Another brief update: I'm still loving it here in Charikot.
I am living the real Nepali lifestyle here. Dal Baht (meal) twice a day, and tiffin (snack) in the afternoon. Lots of tea. Squat toilets. Walking everywhere. Handwashing clothes. No shower. I am even wearing Nepali style clothes and makeup. It is fantastic.
A few days ago, a new friend took me to a river village about three hours away. We spent the afternoon by the river then caught the bus back to the orphanage. The ride back was a crazy experience: In real Nepali style, we rode on the TOP of the bus. It was scared to death as the top heavy bus took the hairpin turns up the mountain, but it was so much fun. I passed the time speaking broken Nepali with the other men on the roof. And the full moon lighting up the clear, snowy peaks in the distance made for a beautiful ride.
The people here in Nepal are just so friendly. Today I met a man who hardly spoke any English, but he invited me to take the bus back to his village, and he also offered to drive me back to Kathmandu in a few weeks when I need to return! Everyone wants to you visit them and drink tea. Its amazing.
Also today I went shopping with my Nepali woman friend. She owns the restaurant/tea shop that Sam and I often visit. She took me to the tailor to get my very first Saree to wear for Tehar (festival)! Then she explained all the traditions of the festival that Sam and I will need to know. During the festival, sisters honor their brothers, which means I will get to honor all of my amazing brothers at the orphanage! I am so excited for the festival to start, but first there are many other fun things to look forward to: like taking the bus to visit Jihri with my Nepali friend, and celebrating Halloween with all the boys next week!
On a side note, I am practicing my Nepali language. I would give myself and A+. The boys are always helping me learn, and I get a lot of practice with the locals. I am no where near fluent, but I can definitely get by and even hold a basic conversation.
There are so many other things I cannot wait to share, but this is all I have time for right now!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Football and Goat Slaughters
I have been in Cherikot for just over two weeks now. It is hard to describe how amazing it is; but I love it! Mostly I love the boys at the home: I have over 20 new brothers and the Auntie and Uncle at the home are like my family now too.
I hardly feel like I am working here. It the holiday season right now so the boys dont have school. All I do all day is play football, watch TV, do craft projects, and teach yoga and dance!
And because it is the holiday season, I am getting to witness some really cool religious and cultural traditions. We slaughtered two goats, played on a giant swing, and I got tikka (blessings) and presents from Auntie and Uncle as if I was their real daughter.
I dont have time to go into much detail, but I am having the most amazing experience of my life here. You will have to wait until I return to Kathmandu to hear the rest!
I hardly feel like I am working here. It the holiday season right now so the boys dont have school. All I do all day is play football, watch TV, do craft projects, and teach yoga and dance!
And because it is the holiday season, I am getting to witness some really cool religious and cultural traditions. We slaughtered two goats, played on a giant swing, and I got tikka (blessings) and presents from Auntie and Uncle as if I was their real daughter.
I dont have time to go into much detail, but I am having the most amazing experience of my life here. You will have to wait until I return to Kathmandu to hear the rest!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sweet Charicott
Tomorrow morning I begin my journey to Charicott: a six hour bus ride then a short hike to the village.
I will be spending the next month there, living in and working at the government orphanage.
The orphanage has about 30 boys, ranging from very young to late teens. I have heard that they are simply amazing; the sweetest gentlemen that ever existed. Like the girls at Papa's House, most of these boys have been rescue from abusive families, slavery, or trafficking.
For the month of October the boys will be off of school for the festival of lights (Dashain). This means I will be spending most of my day hanging out with the boys: playing football, painting murals, flying kites, and celebrating the holiday! I may also be tutoring the boys, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and helping the orphanage any way I can. I absolutely cannot wait!
While in Charicott, I wont have much internet access so don't expect too many emails or blog updates. There is a semi-reliable internet cafe in town, about a 30 minute walk from the orphanage, but I wont be using it often.
Still, feel free to send me emails because I would love to read updates on your lives when I return to Kathmandu!
Pheri Bhetaunlah!
("until we meet again")
I will be spending the next month there, living in and working at the government orphanage.
