Raw garlic and ginger

I have been in Kathmandu for two weeks already, actually it feels like a lot longer. The first two weeks we have been what I like to call ‘herding’. Walking around in our new volunteer herd. I am not really fond of herding, but in this situation it has mainly been a positive experience in which everyone has been very supportive and tolerant. During the two weeks I have settled into Kathmandu and the way of life here and I have begun to understand the culture and learn the language. Highlights’ so far include last Saturday’s Hash and evening Himalayan Blues Festival. The Hash is basically an expat running and beer fest which I should hate, as surely I must want to mix with Nepali, but actually its a relief to meet up with other people who know where I am coming from and its also a great way to see the countryside outside of Kathmandu. It was great to have a dance to some live music after the run, which by the way was 13 km! Although for us volunteers we blew 3-4 days budget in a night out, well worth it though!

With the highs come the lows, which started with the squits on Sunday and finished on Tuesday, this was a really shitty time though, I felt very low and energy less. I managed to cure myself with my faithful friends raw garlic and ginger and have since committed to swallowing raw garlic and chewing ginger on a daily basis and I feel great!

Herding will end on 1^st December when we all go to our districts to find ourselves fancy apartments and to complete a further 3 weeks language training. And then finally I will begin my volunteering. I am intrigued to meet my new colleagues and to discover the delights of Nepalgunji. The picture painted so far has been varied, but I will decide for myself and paint my own picture.

It hasn’t rained once since I have been here which is very strange for me, but usual for this time of year here. I never thought I would miss the rain, but the pollution here is so bad because we are in a valley it would be if the rain came to rid the smog.

Big love

x

Good Bye and Namaste

I had a wonderful time saying good bye to everyone before I left, it really felt like everyone was supportive of what I was doing. The bolly wood night and mad hatters tea part at work were brilliant and great to see people at work-out of work. Then Francesca and Dave supported me on the 42 mile sponsored cycle challenge, which was indeed a challenge (for me and Dave anyway). I had a lovely time staying with my Mum and she really helped me to eliminate non essential items when I was packing in my final few hours. Brighton was fabulous-zombie walk and dancing-wicked.

My final farewell in Manchester was lovely too and it was great to spend some time with Dave before I left.

Rob saw me to the airport, thank goodness, I could not carry all my luggage on my own and I even managed to down a jacket potato before climbing aboard.

After what felt like forever I finally made it to Kathmandu, where was my welcome part, no where to be seen! So I caught a taxi to the guest house and slept. Over the last week I have been settling in. I have been learning to speak Nepali, which is going really well. People are really friendly here and will help you with your language. On the first Saturday I went to the hash house harriers run, up hills and down dale through spider webs, it was really good and my legs ached for four days. The temperature is chilly really, not as cold as UK ha ha but without heating its really cold when you are sitting in the class room.

There are 12 new volunteers that make up our group, I am the only British, the rest are Dutch, African, Philippian, American, Canadian and Indian. All ofcourse are really nice!

My battery is about to run out so thats all for now....to be continued

PS food good