Last Day In Nepal

Called my trustworthy Shyam to see if he could be my driver for my last day in Nepal. Arranged a pickup for 9:00 A.M. Got a call from Anne to ask if it was alright if Thomas and her joined me for the day, I said most definitely it was great to have the company. We went to the Monkey Temple and the Royal Palace. It was a fantastic last day. When I got back to the Passage House the roomies and I went to the Lakuri Café for a late lunch.

Finished my packing, and waited for my ride to take me to the airport. Got dropped off at the airport and had two hours left before my flight left. Since I had some rupees left I checked out the shops to get a few last things that I really didn’t need but didn’t see any benefit in taking the rupees home with me.

Namaste to an amazing country, I will not forget the time that I have spent in Nepal.

Monkey Temple Pictures

 

Last day at the office

Went into the office with Babina for my final meeting with Uddhav. There were board members, chairperson, farmers I think in total around 11 or 12. They weren’t really all there for me they already had a meeting planned and my good bye fit into the plan just perfectly. They had some delicious sweet tea with some biscuits. I brought some goodies from the European Bakery as well as a bag of Werthers candies.

They had a few speeches, and someone apologized for the office conditions and that it was not up to par as to what I was used to. To that I said no apology necessary, I felt bad that they even felt they had to apologize. After their speeches were done they wanted me to take the floor. I told them how appreciative I was for the opportunity I had of being able to work with them, and that this experience would not be soon forgotten. I know as time goes by I will reflect more and  more about my time in Nepal. As we were driving to Chapagaon it was quite sad as I knew I wouldn’t be driving down this road again. A lot of the time when I was driven into  work I would have a nap. I wasn’t going to do that this time I wanted to make sure that I took everything in. After all the speeches were done I was given a tikka and a ceremonial scarf called a khata and a beautiful smelling garland made of marigolds and it smelled deliciously sweet. I also received a beautiful Buddha statue. It was an amazing experience they were all honoring me, talk about being the centre of attention. I am so blessed that I had this opportunity I can’t say that enough.

It was very emotional leaving the office today, knowing that I will probably never be back ...  never say never. I enjoyed working with Uddhav and Chandra, they were so eager to learn and appreciated anything that I was able to help them with.

Namaste

Good bye ceremony

Happy Birthday to me

Went into the office with Chandra today he has helped a lot with the translating since my Nepali is pretty much next to nothing other than namaste, Tonight a taxi driver was  teaching us to say right. Could come in handy as long as you only have to turn right. Today was my last day of work and tomorrow Babina will be taking me into the office for my end of mandate meeting. The first two weeks I was alone at the office and this week the two long term volunteers from Halifax have been there. Nice to be able to have a conversation with somebody. This afternoon Uddhav took us for a little walk around Chapagaon. We went to a little forested area with a temple it was a nice leisurely walk.Nice to get out of the office for a bit. Had a meeting with Uddhav and Chandra going over the database I had created for them. It is very basic but it will give them something to work with and develop as needed. Chandra was like a sponge and was very keen to learn. He was great to work with.

I spent my birthday evening with a bunch of strangers. There are some aussie university students that invited us to their party. Was nice to get out for the evening … where should I spend my birthday next year?

 

I had to get to the party by myself since my roomies were going straight from work. I called my trustworthy Shyam to take me since I knew he would not leave me stranded. Getting anywhere in Kathmandu is very interesting to say the least since there are no street names. These are the directions I got to get to their place.

“OK so tell the cab driver to go to Roadhouse cafe in Jhamsikhel, near St Mary's School. From Roadhouse Cafe, if you're facing the cafe, turn right and walk about 50 m. You'll hit a yellow sign for Dan Ran Japanese restaurant. Turn left into that lane and we're the first blue gate on your right.

