After my flight the rest of my day was really quite quiet. I've got talking to a woman called bronte from Melbourne Australia who just took a package from her job at a library and decided to take off indefinitely. It' amazing how many people just travel on their own. We chatted most of the morning, and in the afternoon I just had a wander around the town, had coffee in one of the tea rooms and read for an hour. In the evening Bronte and I went for a pizza at Fire and Ice so it was my turn to introduce this place to someone new.
It's staggering where the time goes when you're just chatting and I've even watched a few films since I've been here.
Today I've booked to go to a small village called Bandhipur which is half way to Pokhara - downside is that it's a 3 and half hour journey on the tourist bus. I'm going to stay for 2 nights to take in the sights of this Newari village which apparently still maintain it' original authentic look. I don't know if there'll be internet access so if you don't hear from me until Wednesday - don't worry.
Sorry I've not got much to say in this blog but will try and make up for it in my next one.
thanks Yas for all your comments on my photos and blogs. I feel quite the little author these days.
Ceri tell Dave to send me an email - I haven't heard from him for weeks. i tried sending an email yesterday to you both but AOL just wouldn't send them.
Hope all is well with everyone. Jeanette - send me an email and I'll try and keep in touch better.
Love to all. Sue. xxxxxxxx
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Real Mountain Flight
5am and early morning call as I booked with Buddha air, to go the 6.30 mountain flight to Everest - 166 @ and we'll see if it's worth it (oh and 170 rupees departure tax - what's that about - I'm not even leaving the country only the ground!)
Interesting sights on the way to the airport - loads of stray dogs enjoying an early morning bonk, cows having a nap in the middle of the road, joggers (including women joggers dressing in saris - at first I thought they were just in a hurry) women sweeping the roads with 'witches' broomsticks.
Check in time was an hour before the flight but the domestic flights doors don't even open until 6am - I guess it's just the Nepali way!!
Then we had to wait to see if the flight would go as if the weather is bad then - no flight and it is the monsoon season after all..
Right ! - so we get on a bus to take us to the plane and the pilot and the crew get on the bus with us. Arrive at the plane and the pilot carries out his own check of the plane - wings etc. I'm thinking - this could be an interesting flight!!.
Off we go climbing above the clouds and start to approach the mountain range. There are only 20 seats on the plane so everyone has a window seat and we all get to visit the cockpit (I got to go twice!) The views from above the clouds were good but a little disappointing because of the clouds and you know there is so much more underneath (like an iceberg really). And we only flew past the range and did a u-turn and back so he couldn't get too close in these conditions. I'm glad I did it though.
When we got back to the airport there were a couple from the states with a video camera(what a surprise)who said they were going to ask for a refund. I and a few others tagged along as although I enjoyed it - it was expensive. I was not interested so much in a refund but wanted a free DVD as a record of what we would have seen in better conditions and which they were charging 25$ for. As the others wanted a refund and I only wanted a dvd - I left the others and went upstairs to the office. After - 'I don't have the authority to give refunds' , then they had to contact the pilot who was off on the next flight, then they tried to contact the MD of Buddha air who was on vacation - 1 and half hours later I get my DVD - RESULT! I don't know if the others got their refund (Isuspect not) and if they did they're probably still at the airport filling in forms and waiting for them to be authorised. I'm happy though and I have some photos and I knew before I went that the views wouldn't be like the ones you get in the winter season.
Over and out for now
Love Sue xxxx
Interesting sights on the way to the airport - loads of stray dogs enjoying an early morning bonk, cows having a nap in the middle of the road, joggers (including women joggers dressing in saris - at first I thought they were just in a hurry) women sweeping the roads with 'witches' broomsticks.
Check in time was an hour before the flight but the domestic flights doors don't even open until 6am - I guess it's just the Nepali way!!
Then we had to wait to see if the flight would go as if the weather is bad then - no flight and it is the monsoon season after all..
Right ! - so we get on a bus to take us to the plane and the pilot and the crew get on the bus with us. Arrive at the plane and the pilot carries out his own check of the plane - wings etc. I'm thinking - this could be an interesting flight!!.
Off we go climbing above the clouds and start to approach the mountain range. There are only 20 seats on the plane so everyone has a window seat and we all get to visit the cockpit (I got to go twice!) The views from above the clouds were good but a little disappointing because of the clouds and you know there is so much more underneath (like an iceberg really). And we only flew past the range and did a u-turn and back so he couldn't get too close in these conditions. I'm glad I did it though.
