tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26664365497963606952024-03-13T08:36:53.846-07:00seven weeks in nepalamandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-53638353581934538352010-04-21T17:05:00.000-07:002010-04-21T17:13:51.756-07:00Where I am at now...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-Ua8SA-3I/AAAAAAAAAmk/Iz23dvtAQTY/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-Ua8SA-3I/AAAAAAAAAmk/Iz23dvtAQTY/s400/DSC_0107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462748063602899826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-TlYiOZlI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LgZVD0eFFVI/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-TlYiOZlI/AAAAAAAAAmc/LgZVD0eFFVI/s400/DSC_0297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462747143474144850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-TkME6OwI/AAAAAAAAAmM/lA0Duzf8QDM/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S8-TkME6OwI/AAAAAAAAAmM/lA0Duzf8QDM/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462747122950093570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">i have been trying to raise enough funds to get all of the children into a private school. i don't mean a school with a fancy pool, computer labs and state of the art gym. i don't even mean a school where they have music or art class. i have simply been trying to arrange them an education at a school where the teachers can read and write in Nepali and have basic teaching skills.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So far i haven't been able to achieve this goal... i'm about $1000 away from them all being able to go to school for a year. Everyone keeps telling me that i should be proud of the money i have raised for them so far but i know nearly getting them into school doesn't help anyone. It doesn't make it easier when our website broke, paypal froze our account and i had to spend a small fortune to register a business name in order to open a bank account.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I keep telling myself not to focus on the problems, just think how good it will be to see them all off to a good school. So after you read this cross your fingers for me. I need all the good thoughts and luck I can muster.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And if you are looking for an international volunteer placement check out the website. All the fees go to supporting the children and it is a locally run organisation. <a href="http://www.everestchildrenshomenepal.com/volunteer-nepal.html">Volunteer in Nepal</a><a href="http://www.everestchildrenshomenepal.com/volunteer-nepal.html">.</a></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-32869809093899796032010-03-19T23:26:00.000-07:002010-03-19T23:29:51.324-07:00Finally up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S6RrEOgBl-I/AAAAAAAAAlU/g-SrX6ejTD0/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S6RrEOgBl-I/AAAAAAAAAlU/g-SrX6ejTD0/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450599169381210082" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The website is finally up and running!!!! A huge thank you to Banjo Smyth who created such a great page and put up with all our questions. He has worked really hard to make sure we have the best page possible. THANKS BANJO.<br /></div><br />We are very excited because it is now possible to make donations and apply for volunteer placements directly with us. <a href="http://www.everestchildrenshomenepal.com/">Click here to look at the new site.</a>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-28562449263190178612010-03-01T23:08:00.000-08:002010-03-02T01:34:02.374-08:00Sponsors...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6XmWBuvI/AAAAAAAAAk8/Yg-Tm9iblSE/s1600-h/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6XmWBuvI/AAAAAAAAAk8/Yg-Tm9iblSE/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443930964176780018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6XAoKc9I/AAAAAAAAAk0/9PpcLDztMj8/s1600-h/DSC_0087.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6XAoKc9I/AAAAAAAAAk0/9PpcLDztMj8/s400/DSC_0087.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443930954052301778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6WKaZXYI/AAAAAAAAAks/CKpg2VeEgnU/s1600-h/DSC_0243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4y6WKaZXYI/AAAAAAAAAks/CKpg2VeEgnU/s400/DSC_0243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443930939499044226" border="0" /></a>Some good news for three of the children. Volunteers, Ron and John are providing sponsorships for Ruth, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hemalal</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Raju</span>. They will now be able to attend private school, starting in April. Hopefully there will be funds to send the other children to private school soon.amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-13255794409236383162010-02-24T17:50:00.000-08:002010-02-24T18:02:45.222-08:00Private lessons!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4XX3rSQeYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/667NucbsGM8/s1600-h/DSC_0112+%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4XX3rSQeYI/AAAAAAAAAkE/667NucbsGM8/s400/DSC_0112+%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441993076259191170" border="0" /></a>A few posts ago I mentioned that I was trying to find a private teacher for the children. They desperately needed help with their homework, many of them were failing their classes.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am glad to report a private teacher has been found and he started last week. I was only there for two days worth of lessons but the children responded well. They even seemed quiet excited and enjoyed the attention.<br /><br />The teacher costs 3500NR a month (about $55.50).<br /><br />A couple of people have mentioned they would like to provide some kind of sponsorship for the children or to make a donation towards the cost of the teacher. If any one is interested the website will be prepared soon and it will have a donation facility or you can contact me on amandaclareshore at hotmail dot com<br /><br />Lastly, I have set up a blog for the home as part of the website. There isn't much on there yet but hopefully they will be able to keep us updated with news from the children. Go <a href="http://everestchildrenshomenepal.blogspot.com/">here</a> to have a sneak peek.<br /></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-67596832573665412562010-02-21T20:21:00.000-08:002010-02-21T20:35:47.053-08:00I miss Nepal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IIcikoZnI/AAAAAAAAAj8/WT3hZSK1rN8/s1600-h/DSC_0404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IIcikoZnI/AAAAAAAAAj8/WT3hZSK1rN8/s400/DSC_0404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440920586226787954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IIB5TS_PI/AAAAAAAAAj0/dWFhTl-WU6s/s1600-h/DSC_0281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IIB5TS_PI/AAAAAAAAAj0/dWFhTl-WU6s/s400/DSC_0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440920128471629042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IHvLTRctI/AAAAAAAAAjs/ppFWDBdwz5A/s1600-h/DSC_0021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IHvLTRctI/AAAAAAAAAjs/ppFWDBdwz5A/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919806885851858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IHd2RbvcI/AAAAAAAAAjk/pPAgvv0PYfg/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S4IHd2RbvcI/AAAAAAAAAjk/pPAgvv0PYfg/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440919509183217090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I have only been home 24 hours and i am already searching for visa options and a job so i can return. I miss the children, i miss my new city <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pokhara</span>, and i miss my friends. I am having the worst case of reverse homesickness.<br /><br />The last few days in Nepal my new mates really turned it up a notch and showed me all the places they had been too lazy to take me to before. I went to the zoo, a million temples, great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">restaurants</span> and bars. I took so many photos...<br /><br />I am too sad to write about it just yet. I have lots of news about the children and the website so if anyone is still reading, give me a day or two and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">i'll</span> post some more.<br /></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-16600217528303549512010-02-15T17:46:00.000-08:002010-02-16T15:37:21.913-08:00YOU HAVE TO LAUGHYou have to laugh.....and the Nepalese people do constantly. I guess its a way of making the serious not so serious. There were some things that happened to us that made us laugh. Here are a few......<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2QG0jrbFsI/AAAAAAAAAgg/NgAktCanPfs/s1600-h/PC010699.JPG"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2QG0jrbFsI/AAAAAAAAAgg/NgAktCanPfs/s320/PC010699.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432474550515996354" /></a><br />When visiting Melbourne I would go for a walk for two to three hours and then ring up and get some to pick me up. Had no idea where I was and would just tell them the cross street. So when I went to Nepal everyone said "don't go walking 'cause there is nobody to come and pick you up". The first morning I awoke early and told Amanda I was going down stairs to have a look. She said "OK but don't go anywhere....you will get lost". I watched everyone going past the motel door, but then I thought if I just follow this street in a straight line for a little way and then turn around and come back.....so I can't possibly get lost. So I walked down to the river where the road turned. Then I turned around and walked back. Well soon I was ..... well let's say I didn't recognise anything. But I turned around and backtracked again and soon realised that streets were coming in at a sharp angle and the road I had been following was not very straight. I had been distracted by some cows moving down the street and had followed the wrong road. Eventually found my way back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qCu2aNMAI/AAAAAAAAAiY/pAuo7wvXFY8/s1600-h/DSC_0198.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qCu2aNMAI/AAAAAAAAAiY/pAuo7wvXFY8/s400/DSC_0198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438803241394319362" /></a>Our motel in Kathmandu was pretty basic, but OK. There was hot water.......one day.....or so someone said. And the sheets had been changed.......at some stage. But depends what you are used to. It was the motel the organisation put us up in because it was cheap. Two Israeli girls (won't mention their names) who had just completed their military service, found the motel not to their liking. However they didn't want to offend anyone so each night, for three nights, they crept out and went to a fancy motel where they paid big money. And in the morning they would get up early and sneak back in before anyone was awake. No wonder we thought of them as the princesses.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qCt7EPzgI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/0jNJ-bZMqDQ/s1600-h/DSC_0546.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qCt7EPzgI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/0jNJ-bZMqDQ/s400/DSC_0546.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438803225464524290" /></a>On safari there was a heavy mist as we drifted along the river. As we reached the shore and prepared for our walk through the jungle we were given a briefing about being absolutely quiet and what to do if a bear or a rhino heard us and charged. So it was tense moving through the jungle in single file stopping every now and then to listen. There had been rhino attacks recently so things were tense and we were doing our best to make as little noise as possible. Everything was very still and their was an eiree silence. I couldn't help a chuckle though when everytime we moved I could hear this noise. The woman from Russia had worn courdoroy jeans. Everytime she took a step there was that rubbing sound courderoy makes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2QGz7MQTGI/AAAAAAAAAgY/-pezQZTWwuA/s1600-h/DSC_0212.JPG"> </a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2QGz7MQTGI/AAAAAAAAAgY/-pezQZTWwuA/s320/DSC_0212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432474539647847522" /><div>The tourist buses stop two or three times whenever you travel for a couple of hours. Usually at a place where you can buy lunch, even if you just had it two hours previously. On the way to Chitwan with Amanda, Tess and Maya we stopped at one roadside resturant. The bush near the dinning tables had eggs stuck onto the top of it. Probably customers had stuck their egg shells on the bush and someone thought it was funny so left them there. Amanda and I were looking at it when Tess walked up. We told her it was an egg tree.......... they mustn't get out much in Israel!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qJhnznj_I/AAAAAAAAAig/vXVZQ3O5DdA/s1600-h/DSC_0605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qJhnznj_I/AAAAAAAAAig/vXVZQ3O5DdA/s400/DSC_0605.