Jan 15
I am hoping to get this blog rolling along! My goal has been one post per week. We arrived in Nepal one week from tomorrow,
so I suppose it’s going well so far. We
began treating patients on Friday, had a day off yesterday, and used the time to traipse
through town to see what we could find.
My friend and compatriot, Seven, has been prolific in her musings with
the written word and so I will defer to her post that describes some of our
adventures of the past few days:
As for me, I’ve been taking a lot in, trying to relax, get
acclimated, get warm, get hydrated, and yes, today I did some laundry. I decided to because the sun is out in its
full glory, which will dry what-have-you in a short while, and so, I also
decided to wash my hair, bask in the rays on the roof, and allow this last
morning of relaxation to sink in. This
afternoon we go back to clinic, and tomorrow begins our 5-day 9-5 schedule, 20
patients per day, our goal.
I must admit I am noticing a reluctance to post to my blog. I like saying things with pictures, and so I’ve prepared a set of images to upload for a full display of some sights around
Chapagaon. But I find myself coming to a
standstill when I sit down to write.
What do I say? How do I describe
this experience? How can I paint the
fullest picture? My natural tendency is
to want to share it all. If I can’t
share it all, then why share any? Of
course, I am just spitting it all out onto the page at the moment. “Write from your heart” advised Seven, and I must say, I am trying to
use her example as inspiration, rather than becoming envious of her energy (and
her wit! Check out her blog! It’s
fabulous.)
Back to the laundry.
We are washing our clothes and cloth items in plastic buckets. I chose to use cold water, the majority of my
clothing being wool. With the sun
shining so brightly we do have a solar-powered hot water heater, so I
thankfully took a warm shower the other day.
I am coming to understand how little I need in terms of
clothing, that is, changes of clothes, and how simple living really can
be. I do think about this at home, how electricity
is constantly available, hot water comes at the turn of the tap, heat at the
spin of a dial, the flip of a switch. But
our conveniences are just so....convenient.
If they are there, then why not use them? Just use them with great care, because they
are, without a doubt, a luxury.
Yet living ‘without’ luxury really is quite wonderful. There is, how can I describe this? There is so much more time.... to live. To experience every moment without
complaint. Say, right now I can feel the
chilly nip at my fingers and toes. My
down jacket keeps me warm, if I weren’t typing on my computer that desperately
needs a charge, I would be sitting outside in that glorious sun, warming my
toes. However, there they are, those
silly toes, feeling a little stiff with cold, reminding me...that...I AM ALIVE.
Yes! That’s it! I am alive.
Thank goodness.
Alright. That’s it
for the day. If I had more time, I might
tell you how wonderful the Nepali people are.
How, even if we are strange, speak a weird language, our skin is white
(which is why everyone stared at me the other day as I took a walk on my own
down the street, one of the interpreters at the clinic informed me), and we are
obviously ‘not from around here’, they are quick to return a smile, warmth and
curiosity in their eyes. All ages and genders pass this universal symbol of
friendliness along. No one looks upon us
with suspicion or unease. I feel
welcome. And quickly, I am coming to feel
at home.
Attempting a 180 degree view from the lower roof:
 |
| Buddhist Monastery next door, home to young monks, and our 6 am alarm of gongs, horns, and drumming. |
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