tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65343079496427971462024-03-14T09:30:48.696+05:45livewelltravelfara blog following a girl in NepalSeasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-48806336460864933612013-06-24T21:28:00.002+05:452013-11-14T02:05:14.411+05:45Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm home with Mom and Dad in California, in my lime green room that hasn't been changed since high school. I had this idea that when I returned to the U.S. I would feel this sense of "home", this excitement of returning after a long day at the factory and feel at ease once I settled in. I thought maybe it would be nice to not always have to be on my game, ready to speak another language, navigate a city, or make friends with new people to get around...<br />
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WRONG. Being home is a shift, it's a change that I'm now (I suppose) accustomed to. Yet it hasn't been an easy transition. I had the days of jet lag- falling asleep at 2 in the afternoon because I just couldn't keep my eyes open- and the days of panicing at the mall as the mass amounts of consumerism and consumption was too much for me to handle. I had the newborn-feeling days when I was oh-so happy to go on a run, eat a crunchy salad, take a bite of a juicy fruit, and breathe the air. Those days aren't over.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">First food on American Soil (San Francisco International Airport)</td></tr>
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Then, I was forced back into reality- I got an internship, took a quick vacation with my loved ones, and got back to the grind- and I've been busy ever since.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Auntie, Mom, Me (San Jose, CA)<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JzRoLivW9A/UcfWwHdEASI/AAAAAAAAA30/fsoMzqe30vM/s1600/IMG_9178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JzRoLivW9A/UcfWwHdEASI/AAAAAAAAA30/fsoMzqe30vM/s320/IMG_9178.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lunch (EAT Club, Palo Alto, CA)<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1xgLPAeKno/UcfnkC4eQGI/AAAAAAAAA5M/1h9t-2fBlUo/s1600/IMG_8923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1xgLPAeKno/UcfnkC4eQGI/AAAAAAAAA5M/1h9t-2fBlUo/s320/IMG_8923.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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It occurred to me the other day as I spoke with Chris, that I really enjoyed writing my blog. Sitting down and getting my thoughts out, putting pen to paper (er... finger to keyboard), is just such a natural way for me to be able to express my thoughts and my fascination with this place, this world, we call home. So here I am, writing a blog post, in San Jose, California. Sadly, for now I won't have any more stories or pictures from Nepal, the beautiful and wonderful place I called home for 4 months.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Last Day of Rafting (Trisuli River, Nepal)</td></tr>
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I realize, though, that those days of travel and exploration are not over. I shouldn't stop writing my blog just because I'm not half-way around the world- I still meet new people every day and see amazing things that I would love to share. I owe it to my Nepali <i>pariwaar</i> (family), I owe it to others who somehow find an interest in the places I go and the photos I take as I learn people's stories, and I owe it to myself to continue to write. Because that's what's interests me and that's what's been on my mind. I want to find ways to travel, to take photos and to make memories.<br />
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Dad and I went on a mountain bike ride the other day near Santa Teresa and it was the first time I'd been out exercising with someone else since I'd been back. Yup- it confirmed I'm not in shape. It was WORK. Then again, I went with Dad. He tends to be like a little kid on steroids when he's doing anything exercise-related so I set myself up for that one! However, the ride was great and we had a fun time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W0U98KYUTJY/Ucfn7P9nfLI/AAAAAAAAA5s/inkCoUWWXFc/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="99" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W0U98KYUTJY/Ucfn7P9nfLI/AAAAAAAAA5s/inkCoUWWXFc/s320/IMG_9011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking (San Luis Obispo, CA)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mountain Biking (Almaden, CA)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iU75Dnmu0s/UcfnWsFkD5I/AAAAAAAAA4w/ONNKnxKdOGo/s1600/IMG_8739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iU75Dnmu0s/UcfnWsFkD5I/AAAAAAAAA4w/ONNKnxKdOGo/s320/IMG_8739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking with Mom (Los Gatos, CA)</td></tr>
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What I found myself struck by was how much beauty there is around us. I think we sometimes forget in the bustle of the Silicon Valley to take a minute and appreciate what's around us. We're so focused on our busy schedules, on what we're doing tomorrow, that we forget about today. </div>
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I cranked my pedals around and around and felt the burn as my muscles dusted off cobwebs, felt the sun on my arms and legs warming my skin, and felt the cool bay breeze blow the hairs around my face out from under my helmet. I watched as the dirt trail curved before me, around the golden hill into this wide-open pasture with wild turkeys running and a fawn following its mother. I looked out into the Valley and saw how beautiful all the little houses look among the rolling hills topped with dark fluffy trees. </div>
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As we made our way downhill, I felt a rush of adrenaline as the tires maneuvered around little rocks in the trail and absorbed the roughness below me. I watched my shadow next to me, gliding through the hills and following the trail carved out for me. That peacefulness is something that I constantly felt when I was in Nepal. That ease among the bustle. I miss it. Yet, that feeling of happiness and excitement is something that isn't lost- but it's something I have to remind myself to seek out. It was so natural in Nepal, and it definitely can be here too. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean (Santa Cruz, CA)<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsEYJ24hhlE/UcfW07nXUlI/AAAAAAAAA38/w5nOEcL-5R0/s1600/IMG_9238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsEYJ24hhlE/UcfW07nXUlI/AAAAAAAAA38/w5nOEcL-5R0/s320/IMG_9238.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Streets of SF (North Beach, SF)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMbVASS-2E/Ucfnb-7a5WI/AAAAAAAAA48/j5fuKcU9fSs/s1600/IMG_8689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMbVASS-2E/Ucfnb-7a5WI/AAAAAAAAA48/j5fuKcU9fSs/s320/IMG_8689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Getty Villa (Pacific Palisades, CA)</td></tr>
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Our home is really so picturesque. I've been so fortunate to be able to travel half-way around the world and see amazing places that are so unique. But coming home I realized that there is this same beauty around us every day. It just takes a minute to stop and appreciate what we have. In the month I've been home I've traveled up and down the state: San Francisco, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles and it's made me realize how beautiful my home really is. There's so much diversity, yet you can always count on the ocean breeze, the warm sun, and tree-lined hills. It's such a wonderful place and I want to explore more of it.<br />
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Make every day an adventure. You just have to find something interesting, meet someone new, or challenge yourself in some way. I'm convinced monotony is preventable and my prescription is a positive attitude and an open mind. At least that's what I'm doing. </div>
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Love to Prabin, Pragya, Ama, and Baa. Tapaaiharuko yaad aauchha.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjz0KuxQEo/UcfWfMG2WdI/AAAAAAAAA3M/UxgXMe27lTk/s1600/IMG_8976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROjz0KuxQEo/UcfWfMG2WdI/AAAAAAAAA3M/UxgXMe27lTk/s200/IMG_8976.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Hermit Crab </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZs98wSmUFk/UcfWqCTxPTI/AAAAAAAAA3s/cfSGpA5FjYY/s1600/IMG_8979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZs98wSmUFk/UcfWqCTxPTI/AAAAAAAAA3s/cfSGpA5FjYY/s200/IMG_8979.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trisha Tide Pooling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buvoLLA4ZRI/UcfWi7NFOoI/AAAAAAAAA3U/48a1wwRey_Y/s1600/IMG_9008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-buvoLLA4ZRI/UcfWi7NFOoI/AAAAAAAAA3U/48a1wwRey_Y/s320/IMG_9008.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trisha and Me (Avila Beach, CA)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hnp2QnrMVs4/Ucfn-ma1GQI/AAAAAAAAA50/CtkryP5XQwE/s1600/IMG_9097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hnp2QnrMVs4/Ucfn-ma1GQI/AAAAAAAAA50/CtkryP5XQwE/s320/IMG_9097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Monkey Bread (home)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1y80fnpUJGA/UcfW6aPTqfI/AAAAAAAAA4E/AYT4n3LZSpE/s1600/IMG_9348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1y80fnpUJGA/UcfW6aPTqfI/AAAAAAAAA4E/AYT4n3LZSpE/s320/IMG_9348.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Bagel Sandwich</td></tr>
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Of course, I end a post with food. But it's just so good. ;)</div>
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Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-3606075956460619102013-05-06T22:12:00.001+05:452014-01-13T02:33:10.310+05:45Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Being "poor" is a term we slap on to Third World countries. We
label the developing world as just that-"developing"-as though it lacks progress and is not stable enough to survive on its own. When I was in Tanzania, everyone repeated "oh, that's such a poor country, isn't it?" giving this country its seal of fate, signifying that everything I would encounter would be summed up in images of starving children and unsanitary living quarters. While there are various ways in which Nepal may seem “poor”, I just can’t shake
the moments that I witness every day from my mind that inherently defy this label. Yes, there is trash on the
ground, streetlights cannot be found, dust blows in the air from the polluted
street, and in some places there is a child begging at your feet. But the thing
is, people are <i>happy</i>. Not everyone, of course. But everywhere I go, I
catch glimpses of life in Kathmandu and it fills me with happiness to see how
happy others can be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvweBkmYnrE/UYfS4YFVHTI/AAAAAAAAAug/CWuN3C33F3M/s1600/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvweBkmYnrE/UYfS4YFVHTI/AAAAAAAAAug/CWuN3C33F3M/s400/IMG_3972.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market Kid (Thamel, Nepal)<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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In the U.S. you may walk along the street and see people
heading to work, busily clicking away at their cell phones with sunglasses
covering their eyes. Many jump in their air-conditioned cars, listening to the
radio as they prepare to punch in for their 9 to 5. </div>
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In Nepal, people head to work just the same. Only their eyes
are ahead, looking for oncoming traffic while carrying their briefcases under their arms as they navigate the streets. Others hop on a bus, squeezing into tight quarters and handing
over 15 rupees as they sputter along to the office. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFrrzGgR3QA/UYfYkB39ZpI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vXGymMhRkqQ/s1600/IMG_7886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oFrrzGgR3QA/UYfYkB39ZpI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vXGymMhRkqQ/s400/IMG_7886.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Biking with Dad (Kathmandu, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghZIMQZWM4g/UYfTSJY5yqI/AAAAAAAAAu4/BCkxkTJerjs/s1600/IMG_8168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghZIMQZWM4g/UYfTSJY5yqI/AAAAAAAAAu4/BCkxkTJerjs/s400/IMG_8168.JPG" height="400" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Commute (Patan, Nepal)<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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In the U.S. kids don’t play in the city streets. They hold their parents’ hands and walk, staring at the ground, picking up
bugs or pebbles that strike their fancy.</div>
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In Nepal, kids are everywhere. Some play marbles
outside a shop. Others help take care of their little siblings, snacking on a bag of raw <i>ChauChau </i>noodles as they walk to school holding hands. Some ride bikes along the sidewalk. And
many young boys ride the bus, collecting passengers’ money to earn a
living.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5V91Spvlo0Y/UYfS6zHN_QI/AAAAAAAAAuo/eddOAH_iwvs/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5V91Spvlo0Y/UYfS6zHN_QI/AAAAAAAAAuo/eddOAH_iwvs/s400/IMG_4002.JPG" height="257" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">On the Street (Jawalakhel, Nepal)</td></tr>
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In the U.S. you’ll see a squirrel climb a tree and pigeons
swarm around some leftover crumbs from a woman’s sandwich. Maybe someone
will run past, dog in tow. Or a small trail of ants will follow
the cracks along the sidewalk, busily crawling toward a water source.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Nepal, there’s no shortage of animals in the streets.
