An Extra Taste of Life

Just thought I would put up a few more pictures from the daily side of life.

My class taking the class photo for the school yearbook. We are class 4'B'.
View of the Himals....from school! This picture is not doing it justice. If you have time you should open it up big on your computer. Some of our students get this view from their classroom. It's crazy!
Table tennis is big here! And out of my class 4 boys....I hear that Sandeep is pretty awesome.
They are also extremely excited if I ever attempt to play with them!
Mmmmmm.....one of the tastiest things in Nepal....hot chiya (milk tea) from our very own chiya didi at the bus park stand by our house.
Nothing like grading papers by candle light. We are currently up to 12 hours a day with no power, which conveniently always happens to be all during the day....and then they give us electricity from something like 1am - 7am. Thanks guys....just in time for me to wake up!

What's Your Biggest Luxury?

Are you a fan of simple living? Maybe you car pool to work or use energy efficient light bulbs? But, we all still indulge in luxuries right? So what is yours? An SUV instead of a fuel efficient mini car? Maybe you love your grande latte from Starbucks in the morning?

Well, this morning I rewrote my definition of luxury. And here's how it goes: WATER. That's it. One simple word....water. Yes, it is a luxury. Not hot and cold running water at all times of day and night. Nope, just plain water. Like, enough to wash your hands and brush your teeth with in the morning (and notice I didn't even ask for the flushing of the toilet that comes before the hand washing).

There is a percentage of the world that has no clue what it is like to be without a reliable, clean source of water. But here's the news flash that most of the people in that group miss, your the minority. Yes, I know that you have seen the images of women on television lined up to fill their mismatched buckets and bowls of water at the community tap to carry it along the dusty road back home. But, don't scoff at me yet, have you really thought about it? Well, I had to this morning...only for a few hours...and let me tell you something. It wasn't fun.

I had a great morning planned starting with a little sleeping in. Decided to roll my way out from under the covers at about 8:00. Thought I would maybe make some coffee and then wash those sheets that have been sitting in the corner waiting to be freshened up for when I no longer need the warmth of my sleeping bag. Sleepy-eyed, I make my way out to the charpi (toilet...but you throw the water down with a bucket rather than flushing), and discover...no water. Nothing to panic about, there is an extra bucket of soapy water left over from the other day when I washed some clothes. I throw that down the toilet and don't think twice. Surprise number two, I can't wash my hands. Well, I guess I will use the tiny bit of water left from just rinsing my clothes because it only had clean clothes in it. Problem solved.

Wrong. Problem still coming.

The thing is, we live in a village up in the hills and are known for having a plentiful supply of water. While most of the village houses do not have running water, they can fill up tanks at their house for use during the day. Otherwise, they make the short trek with buckets to the village tap and carry water back home, which gives them more than enough for drinking and cooking. Really, my house is lucky, we DO have running water all the way to the house. But, it's the dry season now, so we run out. Lately, we've been running short each day, but not so bad that I've registered what this means. Only yesterday, I was feeling a bit lazy and didn't fill up a single bucket with water. Not the kitchen buckets, not the toilet buckets, nothing. Which brings us back to my morning of consternation.

After the make shift hand washing, I wander to the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee. We do not have a tap in the kitchen so usually a few buckets of water sit on the floor to use for cooking. This morning they were sitting with only the smallest puddle in the bottom. And now the morning wake up call really kicks in...THERE IS NO WATER. I have one last trick up my sleeve, we have a water pump, but it only works when there is electricity. And guess what, yep, this morning no electricity...and the loadshedding schedule says I'm out of luck until noon. Crap....that's 4 hours! Alright, that's life in Nepal right? I figure, I'll combine those puddles of water from the bottom of the buckets for at least one little cup of coffee, I'll just have an apple for breakfast (no water required), and then I'll head to the city to catch up on emails and when I come back...there will be some water.

I get my cup and half of water boiling and save the last half of cup to rinse out our coffee press....stylishly held together at the moment with numerous applications of duct tape. I get to the sink (a cement hole on the floor) and find ants. Damn. In my laziness yesterday, not only did I forget to fill up the water buckets but I didn't finish washing the dishes. One bowl is infested. What to do? No water....remember? If I just had one....one little bucket of water all my problems would be solved. I could wash my hands, wash the ants out of the sink, and be on my way (let's not even talk about how much water it would take to wash those sheets). Ok, I can handle this. I hold the ant infested bowl out the window, knock the ants out, flick the remaining ants off my arms and inspect the sink. The rest of the ant family is looking for a new spot....I have to squish them with my fingers. I lean back out the window to see the ants climbing on the walls. I attack with a broom and then spread turmeric on the window ledge...ok, did I really hear that turmeric can deter ants or am I just losing my mind at this point? Ant problem postponed for the moment...now if only I could wash my hands. Oh well, I wipe them off on my pants.