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438810710717468658" /></a>On our elephant safari we were busy taking pictures of the people on the other elephants all around us. And they were taking pictures of us. But we had none of us. So when the elephant that was near us all the time came even closer we swapped cameras with them so that we could have pictures of ourselves on our camera. However as soon as we swapped the other elephant took off into the scrub at a great speed. Liz's good camera that we borrowed was way out of site and here all we had to show was a little box brownie. But when we found rhinos all of the elephants came to see and we could swap back. Although I had said to the fellow take lots of pictures there were only two or three on it. They feature elephant back-sides and a deer hiding in the foliage.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qJif8ur0I/AAAAAAAAAio/V5a4KMT0SY0/s1600-h/DSC_0082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S3qJif8ur0I/AAAAAAAAAio/V5a4KMT0SY0/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438810725788069698" /></a></div>When staying at the monastery we decided to go into the city to do some shopping. Kunga Lama sent one of the monks with us as a guide. However in town Luca, the German girl became sick. The group split up and Luca, Helen and the monk went back to the monastery early. Amanda and I stayed in town to visit the orphanage. We returned late at night to the monastery with Tess and Maya. So late that the gate of the monastery was locked. Lama Kunga himself came down to open the gate. He looked at the group, then looked again. "Where's my monk?" he said. He continued to quizz us on where his missing monk was. And when we explained .....well he just didn't seeem to understand english. The Israeli girls were getting worried that we weren't going to get in and would be stuck in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. However the Lama couldn't keep up his act and a big grin appeared on his face. His monk had returned hours ago. This was just his little joke.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-28401263694772400572010-02-09T21:41:00.000-08:002010-02-09T21:41:00.373-08:00Raju and the hospital<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2perx3F8vI/AAAAAAAAAjc/jYAEzVp8-mc/s1600-h/Quick+Trip+to+the+Hospital.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2perx3F8vI/AAAAAAAAAjc/jYAEzVp8-mc/s400/Quick+Trip+to+the+Hospital.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434260006587724530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had my first and hopefully last trip to a Nepalese hospital today. It turned out to be a bit of an anti-climax in the end.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was having tea with Maya and Milan when Tess came running down the street carrying Raju, one of the children from the home. He had a huge gash across his temple, the beginnings of a huge lump and was even less responsive then usual. Even with all the blood and three foreign women poking at him, he wasn't crying – maybe that should have tipped us off that he was fine.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I was decided someone should take him to the hospital. Promod, Raju and I jumped on a motorcycle. When we arrived all Raju wanted to talk about was how hungry he was. I felt like an over protective mum. It turned out to be just a bad cut and a bit of a lump</div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-3657979398533656552010-02-07T21:40:00.000-08:002010-02-07T21:40:00.333-08:00Tess has a crashTess and Maya rented push bikes today. Tess got hit by a motorcycle going 90km/h. The man riding the bike didn't even stop to see if she was OK. She wasn't wearing a helmet so it is very lucky she wasn't more seriously hurt.<br /><br />A broken arm and a slight loss of contentiousness later and now they have decided to skip their trip to India and return to Israel early.amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-41946385643767333462010-02-05T21:22:00.000-08:002010-02-05T21:22:00.168-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2payQgjboI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xwP6QrJPGh4/s1600-h/A+visit+from+St+Marys.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2payQgjboI/AAAAAAAAAjU/xwP6QrJPGh4/s400/A+visit+from+St+Marys.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434255719847390850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2pax--J3RI/AAAAAAAAAjM/jVejo3pcKCU/s1600-h/A+visit+from+St+Marys2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2pax--J3RI/AAAAAAAAAjM/jVejo3pcKCU/s400/A+visit+from+St+Marys2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434255715139706130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />St Mary's School Visit the home and bring more scarves and hats<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-10206166721900913532010-02-03T20:48:00.000-08:002010-02-03T21:38:29.097-08:00Water Shortage<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2pUICLt9gI/AAAAAAAAAjE/c0p7CNMPJrw/s1600-h/P1240233.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S2pUICLt9gI/AAAAAAAAAjE/c0p7CNMPJrw/s400/P1240233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434248397377631746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4ap-AdOojpMNZhhlkJvy6YJ9i_BIm3ZXlxGreU4f1iQFbOE9ZlAR3gcsbbizcIVU5c3rVMWE2RwwEOzIe' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For reasons that have not really been explained to me, there is no longer any water at the home. I thought the house was on rain water but I was told the shortage was due to a broken pipe during roadworks... I am almost positive I am not getting the full story.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe the bill wasn't paid or maybe the pipe was broken by one of the children, whatever happened the result is a ten minute walk to collect water from a mountain stream, twice a day. Laundry days are worse.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday we spent 7 hours sitting on cold rocks doing laundry by hand. The children also had one of their rare showers which involved soaping yourself under your clothes and having a bucket of freezing mountain water splashed over you.<br /></div></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-70820179543193852122010-01-26T20:14:00.000-08:002010-01-27T08:50:03.594-08:00THE TIBETAN REFUGEE CAMP in picturesNext to the monastery there is a Tibetan village. Many Tibetans came here as refugees because of the Chinese presence in their country. They have been here for a number of years and have grown into a village. Some houses are still just barely shanties while others are now in brick. One of the monks from the monastery kindly showed us around. The monks relate to the Tibetan culture. (The young monk was from the monastery we were working at but showed us around the Tibetan village)<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3vZMIQXEI/AAAAAAAAAKU/TYyj5sFNygE/s1600-h/DSC_0177.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3vZMIQXEI/AAAAAAAAAKU/TYyj5sFNygE/s320/DSC_0177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421752742455565378" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz14B1KuvrI/AAAAAAAAAJk/6ClSLzqPBoI/s1600-h/DSC_0243.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz14B1KuvrI/AAAAAAAAAJk/6ClSLzqPBoI/s320/DSC_0243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621499271233202" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UlzWOKSI/AAAAAAAAAeg/hGmLQIuM8LE/s1600-h/DSC_0273.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AYQtVlUMI/AAAAAAAAAfI/1sbcZZGRHQw/s1600-h/DSC_0269.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AYQtVlUMI/AAAAAAAAAfI/1sbcZZGRHQw/s320/DSC_0269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367825935913154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br />As a history teacher walking through this village (no that's not me in the picture, nor the one below)I could really get a sense of what a medieval village was like, particularly with the sheep and goats wandering through the narrow, twisting streets<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UlzWOKSI/AAAAAAAAAeg/hGmLQIuM8LE/s1600-h/DSC_0273.JPG"><imgsrc="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zlco8wt8/s16ulzwoksi/aaaaaaaaaeg/hgmlqium8le/s320/dsc_0273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430941577814878498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; "> </imgsrc="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zlco8wt8/s16ulzwoksi/aaaaaaaaaeg/hgmlqium8le/s320/dsc_0273.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A1ANHPGQI/AAAAAAAAAfg/lsgmwlV_bYg/s1600-h/DSC_0264.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A1ANHPGQI/AAAAAAAAAfg/lsgmwlV_bYg/s320/DSC_0264.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431399428245100802" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S15Z0o2D_JI/AAAAAAAAAdw/5VY4OAE1Y-I/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8ryJ0HiI/AAAAAAAAAfo/qqCsqSmQgCU/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8ryJ0HiI/AAAAAAAAAfo/qqCsqSmQgCU/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431407873503796770" /></a><br />.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz14BBOfGXI/AAAAAAAAAJU/r8VESTP7JxM/s1600-h/DSC_0201.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz14BBOfGXI/AAAAAAAAAJU/r8VESTP7JxM/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621485328341362" /></a><br />There were many children in the village. Maybe there appeared more because at the times we were visiting the parents were away earning a living in the town or farming.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN5enucwI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g3-KgQvJMRk/s1600-h/DSC_0202.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN5enucwI/AAAAAAAAAe4/g3-KgQvJMRk/s320/DSC_0202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431356431732208386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8ttG2_mI/AAAAAAAAAf4/FIjbNGCFPGU/s1600-h/DSC_0200.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8ttG2_mI/AAAAAAAAAf4/FIjbNGCFPGU/s320/DSC_0200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431407906508963426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8suzNGlI/AAAAAAAAAfw/3vWWBI2WVow/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2A8suzNGlI/AAAAAAAAAfw/3vWWBI2WVow/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431407889783528018" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16OBG1nRlI/AAAAAAAAAeA/vmoONtoaUJ8/s1600-h/DSC_0214.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16OBG1nRlI/AAAAAAAAAeA/vmoONtoaUJ8/s320/DSC_0214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430934350321894994" /></a><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz14BUjt_7I/AAAAAAAAAJc/8AX6OBB3-ZQ/s320/DSC_0204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421621490517671858" />These are some of the buildings people live in. They seem to be made from whatever material was available at the time. This included corrugated iron, branches, mud brick and hessian.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2BI2-rkzeI/AAAAAAAAAgA/b8FJxZww2BA/s1600-h/DSC_0203.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2BI2-rkzeI/AAAAAAAAAgA/b8FJxZww2BA/s320/DSC_0203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431421259984719330" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UlbSn6dI/AAAAAAAAAeY/hkQSUxwZHkg/s1600-h/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UlbSn6dI/AAAAAAAAAeY/hkQSUxwZHkg/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430941571357338066" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN6G88L1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/qyS8Hu--lDs/s1600-h/DSC_0246.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN6G88L1I/AAAAAAAAAfA/qyS8Hu--lDs/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431356442558607186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br />There is a school here. It is not very large. They hold a district soccer tournament here. But the ground is so rough. You can see evidence of volunteers being here years ago with fading murals and slogans on walls.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UkwoDQPI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ZM7ULpRL6iI/s1600-h/DSC_0229.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16UkwoDQPI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ZM7ULpRL6iI/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430941559904485618" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16OBg62uxI/AAAAAAAAAeI/PYFSZ3hHytg/s1600-h/DSC_0222.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S16OBg62uxI/AAAAAAAAAeI/PYFSZ3hHytg/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430934357323201298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br />There is also another monastery within the village. It is reasonably large, with a colourful temple inside.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AYSfGi0PI/AAAAAAAAAfY/fNeuUwGByuM/s1600-h/DSC_0248.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AYSfGi0PI/AAAAAAAAAfY/fNeuUwGByuM/s320/DSC_0248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431367856474476786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /> </a><br />This area is where the men and women who stay in the village during the day set up stalls selling crafts to any tourists who happen by. They are very persistent but will haggle and we often got some good bargains here.<br /><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN4kfo8dI/AAAAAAAAAew/5sKbmEljllQ/s1600-h/DSC_0020.