Tomorrow morning I am going on my last placement, which a boys orphanage called Guarishankar in a village (Charikot) east of Kathmandu. I am really excited to go on this particular placement because the last volunteer to be placed there had an absolutely phenomenal time. The boys sound fun and sweet, I have some fun plans and taking treats for them to enjoy as well.
Today while I was writing in my journal it hit me....I am going home in three short weeks. The realization took my breath away. As much as I have missed my family and friends, the thought of leaving a place I have begun to call home is overwhelming. Nepal is such a special place it is really hard to put into words. It is a rarity to find other places in the world (especially the US) where there is such a sense of community everyone calls one another brother (dai) and sister (didi). Or you walk down the street and complete strangers say "Namaste" (Nepali equivalent to hello, direct translation is "go with God" I believe), could you imagine what would happen if I came home and told TOTAL strangers to "go with God." They would commit me to the psych ward! Nepali people are unique to any other nationality, they are unconditionally generous, hospitable, and affectionate (ofcourse there are bad apples, but most are AMAZING). My Santoshi didi (the young lady who lives with us and cooks/cleans) will sit and practice her English with me, but if not we just share a cup of tea and a hug. She is SO sweet....once she actually patted my belly, ha! Here's another example of Nepali people being AWESOME. I was taking a cab...stuck in traffic ofcourse and starting to feel frustrated. I look at the man sitting with his daughter on the street next to me. He looked at me smiling, then he took his daughter's hand put them in the prayer position and had her practice her "Namaste" with me. It was too cute! Nepal is constantly giving back to me in the smallest ways, how will it be when I get home? Will I be open enough to find those special moments in the states as well? One can only hope.
As for now, I am focusing on staying present. I want to be in EVERY moment I have left in Nepal. This place is so PHENOMENAL I want to soak it all up and take it home with me. Three weeks sounds like a lifetime to everyone at home, for me it will be a blink of an eye. With that I am off to Guarishankar, another chance to have a new exciting experience in Nepal.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Pokhara Pics!
Me outside the monastery.
Boys! Being Boys! Love it!
The "magic" tree....I believe in magic, do you?
View from the monastery.
Our personal photographer of the day!
Walking to the monastery...how sweet, holding hands!
The VOLCANO!
The Tahara boys working hard on their paper mache.
Sun after the SUPER intense rain storms of Pokhara.
Every cloud has a sliver lining...
My Love.....Pokhara
Unlike volunteering, rafting, or trekking going to Pokhara is all about chilling. Pokhara is a hippy mini-town settled at the base of the Annapurnas overlooking Phewa Tal (this GIANT lake), they have HUGE trees set in the pavement in the middle of the road, everyone walks slow, drinks anytime a day....just sitting looking at the lake.
My first few days in Pokhara I hung out with my American/Israeli girlfriend, Shira. It was FABulous just to hang out with her and have girl time. I went shopping with her (do NOT worry family, it was souvenirs for you!), drinking coffee, gossiping and people watching. Did I mention that there is an over population of fake "Thamel-hippy freaks." This particular type of freak is an individual (male or female) wearing a sarong/skirt, generally clothes clash TERRIBLY with bright patterned ugliness, almost certainly shoe-less wonder, their hair will either be EXTREMELY dirty or contain 1 to several dreadlocks(s)....Yes! I have seen someone with just one dread! What is so special about some of these freaks is there is levels to commitment to their look. Some of the freaks you know when they go home, they shower, cut their hair, and put shoes and blue jeans on....then there are the crazies you dress like that ALL the time. I have yet to decide which group is more weird. But just to be clear, I more frequently freak watch with Emma as opposed to Shira. (Love you Em!)
Shira's last night in Pokhara, Emma, Elliot (really sweet random Brit, I love Brits!), and I all went out for a fun night on Lakeside. We had really good food AND drinks, TONS of girl talk about guys, travelling, religion, etc. The next morning after Shira left, Emma helped me move hotels so I wouldn't have to walk so far in the dark to my hotel....I got a GREAT hotel with attached bathroom (Yeh....here some "hotels" come without bathrooms) for 250 rupees a night (which is about $3 USD). I thought I was hung over, but within the next 12 hours I realized I was sick.....UGH! Being sick in Asia, sucks! No worries, a day or so in bed and some antibiotics, I was all good.