It’s normal for a bull or calf to walk along the sidewalk or even cross the
street stopping traffic as cars honk for it to move along. Pigeons flock around grains of rice that were given as offerings at temples.
Dogs are everywhere- all of them mutts- searching for leftover food or a place to close their eyes and rest.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85Yzb704B4o/UYfTjpsyDyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/wzh8f5sBPos/s1600/IMG_8046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85Yzb704B4o/UYfTjpsyDyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/wzh8f5sBPos/s400/IMG_8046.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Calf on the Street (Naxal, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My point is, that while these differences distinguish Nepal
from the U.S., it does not make one "poor" and the other "developed". It simply means they
are different places with different people who, surprisingly, have very similar
ideas about life. I would like to
argue though, that these two places have very different ideas about
happiness. In the U.S. we tend to measure happiness based on wealth, on things,
on what we can show we have earned for ourselves. We are so obsessed with
happiness that we force it upon ourselves, relying on media or entertainment to
fulfill our need for a laugh or smile. While this makes us hard working and future
oriented, sometimes we forget to take a moment and appreciate the little
things. We are so busy worrying, trying to be what we want to be that we forget
to just <i>be. <o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Nepal, some might argue there is the opposite problem: people
are too focused on the present so that short-term fixes are not sufficient
enough and cannot be sustained. While this argument may be valid, there are also so many
ways that this approach works to keep people happy. Sometimes you have to make
the most of what you’ve got, and at times that can be short-lived. But I’ve
found that most people here really know how to love their families, to care for
one another, and to smile and laugh whenever they can. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tE0uVqtpJso/UYfYPRSIW-I/AAAAAAAAAvk/d3-6buPU0Fs/s1600/IMG_7640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tE0uVqtpJso/UYfYPRSIW-I/AAAAAAAAAvk/d3-6buPU0Fs/s400/IMG_7640.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Best Friends (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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So when I return to the U.S. I’ll miss walking past the grandpas
on the street laughing over <i>chiyaa </i>while
their wives sit across the courtyard gossiping about their children<i>. </i>I’ll miss seeing a store shop <i>didi </i>help a customer as her <i>chorri</i> sits patiently next to her,
entertaining herself with makeshift toys. I’ll miss the big sisters helping her
little siblings with homework as their parents continue to skillfully sew <i>kurtas, saris, </i>and <i>cholos </i>for waiting customers<i>.
</i>I’ll miss the two friends on a motorcycle, trying to balance all their
things while navigating busy traffic and carrying on a conversation through
their helmets and masks. I’ll miss walking past a young mother with a baby on
her back as she carries groceries home, the <i>nani
</i>smiling happily as she bounces up and down, staring at the world around
her. And lastly, I’ll miss the feeling that I get when I catch a glimpse of
these moments of happiness that are all around me. Because those are the
moments that make you feel full and that inspire you to take a moment for
yourself to just smile and be happy. </div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-4333069293662875162013-05-01T12:45:00.001+05:452013-05-02T08:15:02.909+05:45Seeing Nepal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For the past three weeks I've been in the midst of my ISP (Independent Study Project) and it's given me a chance to see so much more of Nepal. I'm not talking about the heights of <i>Sagarmatha</i> (Everest) or the jungles of the West. I've come to know the quiet neighborhoods, the shortcuts to the bus stop, <i>daai's</i> little shop on the corner, and the local street food hot spots. It has been so exciting traveling and exploring these last few weeks that I've neglected to update everyone- and for that I'm sorry. But good news is, I've got a lot of cool pictures to show you. As always, some are of food!!!<br />
<br />
Street art has been so amazing. Everywhere you go it's inevitable to stumble upon. Some might consider it graffiti in the U.S. but I get the sense here that while it's often political, street art is accepted and encouraged. There's so much trash along the streets and the art is a way to bring a little bit of color to people's lives. When I get the chance, I take a picture of some new art I see and it makes me wonder if the negative perceptions of graffiti in the states are really all that valid. Yes, in many cases, people are defacing public buildings, but there are so many instances there are creative artists that just want to make art free and viewable to all. These are a few of my favorites:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCULK-PSIRc/UX82AfL3FaI/AAAAAAAAAro/mUuEetGVoK4/s1600/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tCULK-PSIRc/UX82AfL3FaI/AAAAAAAAAro/mUuEetGVoK4/s320/download-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>ke nepal baachchha. </i>(kantipath road, kathmandu, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbF2l9vMbRk/UX810BeV6pI/AAAAAAAAArg/U2d6ZpQKxIc/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbF2l9vMbRk/UX810BeV6pI/AAAAAAAAArg/U2d6ZpQKxIc/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>ma bhinna chhu.</i> i am different. (kathmandu, nepal)</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-864XsvASdzs/UX83icg3xvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/CpASgIdsHjw/s1600/IMG_8059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-864XsvASdzs/UX83icg3xvI/AAAAAAAAAsw/CpASgIdsHjw/s320/IMG_8059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">street art (patan, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxljg2tPzl4/UX85S5WZzOI/AAAAAAAAAto/eqWLQv5iJqY/s1600/IMG_8171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxljg2tPzl4/UX85S5WZzOI/AAAAAAAAAto/eqWLQv5iJqY/s320/IMG_8171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">stop. learn. go. (patan, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Being on my own has it's perks. For example, I direct you to exhibit A below. That there is a fine bowl of delicious, fresh, and <i>sasto </i>(cheap) fruit and yogurt. Mike's Breakfast has not only delicious Western-style food but also has wifi. aka is the most convenient place to go when in Naxal. During ISP we've been finding plenty of good food- that's for sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICdeA5QHuuQ/UX82r5VGXnI/AAAAAAAAAsI/a0toThUJr4o/s1600/IMG_7862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICdeA5QHuuQ/UX82r5VGXnI/AAAAAAAAAsI/a0toThUJr4o/s320/IMG_7862.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh fruit with yogurt (mike's breakfast, kathmandu, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh hey! This is me riding the <i>chhabis</i> (26) public bus with a semester's worth of clothing, books, and little treasures I picked up along the way on the seat next to me. My aamaa gave me <i>tikka </i>and a white scarf for good luck as I left for research on my own. Naturally, everyone on the bus stared at me as I hopped on with a 40 lb backpacking bag and a backpack full of books, shoving my way to the back where I hoped to disturb the least amount of passengers as possible. I realized during that bus ride from my homestay to the guest house that I was sad to leave my family, yet excited to be able to return with stories and research to share. I'm planning on heading over to cook with them tomorrow =)<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peKzbLKF6cE/UX82Gn9-8wI/AAAAAAAAAr4/E-S3S5CgDB4/s1600/IMG_7871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peKzbLKF6cE/UX82Gn9-8wI/AAAAAAAAAr4/E-S3S5CgDB4/s320/IMG_7871.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">leaving homestay (bus, kathmandu, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0oQVwxNPzc/UYC69xXaCgI/AAAAAAAAAuA/xGHO0fBN84c/s1600/60676_3050437115817_1295429014_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0oQVwxNPzc/UYC69xXaCgI/AAAAAAAAAuA/xGHO0fBN84c/s1600/60676_3050437115817_1295429014_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prabin, Aamaa, me, and Pragya (Handigaun, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For my month of research I'm focusing on international volunteer development organizations. I'm talking with Peace Corps, VSO, JICA, and ActionAidDenmark officials to learn about their approach to development and how they place their volunteers. I decided to head out to the villages and find out just what the volunteers are doing in their service.<br />
<br />
For a few days I went out to remote villages, shadowing Peace Corps volunteers and learning about their experience in Nepal. That required what I'd like to call, some <b><i>extreme</i></b> bus riding. Buses here are not at all like they are in the U.S. Sure, they've got 4 wheels, a driver, and passengers. But when you walk up the narrow stairs to find a seat, it's shocking how many people are packed in there. The bus is <i>rangichangi </i>(colorful) with knitted neon decorations and hand painted Hindu gods along the flashy metal walls of the bus. If you're lucky, you get a seat. If you're like me, you're standing for 2.5 hours while driving along unpaved single lane roads. In my case, that requires a slightly hunched neck and a firm grip on the ceiling bar as I tower over a small <i>aamaa</i> with a baby in the seat beside me.<br />
I love riding buses and watching the "bus boys" do their thing. "Bus boys" are so young (usually under 18 by the looks of it) and have such a relaxed attitude. Their job is to stand at the door, whip it open, shout the bus' many destinations to pedestrians, and collect money from passengers. Fortunately for me, I always try to make friends with the kid, speaking Nepali to figure out where I'm trying to go, and sometimes getting a free piece of gum in return. Watermelon Centerfruit is my fave cause it's swee, lasts forever, and you can make some pretty good bubbles with it. Buses are my friend because they bring me from A to B for about 15 cents. They are, however, hot, uncomfortable, and bumpy. Good thing I can make small talk.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pgmn1wAx2NQ/UX83N2mtiuI/AAAAAAAAAsY/nnLiVDcYOSA/s1600/IMG_7966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pgmn1wAx2NQ/UX83N2mtiuI/AAAAAAAAAsY/nnLiVDcYOSA/s320/IMG_7966.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding buses (somewhere near kusma, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUL-iWqniB8/UX85Sy54sMI/AAAAAAAAAts/9pVAv4juYYA/s1600/IMG_8169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUL-iWqniB8/UX85Sy54sMI/AAAAAAAAAts/9pVAv4juYYA/s320/IMG_8169.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">on the bus (tripura sundari temple, tripureshwor, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
