This just in, the National Strike here in Nepal is over, finishing Friday night after going since Sunday. Which is a relief for everyone. The almost holiday atmosphere of the first few days had got a bit old, as people started running out of food and money (no stores open, transportation or work), and prices of food and other perishables quadrupled. Today there was a massive peace rally in hopes of convincing the Maoists that they should stop the strike. There was some concern that this would result in clashes between the two groups. Mid afternoon there were rumours of some fights in Pokhara, and we all headed off early from the hospital, to make sure people got home before anything happened. Instead, it was a peaceful evening, and the strike was called off just now. It seems the Maoists decided they didn't have public support any more - though of course they blame the current government. We'll see what happens next.
We've still been able to get into the hospital the last couple of days (by walking) to do training with the local staff, as well as those stranded by the strike. These have been smaller, hands-on sessions, which has been great. Looking forward to the weekend in Lakeside where everything is open again - there's not been much to do with everything shut up tight. The stores were allowed to open from 6-8pm, so you had to eat dinner, and do anything else you needed to in that time! Now we will be actually able to enjoy the lovely place.
I've stayed near the hospital the last couple of nights, in my old appartment with Rich and Elly who live there now. It's been fun to hang out with old friends from a year ago. Tomorrow morning I'm going to Nepali church, which will give me a chance to see a whole bunch of people I haven't met since coming back. I suspect the invitations to dalbhat dinners will increase significantly after that!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment