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!