Well.... the time has come. I am leaving Kathmandu for the airport in about twenty minutes and I felt compelled to blog one last time from this great country. Although this will be the last post I write from Nepal, over the next couple days I'm going to write a series of blogs called reflections (undoubtedly while I'm wide awake in the middle of the night).
Basically, I'm going to reflect upon my time here and how it's affected me on a personal level and perhaps how it's changed me. I'm going to break it down into four parts and they are as follows:
Part I - Nepalize society
Part II - The boys at the Muscular Dystrophy Centre
Part III - The adventures and shenanigans that I participated in
Part IV - The other volunteers
So keep reading my blog for at least another week.... there will be plenty to read about as I'm expecting these to be my most interesting posts.
To those who have been reading this from back home, I look forward to seeing you all again very soon and to those from England, thank you for reading. And finally, to those who I have met in Nepal and may be reading this, thank you for a lifetime of memories.... this has been a journey I will never forget as long as I live.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The Top of the World
Well.... that title is pretty self explanatory. I took a flight this morning on a small aircraft up into the Himalayas and got a little look-see at Mount Everest. I don't know how to describe it because I don't think words can do it justice. Nor do I think the 50 photographs I took do justice to this monstrous mountain range that sits high above the clouds as if it were part of heaven.... It was utterly beautiful.
Cross that off the bucket list.... this is definitely something everyone should do before they die. This was truly a moment I will never forget as long as I live.
Cross that off the bucket list.... this is definitely something everyone should do before they die. This was truly a moment I will never forget as long as I live.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
An Incredible Moment
Tomorrow is my last day at work at the Muscular Dystrophy Centre and having just left there a few minutes ago, I couldn't resist coming online and blogging about something that happened today.
I'm not sure if I mentioned it in the previous posts, but one of the boys there is named Sanjeep. He's 17 years old and spent a lot of time isolated due to his condition. As a result, he's very shy and never EVER talks (at least according to his profile). Anyhow I've worked a lot with him since I got here and I've gotten him more involved with the games that the other boys play.... over the last two months I've witness an amazing improvement in his social abilities and overall happiness, which was also noticed by the owner of the centre and his parents.
Today I asked him if he'd like me to bring any drinks to the party we're having tomorrow since it's my last day. Very quietly he said "Pepsi".... an amazing moment for me, I was so proud to have heard him speak.
Tomorrow he will get some Pepsi.
I'm not sure if I mentioned it in the previous posts, but one of the boys there is named Sanjeep. He's 17 years old and spent a lot of time isolated due to his condition. As a result, he's very shy and never EVER talks (at least according to his profile). Anyhow I've worked a lot with him since I got here and I've gotten him more involved with the games that the other boys play.... over the last two months I've witness an amazing improvement in his social abilities and overall happiness, which was also noticed by the owner of the centre and his parents.
Today I asked him if he'd like me to bring any drinks to the party we're having tomorrow since it's my last day. Very quietly he said "Pepsi".... an amazing moment for me, I was so proud to have heard him speak.
Tomorrow he will get some Pepsi.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Majestic....
On one of my flights to Nepal, I watched a movie called "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The movies is based around two men who are terminally ill with cancer and how they make a list of things to do before they 'kick the bucket' that they haven't done before. One metaphorical item on the list was to witness something majestic and Morgan Freeman's character attempted to see Mount Everest in hopes of crossing the majestic thing off the list. Unfortunately it was monsoon season and they were unable to see the movie. Since time wasn't on their sides, this was one of the low points in the movie.
This weekend I went to Pokhara. Known as one of the most beautiful places on earth with a distinct view of the Annapurna Mountain Range within the Himalayas. Since it is monsoon season here right now, I didn't expect to see the mountains which reminded me somewhat of the movie.
We arrived in Pokhara on Saturday afternoon after an eight hour bus ride. We spent the afternoon boating on Fewa Lake, going to a Temple that was built on a little island and a small waterfall. The views were spectacular, Pokhara was living up to it's high expectations.... even after only a few hours. Saturday was capped off with a pasta dinner and then a cultural show at a local hotel with live music.
