Hey everyone, post title because that's how fast past couple of weeks have gone! So last time I posted we were still in Kathmandu, had a really great few days there didn't cram too much in, was a good mix of chill and sight see, Boudhanath and monkey temple visits. One highlight was finding a great little jazz place on our last eve in Kathmandu, I've found so far here that the live music is usually a cover band of classic rock so to find a jazz club with amazing musicians was a great end to our time there. Ok so some highlights of Pokhara - Staying in sarangot with Krishna's parents, hanging out with Bikram, Dilu and Suman back in the village, Tom teaching an environment lesson at the school! Then finally we also decided to do a small trek. Ended up going to do the Mardi Himal trek, we had fewer days than you would normally take to complete the route so first day gained a lot of height and stayed at Low camp about 3000m. Second day was beautiful as we quickly were up on the ridge and views early in the morning were stunning, Fish tail and Annapurna south dominated the skyline. We headed up to the furthest viewing point past high camp around 4900m, the altitude really started to take effect more after high camp! Third day we were originally aiming to reach a place called Astam but ended up resting in Lwang and then staying with a family there. This is what I love about the Mardi Himal trek, its very unspoiled and you don't have westernised tea houses all along the route, the homestay in Lwang was lovely, I suppose the sort of trek that enables you to have a small glimpse of 'real nepali life'. The fourth day we arrived in a beautiful eco village in Astam, again would highly recommend this as a spot to visit if any of you ever make it to Nepal one day...The village is situated on the top of a hill so great views of fish tail, Mardi Himal and Annapurna when it's clear, we managed glimpses of this at sunrise. Its really good to see projects like this in Nepal, they had a rain water collection system, solar pannels, recycling facilities, and a beautiful garden with ingredients for your dahl bhaat or camomile tea! Overall a really great two weeks :)
I'm looking forward to the month ahead, will be moving into the orphanage in the next few days s feels like a new chapter here, will be strange being based in lakeside and want to keep regular visits to the village to see my nepali family and friends, hopefully somewhere in there will be a trip to the terrai...Anyway more orphanage updates to come.
Love x
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Kathmandu calling...
Hey everyone, so I'm updating you this time from an Internet cafe in Thamel. I didn't think anyway could get much more touristy than the central strip in Lakeside but I was wrong...Thamel is crazy tourist center, I think it seems more intense because everything is packed into a smaller space, the streets are much narrower than Pokhara, obviously there are alot of beautiful clothes, jewellery and general gifty things but I feel almost immune to it now, this part of life seems so far removed from that of the village and I guess the 'real/normal' people. I know for many in Kathmandu this is their normal life but its just sooo steered towards westerners...anyway I'm super thankful I've been able to experience both sides and would encourage anyone visiting Nepal to try and see some of the more remote areas as they are just stunning.
Before I left had a really great week think I mentioned some things in last post...I ventured up to a viewing point near Bagar about 1440m with Dilu and Suman, this was bit of an epic, actually didn't think we'd make it to the top with enough time to return and do other things we'd planned for that day BUT once we could see the viewing tower it seemed to spur us all on a little more. After arriving at the top however a lovely thunderstorm came in, this was pretty amazing actually when looking at the view on our way down as half of the sky was grey with flahses of lightening whilst the other half had streaks of orange sun peaking through...luckily we managed to catch a bus back for most of the way and finished the day with a delicious ras malai at our fav indian restaurant!
I've officially finished at the school now which feels like bit of an anti-climax as I wasnt able to be there for the 'leaving party' but I'm planing a visit with Tom when we head back to lakeside.
Right off to explore, much love everyone x
Before I left had a really great week think I mentioned some things in last post...I ventured up to a viewing point near Bagar about 1440m with Dilu and Suman, this was bit of an epic, actually didn't think we'd make it to the top with enough time to return and do other things we'd planned for that day BUT once we could see the viewing tower it seemed to spur us all on a little more. After arriving at the top however a lovely thunderstorm came in, this was pretty amazing actually when looking at the view on our way down as half of the sky was grey with flahses of lightening whilst the other half had streaks of orange sun peaking through...luckily we managed to catch a bus back for most of the way and finished the day with a delicious ras malai at our fav indian restaurant!
I've officially finished at the school now which feels like bit of an anti-climax as I wasnt able to be there for the 'leaving party' but I'm planing a visit with Tom when we head back to lakeside.
Right off to explore, much love everyone x
Monday, 4 April 2011
oh my life...