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S2AN4kfo8dI/AAAAAAAAAew/5sKbmEljllQ/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431356416129036754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br />This picture was taken in the monastery kitchen. It shows the cook making Tibetan butter tea. Very salty in taste. I much prefer the sweet tea or marsala tea even though they put so much sugar in it.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-90608191891049630982010-01-25T20:20:00.000-08:002010-01-26T05:02:39.976-08:00THE VOLUNTEERS in picturesIn our time in Nepal we have met many fantastic people giving their time at the Children's home or the monastery. We have been amazed at their generosity with both time and money. Some travelled there as volunteers, others were there as tourists but when they heard about different programs they too volunteered or came to help. Here are some pictures of many who we have met.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L01lbyjDI/AAAAAAAAASg/eUlgmNPXr6c/s1600-h/IMG_3971.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L01lbyjDI/AAAAAAAAASg/eUlgmNPXr6c/s320/IMG_3971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423166102726413362" /></a> Sheila was a Canadian lady who had been to Nepal on an all female trek. We met her the first night and she showed us around Kathmandu.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7I4QXllQI/AAAAAAAAAN4/eZ5GanKNTjk/s1600-h/IMG_3956.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7I4QXllQI/AAAAAAAAAN4/eZ5GanKNTjk/s320/IMG_3956.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421991870192784642" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7I4GYebAI/AAAAAAAAANw/Qq1EzrUYCOc/s1600-h/IMG_3916.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7I4GYebAI/AAAAAAAAANw/Qq1EzrUYCOc/s320/IMG_3916.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421991867512155138" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sara comes from Melbourne. She is there with the same organisation as we are but worked at a different children's home in Pokhara. (Sara is second from the left)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7H-_BAVGI/AAAAAAAAANo/iRRhDV7Ists/s1600-h/DSC_0375.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7H-_BAVGI/AAAAAAAAANo/iRRhDV7Ists/s320/DSC_0375.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421990886282122338" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7H-QXOPyI/AAAAAAAAANg/6JsjxSyanp8/s1600-h/DSC_0371.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7H-QXOPyI/AAAAAAAAANg/6JsjxSyanp8/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421990873758842658" /></a> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Hcyo3-yI/AAAAAAAAANY/6oZU_95iLX0/s1600-h/DSC_0391.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Hcyo3-yI/AAAAAAAAANY/6oZU_95iLX0/s320/DSC_0391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421990298844134178" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ashleigh and Jon-Luc were tourists who took time out and stayed at the Children's Home. He was a nurse born in Canada but who now lives in the US. She was from the US.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7HcdeNN8I/AAAAAAAAANQ/FwN9m895-0s/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7HcdeNN8I/AAAAAAAAANQ/FwN9m895-0s/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421990293162244034" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GhU1kSkI/AAAAAAAAANI/A9IZSDGjTa0/s1600-h/DSC_0308.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GhU1kSkI/AAAAAAAAANI/A9IZSDGjTa0/s320/DSC_0308.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421989277232024130" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GgtiKwII/AAAAAAAAANA/J2K5vhNwoOA/s1600-h/DSC_0351.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GgtiKwII/AAAAAAAAANA/J2K5vhNwoOA/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421989266681675906" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GAPLci4I/AAAAAAAAAM4/9d_KrkHpOlk/s1600-h/DSC_0316.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7GAPLci4I/AAAAAAAAAM4/9d_KrkHpOlk/s320/DSC_0316.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421988708777495426" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7F_wunelI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ZB6aRRLqa1k/s1600-h/DSC_0284.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7F_wunelI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ZB6aRRLqa1k/s320/DSC_0284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421988700603513426" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Claudia was was a tourist from Germany. She was travelling for 12 months without catching a plane. She had travelled across Russia to Mongolia. From Tibet she was going to India and then to south-east Asia. She spent many hours at the children's home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ff2frb0I/AAAAAAAAAMo/ZESbA4oJIeE/s1600-h/DSC_0289.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ff2frb0I/AAAAAAAAAMo/ZESbA4oJIeE/s320/DSC_0289.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421988152395657026" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is one of the two Australian boys from near Canberra. They were treking in Nepal but spent a couple of days playing with the children.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7E-ksLPEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/kAayQTu8IHE/s1600-h/DSC_0290.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7E-ksLPEI/AAAAAAAAAMg/kAayQTu8IHE/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421987580680551490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7E-HwIk7I/AAAAAAAAAMY/18bVHwH5n1g/s1600-h/DSC_0313.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7E-HwIk7I/AAAAAAAAAMY/18bVHwH5n1g/s320/DSC_0313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421987572912526258" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Adam and Jen were both originally from the same place in Tasmania. Adam is now studying in Melbourne, while Jen is studying in France. They were treking in Nepal but spent a lot of time with the kids and after each tek came back to visit. They helped complete a lot of projects at the home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S148CWiW6JI/AAAAAAAAAdo/J-O0ofvTrMY/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S148CWiW6JI/AAAAAAAAAdo/J-O0ofvTrMY/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430844211762489490" /></a>Luca was from Germany. She had been at the monastery for three months. Helen came from the US and will be staying at the monastery for the next three months.<br /><br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz30kHrZ5lI/AAAAAAAAALk/DXxgKPMEJEs/s1600-h/DSC_0079.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz30kHrZ5lI/AAAAAAAAALk/DXxgKPMEJEs/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421758427797513810" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3z30xSRkI/AAAAAAAAALc/7RWBSyBoif0/s1600-h/DSC_0244.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3z30xSRkI/AAAAAAAAALc/7RWBSyBoif0/s320/DSC_0244.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421757666807662146" /></a>Dan was from the US. He spent about 3 months in Nepal. He worked at a forrestry camp, a school, a monastery and then the orphanage. He had a great video of the Maoist march in Kathmandu. While here he had a suit made ready for a wedding he was attending in Texas on the way home.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3zWlflPOI/AAAAAAAAALU/yNkuiFQiVHY/s1600-h/DSC_0265.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3zWlflPOI/AAAAAAAAALU/yNkuiFQiVHY/s320/DSC_0265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421757095771192546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15kwMrSjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qka3fDYRXxY/s1600-h/DSC_0141.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15kwMrSjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/qka3fDYRXxY/s320/DSC_0141.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421623198744267314" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ju9a46eI/AAAAAAAAAOI/uy204GRaYrs/s1600-h/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ju9a46eI/AAAAAAAAAOI/uy204GRaYrs/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421992809999165922" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7JuR_RcCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/7qEdL8o7hAY/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7JuR_RcCI/AAAAAAAAAOA/7qEdL8o7hAY/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421992798340608034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15UgFMH6I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ery7VhoLaz4/s1600-h/DSC_0259.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15UgFMH6I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Ery7VhoLaz4/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421622919539990434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15DamDDCI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/4871LCtzKUk/s1600-h/DSC_0189.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15DamDDCI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/4871LCtzKUk/s320/DSC_0189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421622626009418786" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tess and Maya were the two people we probably spent the most time with. They are from Israel and had just completed their army service before coming on this trip. They were doing volunteer work work at the orphanage. After this they would be travelling to India.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7KChVAnaI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/VZv02SEGekc/s1600-h/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7KChVAnaI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/VZv02SEGekc/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421993146055695778" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15C1vEkyI/AAAAAAAAAJs/6nj57HUV2KI/s1600-h/DSC_0184.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz15C1vEkyI/AAAAAAAAAJs/6nj57HUV2KI/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421622616115155746" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L01CXupVI/AAAAAAAAASY/NSB8Cm2VVcg/s1600-h/DSC_0189.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L01CXupVI/AAAAAAAAASY/NSB8Cm2VVcg/s320/DSC_0189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423166093314139474" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ronne Welleman and Eva Sureya are the two medical students from Holland. They had already worked for a considerable time at a Children's Home in Pokhara but came to the monastery to work in the clinic and even made time to visit our orphanage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A Swiss couple who visited the orphanage. They volunteered to work at a different orphanage just out of Pokhara. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L3BNsdUJI/AAAAAAAAASw/bsprVu5BhlM/s1600-h/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L3BNsdUJI/AAAAAAAAASw/bsprVu5BhlM/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423168501535559826" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10Zf0D-ReI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/VCvvf2sJjCA/s1600-h/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10Zf0D-ReI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/VCvvf2sJjCA/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430524760020633058" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L3AxjmUPI/AAAAAAAAASo/VNgzvOk6EeU/s1600-h/DSC_0093.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0L3AxjmUPI/AAAAAAAAASo/VNgzvOk6EeU/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423168493982208242" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1z-mrxkm4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/nPexulhH91Y/s1600-h/DSC_0131.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1z-mrxkm4I/AAAAAAAAAcw/nPexulhH91Y/s320/DSC_0131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430495191241104258" /></a><br />The Aussies, Jude Antcliff and Jono Holland, who built the chicken coop and entertained the children with a barbeque. And Jade Holland(Australian) and Kristen McCormack (US) who made damper and candle lantens for the kids. What a terrific effort. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1lzujcGYII/AAAAAAAAAag/BI1NWD3-WmY/s1600-h/DSC_0547.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1lzujcGYII/AAAAAAAAAag/BI1NWD3-WmY/s320/DSC_0547.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429498069396119682" /></a><br />Manu (from Peru) and Miriam (from Russia) helped us enjoy our time at Chitwan. We met them again in Pokhara, and I met them again in Kathmandu on my last day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1lxmFMdscI/AAAAAAAAAaY/fuNAdaYm5gA/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1lxmFMdscI/AAAAAAAAAaY/fuNAdaYm5gA/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429495724815266242" /></a><br />Jean from Korea I met while out on a long walk in the countryside. She spent about a week at the Children's Home and then extended her stay in Nepal by about a month to spend time at the monastery.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HNhglVnI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SuxIo-PTPvY/s1600-h/DSC_0152.