When we got back to the airport there were a couple from the states with a video camera(what a surprise)who said they were going to ask for a refund. I and a few others tagged along as although I enjoyed it - it was expensive. I was not interested so much in a refund but wanted a free DVD as a record of what we would have seen in better conditions and which they were charging 25$ for. As the others wanted a refund and I only wanted a dvd - I left the others and went upstairs to the office. After - 'I don't have the authority to give refunds' , then they had to contact the pilot who was off on the next flight, then they tried to contact the MD of Buddha air who was on vacation - 1 and half hours later I get my DVD - RESULT! I don't know if the others got their refund (Isuspect not) and if they did they're probably still at the airport filling in forms and waiting for them to be authorised. I'm happy though and I have some photos and I knew before I went that the views wouldn't be like the ones you get in the winter season.
Over and out for now
Love Sue xxxx
Thursday, 17 July 2008
what can i say now!
Went to a lovely italian restaurant called fire and ice, with Elaine last night which was nice to have company while eating!. She told me that in 2001 the roya family here were all murdered by the prince because the queen didn't approve of his girlfriend and was told to 'dump' her. The 2 of them apparently used to go to this restaurant in secret and occupy the table in the corner opposite us.
Elaine and I shared a huge salad and vegetarian lasagne which tasted divine - best meal i've had since I arrived.
Forgot to mention yesterday the on my visit to one of the Patan temples, as I entered the courtyard there was a huge rat in the gully that surrounded the shrine. Then as I walked back to the main square I saw several dead rats on the road - YUK.
Sorry this is short but I'm so ahead of myself today. I'd better get out there so that I have some more stories to tell.
Thanks again for all your comments and on the photos too.
Thanks to Karen for putting the Montage together - it took a while to load but we got there in the end. I didn't have sound on the pc but ceri told me it was done to the tune of Bon Jovi so I hummed along
Love from Sue.xx
Elaine and I shared a huge salad and vegetarian lasagne which tasted divine - best meal i've had since I arrived.
Forgot to mention yesterday the on my visit to one of the Patan temples, as I entered the courtyard there was a huge rat in the gully that surrounded the shrine. Then as I walked back to the main square I saw several dead rats on the road - YUK.
Sorry this is short but I'm so ahead of myself today. I'd better get out there so that I have some more stories to tell.
Thanks again for all your comments and on the photos too.
Thanks to Karen for putting the Montage together - it took a while to load but we got there in the end. I didn't have sound on the pc but ceri told me it was done to the tune of Bon Jovi so I hummed along
Love from Sue.xx
Thursday 17th - now I'm up to date
What is it with people in Nepal? - Was woken at 6 by someones TV and chanting!! - does no sleep here??
Had eggs and toast for breakfast which was enough to feed the 5000. I got chatting to a woman called Elaine who's from Mill Valley San Francisco(near Tiburon) - small world hey Karen.
I then took a taxi to Durbar square in Patan on the outskirts of the city. It's got loads of temples and the streets are hundreds of years old. Everyone wants to be my guide (at a cost of course) but I insisted on 'going it alone' and I enjoyed the leisurely stroll through the old parts of the city. There were some amazing buildings there which you had to really search to find.
Apparently Patan is the home of many famous artists and I stopped at an artist called andy's shop and made an impulse buy of an oil painting of the Annapurna range. God knows how I'm going to carry this with me as it's not a small painting. But he was a very nice person and I'll load the photo next time I'm online.
Got a taxi back and the traffic was horrendous as there has been a petrol shortage for weeks and the queues for petrol stretch for miles. The queues cause massive congestion on the roads as the people just park their cars and motor bikes overnight just waiting for the delivery of petrol to arrive.
Well that's my day so far and I'm finally up to date.
i may go and visit a small village which is on the way to Pokhara and stay one night or I may just chill here for a few days - go learn meditation or have a massage - we'll see !!
Keep reading. Love Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Had eggs and toast for breakfast which was enough to feed the 5000. I got chatting to a woman called Elaine who's from Mill Valley San Francisco(near Tiburon) - small world hey Karen.
I then took a taxi to Durbar square in Patan on the outskirts of the city. It's got loads of temples and the streets are hundreds of years old. Everyone wants to be my guide (at a cost of course) but I insisted on 'going it alone' and I enjoyed the leisurely stroll through the old parts of the city. There were some amazing buildings there which you had to really search to find.
