Our arrival here in Kathmandu came after 20 hours of flying and a very short layover in China. We knew we were really on our way when we noticed the line up of those going onto Kathmandu from China was noticeably different with more backpacks, trekking poles, and North Face gear strapped to people's backs versus rolling suitcases. Exciting! Here comes our next adventure! We were picked up at the airport by our program driver and safely driven through smaller and smaller streets (some just dirt and rocks) to our hostel. Although the hostel is very simple, the people here are so friendly and welcoming. We have a room for the four of us and a small bathroom and shower connected to it for our use only.
"Your problems will become our problems. Your happiness will also be our happiness. You are now part of our family here," was our welcome in the morning by our language teacher, Prakash. We spent our first day learning about Nepal, it's culture, and some language. We also made a trip to the local shops. To get there we walk up a hill to the Kalanki temple. The street is very crowded and noisy and our senses quickly become overwhelmed with honking, dogs barking, cars and scooters and buses jammed with people everywhere and, oh yeah, the occasional cow wandering in and out of traffic (Zach says they must be power hungry as they are sacred here and can't be touched...if only we could cross the street like that)! At the top is a temple and outside of it you will find women selling fruits and another old lady cooks corn on a small fire beside the temple by the road in the ditch.
We all eat together on the top floor of our hostel. We've had all kinds of traditional Nepali food, all a curry dish of one kind or other. Our favourite so far has been the momos. Another volunteer, Megan from Australia, started with us and is very friendly. Lore, a volunteer from Belgium works at the monastery each day but returns here for all her meals. There are other people constantly coming and going as well. It is very friendly and social and I think the boys are really enjoying all the interactions.
On Wednesday we travelled by taxi to Thamel. Thamel is the touristy area of Kathmandu and all the signs, guest houses, and stores are about trekking. The boys tried to play some singing bowls and thought they were amazing. The most adventurous part of the day by far was the taxi. We dodged cars, motorbikes, scooters, rickshaws, people, cows and went down alleys, and even pulled up along a food vendor to buy food through the window! I took a video because you'll never believe it unless you see it. I'll post it later.
On Thursday we travelled by bus, and return by mini bus, to Kathmandu Darbar Square. The most interesting part, other than the obvious dodging of cars, people, motorbikes and buses is that we shared our bus with a goat! The mini bus looks like it should fit perhaps 8 people but when we piled out we had counted 16! Needless to say it was cramped seating! It's fun though and we're beginning to get the feel (a bit) for this Nepali way of life. I hope to add pictures for you on our next post. For now,
Namaste!
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