While doing research, I traveled with a few classmates to Pokhara, a lakeside town west of Kathmandu by a 6 hour dive. It's extremely touristy with trekking shops galore, but it also has a calmness and less polluted atmosphere that's nice. It gave me an opportunity to run along the lakeside and get some fresh air. While this initial idea of getting some exercise seemed ingenious, of course, was followed by my realization that I'm completely out of shape. I only managed to run about 3 miles before I had to return and shower and pass out from exhaustion. Summer, you will be both an enemy and a friend, cause this body needs to get back in shape. I can't wait to get back into swimming and biking. Running, not so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zHuN72fZKA/UX83VrRP-dI/AAAAAAAAAsg/bhZAgmSYNiA/s1600/IMG_7955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zHuN72fZKA/UX83VrRP-dI/AAAAAAAAAsg/bhZAgmSYNiA/s320/IMG_7955.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">idol by the lake (lakeside, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After Pokhara, we returned to Kathmandu but were feeling like a change of pace from the busyness of Naxal where our school is located. We found a Norwegian guest house in Jawalakhel, about a half hour drive south of Kathmandu and I'm loving it. It's like living in the dorms and our rooms feel cozy. We have a yard, a place to hang our laundry away from the dusty streets, and most importantly, a kitchen so we have the freedom to make all of our meals. Of course, we have to stop at the <i>katti</i> <i>roll</i> joint. These rolls are 130 Nrs (about a dollar fifty) for a delicious burrito-like snack filled with tandoori chicken, sauteed veggies, and egg. The kid who makes it has to be about 15, and he has so much attitude and confidence flipping the rolls in the air from the grill top to a plate. It's entertaining, cheap, and delicious.</div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EalpDACZOY/UX83liuj7EI/AAAAAAAAAs4/rhysYRBnsmA/s1600/IMG_8052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4EalpDACZOY/UX83liuj7EI/AAAAAAAAAs4/rhysYRBnsmA/s320/IMG_8052.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our yard (norwegian guest house, jawalakhel, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KVi0MwowJs/UX84sObGLzI/AAAAAAAAAtY/8qeXCe6dnXw/s1600/IMG_8095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--KVi0MwowJs/UX84sObGLzI/AAAAAAAAAtY/8qeXCe6dnXw/s320/IMG_8095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">homemade veg sandwich (norwegian guest house, jawalakhel, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XG0ooyt-E1A/UYC7yyIXYqI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Pq0IqD3EGPs/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XG0ooyt-E1A/UYC7yyIXYqI/AAAAAAAAAuM/Pq0IqD3EGPs/s1600/IMG_8176.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade breakfast (norwegian guest house, jawalakhel, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFjR0uZtZwA/UX85FrDCC-I/AAAAAAAAAtg/fc93xeiEljA/s1600/IMG_8152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFjR0uZtZwA/UX85FrDCC-I/AAAAAAAAAtg/fc93xeiEljA/s320/IMG_8152.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">katti roll kid (syanko, jawalakhel, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div>
It's been so fun exploring the neighborhood here. Where Kathmandu has narrow streets packed with cars, barking dogs, and people commuting, this area seems to be a little more spread out. There's quite a large foreign community here, likely due to the presence of so many INGOs and the UN. Coffee shops are filled with <i>bidheshis </i>(foreigners) on their laptops and the streets are calmer and lined with large houses. There is also the occasional monkey run-in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQsgR1BF4y8/UX83erlnO7I/AAAAAAAAAso/rwuoCaWPImc/s1600/IMG_8072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQsgR1BF4y8/UX83erlnO7I/AAAAAAAAAso/rwuoCaWPImc/s320/IMG_8072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coffee shop friend (patan, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TELH1QIZNqw/UX84e1TNl0I/AAAAAAAAAtI/Hm-kFj-AN2E/s1600/IMG_8078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TELH1QIZNqw/UX84e1TNl0I/AAAAAAAAAtI/Hm-kFj-AN2E/s320/IMG_8078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">abandoned 3rd floor (durbar marg, kathmandu, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVHXekuxJRc/UX84jvd74vI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/_qPeel-Jziw/s1600/IMG_8091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KVHXekuxJRc/UX84jvd74vI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/_qPeel-Jziw/s320/IMG_8091.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">street flags (jhamsikhel, nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've got a week left of ISP research. During this time I'm going to be finishing up my last interviews and bringing my work together in a 20-40 page paper and presentation. It's so hard to believe that this semester has flown by. Words cannot express the emotions that I have felt since being in this country. It's not only it's diversity that is so attractive, but it's people that make me want to return to Nepal. Everyone I meet here asks if I'll come back- while my future is so uncertain, I know that I will make a point to return to this place that I've called home for 4 months. It's incredible the connections you make and the people that mark your life when you have an open mind and a positive attitude. I've learned how to be more flexible, try more things, and be confident in ways I never was before. More than anything, this has been an amazing growing experience for myself and I can only hope that I managed to make a mark on half the people I've met. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nepal is a beautiful place. I am so privileged to be here. And I do not want to leave. That being said, I feel content that I will be back in San Jose in just 15 short days. I'm excited to share stories, pictures, and memories and to be back with my family and friends. I just have to accept that I'll be leaving such a rich community back here in Nepal and know that I will, one day, return.</div>
</div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-25480870324507062502013-04-10T12:14:00.001+05:452013-04-10T12:14:14.447+05:45Didi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Being an only child for 20 years of my life, I’ve never had
the pleasure of having my pigtails pulled, my favorite snack stolen from me, or
my side bruised from elbow jabs. </div>
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In the last few months, I’ve been living with a younger
brother and sister, and I can say emphatically that there is something so
special about being a sister. No matter how many times people with siblings
complain about all the stuff they have to put up with, there is something about
having companions your same age within your home to laugh with, disagree with,
entertain yourself with, and most importantly, gang up against your parents
with. Just kidding. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jZ2Le0KC8M/UWUGA7Q6Z-I/AAAAAAAAAq0/3izORa_-ne4/s1600/IMG_7182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jZ2Le0KC8M/UWUGA7Q6Z-I/AAAAAAAAAq0/3izORa_-ne4/s320/IMG_7182.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hear No Evil (Pragya), See No Evil (Prabin), Speak No Evil (Me) (Kathmandu, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
In all seriousness, it’s one of my favorite parts of the day
coming home and unlatching the gate to hear Prabin or Pragya from above saying <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Namaste Didi! </i>(big sister)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>A smile immediately spreads across my
face and I can’t help but be just as excited to see them as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
In the U.S. we tend to ask <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how are you?</i> out of politeness, but in Nepal, the two questions: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kasto chha?</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sanchai chha?</i> always feel genuine. My siblings always want to know
how I am, how my day was, and want to know what I learned at school. It makes
me eager to ask the same questions back because they’re so honest. Sometimes
they reply <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thik chha!</i> (I’m good), other
times it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thikai chaa </i>(I’m alright),
and there’s an occasional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">malaai alchhi
laagyo </i>(I’m feeling lazy). While we haven’t gotten into any fights because
we’re all too nice to each other, it’s fun being sarcastic and joking around
with them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Pragya is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met and
because we’re so close in age (she’s 19) it makes relating to each other so
easy. With Pragya we talk about simple things like our walk to school or a
test, but other times it’s so fun talking about deep issues in politics,
education, or what we want to do in life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Towering over me at just over 6 feet, Prabin is the sweetest
and most sincere little brother (he’s 17). He always asks me little questions
like what my favorite movie is, if I like a certain band, or if I’m going to
return to Nepal. When he plays soccer with friends in the street, I always try
my hardest to not embarrass him. I think that’s what older siblings are
supposed to do at least…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Beyond all the horror stories I’ve heard from friends with
siblings where their brother went through their diary, their sister told their
parents about a secret crush, or their parents had to miss their 3<sup>rd</sup>
grade band performance because they were taking the little one to a doctor’s
appointment, I’ve learned that there’s so much more to having siblings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
When I leave Nepal five weeks from now I’m going to miss
hearing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didi </i>every day. </div>
</div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-41116495917683402362013-04-04T11:09:00.001+05:452013-04-04T11:11:57.662+05:45Spring Break<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}</style><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As per usual, my Spring Break was hardly your typical
vacation. While I missed being on an Alternative Breaks trip this year, I’d say
that being in Annapurna was a pretty nice trade off. For two weeks, we traveled
from Kathmandu to Pokhara (about a 6 hour bus ride away) and intended to fly up
to Jomsom (where all the trekkers start the Annapurna Circuit) and then trek to
Larjung for a village homestay. Because we are in Nepal, things are pretty
unpredictable:
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Our
plane got cancelled because it was too windy. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As crushed as we were, I felt alright about avoiding being
in a tiny aircraft flying up the deepest river valley in the world with huge
gusts potentially blowing us into the nearby mountains. Plus, we got to spend
an extra day in Pokhara where we grabbed a delicious lunch (SANDWICHES! Yum)
and canoed to the other side of the lake where we hiked up to the World Peace
Pagoda. We really enjoyed ourselves and tried to make the most of an
unfortunate situation.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLMdCG80ZWU/UVz2Tx6wbFI/AAAAAAAAAps/la9w-6pTUS8/s1600/IMG_7406.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLMdCG80ZWU/UVz2Tx6wbFI/AAAAAAAAAps/la9w-6pTUS8/s320/IMG_7406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seth, Deb, and Me Canoeing (Pokhara, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN60iykxHAw/UVz2N4-3TkI/AAAAAAAAApg/sK19lpNR6Ko/s1600/IMG_7347.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IN60iykxHAw/UVz2N4-3TkI/AAAAAAAAApg/sK19lpNR6Ko/s320/IMG_7347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windy Days (Pokhara, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The next day, however, we were trapped traveling by bus from
Pokhara up into the mountains and the roads are…. Let’s just say a little less
than enjoyable. Picture a one lane dirt road with falling rock cliff-like
mountain to your left and a steep drop off into the rushing cold river below
the entire way. That being said, sweaty palms aside, it was a breathtaking bus
ride. As we ascended, it became obvious that we definitely were not in
Kathmandu anymore where rushing cars, barking dogs, and trash-filled streets
are. The snow-capped mountains loomed over our heads and the bright water
rushed below. As we made it closer to Larjung the mountains became closer to
eye level and I didn’t have to crane my neck against the bus window to see the
white mountain tops. We stopped in a nearby village and trekked the rest of the