Alternatively, if the cab driver doesn't know where Roadhouse cafe is, tell him go up Pulchowk Road (you'll pass the Himalayan Hotel on your left). Then turn right at the big Suzuki sign, at the overpass bridge and with Namaste Supermarket on your left. Go down that lane and turn left where the Kantipur Radio building is. Don't go uphill into the radio building, just keep going straight and we're the blue gate on your left. You'll see a terrace with prayer flags.

Made it there thanks to Shyam, worth the 500 rupees I paid him.

Namaste

A stroll through Chapagaon

Bugs

Just yesterday I was mentioning that I had not seen any bugs while I was here, should not have tempted fate. Last night I saw this huge bug on the way up to the roof top balcony. It was a hard shelled beetle of sorts, I told him I came in peace and he let me pass. Then this morning I had the pleasure of having my breakfast with a gecko. Ok, now I have seen bugs please do not show yourselves again.

 

Namaste

Reflection

As my time in Nepal comes to a close I have mixed feelings. It wasn’t always easy being here, but I have no regrets. I am so thankful for the opportunity I was given to come participate in the Leave for Change program. Things are so different here than they are in Canada I see the construction workers working on widening the road, this is done manually there isn’t machinery around. . For me everything they do seems to take so much more effort. I saw young children begging for food, broke my heart not something you want to see. One day I saw this little boy playing with a clipboard and a hackey sack. He was sitting on a ledge by the sidewalk with his mom and siblings and having fun playing with his brother. I saw two boys playing badminton and using a sign as there net, got to be creative. There really isn’t anywhere for the children to play. Saw a few soccer fields but those are few and far between.  I have seen pollution and poverty like I have never witnessed before. Seeing all the stray dogs is something I will not forget. When I was in Pokhara one of the dogs came up to me and just looked me in the eye as if to say please give me something to eat. I was watching a family washing their clothes and having a bath in the lake. The reality is you can’t imagine what it is like unless you have witnessed it for yourself. The Nepali people are happy people and always quick to smile. They do not need my pity and I don’t want to feel sorry for them. This is their life who am I to say mine is any better just because I have more money and the luxuries that affords me. I don’t want to feel guilty for what I have either but do feel that it is so off balance between the two worlds.

Namaste

Mt. Everest Flight

 

Another early morning to catch the flight to fly over Mt. Everest. Once again the weather cooperated. I was sitting by a wing and my pics weren't great. Went to the cockpit and the pilot took this for me. Even though I don't have many pictures the view will be forever ingrained in my memory. There was the guy on the flight that was a little bit perturbed that we were not flying any closer to Mt. Everest. Not sure what he wanted to fly right into the mountain. That isn't what I signed up for

Painting Nepal Style .. does this meet any safety requirements?

Weekend in Pokhara

Got picked up  on Saturday at 7:00 A.M. by Shyam for my 8:30 flight to Pokhara. Thanks to Shyam I got to the airport safe and sound. He walked me right to where departures were to make sure I knew where I was going. The flight was only around 30 minutes, just get up then you start to descend. Followed the crowd and found the shuttle driver that took me to the hotel. Checked in and went to my room, real nice and it has air conditioning I am going to sleep good tonight.  Had a late breakfast and  waited for the driver to take me on my city tour. Went to the International Museum, Devis Falls and  the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave. Not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to go in a cave since I don’t like caves. Walked down about 40 metres, ok I think I will be alright then had to duck down to go into a cave, not feeling great about this now. People were not moving in front of me and more people were behind me. I had to get out of there and went back up. Only cost 100 rp or $1.00 cdn. Wouldn’t have mattered if it cost more I was getting out regardless. Then I went to a  Tibetan Refugee Camp which by the name I thought it was going to be a Tibetan Refugee  Camp, it was a showroom for carpets made by Tiibetans. That was a bit of a disappointment. Then went to the Peace Stupa absolutely lovely. It was an 1800 metre elevation gain and worth every step. After walking around the Stupa I sat down and took in all the beauty around me. The driver dropped me off in the touristy area and  I had a bite to eat and did some people watching one of my favourite past times. Then I went shopping, had a great time doing that. The last shuttle for the hotel was at 8:00, walked around until then and went back to the hotel. Had a fabulous day.  Gave some of the Canadian souvenirs to some local kids. I took some pics I will post them for all to see.