We awoke early Sunday morning to catch a taxi up to the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Stupa located high up in the mountains in Pokhara. In fact, it's at a peak (not in the Himalayas) where you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding town. Once again this was absolutely breathtaking. Once we were done there, we went down to Devi's falls (named after a Swiss traveller who drowned in them) and once again enjoyed that view. We then descended into a nearby cave which was also really neat, but due to the weather we couldn't go as deep as we would have liked. We then had pizza for dinner while watching the Olympic closing ceremonies. Drinks at a cafe called "Busy Bee" with spectacular live music was our final destination and the night finished with a half hour walk in the pooring rain back to our hotel. Pokhara had been beautiful and we were all getting ready to go to sleep so that we could catch our bus early Monday morning to head back to Kathmandu.
Monday morning was just as expected. Head to the bus park and get hassled by the usual taxi drivers and people selling random things everywhere.... we climbed on the bus at 7:00am and we were on our way. About a half hour down the road something amazing occurred.... something majestic.
The heavens opened up. The clouds cleared and the Annapurnas were in full view. I can't even begin to describe what the Himalayas look like, other than to say it reminded me of the Paramount Pictures logo. I have a few photographs, but even they don't do them justice. This mountain range absolutely took my breath away, they were so massive and awe-inspiring that I was left speechless (which is a rarity with me). Despite the entire trip to Pokhara already being amazing, the fifteen minutes I spent looking at the Annapurnas made everything worthwhile. This is something that should be on everyone's bucket list. It wasn't on mine, but if I had known exactly how spectacular the Annapurna's were.... it surely would've been first on the list.
I'll be home in a week.... but before I leave here, I'm going to be doing something that is potentially going to be even more amazing than the Annapurnas. I won't ruin the surprise, but I'll write about it once I've done it. I'll see you all very soon!
This weekend I went to Pokhara. Known as one of the most beautiful places on earth with a distinct view of the Annapurna Mountain Range within the Himalayas. Since it is monsoon season here right now, I didn't expect to see the mountains which reminded me somewhat of the movie.
We arrived in Pokhara on Saturday afternoon after an eight hour bus ride. We spent the afternoon boating on Fewa Lake, going to a Temple that was built on a little island and a small waterfall. The views were spectacular, Pokhara was living up to it's high expectations.... even after only a few hours. Saturday was capped off with a pasta dinner and then a cultural show at a local hotel with live music.
We awoke early Sunday morning to catch a taxi up to the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Stupa located high up in the mountains in Pokhara. In fact, it's at a peak (not in the Himalayas) where you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding town. Once again this was absolutely breathtaking. Once we were done there, we went down to Devi's falls (named after a Swiss traveller who drowned in them) and once again enjoyed that view. We then descended into a nearby cave which was also really neat, but due to the weather we couldn't go as deep as we would have liked. We then had pizza for dinner while watching the Olympic closing ceremonies. Drinks at a cafe called "Busy Bee" with spectacular live music was our final destination and the night finished with a half hour walk in the pooring rain back to our hotel. Pokhara had been beautiful and we were all getting ready to go to sleep so that we could catch our bus early Monday morning to head back to Kathmandu.
Monday morning was just as expected. Head to the bus park and get hassled by the usual taxi drivers and people selling random things everywhere.... we climbed on the bus at 7:00am and we were on our way. About a half hour down the road something amazing occurred.... something majestic.
The heavens opened up. The clouds cleared and the Annapurnas were in full view. I can't even begin to describe what the Himalayas look like, other than to say it reminded me of the Paramount Pictures logo. I have a few photographs, but even they don't do them justice. This mountain range absolutely took my breath away, they were so massive and awe-inspiring that I was left speechless (which is a rarity with me). Despite the entire trip to Pokhara already being amazing, the fifteen minutes I spent looking at the Annapurnas made everything worthwhile. This is something that should be on everyone's bucket list. It wasn't on mine, but if I had known exactly how spectacular the Annapurna's were.... it surely would've been first on the list.
I'll be home in a week.... but before I leave here, I'm going to be doing something that is potentially going to be even more amazing than the Annapurnas. I won't ruin the surprise, but I'll write about it once I've done it. I'll see you all very soon!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Bungee Jumping....
