Thamel- The Tourist Mecca

First let me apologize for the lack of visual aides up to this point. I have tried numerous times, with two different cables, to upload pictures onto my blog. I will need to make a friend in order to get these up and running. Try to be patient with me!
Thamel is a beautiful place. Although a bit polluted, I haven't really noticed. And yes, I am definitely 'that tourist' with my camera in hand at all times, taking pictures of the seemingly meaningless things. The sign of our breakfast place, a building I have no idea what it is, but thinks is cool, my computer station, random shops along the streets, etc. I just don't want to forget ANYTHING about this amazing land.

My yesterday was filled with a day for Jessi. After two benadryls to help me fall asleep due to the Nepali 'Club' blasting music outside my window till 2 a.m., I slept for 11 hours. What a wonderful way to help recover from a crappy nap on the plane. :)

I spent most of the day alone, because my fellow American volunteer, Kristie, got delayed in Qatar. So, our morning date got pushed back to a dinner date. Probably a blessing in disguise because I could do what I wanted for most of the day. I ate a cheese sandwich for 50 rupees (no veggies- we cannot eat fresh veggies if we do not know were 100% washed in safe water) from a hole in the wall shop called 'Pik Wik'. That is also where I bought my first cup of coffee for 15 rupees (about 5 cents) Don't worry, I have a picture of the store and the boy working the counter. Then, I walked through Thamel continuing to soak it in and not really having a plan. Sometimes, that is the best way to do things. I did come across a child beggar. Those who know me well, know that I am a bit naive and trustworthy- almost to a fault. I had heard warnings about this happening in KTM. He looked pitiful and anything but sweet. He kept grabbing my hand, would not let go, and followed me for literally 5 minutes. Finally, frustrated, heart broken, confused, I went to a nearby restaurant and bought him a loaf of bread. The right thing to do? I have no idea. He seemed anything but satisfyed, probably because a loaf of fresh bread is harder to resell than a package of biscuits. Good lesson learned- do not even make eye contact and maybe I need to be a little more forceful.

For any little negative thing that ocurrs here, there are 10 positives. I passed the girl who works at our hotel, not more than 20 years old, named "Uzie". Her real name has a lot more letters, but I like to shorten names to one or two syllabals. They like my American nicknames. (Razam is 'Raz", Dipen is "D".) Uzie invited me to her house. Her father, a business man living in Singapore, was in town for a short time. That meant her whole family was there at the house hanging out. I followed Uzie to a HUGE house that looked antique. She explained her uncle lived on the first floor, she lived on the second, and her brother lived next door. Pretty amazing. Uzie brought me tea and we sat in her bedroom with her brother and brother in law. They were all so welcoming. I took pictures of the family and they were impressed with digital cameras. I did not understand what they were saying but Uzie explained they kept repeating 'Bring her every day- we will cook for her and show her Nepali way of life'. Could I have asked for anything more? Uzie has impressed me so. She is taking me to a nearby Temple on a hill this afternoon. I can hardly wait to visit.

There is much more, but time is running out. I apologize in advance for all you grammar people out there. Don't judge too much. :)

Lessons from Nepal today:

1) Blackouts ocurr on a scheduled basis in certain parts of the town- make sure you know where the candles are.
2) Be weary of child beggars- a nice gesture may not be enough.
3) Bargaining can actually be fun, not intimidating- always start with at least half of the initial price.
4) Kathmandu also has a park! I just thought that was neat.

More to come. I plan on taking Max's advice and venture outside the city a little bit. Hopefully Uzie can help me with that.
Hugs from Nepal!
Jessi

Kathmandu- Initial Thoughts

Namaste! Greetings from Nepal! I arrived safe and sound after a marathon flight (13.5 hours) to Abu Dhabi and then another 6 hr (I think, I was sleeping the whole time) to Kathmandu. Once I arrived in the airport, accessing a visa was a bit of a challenge, unexpectedly. The visa price went up an astounishing $70 USD (from $30). So I did not plan for that and had to purchase a 30 day visa instead of a 60 day and will have to renew my visa at some point. Then, the airport is so crowded when you exit- Nepali taxi drivers are bombarding you with requests to carry your luggage. I knew I was waiting for a VSN (my volunteer group) driver and he would have a sign with my name on it and sure enough he did. He called me "Jeshni Prahl" and I thought that was cute.

The drive to my hotel: OMG, I saw my life flash before my eyes a few times. The roads in Kathmandu are crazy! Maybe not as crazy as some would say Bangkok is, but definitely more so than what I am used to. First of all, everyone seems to walk or ride their bikes in Kathmandu. They use leaded (not unleaded) gas here, so pollution is a bit of a problem. It is not uncommon to see pedestrians with their sari's or a napkin over their mouth while walking. My driver honked 10 times more than my Boston-native boyfriend Max does, and quite frankly that was shocking :) (No offense honey) I mean, the roads are so small and crowded and the few drivers around are definitely on a mission!

I am staying at Hotel Tradition, a hotel right next to Thamel, the touristy part of Kathmandu. Its an adequate place to call home for now.
Other things I have learned about Nepal:
1) AC does not exist! (I think the volunteers have seen one restaurant with AC, only in a small area of the place.)
2) Leaded gas fuels them.
3) Its common to see Nepali men hold hands while walking down the street- I think its cute.
4) The people are generally nice. A college student I bought a skirt from yesterday taught me a few words in Nepali.
5) People in Nepal know who my fave Colbie Calliat is and play her music on the street at night!