way to our village and this is what we saw. Not to bad, eh?</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5WR1tGzfwY/UVz7LxdWKTI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Oi2jsGT36ik/s1600/IMG_7556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5WR1tGzfwY/UVz7LxdWKTI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Oi2jsGT36ik/s400/IMG_7556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the River (Larjung, Nepal)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OUmXd3sgjk/UVzyP-EvVuI/AAAAAAAAApE/Dm6Uc_JeHIQ/s1600/IMG_7548.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5OUmXd3sgjk/UVzyP-EvVuI/AAAAAAAAApE/Dm6Uc_JeHIQ/s320/IMG_7548.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Suspension Bridges (near Tatopani, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-DTmkgtlM4/UVzxO8ukn7I/AAAAAAAAAo8/IRSVCsx3vNk/s1600/IMG_7537.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-DTmkgtlM4/UVzxO8ukn7I/AAAAAAAAAo8/IRSVCsx3vNk/s320/IMG_7537.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trekking and its Perks (Tatopani, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Living in a village after being in the city had its perks:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>no loud pujaa bells waking me</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>clean, crisp, and fresh mountain air</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>quiet streets</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>friendly people</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>more freedom to explore (nature)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>a change of pace</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">- adorable babies</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-74QiPDMfFgg/UVzt9mXCFUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/RmCOQlcfME0/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-74QiPDMfFgg/UVzt9mXCFUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/RmCOQlcfME0/s320/IMG_3411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeks (Khobang, Nepal)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDKCf59AUcg/UVzuq18eKnI/AAAAAAAAAoU/5UA4y-g8ttw/s1600/IMG_3534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BDKCf59AUcg/UVzuq18eKnI/AAAAAAAAAoU/5UA4y-g8ttw/s320/IMG_3534.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Love (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FeJjZbtYVQ8/UVzvMU-L9vI/AAAAAAAAAoc/NTpE41SXnKY/s1600/IMG_3576.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FeJjZbtYVQ8/UVzvMU-L9vI/AAAAAAAAAoc/NTpE41SXnKY/s320/IMG_3576.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unikaa (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyjl5byJ3-U/UVzwBT0XMiI/AAAAAAAAAos/3PRlwPs_688/s1600/IMG_3603.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyjl5byJ3-U/UVzwBT0XMiI/AAAAAAAAAos/3PRlwPs_688/s320/IMG_3603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids on the Block (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S43iHsBwk3s/UVz3H6cX7XI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vUqTg7pNZd4/s1600/IMG_3725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S43iHsBwk3s/UVz3H6cX7XI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vUqTg7pNZd4/s320/IMG_3725.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nani (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The village also had it’s <i>interesting </i>aspects:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>dudh chiyaa</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>practically
every household owned at least one cow (my didi and aamaa had 3) so fresh milk
was always available. Too bad im mildly allergic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Raksi</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Nepali
for “alcohol” (yeah, it’s pronounced like Roxy!!!!! Love ya Rox! =D) raksi is
made in the village and is a huge part of the culture. Its appropriate to drink
a small cup socially and to share with family over a meal. However, it takes
like rubbing alcohol mixed with a heavy dose of lighter fluid. I’m convinced
that just like Dad’s coffee, this raksi would make hair grow on your chest it’s
so strong.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Showering… or lackthereof</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>In
the week we were there, I bathed once. While I wouldn’t say I smelled bad,
there was definitely relief when all the girls and I ran to the nearby stream
and felt the suds of shampoo on our scalps. It was definitely an interesting
experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Size- we’re talking small</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>I
could walk from one side of the village to the other in 3 minutes. That being
said, there were only about 30 households. Basically, everyone knew we were in
town. Reeking havoc? No. but certainly causing a few double-takes from being
tall and American.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqcC4dDJRDo/UVz46XNSfCI/AAAAAAAAAqE/X92VB900OVs/s1600/IMG_3811.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqcC4dDJRDo/UVz46XNSfCI/AAAAAAAAAqE/X92VB900OVs/s320/IMG_3811.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Didi and Aamaa (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbaBU6ky718/UVzypFG7KpI/AAAAAAAAApM/IMLLxzeWV-8/s1600/IMG_7570.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tbaBU6ky718/UVzypFG7KpI/AAAAAAAAApM/IMLLxzeWV-8/s320/IMG_7570.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Kitchen (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span>Language</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Villagers
definitely speak differently than city folk. Most verbs that we attempt to
conjugate in the city, we threw out the window because everything uses the same
structure. Instead of: ma jaanchhu. tapaai jaanuhunchha, wahaa jaanuhunchha. haami
jaanchhau, (I, you, he/she, we go) it was simply ma jaane. tapaai jaane. Wahaa jaane.
haami janne. It was nice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Though
they speak “simply” they also speak with accents AND no English. So that made
everything that much more challenging.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBHUFXqPSgs/UVzvdz0XoKI/AAAAAAAAAok/JTGEbOHpQLg/s1600/IMG_3689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBHUFXqPSgs/UVzvdz0XoKI/AAAAAAAAAok/JTGEbOHpQLg/s320/IMG_3689.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batti (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wQrsyaRCXk/UVzuVlzZe9I/AAAAAAAAAoM/MZMK_X7Jp0o/s1600/IMG_3474.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wQrsyaRCXk/UVzuVlzZe9I/AAAAAAAAAoM/MZMK_X7Jp0o/s320/IMG_3474.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My porch (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gugZxJwuf2o/UVzwESqmWEI/AAAAAAAAAo0/fvo6aLDZ3BM/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gugZxJwuf2o/UVzwESqmWEI/AAAAAAAAAo0/fvo6aLDZ3BM/s320/IMG_3698.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty of Larjung (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qS7k_WcFz34/UVzytr5tBwI/AAAAAAAAApU/R7dSwY6ds4A/s1600/IMG_7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qS7k_WcFz34/UVzytr5tBwI/AAAAAAAAApU/R7dSwY6ds4A/s400/IMG_7648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lakeside in the Rain (Larjung, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpY5Jxlei-0/UVz38aZDYII/AAAAAAAAAp8/qUiDFDsuWEc/s1600/IMG_3796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpY5Jxlei-0/UVz38aZDYII/AAAAAAAAAp8/qUiDFDsuWEc/s320/IMG_3796.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full Moon in Mustang (Larjung, Nepal)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rv7Ik4tLGpg/UVz5xtSKI2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/NjTkP1j1pv0/s1600/IMG_3870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rv7Ik4tLGpg/UVz5xtSKI2I/AAAAAAAAAqM/NjTkP1j1pv0/s320/IMG_3870.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer Flags (Poon Hill, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOCMBDZh98M/UVz7cVzgWqI/AAAAAAAAAqg/7nSBf3qUbkE/s1600/IMG_7709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOCMBDZh98M/UVz7cVzgWqI/AAAAAAAAAqg/7nSBf3qUbkE/s320/IMG_7709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">360 Mountain View (Poon Hill, Nepal)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We trekked out for 4 days and did an early sunrise hike up Poon Hill. It was breathtaking, though the crowds were ridiculous. I'm talking at least a couple hundred people heading up a steep mountain at 5:30 in the morning. All I could see was a trail of headlamps heading up the slope before me and the orange sun slowly rising behind me. Trekking was a reminder of how beautiful this country is and how diverse it can be. I also saw more "white people" than I had in the city and it was interesting meeting people and learning their stories and reasons for traveling.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm about to head off and do my own research. For my ISP (independent study project) I'll be learning about development in Nepal and how, due to the political history and instability, there are a variety of strategies that organizations must take to create successful change. I'm choosing to look at Peace Corps in Nepal and find out just how much they have to adapt to the political landscape and also how they need to create development projects that are custom to Nepal. I'm super excited. Yet it also means that I'm entirely responsible for my work, money, travel, and food. (I'm not too worried about getting fed though, let's be honest).<br />
<br />
I'm missing everyone back home terribly, but am excited and anxious for all that I've got ahead of me in my last few weeks in Nepal. </div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-55157262163980360462013-03-16T16:49:00.001+05:452013-03-16T16:49:30.710+05:45I'm Off!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tomorrow morning we're leaving for Annapurna! It's one of the most beautiful places in the world and we get to go! We'll be flying up the deepest river valley in the world (only a 25 min plane ride) and we're going to trek for 2 days and stay in small villages along the way and then we'll have a homestay in Larjung for a week with new families and a new schedule. I'll have no internet and no phone service. So I'll be back in two weeks with (hopefully) lots of photos and stories!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuulLnDdn8I/UURPOagZGxI/AAAAAAAAAn0/nIrB3pD92n0/s1600/IMG_7208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nuulLnDdn8I/UURPOagZGxI/AAAAAAAAAn0/nIrB3pD92n0/s320/IMG_7208.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves (Nagarjun Community Forest, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a picture from a hike Mel, Deb, Kelsey and I went on last weekend. It was SOOO hard. It was just stairs straight uphill made of rock and dirt. It was beautiful though how the trees covered the path so we were protected from the strong sun. We hiked for about 3 hours and then made it to this open clearing where we could look out onto the valley. It was breathtaking and the whole time I was amazed how much it felt like being home and hiking in the Santa Cruz mountains. If only there was a view of the ocean! We snacked on pretzel sticks (yes, we found those here) bananas, and granola bars and then made our way down for a grueling knee workout downhill. It was so nice to get out of the city and just breathe dust-free air and to hear leaves rustling. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_wplsAUUMY/UURHbOghVFI/AAAAAAAAAnk/OtRAkX4jr4Y/s1600/IMG_7130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_wplsAUUMY/UURHbOghVFI/AAAAAAAAAnk/OtRAkX4jr4Y/s320/IMG_7130.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hike- Me, Mel, Deb, and Kelsey (Nagarjun, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-73997498785044031072013-03-13T18:06:00.001+05:452013-03-14T16:23:07.252+05:45FOOD.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I can’t live without food. I’m not trying to be dramatic
here or state the obvious. I just love food, and let me tell you, there are
some delectably scrumptious foods in Nepal. And there are also some not-so-scrumptious
foods here too- just like any place, I’m sure.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
This is a short post about F.O.O.D. (cause, let’s be honest,
you want to know what I’m eating!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Breakfast/ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">khaja</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">- </i>meaning “snack” as opposed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">khaanaa-
</i>meaning “food/meal” used to describe lunch/dinner</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
My two favorites are:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
#1 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1
hard boiled egg</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1
cup of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dudh chiyaa </i>(milk tea)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1
omelet (with tomatoes, coriander, and onion)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.5in;">
#2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1
small bowl of alooah (I describe it like ‘Nepali carrot cake porridge’ made of
gram flour, sugar, carrots, cinnamon, and water)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1