Apparently Patan is the home of many famous artists and I stopped at an artist called andy's shop and made an impulse buy of an oil painting of the Annapurna range. God knows how I'm going to carry this with me as it's not a small painting. But he was a very nice person and I'll load the photo next time I'm online.
Got a taxi back and the traffic was horrendous as there has been a petrol shortage for weeks and the queues for petrol stretch for miles. The queues cause massive congestion on the roads as the people just park their cars and motor bikes overnight just waiting for the delivery of petrol to arrive.
Well that's my day so far and I'm finally up to date.
i may go and visit a small village which is on the way to Pokhara and stay one night or I may just chill here for a few days - go learn meditation or have a massage - we'll see !!
Keep reading. Love Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday 16th - still catching up
Had a good sleep last night - still awake early but at least I don't have to rush anywhere. Have taken all my washing to the laundrette but it's still seems to be taking ages to bring my blog up to date - I'll have to stop doing things.
Today I took a 5 minute stroll outside of the Thamel districe to the 'Garden of Dreams' It's hard to believe that this oasis of beauty and tranquility exists so close to the hustle and bustle of Thamel. I spent 3 hours just wandering round the gardens, sat and read by the lily pond full of huge fish and then had a spot of lunch in the Pavilion restaurant which overlooked the gardens. i ordered a meditteranean salad which was aubergines, mushrooms and peppers fried in olive oil and garlic and served on a bed of spinach - it was 'mito chaa' - very tasty. It was also served with petit pain and garlic breadsticks - yummy!
Back to the chaos of Thamel where I collected my laundry, did some shopping, was hassled as usual by the rickshaw drivers and the street sellers and children who beg for food and money.
Had dinner at the guest house and was thinking how strange it was to be 'on my own' when I was joined by a man named Ian who had been travelling through India for 6 months and is now in Nepal for as long as he can stay. He was pleasant to chat to and it made the evening a little more interesting.
Over and out for today.
Sue.xxx
Today I took a 5 minute stroll outside of the Thamel districe to the 'Garden of Dreams' It's hard to believe that this oasis of beauty and tranquility exists so close to the hustle and bustle of Thamel. I spent 3 hours just wandering round the gardens, sat and read by the lily pond full of huge fish and then had a spot of lunch in the Pavilion restaurant which overlooked the gardens. i ordered a meditteranean salad which was aubergines, mushrooms and peppers fried in olive oil and garlic and served on a bed of spinach - it was 'mito chaa' - very tasty. It was also served with petit pain and garlic breadsticks - yummy!
Back to the chaos of Thamel where I collected my laundry, did some shopping, was hassled as usual by the rickshaw drivers and the street sellers and children who beg for food and money.
Had dinner at the guest house and was thinking how strange it was to be 'on my own' when I was joined by a man named Ian who had been travelling through India for 6 months and is now in Nepal for as long as he can stay. He was pleasant to chat to and it made the evening a little more interesting.
Over and out for today.
Sue.xxx
Tuesday 15th - Me Time
Was going to leave the 'Happy home' at 10am when they take the volunteers into the office but their car had no petrol and so Mike from Limerick (lovely young lad) offered to walk to the main road with my rucksack and we caught a taxi into Thamel. Have now checked into the guest house and have spend today bringing nmy blog up to date - I hadn't realised I'd done so much or had so much to say as it's 3 days later that I'm writing this blog.
Have had a hot shower and washed my hair, watched TV and just wandered round the masses of tourist shops buying comfort food and drinks. It's so nice jsut to relax and have some 'Me time'
I managed to speak to our mam but couldn't get hold of Ceri - just her ansaphone - the time difference here makes it difficult
Short blog today - as you can tell - I'm slowing down with the typing
Love you. Sue. xx
Have had a hot shower and washed my hair, watched TV and just wandered round the masses of tourist shops buying comfort food and drinks. It's so nice jsut to relax and have some 'Me time'
I managed to speak to our mam but couldn't get hold of Ceri - just her ansaphone - the time difference here makes it difficult
Short blog today - as you can tell - I'm slowing down with the typing
Love you. Sue. xx
Monday 14th - Chitwan to Kathmandu - long day
Up at 5.30, showered, packed so that I could go on the visit to the elephant breeding centre at 6.30 before having to catch the 9.30 tourist bus to Kathmandu.
