A Day off!

I didn't really expect to be so happy to be in Thamel, so soon after I was placed in my village. I just got there on Saturday, but have definitely had an adjustment period. The old volunteers say it is completely normal to feel worn-out and mentally drained, so that makes me feel better. I also think that last week's stay in the Hospital took more out of me than I ever want to admit.

We woke up this morning to Ba coming into our room and turning the light on at 6:30 a.m. He had been awake since 2 a.m., paying respects to his mother. She died on this day, many years ago, and it is some sort of Hindu ritual to pay respects. So, that is what P and I were hearing all throughout the night?! Ba's chanting and reminiscing caused us to wake with huge circles under our eyes. But 6:30 a.m.? Seriously Ba? I tried to pretend it just wasn't happening, but Ba really needed to get some sort of cooking pot that was stored underneathe P's bed. I immediately thought, thank goodness today is my day in Thamel! P and I laughed it off.

This morning, just like every morning, we were bombarded with Sita bringing us food and chiyaa. Its like they have a ticker on our eyes or something, that the millisecond we open them in the morning, they come in offering food. Can't we get a moment to ourselves??! Again, P and I just laugh with eachother because we know our family means the absolute best. And how can you get frustrated with being waited on hand and foot? I took ONE (not the 5 that they offered me) roti and a mini-banana and called that breakfast.

We went to the Home, around 7:30 a.m. (as soon as we can). As we exit the house, Sita always says "Leave slowly, come quickly". I think she really means it. When she heard I was taking a day off, she said (hopefully jokingly) that Ama was going to buy a string and attach it to my leg so that I could not leave again. All I can say to that is "Wow". As we approached the Home and were greeted with hellos, we noticed that most of the children were deep in thought, studying with the teacher that comes before school. They do study a lot- before school and after school in the evenings. I like this part of the structure. I stole a couple of the girls to get some physio in, and they told me they feel "Bohlio" (strong).

At 9:30 a.m., we walk the kids to school. What is cute about this walk is that before they leave, they line up in order of ascending height in the front yard. Only when the line is perfect do we leave. I walk toward the front, and P toward the back. Its about a 5 minute walk to school, dodging mudd puddles, speeding motorcycles, and fast-paced pedestrians. The children sort of fight to see who is going to hold my hand. I make them hold eachothers.

We dropped them off and started our trek to Thamel. Its an intense walk- lots of stairs and hills, but we call it our exercise for the day. We had a health talk meeting at noon, so we had a chance to catch up with the other volunteers that are in various placements around Kathmandu. The health talk was mostly on volunteer health- a very important topic. Its funny that we all feel so comfortable talking about our own bowel movements, etc. Its like an instantaneous bond we have. We are all going through our own issues, so we totally understand eachother.

I was feeling a little 'off' today, so I left the meeting as soon as it was over. I headed to indulge in a hour's massage. Probably the best decision I have made in recent memory. I paid 600 rupees (with 20% volunteer discount) and had a fabulous hour. The funny thing to note is that here in Nepal, you will never get a male masseuse if you are a female. That just wouldn't work in this culture!

Feeling rejuvinated, I went back to Hotel Tradition for my HOT SHOWER!! I felt like a new woman and came to use the internet and upload pics. Some of us are meeting at 7 p.m. for a little dinner in Thamel. Tomorrow, I will go to Bhaktapur for a little day trip with Christine and Latissa and anyone else who wants to go.

I am really thinking of taking about 3 days a traveling to Pokhra and having some solitude. More on this at a later date when I have more details.

Thanks again for reading and all the comments/emails. It makes me feel connected to home, knowing that people closest to me are keeping up with my travels.
Lots of love always,
J