Protests

It's been about a week since protests have been going on here. I'm not going into why and how or offer an analysis and opinion. We are not citizens here and this is not our fight. I am sure you have seen on the news about the protests and you should have plenty of information from different news sources. The protests began with a simple issue and it has morphed into a bigger, complex issue involving the Prime Minister and his style of leadership. People are discontent and expressing it through protests and social media. Freedom of speech isn't sacred here as it is in the States and people have been arrested for "inciting protests" on social media. The government is monitoring the social media and tracking down addresses. So, for that reason, I err on extreme caution here on the blog.

The protests have spread to other cities mainly in the western part of the country. The eastern part is mostly aligned with the Prime Minister who share the same conservative values as they so they are silent. The western part is mostly secular who may not agree with the PM's actions. In my city, the protests are mainly on the other side of the Strait. On my side of the Strait, the only hint that anything is going on is when people begin banging pots, pans, cow bells, blowing whistles, honking horns, flashing lights, and marching through the streets and blocking traffic, every night at 9pm. They do this in solidarity with the protestors. Each night, the expression of solidarity decreases in the length. All the marches so far have been peaceful, although the protests in two hotspots in my city have drawn some clashes with the police, as in other cities.

The air here is supercharged with tension and excitement. It'll be interesting to see what will come out of this. I'm not sure protests here have any effect on the leadership and policies so my guess is that it will fizzle out. I'm amazed that it has lasted this long. It's not another Arab Spring, as some news sources are saying, because the characteristics are different. I wasn't surprised this would draw some news coverage but I am amazed at the sheer amount that it has garnered already. I think it's because of recent instability in the Middle East.

So, friends and family members, do not worry about us. Even if things change (and it can change swiftly), we are under very good care of our company who are monitoring the situation and send us daily updates, advice for our safety, and contingency plans. Our neighborhood is quiet and we have seen no marches or gatherings of any kind around our block. Life continues as usual; shops are open, buses are running, people are going about their daily business, and we are doing the same, albeit in an alert state.

We love you.