Elephant visit was only about half an hour and then they took us on an unexpected walk through the jungle. Had I known I'd have dressed for the occassion. It was a hot sunny morning and I was wearing track bottoms and a long sleeved white t-shirt. We walked aimlessly through loss grass and soggy mud (from the rains)- I think he was trying to find a rhino but by the time we got back I was hot and sweaty and irritable because we were late and no time for a shower again as I has to rush for the bus. My sandals were wet and muddy, my trousers had those bits of grass seed stuck to them and I was lucky not to have picked up any leeches. i did restrain myself and didn't swear at the guide.
The bus ride was long and we stopped a couple of times to wait half an hour for no apparent reason and after 5 hours we arrived in Kathmandu.
Back at the 'Happy home' amd Daal/Baht for tea, but had a glass of wine with Asim and his wife Namrada to wash it down which was really nice. Chatted to them for a while and I think his company 'Info Nepal' is doing quite nicely - thank you.
Early to bed as it's been such a long day but am looking forward to ,my stay in the Kathmandu Guest house in the centre of Thamel (tourist district of Kathmandu). Apparently it's where the Beatles wrote a few of their songs (or have I told you that before - I'm getting old!!)
Elephant visit was only about half an hour and then they took us on an unexpected walk through the jungle. Had I known I'd have dressed for the occassion. It was a hot sunny morning and I was wearing track bottoms and a long sleeved white t-shirt. We walked aimlessly through loss grass and soggy mud (from the rains)- I think he was trying to find a rhino but by the time we got back I was hot and sweaty and irritable because we were late and no time for a shower again as I has to rush for the bus. My sandals were wet and muddy, my trousers had those bits of grass seed stuck to them and I was lucky not to have picked up any leeches. i did restrain myself and didn't swear at the guide.
The bus ride was long and we stopped a couple of times to wait half an hour for no apparent reason and after 5 hours we arrived in Kathmandu.
Back at the 'Happy home' amd Daal/Baht for tea, but had a glass of wine with Asim and his wife Namrada to wash it down which was really nice. Chatted to them for a while and I think his company 'Info Nepal' is doing quite nicely - thank you.
Early to bed as it's been such a long day but am looking forward to ,my stay in the Kathmandu Guest house in the centre of Thamel (tourist district of Kathmandu). Apparently it's where the Beatles wrote a few of their songs (or have I told you that before - I'm getting old!!)
Sunday 13th - Elephant Safari and Bath
5.30 start again for elephant safari through the jungle. At least it stopped raining long enough to 'enjoy' the ride. The elephant (called Moti) trampled through the jungle and we got a little wet from the overhanging trees as they brushed over us. Marianna and I were more concerned about the spiders webs, bugs and leeches that may drop on us rather than the wet. We saw a few wild boar and a rhino with her baby which was nice and then as we got back the heavens opened again. On the way back to the hotel, the van blew a tyre so more delay and Marianna needed to get back to catch the bus back to Kathmandu at 9.30. All ended well, we got back in time for her to have a quick shower, breakfast and then 'goodbyes'.
Sat on the veranda and just wrote my journal and enjoyed the view while listening to the pouring rain, there's something quite tranquil and soothing about it all. There is a spot in the middle of the garden with chairs and a hammock where you can watch the wildlife that visit the river. The 'male' staff come and chat and the conversation always leads to 'are you married?' and how they'd like to visit the UK or have friends that have married English girls.
The meals they give you here are huge and so wasted on me- Yas you'd do fine!!
After lunch the Saraha (owner of the lodge) picked a mango from the tree for me - it was gorgeous.
the mosquitos here are vicious little buggers and they've had a right old go at me.
Sat on the veranda and just wrote my journal and enjoyed the view while listening to the pouring rain, there's something quite tranquil and soothing about it all. There is a spot in the middle of the garden with chairs and a hammock where you can watch the wildlife that visit the river. The 'male' staff come and chat and the conversation always leads to 'are you married?' and how they'd like to visit the UK or have friends that have married English girls.
The meals they give you here are huge and so wasted on me- Yas you'd do fine!!
After lunch the Saraha (owner of the lodge) picked a mango from the tree for me - it was gorgeous.
the mosquitos here are vicious little buggers and they've had a right old go at me.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Saturday 12th - Nepali transport
Up at 6am to be ready to catch the 7.30 'local' bus to Chitwan. Usually we catch the tourist bus but as there were not enough tourists (monsoon season) the local bus was the only option. It took 6 hours instead of 3 and half as we stopped to pick up and drop off the locals all the way to Chitwan.
