The backpackers were getting very edgy today, some busied themselves writing to embassies and even newspapers, others gazed at the TV. It is strange how little has been covered in the press especially when you consider how many tourists are effectively being kept captive by the road blocks and wilderness.

Word got round regarding an important negociations meeting at 3pm. They also said that we should put our names down with the Red Cross as the evacuation will be done in that order. Only 700 people were expected to go first round but this all depended on the road blocks being removed by the protesters. The meeting was going to discuss that but I had little hope - why would the protesters let their bargaining chips go?

Sure enough the meeting fell down flat, a follow up meeting was planned for 5pm. Getting feedback on this one was depressing. The locals down here currently get a 17% subsidy to help with fuel costs. The government wants to scrap this saying they couldn't afford it what with the earth quake, world economy etc. The goverment in the meeting offered only a 3% increase instead of 17%. What was depressing was that this was flatly rejected - they were aiming for zero increase. It is going to be days before they all get round the table again but the gulf between them is too great for any solution. The group telling me this had decided to walk the 15 plus miles to the border with Argentina the next day. Fifteen miles is a long way but with the Andes and over 20kg of luggage each it would be very difficult.

It is not the situation that tears you apart it is the hope. I have been trying to decided what to do, it would be foolish to attempt the walk into the Andes if our fitness levels are insufficient. We could buy a small tent to do the journey over two days, or perhaps a bicycle to balance our bags on - what a situation. One thing you need to understand, this is a general strike that 80% of the population are involved in. The police have been ineffective against such huge numbers, and the government is reluctant to inflame the situation by sending the army in to take control. However something has to give eventually, the questions are: when, how and with what repercussions?