"Day 5, the housemates are getting restless."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8663390.stm



There was a moment this morning when I was seated in my spot on the balcony, talking to the other guests from Bishnu Lodge who had congregated. It felt like we were an episode of Big Brother. A group of people forced to live in the same space and find ways to fill their days. Although we are allowed to leave the Lodge, we are still stuck in a situation beyond our control.

That is unless you are the crazy German guy who set off on his newly bought mountain bike (Rs 2000 - about 20 pound) with his enormous rucksack on his back, for Sunauli, the Indian border town about 140 km away. I had to get his email just so I can find out what happens.

On a heavier note, the situation here is clearly becoming more serious. Even more so in Kathmandu. Shyam and Bishnu's older son and daughter live and study there. The worry is now that they have run out of money as there is no way to send them any with the banks all closed.

The coverage on the news (in Nepali) is extensive, and so far, it has mainly been footage of peaceful protesters, dancing and singing surrounded by hoards of people camped out in the streets. There are a few stories of incidents with people who are trying to work fighting with the Maoists. Or people getting sick for lack of water and supplies. But on the whole the Maoists are presenting a peaceful protest (so far) and considering the masses of people on the streets, that is something.

But this cannot go on for much longer before something gives. The people are getting weary of the strike and their existence being halted. Whether they support the Prime Minister or not, they want the strike to be over now. There were protesters in the street this afternoon, a small group, mainly women shouting and a gang of chanting Maoists waving bamboo sticks being held at the intersection by riot police while they tried to move off the locals. Apparently, most of the Maoists that are in town are from the villages. There are big camps around town where they gather and eat. They march through town on a daily basis making sure that all the shops are shut.



It is interesting talking to the local people about the situation. For the most part, they just want to get on with their lives. It seems there is no indication a resolution is impending so we can only wait and wonder what might happen and how out of hand it could possibly get.