Today you can see the bruises on my back and arms that I acquired from yesterday's fight down the mountain.
On arrival we were unexpectedly given lunch of vegetabe soup and cheese spaghetti then taken to see the local museum and a walk round the village. However this is the first time the monsoon season has really affected my day - it poured and poured with rain and my waterproof jacket kept the top of me dry but my trousers absorbed so much water it went into my boots and crept all the way up to my knickers. There was no where in the lodge to dry clothers and as it rained the rest of the day and night it was all still wet the next morning.
In the evening Marianna and I met up with 2 girls called Annie and Nil who are working in the orphanage in Chitwan. I had a large rum and coke and we chatted all evening - it was a really good time. More tomorrow!
Love Sue xxx
Today you can see the bruises on my back and arms that I acquired from yesterday's fight down the mountain.
On arrival we were unexpectedly given lunch of vegetabe soup and cheese spaghetti then taken to see the local museum and a walk round the village. However this is the first time the monsoon season has really affected my day - it poured and poured with rain and my waterproof jacket kept the top of me dry but my trousers absorbed so much water it went into my boots and crept all the way up to my knickers. There was no where in the lodge to dry clothers and as it rained the rest of the day and night it was all still wet the next morning.
In the evening Marianna and I met up with 2 girls called Annie and Nil who are working in the orphanage in Chitwan. I had a large rum and coke and we chatted all evening - it was a really good time. More tomorrow!
Love Sue xxx
Friday 11th - OH MY GOD !!
left Laxman's house at 7.30 to walk the 3 kilometres for the 9am bus down the mountain. keso (Bless him) caried my rucksack and the walk to the top was not as bad as I had expected - I must be getting fit.
befoe we left Laxman (my brother - didiby) and his wife Sita (my friend - Sati) sat Marianna and me down and painted a tikka (red dot) on our forehead and put a garland of red and white flowers around our necks. the children gave us posies of flowers and prceeded to add more red paint to our faces. I ooked ike a red indian by the end.
Anyway - on the way to the bus the clouds cleared enough to see a good proportion of the mountain ranges - a spectacular sight. I've taken photos but I know they won't portrait the magnificence of these peaks.
Bus arrived and it was nearly full before the crowd who were waiting with us got on. luckily (or not) the 4 of us (Keso and Niamh came with us)got the back seat and we squeezed our rucksacks in and off we went for the mountain flight down. Well now I know why Laxman always says 'Oh My God!'. I thought the ride up was bad but this was just like a flight with really bad turbuence or going over a building site at a vertical angle. The back door was open so we had to hold on to our rucksacks for grim death. I was in the back corner and had my feet on top of them so every time we went over a majorbump I was ifted off the seat. There were bars around the windows so I am now back and blue from being squashed and bumped against them. The trip is only about 13 kms but it took 2 hurs and the locals just stared at these red faced indians in the back who were laughing their heads off at the roller coaster ride down.
Niamh is staying another 2 weeks with the familybut came down with us just to spend one night of luxury in a soft hotel bed and have a hot shower.
I enjoyed my stay in the mountains, despite all the mosquito bites and I know I wil never forget their genuine heatfelt kindness.
Back now in Pokhara for one night and then on to Chitwan - the jungle.
xx
befoe we left Laxman (my brother - didiby) and his wife Sita (my friend - Sati) sat Marianna and me down and painted a tikka (red dot) on our forehead and put a garland of red and white flowers around our necks. the children gave us posies of flowers and prceeded to add more red paint to our faces. I ooked ike a red indian by the end.
Anyway - on the way to the bus the clouds cleared enough to see a good proportion of the mountain ranges - a spectacular sight. I've taken photos but I know they won't portrait the magnificence of these peaks.
Bus arrived and it was nearly full before the crowd who were waiting with us got on. luckily (or not) the 4 of us (Keso and Niamh came with us)got the back seat and we squeezed our rucksacks in and off we went for the mountain flight down. Well now I know why Laxman always says 'Oh My God!'. I thought the ride up was bad but this was just like a flight with really bad turbuence or going over a building site at a vertical angle. The back door was open so we had to hold on to our rucksacks for grim death. I was in the back corner and had my feet on top of them so every time we went over a majorbump I was ifted off the seat. There were bars around the windows so I am now back and blue from being squashed and bumped against them. The trip is only about 13 kms but it took 2 hurs and the locals just stared at these red faced indians in the back who were laughing their heads off at the roller coaster ride down.