Well.... yesterday may have been one of the most thrilling days of my life. I woke up at 5:45am to catch a bus out to Bhote Kosi on the Tibetan border of Nepal where we got off at this massive canyon. I can't even begin to describe what this looked like, it was absolutely breathtaking. The canyon had water falls coming into it from way up in the mountains and was just absolutely incredible.... instead of just sitting there and admiring the view, I decided to jump into the canyon. Twice.
Bhote Kosi is the home of "The Last Resort." Which is a breeding ground for tourists and bungee jumping enthusiasts from around the world. A suspension bridge crosses the canyon at 160m in the air (an American Football field is 100 yards or 33m roughly) and dozens of people jump off each day. It is the largest bungee jump off a suspension bridge in the world and the third largest bungee jump period.... they also offer something called a canyon swing where you are bound by a waist harness and you drop and then a suspension cable out in front of you catches and swings you along the canyon at 150 km/h. It is the largest canyon swing in the world.
At around noon, myself and five other Projects Abroad volunteers (along with 20 random people) walked out across the suspension bridge. I got to go first. They put the harness on me, I jumped (feet first), and after a 5 second drop the cable caught me and swung me along the canyon. It was an amazing rush.... terribly frightful, but oddly I felt a lot like Spiderman. After a 10-15 minute hike back up (amongst the beautiful water falls and scenery that Bhote Kosi has to offer) I was back on the suspension bridge waiting for my turn to do the bungee jump. This is the more traditional jump that you all know, bound by your ankles and jumping head first. Unfortunately this style of jump was a lot shorter (3 seconds), but since you're falling head first it is much more thrilling and scary. The sudden rush of adrenaline you get as you free fall is amazing, but the bouncing around in the canyon is rather enjoyable.
Once again I got to enjoy the beautiful hike back up, unfortunately noticing at this time that leeches had made their way into my shoes, and had lunch. By the time I got to the top and took my shoes off, my socks and shoes were soaked in blood.... and they were only tiny leeches!!!! Turned out that everyone got bit my leeches at some point, what a nuisance!!!!
Anyhow, it was a great day full of exciting thrills and disgusting feet.... what an adventure!
Bhote Kosi is the home of "The Last Resort." Which is a breeding ground for tourists and bungee jumping enthusiasts from around the world. A suspension bridge crosses the canyon at 160m in the air (an American Football field is 100 yards or 33m roughly) and dozens of people jump off each day. It is the largest bungee jump off a suspension bridge in the world and the third largest bungee jump period.... they also offer something called a canyon swing where you are bound by a waist harness and you drop and then a suspension cable out in front of you catches and swings you along the canyon at 150 km/h. It is the largest canyon swing in the world.
At around noon, myself and five other Projects Abroad volunteers (along with 20 random people) walked out across the suspension bridge. I got to go first. They put the harness on me, I jumped (feet first), and after a 5 second drop the cable caught me and swung me along the canyon. It was an amazing rush.... terribly frightful, but oddly I felt a lot like Spiderman. After a 10-15 minute hike back up (amongst the beautiful water falls and scenery that Bhote Kosi has to offer) I was back on the suspension bridge waiting for my turn to do the bungee jump. This is the more traditional jump that you all know, bound by your ankles and jumping head first. Unfortunately this style of jump was a lot shorter (3 seconds), but since you're falling head first it is much more thrilling and scary. The sudden rush of adrenaline you get as you free fall is amazing, but the bouncing around in the canyon is rather enjoyable.
Once again I got to enjoy the beautiful hike back up, unfortunately noticing at this time that leeches had made their way into my shoes, and had lunch. By the time I got to the top and took my shoes off, my socks and shoes were soaked in blood.... and they were only tiny leeches!!!! Turned out that everyone got bit my leeches at some point, what a nuisance!!!!
Anyhow, it was a great day full of exciting thrills and disgusting feet.... what an adventure!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Random Update
Well I see that I haven't been as diligent on this blog as some of you may have liked.... so I'm including a completely random update in here today.
Nothing too exciting has happened here lately. On Friday, we invited other volunteers to come to the MD centre and we pushed the boys around the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, where I bought everyone ice cream! It was actually quite a fun day. Saturday was pretty nice as I went to the Durbar Squaare in Patan with a group of five other volunteers. This was also nice, but the constant begging there was worse than I had seen it anywhere. Monsoons hit us hard this week and Kathmandu suffered flash flooding that involved me wading in dirty street water up to my knees.... just to go to the pub!!!!
