Feels like so long

I can't believe it has been a week since I wrote. Time seems to be going quite slow here which is nice. It means I still have quite a bit of time here with the kids. It is really nice to watch how they change and open up over time. There is one girl about 9 who is in class with kids about 7. She is quite quiet and doesn't seem to try and learn (though a lot of them don't). She is really starting to get closer to me and I really want to help her. It's too bad she doesn't go to school with the others. I love these kids though. They are just really sweet.
What have I done other than working/teaching here...hard to remember. Don't get upto TOO much on a regular basis. Nice to just go out into town and enjoy the life here. Saw a goat that had just been slaughtered. Saw how they take the hair off a goat. Got henna done on my hand one day as I hung out with the girls and the couple women that work here. "Auntie" one of the ladies did it on my hand while others died girls hair with it. THey all seem to want whiter skin for some reason too.
Took a couple girls out for a drink and food one day with Harvey. Something different for them. That afternoon we(me and 4 other volunteers) took a group of kids to the park. This ended up in a swimming excursion first. All the boys decided to jump in the lake (half in underwear the other half nothing) and the 2 girls eventually decided to go in a bit too.
On the 25th it was a sponsors 85th birthday. He was here and we ended up having cake for him and a SPECIAL meal of MOMOs (a sort of dumpling - super good). Felt a little bad for one of the kids, Kunga, whose birthday was also that day. No one seemed to acknowledge it. We got him a piece of cake and a card. His face just seemed to light up. It was really cute. And he continued to cut the piece of cake into a million little pieces so everyone could share.
On Thursday Mike, Razvan and I decided to venture to Devi's Falls (waterfall). We walked right past the stupid thing and up hill for quite some time. We ended up at someones house/shop having a tea before heading back down the hill to the falls. It was a neat place that should also be seen in rainy season I think.
Yesterday was our "day off" and we really treated it that way. We started with eggs for breakfast at the restaurant/hotel across the street. Then we decided to rent a boat and row across to start our hike up the hill to the World Peace Pagoda. It sits at 1100meters about sea level. That was quite the hike up. Amazing view. We also for some odd reason decided to paddle around the lake which ended up with us getting tangled in some fishing nets. A little Nepalese fisherman had to come free us. It was quite a funny adventure. We had a nice day off. Such a change from the other days.
Today it is quite quiet here after teaching this morning. The kids are in class this afternoon and a none of the volunteers are around. So I am having a relaxing afternoon with some time to myself and catching up online.
Miss everyone.

I'm lovin' it.

Well, it has only been 4 days since I got here to the orphanage in Pokhara. It feels like I have been here forever. I am really enjoying my time here. I love these children. They are all just so amazing. They are adorable. Though when I got here it wasn't what I expected as we will teaching, but it's all good. Usually our schedule is teaching 830 - 1130. We are to teach English, Math and Social, which can include a variety of things. Geography, social activities and environments. After that it is lunch and free time in the afternoon as they have Tibetan and Nepali classes. The kids all come from a Tibetan region of Nepal called Mustang. It is north of the Himalayan mountains. You have to walk to get there and it takes about 5 - 7 days. The main village has a population of 2000. Some of the kids still have parents, but they can't take care of the children. They are all quite bright though not all of them can go to school as they don't have sponsors. That is why we teach them at home. In the afternoon we are free to do what we like and on Saturdays it is our free day.
So far I have not done too much around here though have done a lot of walking into town and what not.
Last night I got talking to Tashi, one of the volunteers who is also from the Mustang region. He is 23, has a sponsor and is going to college. He is such an amazing person. He cares so much about these children but also wants more. The orphanage where we are is rented, not owned. It is only 250USD per month. But there are things that they really need. For example, a solar panel. Power cuts are quite frequent here and can last hours. For example, last night it lasted 2 hours and we only had a couple battery operated lights that lasted about 20 minutes. If they had a solar panel, costing 50,000Rupees or 750USD, which could light 5 lights and a TV. This is something so big for them, for a price that is so insignificant for us. And to sponsor a child is only 405USD per year and that includes everything (school, food, health care, etc). It is just so crazy to think the things we take for granted and if I just didn't go out for that extra meal in a restaurant a month and these children could have so much. I would love to find a way to give these children something that could improve their lives.
On another note. I am really enjoying myself. I need to buy another pair of pants. Lightweight linen trousers. Great, and only about 450 Rps (6.50USD). I seem to be wearing the same ones over and over again. I bought them in Kathmandu. They are wonderful!!!
I am really enjoying my time here and really think I may extend my stay over Christmas. The kids here celebrate xmas and I think it would be an amazing experience.
Anyway, enough for today. I have put photos on facebook. If you want me to send you a link to them as you don't have facebook, just let me know. Miss you all.