Niamh is staying another 2 weeks with the familybut came down with us just to spend one night of luxury in a soft hotel bed and have a hot shower.
I enjoyed my stay in the mountains, despite all the mosquito bites and I know I wil never forget their genuine heatfelt kindness.
Back now in Pokhara for one night and then on to Chitwan - the jungle.
xx
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Thursday 10th - Celebrations
Final day teaching - such a short stay on this project which is sad. We made paper planes with the children and then flew them on the top of the mountain outside the school, then we sang songs and played games before doing the final 'hokey cokey'. Spent the rest of the morning walking down and up the mountain and chatting with Sita (using the phrase book a lot) over tea and biscuits.
My time here has flown and I liked to have stayed with family longer and experienced farm life - hands on. Maybe if I'd stayed longer then I may have seen a clear day when you see the whole of the Annapurna range plus other mountain ranges.
Sita made us Rotis for lunch and I've got really used to the Daal/Bht (lentil soup and rice) for beakfast and dinner. Sita always adds fried potatoes and vegetables which are fresh so it's so different to the Daal/Baht in Kathmandu.
My final shower outdoors and last Grad 2 class - we made masks and had fun.
Back to the house and my brother (didby) Laxman had killed one of the chickens for our last meal with them. Their daughter Srijana was also home from college for the weekend so it was nice to meet her before we left.
Glad you're enjoying my blogs - I hope they're not getting too repetitive as I sometimes forget what I've written.
Love you. Sue xxxxxxxxxx
My time here has flown and I liked to have stayed with family longer and experienced farm life - hands on. Maybe if I'd stayed longer then I may have seen a clear day when you see the whole of the Annapurna range plus other mountain ranges.
Sita made us Rotis for lunch and I've got really used to the Daal/Bht (lentil soup and rice) for beakfast and dinner. Sita always adds fried potatoes and vegetables which are fresh so it's so different to the Daal/Baht in Kathmandu.
My final shower outdoors and last Grad 2 class - we made masks and had fun.
Back to the house and my brother (didby) Laxman had killed one of the chickens for our last meal with them. Their daughter Srijana was also home from college for the weekend so it was nice to meet her before we left.
Glad you're enjoying my blogs - I hope they're not getting too repetitive as I sometimes forget what I've written.
Love you. Sue xxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday 9th - Lazy day
School was good today - we did Astonomy with the older children and Niamh/Marianna had done a quiz on the planets and a crossword plus a trailfinder, then the kids dre and coloured all the planets which we hung ove the blackboard. I wrote out the story of the 3 little pigs for the younger group and taught them to read it. I left words out of the story so that we could check that they understood the story.
The rest of the day was just lazy. I've been watching the pregnant buffalo as she's due any day now - I do hope she gives birth before we go.
The rest of the day was just lazy. I've been watching the pregnant buffalo as she's due any day now - I do hope she gives birth before we go.
Tuesday 8th - Routine day
Am now really in the swing of a 6am rise for walk up the mountain to the library for the 7am class and then back for breakfast at 9.30. The rest of the day is then ours to relax or walk until the evening class at 5pm. Grup 1 (ages 6 - 11) in the morning and Group 2 (ages 12 - 15) in the evening.
Today Sita (Laxman's wife) had a really bad back so I've given her my back support and some strong painkillers. Up to now I've always managed to play the old frail woman and someone always offers to carry my rucksack for me so I thought Sita's need for the support was greater than mine. The family's generosity to us is beyond belief and money is always short but they are genuingly kind people. They received a parcel from Australia containing some books and stuff from a previous volunteer. There were 2 tiny bars of chocolate in the parcel and there are more than 10 family members but they gave one bar to share between me Marianna and Niamh.
Had a shower and washed my hair today which was so refreshing as it's been a really hot day. It's surprising how easily you get used to cold water.
Today Sita (Laxman's wife) had a really bad back so I've given her my back support and some strong painkillers. Up to now I've always managed to play the old frail woman and someone always offers to carry my rucksack for me so I thought Sita's need for the support was greater than mine. The family's generosity to us is beyond belief and money is always short but they are genuingly kind people. They received a parcel from Australia containing some books and stuff from a previous volunteer. There were 2 tiny bars of chocolate in the parcel and there are more than 10 family members but they gave one bar to share between me Marianna and Niamh.