cup of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kaagati</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chiyaa </i>(lemon tea)</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_CMj6pvSak/UUBrzWMGuHI/AAAAAAAAAm8/uY_MXChMqlc/s1600/IMG_6946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_CMj6pvSak/UUBrzWMGuHI/AAAAAAAAAm8/uY_MXChMqlc/s320/IMG_6946.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite Breakfast- Omelet and Lemon Chiyaa</td></tr>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lunch/ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">khaanaa</i></b>- made by Dorjedaai and
Dondaai at school</div>
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Food at school is ALWAYS, I repeat ALWAYS delicious.
Everything is homemade, different, and fills us up. It’s torture sometimes
sitting in class having to smell the sweet fragrance of caramelizing onions or
flaky and buttery quiche baking in the oven. </div>
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Lunch highlights:</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Tacos!</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Spinach and onion quiche</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Roasted chicken, garlic broccoli, and mashed
potatoes with gravy (and apple pie for dessert!)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Salad (so simple yet hits the spot every time
since raw veggies aren’t that common)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Pizza </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Honey yogurt</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dinner/ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">khaanaa</i></b>- made by my aamaa (sometimes
my bahini, Pragya, helps too)</div>
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DAALBHAAT. Daal bhaat. daal bhaat. daal bhaat. daal bhaat.
daal bhaat. daal. bhaat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Daal-
lentils</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bhaat-
rice</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
While we don’t just eat rice and lentils alone, essentially
every dinner is a heap of steamy rice with a little bowl of stewed lentils
(that resembles a soup more than lentils I have in the U.S.) Sides with
daalbhaat are typically:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>cauliflower & potatoes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>tomatoes &potatoes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>mushrooms & potatoes</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>peas & mushrooms</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
In addition, my aamaa pounds out (with mortar and pestle)
some type of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">achaar- “</i>pickle” every
meal that you grab a pinch of each bite to make it tangy or spicy. Sometimes
it’s tomato <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">achaar </i>that tastes just
like salsa and other times it’s radish and onion that’s quite bitter and smelly
(not my fave). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
The secret to eating daalbhaat however, is not what you eat
with it, but what you eat it with:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your hands.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
Yes, that’s right. My dreams have come true and I am not
only told to eat with my hands, but I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">encouraged
</i>to play with my food. This is how it works: You’ve got 3 distinct piles on your
plate (rice, veggies, and pickle sauce) with a small bowl of lentils on the
side. The strategy is to have an open space on the plate where you do your
mixing. You grab a little rice, a little veggie, and a dab of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">achaar </i>and then pour a small amount of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">daal </i>on top and then proceed to mix it
together. Yes, with your hands. Once it’s all incorporated, you grab a
bite-sized lump in your fingers and shovel it into your mouth with the aid of
your thumb. I’ll have to teach everyone when I get home, but it’s pretty fun,
quite effective, and just makes sense!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Khaja</b>- </i>my favorite
snacks</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>nariwaal laagdu</i> (coconut balls that taste
similar to macaroons)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>biscuits (crackers)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suntala</i>-
“oranges”</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>peanut butter</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>mango juice</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Snyder’s honey mustard pretzel pieces (we found
them at the super market and every one of us grabs so many we raid the shelf as
if the world is about to end)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Strawberry popsicle</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKB7So2edAY/UUBseo75B8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/5vDVDBYG60U/s1600/IMG_6993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKB7So2edAY/UUBseo75B8I/AAAAAAAAAnE/5vDVDBYG60U/s320/IMG_6993.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Third Favorite Breakfast- Guliyo Roti </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBRvUUWFLK4/UUBsy6WBZZI/AAAAAAAAAnM/72f2k5t2-AA/s1600/IMG_6944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBRvUUWFLK4/UUBsy6WBZZI/AAAAAAAAAnM/72f2k5t2-AA/s320/IMG_6944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial Shot of MiTho breakfast =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
“Bad Food” List
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
These are some foods that I’ve tried and just can’t accept:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>mango achaar- I’m sorry but mangos (my favorite
fruit in the world) simply should not be pickled</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>cornflakes and milk- it’s soggy, hot, thick, and
creamy (and I don’t do milk)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Chocopie- a Korean version of a Hostess product
(horrible marshmallow “cookie”)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span>Daal bhaat- okay, I know I just said it’s fun to
eat, but eating the same thing can get a wee bit tiring and so it
comforts me adding it to the bad list sometimes, but for the most part it's <i>ekdam miTho</i> (very tasty)</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeUVIldWp6A/UUBtEOPOGSI/AAAAAAAAAnU/PJhQ_l2v20Q/s1600/IMG_6888.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeUVIldWp6A/UUBtEOPOGSI/AAAAAAAAAnU/PJhQ_l2v20Q/s320/IMG_6888.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My birthday cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">
I’m realizing I promised this would be a short post about
food. This isn’t short. Who was I kidding?</div>
</div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-86313148294122811542013-03-07T13:00:00.003+05:452013-03-07T13:06:34.915+05:45Chitwan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It’s been a week and a half since we got back from our trip
a 6 hour drive away from Kathmandu. We were in Chitwan National Park and stayed
at Jungle Tourist Camp for meals and Nepali language class. Chitwan was the San
Diego equivalent of Nepal with its tourist attractions, exotic animals, warm
weather, and “beaches” (these were along the river and no one was in a bathing
suit tanning, but there was sand and a beautiful sunset each night nonetheless).<br />
<br />
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Highlights of the trip:</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bees!</b>
We learned about bee farming and how intensive (or not intensive depending upon
the season) honey harvesting is. Gopi, “the bee guy” chooses to harvest honey
as a hobby and for an alternative source of income. We tasted 3 types of honey:
one was rich, runny, and sweet just like honey at home, BUT BETTER! Another
looked like frosting and TASTED like frosting too. It is spreadable, sweet, and
mild. The last honey we tried was actually mixed with mustard seed and had a bright
yellow color to it and a tangy sugary taste. I ended up buying the second
frosting-like one because it was unlike any honey I’d had before and it seemed
to be the most versatile. Hopefully I’ll have saved it to share when I come
home!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09itb1d5igM/UTg_NAeE99I/AAAAAAAAAms/rceDSb3tnpI/s1600/IMG_6816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09itb1d5igM/UTg_NAeE99I/AAAAAAAAAms/rceDSb3tnpI/s320/IMG_6816.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gopi "The Bee Guy" (Sauraha, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tharu
culture! </b>Tharu people are just one of the indigenous groups of Nepal and we
got to tour their cultural museum a few villages over from ours. They have deep
traditions in fishing, dancing, and tattooing (for women). We talked with a few
people in the Tharu village and they expressed their concern for their
culture’s wellbeing, as the government of Nepal does not seem to respect their
history, traditions, and livelihoods. My favorite part of walking through the
village was seeing all the handprints decorating the houses. These prints are
meant to bring good luck and prosperous crops to the family.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPy1zZk5etQ/UTbqNJaUrYI/AAAAAAAAAlw/M45wSWS71NY/s1600/IMG_3229.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPy1zZk5etQ/UTbqNJaUrYI/AAAAAAAAAlw/M45wSWS71NY/s320/IMG_3229.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tharu Hands (Tharu Village, Nepal)</td></tr>
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</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bikes!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chitwan has quite a lot of landmass,
but the places we traveled to were manageable by bike. It was so fun seeing all
of us hop onto these rickety old bikes with fixed gears, baskets, and kick
stands and navigate dusty and uneven roads. We sang songs from <u>The Sound of
Music </u>and kept saying we felt like the Von Trap children biking free and
happy.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z9ikdHbmh0/UTbsG9ODARI/AAAAAAAAAmc/kZfdoZ6wj9o/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z9ikdHbmh0/UTbsG9ODARI/AAAAAAAAAmc/kZfdoZ6wj9o/s320/IMG_3325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike (Sauraha, Nepal) </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elephants!</b>
Called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">haati </i>in Nepali, elephants
were everywhere we went. They’re just amazing creatures. Not only are they the
largest land mammal alive today, but they’re also arguably one of the smartest
(an elephant’s memory is flawless and they can remember a route or recognize a
face after seeing it just once). Four of us climbed atop an elephant and
squeezed our legs out of a small wooden ‘frame’ that we sat in. While it wasn’t
the most comfortable position, I could stretch my feet down and rest them on
the elephant’s skin and feel the rough yet strong animal below me. If only I
could travel by elephant everywhere I went. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQVwPBiqXS8/UTbq-b_gAHI/AAAAAAAAAmA/V6ryWZJdH74/s1600/IMG_3323.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQVwPBiqXS8/UTbq-b_gAHI/AAAAAAAAAmA/V6ryWZJdH74/s320/IMG_3323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Mel with Ellie (Sauraha, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Elephant Ride (Sauraha, Nepal)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0YRkU_DwYk/UTbqXob8IkI/AAAAAAAAAl4/r4xcjs19LX8/s1600/IMG_3255.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0YRkU_DwYk/UTbqXob8IkI/AAAAAAAAAl4/r4xcjs19LX8/s320/IMG_3255.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey, Emma, Mel, and Gyan on the Elephant (Sauraha, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJgDyTza1ts/UTbrLnq8tsI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Puur15qgLB0/s1600/IMG_3259.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJgDyTza1ts/UTbrLnq8tsI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Puur15qgLB0/s320/IMG_3259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River (Sauraha, Nepal) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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In terms of school, our lectures vary, but tend to focus on
themes of religion, development, research strategies, and social change in
Nepal. We’re currently developing our ISP (Independent Study Projects) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ideas for the last month we’ll be here.
