The Ties That Bind
Yesterday: He sat in the desk of my counterpart, quietly sitting down as I typed away on the computer uploading blogs, reading and responding to emails. All the while I felt his gaze on the back of my head. I said something banal (the subject I do not remember), a sort of space filler that seemed to fit with noise of the air conditioner and typing. It was then that he just began, at first talking to me, but later, as I began to realize, a sort of one way dialogue justifiying himself, commenting on democracy, it was like fliping to chanel only to realice it was the same station. I was nothing more than someone who could not judge him, first because I don’t know him, and because of my position in Sesori being an officially neurtal one.
His eyes were red, probably from crying or lack of sleep, or both, his noise ran and he blamed it all on a cold. He spoke of loyalties, to his family first and his friends second, he reasoned why he voted for ARENA rather than PDC. It wasn’t anything personal against Don René (the current mayor), he was a good man he argued. And although they didn’t see eye to eye on many things, he still made the effort to prove to me (or himself) that that was not the reason for his voting performance. If he could, he shared, he would not have voted at all for alcalde, or if he could, he would have voted for both. But he felt complelled to act in one way or another.
For that response I respect the man, and the others who have grown up with the candidates and were forced to choose between friendship, family, and ideals. The mood it still stale amongst the workers, but as the days are passing, they are smiling more and quick with a joke.
Yesterday I met a man I did not respect, a man who decided to lie on the fences and wait to see what passes. The heat is getting worse here in Sesori and I finally broke down and bought a fan. The owner asked me about the election results, I shared what I knew and asked what he thought of the descision. He leaned back in his chair and shared that it made no difference to him, and to avoid conflicts he didn’t vote for mayor but for the senators.
In the streets the areneros stood by the new mayor’s house, a massive two story buidling remincent of a some some failed Greek architect that sticks out like a sore thumb. To be fare, many of the newer houses clash with one another, the newer ones more obscene than the older. The Areneros are preparing a victory celebration this weekend in my town (one of several reason I will not be there). I shook their hands and congratulate them, knowing that when they arrive, many of my friends will no longer be employed. It’s something that’s been bothering me as of late.
San Salvador is still undecided. Regardless of the outcome, I believe there is going to be some rioting, especially if ARENA takes overs. Right now The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE in Spanish) are looking over and declaring if the invalid (inpunado) votes can or cannot be counted, 83 are in debate. This has me questioning the legality of this. Apparently, as the gossip goes, ARENA controls the government, thus, controls the TSE and is using the TSE in an attempt to get more votes. The legality of this entire process is in question along with other corruption charges such as bringing in outsiders to vote.
All valid votes still place FMLN in the lead by a narrow margin.
I will be away from my computer for the next 4 days or so (I’ll be in the capital tomorrow so if there are any updates I may have access), updates until then.
Happy St. Patty’s Day,
Your Affectionate Volunteer,
Scrutape
His eyes were red, probably from crying or lack of sleep, or both, his noise ran and he blamed it all on a cold. He spoke of loyalties, to his family first and his friends second, he reasoned why he voted for ARENA rather than PDC. It wasn’t anything personal against Don René (the current mayor), he was a good man he argued. And although they didn’t see eye to eye on many things, he still made the effort to prove to me (or himself) that that was not the reason for his voting performance. If he could, he shared, he would not have voted at all for alcalde, or if he could, he would have voted for both. But he felt complelled to act in one way or another.
For that response I respect the man, and the others who have grown up with the candidates and were forced to choose between friendship, family, and ideals. The mood it still stale amongst the workers, but as the days are passing, they are smiling more and quick with a joke.
Yesterday I met a man I did not respect, a man who decided to lie on the fences and wait to see what passes. The heat is getting worse here in Sesori and I finally broke down and bought a fan. The owner asked me about the election results, I shared what I knew and asked what he thought of the descision. He leaned back in his chair and shared that it made no difference to him, and to avoid conflicts he didn’t vote for mayor but for the senators.
In the streets the areneros stood by the new mayor’s house, a massive two story buidling remincent of a some some failed Greek architect that sticks out like a sore thumb. To be fare, many of the newer houses clash with one another, the newer ones more obscene than the older. The Areneros are preparing a victory celebration this weekend in my town (one of several reason I will not be there). I shook their hands and congratulate them, knowing that when they arrive, many of my friends will no longer be employed. It’s something that’s been bothering me as of late.
San Salvador is still undecided. Regardless of the outcome, I believe there is going to be some rioting, especially if ARENA takes overs. Right now The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE in Spanish) are looking over and declaring if the invalid (inpunado) votes can or cannot be counted, 83 are in debate. This has me questioning the legality of this. Apparently, as the gossip goes, ARENA controls the government, thus, controls the TSE and is using the TSE in an attempt to get more votes. The legality of this entire process is in question along with other corruption charges such as bringing in outsiders to vote.
All valid votes still place FMLN in the lead by a narrow margin.
I will be away from my computer for the next 4 days or so (I’ll be in the capital tomorrow so if there are any updates I may have access), updates until then.
Happy St. Patty’s Day,
Your Affectionate Volunteer,
Scrutape
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