Thailand...again

I've been in Nepal for 8 months working and learning language. I've been wanting to take a little vacation for some time now but did not know exactly where to go nor did I want to go alone.

A few days before I left for the mountains my friend Jenn called me up and said "do you want to go to Thailand?" My immediate reply was "yes!" The only catch was that to get these super cheep tickets we had to leave before March 31st. I've only been home from the mountains for a few days but my bag is packed and I'm heading to Thailand.

Last time I was there it was just a few months before the big monsoon and it was truly one of the best vacations of my life. How blessed am I that I get to go back.

Last week in the Himalayas and this week on the beach in Thailand...this gig aint too shabby.

Mountain Journal Entry

 

Journal entry March 10, 2009

Today I remembered why I never had the desire to come back here (Himalayas). I hate walking uphill. I’ve truly never understood those who chase after huphill adventures.

From a young age I’ve avoided walking uphill. In college I mastered new ways of getting around going uphill, thanks to New Holland Library and it’s elevator. Now, I sit here in this nice cozy lodge with tomorrow looming over me. For tomorrow brings three hours of walking UP.

When you are on the trail one has a lot of time to think. My converstations with God are many and it is hard to peg just one lessons He is teaching me.

TRUST is one of many lessons. Trust Him to lead me on this journey. Trust Him to Provide peace as I follow. Trust that his plan is better than mine.

Could my walk with Christ be like this trail…uphill? It’s not easy, it takes work, and can cause pain. There is only ONE trail that will lead you to the place you need to go and it is up. All the way up there are AMAZING views and at times one can become overwhelmed with the magnituted of the mountains and reminded just how small we are.

When you finally reach the top it's AMAZING…and there is a bakery with yummy chocolate crossants

A trekkers guide

 

I recently returned home from a trip up into the mountains. For those of you planning to venture up into the Himalays here are a few tips.

1)The trail is deceptively easy the first day.

2) Namche Bazzar can take anyone from one to four hours to walk up. If you are the “one” hour person you are most likely Sherpa. It is all up hill

3) Try the Sherpa tea but stay away from the Sherpa porridge.


4) Every where you look there is an amazing view. You are litteraly surrounded by the Himalayas. Careful not to stain your neck when checking out an amazing view.

5) Walking downhill is not as easy as you think. It is made even more difficult when having to wait for trains of Yaks and Porters to pass you by on the narrow trail.

6) The food is super expensive, about 3x more than what you would pay in the city. If you manage to become friends with a lodge owner your tea my just be free. Warning this “friend” making thing may include Sherpa dancing thus making a fool out of yourself.

7) There are very few Americans on the trail these days. This may be a good time to brush up on your British accent or find out how to say “hello” in Russian, German, French, and Swedish.

8) Zip away pants are all the rage these days. If you want to blend in with all the other trekkers these are essential. If you want blend in with porters or guides then jeans and your every day kicks will do.

9) When walking on the trail stop every once in a while and take it all in. Have your camera either around your neck or easily accessible. You are in the Himalayas for goodness sake…take a as many pictures as you can.

10) Take a journal. You will want to record this journey.

By the way…I plan on posting a few of my journal pages from the trip.

Dolma's Losar Party

 

Dolma invited us over to her house to celebrate Losar the Sherpa new year.

The invite called for us to come over to her house at 11am. This made me think “we will go at 11, have some snacks, eat lunch, and then be done.” Oh what a fool I was to have such thoughts. I knew something was amiss when I asked another friend if she would be coming over and her response was “yes, I will come over later for dinner.” This response immidiatly tipped me off to the fact that I would not be there for just a few hours but rather ALL day.

There is not much to tell you about the day spent at Dolmas house. Basically it consisted of sitting in her living room and having a constant succession of foods and drink being brought to me. Even as I write this I feel a little sick from all of the food consumed in the nine hours spent at Dolma’s.

What I learned from this day is that in Nepal friendship is often measured by time spent and food eaten.

* If the weather is nice try to eat outside in the garden where it is less noticible if you “accidently” drop your food or spill your tea. If your lucky they will have a dog…

* There will be dancing no matter how much you protest

* Resistance is futile. You may end up with rice in the lap if you try to move your plate away when a Nepali is trying to give you a second helping.

