I got back on the weekend and though it was just my jet lag but boy are things ever quiet here. I've googled 'ecuador assemby', 'ecuador mining', 'Alonso Soto', Aurelian, CTQ, DMM and nada, nothing. You have to wonder if everyone is taking a pre-PDAC break or maybe just maybe they are getting a deal done.

Try googling Ecuador flood. Many parts of the country are underwater right now in the worst flooding in ten years. Roads are washed out, people left homeless, some have died. Looks like the 9th ward, only worse.

The govt. and the army have their hands full right now, so I wouldn't expect too much on the political front. I've written to Ms. Santacruz asking her for the address of an agency we can donate to for flood relief. Haven't heard back yet.

Right now is not a good time to be counting chickens, but it IS a good time to consider what you can spare to help these people get back on their feet. Some of them have lost everything. I'll post the info from Ms. Santacruz as soon as I hear back. If she can't find a reliable agency then a donation to the International Red Cross fund for disaster relief might be in order.