My last day or so I spent hanging out with Emma, because once leaving Pokhara I don't know when I will see Emma again....Bummer! Friday, I (luckily) spent the day with Emma and some other volunteers at a small boy's home in Pokhara. Honestly, Nepali miracle I met up with Emma at all...we had a meeting point (which I ofcourse had forgotten....ooops!), and I was on a bus back to my hotel and I spotted her from the bus, jumped off the bus and met up with her. Phew!
The boy's home in Pokhara (Tahara) has 10 boys (ages 9-11ish) and they are so funny and spunky....it really makes me excited to go on my last placement which is a boy's home as well. Emma was supervising the construction of a paper mache volcano, which they would be erupting on Saturday. This whole process went EXTREMELY smooth for 9 boys with glue and paper. When construction was complete the boys, their parents, and the volunteers all took a visit to the monastery. As we walked there the boys showed off their cartwheels and fighting moves, as well as explaining the "magic" tree that has God inside. Hmmm....God inside a tree, maybe a first for me. It was ADORABLE one of the boys had a very serious conversation with me about touching the tree and then giving God (Buddha) your thoughts....it was too cute. It was even better when he and I actually "prayed" to the tree, we both stood there eyes shut, hand upon the tree, telling the God inside our thoughts. Such strong spirituality in such a little person it was awesome, and I prayed for one of my friends who is in India.
Then off to the monastery, which was absolutely beautiful. But for me the best part was, when we arrived the monks were having service and Samilia (the boy's mother) took me into the monastery so I could listen. Wow! There aren't words. But if God was anywhere, he was there that day. The pulse was tangible. Parting with the boys, there were BIG hugs (squeeze plays by any standards, Dad!) and goodbyes all around. Off to Lakeside for my last night in town.....
Dinner with Elliot, John and Olivia (father/daughter duo from Australia, volunteering....cool pair!), Erica (American volunteer), Emma and I. I had some yummy chicken and several drinks....luckily, people had to get off to bed and soon enough it was just Emma and I....our last night together. We went and chatted a quiet bar (which is almost virtually impossible to find in Nepal, for some reason they think Westerners LOVE loud music?), but we called it an early night as well because I had to catch the bus in the morning. On our way home the BEST chocolate phenomenon EVER graced us with its presence...a Lion bar!!! It was the perfect way to end my last night with Emma.
In the morning, hugs and kisses goodbye to Emma....bus back to Kathmandu totally uneventful which is really rare from Nepal. Now I am just preparing for going on to my last placement, Charicot, which is a boy's home. I really excited to be back out there volunteering after almost a month of sight-seeing, trekking, rafting and such. Look forward to hearing adventures of placement (cold water, crappy toilets, etc.), until then.
My first few days in Pokhara I hung out with my American/Israeli girlfriend, Shira. It was FABulous just to hang out with her and have girl time. I went shopping with her (do NOT worry family, it was souvenirs for you!), drinking coffee, gossiping and people watching. Did I mention that there is an over population of fake "Thamel-hippy freaks." This particular type of freak is an individual (male or female) wearing a sarong/skirt, generally clothes clash TERRIBLY with bright patterned ugliness, almost certainly shoe-less wonder, their hair will either be EXTREMELY dirty or contain 1 to several dreadlocks(s)....Yes! I have seen someone with just one dread! What is so special about some of these freaks is there is levels to commitment to their look. Some of the freaks you know when they go home, they shower, cut their hair, and put shoes and blue jeans on....then there are the crazies you dress like that ALL the time. I have yet to decide which group is more weird. But just to be clear, I more frequently freak watch with Emma as opposed to Shira. (Love you Em!)