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HNhglVnI/AAAAAAAAAdA/SuxIo-PTPvY/s320/DSC_0152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430504654593414770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HNO0Jj5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/CdWbWnznLwU/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HNO0Jj5I/AAAAAAAAAc4/CdWbWnznLwU/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430504649575206802" /></a><br />These two visited the home for two days. Manos is from Slovakia and Skye is from Singapore. Skye bought pillows for the children before she left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HOD06R8I/AAAAAAAAAdI/tMvReT3faH0/s1600-h/DSC_0211.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10HOD06R8I/AAAAAAAAAdI/tMvReT3faH0/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430504663805478850" /></a><br />Three Nepalese boys began visiting the orphanage with us. Two of them grew up in an orphanage themselves. The children at the home really enjoyed having them there and it is hoped they will continue to visit as they will be good role models for the kids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10ZgcTsa5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/AmDWNzMIZiQ/s1600-h/DSC_0078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S10ZgcTsa5I/AAAAAAAAAdY/AmDWNzMIZiQ/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430524770823990162" /></a> This is one half of a Swiss couple who have come to do volunteer work at the monastery. These were the last volunteers to arrive while I was there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVMd-4II/AAAAAAAAAaI/-rSRmiFuQSE/s1600-h/DSC_0176+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVMd-4II/AAAAAAAAAaI/-rSRmiFuQSE/s320/DSC_0176+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428852220407767170" /></a><br />Three more Aussies. These three were visiting Pokhara as tourists. We did a few tourist things together...like climbing Sarangkot. Steve came and helped me finishing the chicken coop, including breaking up wooden crates and carrying the wood up to the home. They were great company.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-21156310095261165012010-01-24T13:53:00.000-08:002010-01-24T06:11:03.110-08:00REFLECTIONS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1xUhQfYw3I/AAAAAAAAAbA/MMcd_5Kw4pQ/s1600-h/PB300693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1xUhQfYw3I/AAAAAAAAAbA/MMcd_5Kw4pQ/s320/PB300693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430308181041005426" /></a><br />Well if you are reading this I hope you have read from the start. It has been a journey. It has changed us. I am not sure how just yet, but it has changed us. I am thankful for the messages and comments from people who have followed us. They are many more than just those that comment on the actual blog page (including an office in Canberra).<br /><br />So now Amanda is busy setting up a web site for the home and continuing the good work she was doing there. I will soon be investigating how you set up a charity (any offers of help accepted). Amanda has also looked at a program in Nepal called Himalaya Children which looks at keeping orphans in family homes by providing money so they can be cared for. They have asked if she would like to do an internship.<br /><br />People have contacted us offering money. We would like to ensure that the money goes to exactly what the person donating it wants it to go to. So we hope to make a list of projects and costs and people can donate to a specific item. We will make sure it gets to the right place.<br /><br />The list is endless but so little money makes a difference.<br /><br />And people say there are so many projects how can anything we do make a difference.<br /><br />I am reminded of the story I often use about why I teach: <br /><br />A famous American writer/philosopher was walking along a huge beach and there were millions of star fish washed up on the beach by a storm. As he walked along he saw a young man pick up a star fish and throw it back into the ocean. He watched for a while as the man picked up another and threw it into the ocean also. He walked up to the man and said "there are millions of them you can't make a difference". The young man paused, but then bent down, pick up another and walked to the water's edge and threw it into the ocean. He came back to the writer and said "it made a difference to that one".<br /><br />If you are interested then email me: shore.rob@hotmail.com<br /><br />Amanda also hopes to take a group back to Nepal sometime later this year to do some tourist activities and some volunteer work. Some people may be interested in this..Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-12429040663600380862010-01-23T13:50:00.000-08:002010-01-24T17:11:10.113-08:00TRIP HOME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zviXgmi-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/M1Il_sosMtM/s1600-h/DSC_0114.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zviXgmi-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/M1Il_sosMtM/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430478624407325666" /></a><br />So did some shopping in Kathmandu...... love the bargaining....even started making friends with some of the shop owners. Instead of throwing my shoes away I had them repaired. The shoe repair man invited me home to meet his wife and kids....and suggested I buy him a shoe repair box. A shop keeper who sells clothing suggested we visit Thailand together next time I'm in Nepal.<br /><br />I had heard I needed money to pay a tax at the airport when I was leaving. I made enquiries and found it was about 1700 rupees. Went hurredly to the ATM... but it rejected my card. Went to a second machine just in case it was the blackout. This one told me to contact my bank. Starting to worry so I looked at Western Union and found out how to get money sent. Then I went in search of a phone to ring Australia. On the way I found another ATM and so in desperation tried this one. Relief as money came out. Relieved now I naturally did some more shopping!<br /><br />Arriving at the airport I found the tax had been cancelled. Had Nepali money but nothing for Abu Dhabi or Malaysia. Since I would only be in Abu Dhabi for a short time this was OK. So I bought some chips and chocolate for any stop-overs....... just in case.<br /><br />My hand luggage was too big but they were happy to send it as regular luggage and again since I would not need things in there until Malaysia when I had a long stop this was good. I went up through "security". The waiting lounge was packed....400 men and two Indian women........Amanda will love this when she gets here. After an hour a man at the door said something I couldn't hear but half the men there ran to the door and lined up. The line stretched right around the room. I waited. Half an hour later there were three or four left in the line and so I joined the line. Through the door and I went.... and into another waiting room....yep....people were lined up here again at another door. I sat down. After frisking people one at a time the guards let them out to the plane. I was last to board.<br /><br />Arrived at Abu Dhabi. Found the waiting room and settled for an hour wait. A man collapsed....maybe heart attack, asthma attack or drug over dose. He was breathing but people started giving him heart massage. Some called for an ambulance. A crowd had gathered but everyone wanted to try something else. They were arguing over his body. An American girl, Bridget and I thought they should put him in the coma position and leave him. I slipped through and turned him on his side in case he started being sick. Armed guards pushed us away from him and then turned him on his back to see if he was breathing. Finally a medic turned up....and first thing turned him on his side! They took him away on a stretcher.<br /><br />Big wigs turned up on the tarmac in white cars with flashing lights and armed guards, who led them into a side room. After a while they were led out, back to the cars and away. Shortly after they told us the flight was delayed for 6 hours. But they gave us a meal, blankets and drinks. So settled for the night talking to Bridget who was travelling to see her boyfriend in Malaysia. Actually they have done a lot of work at the airport since we were here 7 weeks ago. Their airline which we were impressed with, was recently awarded best airline in the world. Amanda and I had found the airline great on the way over and now, despite the delay I was finding them very good.<br /><br />I finally boarded the plane the next morning. Shown to my seat at the back. A man asked to swap so he could sit near his wife so I did. Found I had three seats to myself...... until they brought a man with a sick bag down there so he was close to the toilets. Unbelievable! It was the fellow who had collapsed in the terminal. It had been an asthma attack. At the hospital he had been given two injections and he immediately threw up. He wasn't looking well but insisted he had to get to Malaysia......he was a little out of it! Another passenger complained about him being allowed to travel. For over half an hour they argued about whether he would be allowed to travel or not. The airline were trying to talk him out of it but he kept insisting he was OK. After phone calls to the hospital they let him stay. He slept most of the time, but I somehow was looking after him. Now and then I had to check his pulse to see he was still alive and still breathing. Every now and then he would wake and I'd get him to drink. Some times I thought he was in a bad way and at others he was good. Once or twice he threw up. The head stewart kept coming to check on him as did nearly every hostess on the plane. He didn't recall much about what happened in the terminal and was surprised at what I told him. He said he had had asthma attacks before but not for a long while. He didn't have any asthma medication. And he had to get back to Malaysia where he had been working until recently because the girl he had been happily engaged to had suddenly broken it off. He described himself as half Persian, half Austrian. So the trip was a real soap opera!!<br /><br />At Kula Lumpar I was relieved when we landed at the main terminal because I thought I would have to get here from the other terminal (miles away) in time to take off for Melbourne. However after getting my baggage I searched for the Air Asia counter to book in. Found out it was in the smaller terminal. I needed to get a bus there. The fare was something like 25 cents..... but I had no money, only Nepalese. Went to try to change this to find they wouldn't accept it. But I could get money on Visa...... but had to get a huge amount. Rummaged in my bag and found a small Arab Emirate note from our trip over. Found they would accept this...... it came to about twice my bus fare. I got the bus to the other terminal. The line here went on and on and on. But finally got through..... luggage and all. There was a one hour delay but after a long, uncomfortable journey arrived back in Melbourne. <br /><br />That first night I ate at a Nepalese restaurant in Melbourne. Weighed myself. 107.5 kilos. In the last four months I have lost just over 30 kilos. The next day I went and bought some new jeans and a belt..... 'cause the ones I had wouldn't fit any more. It was good when I asked for the size jeans I thought I would need and they only had the size smaller. I tried them and had to go back and say can I try the next size down. After trying them I had to go back again and ask for another size smaller. These fit.....and I'm sure on the way out the sales girl was checking out my butt.<br /><br />Already I am missing Nepal. Particularly the people. I really enjoyed photographing the faces. And they seemed to enjoy seeing themselves in the camera. Here are some images. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zYFGSQ1pI/AAAAAAAAAbg/MQNP7Z9BkOs/s1600-h/DSC_0221.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zYFGSQ1pI/AAAAAAAAAbg/MQNP7Z9BkOs/s200/DSC_0221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430452832800134802" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zYEhwHuYI/AAAAAAAAAbY/yywVBJ0R74o/s1600-h/DSC_0335.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zYEhwHuYI/AAAAAAAAAbY/yywVBJ0R74o/s200/DSC_0335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430452822993254786" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zSESLaiiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/YpCorcK7m4I/s1600-h/DSC_0223.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zSESLaiiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/YpCorcK7m4I/s200/DSC_0223.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430446221743000098" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zSDwE1lGI/AAAAAAAAAbI/qH_sOVRAy9I/s1600-h/DSC_0236.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zSDwE1lGI/AAAAAAAAAbI/qH_sOVRAy9I/s200/DSC_0236.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430446212588606562" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlrYZYsAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/oBgVgAJS2Bw/s1600-h/DSC_0365.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlrYZYsAI/AAAAAAAAAb4/oBgVgAJS2Bw/s200/DSC_0365.