Language, Kathmandu and the Things I LOVE!

Well I'm back in Kathmandu! This time for some intense language study. We will be here for a month working hard. We meet with our language teacher every day and I am enjoying it. The other thing we will work on is our research. My research will be about rites of passage in an ethnic group in Far West Nepal. I am excited to learn more about this and expand my knowledge on Nepal and its culture.

Some things I apprecicate about Nepal and it's people:

*the hospitality

*the food (rice, lentils, vegetables,) I feel healthy when I eat it!

*the amazing sunsets

*the Himalayas

*how Nepalis appreciate it when I try to speak their language and mess it up

*the villages

I'm living my dream!!!!

First Trek!

I got back from my first trek a couple of days ago. Wow was it challenging but incredibly beautiful. We constantly had the Himalayas in our view with China and India just on the other side. Our trek started out in the snow and was straight downhill for a time. We trekked for three days staying in different villages in tea shops and in one ladie's home. At one point I had to take off my boots and trek in my flip flops because of blisters. People were so friendly on the way with one man even insisting on taking my bag as he saw I was struggling. I couldn't believe how fast the Nepalis went up and down the mountain...they were literally running and some without shoes or really heavy loads on their heads. Here are some pics from the trip.

Kathmandu for a couple weeks

I have been here in Nepal for about two weeks now and I'm enjoying it. Thankfully I haven't got really sick yet too. I have been taking Nepali lessons in the morning and enjoying that though it is challenging. -Ma nepali sikchu "i study Nepali" is what most of my days consist of. I have lessons at 10:30 am and then study much of the day in an an office all bundled up in a coat, hand warmers, hat and down slippers. It's cold here and we have only sometimes have electricity! Below are some pictures of my visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Royal Palace.
We head to the far west next week and I'm so excited to see some old friends. If you want more descriptive updates message me your email!

In front of Royal Palace

Cows in temple area of Kathmandu Durbar Square

Shawls for sale

Beautiful architecture

SPICES!

Stopped for some chiiya (chai tea)

Where the Ranas use to live

tumeric!

Going back...

Howdy! Just wanted to start blogging again as I head to the land of Nepal. I leave the day after Christmas and will arrive on December 28th. I am so excited to be going back to the place that I have dreamed of since I was a child. God has provided all the resources I need to go! If you want to be updated about what I will be doing there specifically(some things sensitive)...send me your email address and I will keep you up to date! Blessings.

Home Unexpectedly...

Greetings friends and family:) I am back in Washington and it all happened in a whirlwind. Unfortunately there were problems with my visa. One can only stay in Nepal on a tourist visa for 5 months in a calendar year and my 5 months were up. However..the company that the family worked for was trying to get me an official visa so I wouldn't have to leave Nepal. They started this process as soon as I got to Nepal but Immigration wasn't ready to give me the visa. I trust that the Lord had this in his hands even though I was very sad to leave. I got to experience Nepal in a way I will never forget....Please pray with me about this season of my life as I am also seeking God's direction in the next step I should take. I am ready to go back overseas!

For your viewing...

Men sitting in temple area Patan Dubar Square, Lalitpur



The following pictures are from a field visit to remote Bajhang district, far west Nepal

                           My good friend Sunita and I in Chainpur...Bajhang's district headquarters.

Notice the women carrying the huge load in the photo above...



                                                            My room in Dadeldhura



                                                       Bumika and the new bakery sign



       My homeowner, her daughter and her mother in law. This is the kitchen where I ate many meals.

                                                        Where I dried my clothes.

                                                        This is where I bathed...

                                                             Outside of the toilet

                                                                    and the inside...

                                             Panta family and company...my Nepali family

                               Sundari Auntie and Taradutt Uncle...my Nepali parents and mentors...

                                            Last night in Dhangadi with Meena Didi and Kaisa

                                            Enjoying last Nepali kana(food) in Dhangadi