Shira's last night in Pokhara, Emma, Elliot (really sweet random Brit, I love Brits!), and I all went out for a fun night on Lakeside. We had really good food AND drinks, TONS of girl talk about guys, travelling, religion, etc. The next morning after Shira left, Emma helped me move hotels so I wouldn't have to walk so far in the dark to my hotel....I got a GREAT hotel with attached bathroom (Yeh....here some "hotels" come without bathrooms) for 250 rupees a night (which is about $3 USD). I thought I was hung over, but within the next 12 hours I realized I was sick.....UGH! Being sick in Asia, sucks! No worries, a day or so in bed and some antibiotics, I was all good.
My last day or so I spent hanging out with Emma, because once leaving Pokhara I don't know when I will see Emma again....Bummer! Friday, I (luckily) spent the day with Emma and some other volunteers at a small boy's home in Pokhara. Honestly, Nepali miracle I met up with Emma at all...we had a meeting point (which I ofcourse had forgotten....ooops!), and I was on a bus back to my hotel and I spotted her from the bus, jumped off the bus and met up with her. Phew!
The boy's home in Pokhara (Tahara) has 10 boys (ages 9-11ish) and they are so funny and spunky....it really makes me excited to go on my last placement which is a boy's home as well. Emma was supervising the construction of a paper mache volcano, which they would be erupting on Saturday. This whole process went EXTREMELY smooth for 9 boys with glue and paper. When construction was complete the boys, their parents, and the volunteers all took a visit to the monastery. As we walked there the boys showed off their cartwheels and fighting moves, as well as explaining the "magic" tree that has God inside. Hmmm....God inside a tree, maybe a first for me. It was ADORABLE one of the boys had a very serious conversation with me about touching the tree and then giving God (Buddha) your thoughts....it was too cute. It was even better when he and I actually "prayed" to the tree, we both stood there eyes shut, hand upon the tree, telling the God inside our thoughts. Such strong spirituality in such a little person it was awesome, and I prayed for one of my friends who is in India.
Then off to the monastery, which was absolutely beautiful. But for me the best part was, when we arrived the monks were having service and Samilia (the boy's mother) took me into the monastery so I could listen. Wow! There aren't words. But if God was anywhere, he was there that day. The pulse was tangible. Parting with the boys, there were BIG hugs (squeeze plays by any standards, Dad!) and goodbyes all around. Off to Lakeside for my last night in town.....
Dinner with Elliot, John and Olivia (father/daughter duo from Australia, volunteering....cool pair!), Erica (American volunteer), Emma and I. I had some yummy chicken and several drinks....luckily, people had to get off to bed and soon enough it was just Emma and I....our last night together. We went and chatted a quiet bar (which is almost virtually impossible to find in Nepal, for some reason they think Westerners LOVE loud music?), but we called it an early night as well because I had to catch the bus in the morning. On our way home the BEST chocolate phenomenon EVER graced us with its presence...a Lion bar!!! It was the perfect way to end my last night with Emma.
In the morning, hugs and kisses goodbye to Emma....bus back to Kathmandu totally uneventful which is really rare from Nepal. Now I am just preparing for going on to my last placement, Charicot, which is a boy's home. I really excited to be back out there volunteering after almost a month of sight-seeing, trekking, rafting and such. Look forward to hearing adventures of placement (cold water, crappy toilets, etc.), until then.
Trekking Photos
Me
Who's bigger me or the tea pot? I'm a little teapot, short and stout....:)
Paul and I on his BIG 3-0!!! Happy Birthday Paul with switchback hell.
My boots and my feet....Love/Hate relationship.
Some small photos....some big, who knows....This is me thinking a landslide is the trail, duh!
Shiva Temple at Gousainkund....covered in Buddhist prayer flags???
Two gals that will trek for tea!
Gousainkund Lake!
Why this photo is tiny I don't know....its the three of us the day we crossed the Pass, 4610m!
My partners in crime, Emma and Paul.
Me at 6am trying to smile about the view....eh.
View from Laurabina Yak.
Sweaty me...NEVER go trekking with a significant other, you stink ALL the time, Period!
Flowers that Emma stuck in my hair!
RIDiculous downhill....remember at one point we HAD to come up this!
Buddhist prayer flags at the Gompa.
More of Em and I!!!
Ahhh....BEAUtiful!
Sunsetting on Langtang.
Kyanjin Gompa, view point of Langtang Mountain Range.
Crazy Buddhist rock, pretty sweet huh?