Whew, everything is ok now. At least until I have to use the bathroom again. I drink my coffee and head into my room to change into some jeans so I can head to the city. Problem still not solved. I cannot even brush my teeth or wash my face. I am losing my will to keep trying. EVERYTHING requires water. When did that happen?

I commence on a silent rant in my head. I can't even wash my hands! How ridiculous is that? Is it too much to ask to just brush my teeth? Seriously! Just my teeth! Let's not even talk about trying to shower or wash clothes. My sink is filled with dirty dishes. Your welcome stupid ants. Hope you come back in an hour. I can't do anything! I'm stuck. Frozen, trying to start the day.

It's now 10:15, and just as I've lost all of my previously positive attitude. The power comes back on. A moment of grace of the electricity Gods. I burst into action! Run downstairs and turn on the water pump. Take all the buckets out to the tap. Brush my teeth with the first trickles of water. Take the first two buckets back to the kitchen and boil drinking water. Start in on the dish washing and pouring the ants down the drain. I fill up extra buckets for the toilet and take the kitchen buckets back for round two. I my face and my hands! It's incredible!

I admit, maybe I sound a bit dramatic about being without water for just over 2 hours. But, it really did put a damper on my morning, and it got me thinking about the lives people face when they do not have access to water. It really must control a person's life. I still think I'm inconvenienced when I miss a shower here or there. Even after living here for over a year, I still take water for granted. How can you not when you grow up with an endless, beautiful supply that can be hot or cold at your demand? So, if you've read this far, do me a favor. Try to go a day without using any water besides the small amount you drink or cook with. Or, at least count or think about it every single time you turn on some water. It will make you think.

Now answer this question again.....what luxuries do you have? Is your list a little longer?

Sports Day (Part 2)

Yes....even the teachers have to get dirty and participate in Sports Day. The male and female teachers have to take turns in tug of war and a relay race with the parents. The male teachers dominated winning both of their events. The females...well, we got torn up by the moms in the tug of war but had a stronger showing in the relay. Being that I was the youngest female teacher...and have yet to have any children of my own, the running was more my event.
The male teachers taking down the dads in tug of war.
The senior boys relay....I think they are getting ready for the 4 x 100 relay.
I helped "coach" the girls relay teams, which just means about a week of after school practicing with the baton. But, the girls were awesome! Our teams took the first and second places at our own school and the next day we competed at another school and this team took second, with a baton drop!..which means they would have had first no problem.
All of the Panthers watching the events.
I was given the five extra girls that were not involved in the pyramids yet. We came up with this set and the girls had fun. The little one on top had no fear and just climbed right up every time!
The PT display for the parents. Starting in class 1 the kids have to do PT during the games period. It is kind of an old school style jumping jack-type routine. The older kids are really thrilled about it on sports day.
The final score! My team had a strong finish in 2nd place.

Sports Day!!!!! (Part 1)

What is sports day??? Well, basically the equivalent of a track and field day at one of our elementary schools....only this involves all 1000 students up through class 10! After a few weeks of practice...yes, practice for the sports day....we had two full days of events. Why do we need to practice? Because this isn't just your ordinary track with running and jumping. Students show their best stuff on everything from team marching and human pyramids to leap frog and skin the snake! The colors in the photos represent the school teams. In any school competition whether it is sports or the spelling competition the students compete with their teams. At the end of the year, there is a school champ....which is kind of fun to have the older kids in class 10 cheering on their little teammates in classes 1 and 2.

There are six teams including Panthers (yellow), Jaguars (purple), Lions (green), Tigers (red), Bears (gray), and Leopards (dark blue). The teachers also get assigned a team, and my roommate Pat and I were both Panthers this year.
The team captains presenting the flags in the opening ceremony of the sports day.
Class 1 and 2 boys going all out in the sack race!
Some of the cuties girls from the little classes showing off their winnings in the sack race. Pramitra is the winner in the purple and Rebika with the missing tooth in the red. Both girls are super cute in class as well!
Only class one boys learning how to line up for the 100 meter dash.
Me giving a pep talk to the girls before musical chairs. Some of the best smiles in classes 3 and 4!
Intense musical chairs....you have to earn this one!