Had a shower and washed my hair today which was so refreshing as it's been a really hot day. It's surprising how easily you get used to cold water.
Monday 7th - My Birthday
Hadn't even thought about my birthday and certainly hadn't told anyone in the village as I didn't want any fuss. We were at school again by 7am and got the children drawing fruit to make a fruit basket for the wall of the library. the time with them just flew.
back to the house for breakfast - usual daal/baht and then off to the spring to wash our clothes as i'm in desperate need of clean knickers. The spring/shower is in the nicest spot that I've washed my clothes - the water flows out of a pipe in the side of the mountain which overlooks the valley below.
When we got back home - I was sat on my 'veranda' when Niamh and Marianna came along singing 'Happy birthday'. They brought chocolate cookies, crisps and sweets and gave me a birthday card which they made and then we played cards and drank coke - it really was a nice surprise. By the way - thanks so much for all your birthday wishes too.
Laxman's wife - Sita came back from the fields carrying masses of corn leaves for the buffalo - t's staggering what the women of Nepal can carry and I wish I'd had my camera handy - they certainly work harder than the men. As soon as she arrived home, she started cooking lunch whch was a real treat - it was fried eggs (straight from the chickens) plus milk tea (milk from the buffalo) so it was my birthday all over again.
I helped Sita in the kitchen a little and she calls me 'Sati' which means 'friend'. Laxman calls me his sister and says I'm now part of his family so I call him 'Didiby' which means - younger brother. In the evening Keso, one of the neighbours, and Laxman brought out some Rakshi (Mongoian brewed fire water)for us to drink. We sang Beatles and Mariah Carey songs and laughed - there was a power cut so we did all this by lantern and torch light. the torch Damian gave me has certainly been used in every country I've been to so far.
We had chicken, rice and daal for tea and then the rains came in buckets so off to bed. It certainly was a lovely way to spend my birthday and one I'll remember for a long time
xx
back to the house for breakfast - usual daal/baht and then off to the spring to wash our clothes as i'm in desperate need of clean knickers. The spring/shower is in the nicest spot that I've washed my clothes - the water flows out of a pipe in the side of the mountain which overlooks the valley below.
When we got back home - I was sat on my 'veranda' when Niamh and Marianna came along singing 'Happy birthday'. They brought chocolate cookies, crisps and sweets and gave me a birthday card which they made and then we played cards and drank coke - it really was a nice surprise. By the way - thanks so much for all your birthday wishes too.
Laxman's wife - Sita came back from the fields carrying masses of corn leaves for the buffalo - t's staggering what the women of Nepal can carry and I wish I'd had my camera handy - they certainly work harder than the men. As soon as she arrived home, she started cooking lunch whch was a real treat - it was fried eggs (straight from the chickens) plus milk tea (milk from the buffalo) so it was my birthday all over again.
I helped Sita in the kitchen a little and she calls me 'Sati' which means 'friend'. Laxman calls me his sister and says I'm now part of his family so I call him 'Didiby' which means - younger brother. In the evening Keso, one of the neighbours, and Laxman brought out some Rakshi (Mongoian brewed fire water)for us to drink. We sang Beatles and Mariah Carey songs and laughed - there was a power cut so we did all this by lantern and torch light. the torch Damian gave me has certainly been used in every country I've been to so far.
We had chicken, rice and daal for tea and then the rains came in buckets so off to bed. It certainly was a lovely way to spend my birthday and one I'll remember for a long time
xx
Sunday 6th - Teaching
Woke at 6am ready to go to our st teaching lesson at 7am. We walked back up the steep path that we had trodden the prevous night to find 9 children there. We'd not had time to plan anything but we muddled through. Back at the house we helped to unravel the silk worm cocoons from loads of ferns as they were going to be taken into pokhara for sale. Then at 11.30 Pradip and Keso took us up the hills to see the view of the Pokhara valley - words can't describe the view of both sides of the valley at the same time and I know that the photos won't do it justice. I've never waked so much up and down the dales - I'll certainly be fit at the end of this leg of my journey.
Had lunch and a well needed kip and then we decided to brave the shower facilities at the public natural spring. In Nepal you have to be respectable when showering and usually the locals where a lunghi but I left my sarong in sri Lanka so I had to shower wearing my t-shirt and a wrap around skirt - it's not easy trying to wash your private bits fully clothed and being watched by the local kids who found it extremely amusing. It was good to feel clean again though - albeit briefly as we had to walk back up the hill in the heat and then back up another hill to the library to teach the evening class of older children - so sweating buckets again!. this is what you call 'Experiencing Real Nepal!'