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430467784148037634" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlq0Yrj-I/AAAAAAAAAbw/YjzlBNT87mY/s1600-h/DSC_0100_2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlq0Yrj-I/AAAAAAAAAbw/YjzlBNT87mY/s200/DSC_0100_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430467774481403874" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlqZWSLSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Z8HVuiNxaTU/s1600-h/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zlqZWSLSI/AAAAAAAAAbo/Z8HVuiNxaTU/s200/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430467767223594274" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrWWM0lPI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/fE7ZV3cWtJw/s1600-h/DSC_0369.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrWWM0lPI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/fE7ZV3cWtJw/s200/DSC_0369.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430474019850982642" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrV3DxHWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/qPBQWOaSBvI/s1600-h/DSC_0482.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrV3DxHWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/qPBQWOaSBvI/s200/DSC_0482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430474011491507554" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrVhq0gMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/1T_J45TreJ4/s1600-h/DSC_0235.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zrVhq0gMI/AAAAAAAAAcA/1T_J45TreJ4/s200/DSC_0235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430474005749727426" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-33523512720212726252010-01-22T20:20:00.000-08:002010-01-22T20:36:10.859-08:00All alone in Nepal...<div style="text-align: justify;"> A couple of weeks ago I decided to extend my trip for a extra four weeks. I still had some projects I wanted to finish. Here I am, all by myself. I thought it would be scary but I have settled in pretty well. I definitely get yelled at in the street more since dad left, and I am sleeping a lot more soundly. I do miss the support and the English conversation!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The children were very sad to see dad leave. Every day they ask me "how long until father returns?". I have to tell them it may be a very long time.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been working on gather information for a web page on the home. It is really hard. Trying to discuss business with Nepali men has been a steep learning curve. They never turn up on time, they never give you a straight answer, they exaggerate and they are always looking for a chance to make a few rupee.<br /><br />I have also made a new Nepali friend. It has been interesting to learn about the huge cultural barriers against Nepali men and foreign women being friends. I am hearing lots of stories about young Nepali's struggling to make money, to start families and to get out of Nepal. It breaks my heart and I wish I could do more to help.<br /><br />Anyway that is all the news for today. Photos soon I promise.<br /></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-72663910840961531782010-01-22T06:39:00.000-08:002010-01-26T04:43:08.234-08:00LAST DAYS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1l77HQ7UCI/AAAAAAAAAao/dfSblNlmNQk/s1600-h/DSC_0344.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1l77HQ7UCI/AAAAAAAAAao/dfSblNlmNQk/s320/DSC_0344.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429507081264386082" /></a><br />At lunchtime Joti cooked a good bye lunch....it was a feast. I ate far too much. So much for losing weight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S17i_Ovq7xI/AAAAAAAAAeo/E9lTe5gHEhc/s1600-h/boysbooks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S17i_Ovq7xI/AAAAAAAAAeo/E9lTe5gHEhc/s320/boysbooks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431027776573075218" /></a><br />Well finally on the last day of my visit to the children's home the books arrived from Australia. They were a big hit with the kids. They sat reading them the whole time until I left. Including some bigger Nepali fellows who were visiting. Thanks to Parkes Rotary for sending them, the kids couldn't be happier.<br /><br /><br />Finally it came time to take my leave. The kids decked me out in flowers. Then Joti started crying, then one of the kids, then another. Soon there were five or six of them sobbing. Hugs all around. It was sad and difficult to get away. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1mIh7OGTgI/AAAAAAAAAa4/0ctktochEZc/s1600-h/DSC_0308.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1mIh7OGTgI/AAAAAAAAAa4/0ctktochEZc/s320/DSC_0308.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429520942185729538" /></a><br /><br />It was good that Amanda was able to extend her visit by a month. They were appreciative of the work we had done and of the work Amanda was still doing. Bob was putting her up at the motel for the motel for free...or at least cheaply. We looked at all that had been achieved by us and other volunteers in the six weeks and were surprized. In that time the frig and the stove had been fixed; we had supplied a huge pressure cooker, matresses, blankets, pillows, toothbrushes, shoes, books, some clothes (mainly Amanda's she had given away) and head torches. But we had also provided fun and love. Amanda had also purchased a web site and was setting this up, and was busy looking for money to get the kids into private schools. A lot had been achieved. Thanks to those who supported us and who have provided money or have offered money towards the kids schooling......we can promise it is going to where it is needed. I am proud of what Amanda has started.<br /><br />For me all that was left was the bus back to Kathmandu, shopping and the three days flying home. I did bump into some of the volunteers in the streets of Kathmandu....and yes, thanks to them, I ate too much.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1l77tjs65I/AAAAAAAAAaw/r34CzTzQA1A/s1600-h/DSC_0291.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1l77tjs65I/AAAAAAAAAaw/r34CzTzQA1A/s320/DSC_0291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429507091543681938" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-40664817477079672272010-01-21T02:54:00.000-08:002010-01-22T01:01:20.072-08:00BOB'S VILLAGE<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J0yVSjiBI/AAAAAAAAAYo/d-fAa6ZZYLo/s1600-h/DSC_0286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J0yVSjiBI/AAAAAAAAAYo/d-fAa6ZZYLo/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427528908992120850" /></a><br />Today Bob, the manager of the motel, took me to Puma, the village he comes from. We started at 5.30 in the morning, me, Bob and Bob's driver. We drove on the Kathmandu road for a couple of hours then turned off to another town, Besishahar. It was 50 kilometres on a not so good road. We did pass a big dam which produces hydro-electricity, Nepal's second biggest. At the town we had lunch and waited for the jeep to turn up....it was supposed to be 15 minutes.......it arrived two hours later. It was full of supplies and in the dual cabin were 8 people, and on the roof three. We set off up the mountain. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1GzGJcRrAI/AAAAAAAAAYI/ZcE-itZSpM8/s1600-h/DSC_0404.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1GzGJcRrAI/AAAAAAAAAYI/ZcE-itZSpM8/s320/DSC_0404.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427315944153263106" /></a><br />I have never been so scared in my life....terrified. The road was a goat track, complete with goats! It had holes and ruts, but the worst part was that there was a sheer drop at the side of the road. Several hundred metres straight down.I would have liked to take pictures but my hands wouldn't release the door to get my camera out of my backpack. I didn't take a breath for nearly 30 minutes. It went up and up, winding around the mountain. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1JzfurNTOI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_qZR9hgVO1k/s1600-h/DSC_0161.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1JzfurNTOI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_qZR9hgVO1k/s320/DSC_0161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427527489877265634" /></a><br /><br />We stopped and visited Bob's village. First we had lunch at a house where volunteers stayed.It was a huge lunch, really enjoyed it.Also tried the local alcohol for the first time. Awful. Stopped at half a glass.....thought if I had more I might offer to ride on the top of the jeep on the way back. Then we had a look through the village.It was quaint,real National Geographic stuff.And met Bob's mother.Also visited the local primary school. Absolutely amazing. They were very welcoming. They brought me out garlands of flowers and posed for photographs. The playground was small but what views! About 35 kids here. They did have a reasonable library thanks to donations from overseas organisations and volunteers.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J1YH_aUNI/AAAAAAAAAYw/B23e6LQAkK0/s1600-h/DSC_0208.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J1YH_aUNI/AAAAAAAAAYw/B23e6LQAkK0/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427529558257193170" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J0IdH0YWI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vAdkTlxLD0E/s1600-h/DSC_0232.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J0IdH0YWI/AAAAAAAAAYg/vAdkTlxLD0E/s320/DSC_0232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427528189540065634" /></a><br /><br /><br />After that up the hill on a mountain pass. Very narrow. Lucky I had that alcohol to make me brave. The path had a sheer drop at the side. I felt dizzy at times. There was a small temple on the trail. Temple of the virgin. There was always water there. The villagers sacriced chicken here every year. Not sure why the connection with the virgin.<br /><br />At the top we reached another school, Jana Jyoti, at the village of Baglungpam. One where Bob used to teach. This was amazing. 1800 metres up on top of the mountain, the kids where in the playground playing soccer with a view of the Himalayas behind them. How woud you like to do playground duty here? <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1GyiNDLfFI/AAAAAAAAAYA/nkHAhSVgEoc/s1600-h/DSC_0432.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1GyiNDLfFI/AAAAAAAAAYA/nkHAhSVgEoc/s320/DSC_0432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427315326646451282" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1Gx7rsvhKI/AAAAAAAAAX4/h7ZPM9uCGwI/s1600-h/DSC_0438.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1Gx7rsvhKI/AAAAAAAAAX4/h7ZPM9uCGwI/s320/DSC_0438.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427314664858944674" /></a><br /><br />Our jeep wasn't there yet. Bob said are you up to a 2 hour walk? Apparently we could walk back to the town in two hours. I thought "Yes yes yes!" We don't have to go in the jeep. So we set off along the road. However after 300 metres we branched off onto a track. Bob said he'd take my pack as the track wasn't as good as the one we had come up along. Great. I just wanted to hug the ground. He was right. We went straight over the edge of a cliff. Straight down across the cliff face. I would not have thought it possible. There were steps and it didn't seem as scary(maybe the alcohol) but it was straight down.<br /><br />Bob heard a jeep and took off running! We reached the road below us. There was a jeep. Half the windscreen was covered in mud. The driver looked 15 and my door wouldn't close properly.I thought I was dead. We ended up with 8 in the cab and about 6 on top. After a stop to pick up sacks of grain and more passengers we arrived in town just after dark. 4-wheel driving in the Himalayas.......<br /><br />In town our car was blocked in by a van.It took an hour pushing the van back and forth to move it so the car could get out. We arrived back at Pokhara at about 10.30.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J1-X1O5nI/AAAAAAAAAY4/yNmpOUaUDQw/s1600-h/DSC_0263.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1J1-X1O5nI/AAAAAAAAAY4/yNmpOUaUDQw/s320/DSC_0263.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427530215344498290" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-77487196260784942572010-01-20T12:38:00.000-08:002010-01-21T14:20:13.303-08:00SARANGKOT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgarvkb8I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/gGrf7nyOdlY/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgarvkb8I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/gGrf7nyOdlY/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428843518609354690" /></a><br /><br />Touristing again today. The three Aussies decided to walk up to Sarangkot and one of them was going to hang glide down while the others got a taxi down. I had considered doing the same so I went too. What a walk. Steps straight up for 600 metres. If I was disappointed before in not doing a trek in Nepal now I was very glad. It was murder. There was a village just below the top and on top a small army post. Why, I don't know. What were they guarding at 1600 metres? They are stationed there for 3 months. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVvuEWKI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3OcGYJG7VF4/s1600-h/DSC_0179+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVvuEWKI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3OcGYJG7VF4/s320/DSC_0179+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428852229870475426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVMd-4II/AAAAAAAAAaI/-rSRmiFuQSE/s1600-h/DSC_0176+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1coVMd-4II/AAAAAAAAAaI/-rSRmiFuQSE/s320/DSC_0176+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428852220407767170" /></a><br /><br />I did get dizzy at a few places, probably vertigo rather than the effort. We took some great pictures from the top, I could even see the monastery I had been staying at down the other side. We had lunch a little way down and watched the hang gliders. However by this stage none of us felt up to jumping off the mountain anymore. We decided maybe another day. The gliders train the eagles and vultures up there to show them where the hot thermal airs are. We watched one eagle following close behind a glider, and then a vulture doing the same. Imagine doing your first flight and you turn around and there is a vulture following you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgbaPMQ3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/lkByAPeOI-g/s1600-h/DSC_0200+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgbaPMQ3I/AAAAAAAAAaA/lkByAPeOI-g/s320/DSC_0200+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428843531090019186" /></a><br /><br />We got a lift down in a van. It was a hairy ride on rough tracks. When I got out at the bottom I realised I had left my hat in the van. I walked about four kilometres to recover it from the van at the glider landing spot.<br /><br />At the office of the place that does the hang gliding I weighed myself on their scales. I had hoped to lose weight in Nepal but thought I had put it on....or at best stayed about level. Surprize.....down to below 110 kilos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgaMyMQcI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qX7MWK2vlD0/s1600-h/DSC_0163+(2).JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cgaMyMQcI/AAAAAAAAAZw/qX7MWK2vlD0/s320/DSC_0163+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428843510298853826" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-52869878654756210922010-01-20T09:13:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:51:17.659-08:00DEVI FALLS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cW1pI3B0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/4Qao7yk9MG0/s1600-h/DSC_0184.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cW1pI3B0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/4Qao7yk9MG0/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428832986650314562" /></a><br /><br />The kids were at school in the morning so I decided I would do something touristy. In the morning I hired a car with the three Aussie tourists that were staying at the motel. We went out to the monastery as I wanted to see Lama Kunga. They had a look around and then we went to the Tibetan village. I am getting good at bargaining so the other three bought things with my help. From there we went to the Bat Caves (again) and they went in. They all climbed out the hole and had a good time. After that shopping at the markets at Mahendrapul. The CD/DVD shop to be precise. I bought one or two but one of them bought 22 and another more than 30 DVDs. They were really cheap.<br /><br />After that we went back to the motel and changed to a bigger van. We picked up Amanda, the two Israeli girls, and the couple we had met at Chitwan. We went to Devi Falls. I thought this had something to do with the devil.....but no it is a big hole in the ground where the water drops 100 metres into an underground river. In 1965 a Swiss tourist was bathing above the falls when a sudden gush of water washed her to her death.The falls are named after her, Mrs Devi. <br /><br />From the falls we went to another Tibetan village. This one makes carpets. We watched the women making them on their looms......and some of us even had a turn. Then we had a look at the display room. Beautiful, and very cheap.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cW2b8OUaI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Q5lZLn8o7sI/s1600-h/DSC_0209.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cW2b8OUaI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Q5lZLn8o7sI/s320/DSC_0209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428833000287523234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1caV5hbSBI/AAAAAAAAAZg/oQUU1FKBFGg/s1600-h/DSC_0211.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1caV5hbSBI/AAAAAAAAAZg/oQUU1FKBFGg/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428836839339018258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1caWSnRBdI/AAAAAAAAAZo/H_sRAk9D1P0/s1600-h/DSC_0216.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1caWSnRBdI/AAAAAAAAAZo/H_sRAk9D1P0/s320/DSC_0216.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428836846074398162" /></a><br />On the way back we were diverted a little by Maoist demonstrations in the streets. They have been demonstrating and holding rally meetings all day. We also stopped at a sweet shop. Tibetan sweet cakes.... a mistake..... I tried too many.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0tA35Keg1I/AAAAAAAAAXg/mCHtw4pWrwE/s1600-h/DSC_0220.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0tA35Keg1I/AAAAAAAAAXg/mCHtw4pWrwE/s320/DSC_0220.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425501505079640914" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0tA3TBUj1I/AAAAAAAAAXY/QG4FDgHgrZc/s1600-h/DSC_0221.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0tA3TBUj1I/AAAAAAAAAXY/QG4FDgHgrZc/s320/DSC_0221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425501494840692562" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-63793534201764734702010-01-20T06:59:00.000-08:002010-01-24T17:29:47.117-08:00CHICKEN COOP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zzb1tdu1I/AAAAAAAAAco/E80AWJWl8SY/s1600-h/DSC_0127.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zzb1tdu1I/AAAAAAAAAco/E80AWJWl8SY/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430482910301764434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zzbZ9F0ZI/AAAAAAAAAcg/E4_ce2m6TVw/s1600-h/DSC_0089.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1zzbZ9F0ZI/AAAAAAAAAcg/E4_ce2m6TVw/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430482902851113362" /></a><br />So we delayed completing the coop as Chandra had to get some more wood to finish the floor in each hatch. I waited a day while he when to purchase wood at the markets. Its cheaper if a Nepali buys it by himself.... the price goes up if a Westerner is present. Then the next day I arrived at the home just after a load of wood arrived at bottom of the hill. It was a number of pallets and Chandra had just started to break them up for the wood. Steve, an Aussie was with me. We decided to carry them up the hill first, or at least to the top of the hill and then to break them up before carrying them up the stairs. It proved to be hot, heavy work. Then we pulled them apart. By this time sweat was pouring out of us. Then we cut the boards to size.....with a very, very blunt saw .......a Nepali saw....the hand grip was too small for our hand...but finally finished just on dark. <br /><br />Today I went back to saw the ends off the boards with Chandra.....the ends of the flooring were sticking out the end.....but we didn't have time yesterday. Satisfying to be finished.<br /><br />Well I thought so!!! Every day I go back Chandra is cutting small boards to cover small gap. These gaps were left so that a floor of bamboo poles could be slipped in to finish the job originally. Oh well it keeps him busy. For all intents and purposes it is finished. Maybe chickens next Sunday.....that's the day to buy chickens in Nepal apparently.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cNDIxV9DI/AAAAAAAAAZI/ZvIrsn_qeRQ/s1600-h/COOP.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S1cNDIxV9DI/AAAAAAAAAZI/ZvIrsn_qeRQ/s320/COOP.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428822223363634226" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-14260988553202650872010-01-10T19:26:00.000-08:002010-01-10T19:29:40.411-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S0qa8IPGO2I/AAAAAAAAAi8/igZLmpR5FKE/s1600-h/assis.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sdJjzmXBL94/S0qa8IPGO2I/AAAAAAAAAi8/igZLmpR5FKE/s400/assis.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425319058914818914" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know I haven't written anything on here for ages but I have been pretty busy. Recently there has been the cutest group of Nepali boys who have been entertaining me with Bollywood movies, pool and their early 90s cover band.<br /><br />But before then there has been a lot of stress. I have been trying to get straight answers about the children's school fees and attendance. I found out one of the children went to school for the first time last year... he is 8. This means he is now in a grade with 3 and 4 year olds.<br /><br />The children attend a free government school right now. This means they can write their names and the older ones can read, a little bit. The school is practically a day care center for poor kids. I don't think much education happens there. It breaks my heart because for some of the older ones this means no real job prospects and one of them wants to be a doctor.<br /><br />In Nepal nothing is easy. In Australia I would just turn up at the school and ask “how much is it to send a student to your school?”. In Nepal you have to ask a guy who knows a guy to send a guy to go and ask “If maybe there was a child, and maybe they needed to go to a school, how much could there school cost?” And the answer goes something like “If there was a child it may cost about $AUS300... maybe.”<br /><br />So after three weeks of asking I finally have a fee schedule but I have yet to visit the school. I am still working on how I am going to raise the money I need to send 12 children to private school but it is my new mission. It will cost $AUS4500 for all of them for a year. So if anyone is interested in donating towards the education of 12 needy children let me know.<br /></div>amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05564212173309650724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-3282661146355334312010-01-09T20:00:00.000-08:002010-01-21T19:14:17.992-08:00LIFE IN NEPAL in pictures<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ou0dc_4I/AAAAAAAAAQA/sqweLqxyJU4/s1600-h/DSC_0125.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Ou0dc_4I/AAAAAAAAAQA/sqweLqxyJU4/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421998305152139138" /></a><br /><br />The electrical system in Kathmandu. In some places bamboo poles held the wires off the road, and when a high load went along the street they had a man on top with a stick to lift the wires out of the way.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OukciqNI/AAAAAAAAAP4/005N3utvCzc/s1600-h/DSC_0102.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OukciqNI/AAAAAAAAAP4/005N3utvCzc/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421998300853348562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the home of the living goddess. She lives here until she reaches adolescence then they chuck her out and get a new one.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OPwzBK6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/abteFADilEg/s1600-h/DSC_0237.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OPwzBK6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/abteFADilEg/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421997771592903586" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Women waiting at the water pump in Kathmandu.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OPn4gT8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/WdlqikMWuFc/s1600-h/DSC_0225.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7OPn4gT8I/AAAAAAAAAPo/WdlqikMWuFc/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421997769199996866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Peanut vendor. These are everywhere. If not peanuts then fruit or food or bangles.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NzcaV1qI/AAAAAAAAAPg/VZSm1Q1KUjM/s1600-h/DSC_0170.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NzcaV1qI/AAAAAAAAAPg/VZSm1Q1KUjM/s320/DSC_0170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421997285084354210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Man carrying a load. Didn't see many loads carried on poles like this. More often they were in baskets on their back with a strap which went across the forehead.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NzLUIsII/AAAAAAAAAPY/Xv-yHpQUJJY/s1600-h/PC010704.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NzLUIsII/AAAAAAAAAPY/Xv-yHpQUJJY/s320/PC010704.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421997280494923906" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NL0ozBMI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/AXcr89ChF2I/s1600-h/IMG_3844.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NL0ozBMI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/AXcr89ChF2I/s320/IMG_3844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421996604392670402" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Boy selling fairy floss in the square<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Shops like this are everywhere. Nearly every second house has one, two or three little shops down stairs.