The orphanage has about 30 boys, ranging from very young to late teens. I have heard that they are simply amazing; the sweetest gentlemen that ever existed. Like the girls at Papa's House, most of these boys have been rescue from abusive families, slavery, or trafficking.
For the month of October the boys will be off of school for the festival of lights (Dashain). This means I will be spending most of my day hanging out with the boys: playing football, painting murals, flying kites, and celebrating the holiday! I may also be tutoring the boys, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and helping the orphanage any way I can. I absolutely cannot wait!
While in Charicott, I wont have much internet access so don't expect too many emails or blog updates. There is a semi-reliable internet cafe in town, about a 30 minute walk from the orphanage, but I wont be using it often.
Still, feel free to send me emails because I would love to read updates on your lives when I return to Kathmandu!
Pheri Bhetaunlah!
("until we meet again")
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Nice to meet you, Sister.
I've just realized that I haven't said much about the work I am doing in Kathmandu. My days are mostly free as I wait to leave for my permanent volunteer placement, but I am so lucky to be spending a little of my time at Papa's House. As I said before, I'm not doing much, but I am doing something!
The girls at Papa's House orphanage are amazing. With all of their smiles and giggles, you would never know how hard their lives really are. Most of these girls have been rescued from sold-slavery, abusive households, or trafficking. Some of them have scars, burns, and one even has a blind eye. But they are all so beautiful.
The first time I visited the orphanage, I got a dozen hugs before anyone even asked my name. The girls are always excited to show off their western handshakes and say "nice to meet you, sister!" It is impossible not to feel welcome.
In the mornings, I walk over before breakfast to help braid their hair for school. Each girl wears identical braided pigtails to school, complete with matching yellow bows which I have learned how to tie in "bows," "butterflies," and the ever-challenging "flowers." I always go home covered in coconut hair oil, lice, and a lot of love.
In the evenings, I can help the girls complete their homework, or sometimes just talk and play.
On Saturdays there is no school, so all the children gather at Papa's House to play and spend time together. Last week I brought over a suitcase full of craft materials and nearly ten different projects ideas. As you can imagine, the day was messy, crazy, and wonderful. By the end of the day, every single thing (yes, even the scissors and paint brushes) was gone.
I spent that afternoon helping one of the beautiful older girls, Sangita, paint a mural. I promise I am not an artist, so I'm not quite sure how I ever got roped into helping. But I somehow managed to not ruin the wall, and it ended up being a fun afternoon.
The girls are sweeter than I can describe, so I wont try too hard. Trust me that they will let you into their hearts without question and they wont ever let you out!
The girls at Papa's House orphanage are amazing. With all of their smiles and giggles, you would never know how hard their lives really are. Most of these girls have been rescued from sold-slavery, abusive households, or trafficking. Some of them have scars, burns, and one even has a blind eye. But they are all so beautiful.
The first time I visited the orphanage, I got a dozen hugs before anyone even asked my name. The girls are always excited to show off their western handshakes and say "nice to meet you, sister!" It is impossible not to feel welcome.
In the mornings, I walk over before breakfast to help braid their hair for school. Each girl wears identical braided pigtails to school, complete with matching yellow bows which I have learned how to tie in "bows," "butterflies," and the ever-challenging "flowers." I always go home covered in coconut hair oil, lice, and a lot of love.
In the evenings, I can help the girls complete their homework, or sometimes just talk and play.
On Saturdays there is no school, so all the children gather at Papa's House to play and spend time together. Last week I brought over a suitcase full of craft materials and nearly ten different projects ideas. As you can imagine, the day was messy, crazy, and wonderful. By the end of the day, every single thing (yes, even the scissors and paint brushes) was gone.
I spent that afternoon helping one of the beautiful older girls, Sangita, paint a mural. I promise I am not an artist, so I'm not quite sure how I ever got roped into helping. But I somehow managed to not ruin the wall, and it ended up being a fun afternoon.
The girls are sweeter than I can describe, so I wont try too hard. Trust me that they will let you into their hearts without question and they wont ever let you out!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Yak Yak Yak Yak Yak
Despite all of the advertised "yak cheese" I have still not seen a single yak. I got me wondering if it is all a bunch of, well, yakshit. (please, excuse the bad joke. it was too perfect to pass up!)
