Difficult Times

February 12/08. We've been here one week and, I think, adjusting quite well. Our blog/intenet logging is the most difficult in terms of time. The reason being that the power is cut off twice in the day and although we're told there is a schedule we can't seem to figure out exact times. Candelight dinners, although romantic, are certainly not so when one has to prepare the food by the same. As some may have heard through other people we've contacted, there is an underlying tension that I feel as I journey through the city. As I have talked with people here they have said the unrest in the south of the country is the main reason for inflation skyrocketing. For those not aware, different factions of the Maoists are fighting each other for control of southern Nepal. To say the least the factions are not united. The southern people are the ones who suffer most, many are hurt in the crossfire. As the Maoists do have six members in the present interim parliament, the factions occasionly come to negotiate with their counterparts. With little result they go back to the south and exert the only tactic for getting attention. Roadblocks. They threaten the transport drivers with violence to their families or death if they transport goods. The Nepal army has stepped in to guide convoys through but the threats seem to have had impact. So what does that mean here in Katmandu. Inflating prices for groceries. Cooking propane and gasoline/diesel very expensive and hard to find. Lineups at pumps are a kilometre long. When you get to the pump, if there is any to be had, you are limited to the amount of litres. A few of the locals hope the mid-April elections will bring about peace and stability. Most have their doubts. Until then Katmandu will struggle through, and I, I'll go have some toast and butter. (Hmmm....I wonder if I can market this $4.25 half pound of butter on the stock market as a valuable commodity.) Until the next post,-if the power is on. (Posted by Ken.)