Sunday, July 20, 2003

I'm now at Bangkok airport waiting for my connecting flight to Australia... so the travels are finished and the travel log is also - but just wait until the next adventure!


As for farewells, they were very nice. The formal one in assembly with all the children was a little funny actually - but the good-byes to the families that I have become close to were very very sad.


I will miss Nepal too much (As they say over there).... I think a large piece of me will remain there forever.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Kathmandu Appreciation Day

Thank you Hetauda for giving me added appreciation for my own city. I shall spend this week tottering around it, taking all the photos I haven't taken yet because I'm not a tourist and just appreciating my city. There are only 3 days left, and the time is feeling tight. I know I will never forget this place, but I need to just soak it all up before I go.


Thank you, Kathmandu, for 50 of the reasons I love it here:
1. It's foreign
2. It's Nepalese
3. People sometimes undertstand me when I speak
4. I sometimes understand others when they do
2. I live here
3. For free
4. I teach here
5. I've gotten to know all these lovely Nepalese children
6. I love them
7. They love me
8. It's beautiful here
9. There are no tourists
10. It's a real monsoon - like the documentaries!
11. And there's floods on the roads
12. And we can have mud fights in the streets
13. And we've all been permanently wet for a month
14. And it's too much fun! :-)
15. The city is over 10 times older than my country
16. And historically significant
17. And beautiful (again)
18. The mountains are beautiful
19. The water pots are beautiful beautiful
20. The temples are beautiful
21. The houses are beautiful
22. The river's beautiful
23. And we have a pet snake in it - tommy
24. And people roast corn on the banks of the river
25. And make string
26. And they are all very friendly
27. AndRandom strangers give me tea, sweets and love to chat
28. And return my clothes when they fly off the roof in the wind
29. And give me directions or cardboard boxes or any crazy art supplies when need be
30. And people also ask me directions
31. And I know the answers
32. And I have a favourite restuarant
33. And it's very cheap
34. And I know all the shop keepers along the entire street
35. And they know me, and the names of all my family members and even what I ate for breakfast each morning!
36. And the school is great
37. The kids are fabulous
38. And well behaved
39. And the other teachers are absolute dears
40. And I have made the most amazing friends I'll ever have
41. Who are really inspirational
42. And there is a jungle only 15 minutes walk away
43. And I can go there everyday with my friends
44. And the snow line and the Himalayas really aren't very far away
45. Even on the muddy roads - thanks to the crazy bus drivers
46. And I can catch a bus or a tempo or a taxi on my own (quite an achievement you'll realise if you ever come here)
47. And it really is like a roller coaster every time you travel on public transport
48. And I especially love all the little differences that make it so special here
49. And the experience of living over here
50. And most of all, this is home!!!

Saturday, July 12, 2003

Dear loyal readers,

Well, The last week has arrived - in a flash... and it seems to be disappearing from underneath me as quickly as it has come. I don't want to leave at all.


Right now I am in Hetauda - I've been staying in a local village and have only just managed to escape to the 'city' for a while to keep you all updated... The village life here isn't so strange. We still have bucket baths (except now they're outside in the middle of the street and done while wearing a sarong type piece of cloth), there are still cow worships, but they happen every morning in the front yard, there are still goats, except they sleep in the same room as us!, and there's still too much dhal bhat!


Anyway, I'm having lots of fun taking photographs, visiting temples (although I have seen enough headless chickens running around to last a life time!), stalking wild elephants and attempting to communicate in Nepali.


Just wanted to let you know that I'm fine, and everything is great! Hope you are all having a nice time there!

lots of love
Lauren