Leaving Nepal

I am sad to be leaving Nepal. I will head to Delhi tomorrow. My experience here has been wonderful all except for the random men who keep hitting on me. There are the kind ones whom I have met. These two great store owners not far from where I am staying who invite me in for tea everytime I walk past. One of them I bought some clothes from while another I had two pieces of jewelry made with. And the kind man in the bookstore, who called me his daughter and gave me a beaded bracelet.

The bad random men experience include being asked to dinner twice in one night. The first one was when we were walking down the street and this man who owns a gem stop said, "can I ask you a question?". So I stopped and we ended up going to their shop and chatting for 30 mins. They were nice and asked us for dinner the next night, we said we were busy but they insisted. Not 2 hours later, I was in a store buying a skirt....yes skirt, and was bargaining as is the habit here. The man and I finally agreed to a price and he then said I had to go out for a beer with him, cause he gave me such a good price, well I said no, then his friend grabbed my arm and said dinner then, tomorrow...I said I was busy, then the day after...they were insistant and would not let go of my arm....finally I said, sorry I am leaving Kathmandu tomorrow and cannot come to dinner....they then shook my hand for what felt like 10 mins. Man, I was glad to get out of that store.

So, last night we had our hot date with the gem boys....I called up two guys we know here in Kathmandu, one a peace corp volunteer we met while volunteering, and the other the director of the org. we volunteered with, Purna. We go to the gem shop to meet the boys and it was not pretty. The gem boys were not happy we brought two guy friends with us, and our Nepali friend was not impressed with the gem boys. So, after standing around akwardly I suggest we go for dinner. The Gem boys said they would meet us at the restaurant but they did not end up showing up. I think they were rather put off that we brought other guys with us. My friend, Purna said that they were probably hoping to pick up two "Japanese girls". It was kind of funny cause I could tell that Purna was sizing up the guys and that the gem boys were sizing him up. I could see the reactions on both their faces.

Anyways, it has been fun. Our last night in Kathmandu was spent dancing in a Nepali restaurant. It is fun to dance to music you don't know and just be free and not worry about how silly you look. I enjoyed myself a lot. At the end of the night we were given applause and comments on our dancing.

Onto Delhi now....scary....

Saying good bye,

I am now in Kathmandu and have finished my volunteeer work in the village. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit some families of students supported by the organization I volunteered with. I was amazed at the conditions they were living in. They were living in huts with very little electricity and they have only just gotten running water. Children were running around bare foot and had tattered clothing. Education is very expensive for these children and if it weren't for the NEST programme they could not go to school. Unfortunately, not every child can be given a scholarship for school as much as the director would like too. I was reminded of how much I take for granted and how blessed I am. The only way to end the cycle of poverty in Nepal is by education but without money they cannot go to school, it is a never ending cycle. The image of the village is something I will take away with me from Nepal.

I am also sick of saying good bye. This morning, I said good bye to my host family. I totally felt like a part of the family and was treated liked their sister, they even called me sisiter, didi in Nepali. I am touched by how easily I was welcomed into their home and made to feel like a part of their family. I will miss them terribly. Too many good byes in such a short time...

I was also able to dress in Nepali traditional dress and had mendhi done, which is drawing with henna on your hands as well as having henna put in my hair. It is a luxury that you do for your sister or daughter as a treat. I definately look like a nepali in the dress, with the mendi, the arm full of bangles and the yellow string around my wrist (Nepali festival yesterday). It has been an amazing time here. I definately want to come back.

Greetings from Nepal

I am doing well, although my stomach has not been too happy with me as of late, no major grumblings but just a bit of a disagreement. I will be okay though.

The camp is now over and we are planning to head back to Kathmandu in 2 days. I am looking forward to being back in the city with regular internet service.
The camp went well, it was a lot of fun and the kids were awesome. I really enjoyed myself, but now I am exhausted, it was pretty 10 hours a day of high energy. Man, if I have to hear camp songs anymore I will probably scream.

Other than that everything is well. I have adapted fairly well to Nepali life, all except for the toilets but I guess that is life. I am now wearing Nepali dress and have an arm full of glass bangles. It is interesting to be a part of the culture and live with a family. Twice a day we eat Dal baht, which is rice and veggies that you eat with your hands, no utensils. Very interesting seeing how they do not use toilet paper here either. Just have to keep in mind you eat with your right hand and wipe with your left.

I am having problems getting into my sfu account so for the time being it will have to be blogs for updates.

Okay, I will write soon again. When I get back to Kathmandu, that means riding the scary plane, it is so scary, they actually give you cotton balls to stuff in your ears during the flight.....