After a somewhat stressful departure from Melbourne, having sold my car on the 11th hour to a lovely couple in South Yarra...Chris and Mandy, with Chris being the ex-CEO of Powercor (something in common off the bat). They were my angels sent from heaven and didn't muck around by haggling on price, even with the knowledge that I was leaving that night, but knowing the details, they were happy to take Terry (Toyota) off me for the asking price without haggling. *SIGH* Mandy even gave me a kiss goodbye and a hug with well wishes for a safe journey (bless)!
My nerves could definitely not have taken a negotiation at that point that's for sure. I was already feeling the pressure of departure, saying goodbye to friends and family (a teary goodbye to Mum the night before), organising the last minute finer details, boxing up remaining possessions, yadda, yadda...so the flawless flight to Kathmandu was a bit of a relief and time to enter into the time capsule of little thought & non-responsibility for a few hours...
So I've now settled back into Nepali life well...with the comforting sounds of numerous and unnecessary car horns, views of colourful prayer flags flying high from the roof tops, manoeuvring past the traffic in dusty streets (until it rains - then it becomes jumping puddles), sights of merchants selling their home grown fruit and vegetables in road side stalls, the relentless asking of rick shaw drivers at any hour: "Lady, you want rick shaw?" and the moving lullaby-like sounds of Tibetan Incantation music drifting out into the streets from Thamel shops...
I feel like I have actually never left and the last few months at home were but a dream...I began work literally the day I arrived, going into the office to see Emma & meet Andy for handover. The second day we had the monthly Volunteer meeting and evening dinner to welcome the new recruits. I was in a bit of a daze for that and elected an early night (not much like me, but hey - I'm getting old!). The next few days were spent completing health and volunteer checks on each home we serve.
As one of these visits fell on a Saturday we had to arrange our own transport out to Godly Prayer Peace Mission (to be referred to hence forth as GPPM). Well Andy had employed the services of a Nepali doctor to assist with health checks on the children & given he had his own motorcycle, it was decided that a ferrying of staff out there be the easiest & most efficient method to adopt. So next thing I know here am I on the back of his motor bike zooming my way through the streets of Thamel, all the while concentrating on the fact that I didn't have a helmet on (this fact not to be shared with Mum!) & reasoning this to the thought that well the driver is a doctor & if we crash he's sure to administer CPR on the spot!
Anyway, I failed to realise at the time (identifying this later as a bit of a cultural blunder) that I was clinging to the 'doctor' around his waist rather than holding onto the back of the bike. OOPS! So I now find myself as the butt of the office jokes, with daily teasing of me being married off to the doctor before long...family, you thought I might get hitched to a Sherpa - will a doctor do? Better get your outfits organised! ;o)
I also managed a visit back out to Bistachhap, however I'm yet to see the kids but did see my two daais (brothers) who have insisted that I come back soon to stay the night & enjoy daal bhaat with them - absolutely! I also saw the completed soccer field I had a hand in beginning during my last visit as a School & Community Maintenance Volunteer in November (Steve, Will & Taylor I will send photos soon!).
Although I am enjoying the company of old and new friends and this challenging new work environment, I'm also looking forward to catching some down time over the coming weekend. Swayambunath (temple) is calling me like a beacon on the hill just up the road from where I'm living. I hope to visit one morning to watch the sunrise over the city...
Until my next instalment, be well and keep in touch.
All my love & wishes, Eve xxxx
