Es tranquilo
10.18.2003Today, San Miguel went back to normality. All the shops are open, and everyone's going in & out. Mostly, I think, to cure their cabin fever. The traffic's back to crazy, there's taxis and minibuses in the streets. There's no more soldiers in the streets.
There's a sense of hope that the storm's passed and we can all go back to our normal lives. Of course, Solares' COB and Mallku's CSUTCB vow to continue using medidas de presion" (what got us in this whole mess to begin w/) against Mesa, until he meets all of their demands (many of which are not just unreasonable, but illegal and/or unconstitional). People hope these two groups return to being the small, marginal movements they always were. I'm trying to be optimistic. But the economic crisis (which is global in scope) continues, the country's still broke (and now viewed w/ more skepticism by investors, tourists, etc.), and so the root problems of Bolivian politics continue ... except now Solares, Mallku, and others know they can topple a government, given enough time and pressure. My optimism's guarded.
Still. Sunday night, I'm going back to my apartment. But first chance, I'm buying a fridge and stocking up, just in case. I hope life goes back to normal. I especially hope Solares and Mallku let Mesa govern until 2007.
In the meantime, I'm going to sit, drink some coffee, and re-read Robert Dahl's After the Revolution? Authority in A Good Society. Very appropriate, considering.
Posted by Miguel at 05:19 PM