When it's not raining here, it's rather hot. The scenery is beautiful and somehow I've managed to get my skin to tan.... a farmers tan that is.
Anyhow, I have HUGE plans for each of my final three weekends here.... I won't spoil the surprise but stay tuned as I will update this blog regularly with all the crazy shenanigans I plan on doing.
Nothing too exciting has happened here lately. On Friday, we invited other volunteers to come to the MD centre and we pushed the boys around the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur, where I bought everyone ice cream! It was actually quite a fun day. Saturday was pretty nice as I went to the Durbar Squaare in Patan with a group of five other volunteers. This was also nice, but the constant begging there was worse than I had seen it anywhere. Monsoons hit us hard this week and Kathmandu suffered flash flooding that involved me wading in dirty street water up to my knees.... just to go to the pub!!!!
When it's not raining here, it's rather hot. The scenery is beautiful and somehow I've managed to get my skin to tan.... a farmers tan that is.
Anyhow, I have HUGE plans for each of my final three weekends here.... I won't spoil the surprise but stay tuned as I will update this blog regularly with all the crazy shenanigans I plan on doing.
Monday, August 4, 2008
It's Been a While....
Well clearly I haven't been on this in a while.... so I hope I haven't lost any of my usual readers. For those of you that still visit this page, here's a summary of what I've been up to.
Projects Abroad volunteers usually work here in Nepal for a month or two, and as you can imagine.... people usually show up on the 1st and leave on the 31st. So with this past weekend being the month turnover from July to August, most of my friends that I've met since coming here have all gone home. It's kinds of sad, but I suppose that's the nature of travelling.
I haven't done anything too exciting since my last update, the Durbar square in Kathmandu was really nice as was the Garden of Dreams and the Monkey Temple.... other than that it's just been work and goodbyes over the past week. The boys at the MD centre are so much fun these days, even the most shy of boys there is now opening up and participating in all the activities. Yesterday I introduced Tee-Ball to them, which they seemed to enjoy.... my makeshift Tee didn't work so well (styrofoam block and a pop bottle).
I'm just going to be going about the routine this week, so drop me a line via email or facebook if you get the chance (and you know how much I love comments....). This weekend I think I'll be going to Patan instead of Kathmandu, so we'll see how that goes.
Projects Abroad volunteers usually work here in Nepal for a month or two, and as you can imagine.... people usually show up on the 1st and leave on the 31st. So with this past weekend being the month turnover from July to August, most of my friends that I've met since coming here have all gone home. It's kinds of sad, but I suppose that's the nature of travelling.
I haven't done anything too exciting since my last update, the Durbar square in Kathmandu was really nice as was the Garden of Dreams and the Monkey Temple.... other than that it's just been work and goodbyes over the past week. The boys at the MD centre are so much fun these days, even the most shy of boys there is now opening up and participating in all the activities. Yesterday I introduced Tee-Ball to them, which they seemed to enjoy.... my makeshift Tee didn't work so well (styrofoam block and a pop bottle).
I'm just going to be going about the routine this week, so drop me a line via email or facebook if you get the chance (and you know how much I love comments....). This weekend I think I'll be going to Patan instead of Kathmandu, so we'll see how that goes.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Greetings from Thamel!
Well it's the weekend, at that can mean one thing and one thing only.... parties in Thamel!!!! For thsoe of you that don't know, Thamel is the tourist district in Kathmandu. It's the most expensive place in Nepal and is full of good times around every corner. Basically you can buy anything here that you need, for example, yesterday I broke my sunglasses and bought a pair of Oakleys (fake) for 500 Rs (roughly $7 CDN).
