I had a great time in Thamel with Cally, and we stayed in a B&B run by some expats who married local girls, called Red Panda. (The B&B, not the girls). It was basic, and comfortable and had Tibetan prayer flags everywhere. Cally and I went and had falafels, bread and dips at OR2K, followed by hot chocolate cake again, (its like a chocolate soufflé Nana, but hot and gooey on the inside) and spent FAR too much money. We had the best Thai curries for dinner, and bought massive matching woollen hoodies which are lined with fleece. She was kind enough to take mine back to the UK with her when she left the next morning, so it won’t take up all the room in my suitcase! I can’t wait to see her and it again. Soooo snuggly. (The jumper haha). See ya in London Cally!
After Cally left for the airport I hung out at the B&B chatting to the owners, one of whom was a volunteer in a children’s home when he met his wife. He still works for the organisation, which looks after prisoner’s children. It was interesting talking to him about the differences between children’s homes in Kathmandu. His one has a house mother and 3 didis, so four staff in all, to look after 35 children.
I hadn’t taken my camera to Thamel with me, which I kicked myself for, because it was all decked out for Diwali and the new Nepali year (Happy 2068). Also because I wanted to show you how different it is from where I’m living!
Anyway, I walked to the Immigration office after breakfast, which took half an hour, and then naively paid extra for my visa to be done in 20minutes, not realising that this wasn’t a normal service!
I recognised the area vaguely but couldn’t work out how to catch a bus from there to Jawalakhel so decided to start walking until a microbus came past yelling it at me. No microbuses came, and I enjoyed a super long walk all the way from Thamel to Jawalakhel! I did stop in Pulchowk at Dhukuti, the fair trade store that sells the Trade Aid producer groups products. They have some beautiful crafts! I wanted to have a house to fill up. Take note trade aid! They have LOADS more products you should bring to NZ :D
I bought a handbag.
It’s grey felt and black suede, and the felt is made from NZ wool. I thought it was meant to be.
Then I stopped outside the UN for a coffee and a rest and to check my email, (all the cafes here have free wireless!) and got to people watch all the UN people coming in for lunch. I still find the wealth gaps here amazing. The difference between Kathmandu and the villages, or the young, educated and wealthy is astonishing. This afternoon we got dressed up (not actually dressed up for Prerna, but after weeks in the same shorts I felt dressed up, I borrowed a dress from Prerna, and even put mascara on!) and went and met Prerna’s friends. Wearing fashionable jeans/tshirts, silver watches and cologne, having just been to an italian bar/cafe which could’ve been anywhere in the world, driving through tiny villages and women carrying vast loads on their backs and brick houses without glass in the windows and the road unpitched seemed almost surreal.
Anyway yesterday we went and ordered floor cushions and bought a stack of Nepali books for the reading room. We also got some board games and puzzles, and have put an order in for a table to be made! Its very exciting, I hope the table arrives before I leave. The books from my Nana (and thanks Sunshine Books for a massive discount!) should arrive in December when I’ve left, in time for Christmas! So the room is slowly getting there, thanks again for your donations!
I realise I have no photos for this post. So unlike me! I will make an effort to take my camera out with me again. I’ve actually found myself incredibly settled here the past two weeks. I feel confident in wandering around and being able to find my way home, in being able to find a good place to eat, a good spot to people watch, or a brilliant place to get time out. It doesn’t seem strange that there are no footpaths, that rubbish is burnt on the side of the road, that everyone dresses so differently. The language barrier doesn’t really phase me anymore, and I can imagine living here indefinitely. I want give the kids as much love as I possibly can. I know everyone’s names, I can drink the same water that the kids drink, and I don’t get told off for doing the dishes anymore! And I’m going to miss House of Hope very much. Especially the children, oh dear – if I manage to not cry it will be a flipping miracle. 8 days to go, flying by.
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