I’m currently thinking about analyzing the Peace Corps volunteer in the Nepali
context. (I figure I love volunteering, Nepal and people so why not see how
effective this program is?) </div>
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<br />
We’re still learning Nepali every morning and though our teachers express
frustration at how slow we’re learning, everyone else we talk with (shop
keepers, our family members, etc.) is impressed. We can bargain, take a taxi
(give directions), describe what we’d like to buy/eat/do, learn about another
person’s traits, and talk about our daily schedules. I’m sure we know more, but
I’m definitely not fluent yet.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pheri bheTaula! </i>(see
you again!) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camel by the Beach (Sauraha, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uB7OE2rj44/UTbqBiFF4mI/AAAAAAAAAlo/_Qb_35rEhVw/s1600/IMG_3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uB7OE2rj44/UTbqBiFF4mI/AAAAAAAAAlo/_Qb_35rEhVw/s320/IMG_3144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River (Sauraha, Nepal)</td></tr>
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Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-79911066812868292372013-02-28T13:17:00.003+05:452013-03-14T16:32:03.973+05:45SIT Staff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here’s a chance for you to get to know some of the people
I’m living and learning with!</div>
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Our program really has some of the kindest, most patient,
and funniest staff and I feel so lucky to be with them. </div>
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Dondaai– cook and entertainer (not a real title but he
deserves it), living proof that being funny is directly proportional to your
age aka he always makes us laugh and he’s like a loving uncle</div>
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Dorjedaai- head cook and a man of few words, yet so cool he
can get away with not speaking and you always know what he’s thinking (most
likely “be patient, you’ll get to eat it soon”) </div>
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Hemdaai- guard and mail keeper, always has a smile on his
face and lives in the guard house with Singe</div>
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Pramiladidi- housekeeper and giver of compliments, she’s
your favorite big sister and I love seeing her smile through the curtain
blocking off our classroom from the kitchen </div>
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Gyandaai- finance and technology go-to guy, it’s a running
joke between us that the only thing I know how to ask him is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tapaailaai _____ manparchha? </i>“do you like
_____?”. All the language teachers make fun of me for it, but I bet they don’t
know that he doesn’t like cats and that his favorite fruits are mangos.</div>
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Gopaldaai- gardener, Singe Whisperer, and cool glasses
wearer, I promise these glasses are the smallest things you’ve ever seen (in
his case, the size of his glasses is inversely proportional to his wisdom).
Singe is in love with him and will Namaste with him (the dog gets on his hind
legs and puts his front paws together like palms- so cute).</div>
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Singe- guard dog and companion, we’re typically jealous of
his standard behavior of lying on the porch showing his belly until someone
rubs him. He’s figured out that I’m allergic to him, so every morning when he
runs to greet me, rather than putting his paws on me, we walk along side each
other. When I’m sitting on the ground, he’ll come up and put his face close to
mine without touching it while holding eye contact and then he’ll bob his head
once and sit as if to say “hi friend! Nice to see you” I like to think I’ve
trained him well, but I think he’s just a smart doggie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Each* can be found in their respective places around the
house/grounds but all of them (at least once a day) like to go outside to sit
and read the daily paper. During lecture, I often prefer a seat with my back to
the window as the sun keeps me warm and alert. However, I sometimes trade that
warm Nepali sun in favor of the opportunity to look out the window and observe
everyone flipping through the paper- some wearing reading glasses, others drinking
chiyaa (tea) and of course, everyone petting Singe- because that very act
reveals each of their mannerisms so well. Essentially, they’re all so sweet,
quite patient, and so funny. They hear us butchering their language horribly,
yet they smile and laugh and encourage us still.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
*Singe doesn’t read the paper. Though that’d be a pretty
entertaining distraction from class.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5G1ysPE5Pw/US8H3F4zzkI/AAAAAAAAAlM/0X-v4Cr_BJ0/s1600/IMG_6630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5G1ysPE5Pw/US8H3F4zzkI/AAAAAAAAAlM/0X-v4Cr_BJ0/s320/IMG_6630.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Our language instructors and lead lecturer are just as
amazing (yet I worship them slightly more because they have to put up with us as
students). Mina, Chandra, and Sanjib. They each have a great sense of humor and
it’s obvious they really care about us and want us to learn and retain as much
as we can in such little time. It’s so encouraging and refreshing because they
give us so much time and freedom to discover things on our own and to ask the
questions that might seem a little funky (but hey, we’re Americans). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Minaji- language teacher, cool big sister, and trickster,
she manages to pull off pigtails, pink clips, skinny jeans, a leather jacket,
and a nose ring without looking like a mom that tries too hard to be hip or
young. I swear she’s actually 25…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Chandraji- language teacher and coolest dresser, he always
looks stylish and rolls in on his motorcycle. AND his son (4) has crazy hair
just like him (which makes him a cool dad)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Sanjibji- language teacher and jokester, while all of the
teachers make jokes, it’s possible Sanjib’s are the best delivered and most
accurate, thus, create the most laughter. Plus, he’s got orange hair and a
giant grin on his face all the time and is always so sweet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
BASICALLY, never question the coolness of our language
teachers. They are all so patient (I can’t emphasize that enough) and we each
desire to be them when we “grow up”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Anilji is our lead lecturer and reminds me of an all-knowing
Lawrence Fishburne a’la Matrix (only Nepali). He has such an effective way of
lecturing that every lesson becomes a story. He’s so full of facts, quotes, and
meaningful anecdotes that I’m not so sure how he doesn’t explode from being so
knowledgeable. AND he’s a Jack of all Trades: he’s involved in numerous
non-profits, lectures with us, with Tribhuvan University, is a board member on
virtually every committee there is in Nepal, and is in charge of the
development of the Great Himalayan Trail. Not to mention, he travels to the
U.S. and other Western countries to lecture and learn when he can squeeze that
in. Unfortunately, since he’s so highly esteemed and in such high demand, we
are only graced with his presence about once or twice a week. If only I knew
half as much as he does.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
**No one’s name actually ends in daai, didi, or ji, those
are ways of identifying people (daai- big brother) (didi- big sister) (ji-
respect)</div>
</div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-28132189112262533992013-02-18T08:17:00.001+05:452013-02-18T08:17:27.534+05:45My House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idkkBfBaoDg/USGRmppY2VI/AAAAAAAAAkc/fjNsVH2uiAI/s1600/IMG_3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-idkkBfBaoDg/USGRmppY2VI/AAAAAAAAAkc/fjNsVH2uiAI/s320/IMG_3102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVl8qu1dJic/USGR0qnK92I/AAAAAAAAAko/YEsHrYvwQcA/s1600/IMG_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iVl8qu1dJic/USGR0qnK92I/AAAAAAAAAko/YEsHrYvwQcA/s320/IMG_3109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XKRtwEG1Xg/USGSL0svPyI/AAAAAAAAAk4/pGLMXAg_82g/s1600/IMG_3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XKRtwEG1Xg/USGSL0svPyI/AAAAAAAAAk4/pGLMXAg_82g/s320/IMG_3112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Everyone has been asking about what my house and family looks like. While I have yet to awkwardly ask my family if I can take pictures of them, I thought I'd share what my house looks like. I'm headed to Chitwan for a week on a mini excursion! Will have tons of pictures when I come back. Hopefully of elephants, rhinos, and tigers. Oh my!<br />
<br />
Missing home. =)Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-49574113521508486452013-02-11T13:59:00.005+05:452013-02-11T14:02:55.879+05:45MakuraI was eating dinner
last night with my family and my sister looked up and says "makura!"
