Joy and Excitement

Namaste!!

The past couple days have been so packed full of joy that it's going to be very difficult for me to describe.

Saturday was the day we went to the movies and the amusement park with all 150 children. All of the kids got popcorn, soda, and candy to eat at the movie and they absolutely loved it!! The movie was bollywood- which automatically makes it a little strange, but this one was especially..... But the kids enjoyed it and that's all that matters, plus us volunteers have gotten quite a few running jokes out of it! After the movie we went to the amusement park, which definitely would never be permitted to run in the US haha but it was still a blast. I went on the Ferris wheel, the ship, and the merry go round with many of the kids and seeing the excitement and happiness on so many faces was one of the greatest experiences anyone can imagine. However many of them did get sick, because of the amount of sugar we packed them full of at the movies on top of the fact that so many of these children have had no exposure to much movement or g forces in their life - so much so that a good amount of them even got sick just on the bus rides. Despite the amount of puke through out the day the children were so ecstatic, happy, and most of all exhausted. It was a really rewarding and special day and I felt so privileged just to be a part of it. I can't wait to share pictures of the children's smiling faces (and the terrified ones as well!)

Sunday was a relaxing day, which was much needed from the eventful day before hand. After going into town, touring the monkey temple (not it's actual name but there are monkeys everywhere in there so that is what it has been nicknamed) which was beautiful even in the down pouring rain, and taking a new volunteer to the fabric shop and seamstress to get herself a Kurta made (mine should be ready tomorrow!!) A bunch of us went to Papas house where we got to have such a relaxing afternoon and evening with the children since they were still on break after exams and didn't have to study. We read them stories, had them read us stories, looked through there picture albums, played some games, told stories, and had a very fun yet intense game of basketball. It was so much fun and so great to be able to hang out with the children and be observe and be a part of their lives. I'm always so sad when leaving the houses as many of the children cling on to you and hug or hold your hand the entire walk out. I am amazed and humbled everyday by the love and affection coming from these children. Despite there difficult and sorrowful backgrounds, they are able to now enjoy life and embrace it in a way I can barely fathom.

This morning was a very interesting start to the day. Me, Kendra, Kayla, and Hillary got up at 4am to go to the Boudha Stupa - one of Buddhisms holiest places in the world - to meditate with the monks and worshipers. It was fascinating to watch the rituals and be able to observe and partake in such an interesting culture. However, since we were there during the worship time, as opposed to the time where it's mostly tourist coming to visit, we had no one to show us the way or have any instructions on what is ok and what is not ok for us to do and participate in. We may have offended some - but I desperately hope not..... it's a story that probably is much better having witnessed but i'm going to tell you anyways. A volunteer that had gone to the early morning rituals before explained to us the building that she went into to do the meditating, so after circling the stupa a few times (devout Buddhist actually have to circle it 100 some times) we went into the building that Meghan had described - after taking our shoes of and paying respect the monk at the door of course. We walked inside and took a seat next to a few monks on these cushions inside of a building with a church like setting with a massive golden buddha statue in the front. As the rest of the seats filled up and we continued to sit and listen and observe the meditating we quickly realized that not only were we the only white people sitting inside, but we were also the only women, and the only non monks.... We hadn't gotten too many odd stares from the rest of the monks so we figured it was probably ok, however the more and more worshipers who circled through to pay their respects we got more and more surprised and shocked stares. So after having been inside surrounded by only monks for about a half hour we finally decided we better get up, pay our respects and give a pretty decent donation so that we hopefully didn't upset too many people. We still are not sure if it was ok for us to be in there or not, but despite the anxiety the situation invoked it was a fantastic and extremely enjoyable and memorable experience.... and hopefully we didn't offend too many people...

After that adventure we went to one of the homes again to help them study and get ready for their first day back at school. It always amazes me when seeing how dedicated and intelligent these children are! I love being there to help and assist them in anyway possible. Also, helping them get ready for school and braiding their hair or putting it in pigtails or putting the bows in their hair is such an adorable time. I want to thank everyone again who donated towards this trip for giving me this amazing opportunity.

Then I went into town to the Habitat for Humanity of Nepal's office (UW's campus chapter that i am on the board of tithed to them last year and I was dieing to see how they are using the money and just to see how they run things over in Nepal) It was soooo amazing! This office of just 17 people have built 7,182 homes in just over 15 years and not only that - they are extremely eco-friendly. They use treated bamboo for the building materials and woven and pressed bamboo to make roofing tiles instead of using the clay ones. I was so overwhelmingly impressed with this staff and their dedication and passion for Habitat and their country. In 3 weeks, when I get back from a volunteer placement, they are actually going to take me to go see several finished homes, future sites of homes, and meet families that they are building for. I can't wait!!

Tomorrow morning I'm off for my volunteer placement outside of the city.... wayyy outside of the city. It is going to be a 7 or so hour bus ride topped off with a 10 hour hike up a mountain. I am going to the Bigu Monastery where I will be teaching English to the children and adult nuns as well as helping out and teaching at a nearby Sherpa school. Unfortunately many of the other orphanages and schools are closed down because they are doing exams or they have just finished so they are closed for a few weeks, or there are already volunteers or other guests staying in the homes. However, I'm very excited to be able to serve this much forgotten population and to have the experience of getting to know nuns ranging from very young ages to the elderly, as well as being able to closely observe the many Buddhist rituals and practices. I will be there for 3 weeks and sadly will not have access to a computer or internet so I will not be able to give any updates until I return to Kathmandu. I will desperately meet the children here but I can't wait to help in broader and such needed ways. It is going to be fantastic and I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

So long for a few weeks!

Kaela