I have a story to tell...

It was Sunday, the day I was going to Norvic to have my stint removed. I had been at the Home in the morning, giving medicine, vitamins, making sure they wash their hands, usual stuff. I came back home around 9:15 or so because God forbid I ever miss a meal at home. That is like the ultimate sin at my host family's house! If I don't finish all my food they think I am sick, or worse, hate their food (which also means them!). I ate my dal bhaat and there was even some roti (chapati) mixed in there. yum! I was outside by the well brushing my teeth while my didi was washing clothes. Scan below to see a visual- pics are in a previous post.
I walked faster than normal to the drain and before I knew it my body hit hard on the concrete floor. Toothbrush in hand, I fell down bracing myself with my forearms and skinned myself on each extremity. I fell so hard that Ama's look on her face was sheer fear- like someone had gotten run over by a car or something. My ego was the only thing shattered, and I quickly picked myself up. Immediately, Ba and Ama brought me into the house and checked me for broken bones, it seemed. Ba busted out the trusty tiger balm (go ahead a chuckle), and put it all over my visable wounds. They were so concerned and sad that I had fallen. I reassured them that I was totally okay. I could tell that this event was going to ruin their day and they were more concerned than I have seen an adult in a very long time.

Ama and I left for the bus stop on our trek for norvic.

One thing to note- Ama and I rode in a micro bus together and she would not let me pay for our bus fare. I thought it was only natural for me to pay, since she was just riding with me to make sure I knew how to go. When I reached my hand full of rupees to the driver for payment, Ama sternly yanked my hand away. In nepalese, she firmly stated "Are you my daughter, or are you not my daughter???!!!" and with my tail in between my legs I replied 'I am your daughter'.
We got out of the bus and Ama walked with a purpose to the hospital. Along the way she would make a couple statements in her native tongue and would laugh at my confused look, obviously understanding nothing she was saying. This communication is somehow working for us...haha.
Ama left me at Norvic only when she knew Bigyan was there. The hospital visit went well and Bigyan was patient enough to stay with me and take me to his house afterward (future blog).
The story I want to tell is about my return home the next day. I walked in the door and immediately noticed Ba looking so sweaty and fatigued. Did he just run up the Monkey Temple steps? Keep in mind Ba is 65 years young. He is in good shape because of the intensity of his daily duties. But something was different today. He had dirt stuck on the sweat in the creases of his neck. He was sipping cold water and wiping dust from his shirt. I asked him what had happened and he took my hand and led me outside. Tears came to my eyes from what I saw next....
The outside looked completely changed. Ba had slaved all day and all night on reconstructing the outside because of my scary fall. He took out the old well and filled it with cement and then brick. He (and another family member who traveld 45 minutes by bus) scraped and scraped and scraped all the dangerous grime near the tap. They could not stand the fact that I fell, and they worked so intensly on not letting anyone else have the potential to fall. The sight was amazing. Now, there is a brand new well pump firmly planted near the drain, so water does not have time to sit and get slippery. I could not believe my eyes. I could not believe that Ba thought to do this and in fact came through with it. The positive thing is, that this new well does allow water to come out more easily. I wish I had a picture to show you. I just wanted you to know that my family is the best host family ever.
I am so thankful to have the opportunity to get to know them and they make me want to be a better person. This is only one (well, maybe a big one) example of how they show their goodness. I will have more examples on future blogs! Can you believe this gesture?!
Love,
J