YAY!!! Snow covered mountains!
Can't quite tell in this photo, but our first glimpse of mountains!!!
Emma surviving her sick day with a smile....LOVE HER!
AND!!! The infamous Paul, can't you just see him saying a Paulism here :)
Emma, she is magnet for adorable children.
Anyone for a testy lunch horse????
First day on the trail...."On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again..."'
Our FAB bus!
"THE" Infamous Asolo boots, need I say more then you have NOT been reading my blog ;)
Emma and I being serious....
From the TOP of the bus!!!
Our FAB bus!
"THE" Infamous Asolo boots, need I say more then you have NOT been reading my blog ;)
Emma and I being serious....
From the TOP of the bus!!!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
TREKKING!!! Langtang and Gosainkunda Lake
With my plans pretty much totally turned on their head....I was off to Langtang trek on April 30th. (WOW! That sounds so long ago, but it feels like yesterday) To get to the trailhead of Langtang Emma and I had to take a 10 hour bus ride....which ofcourse they OVERbooked, which meant for 9 hours we rode on the roof of the bus! It was SO much fun! And don't panic family, I was perfectly safe, Nepali bus drivers have a sixth sense about driving. Once in Syaphru Besi, I got to meet the other random guys who were trekking with Emma and I. Simon was from Germany and he was only going to Langtang with us....he was also a physicist, talk about an intense dude. Then the Kiwi Paul, was a computer programmer and gave that up to travel the world. Paul was AWESOME, and you are certain to hear some of the infamous Paul quotes that I fondly refer to as Paulisms :)
The next day we started walking....we all were carrying our own packs and going without a guide, so the adventure had begun! That first day was intense....BEAUtiful, but intense we went up 1000 meters that day. But the walk was awesome through some really great forests with flowering trees, birds and cicadias singing while the river rushed by along the side of the trail. Just before our first stop on Day 1 we met an American guy, Jonathan, who ended up trekking with us the rest of the way to Langtang.
In the night after Day 1 Emma got sick....we still aren't sure what made her sick, but the guys went ahead that day so her and I could go at our own pace. MAN! Was she a trooper! The second day was another intense one, going up another 1000 meters that day as well. All through the forest, but rocky switchbacks that kept me breathing hard....I have NO idea how Emma did it sick. She is a TOTAL BadASS! That night Emma made a pretty good turn around and on Day 3 we made it to Kyanjin Gompa which is the viewpoint for the Langtang mountain range.
Day 3 wasn't quite as intense, but nonetheless wearing because as we got closer to Kyanjin Gompa we didn't really know where we were going....which mentally wears on you. It's interesting how beinging able to see the end point of your day of walking really boosts the morale.
Day 4 was spent hanging out in Kyanjin Gompa, Emma and I did laundry while the guys went to another viewpoint (ANOTHER!!! 1000 meteres up!) called Kyanjin Ri. Once they were back, Emma, Jonathan and I went to the Gompa (aka Monastery)....it was so beautiful! The frescos and the aura around the tiny Gompa was indescribable. The didi (the woman who looks after the Gompa) let us light a butter candle and lift up a prayer....this experience was so moving, definitely one of the highlights of my trek. Just the peace and serenity that surrounded the Gompa....made me speechless.
The next day it was down, Down, DOWN! Which you wouldn't think but it almost as hard on your body as going up. In addition to all that FUN going down the weather was kind of crappy, foggy and rainy. Yuck! That night we stopped in a little town called Lama Hotel and celebrated our last night as a group, because the next day Jonathan and Simon would go back to Syphru Besi and Emma, Paul and I would press on to Gosainkunda.
I have yet to mention, but the ENTIRE time we were walking back and forth to Langtang there was a serious (I think 10 days...) strike going on in Kathmandu. Striking means EVERYthing shuts down, no taxis, no buses, no shops, no restaurants....and this particular strike was evidently volatile. There was rioting and some acts of violence. Luckily, I was high up in the Himalayas and TOTALLY uninvolved. Phew!
