It has been an interesting week in Kathmandu. Just before I left Pokhara I went to a Tibetian Monastry which was stunning - lots of intricate paintings and statues and the like. Then I sat beside an Italian man on the bus who introduced himself as a spiritual seeker, then I went to a christian church on sunday (was great!), then here we have been to both Hindu and Buddhist temples so I'm feeling quite spiritualled out! And its easter tomorrow!!
It looks like it is going to be an interesting month working with the local trainers here. The emphasis of the training is for us to be in the background and to really encourage the trainers to take the lead and initiative. So far, they have given us a run for our money - optimistically asking for new resources everyday and trying to get us to write the lesson plans. So it is a mix of helping, encouraging and explaining that it is no use me teaching them a geography song in english as no-one else wh\ould be able to sing it. (I dont even have any geography songs in english). So they have conceeded to sticking with their own Nepali songs which is much better!
The photo at the top is some of the boys I'll be spending my time with over the next month - Jugadesh (Maths), Meen and Suresh (Social Studies), Shakti (Nepalese) and ME! Many more, but these are a few. Its pretty chilled out really.
View from the top of the hotel in Kathmandu - was an awesome spot to listen to thunder rolling round the hills and watch the rain clouds bursting. We had the most epic storm, totally dark by 3pm and the heaviest rain I have seen for a long time. It was AWESOME! Thunder rolling round the hills now too.
Hard at work in the REED office (Rural Educational and Economic Development). We have spent the last few days planning activities for the refresher teacher training courses we are running for the next three weeks.
And drinking tea.
Went to Swayanbhu Temple (otherwise known as monkey temple, as there are so many of them cruising round trying to eat you and your camera...) Many stalls all selling the same things, many prayer flags and wheels, many people, many pigeons...
The A Team. Sometimes its A for 'awesome', sometimes A for 'ANZAC' and sometimes A for 'a team' - when we feel like we don't actually have much to offer! Stacey (chch), Peta (Sydney), Andrew (Adelaide) and Me.
Riverside properties in Kathmandu. Location, Location, Location.
Interesting photo - this is at Pashpunath, a Hindu temple where cremations take place. If you look closely in the top left corner there is a body being prepared for cremation. To the right is one in the middle, and the man in the foreground is washing his dishes in the river, where the ashes get swept at the end. This was a pretty challenging place, didn't take many photos as it seemed a bit wierd. Very interesting to watch for a while though. There were alos heaps of beggars - mothers and babies, disabled and elderly - here. Pretty confronting place.
Another Buddhist temple which was amazing. There was a local festival as it is the day before a full moon so there were thousands upon thousands of people here. Great fun to be a part of such a big crowd for a while but also nice to escape to the roof for a beer and some shade.
Well, must go as I am about to go have a coffee with Sir Ed's son Peter which should be interesting!!! Am quite excited really. We fly out tomorrow in a small plane headed for the hills so the next update will be from there.
Im falling more in love with Nepal - people only come here for a reason so everyone you meet is super interesting. Stories to come in the following days...
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