Government collapse evident in daily life

Thursday evening, March 24

The situation is becoming more fluid. It is clear that the government has collapsed, but no one seems to know who will take charge. Various names are being floated, ranging from a former vice president to a prime minister to an ambassador. The hand-wringing in the U.S. media about an Islamic revolt or takeover here is absolutely nuts. That will not happen, though it probably will be the case that they will make a bid for a greater voice.

The U.S. embassy is taking a pretty relaxed view of things; rightly, I think. The airport is open. The mayor's office was taken without incident. In fact, I walked by it today and saw only two or three disaffected military police out front. TV is in rebel hands, but regular programming continues. The phones work, though not internationally. The Internet is up (obviously).

The damned revolution has closed stores, though, so I couldn't get myself some cold beer today as it starts to turn humid. There was sporadic gunfire, but nothing organized or concentrated. Right now, the executive building ([our equivalent of] the White House) is lit up like a Christmas celebration (Christmas, by the way, is big time here). Traffic is normal, people are out walking in the streets.

If the government will move, it will move tonight, but it is too disorganized, I think. So, here I am, trying to teach in the middle of a revolution - quite literally a block away. I can watch it all from my balcony.
For a kayaker like me, this is better than a class-five rapid.
Bill

This information posted 05 APRIL 2005