n = int(input())
A = list(map(int, input().split()))

# Preprocess to remove consecutive duplicates
B = []
prev = None
for num in A:
    if prev is None:
        B.append(num)
        prev = num
    else:
        if num != prev:
            B.append(num)
            prev = num

m = len(B)
if m < 3:
    print(0)
else:
    prev_diff = B[1] - B[0]
    length = 2
    for i in range(2, m):
        current_diff = B[i] - B[i-1]
        if prev_diff * current_diff < 0:
            length += 1
            prev_diff = current_diff
    print(length if length >= 3 else 0)