Nepali Life

Leopards, heavy rain, leeches, a total lack of toilet paper...welcome to Nepal.

Bistachaap was the beginning of my Nepali adventure. After spending two days in Thamel (the tourist district) and meeting all the other volunteers, we shipped out for this quaint city which is within a valley of the Kathmandu Valley. I met my host family and immediately became very attached to the two children, and apparently the little girl (Unisa) became attached, even possessive of me. Any girl who came near me would get a stern "NO!" and a punch, usually in the head. She was only 5, so it was cute.

The family lived on a nice plot of land with their own mini barn, corn plants and a small rice paddy (like almost every Nepali family). Mornings began at 7 for me, although technically I was up at 5 because Nepali's usually wake up this early anyways. No toilet paper so I went traditional and exercised my left hand...fun. Language lessons and tours of the valley accompanied each day. On the 5th day we finished training and went back to Thamel to await placement. I took advantage of computers, showers, WESTERN toilets and more importantly a variety in meals. Nepalis only eat two meals a day, Dhal Bhaat...twice a day, every day for all eternity. Some Chiya (sweetened tea) adds variety for a snack.

I was placed in a small village about 30 minutes from Thamel. My new host family is great and loves hearing about Canada, although I will miss Unisa and the rest I left in Bistachaap. I have my own room, similar to mine in Vancouver and a western toilet!!! Awesome!

The daily routine starts at about 7am and I go to Charity, the name of the orphanage I work at. The children are not well off at all but they all have bright smiling faces. My favourite almost immediately is Bishnu Pun Magar, a mischievious little 7 year old with a laugh that makes you melt and a smile that lights up the room.

The day begins with giving all the children their required medications and vitamins...almost 40 children means it takes about 1.5 hours. The health cases range from phimoses for boys (look it up...its not fun) and scabies for everyone. I drench myself in purel after every case, Lord knows what these kids have; actually I do know, hence my prophylactic regimen. The kids then eat Dhal Bhaat...shocking...then off to "school". I use that term lightly because if you saw it, you'd never know. The evening is a follow-up check for most of the kids, usually evening medications and general checks. If a child has to go to the clinic, we take him during the day. I'm dreading an overnight hospital visit, but its certainly not unheard of in this place.

Thats all for now. I'll try and post some sort of picture soon, I promise. I'm doing an Everest flight on Sunday so I guarantee I'll post something from that.