Micro-buses

I'm not sure if I've mentioned my transportation of the micro-buses, quite the experience! I feel like I'm in a clown car, with all the people crammed in, arms and heads out the windows. Seats look like they would fit two people, but they intend for five people to sit there! This morning I had to put half of my side out the window in order to avoid being sat on.

Micro's also take part in creating the craziness of the traffic. But, I had to smile this morning when I realized that despite the insane driving, the driver will always stop for a crossing duck family, or the street dogs slowly crossing the street. And, of course, you must stop for the cows!

I've experienced both sweetness and anger on the bus. Last week I was stuck in the middle of a brawl between two women who were fighting over the front seat! I got elbowed in the side and knocked to the floor, and I was just trying to get out of their way! But, the next bus I was able to see the true sweetness of the Nepalese. The bus was crammed with people as usual, and a woman got on with a baby in her arms. Without hesitation, a man reached for the baby to hold her for the mother, because she couldn't sit. It was such a great moment to experience!

I'm getting better at pronouncing my bustops, otherwise I can't get on or off! I either get ignored, headshaking that means yes, or the headshaking that means no!

Pictures!

Yay! Picture problem solved! I just had to manually make the size smaller. Check out the new pictures on the Flickr box. You can click on any picture to make it bigger, and I think it will have a description.

Miss you all!
mckenzie

thermometers....

I haven't been feeling well the past few days - sore throat, headache, body aches. I'm sure it's just from doing so much, and getting used to the air pollution - not that DC is any better though! I've been laying in bed resting and drinking lots of tea and water. Anyway, today one of the housemothers said my head felt hot and I should take my temperature. She went to a drawer, pulled a thermometer out, and walked away. I put it under my tongue and waited, but nothing happened, no change in the color. I walked to other room and asked why the thermometer wasn't working - everyone burst into fits of laughter. They said it was because I had a rectal thermometer in my mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was crying from laughing so hard!!! I was led into the medicine room and given another thermometer. Again, I put it under my tongue and there was no change. So, I went back and asked if I was using the right one this time. Again, more laughter! Come to find out that Nepalese don't put thermometers in their mouths, but in their armpits. I nearly vomited thinking about all the germs I had put into my mouth in a matter of minutes, but was grateful to not have a fever :)

Great day in the field!!

Today was soooo much fun, beginning the process of planting rice! We worked on turning the soil, and I think next week will be the actual planting of the rice. I did quite a bit of hacking into the ground. I must say my hard labor skills are supreme :) The best part was when I got one foot stuck in the mud, the tool stuck in the ground, and when I tried to move I fell backward - full body into the mud!!! Everyone was laughing hysterically, including myself! At that point, I couldn't have gotten dirtier, so I had no qualms about mud fights!

Halfway through our day the monsoon rain started and it was POURING!!!! I did my best to climb the rocks and mud, and thankfully didn't fall at that time. My only injuries from today are blisters from the tools - a sign of my hard work :)

Not sure if any of the pictures from today will download, but if you see a picture in the Flickr box with mud and rain, that's from today!!!

more sights...

I forgot to mention a few other sights, one comical, the other not.... I laugh when I see boys and men wearing tshirts of Brittney Spears (back when she was a teenager)!!! The sad visions are the countless number of street dogs. Nepalese do not have pets, so instead of being properly cared for, there are endless puppies and dogs roaming the streets. My first instinct was to of course pet them, but with the risk of rabies I just have to pass them by. Thankfully there is an organization that works to care for these poor animals.

Sights of Nepal

I saw a few things today that I'm realizing are a normal part of life in Nepal. While riding on my bus I saw a demonstration of Tibetan monks and other protestors in front of the Chinese Embassay. I can't get over the sight of a monk being pulled by his arm down the street, and police vans crammed with shouting protestors.

Soon after, I saw a young boy carrying a refrigerator, yes a refrigerator, down the street! Studies have shown that the Nepalese porters have the most practical way of carrying heavy items, by strapping them to their heads in a certain way and letting the "package" rest on their back. I cannot believe the amount of weight these small people can carry!

A few hours later, back at AmaGhar, I created the drama for the evening when I saw my first gecko, crawling around my room! I thought it was a lizard and screamed! All the kids came running and were trying to chase it out the window. Bonnie came running too, thinking something was really wrong :) She said I should never fear a gecko because they eat the bugs I don't want in my room! I guess if I would have known that beforehand I wouldn't have been so scared!

Tomorrow I am learning how to plant rice! I'm sure there will be some hilarious pictures from that scene!

Week two!

Beginning of week two and things are getting a bit easier! I'm still adjusting to food, internet unreliability, handwashing clothes, and no hot water, but now those only seem like luxuries. I hope to soon master the art of washing my clothes in less than 8 hours! And, using less water so I don't flood the bathroom like I did this morning!

Today was my first day of teaching at the school for the Little Sisters Fund - such fun!!! I am teaching english (communication and pronunciation) to kindergarten and first grade. I'm also doing the same for ninth graders, but with them also working on writing skills. I was a bit intimidated by the older class, but only from my own shyness :)

I take three buses to the school, and three buses back home. It's a bit difficult to figure out the transportation system with no order, but I'm managing! I try to sound like I know what I'm doing, but I always get a giggle when I speak a Nepalese word! Today I experienced the true kindess of this culture when someone realized I couldn't find my bus. He walked with me for about five minutes, in the direction I needed to be in. Such a sweet thing to do!

I was able to download a few pictures, which are on the right side in the flickr box. Some are from the Bangkok airport, the cultural show of the Little Sisters Fund - dancing and beautiful costumes, and a few sights of Kathmandu. I think there's a few cow shots as well - they are all over the road!!!