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Bad start to R Day
I forgot to put the jug under the coffee maker when I switched it on. By the time I noticed a cup and a half of strong black coffee had spread onto the floor and under the bed. Not a major problem as the floor is covered in ceramic tiles but using toilet roll to mop up under the very middle of a double bed is not really the ideal start to the day especially as there is then only half a cup of drinkable coffee left and I need two cups.
'Political Process Lacks Drama' would be my headline for the day. About 9.30 last night I went down to reception for my 15 minute chat in English with the night porter. I said that he looked tired and he said because he would be unable to sleep that night he had tried to sleep during the day and it was not at all satisfactory. He said that Jean-Marie had told him the streets were full of troops when he had driven across town at 8 pm and it looked like Analakely (town centre and MOY area) would have problems. Receptionist was going to lock the front door early and sit up keeping watch all night.
I heard nothing all night so walked into town at about 10 to try to visit a polling station at the lycee in town. Got there, very few people, so I walked into the school. Perhaps 30 voters and about 10 rooms being used, each with 2 voting advisers/recorders. I engaged one in conversation while there was no-one in his room so he invited me in to have a look round. No displays at all. Teacher's desk on a raised platform. 3-seater desks (20 of?). Absolutely no books or equipment but there was a traditional blackboard. In another room a lady was trying to wipe a bright purple stain off her finger so perhaps that equated to her signature; don't know. All very quiet and orderly and I left a little bit disappointed. I didn't necessarily want to see trouble but a bit of interest would have been good. No police or military in sight.
All calm so I walked across to Shop Rite to buy bread and water and the damned place was closed. Very annoying. In the end I had to buy both from my hotel at more than double the price. 1.5 litre of water costs 1090Ar at Shop Rite: 2,500 at the hotel. Even more annoying. But I was down to my last 0.5 litre so I had to. 'Hotel Rips off Guests for Essentials' would be my headline of the day. I will go for another stroll around town about 5 to see if anything's changed but it looks to me like the boycott may be working.
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