Strike One

In America, teachers go on strike and threaten to shut down schools. In Nepal, not only do they shut down schools, but they block all roads into and out of the capitol. Thus, if you happen to have a bus ride to Kathmandu during the day of a strike (any strike), your ride will end with either waiting until the strike ends in up to seven hours, or walking past the strike and hundreds of parked vehicles, then taking a taxi. We chose the latter. Today’s paper showed strikers puncturing a motorcycle’s tire for daring to cross the barriers.

The political situation in Nepal has been at a steady boil since the king was forced to abdicate last year. We’re glad we’re leaving before next month’s elections. Whether or not they occur, Nepal is likely to explode.