while pointing at the calendar on the wall. I asked, "calendar?" and she
shook her head and laughed. Because the power was out and we were
eating with the aid of a lantern, I couldn't quite see what she was
pointing to. As my eyes adjusted, I realized that the large dark spot about the size of my fist, looming on the wall, was a SPIDER! I kid you not, this thing
looked just like a tarantula, only hairless and evil looking with
large pincers and a black and white body. My family continued to eat and
just chuckled at how disturbed I looked. My aamaa asked, "makura manpardaina?" <span style="font-style: italic;">you don't like spiders?</span><br />
<br />
When I got to breakfast this morning, the spider was hiding behind February, building a web on March...<br />
<br />
So.... the spiders here are NOT something you mess with. <br />
<br />
Aamaa saw that I was a little worried so she grabbed the calendar and waved the spider out the window.<br />
<br />
Makura manpardaina. Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-87516796900885531722013-02-06T13:38:00.001+05:452013-02-06T13:41:36.195+05:45Busy<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">busy</i> is
something we always say:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m so busy that I
don’t have time to eat. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m busy- please don’t
bother me.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My days are so long
and busy.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Etc.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
While I wouldn’t classify being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">busy </i>as something I truly desire, it usually is the way my days are
back at school in Boulder. I wake up at 7:30, bike to class at 9 or 10, go to
work, go to practice, stop to buy groceries, make dinner, do homework, and go
to bed around 12. My days are full and I’m so used to moving from place to
place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Here, in Kathmandu, it’s another story:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
To me, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">busy</i> was
defined as always moving around, never having enough time, or having a full
schedule. In Nepal, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">busy </i>has become a
term that I use, yet it isn’t a feeling that I have. I come home from school
exhausted from my day, yet I wonder what I did. I’m learning so much and
thoroughly enjoying Nepali, but I somehow come home and want nothing more than
a catnap (yeah, I’m thinking of you, Merritt). I don’t have too much homework-
a few workbook pages for Nepali and the occasional article on development- yet
I’m in bed around 9! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Needless to say, I’ve been quite <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">busy. </i>Doing what? Certainly not working out (I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO
GO FOR A RUN MORE IN MY LIFE). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i>So what </i><b>have</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> you been
up to Megan? </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Well, all sorts of things really! I don’t even know where to
start. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
My host family lives in an area called Bishal Nagar, which
is a 20 minute walk through unpaved, dusty streets, past shopkeepers, Bhag
Bateni shopping center, the Police Headquarters, and temples of Ganesh and Vishnu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got an aamaa (mom), baa (dad),
bahini (little sister, 19) and bhaai (little brother, 17) and they’re all so
sweet, funny, and friendly. Even though my aamaa and I can’t communicate well
(the others all speak perfect English) we still have a good time together and
give the polite smile and nod when she can tell I’m trying to speak Nepali. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Two of the highlights of my day are when I come home from
school and my family asks about my day and then when I leave the family room
for bed. They’re so excited to find out what I learned and see if my Nepali is
any better (I swear I’m trying, but my short term memory fails me every time).
At night, everyone wishes me a <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shubaa
raatri </i></b>(goodnight) and shines the flashlight up the stairs for me (my room
is outside the house, on the top floor). Tonight, my bhaai, Prabin, was so
sweet and said “shubaa raatri didi” (goodnight big sister) and it made me feel
like part of the family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Load shedding. A concept no one in the U.S. is likely
familiar with because, well, we are just spoiled. Load shedding has become a
common word wherever you go and is simply the times when electricity is out.
Two weeks ago they were at 16 hours of load shedding. Now we’re down to 14! The
schedule changes each day, but it’s basically a hassle to keep track of and
it’s easier to just cross your fingers you have electricity when you need it.
While it means there are flashlights all around the house, solar-powered
generators on rooftops, and a general inconvenience when you just want to charge
your laptop, overall, it’s an adjustment that I’m getting used to. Technology
shmechnology.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
I brought peanut butter filled pretzels, See’s chocolates,
and fortune cookies as little gifts to my host family and they all said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>meeto chha</b>! </i>(I like the taste!) so yay
me for having a sweet tooth and an unhealthy desire to snack! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
It’s already 9:30pm and I’m fading, so here’s some quick <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Nepali 101</u></b>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Mero Nepali naam Mala
ho.</b> </i>My Nepali name is Mala. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
(Mala means blessing and also happens to be the name of this
necklace made of marigolds they give to guests/gods)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>thik chha.</b> </i>Good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
(use this for basically everything: food, how I’m feeling,
etc.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yo ke ho?</i></b> What is
this? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>dudh chiyaa</b>. </i>Milk
tea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
(YUM- think of chai tea, but less spicy and more creamy
sweet)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Ma sadhai dhal baat
khaachhu</b>. </i>I always eat dhal baat.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dhal- </i>lentils and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">baat</i>- rice. Staple meal of Nepali households)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">koshis garnus! </i></b>Try
to do it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Ma tapaailaai maayaa
garchhu.</b> </i>I love you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Here are some pictures from our orientation weekend in Dhulikhel, a village outside of Kathmandu. I'll post pictures of my house, host family, and friends soon! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebZwOrpHO_M/URIEhYYzpUI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jkJTJad66xA/s1600/IMG_3087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebZwOrpHO_M/URIEhYYzpUI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jkJTJad66xA/s400/IMG_3087.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayos (Dhulikhel, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf-7DkPJerU/URIEiaK6QnI/AAAAAAAAAj4/l0XSN7sUeZk/s1600/IMG_3089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf-7DkPJerU/URIEiaK6QnI/AAAAAAAAAj4/l0XSN7sUeZk/s400/IMG_3089.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiet (Dhulikhel, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRqyxizohRM/URIFHX1rAxI/AAAAAAAAAkI/OwgEq_zkMsw/s1600/IMG_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRqyxizohRM/URIFHX1rAxI/AAAAAAAAAkI/OwgEq_zkMsw/s400/IMG_3093.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and the Terraces (Dhulikhel, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwS_lIThF6s/URIE8jJZUyI/AAAAAAAAAkA/Xs_ljrjptb4/s1600/IMG_3099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwS_lIThF6s/URIE8jJZUyI/AAAAAAAAAkA/Xs_ljrjptb4/s400/IMG_3099.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky (Dhulikhel, Nepal)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-51799916115192727372013-02-04T14:53:00.002+05:452013-02-04T14:53:51.236+05:45mero Nepali naam Mala ho<i>My Nepali name is Mala. </i><br />
<br />
Just a quick update: I'm alive, happy, and learning a lot!<br />
<br />
My battery is at 3% on my laptop- we have load shedding in Nepal meaning electricity is off 14 hours a day, thus nothing I own is charged.<br />
<br />
When I get a chance I'll update with stories.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vEyL4bIuvo/UQ96kFV1j1I/AAAAAAAAAjU/dbM-4bh0vDo/s1600/Photo+on+2-4-13+at+1.12+PM+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vEyL4bIuvo/UQ96kFV1j1I/AAAAAAAAAjU/dbM-4bh0vDo/s320/Photo+on+2-4-13+at+1.12+PM+%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's a picture of our house dog Singe.<br />
<br />
<br />Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-28034903815207399602013-01-28T15:08:00.002+05:452013-01-29T10:41:55.119+05:45PicturesI've been taking a ton of pictures, yet I just don't have time to edit each one or tell the amazing story that goes with it! So, this post is purely pictorial (with captions for a bit of background information) These are from visits to Patan, Bhaktapur, and from this morning at Boudhanath (the most beautiful and impressive Buddhist stupa we've seen!) If you click on the first picture, you can go through all of them in full size =) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sXPuWvOM2U/UQY1LnCQVoI/AAAAAAAAAfw/e38Ct9OC-2c/s1600/IMG_2795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sXPuWvOM2U/UQY1LnCQVoI/AAAAAAAAAfw/e38Ct9OC-2c/s400/IMG_2795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rickshaws (Patan, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigeons Flock to the Temples (Patan, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhaktapur (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Detail (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Detail (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Light of Oil" (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxm8VlOGXDM/UQY4n_1orwI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/jnZRC5CtuBw/s1600/IMG_3021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxm8VlOGXDM/UQY4n_1orwI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/jnZRC5CtuBw/s400/IMG_3021.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offerings (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CVeOc0ZVo0/UQY4t51f82I/AAAAAAAAAhg/2zshvIsW6Yk/s1600/IMG_3017.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9CVeOc0ZVo0/UQY4t51f82I/AAAAAAAAAhg/2zshvIsW6Yk/s400/IMG_3017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy Morning (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OknWNxSXjPU/UQY6JXWHxQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/uoH7FdcvkaQ/s1600/IMG_2992.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OknWNxSXjPU/UQY6JXWHxQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/uoH7FdcvkaQ/s400/IMG_2992.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The Start of Making Concrete (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTMBTjDmN0U/UQdTqQVlUGI/AAAAAAAAAic/iRs1cXabJjc/s1600/IMG_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTMBTjDmN0U/UQdTqQVlUGI/AAAAAAAAAic/iRs1cXabJjc/s400/IMG_3036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk3dND1rYvo/UQdUEp5mgqI/AAAAAAAAAik/ysNUOcA7Uc8/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk3dND1rYvo/UQdUEp5mgqI/AAAAAAAAAik/ysNUOcA7Uc8/s400/IMG_2946.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Street (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ydUv8LQWM/UQdULvn1wfI/AAAAAAAAAis/km_CxBea_G0/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K5ydUv8LQWM/UQdULvn1wfI/AAAAAAAAAis/km_CxBea_G0/s400/IMG_2943.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys (Bhaktapur, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8nUzcwNPIg/UQdUMY3zCSI/AAAAAAAAAi0/sQ4eVdtFfSo/s1600/IMG_3063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e8nUzcwNPIg/UQdUMY3zCSI/AAAAAAAAAi0/sQ4eVdtFfSo/s400/IMG_3063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_rAci8DzrY/UQdUPZ0RggI/AAAAAAAAAi8/nTR3Wx8zkk0/s1600/IMG_3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_rAci8DzrY/UQdUPZ0RggI/AAAAAAAAAi8/nTR3Wx8zkk0/s400/IMG_3034.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer Flags (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-NWw9XMS54/UQY6B4tvH5I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Up4ji7y0c70/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-NWw9XMS54/UQY6B4tvH5I/AAAAAAAAAiA/Up4ji7y0c70/s400/IMG_3004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer Wheels (Boudhanath, Kathmandu)<br />
