizens previously have been arrested after inadvertently joining in political protests and demonstrations that appeared to be folk festivals.
Demonstrations in Peru are often, but not always, peaceful and can quickly escalate into violent confrontations. American citizens are advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations and strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, maintain awareness of local events and their surroundings, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.
I am trying to imagine what kind of person could mistake an angry political rally for a costumed fiesta patronal.
Either a very stoned person or a very stupid person or an extremely crafty one. (Hey, officer, I thought this was the party for the Virgin of Candelaria!”)
In case you still are wondering what a politcal protest looks like in Peru, please see the pictures below.
Barbara
I am an American writer who lived in Lima for seven years (2007-2014), where I covered Andean traditions, melting glaciers and daily life in the capital for Miami Herald, MSNBC and Huffington Post. I now live and work in northern Florida where I champion climate change advocacy and compassionate, affordable eldercare.
6 Comments
elfotografo
Love the golden boot mini-skirt girls and the fierce Bagua native’s pics.You would have to be out-of-it to not tell the difference…
Sarsparilla
Hilarious.
But I also wanted to say: thanks for remembering what happened in Bagua.
Barbara
I don’t know. Are Keiko’s followers wearing gold booties nowasays?
El Tonto de la Colina
Great article! Is the kind of foolish stories I like to put in my blog. Can I translate it and borrow for my blog? I promise I will put a link to your place. You’re in my blogroll, anyway.
Sarah
Hi! I just found your blog by googling “how to cover a book with vinifan.” (I couldn’t leave a comment on that post for some reason, so I am leaving it here). We just moved to Lima in January and have been thrown into the school culture here since we have 3 kids attending school. I cannot believe the amount of school supplies we have had to find and buy. Countless days have been put into this assignment and we still can’t find everything. Now I have to vinifan everything and I am completely lost. I know your post was a few years old, but I am hoping that the markets still have people willing to vinifan for us. Glad I found your blog!
Barbara
Hi, Sarah, welcome to Peru. I see you’re a blogger as well. Yes, school culture here is very different form that in the States (I’m guessing you’re from there). The parents are expected to buy so much, and the lists of supplies are ridiculously detailed. My Vinifan post received so many comments that I had to shut them down. Maybe I should write again about Vinifan. Good for you that you found someone to do the VF-ing for you. I had to do it alone this year with el Hijo. We did an OK job of it — kind of wrinkly, but at least the books are covered. … Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. 🙂