gistfile1.txt

EDGE = 0
ABOVE = 1
BELOW = 2

def solution(A):
    res = 0
    prev = EDGE
    for i in xrange(0, len(A)):
        val = A[i]
        if i == len(A) - 1:
            return res + 1

        # Skip if on the same level
        if i < len(A) and val == A[i+1]:
            continue

        # Valley
        if (val < A[i+1] or i == len(A) - 1) and (prev == EDGE or prev == ABOVE):
            res += 1
            prev = BELOW

        # Hill
        if (val > A[i+1] or i == len(A) - 1) and (prev == EDGE or prev == BELOW):
            res += 1
            prev = ABOVE