This week was rather interesting. Bus strikes and road blocks caused grief for me most days this week. As I've said before, I live in a little town called Banepa and work in another town called Bhaktapur which is comparable to the distance between Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows. I ride the bus in every day sitting on the roof because I can't fit inside the buses in this country. Anyhow, on Wednesday there was a college student protest and my bus was forced to take a different route and I got lost.... I got on the bus around 9:30am and arrived at work at 1:45pm after walking around hell's half acre. Thursday was the worst because the bus system worked perfectly in the morning.... but in the afternoon there was a total strike going on. I left my work in Bhaktapur at 2:00pm and had to walk uphill all the way back to Banepa in the glaring sun (pretty bad sunburn). I got home around 5:30pm, but halfway there I was invited into this little old women's cafe for a drink. I had a coke (soft drinks here are always clean and harmless) but I was very embarrassed when she offered me water, because I didn't know if it was filtered or not. I closed my eyes, took a risk, and took a gulp.... it was cold and satisfying. It's been two days now and I'm just as strong as ever, so I figure I got lucky.
I'm heading to the Durbar square here in Kathmandu in an hour and then watching the Dark Knight with the other volunteers tonight.... should be a good day. Keep on making posts everyone, I love reading them all.
This week was rather interesting. Bus strikes and road blocks caused grief for me most days this week. As I've said before, I live in a little town called Banepa and work in another town called Bhaktapur which is comparable to the distance between Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows. I ride the bus in every day sitting on the roof because I can't fit inside the buses in this country. Anyhow, on Wednesday there was a college student protest and my bus was forced to take a different route and I got lost.... I got on the bus around 9:30am and arrived at work at 1:45pm after walking around hell's half acre. Thursday was the worst because the bus system worked perfectly in the morning.... but in the afternoon there was a total strike going on. I left my work in Bhaktapur at 2:00pm and had to walk uphill all the way back to Banepa in the glaring sun (pretty bad sunburn). I got home around 5:30pm, but halfway there I was invited into this little old women's cafe for a drink. I had a coke (soft drinks here are always clean and harmless) but I was very embarrassed when she offered me water, because I didn't know if it was filtered or not. I closed my eyes, took a risk, and took a gulp.... it was cold and satisfying. It's been two days now and I'm just as strong as ever, so I figure I got lucky.
I'm heading to the Durbar square here in Kathmandu in an hour and then watching the Dark Knight with the other volunteers tonight.... should be a good day. Keep on making posts everyone, I love reading them all.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Chitwan National Park
Okay.... this was an amazing weekend. So amazing, I'm not even sure where to begin....
It started of Thursday night with me and a few other volunteers heading into Kathmandu. We just relaxed in town that evening, hanging out at the hotel.
Friday morning, we got up at 6:00am and hopped on a bus towards Chitwan. It's a six hour drive if you go all the way, but we only went three hours. At this point, we got out of the bus and hopped into a raft. My first even white water rafting experience included a two minute instructional pep talk that I didn't understand and then being thrown into a stage 4 rapid (stage 5 is the highest).... due to it being monsoon season here, the water levels were really high and thus the river was rough. Fortunately nobody was thrown out of the raft (although we did come close a few times) but to say the least, it was rather exhilarating. After three hours on the river, we got out and bussed down to the lodge. It was then the late afternoon and we just relaxed around the lodge for the rest of the evening, enjoying the ridiculous heat that occurs south of Kathmandu.
On Saturday morning, we got up early once more and elephants picked us up at the lodge. Four people were place in a little box on top of each elephant and we went trekking through the Chitwan National Park. Unfortunately we didn't see the Rhinos that are native to those parts, but we did see some dear. Later after lunch that day an elephant and his trainer were washing in the river and for 100 rupees ($1.50 CDN) each, we were allowed to ride on the back of it in the water. When it came time for me to go on, I got to see at the front and hold onto the reigns while the trainer and another volunteer were sitting behind me. I suppose the elephant had had enough of this at this point and decided to go crazy.... he managed to throw the trainer and the other volunteer off his back and with me on his back by myself, he decided to go out into the middle of the river and dive under the water. Somehow I managed to hold on and was still there in my position when he resurfaced.... I pulled the trainer up and we made it back to the shore. After that we went on a canoe ride down that river and saw Crocodiles and Monkeys, but again.... no Rhino. We capped off a busy day by seeing a cultural show where local Nepali boys danced to the Hindu gots with a very intense beat and at times fire!!!! This day was long and tiring.... but a heck of a day it was.
