Riot in Aguas Calientes!!!!

Okay, not really. We´re in a second-story internet cafe on the main plaza of Aguas Calientes, and we looked down to see a collection of police gathering near our corner. They were wearing the same security guard-looking ballcaps and vests as always, but they all had full-length riot shields that say POLICIA on them. One of them even had a tear gas launcher. A tear gas launcher, people. We couldn´t figure it out until a man in a tie emerged. Ah. The new mayor. Now there is a large group of people crowded around him, possibly to get autographs or blessings for their chickens.

The riot gear-clad police look a bit sheepish, but it´s probably the only excuse they´ve ever had to bust out the gear that the national government issues to them, and they´re jealous of their peers in Cusco and Lima who get to use it far more often. So far the crowd appears to be waiting patiently under an awning out of the rain to get a glimpse of the new dignitary. There will be pictures forthcoming, as with everything else. News updates as we get them. From mob-ruled Aguas Calientes, this is Liz. Back to you in the studio.