May 6th....what a day! We went down AGAIN!!! then when Paul, Emma and I split off from the group....not only did we go up (STRAIGHT UP!) but it started pouring down rain and didn't stop until we got to Thulo Syaphru, our stop for the night. The only blessing about that day was a HOT shower and really good tea! Yes! It is official I love tea and I pretty much will drink it over any other beverage :)
The next day was supposed to be challenging, not only up but also the trail was suppose to be confusing. Luckily, everything went off without a hitch….with the exception that it was cloudy most of the day and Emma and I busted our butts going uphill all the way to Sing Gompa (our stop for the night). At Sing Gompa, there was a monastery AND (drum roll please!) a cheese factory!!! Paul and I hit up both the cheese factory and the Gompa….enlightenment and cheese what more could a girl want. The other, not so thrilling, thing that happen in Sing Gompa was I did my laundry (by hand ofcourse!) but it was FREEZING cold and lucky lucky me, my clothes were not dry in the morning. BUMMER!
May 8th was alittle bit like the day of doom. I woke up grumpy with wet laundry; it was cold and foggy….And we were walking uphill all day. It was so foggy/cloudy in parts that we could only see about 25 meters of trail in front of us. We had planned to make it to Gousainkund that day but we stopped early in Laurabina Yak, because the weather, visibility, and (to be honest) my attitude. I wasn’t being an outright bitch, but I was definitely NOT being my normal chatty self and Emma and Paul could tell. We hung around the fire trying not to freeze, directly after dinner I took a Valium and went to sleep. No need to be grumpy.
Woke up the next morning to clear skies and AMAZING mountain views of Langtang, Annapurnas, and Ganesh Himal. I knew it was going to be a good day. We had a pretty short morning up to the lakes, and once settled at our hotel we walked around the lake, snapped photos, and enjoyed the sunshine. YAY! Sunshine! We had several cloudy days so seeing the sun shine was AMAZING! Because it was a half day of walking, we had some time to just chill….Paul taught me Cribbage, I always love a new card game. Also there were quite a few people at the hotel we were staying at so there was some good people watching….cuddling Spainish couple and puking Frenchmen, it was an interesting stay in Gousainkund.
All too soon, morning came which meant heading over the pass (Laurabina Pass, 4610 meters!). Phew! It was an awesome view, but really windy. The rest of the morning was spent going down, down, down. Oh Man! By lunch I was already pooped…then there “ridge hell” (as Emma referred to it), there was a rough long section of rough terrain that was mostly switchbacks. But the BEST part about these switchbacks was just when you peaked and dipped down into a small gulley and thought the switchbacks were over….more magically appeared, hence Emma and I decided we must be in hell. That night we had beer, dark chocolate, and Dal Bhat to celebrate Paul’s 30th Birthday. Paul is just a stellar dude, he is light on his feet and in great shape but still really patient and helpful when Emma or I were slow or needed help. Paul was quite but insightful and surprisingly witty. (Paulism…”This is a very badly designed mountain.” And “Mother Nature is a dead beat parent who only sees you everyother weekend.” Ha! Paul you are a hoot!)
The next three days were really intense downhill, with several eroded paths…this was really hard on my already tired feet. I have EXTRA special blisters, around my toe nails and in between toes…who knew you could even get them there! The last two days we walked from at least 6 hours each day and the final day we walked from alittle over 3 hours. Man! Was I happy to get on a bus! The last half an hour of the trek was brutal concrete steps going down down down….I kind of wanted to cry. On the bus I took my boots off and actually fell asleep until we got to the bus park. I was pretty darn happy to see Kathmandu again. In the same token, it was almost surreal that we were back and we had WALKED (essentially) back to Kathmandu. Even though trekking was really intense most of the time, whether it was the up hills, down hills or the amazing views, the intensity was well worth all the hard work and difficult as it may have been time flew by….these last two weeks just coasted on by!
Back at the Volunteer house I showered and washed my nappy two week old hair…I know I am a filthy human being. Like I said to Simon “The day a Nepali person tells me I need to bathe, is the day I know I REALLY stink!” After I regained my former clean self I went into town and had a cheeseburger and drinks with Emma and Paul. Seriously! We just can’t get enough of each other! I couldn’t have picked a better pair to trek with, both were patient and understanding when times were tough and they also had great timing when it came to making a joke when I needed it or just shutting up because we all needed the silence. I love you two!
