There is a silent revolution happening

Today was the fourth day of the general strike, meaning nothing is happening. No schools, no shops, no public or private offices are open, no cars or buses are allowed to move in the streets. Nothing. Children are playing football and cricket in the streets and people are sitting around or walking around. It's especially interesting to watch the tourists who almost without exception look completely lost...

The Maoist are protesting in the streets asking the prime minister to step down, asking for change. "We will eat, we will sleep, we will live in the streets until we are heard". 10.000s of Maoists have been brought to the Kathmandu Valley in the weeks and months leading up to this, and now they are waiting. It is all quiet and peaceful and they are sitting around reading their newspapers, sleeping or talking. They are surrounded by people selling food and fruits and even candyfloss. And the police. The police are standing in full battle costume on almost every street corner waiting for someone to break the peace, to start the violence. But there is none, it is all peaceful.

In the end of the month, the constitution of the Democratic Republic of Nepal is supposed to be presented, and it is due to this that the demonstrations are taking place. No one knows how long this will last, but at the hotel, they are joking about it lasting until the 28th, the day of the constitution.

But people are not working, and when they are not working, they make no money. No one is moving in or out of the Valley, meaning no people and no supplies. The cities of the Kathmandu Valley are dependent on fresh vegetables from outside, but they are not coming. With numerous new people present, the pressure on the water supply is increasing (it was already pressed), and it is a bad season for water. And some are afraid. Shops are allowed to keep open 6-8 am and pm to supply the people. I have been locked into internet shops and cafes. And the other day, I was kicked out of a restaurant without being allowed to pay, it was 8 o'clock and they wanted us to leave.

I don't know what will happen, or how long this will last. But one thing is for sure; I am standing in the middle of a people's movement and they will not back down, change is coming, but to what extent remains yet to be seen.