Hey everyone, above title to post because STUPID INTERNET!!! raaaa, only just realised that my last post didn't publish online :( can't even begin to delve back that many weeks ago to what was happening which is frustrating...
Ok the highlights from the last post that I do remember, Wedding - managed to get a random invitation to a wedding (its a come one come all affair here) so I borrowed a kurtha off Dilu and we headed there for the afternoon, only stayed a few hours but managed to do some Nepali style dancing and eat lots of curry and rice (obviously). Actualy I've never seen such HUGE pots of curry, rice, chutney etc, they basically have to make enough for hundreds of guests but really great food. The atmosphere was lovely, really relaxed and everyone having fun, the colours were stunning sooo many beautiful saris! Pictures to follow one day soon I hope...Ok second thing I remember is Holi - one of the festivals here, had such a great day. I came through to Lakeside with Dilu and Suman armed with a stash of coloured powders and water, we managed to join in with the parade and were completely covered in an assortment of colours, the atmosphere was great though as locals and tourists were all joining in and of course there was alot of dancing! Warning t anyone who manages to be in India or Nepal for Holi in the future...cover your hair! I still have pinkish streaks in mine and this is a month on with washing hair everyday, oh dear.
Now to more recent events...I have officially finished at River Dale school, when I got back from trekking I only had about 2 weeks of teaching and then pupils started their exams. Now everyone is on a 'summer holiday' so I've had a couple of unexpected free weeks. So what have I been doing with my time...well I've done a few more exploring walks around the hills of the village and found some stunning views. Had some scooter lessons from Izzy who hired one for a week (definitely the way to travel here), I learned to make some Nepali style food
( actually never seen sooo many pekoras!). I've been in lakeside a couple of times meeting up with trekking friends and new volunteers, so been really nice to keep networking with different people, met a new volunteer today from Whitburn!(North East people will understand this).
It's a beautiful day today so went for an explore around the lake and then enjoyed some iced coffee and reading time, what bliss...Izzy leaves tomorrow so we are going out this eve with alot of her Nepali friends, I've also only got abut a week left in the village and then head to Kathmandu. Will be sad to leave but ready not new ventures.
I feel like there's alot more I could say but because I have left it sooo late those fresh feelings and emotions are lost slightly therefore I will try my best to get updates here sooner.
As always let me know how you're all doing.
Much love x
Ok the highlights from the last post that I do remember, Wedding - managed to get a random invitation to a wedding (its a come one come all affair here) so I borrowed a kurtha off Dilu and we headed there for the afternoon, only stayed a few hours but managed to do some Nepali style dancing and eat lots of curry and rice (obviously). Actualy I've never seen such HUGE pots of curry, rice, chutney etc, they basically have to make enough for hundreds of guests but really great food. The atmosphere was lovely, really relaxed and everyone having fun, the colours were stunning sooo many beautiful saris! Pictures to follow one day soon I hope...Ok second thing I remember is Holi - one of the festivals here, had such a great day. I came through to Lakeside with Dilu and Suman armed with a stash of coloured powders and water, we managed to join in with the parade and were completely covered in an assortment of colours, the atmosphere was great though as locals and tourists were all joining in and of course there was alot of dancing! Warning t anyone who manages to be in India or Nepal for Holi in the future...cover your hair! I still have pinkish streaks in mine and this is a month on with washing hair everyday, oh dear.
Now to more recent events...I have officially finished at River Dale school, when I got back from trekking I only had about 2 weeks of teaching and then pupils started their exams. Now everyone is on a 'summer holiday' so I've had a couple of unexpected free weeks. So what have I been doing with my time...well I've done a few more exploring walks around the hills of the village and found some stunning views. Had some scooter lessons from Izzy who hired one for a week (definitely the way to travel here), I learned to make some Nepali style food
( actually never seen sooo many pekoras!). I've been in lakeside a couple of times meeting up with trekking friends and new volunteers, so been really nice to keep networking with different people, met a new volunteer today from Whitburn!(North East people will understand this).
It's a beautiful day today so went for an explore around the lake and then enjoyed some iced coffee and reading time, what bliss...Izzy leaves tomorrow so we are going out this eve with alot of her Nepali friends, I've also only got abut a week left in the village and then head to Kathmandu. Will be sad to leave but ready not new ventures.
I feel like there's alot more I could say but because I have left it sooo late those fresh feelings and emotions are lost slightly therefore I will try my best to get updates here sooner.
As always let me know how you're all doing.
Much love x
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