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.