Namaste! (Nah mess stay)

I have 2 more days of language training and cultural sightseeing in Kathmandu before I head off to my placement, which is Sarangkot (Sar ong coat). Sarangkot is a village about a 2 hour hike or 3 hour bus ride N/NW of Pokhara. It has a beautiful view of the Himayalas behind either a threaded riverbed or a glassy lake... take your pick. School is 5 1/2 days a week, so I get 1 1/2 days off a week. I don't know much else about the situation other than I will be living a pretty rustic life except for that day and a half I can use to go mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, trekking, paragliding, sailboating, etc. I buzzed my head so I don't have to deal with hair hygiene. I wish I had left a little tuft of hair in some random spot so I could blend in with the hippies more here. Oh well.

Meanwhile, learning the language and learning about the culture has been very intriguing. Scott and I have been able to cover some very interesting issues with our teacher, Yuzeena, who has lived her whole life in Kathmandu and takes a great interest in not only her culture but others. We've talked about everything from love to politics. Arranged marriages still occur over here though most are love marriages, and unfortunately, I think arranged marriages still happen in the States but in a different way. We all know about US Politics, but over here, there is a temporary parliament in place that rules in conjunction with the king. In November, the country will vote to determine if Nepal will be ruled by democracy or monarchy. Most everyone wants a democracy, so I guess it's just a matter of whether or not the king will try to pull some stunt like arresting all the members of parliament, which he did a few years ago, to give himself ultimate rule.

I've finally got a picture for y'all of all the donations I received from family and friends to bring with me to Nepal to give to the orphanages and schools that Hope & Home sponsors. I got everything from Dr. Seuss to Charles Dickens and Crayolas to Crest. Thank you so much. Hope & Home is very appreciative of all of it.