Nepal day 12

Well the week is just flying by now and I have a feeling the next few weeks will be the same. Last weekend we decided to get away which was a great choice. Bhaktapur was another city though a bit more historical with temples and a much better view of the mountains, not to mention clear air. The next day, however, was even better. Saturday we headed off to Nagarkot (where I have never been) and road a crowded bus (though we were lucky enough to get a seat.. and one that wasn't broken this time) up a narrow road with a sheer cliff on one side and a mountain on the other. finally we were in true Nepal country-side! So, consulting our Lonely Planet we had an idea of where we wanted to stay, but were hooked with the first hotel owner that asked us if we wanted to take a look and told us it was only 550 rupees.. equivalent to maybe $8 canadian. There was even a TV in our room! The fact that we had no toilet seat, it was 2 single beds shoved together, and cold water didn't phase us as we had a magnificent view and were going for a bit cheaper of a night. Turns out that it's a good thing we went cheap because we ended up meeting a group of americans who were on their last weekend in Nepal and who had been here to film a documentary on womens empowerment. THey are part of a non for profit organization called ETL: extending the link, and they're a really cool bunch of 3rd and 4th year university students.

Before we met them, we took a walk throughout the one road that led us through town and had lunch on the rooftop of this restaraunt, who's rooftop hadn't even been officially established! Just the 2 of us, eating at this cement pillar with a small round marble platter put on top, and the best view of anywhere! When I have more memory and internet time I will post some of these pictures for everyone at home to see what we saw... though of course pictures can never do full justification for the real thing.

The next day we decided we were going to do a short trek to a town called Changnaruyan and it turns out our american friends and thier expert Nepali guide were too! We left after them, after having a nice breakfast facing the mountain cliff, managed to find our way due to a kind Nepali priest, and met with them halfway.. just when I thought we might be a little lost. We hiked with them the rest of the way and went a way I probably wouldn't have went if it was just us.. up and down, over rocks and tiny paths.. a good workout too! Changnaruyan is a small town with the oldest temple in all of Nepal.. from the 14th century I believe.. and costs 100 rupees to enter. Of course we were encountered with a man trying to sell us his tour service as he explained the historical significance and tried to tell us good prices, even after we said no, and when we went back to a restaraunt at lunch he wouldn't leave, expecting pay. I payed him 20 rupees and he laughed saying that wasn't enough and he wanted 50.. that's Nepal though, and I didn't give in.

The weather in Changnaruyan in the afternoon too went really cold.. luckily after we arrived on foot.. started to rain, and turned into a mixture of hail/snow and sleet! I couldn't believe it! The ground was turning white and the roofs of the cars had ice on them! Definitely took pictures of that too!

Got home in time for dinner and then went back to volunteer first thing Monday morning. We were going to go to Budinilkantha (the other location of Shanti Sewa Griha) tues but didn't know how to get there as our friend, Jeevan, wasn't feeling well enough to go and so he didn't show us. We did end up going to a Nepali movie with two of the girls from the center though, Lhota and Sanita, a typical movie with drama, action, and of course a complicated love story. Charles wasn't as entertained I don't think but he did make fun of it the whole time so he got some fun out of it. Today we went to Budanilkhanta and hung out with the severely disabled children. I think doing this really reminds me of how lucky we are, and how much of a difference we are making just by being there and being interested in these kids.. some of which remember me from the last time, which is a true honour.

This organization is still one unlike any other I've ever participated in, volunteered for, or even heard of, and my mind has been buzzing with ideas of ways to help them back home and things I can do with the donation money while I'm here. I just love this organization so much, despite the politics that have been going on with the healthy patients wanting to take over the clinic and get more money, make it private, and have the Dr as they're head, and the sick patients fighting for it. So much I can tell you but not in enough words. I know that one of the first things I will do when I'm home, and set up while I'm here, is have a Nepali dinner. I will have a slideshow of my trip, this wonderful organization, charge a fair amount per plate, and have all proceeds go to Shanti. Also, there are so many handicrafts that this place makes that are wonderful and worth a lot and that I hope to sell when I get home. So, my few followers, be prepared for this campaigne to hit you and please be willing to help. There is soo much I can say about this wonderful organization and how they help the disabled of their country.

Now that that spiel is done, I am sitting in Thamel - yes we have finally come to Thamel to all the places I remember, and it astounds me how our spatial memory works and after 2 1/2 years I still know the way! Food is expensive, drinks are hard, but it's warm and there are people all around and everywhere you go there is live music. Not sure how much a taxi will cost but no worries, it is a good night and worth the money.. plus if I"m comparing to home, it's still relatively inexpensive for an expensive meal here.

Hope everyone at home is finding ways of staying warm, I am sure bundled up, with no heaters at home and a colder house than outside, but appreciating and enjoying every moment while I"m here. I look forward to going back to Budanilkhanta tomorrow to use part of the donation for gas to heat the houses of the poor and disabled here.. what a difference it will make to them!