Terrai Terrai...oh my.

Ok so I had the opportunity to visit the Terrai last week with Dilu as that's where the other half of her family live.

So we arrived after a mammoth journey, 18 hrs of hot stickiness and little sleep, got there at 5 in the morn and was really beautiful, very flat area but had a completely different feel to pokhara and kathmandu or trekking areas I ve been.  The houses have there own style (Tharu) which I really liked some looked a bit Mediterranean I thought.  Dilus house was lovely, lots of open space and have mango and lychee trees all around.  I love that about here how much natural food you can get from your own back garden!  We ate lots of mango chutney that week with dahl bhat which was lush although I think I reached a point where im actually getting a bit sick of eating rice and curry now, do you know what veg ladies finger are, well we had them alot last week and really dont want to see them again for a while!  

I think I may have mentioned but it was sooooooooo hot, 43 deg I think at times, so makes it hard cos you just want to be in the shade or having a shower ha at first I thought how am I going to stand a week of this, but there was a storm and rain for a couple of days whcih was a real relief half way though the week.  Oh its even more basic in that region, most people don't have toilets and you use hand pump for getting water but I quite liked that part.  Dilus family are lovely younger sister Jugal and brother nandu, Mum was really welcoming and wouldn't ever let me wash up or do any jobs ha.  

Ok some of the weeks highlights...going to watch a women's empowerment maths lesson where lot of village ladies are learning to read write etc, walking in the 'jungle' having a lush motorbike ride off one of her friends who took us to a national park area and I saw a rhino but not enough time for elephants as a big storm came in! Visiting many neighbours and friends, cycling (really lush there as all flat roads), going to Nepali cinema, going to school and taking a few lessons with kids.  This was really interesting actually as much more basic school than eve where Ive been, dilu managed to just have a chat with the headmaster and get herself a job for 8 months teaching ha! if only was that easy in England.  Got some massive bites that week from some random insect but literally the biggest ive ever had!  Also interesting to watch the visit of two 'holy' men who stayed for couple of days...Overall a really great week and reminder of real Nepali life I think because sometimes that gets lost being in Lakeside with all the tourists and facilities.  

Was great to see the kids when I got back and already this week is flying, lots of goodbyes to volunteers/friends Ive met here so will be a bit strange next week when noone is around...Can't believe I only have 2 weeks left now, I'm excited for what is ahead but sad at the thought of saying so many goodbyes...

Anyway hope you are all well, get in touch! 

much love

5 little monkeys

Hey everyone so I thought it's about time I gave a little update on Orphanage life...

I moved in just over a week ago, there are 5 kids in the home so its pretty small (apparently there are 82 orphan homes in lakeside altogether!).  There are 4 boys, Arjun, Amrit, Sanjay and Ajay as well as one girl, Amrita.   Sanjay &Ajay are brothers and Amrit and Amrita borhther and sister.  The ages range from 8-12.  Arjun is like the big brother of the house and helps Suki out alot (that's the house mum who is only 23!).  Usual routine of the day is get up and have cup of tea at 7, read for about one hour, do some colouring/painting until 9 then eat dahl bhaat and go to school.  From about 9:30-3:30 I'm free for the day which is a very different routine to what I'm used to but really enjoying the space to read, write, cycle and spend time applying for jobs.  It is pretty boiling over here now so usually try have some sort of siesta or cafe stop at midday heat time.  Once we've picked the kids up they have tiffin (snack) and do homework until about 5:30 then if the weather is still ok (has been quite stormy and rainy alot of afternoons) then we head to the park for volleyball and badminton.  We usually eat dahl bhaat at 7:30ish and then watch a film, kung fu panda is the current favourite!  The kids are lush, and seem to function just like one big family.  Suki the house mum is such a happy and positive influence for the kids it creates a great atmosphere for them to live in.  Have enjoyed spending some time chatting to her this week.

Overall I'm really enjoying a different rhythm to the day and building relationships with the kids, it sometimes feels hard as they are so used to having volunteers that you are just one of many so what can you give or bring that will be different?  I want to create some memorable experiences with them so hoping to do some batik making and visiting the bat caves on Friday.  All of the kids are really open and like to be affectionate so I think its important to just be able to love them. 

 There is also a new volunteer from Colorado called Lisa who is working with me at the orphanage so its good to share the experience with her.  Its amazing how easily you meet up with more volunteers once you're living in Lakeside!  Off to Nepali cinema on Wednesday eve with Lorna and a group of people, apparently 6D cinema....

Its exactly a month now until I will be flying back home, oh my.  The time really seems to be flying now so trying to make the most of what is left.

Has been sooo great to receive letters/emails and messages from everyone so keep it up want to know how you all are :)

Much love x