The roads are a bit less crowded these last days. The taxi drivers are firm with their high prices. Many people have run out of cooking gas and I can't imagine living in Nepal without being able to cook rice! There are talks of food shortages if this is maintained.
Supposedly, about 80% of public transport vehicles are parked, unable to move. Our last taxi driver waited 12 hours to fill his tank. One of my friends "name-drops" to get the prized liquid for her car - there is sometimes no other way but to make them grovel because of the big names you know.
Last night, according to a Nepali minister, 225 fuel tankers crossed the Indian border, escorted by the army forces, and expected to start supplying gas and fuel today. Some ethnic groups are protesting all across the Terai, creating massive indefinite strikes all across the southern border. Wednesday was the Maoist 13 anniversary of the beginning of the war. Red flags were everywhere and big gatherings occurred.
Our plan was to head to Ghorahi for the weekend... but with the roads shut and everything closed off... we couldn't even get there. Instead, we're heading to Pokhara, after finding a bus company that still has fuel.
We were reflecting on the coming planned elections on April 10th. It seems that if Nepalis can't move around the valley due to the fuel shortages, are stuck in the valley due to massive strikes all across the country, can't access necessary food items because of shortages, and worst of all, can't cook rice... the country may well fall apart... We wait with bated breath.
1 comment:
I;m sure you are disappointed that you can't go to Ghorahi. We have so enjoyed your blogs. It keeps us connected to both of you. Enjoyed seeing your home. We are off to our cruise tomorrow Can't wait to get away from all this snow
Mary
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