Bandh Day

Kathmandu is mute - devoid of its usual honking and jingle trucks.  We are in the middle of a bandh.  This has become a common political phenomenon in Nepal.  Opposing parties shut down roads and demand vehicles stay home.  Any issue might spark a bandh.  Today's bandh was called in protest of the death of a key leader of the youth party who died while imprisoned.

I walked to them embassy today.  I wanted to use the gym and visit my husband but I also wanted bandh pictures.  I stepped into our intersection and young men crowded a pile of rocks holding red and white flags.  Young boys joined in wavy the flags and wishing they were important.  The riot police stood shoulder to shoulder, stoic and agitated.  I joined the pedestrians walking down the road marveling at the quiet. 

We walked  in groups.  Young men held hands with friends and mothers carried babies.  A young man laughingly asked me, "Aren't you having a great walk?"  He moved on flirting with a young girl, shouting "Wow! Beau-ti-ful!"  A row of dusty brown ducks marched down the highway filled with self importance.  A young father excitedly tried to teach his little boy how to ride a two-wheeler down the usually heavily trafficked road. 

Nepal feels alive every day.  The movement and color feel addicting and overwhelming at once.  This bandh Nepal showcases the patience of the people juxtaposed against the background of political deadlock.  There is no constitution.  Progress seems impossible and yet the people walked resiliently to work or home displaying infinite patience with the inconvenience of these street protests.