I know I will learn more- like where to find my first cup of coffee! (Mom, I need you here! lol).
PS- if you read this with no pictures, stay tuned. I have to figure out my computer situation and why I cant upload pics...
Until my next opportunity to access the internet for 15 rupees (about 20 cents or less)/hour....

First Stop- New York

I flew to New York (specifically, Islip and Bohemia) first to visit my Aunt Barbara (dad's sister) and my Mema (Dad's Mom). My Mema brightens my life with her genuine sense of the world and somewhat innocent perception of it all. She shows her age by repeating her statements and questions and by making us repeat ours because she is losing her hearing slowly but surely. Other than that, she does not at all seem like the almost 89 year old woman that she is. My Mema is cool because she sports Nike sneakers that are bright white. I love it. How awesome is that? (See picture above). She has so much love to give and I love that quality about her!

My Aunt Barbara has been amazing and is treating me like a Queen. I feel a connection with her like no other and that is always a neat thing.

Off to the airport bright and early tomorrow. I fly on Eithad Airways and if their website paints an accurate picture of the type of plane I will be on for 15 hours, then I will be a happy girl. How do you say 'posh' in Nepalese? I just pray I make my connecting flight and that my baggage meets me in Kathmandu on 7/28/08.

Hugs!

Almost there...

In less than one week, I will be in a foreign country for the first time in my life. I grew up in Peachtree City, a.k.a. the 'bubble'. We never locked our car doors, or our front house door at night. I could ride my bike throughout the entire town and my Mom would never worry, as long as was home by the time the street lights came on. This lifestyle caused me to grow up somewhat naive and inexperienced about life. Nothing 'bad' ever happened in my hometown that had a profound or negative affect on me. My life in general was fabulous. I come from a family who never made me feel incapable and always made me feel completely adequate. We were rich. Not in material things necessarily, but in those intangible things that some may call 'love, spirit, laughter, compassion, connection, unconditional support, hugs'. I consider myself more than lucky.

In the next few days, I will be throwing myself into an environment that will challenge me and my perception. It will cause me to think. This land called Nepal is not going to be all that 'peachy'. I may see things that cause me to feel sick inside and I understand that. I may not be as mentally prepared as I need to be, yet I cannot wait to see the opportunity for change. I cannot wait for the opportunity to put my passion into action and try to make a difference, big or small. This is my chance of a lifetime, and I could not feel more magical.

I have found out a little more detail.... I will arrive in Kathmandu after only one stop in Abu Dhabi on July 28th at 4 pm. There will be a GVN staff member there to pick me up- thank God! I will have until August 1 to travel around the city and do the 'tourist' thing, hopefully with other volunteers. I will be staying in a Hotel that costs 400 rupees per night (That is only about $8!!) during my entire time in Kathmandu. I start my orientation and training on August 1 and that will last for 5 days. Then, the other volunteers and I will take a bus to our designated villages to begin our life there. I am staying with a host family that will provide me with more than authentic cultural experience. I will have one day off per week, where I will travel back to the city for a hot shower and the internet :). My work will be teaching health education to children living in an orphanage (Although in Nepal, orphanages are referred to as Children's Homes). I will be teaching them proper sanitation methods and providing health checks in order to help prevent disease and sickness. Children and health? Could not be a more perfect option for me! Please stay tuned for more and more updates. :)

World Clock!

Hello! Use this link to see what time it is in Nepal (Kathmandu) and Tokyo.

Very useful link!

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Life Before Nepal

My Fellowship has ended, I currently have no job, and I still find myself as busy as ever. Most of this time consists of organizing my room in bits and pieces (getting ready to move out soon), going down my extensive to-do list pre-Nepal, taking noon spin classes and playing with the most beautiful kids I know. This picture is of me and Naomi. She is 3 years old and belongs to Katie and Adam- two of the nicest people ever and two of my greatest friends. Naomi (Dee-Dee) is one of 4 children ranging in age 4 months to 4.5 years. They make me happy and always help remind me of what is important in life: the simple things! They take me to a place that grounds me- a place that caters to playing dress-up, doing 'cannonballs' in the pool, kissing baby brother, and pretending to be astronauts under a tent in the living room. Can't you tell why I am thankful for these children??

These next few weeks will fly by, I know. I am currently in the process of developing and implementing some fundraising ideas for the trip and going down my list for packing. I also have little trips here and there that I am sure will be posted. :)

T-minus 5.5 weeks!

Well, where do I begin? My flights are booked, my fees are paid, and my mind is wandering. In less than 6 weeks, I will be in a far, far land experiencing something GRAND. No more hot showers, no more daily chats with my mother, no more checking email, no more trips to the gym. For a couple months, I will be living the life in Nepal- one of the poorest nations in the world.
How do I put my thoughts into words? I am hoping my trip will be full of reflecting, learning, growing, searching and of course yoga-ing! And, more importantly, I hope you will find yourself checking on my 'blog' for updates on my travels!
Thank you again for all your love and support.
I hope you enjoy my posts!