Sunday we got up and headed back to Kathmandu. A six hour journey non stop left us all too tired to head back to Banepa, so once again we partied in Kathmandu. Three clubs led to a very entertaining evening with the other volunteers.
This morning we just hopped on a bus back to Banepa and that is where I am now.... writing in my blog, contemplating life as it unfolds infront of me every minute that I am here.
It started of Thursday night with me and a few other volunteers heading into Kathmandu. We just relaxed in town that evening, hanging out at the hotel.
Friday morning, we got up at 6:00am and hopped on a bus towards Chitwan. It's a six hour drive if you go all the way, but we only went three hours. At this point, we got out of the bus and hopped into a raft. My first even white water rafting experience included a two minute instructional pep talk that I didn't understand and then being thrown into a stage 4 rapid (stage 5 is the highest).... due to it being monsoon season here, the water levels were really high and thus the river was rough. Fortunately nobody was thrown out of the raft (although we did come close a few times) but to say the least, it was rather exhilarating. After three hours on the river, we got out and bussed down to the lodge. It was then the late afternoon and we just relaxed around the lodge for the rest of the evening, enjoying the ridiculous heat that occurs south of Kathmandu.
On Saturday morning, we got up early once more and elephants picked us up at the lodge. Four people were place in a little box on top of each elephant and we went trekking through the Chitwan National Park. Unfortunately we didn't see the Rhinos that are native to those parts, but we did see some dear. Later after lunch that day an elephant and his trainer were washing in the river and for 100 rupees ($1.50 CDN) each, we were allowed to ride on the back of it in the water. When it came time for me to go on, I got to see at the front and hold onto the reigns while the trainer and another volunteer were sitting behind me. I suppose the elephant had had enough of this at this point and decided to go crazy.... he managed to throw the trainer and the other volunteer off his back and with me on his back by myself, he decided to go out into the middle of the river and dive under the water. Somehow I managed to hold on and was still there in my position when he resurfaced.... I pulled the trainer up and we made it back to the shore. After that we went on a canoe ride down that river and saw Crocodiles and Monkeys, but again.... no Rhino. We capped off a busy day by seeing a cultural show where local Nepali boys danced to the Hindu gots with a very intense beat and at times fire!!!! This day was long and tiring.... but a heck of a day it was.
Sunday we got up and headed back to Kathmandu. A six hour journey non stop left us all too tired to head back to Banepa, so once again we partied in Kathmandu. Three clubs led to a very entertaining evening with the other volunteers.
This morning we just hopped on a bus back to Banepa and that is where I am now.... writing in my blog, contemplating life as it unfolds infront of me every minute that I am here.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Taste of Canada?
So I introduced the game of hockey to the kids at the MD centre.... We played games of 2 on 2 yesterday using cricket bats for sticks, a tennis ball for a puck and walking frames for goals. They actually seemed to really enjoy it and got a lot of exercise out of it, so all in all.... success!
Not much goes on here during the week, Banepa can be a little dull and most volunteers find that they tend to read a lot in their spare time (I've already cleaned up three novels and three magazines). I guess it makes the weekend adventures all the more enjoyable. Tomorrow I am heading back into Kathmandu and then Friday morning I'm heading to Chitwa National Park where I will get to ride an elephant, go rafting and trek through the countryside (while getting to see rhinos, tigers and crocs!). This weekend is going to be amazing....
Not much goes on here during the week, Banepa can be a little dull and most volunteers find that they tend to read a lot in their spare time (I've already cleaned up three novels and three magazines). I guess it makes the weekend adventures all the more enjoyable. Tomorrow I am heading back into Kathmandu and then Friday morning I'm heading to Chitwa National Park where I will get to ride an elephant, go rafting and trek through the countryside (while getting to see rhinos, tigers and crocs!). This weekend is going to be amazing....
Monday, July 14, 2008
It's Official: This Place Rules
Seriously, I don't want to come home. This past weekend in Kathmandu was amazing, everything about Nepal (volunteering, my placement and the partying) is awesome. I met most of the other Projects Abroad volunteers who are from different places around the world. They are all truly all incredible people who are a lot of fun to hang out with. There's even another guy from Vancouver who studies Human Kinetics at UBC!