Kathmandu

Sitting here in an "cheap" internet cafe in Kathmandu. The horns of all sorts outside are loud. Just found out about this internet cafe. The other one was quite expensive as it was in the heart of the tourist area.
So...it has been an interesting adventure thus far. I have been staying in a guesthouse, rooming with a fellow volunteer. There are 13 of us in total. For the most part a good group. On Friday, which was my real first day, there was just two of us. After sleeping till 1, we managed to go into town get some food and experience Thamel. I bought some pants and haggled from 850 to 450. That evening we went for dinner with 2 more volunteers and a Canadian man who has been to Nepal many times and was full of great wisdom. After returning from dinner we found 4 more volunteers enjoying Nepali beers in the restaurant at our guesthouse. We joined the group and quite a fun interesting night getting to know each other.
Saturday was quite an adventure. After lunch, 6 of us decided to head to a Buddhist temple. Only 3 people made it...not including me. I was stuck in the taxi with someone that decided what they saw was where we wanted to be and we all jumped out. You live you learn. :) Don't let the boys make decisions. haha.
Yesterday was our first day of orientation. We had some language training in the morning and then a 3 hour break. 6 of us hopped into a taxi....well, rather chased down a taxi that would fit all of us, and headed to Pashupatinath. This is a Hindu temple and also the cremation ghats. Quite an interesting experience. It felt quite wrong standing there watching this. We had a unsolicited tour guide who proceeded to charge us 500Rps per person for the tour...not exactly what we were looking for though it was very interesting and informative. A couple of the girls wouldn't put in the 500 and the guide was not happy. Sometimes, you just have to suck it up. It was very busy as it was some sort of festival/holy day for the Hindus. To get back the guesthouse we decided to attempt the bus...more like a mini van...like one of those 9 seaters, though at one point there were 26 of us. Instead of a taxi for 500Rps, we each paid 20. Quite an adventure. FUN!
We got back to the guesthouse just in time for our afternoon outing with the group. We went to the monkey temple, Swayambhunath. 365 steps later we made it to the top. A fair number of us well out of breath. It was a fun afternoon with our "guide" from the organisation, Rabin. He is super sweet and very helpful....
I am running out of time on here so I am going to finish up.
Although it has been very interesting getting used to everything here, I think there is still a lot more to come. I think I will be going to my homestay on Wednesday. Atleast I hope. It is going to be interesting.
I am really not a blogging person...this feels very dry and not exciting to read...sorry. Hope everyone is well.

Quick!

Well, I am currently in Kathmandu. Arrived on Thursday night. This is just a quick little post...I have a meeting this morning with the other volunteers and the organisation. I had to go to the tailor this morning as the pants i bought yesterday were too long. Oh well. It's fun. I love it.
Things are good. Just a quick update to say I'm good.

Change

Sitting here in the Hong Kong airport between flights. Just on the itouch. :) hating the Brits for there stupid plugs (I don't have an adapter). Battery is getting low and can't charge. I had a really good flight over though long and I didn't really sleep much. I sat next to a British ex-pat living in NZ. We had some good laughs a few drinks some spilt red wine and more good laughs. Watched a couple movies. Food was good. BreAkfast with BACON was GREAT. Mmmmm.
I feel like quite a minority here.
Anyway, I'll write more soon when I'm not on a limited battery. Maybe tomorrow when I'm in Nepal.

drizzly dreary HAPPY

As you may be able to guess from the title of this post....I am in ENGLAND! And yes, as we all know, the weather is often wet, damp and grey. To no surprise, that is what the weather is like on this trip for me. I could never live here. I need sun in my life. Something to brighten the day.
I am staying with my friend Miriam in Sheffield until Tuesday when I am heading down to London for a night and fly out on Wednesday to Nepal. I am really looking forward to the new adventures, experiences and people that await.