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.
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