Friday night was redneck night, I wore a sweaty old stinky shirt I had.... which is about as redneck as I get. The fun started when people wanted fake tattoos and asked if anyone could draw.... well as it turned out, I wound up being a fake tattoo artist that night. We wound up at three different pubs and a really nice restaurant and it was just good times all around. Saturday was pretty relaxed, I just hung out in and around our hotel's neighborhood (or on the rooftop of the hotel) all day with other volunteers. The liquor store up the street received a fair amount of our business that day.... Sunday just involved having breakfast and then catching a bus back to Banepa. I really don't feel uncomfortable here at all anymore unless I'm crossing the street.
Well I've been here for just over a week now.... So far this has been incredible. I can't wait to see what's in store for me this week!
Friday night was redneck night, I wore a sweaty old stinky shirt I had.... which is about as redneck as I get. The fun started when people wanted fake tattoos and asked if anyone could draw.... well as it turned out, I wound up being a fake tattoo artist that night. We wound up at three different pubs and a really nice restaurant and it was just good times all around. Saturday was pretty relaxed, I just hung out in and around our hotel's neighborhood (or on the rooftop of the hotel) all day with other volunteers. The liquor store up the street received a fair amount of our business that day.... Sunday just involved having breakfast and then catching a bus back to Banepa. I really don't feel uncomfortable here at all anymore unless I'm crossing the street.
Well I've been here for just over a week now.... So far this has been incredible. I can't wait to see what's in store for me this week!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Just Call Me Dahsin-a-ma
Today was.... interesting. It started with me catching my bus, but since it was full I had to ride on the roof! I wish I had a picture of that. Things got more interesting when we reached a police blockade and were forced to empty the bus. Nick (my coworker) and I then had to walk two hours into Bhaktapur where we had to walk through a protest of sorts involving bus drivers. There was an absolute gridlock that had fortunately not turned violent yet, as they have a history of getting ugly. To make matters worse, a monsoon hit once we got through the protest.... we arrived at the Muscular Dystrophy Centre soaking wet and exhausted.
The boys were hilarious today, they have some hindi song with a word in the chorus that goes "Dahsin-a-ma" so whenever that comes up, they all chant it at me. It's rather hilarious. We got three of the boys standing today which is awesome because when they're stuck in a wheelchair all day, their muscles reach a point where they can't elongate. Their hips and knees are in constant flexion and their ankles are in constant plantar flexion.... we passively stretch the appropriate muscles to reverse this somewhat, but it's futile at best. We're just trying to slow down the progression that goes along with MD.
I'm on my way into Kathmandu now for the weekend, should be a good time!
The boys were hilarious today, they have some hindi song with a word in the chorus that goes "Dahsin-a-ma" so whenever that comes up, they all chant it at me. It's rather hilarious. We got three of the boys standing today which is awesome because when they're stuck in a wheelchair all day, their muscles reach a point where they can't elongate. Their hips and knees are in constant flexion and their ankles are in constant plantar flexion.... we passively stretch the appropriate muscles to reverse this somewhat, but it's futile at best. We're just trying to slow down the progression that goes along with MD.
I'm on my way into Kathmandu now for the weekend, should be a good time!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Greetings from Bhaktapur!
Well I've been here three or four days now.... I'm living in a little town called Banepa which is an hour outside Kathmandu. It's kind of like the "Coquitlam" of Kathmandu. I've begun working in Bhaktapur at the Muscular Dystrophy Centre. I can't even begin to describe these kids, through all their tough times they seem to care about nothing more than having fun (Cricket, Basketball and Spiderman).
I still haven't quite adjusted to the culture shock here.... today I saw some guy toss a dead dog out of a moving vehicle where it landed in a mass of garbage on the side of the road. I suppose eventually this will seem more and more like commonplace.... hopefully?
It's great here though, my host family and the other volunteers are great. On Friday we're going into Kathmandu for "Red Neck Friday" which is some sort of clubbing theme I think. It'll probably be a good time.
I still haven't quite adjusted to the culture shock here.... today I saw some guy toss a dead dog out of a moving vehicle where it landed in a mass of garbage on the side of the road. I suppose eventually this will seem more and more like commonplace.... hopefully?