I was assured by many people that yaks do exist, but I wasn't convinced. I mean with all the yak cheese they sell here, you'd think they'd have yaks falling out onto the streets! Still, everyone thought my scepticism was ridiculous UNTIL...
I found out that I was right! "Yaks" in true form are very rare in Nepal. Most "yaks" here are actually a mix of yak/cow/buffalo. AND listen to this: "yak cheese" doesn't really exist! Only the male animals are called yaks, so "yak milk" is truly an oxymoron.
I was assured by many people that yaks do exist, but I wasn't convinced. I mean with all the yak cheese they sell here, you'd think they'd have yaks falling out onto the streets! Still, everyone thought my scepticism was ridiculous UNTIL...
I found out that I was right! "Yaks" in true form are very rare in Nepal. Most "yaks" here are actually a mix of yak/cow/buffalo. AND listen to this: "yak cheese" doesn't really exist! Only the male animals are called yaks, so "yak milk" is truly an oxymoron.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Nepali Lifestyle
I've been in Kathmandu for about a week now. I'm really enjoying my time but I must report that I haven't been doing much. Mostly I have been catching up with my email, touring the city, grocery shopping, EATNG, and spending time with other volunteers at the house.
But if you are dying for an update, here is a list of some of the more interesting things I have witnessed since I've been here:
-I walked past two goats on the way to the store. An hour later I walked back and saw only one goat. The other goat, I soon noticed, was on the ground next to it, decapitated and with its gut split open. You might think this would shock me, but its not the first time I've seen a goat head stare up at me from a roadside. In Nepal, meat is bought on the street, usually off of blankets or tables spread with goat and chicken carcasses. It seems a little gross to me, but then so does the idea of packaged meat, frozen and shipped across the country.
-I visited a Buddhist temple. A monk volunteered a brief explanation of the surrounding murals, and even gave me a blessing and put flower petals in my hair. Nice, right? Then he asked for 100 rupees. Not so nice. I think its sad that even religious figures pester tourists for money.
- I rode in a minivan with 29 people. No, that is not an exaggeration. I thought I must have made a mistake the first time so I counted again and there REALLY were 29 people in the car. I ended up hugging an old Nepali woman in my lap for half of the ride.
-I was followed down the street by a poor 7 year old boy begging for money. He was insanely high on glue (something common with street children), and it made me really sad. Stuff like that really brings you back to reality makes you want to help this area. I'm glad that my volunteering might save another young boy from that life.
- On Saturday, three volunteers got tattoos, two died their hair with henna, and one got a nose ring. Don't worry Mom: my body is still permanently un-altered.
But if you are dying for an update, here is a list of some of the more interesting things I have witnessed since I've been here:
-I walked past two goats on the way to the store. An hour later I walked back and saw only one goat. The other goat, I soon noticed, was on the ground next to it, decapitated and with its gut split open. You might think this would shock me, but its not the first time I've seen a goat head stare up at me from a roadside. In Nepal, meat is bought on the street, usually off of blankets or tables spread with goat and chicken carcasses. It seems a little gross to me, but then so does the idea of packaged meat, frozen and shipped across the country.
-I visited a Buddhist temple. A monk volunteered a brief explanation of the surrounding murals, and even gave me a blessing and put flower petals in my hair. Nice, right? Then he asked for 100 rupees. Not so nice. I think its sad that even religious figures pester tourists for money.
- I rode in a minivan with 29 people. No, that is not an exaggeration. I thought I must have made a mistake the first time so I counted again and there REALLY were 29 people in the car. I ended up hugging an old Nepali woman in my lap for half of the ride.
-I was followed down the street by a poor 7 year old boy begging for money. He was insanely high on glue (something common with street children), and it made me really sad. Stuff like that really brings you back to reality makes you want to help this area. I'm glad that my volunteering might save another young boy from that life.
- On Saturday, three volunteers got tattoos, two died their hair with henna, and one got a nose ring. Don't worry Mom: my body is still permanently un-altered.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
PICTURES!
Pictures of trekking are finally up! Check the link to the right and prepare to be amazed by beautiful mountains.
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