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NLUqI23I/AAAAAAAAAPI/cqiMnFxu6_4/s1600-h/IMG_3881.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7NLUqI23I/AAAAAAAAAPI/cqiMnFxu6_4/s320/IMG_3881.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421996595808361330" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Men playing a popular game in Nepal. This game is played outside many shops. Sometimes large crowds are gathered. It is like a version of pool but played with flat chips and no pool sticks. The chips are flicked instead.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Mc0Gz-mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3cpEby_Z-aU/s1600-h/DSC_0430.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Mc0Gz-mI/AAAAAAAAAPA/3cpEby_Z-aU/s320/DSC_0430.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421995796796275298" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Boats at the lake in Pokhara.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MccWwe8I/AAAAAAAAAO4/KaCwLcb5YOc/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MccWwe8I/AAAAAAAAAO4/KaCwLcb5YOc/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421995790420704194" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me playing soccer in the park with some of the locals.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MBqez_4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/M3C3UC-Kn74/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MBqez_4I/AAAAAAAAAOw/M3C3UC-Kn74/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421995330356117378" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Inside the National Inventive school. Notice the cramped classrooms, and no lighting except the windows.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MBLS_PhI/AAAAAAAAAOo/iLsJA7O6Tso/s1600-h/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7MBLS_PhI/AAAAAAAAAOo/iLsJA7O6Tso/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421995321985023506" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A building under construction. Bamboo is used to shore up the floor above until complete. When their is concrete to be done about fifty people appear. It is mixed down below and passed up in dishes hand over hand along a line of people.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7LhVSb00I/AAAAAAAAAOg/7WVJJO6l83g/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7LhVSb00I/AAAAAAAAAOg/7WVJJO6l83g/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421994774911243074" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Boys playing table tennis on the concrete table in the park. How do you like the net? They are more durable then ours.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Lg5J2paI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZAmYs5ACouk/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Lg5J2paI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ZAmYs5ACouk/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421994767359059362" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Women washing clothes in a pool beside the lake at Pokhara.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3v4PCUg_I/AAAAAAAAAKc/yfliMJ8B4Ko/s1600-h/DSC_0197.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3v4PCUg_I/AAAAAAAAAKc/yfliMJ8B4Ko/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421753275811922930" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This was the old woman who was carrying a load up te hill behind us when we climbed the steps to the Peace Pagoda at Pokhara. We had driven most of the way. When we began up the steps she gained on us at first.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz12bmQXqAI/AAAAAAAAAJM/mJlhb0CpTYk/s1600-h/DSC_0143.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz12bmQXqAI/AAAAAAAAAJM/mJlhb0CpTYk/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421619742921697282" /></a><br /><br /><br />Met this woman on the walk out from the monastery and couldn't resist a photo of her and her husband, who is in the next photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz12bci4LmI/AAAAAAAAAJE/2ykVgJqdm38/s1600-h/DSC_0142.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz12bci4LmI/AAAAAAAAAJE/2ykVgJqdm38/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421619740314971746" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once we showed them their photo in the camera they were all laughs and smiles and keen to have their picture taken. They were very friendly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz118PclBpI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7MIHbP0pSCA/s1600-h/DSC_0132.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz118PclBpI/AAAAAAAAAI8/7MIHbP0pSCA/s320/DSC_0132.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421619204222944914" /></a><br /><br /><br />This fellow was milking a cow when we came along and happily posed for a few shots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz117iHOuYI/AAAAAAAAAI0/-sr5ZlXf5S8/s1600-h/DSC_0146.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz117iHOuYI/AAAAAAAAAI0/-sr5ZlXf5S8/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421619192053807490" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A man making baskets. These baskets are used everywhere for carrying all types of loads. His family came out of the house and invited us in. The daughter asked me if I liked her boyfriend. I wasn't sure what I was being offered. Seems she wanted me to hire him as a guide.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz11aeIQdaI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1hRlzxN3Qxg/s1600-h/DSC_0121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz11aeIQdaI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1hRlzxN3Qxg/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421618624048690594" /></a><br />Some women loading up their baskets with heavy rocks. They will then carry them to where they are needed. The rocks are a fair size and it is quite a heavy load.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz11Z7Z3jzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/CriMVEKfk7k/s1600-h/DSC_0138.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz11Z7Z3jzI/AAAAAAAAAIk/CriMVEKfk7k/s320/DSC_0138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421618614727315250" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These women were travelling along the road with a heavy load of wood. They had already travelled some distance......and seemed to have some distance to go.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10q6UFsGI/AAAAAAAAAIc/JO11dAbZzTs/s1600-h/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10q6UFsGI/AAAAAAAAAIc/JO11dAbZzTs/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421617806980788322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These small tractors....or large lawn mowers are everywhere with all types of trailers attached behind them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10qSrG5tI/AAAAAAAAAIU/EQ5tEakCm0g/s1600-h/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10qSrG5tI/AAAAAAAAAIU/EQ5tEakCm0g/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421617796339918546" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This teenage girl was washing her hair at the village pump. There were a couple of boys watching. When they realized I was taking a photograph they teased her. But she laughed at it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10OQVVNuI/AAAAAAAAAIM/iq8SeWA04hA/s1600-h/DSC_0090.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10OQVVNuI/AAAAAAAAAIM/iq8SeWA04hA/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421617314675373794" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a picture of people riding on top of a bus. This is a common sight in the country but not allowed in the city.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10ONNy1II/AAAAAAAAAIE/JSxfwcmIje8/s1600-h/DSC_0104.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz10ONNy1II/AAAAAAAAAIE/JSxfwcmIje8/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421617313838453890" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ok this is a picture taken by me on top of the bus. It shows Tensin, a monk from the monastery who was guiding us into town. The edge of Amanda and I can be seen.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-15033885683698859432010-01-09T19:39:00.000-08:002010-01-22T00:45:46.711-08:00THE MONASTERY in pictures<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3x5LE2bfI/AAAAAAAAALE/UCLaCyH_XsE/s1600-h/DSC_0102.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3x5LE2bfI/AAAAAAAAALE/UCLaCyH_XsE/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421755490951917042" /></a><br /><br />"My undies keep creeping up in these outfits"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3x4puie2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/jCGIPfa3Wkw/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3x4puie2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/jCGIPfa3Wkw/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421755481999965026" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A view of the monastery<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3xIYaG4AI/AAAAAAAAAK0/TWB6Xu6HJ-c/s1600-h/DSC_0071.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3xIYaG4AI/AAAAAAAAAK0/TWB6Xu6HJ-c/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421754652717146114" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of the inner coutyards.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3wr02IN5I/AAAAAAAAAKs/uL80xqus-7c/s1600-h/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3wr02IN5I/AAAAAAAAAKs/uL80xqus-7c/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421754162134661010" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda with the Upper Kindergarten class.....deciding whether she wants a career in teaching.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3wrQWvDZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/H6xq89dlDjI/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3wrQWvDZI/AAAAAAAAAKk/H6xq89dlDjI/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421754152339312018" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And of course the young monks paying attention to their lessons.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1x0U0V88I/AAAAAAAAAH8/eDKhTjTaxFg/s1600-h/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1x0U0V88I/AAAAAAAAAH8/eDKhTjTaxFg/s320/DSC_0162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614670179333058" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two views of the prayer session held by the monks in the house. The large horns were very impressive to hear.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1xz5GVtII/AAAAAAAAAH0/FBQDBEo-KAA/s1600-h/DSC_0150.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1xz5GVtII/AAAAAAAAAH0/FBQDBEo-KAA/s320/DSC_0150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421614662738621570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1xF-zMdGI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-mg9ACx_E7k/s1600-h/DSC_0186.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1xF-zMdGI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-mg9ACx_E7k/s320/DSC_0186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613873994953826" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The younger monks in the TV room on a Sunday afternoon. Only allowed TV on Saturday and Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1wXleenOI/AAAAAAAAAHc/TypKaXPZ1DU/s1600-h/DSC_0177.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1wXleenOI/AAAAAAAAAHc/TypKaXPZ1DU/s320/DSC_0177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613076923194594" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. If only you knew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1wXNZhCcI/AAAAAAAAAHU/GXGYI8RikPc/s1600-h/DSC_0160.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1wXNZhCcI/AAAAAAAAAHU/GXGYI8RikPc/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421613070459931074" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The view over the top of the new temple building.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uxG9AeEI/AAAAAAAAAG8/P5RS3DFbag4/s1600-h/DSC_0172.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uxG9AeEI/AAAAAAAAAG8/P5RS3DFbag4/s320/DSC_0172.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421611316383086658" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Morning tea time....salted Tibetan tea or sweet and sugary Nepali tea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uw5iDaAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/afJIm0H5GO4/s1600-h/DSC_0147.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uw5iDaAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/afJIm0H5GO4/s320/DSC_0147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421611312780371970" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The monks cleaning the butter candles. Each candle is cleaned out, then a new wick added then refilled. These candles are used for religious purposes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uQuNBDVI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Zv91kYFhRtY/s1600-h/DSC_0061.