Week Two | दुई हप्ता
The Placement During week two of my stay, along came picture day at Sunrise. All buttoned up and ready to smile, the little miniature people were rounded up by the teachers and set atop a chair to match the height…
Country Nepal
Topic: Kathmandu Traffic | यातायात
This is what it sounds like. Feel free to listen as you read this short description of—you guessed it—Kathmandu traffic. Parked About 10% of the time, traffic in the heart of Kathmandu is parked. Taxis, buses, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks alike…
Week One || पहिलो हप्ता
Arrival. Airport. Visa. Baggage claim. Sim card booth. Someone waving a sign with my name on it. A dusty dark midnight Thursday ride through decrepit streets made of rocks and sand. Hotel. Shower. A few “new phone, it’s me—I’m here…goodnight” texts.…
Nepal: Preparations
It’s the 5th day of the new year and 12 days until I step on the plane to Kathmandu. I’m taking some time to look back on some of the preparations I’ve made for the trip—what I have done so…
Weekend in Thamel
Upon arriving at the RCDP hostel in Kalanki last Tuesday, I was given a dal bhaat lunch, introduced to several new volunteers, and then told that not only was the hostel already full, but five new people were arriving from…
Happy Day!
I wake up bubbling over with joy today. Life is wonderful. I’m happy to be part of such an amazing community where friends are family. I’m thankful for the hour I got to spend on the phone with my mom…
Luptin, and the Sherpa relationship with food
“Shei, shei, shei!” It’s the national cry of the Sherpani: “Eat, eat, eat!!” Sapana just returned from her farewell breakfast with Luptin, the bearded monk who hosted us at saano gumba during the festival. She walks into our room and…
Third World Packing List
Traveling in a developing country is much different from a sightseeing trip to Paris or even a backpacking trip around Europe. Even plans that are “guaranteed” to work will fall through and you’ll learn to depend on no one but…
Dumzi Festival – Part IV
It’s 6:00 AM. Sapana and I kick off our shoes and file into the monastery with the monks. As always, I try to inconspicuously refrain from the three prostrations before the Buddha statues which accompany any Buddhist’s entry into a…
Dumzi Festival – Part III
Dumzi is the most sacred of all festivals at Pema Choling. Two days are spent simply in preparation: The making of thorma is the primary activity during this time. Puja (chanting) will last four days, and the final two days…