 Got up at 4:30 A.M. had a 35 minute drive to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Annapurna mountains. It was beautiful and their were no clouds it was amazing to see the reflections of the sun on the peaks through the different stages of the sunrise. Well worth the early morning. I spent a few hours downtown just walking around. Didn’t want to go any restaurant just wanted a bench to sit down and take it all in. There aren’t any benches to speak of, no surprise they want you to keep on walking and looking in their shops. I sat down a few times on someone’s stoop and almost immediately someone set shop up beside me selling their wares. They just carry whatever they are selling in a backpack and when they see a willing victim spread everything out with the hopes that you will buy something.  I bought some spices and am excited to try them out. Done with the souvenir shopping … famous last words.

Namaste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dogs

Went out for supper at the Roadhouse Café, I had hummus no Nepali food for me. Wasn’t all that hungry anyways just wanted something light. I can’t get used to walking at night without any street lights. I always have my trusty head lamp, but am still afraid I am going to trip or twist my ankle since the roads are a little rough here. Just as we were near home there is a lot of garbage and with that a lot of dogs, like a pack of dogs is more like it, and if that wasn’t enough add in a few cows. It was feeding time for everybody. The dogs don’t bother with you at all, thank goodness for that, since there is no way I am touching any of them.

 

Speaking of the dogs there are more than 20,000 stray dogs that live on the streets of Kathmandu. There is an organization Kathmandu Animal Treatment that will rescue the dogs and treat as needed and then release them back into  the streets. Even though I have seen many dogs while I  have been here, the fact that there were so many out last night rummaging through garbage just broke my heart.

 

Namaste

Late afternoon rain

The Oh So Not Smart Phone

The CECI staff gives us these phones so that they are able to contact us. I have to admit I prefer my Samsung. Texting on it is very painful.

September 18 I think that is what day it is, not totally sure

Went out for supper with Anne and Tom last night delish once again. Not sure what I had but It was good just the same. After supper Tom took me for a leisurely motorcycle ride back to the Passage House. Thank goodness it wasn’t rush hour I was scared but I loved it. Thought there is no way I can pass up on this opportunity.

 I haven't been feeling very good for the last few days, I attributed it to the heat. I have been drinking copious amounts of water and adding electrolytes to it as well. I called the international clinic this morning to see if they thought I could do something else. I spoke with the doctor and he said that he didn’t think it was heat exhaustion (damn web MD) just my body not used to the extreme heat. Two factors against me, my ripe old age and the fact that I am diabetic. He told me to continue to drink a lot of water but not add the electrolytes to all my water. Oops that is what I was doing, so today I will cut down on my electrolyte consumption.

 Going to Pokhara for the weekend, some of the past volunteers have gone and loved it. I plan on doing a leisurely hike and hire someone to take me on a boat ride, and I might be able to fit in some shopping. I was talking to one of my roomies about my plans and the hike and she said how long a hike are you planning on going on, she was thinking it would be a four or five day hike. I am thinking more on the lines of a four hour hike. More my speed. Besides I am only there for the weekend.

The other day I didn’t feel like going out to eat and since I had a few groceries thought I would make myself something to eat. I had some paneer cheese that I needed to heat up, so I grabbed a frying pan from the cupboard and noticed that there were ants all over it. I know I have mentioned that I am finding it difficult to get protein in my diet, wasn’t really looking to get it that way. What does one do in a situation like this. First, boil some water and then clean the pan and proceed to make your supper. I had some green beans on the side it was quite good if I do say so myself. It wasn’t like I did anything it came from a package … easy peasy.

 Namaste

Adventure Sports in Kathmandu

 

From now on I will be known as MM aka Motorcyle Mama

Garden of Dreams Thamel