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Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-91696315235695098392013-01-26T18:18:00.000+05:452013-01-26T18:26:27.388+05:45Tourist vs. LocalI would love nothing more than to feel like a local in Nepal. Unfortunately for me, that means knowing another language, putting down my camera, and not scrunching my nose at the smell of incense. On the other hand, I approach this upcoming semester with an open heart and an open mind. It's with this attitude that I'm hoping I can be less of an American tourist and more of a Nepalese local.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_nl6aBIYB8/UQO3RwSk6CI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/k53o_M2zLJ0/s1600/IMG_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_nl6aBIYB8/UQO3RwSk6CI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/k53o_M2zLJ0/s320/IMG_2740.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patan Temples (Patan, Nepal)</td></tr>
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The past 2 days Mom and I got around with the help of a tour guide and driver, navigating the valley in search of all that Nepal has to offer. Yesterday we visited various Buddhist and Hindu temples around the city, like the one on the right- I definitely felt like a tourist. However, today, we drove up into the mountains to get a gorgeous view of the Himalayas and then walked on foot through a farming town and I felt a little more like a local. Here are some interesting highlights:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Random Facts about Nepal </b></span><br />
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#1 Terracotta architecture originated in Nepal (not in China like many of us are told)<br />
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#2 Hindus cremate their loved ones on an open fire and send the ashes down the river<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTVB81Hattw/UQPCHkkHtTI/AAAAAAAAAeg/tXUDDPdbklM/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qTVB81Hattw/UQPCHkkHtTI/AAAAAAAAAeg/tXUDDPdbklM/s400/IMG_2837.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Himalayas (Nagarkot, Nepal)</td></tr>
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#3 Rhesus monkeys in Nepal are like squirrels in the U.S.- ubiquitous, harmless, and fun to watch (I'll post a good picture at a later date)<br />
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#4 Mt. Everest does not have a pointy peak! (it's the flat top with a white tip on the far right)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDVvuUqBe2I/UQPDOkpT7xI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/M2QbXz0DYG4/s1600/IMG_2934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDVvuUqBe2I/UQPDOkpT7xI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/M2QbXz0DYG4/s640/IMG_2934.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl in Farming Village (Bhaktapur, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQJSLAPupls/UQPCcs2INTI/AAAAAAAAAeo/lMm7fv8VX5I/s1600/IMG_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQJSLAPupls/UQPCcs2INTI/AAAAAAAAAeo/lMm7fv8VX5I/s320/IMG_2911.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hindu Shrine (Bhaktapur, Nepal)</td></tr>
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#5 Children often have black mustard seed oil around their eyes for protection from the sun (like the little girl on the left)<br />
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#6 Megan is a Nepali name too- Meg means lightning bolt!<br />
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#7 Nepal has one day of the weekend: Saturday<br />
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#8 The best quality Pashmina comes from the chin of a baby goat where the hair is softest <br />
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#9 The concept of a two lane road is just that: a concept. Cars,
scooters, and bicycles don't care who's coming as long as they can
maneuver where they're going.<br />
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#10 Often people turn to pottery as a profession when they do not own land or have the means to farm<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B3Lr8QABXtI/UQPC31Oi__I/AAAAAAAAAfA/KNd--y2VPYE/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B3Lr8QABXtI/UQPC31Oi__I/AAAAAAAAAfA/KNd--y2VPYE/s320/IMG_2917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Piggy Banks (Bhaktapur, Nepal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ9bn1uv1uY/UQPLONMUU4I/AAAAAAAAAfg/TmSJ534xrlQ/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bQ9bn1uv1uY/UQPLONMUU4I/AAAAAAAAAfg/TmSJ534xrlQ/s320/IMG_2836.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ganga and Siddi (Nagarkot, Nepal)</td></tr>
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Our guide Ganga is an absolute sweetheart and treated me like one of his daughters. He walked around the valley and knew everyone we saw. Siddi, our driver, is one patient man. I felt safe and it looked like he had fun driving us (I would too if avoiding pedestrians and oncoming cars was like a video game). I kept Ganga's business card and promised to contact him at the end of the semester to share my research with him. He also said to call if I ever needed anything, which was super sweet of him. <br />
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Looking forward to another 2.5 days with Mom in Nepal. School schmool. <br />
<br />Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-23250548372726140912013-01-24T07:29:00.000+05:452013-01-24T17:10:21.523+05:45UpdateI've got good news and bad news. I'm going to deliver the bad news first:<br />
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I'm not in Nepal yet.<br />
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Good news?<br />
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It's because my mom and I had a ton of fun in Singapore. We figured if we're making a stop on our way to Kathmandu, we might as well see the city beyond the windows of the airport.<br />
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So I'm going to give you all the 411 on Singapore. I like to call it Six Secrets to Singapore (cause I like alliteration and I'm feeling a bit excited now that I have free wifi at the airport).<br />
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<u>Six Secrets to Singapore</u><br />
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1. Explore eateries everywhere (Chili crab at Hawker stand)<br />
2. Singaporeans stare (when you're 5'9" and a little funny looking)<br />
3. Locals love shopping and food<br />
4. Home to the most interesting and interactive museum I've ever visited (National Museum of Singapore)<br />
5. Gain a whole new appreciation for innovative architecture<br />
6. Shopaholics proceed with caution (WOW. Mom managed to escape the city without buying anything!)<br />
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Okay, so I got a bit lax with the alliteration, but you get the point.<br />
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These jars are in the Food exhibit at the National Museum of Singapore. They contain all the spices locals use for health means, food, and just to smell nice. I liked the Kafir lime smell the best.<br />
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This is proof I'm still alive. And that Mom and I are having a good time. I can't believe that next time I make a post I'll be in Nepal! I'm pinching myself that this day is already here.<br />
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I'm definitely missing home and Boulder and everyone I care about. <br />
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<br />Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0Singapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.84410599999999991 103.174389 1.8600599999999998 104.46528300000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-53184780587150179052013-01-20T05:49:00.000+05:452013-01-20T05:49:27.962+05:45Packing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9YnakjPE3s/UPszoh8BCOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/lUSajFVt6oo/s1600/Photo+on+1-19-13+at+12.14+PM+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9YnakjPE3s/UPszoh8BCOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/lUSajFVt6oo/s400/Photo+on+1-19-13+at+12.14+PM+%232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Mom bought me mini Vaseline.<br />
<br />
Packing light is her specialty.<br />
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If only I could have the same discipline...<br />
(I'm currently laying on top of my sleeping bag trying to stuff it into my backpack. I might admit defeat soon and move onto something else I can handle. Like taking a picture of mini objects and writing about it instead of actually packing). Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-27392906051676933242013-01-19T23:24:00.001+05:452013-01-21T11:17:42.345+05:45What the time zone! I just realized I don't even know the time difference in Nepal. When I tell my parents I want to Skype with them at 11AM, what does that mean for them?<br />
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Good ole Wikipedia shed this little bit of light on my inquiry:<br />
<b>Nepal Standard Time</b> (NPT) is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_zone" title="Time zone">time zone</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal" title="Nepal">Nepal</a>. With a time offset from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinated_Universal_Time" title="Coordinated Universal Time">Coordinated Universal Time</a> (UTC) of +05:45, Nepal Standard Time<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-nep_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal_Time#cite_note-nep-1">[1]</a></sup> is one of only two official time zones with a 45-minute increment from UTC. The Chatham Islands, which uses <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Island_Standard_Time" title="Chatham Island Standard Time">Chatham Island Standard Time</a> also has a 45-minute increment from UTC, its time zone being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC%2B12:45" title="UTC+12:45">UTC+12:45</a>.<br />
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Of all the countries to choose from, I happened to choose the "<i>offset</i>" one: turns out my 11AM is 9:15PM in California. That's not confusing at all.<br />
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Here's to being in my own crazy time zone! Well me, and all those people in the Chatham Islands... <br />
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<b><br /></b>Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6534307949642797146.post-87379013369762244122013-01-19T15:33:00.000+05:452013-01-20T02:09:08.278+05:45Testing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wish there were two of me. One should stay here. The other should explore Nepal and all it has to offer.<br />
Packing is the bane of my existence. And I intend to drag it out until the last possible second. Just like Mom likes.<br />
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I need to read, research, pack, and write before I leave. Okay GO. Seasoned Cookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692427552622031587noreply@blogger.com0San Jose, CA, USA37.3393857 -121.8949554999999836.9351782 -122.54040249999998 37.7435932 -121.24950849999998