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uQuNBDVI/AAAAAAAAAGs/Zv91kYFhRtY/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421610759983533394" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me trying to keep up with the monks dance steps...some of the younger one are helping.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uQFWwUXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/tZ2Px3XwxdI/s1600-h/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1uQFWwUXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/tZ2Px3XwxdI/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421610749018526066" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda with the boss: Lama Kunga.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1t2AmIXTI/AAAAAAAAAGc/42gEXxFTQNM/s1600-h/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1t2AmIXTI/AAAAAAAAAGc/42gEXxFTQNM/s320/DSC_0047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421610301064240434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dinner time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1t1hPiuXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/G96aAQiRL1E/s1600-h/DSC_0042.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1t1hPiuXI/AAAAAAAAAGU/G96aAQiRL1E/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421610292647999858" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Me with some of the older monks. They have been there for at least ten years. A very nice group of fellows.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1tYYNGcGI/AAAAAAAAAGM/kUFxulP20Cg/s1600-h/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1tYYNGcGI/AAAAAAAAAGM/kUFxulP20Cg/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421609792005632098" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />One of the classes we were teaching. They at least look like they are doing work at this time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1tX-6ZOOI/AAAAAAAAAGE/sINCg3qVnsg/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1tX-6ZOOI/AAAAAAAAAGE/sINCg3qVnsg/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421609785216284898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As long as they had coloured pencils they were happy to work. But they jealously guarded those pencils.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two views of the kitchen below. One is of the cook making Tibetan tea, the other is a younger monk in front of the fires.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1s4AEmDHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/9KGz4sCQKUk/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1s4AEmDHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/9KGz4sCQKUk/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421609235771690098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1s3vdCu-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/i-zTO7X9lCM/s1600-h/DSC_0020.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1s3vdCu-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/i-zTO7X9lCM/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421609231310830562" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-61392399732781074922010-01-09T19:05:00.000-08:002010-01-22T00:59:46.795-08:00THE CHILDREN'S HOME in pictures<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3yv1MDaPI/AAAAAAAAALM/x8k7glmi4Sk/s1600-h/DSC_0069.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz3yv1MDaPI/AAAAAAAAALM/x8k7glmi4Sk/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421756429969352946" /></a><br />We have loads of pictures to share so I thought I would create a couple of blogs on a few things we have seen. The photos are not necessarily in any set order but just to give you a picture of life here. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1nm07T5SI/AAAAAAAAAFU/BM9kykBUecY/s1600-h/DSC_0391.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1nm07T5SI/AAAAAAAAAFU/BM9kykBUecY/s320/DSC_0391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421603443164046626" /></a><br /><br /><br />These are the children going off to the street festival....all dressed up and at their best.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1ozj2abaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/okUDXQ5gI3g/s1600-h/DSC_0245.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1ozj2abaI/AAAAAAAAAFs/okUDXQ5gI3g/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421604761430027682" /></a><br />Amanda with the youngest of the kids from the orphanage. He has just woken up from an afternoon nap.......within a few minutes he was back asleep on Amanda's lap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1ozAuB6NI/AAAAAAAAAFk/CTvIP4DgPQc/s1600-h/DSC_0224.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;"src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1ozAuB6NI/AAAAAAAAAFk/CTvIP4DgPQc/s320/DSC_0224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421604751999625426" /></a>Chandra with some of the kids at Christmas time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1oyr08c_I/AAAAAAAAAFc/5aTenhLgXec/s1600-h/DSC_0210.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;"src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz1oyr08c_I/AAAAAAAAAFc/5aTenhLgXec/s320/DSC_0210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421604746391483378" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok ...me with some of the kids at Christmas time.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Tl4Jx6II/AAAAAAAAARQ/UH7EFzgiNXI/s1600-h/DSC_0078.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Tl4Jx6II/AAAAAAAAARQ/UH7EFzgiNXI/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422003649082681474" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Can you get a cheekier grin?<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7TlUzrLhI/AAAAAAAAARI/jWIqqGDVWt4/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7TlUzrLhI/AAAAAAAAARI/jWIqqGDVWt4/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422003639594724882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Joti with some of the kids. Joti is the mother at the home.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7SmxUXYYI/AAAAAAAAARA/fAVZwkxLs-c/s1600-h/DSC_0294.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7SmxUXYYI/AAAAAAAAARA/fAVZwkxLs-c/s320/DSC_0294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422002564916273538" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amanda with a couple of her favourites. Ruth is one of the two four year olds.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7SmdHNTLI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/0BDFbdBPzTo/s1600-h/DSC_0276.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7SmdHNTLI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/0BDFbdBPzTo/s320/DSC_0276.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422002559492377778" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is the cartoon strip which I used to try to tell the story of the three little pigs. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7RmN-0I2I/AAAAAAAAAQw/mrvfohl74Zs/s1600-h/DSC_0323.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7RmN-0I2I/AAAAAAAAAQw/mrvfohl74Zs/s320/DSC_0323.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422001455919014754" /></a><br />Children and volunteers in the park.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Rlp5A0rI/AAAAAAAAAQo/pPZeLAfTWIM/s1600-h/DSC_0342.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Rlp5A0rI/AAAAAAAAAQo/pPZeLAfTWIM/s320/DSC_0342.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422001446231003826" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bath time....every Saturday.....and cold water.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Q0YArx-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/k3q6d_Q_fV4/s1600-h/DSC_0353.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Q0YArx-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/k3q6d_Q_fV4/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422000599617751010" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Enjoying some fruit.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Qz1179OI/AAAAAAAAAQY/Em_KqIXBWZQ/s1600-h/DSC_0376.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7Qz1179OI/AAAAAAAAAQY/Em_KqIXBWZQ/s320/DSC_0376.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422000590445868258" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Washing the dishes.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7QEsLwRSI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/7PU3PWpz3eI/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7QEsLwRSI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/7PU3PWpz3eI/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421999780399170850" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Manissa.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7QDzoaKUI/AAAAAAAAAQI/A-HLlSXtxaE/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/Sz7QDzoaKUI/AAAAAAAAAQI/A-HLlSXtxaE/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421999765218535746" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Corrupted by watching a video.....it has their attention.Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2666436549796360695.post-65074995290675533652010-01-08T19:30:00.000-08:002010-01-09T21:52:51.662-08:00RETURN FROM THE JUNGLE<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f-Q_5cPHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/A7NduAWg088/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f-Q_5cPHI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/A7NduAWg088/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424583844174773362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9vpJHxwI/AAAAAAAAAXA/NZ10bMI9ELQ/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9vpJHxwI/AAAAAAAAAXA/NZ10bMI9ELQ/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424583271130842882" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f-QRnESyI/AAAAAAAAAXI/p9Mb1h_Ejy0/s1600-h/DSC_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f-QRnESyI/AAAAAAAAAXI/p9Mb1h_Ejy0/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424583831749675810" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9vfw-nPI/AAAAAAAAAW4/yGdaabPHttw/s1600-h/DSC_0125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9vfw-nPI/AAAAAAAAAW4/yGdaabPHttw/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424583268613659890" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well the return bus trip was uneventful. The bus pulled up about an hour into the journey and the Indian women and a couple of fellows raced off into the bushes for a comfort stop. Amanda and the Russian girl decided they would hold on until the lunch stop. Big mistake....an hour later they were busting. They asked the driver to stop at a restroom. Another half hour he pulled up on side of the mountain...there was about 3 feet of grass. They declined. Another half hour they were getting angry at him. Finally they saw a cultural centre....with toilets....they insisted he stop. All the western women raced off the bus. There is a picture of the bus (pink) stopped in the middle of the road and the driver and his off-sider waiting patiently. There are pictures of the off-sider hanging out the door....he often travelled like this touting for local passengers that needed a ride. And a photo of him climbing back in the door. A few times on the trip, while the bus is still going he climbed out the door and onto the roof to check the luggage. There are also some shots of scenery to give and idea of the terrain we drove through.<br /><br />Back at the Children's home the chicken coop is all but finished. It has doors and locks but today I need to try to find material to finish off the floor in each compartment.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9CfD3FmI/AAAAAAAAAWw/_pAeZe8VVu0/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9CfD3FmI/AAAAAAAAAWw/_pAeZe8VVu0/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424582495330309730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9B7RwZgI/AAAAAAAAAWo/l8_wK6WsXVA/s1600-h/DSC_0044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f9B7RwZgI/AAAAAAAAAWo/l8_wK6WsXVA/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424582485724915202" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f72uG0JBI/AAAAAAAAAWg/hefsnl1CYIM/s1600-h/DSC_0064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f72uG0JBI/AAAAAAAAAWg/hefsnl1CYIM/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424581193699173394" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f72N_cOsI/AAAAAAAAAWY/pNZPCTjm7D4/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f72N_cOsI/AAAAAAAAAWY/pNZPCTjm7D4/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424581185078311618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f7E_Y6F5I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/YaAhrjQtlw8/s1600-h/DSC_0115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f7E_Y6F5I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/YaAhrjQtlw8/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424580339345004434" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f7EUkeBVI/AAAAAAAAAWI/kPVq7bUJMk0/s1600-h/DSC_0130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qm4zLCo8wT8/S0f7EUkeBVI/AAAAAAAAAWI/kPVq7bUJMk0/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424580327850771794" border="0" /></a>Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12254197449816438476noreply@blogger.com0