It's great here though, my host family and the other volunteers are great. On Friday we're going into Kathmandu for "Red Neck Friday" which is some sort of clubbing theme I think. It'll probably be a good time.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
My First Day
Well.... here I am! After 28 hours of flying around the world, I finally arrived in Kathmandu.
I figured I had read a lot about this place and that I would be prepared, however.... I had no idea what it was going to be like. This is a very busy city, everyone is constantly on the go and has something to do. The beggers coming out of the airport caught me off guard and I'm pretty sure I gave them too much money. Everyone is very nice though and I even met a friend (Diep) on the flight, he immigrated to Canada from Nepal ten years ago and is on his way back to visit his friends and family.
My hotel is very nice, everyone is pleasant and is willing to answer all my questions about Nepal. The food is unbelievable, I'm not sure what I just ate but it was delicious! For now, I can here some music out of the window and I think I may go for a walk and try to find out where it's coming from.
I figured I had read a lot about this place and that I would be prepared, however.... I had no idea what it was going to be like. This is a very busy city, everyone is constantly on the go and has something to do. The beggers coming out of the airport caught me off guard and I'm pretty sure I gave them too much money. Everyone is very nice though and I even met a friend (Diep) on the flight, he immigrated to Canada from Nepal ten years ago and is on his way back to visit his friends and family.
My hotel is very nice, everyone is pleasant and is willing to answer all my questions about Nepal. The food is unbelievable, I'm not sure what I just ate but it was delicious! For now, I can here some music out of the window and I think I may go for a walk and try to find out where it's coming from.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Flights
This is going to be a long day of travel....
July 4, 2008 - Depart Vancouver, Canada (5:45 pm local time)
July 5, 2008 - Arrive in London, England (10:50 am local time)
July 5, 2008 - Depart London, England (3:05 pm local time)
July 5, 2008 - Arrive in Doha, Qatar (11:59 pm local time)
July 6, 2008 - Depart Doha, Qatar (12:45 am local time)
July 6, 2008 - Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal (8:1o am local time)
July 4, 2008 - Depart Vancouver, Canada (5:45 pm local time)
July 5, 2008 - Arrive in London, England (10:50 am local time)
July 5, 2008 - Depart London, England (3:05 pm local time)
July 5, 2008 - Arrive in Doha, Qatar (11:59 pm local time)
July 6, 2008 - Depart Doha, Qatar (12:45 am local time)
July 6, 2008 - Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal (8:1o am local time)
What I'm Doing
Many people have asked me what it is that I am exactly doing in Nepal.... basically I'm working with an agency called Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org) that helps many volunteers like myself each year reach out to people in need around the world. I'll be volunteering in a physical therapy program over there, but as of yet my exact role is unknown. Here is how my program is described on the Projects Abroad website:
Volunteer Physical Therapy in Nepal
There is a real shortage of physical therapy skills in Nepal; we provide volunteers of all abilities to help local doctors and physical therapists. Initially you'll shadow local staff, but as you become more confident and comfortable you will take more of a hands-on role. You will find that the experience you gain will really help you to get an idea of how a busy physical therapy department works. If you are a trained physical therapist, you will find yourself busy and in demand from your first day.
You might work in the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children – the HRDC - which is based on a hilltop beside a quaint village on the outskirts of Kathmandu. The only hospital of its kind in Nepal, HRDC takes in children from all over the country. Many have been born with polio or had accidents that haven't been treated correctly. All have physical disabilities.
You'll come across neglected orthopedic conditions such as TB, polio, post-burn contractures and cerebral palsy. Volunteers work with inpatients and with outpatients who attend a couple of times in the week, sometimes traveling many hours for a visit to this important center.
We also work with the Royal Nepal Orthopedic Hospital. This was set up to provide medical care - in the fields of trauma, orthopedics and rehabilitation - to Nepalese people who cannot receive these services through the standard government-run hospitals, due to overcrowding.
This program is one where you can really improve your résumé - gaining experience impossible to get in the west - and help out these short-staffed institutions.
First Entry
Welcome to my blog. This site will be used mainly to document my trip to Kathmandu between July and September of 2008. I will be posting journal entries here as regularly as possible (and pictures if I can) throughout my entire trip. Please check back here when you can for updates and feel free to leave comments when you like!
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