More tomorrow. love Sue
Had lunch and a well needed kip and then we decided to brave the shower facilities at the public natural spring. In Nepal you have to be respectable when showering and usually the locals where a lunghi but I left my sarong in sri Lanka so I had to shower wearing my t-shirt and a wrap around skirt - it's not easy trying to wash your private bits fully clothed and being watched by the local kids who found it extremely amusing. It was good to feel clean again though - albeit briefly as we had to walk back up the hill in the heat and then back up another hill to the library to teach the evening class of older children - so sweating buckets again!. this is what you call 'Experiencing Real Nepal!'
More tomorrow. love Sue
Saturday 5th - Road of hell to Heaven
At 2pm laxman (the father in the host family) collected us from the hotel to go to his home. Weleft the hotel at 3 to catch the bus 9we thought he was bringing his car - wrong!) and then we were told that the bus leaves at 5pm so we sat outside a local shop chatting to his brother. they gave us a cuppa and I bought a large carrier bag to carry the odds and ends I'd planned to put in the boot of the car -it turned out to be the best buy ever as you'll find out from this story.
The bus set off - the road was a dirty, rocky and muddy track up the side of the mountain, we got possibly half way and stopped 3 times as the bus got stuck in the mud. The locals got off and pushed the bus and we travelled a littl further and got stuck again, they then weighted the back of the bus with rocks to give it some grip and again we moved a little further. Finally we were informed that 'the bus isn't going any further!' and we'll have to walk the rest of the way. first of all we thought they were joking but NO - so with rucksacks, my new bag and all off we set for the long walk to the house. It was starting to get dark too and we had to walk through the wet jungle up the steep hill. Luckily people seem to consider me a frail old woman who needs help carrying her rucksack and who am I to disillusion them, so Laxman carried my rucksack for me. Niamh was wearing a sarong and flipflops and all 3 of us were so unfit but after an hour or so we reached the gates of the village and sighed with relief. Then to add insult to injury we had to walk another 2km to Laxman's house by which time it was really dark. We were dead by the time we got there - it had been so difficult to see where our footing had to go and the paths were rocky and muddy. At one point we had to stand on the edge of a wall (sheer drop) to let the buffalo pass -- Mad mad mad! - I coudn't have made this up if I'd tried.
Anyway we got there and after daal/Baht for tea I went to my room which was above the buffalo shed and got my mosquito net well in place. I had a restless night as the bed was wooden and the mattress was less than a quarter of an inch thick, then the rain, thunder and lightening descended - monsoon season after all so what could I expect. They say humour = tragedy plus time and they are right as you'll see as you read on.
I'm going to write up all of my days on the mountain and hopefully I'll bring you all up to date. Sue x
The bus set off - the road was a dirty, rocky and muddy track up the side of the mountain, we got possibly half way and stopped 3 times as the bus got stuck in the mud. The locals got off and pushed the bus and we travelled a littl further and got stuck again, they then weighted the back of the bus with rocks to give it some grip and again we moved a little further. Finally we were informed that 'the bus isn't going any further!' and we'll have to walk the rest of the way. first of all we thought they were joking but NO - so with rucksacks, my new bag and all off we set for the long walk to the house. It was starting to get dark too and we had to walk through the wet jungle up the steep hill. Luckily people seem to consider me a frail old woman who needs help carrying her rucksack and who am I to disillusion them, so Laxman carried my rucksack for me. Niamh was wearing a sarong and flipflops and all 3 of us were so unfit but after an hour or so we reached the gates of the village and sighed with relief. Then to add insult to injury we had to walk another 2km to Laxman's house by which time it was really dark. We were dead by the time we got there - it had been so difficult to see where our footing had to go and the paths were rocky and muddy. At one point we had to stand on the edge of a wall (sheer drop) to let the buffalo pass -- Mad mad mad! - I coudn't have made this up if I'd tried.
Anyway we got there and after daal/Baht for tea I went to my room which was above the buffalo shed and got my mosquito net well in place. I had a restless night as the bed was wooden and the mattress was less than a quarter of an inch thick, then the rain, thunder and lightening descended - monsoon season after all so what could I expect. They say humour = tragedy plus time and they are right as you'll see as you read on.
I'm going to write up all of my days on the mountain and hopefully I'll bring you all up to date. Sue x
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