The class 4 girls awaiting their teammates in the relay race....lots of nervous anticipation!

Happy Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to leave a short note to say Merry Christmas....or Happy Christmas as it is more often said here. Although this was my first Christmas spent away from home, it was not as difficult as I had anticipated. Due to the lack of snow and small Christian population here in Nepal, there just wasn't that same Christmas atmosphere that makes it such a unique time of year. Even though my mind was telling me that I was missing Christmas at home, it just didn't quite feel the same here. But, I think that actually made it a little easier on me so it's all good.

No worries though. I did sing carols with my students at school, and we even had Secret Santa exchanges both in class and for the teachers! My classroom filled up with Christmas trees, snowmen, and candy canes made in art class. And, because our school is Catholic school, we now even have a 3 week winter break, more due to the fact that our classrooms are too cold to sit in right now than for the religious beliefs though. My roommate and I were invited out to dinner every night this week so we have had good company, good food, (good drinks), and lots of singing.

And, now I am quickly trying to put together my travel plans for the coming days. You can look forward to exciting pictures down the road (but don't hold your breathe).

I hope you re all having a wonderful time with family and friends! Remember to count your blessings and realize how special your life is during this time! Thank you all for your thoughts, notes, and your precious time spent reading my blog!

Happy Holiday from Nepal!

Bhai Tika

During the early Fall, Nepal is known for having a string of holidays and festivals. During a holiday called Tihar there are a number of different celebrations, one of which is called Bhai Tika. Bhai means "little brother" in English, and Tika is the power you put on another persons forehead to give them a blessing. I was able to visit my homestay family again to celebrate Bhai Tika. The comination basically means that brothers and sisters come togehter every year...and this means all the brothers and sisters in the family...to give each other blessings and gifts. First the sisters give blessings and put tika on the brothers, and finish by giving each brother a large plate of good food and treats. Next, the brothers put tika on the sisters and give them money or gifts.
The preparations of colorful tika, oil, and candles.

There is only one brother in my homestay family, which means including me there were five sisters giving tika.

Each sister adds a different color to the line of tika.

Now, the brother has to give the same colors of tika to each sisters. The leave helps keep the tika in a straight line.

My finished tika!

The whole group of kids after the offcials blessings and tika. Next we get to eat large amounts of rice, vegetables, meat, and other treats prepared for the day. Later the mother in the family had her sister and brothers over and they performed the same ceremony.

Everyone in the family participates. These are the three little cousin brothers from next door after they got their tika and treats. They were pretty darn excited about it all!

I am very thankful to have such a great family in Nepal that has included me in their lives. I continue to visit them on a regular visit, and they will be one of the most hart warming memories from my entire stay here. I look forward to learning more about their family and customs during the rest of my stay here!

Part Two.....

Day three....after leaving Poon Hill, I still had views of the mountains and then dropped back down into the trees for a walk along some water again. Really beautiful and relaxing.

Morning tea stop with monkeys for entertainment:)

We even had some larger wildlife on the trail....well, maybe not so wild. These cows actually stopped to like the salt off of my arm.

Figured I should have at least a few pictures of me or you would think I stole all the pictures from the internet and just said I went trekking!Just before evening and some rain, I made it to my stop for the thrid night. I also walked the second half of the day with some very friendly Germans so I had some company along the way. We had a great view from the guest house both in the evening and the next morning. Below is the Machhapuchhre Himal that is so famous in Nepal.

And again Annapurna South....

On the last day, I had to leave the mountain views behind, but still saw some really beautiful countryside. I loved this house surrounded by the really green rice fields.

I was able to go trekking because of the holiday from school. It is the biggest festival time of year in Nepal so we had to stop for some blessings and tika on the side of the trail. I was again walking the same trail as the group of friendly Germans so I was included in the tika!
And last....these swings made out of bamboo...yes, that is giant bamboo....were all over Nepal during the festivals. I don't know exactly what the tradition means, but I think every Nepali (or maybe Hindu) is supposed to swing at least once in their life. Plus, you can imagine the excitement this brings on for all the kids! Unfortunately I wasn't bold enough to jump in with the Nepalis and try it, but they sure were cool looking.

So, after four days of walking, I got to return to Pokhara and relax for a night. The next day I was back on a micro headed for Kathmandu and had a sleep in my own bed.