The next adventure is chill time in Pokhara before I head off to my last placement. I have plans to meet up with Nepali man and his family….(small world) his two sons live in Michigan! Also I am going to chill with my two favorite ex-volunteers Emma and Pieter, Love you guys! I can’t forget that I am meeting up with my American/Israeli friend Shira as well, lots of social chill time in Pokhara to prepare me for the solitude of my last placement. My last placement will be Charicot, there is a boy’s home there and so I am pretty excited to help out around the house and hang out with the kids. Well that is the tentative plan for now, but knowing Nepal it could change at any moment….until then, Much love!
The next day we started walking....we all were carrying our own packs and going without a guide, so the adventure had begun! That first day was intense....BEAUtiful, but intense we went up 1000 meters that day. But the walk was awesome through some really great forests with flowering trees, birds and cicadias singing while the river rushed by along the side of the trail. Just before our first stop on Day 1 we met an American guy, Jonathan, who ended up trekking with us the rest of the way to Langtang.
In the night after Day 1 Emma got sick....we still aren't sure what made her sick, but the guys went ahead that day so her and I could go at our own pace. MAN! Was she a trooper! The second day was another intense one, going up another 1000 meters that day as well. All through the forest, but rocky switchbacks that kept me breathing hard....I have NO idea how Emma did it sick. She is a TOTAL BadASS! That night Emma made a pretty good turn around and on Day 3 we made it to Kyanjin Gompa which is the viewpoint for the Langtang mountain range.
Day 3 wasn't quite as intense, but nonetheless wearing because as we got closer to Kyanjin Gompa we didn't really know where we were going....which mentally wears on you. It's interesting how beinging able to see the end point of your day of walking really boosts the morale.
Day 4 was spent hanging out in Kyanjin Gompa, Emma and I did laundry while the guys went to another viewpoint (ANOTHER!!! 1000 meteres up!) called Kyanjin Ri. Once they were back, Emma, Jonathan and I went to the Gompa (aka Monastery)....it was so beautiful! The frescos and the aura around the tiny Gompa was indescribable. The didi (the woman who looks after the Gompa) let us light a butter candle and lift up a prayer....this experience was so moving, definitely one of the highlights of my trek. Just the peace and serenity that surrounded the Gompa....made me speechless.
The next day it was down, Down, DOWN! Which you wouldn't think but it almost as hard on your body as going up. In addition to all that FUN going down the weather was kind of crappy, foggy and rainy. Yuck! That night we stopped in a little town called Lama Hotel and celebrated our last night as a group, because the next day Jonathan and Simon would go back to Syphru Besi and Emma, Paul and I would press on to Gosainkunda.
I have yet to mention, but the ENTIRE time we were walking back and forth to Langtang there was a serious (I think 10 days...) strike going on in Kathmandu. Striking means EVERYthing shuts down, no taxis, no buses, no shops, no restaurants....and this particular strike was evidently volatile. There was rioting and some acts of violence. Luckily, I was high up in the Himalayas and TOTALLY uninvolved. Phew!
May 6th....what a day! We went down AGAIN!!! then when Paul, Emma and I split off from the group....not only did we go up (STRAIGHT UP!) but it started pouring down rain and didn't stop until we got to Thulo Syaphru, our stop for the night. The only blessing about that day was a HOT shower and really good tea! Yes! It is official I love tea and I pretty much will drink it over any other beverage :)
The next day was supposed to be challenging, not only up but also the trail was suppose to be confusing. Luckily, everything went off without a hitch….with the exception that it was cloudy most of the day and Emma and I busted our butts going uphill all the way to Sing Gompa (our stop for the night). At Sing Gompa, there was a monastery AND (drum roll please!) a cheese factory!!! Paul and I hit up both the cheese factory and the Gompa….enlightenment and cheese what more could a girl want. The other, not so thrilling, thing that happen in Sing Gompa was I did my laundry (by hand ofcourse!) but it was FREEZING cold and lucky lucky me, my clothes were not dry in the morning. BUMMER!