* Even though the day seemed so long and my stomach is on the verge of exploding from all the food and tea I felt loved.

Here is a list of the food consumed during our time at Dolma's
Juice
Salt tea
Capse (fried bread)
Nuts and fruit
Fish
French fries
Sausage
More tea
Rice/bread
Prawn chips
More tea
Juice
Pork chilli
Prawn chips
French-fries
Juice
Biriani
Mutton curry
Green veg.
Potatoes
Beans
Yogurt w/fruit
Salt tea

I recently moved into my new apartment. It is just down stairs from where I had been living so it was not much of a move.

Some of my friends that have asked for pictures of the new apartment have yet to see them for the main reason being that setting up a new apartment has been a point of contention and frustraition. It turns out that I am not good at setting up a new home. Here are a few examples…

*The toaster I purchased will not fit into any outlet in the entire house
*My TV either plays back ground music or voices but not both nor does it have a hook up for cable.
*I ordered a bed over a month ago and it has yet to be completed
*I’ve ordered a mattress and am not sure if it will fit
*The kitchen table is uneven..it inconvinetly slopes down

I have yet to purchase a TV stand, chairs to go with the gimpy table, knives, coffee table and furniture for the guest bedroom.

Things add up quickly and I miss second hand shops and yard sales.

I now understand why newleyweds register…sestting up a home is expensive.

When my home is more complete I will be sure to take pictures and have some sort of follow up post

....as I reviewed my post before publishing it I realized it was a little negative so let me take a moment and play the positive game.

*I have a water purifier
*great paint on the walls
*a super comfy red couch
*hot water heater for my shower
*pretty curtains for my bedroom

Thoughts on Valentines Day

I remember when Valentines Day was a big deal. You would make your little heart shaped “mail box” and the next day bring a Valentine for everyone in your class. Either it be home made or store bought you were guaranteed at least 20 valentines. (sigh) those were the days.

As you progress in age the number of Valentines received dwindles down until you have just one valentine…your hearts true Valentine. (insert gag)

These days, as a single girl, I work hard at enjoying this day because I truly love/hate the concept. I love the idea of showing love. When I am in the states I love that my dad sends me flowers for Valentines Day. This year he was not able to ship flowers to Nepal but I truly appreciated the e-mail he sent. I loved that my friends and I would pick the least romantic place in town to eat at and spend the evening laughing.

What I hate…now I’m going to be “real” here so hold on.
I hate that deep down I secretly hoped that I would have a “valentine.” I found myself hoping that I would open an e-mail, facebook message, or letter revealing that there is indeed a special someone wanting to “be mine”. I even started feeling a little melancholy over the reality that on Feb 14, 2009 there was absolutely no single male wanting to be my valentine.

With this melancholy feeling I slapped on a pink sweater and a smile and headed out to a night with the girls.
As we finished up dinner the power went out thus causing us to sit around by candlelight. Kati got out the guitar and we started singing.

“Your love is extravagant.
Your friendship it is intimate.
No greater love have I ever known you consider me a friend
….capture my heart again”

I was singing a love song to my savior. My heart soared, and in that moment my “want” for a valentine was pushed aside. I have more than a valentine…I have a Savior, Lover, Friend.

I will continue to have affection for Valentines Day. I plan on celebrating it next year. This year I am grateful that God allowed me an intimate moment with Him.

Wedding Video

I have known Ymona (Didi) since 2004 when she was my houskeeper the first time I lived in Nepal. Since then she has cleaned house for many a single girl and guy who have come to live in work in Nepal. Now that I am back I love having her in my home again. Not just because she cleans but because she is a welcome presence.

The two times a week that she comes to my home is often the only two times that I will be hugged by a friend, a woman who cares. Needless to say she has become more of an “auntie” than a housekeeper. So when she invited myself and four other friends to her daughter’s wedding we were all excited at the opportunity to go.

Weddings in Nepal are a big deal. They are an ALL day event. The actual wedding ceremony is short and not viewed by many. The important thing is the party. I tried to capture our 12 hour journey in this 4min video. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into a Nepali wedding.