Thursday, November 19, 2009

prep for Nepal

Namaste! ("Greeting the godliness in you")
Our trip to Nepal is taking shape. Beth and I are ready to leave tomorrow, if we could. The plans are many and my journal will be too small! I will be able to get to internet cafes and I intend to send blogs whenever I can.
We're leaving the 28th of December for Kennedy airport in NY and stay overnight at the hotel there. We have to be at the airport by 6am, so that makes more sense.
We expected to take empty suitcases with us, bring them back filled with the crafts we intend to buy to support our new OneBigBoost program to provide special equipment to various places. But now it is going to be filled, after all. About that later.

We will travel, via Hong Kong and Bangladesh, (daytime landings :-) ) to Kathmandu. K consists of a series of old and much older villages. The center is Thamel and we'll see that later. Our "home" will be at Pagoda House in Bhaktapur, from where we can reach the various craft workshops easily. (we hope). Also: Bhaktapur itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire town. Pictures will follow. You bet! From Kathmandu, eventually, to a little place in the mountains named Begnas Tal (lake). It is very quiet and peaceful. A place to walk, write, visit people and a school. The school needs books and that's where the no longer empty suitcases go! I'm also looking for word and language games. I found out that Shoots and Ladders is a Nepali game! Isn't that cool?
From a few days of quiet by the lake, and a daytrip to nearby Pokhara, we will move south to Butwal, which is the main purpose for our trip. Lots and lots of pictures, and lots and lots to talk about! From Butwal back to 2 days in Kathmandu, then home on the 14th, arrival the 15th.

Beth and are having a blast planning and learning. Sometimes communication with our Butwaleese friends is a bit difficult, but we're working it out! Some of it is a language issue. I just read in an article, for example, that they have an 'automated hospital'. I imagined people on stretchers, each getting different toppings like in a do-nut factory! I'm sure our Nepali will be far funnier that their English!

We are still looking for donations to buy a laptop for the high school there. They want to be able to move it from classroom to classroom, and expose all students to the opportunities it brings. If you can make a small donation, we would really appreciate it. So far we have $150...we need to do better! Pleeeeeeaase?

And oh yes: there is a village near Bhaktapur named Thimi. It is THE potters village. I am excited to go there. About 8000 potters, from roof tiles to artwork. Kilns are right on the road. Ashes are reused to conserve resources. And all the inhabitant's last names are "Potter'. Now, consider the fact that one of the most popular boys' names is Hari...