May 8th was alittle bit like the day of doom. I woke up grumpy with wet laundry; it was cold and foggy….And we were walking uphill all day. It was so foggy/cloudy in parts that we could only see about 25 meters of trail in front of us. We had planned to make it to Gousainkund that day but we stopped early in Laurabina Yak, because the weather, visibility, and (to be honest) my attitude. I wasn’t being an outright bitch, but I was definitely NOT being my normal chatty self and Emma and Paul could tell. We hung around the fire trying not to freeze, directly after dinner I took a Valium and went to sleep. No need to be grumpy.
Woke up the next morning to clear skies and AMAZING mountain views of Langtang, Annapurnas, and Ganesh Himal. I knew it was going to be a good day. We had a pretty short morning up to the lakes, and once settled at our hotel we walked around the lake, snapped photos, and enjoyed the sunshine. YAY! Sunshine! We had several cloudy days so seeing the sun shine was AMAZING! Because it was a half day of walking, we had some time to just chill….Paul taught me Cribbage, I always love a new card game. Also there were quite a few people at the hotel we were staying at so there was some good people watching….cuddling Spainish couple and puking Frenchmen, it was an interesting stay in Gousainkund.
All too soon, morning came which meant heading over the pass (Laurabina Pass, 4610 meters!). Phew! It was an awesome view, but really windy. The rest of the morning was spent going down, down, down. Oh Man! By lunch I was already pooped…then there “ridge hell” (as Emma referred to it), there was a rough long section of rough terrain that was mostly switchbacks. But the BEST part about these switchbacks was just when you peaked and dipped down into a small gulley and thought the switchbacks were over….more magically appeared, hence Emma and I decided we must be in hell. That night we had beer, dark chocolate, and Dal Bhat to celebrate Paul’s 30th Birthday. Paul is just a stellar dude, he is light on his feet and in great shape but still really patient and helpful when Emma or I were slow or needed help. Paul was quite but insightful and surprisingly witty. (Paulism…”This is a very badly designed mountain.” And “Mother Nature is a dead beat parent who only sees you everyother weekend.” Ha! Paul you are a hoot!)
The next three days were really intense downhill, with several eroded paths…this was really hard on my already tired feet. I have EXTRA special blisters, around my toe nails and in between toes…who knew you could even get them there! The last two days we walked from at least 6 hours each day and the final day we walked from alittle over 3 hours. Man! Was I happy to get on a bus! The last half an hour of the trek was brutal concrete steps going down down down….I kind of wanted to cry. On the bus I took my boots off and actually fell asleep until we got to the bus park. I was pretty darn happy to see Kathmandu again. In the same token, it was almost surreal that we were back and we had WALKED (essentially) back to Kathmandu. Even though trekking was really intense most of the time, whether it was the up hills, down hills or the amazing views, the intensity was well worth all the hard work and difficult as it may have been time flew by….these last two weeks just coasted on by!
Back at the Volunteer house I showered and washed my nappy two week old hair…I know I am a filthy human being. Like I said to Simon “The day a Nepali person tells me I need to bathe, is the day I know I REALLY stink!” After I regained my former clean self I went into town and had a cheeseburger and drinks with Emma and Paul. Seriously! We just can’t get enough of each other! I couldn’t have picked a better pair to trek with, both were patient and understanding when times were tough and they also had great timing when it came to making a joke when I needed it or just shutting up because we all needed the silence. I love you two!
The next adventure is chill time in Pokhara before I head off to my last placement. I have plans to meet up with Nepali man and his family….(small world) his two sons live in Michigan! Also I am going to chill with my two favorite ex-volunteers Emma and Pieter, Love you guys! I can’t forget that I am meeting up with my American/Israeli friend Shira as well, lots of social chill time in Pokhara to prepare me for the solitude of my last placement. My last placement will be Charicot, there is a boy’s home there and so I am pretty excited to help out around the house and hang out with the kids. Well that is the tentative plan for now, but knowing Nepal it could change at any moment….until then, Much love!
*Side note: Emma and I are combining photos, so I probably won't be posting photos until I get back from Pokhara....sorry guys!
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