Well, life just keeps moving along.  The wedding plans are in full motion.  We’re getting things set slowly but surely.  Everyone that we meet here says, “Oh, there’s still lots of time.”  I guess that’s because some people get engaged and married in two or three days… we’ve got lots of time.

I met the girl about my dress.  I’m excited to see the designs she’s going to draw and then choose materials.  I got my red sari already and dropped it at the tailor to get my blouse and petticoat.  Kiran talked to the guys at the suit store about tuxedos, but he has to go back with some pictures for them.

We have to choose the menu, though the hotel is booked for the party.  The cake just needs to be ordered 2-3 days before.  They will be able to make a three level cake J

We do need to still make the invitations.  We have the words written out on a paper, we just need to check with the printer about paper and fonts… we’ll do that on Monday.

I was excited for Dad, AM and Tommy to arrive… but I just found out Kate and Tara are coming too!!!  Is this great, or what?  You guys are so good to me. 

Before the wedding, we have to finish up the school year.  We had the math fair on Friday.  The students did really well.  I think they had fun and learned something too.  I hope so.  One boy asked his mom to find a 10 percent discount on the product she chose, but she didn’t know how!  I was like, “well, you figure it out and explain it to her!”  He was like, “Sorry, Mom.  You don’t get a congratulations card!”

Final exams start on March 20^th so we have less than a month.  It’ll be over before we know it.

 

 

 

I just got back from a 10 day trip to West Bengal, India.  It was a lot of fun.  A good mix of adventure and relaxation.  We left of the third and took a taxi (a friend of ours owns it) to the boarder.  We drove all the way to Pashupatinagar, just to find out that only Nepalis and Indians can cross the boarder there… it was some treaty made in the 1950s to prevent the British from getting into Nepal… Anyway, we had to go back down the hills to a different boarder point, Kakarvitta.  From there I checked out of Nepal.  We took a rikshaw (a bike with a seat on back) across the Mechi river, which in this season looks like a stream in a river bed, to India.  There I went through immigration and we took a taxi to Siliguri.  There we got a local bus to Kurseong.

Kurseong is the town where Kiran went to college.  It’s a cute little town on top of a hill, half way between Siliguri and Darjeeling.  It’s also the town where his Mom grew up and where his Dad and uncles went to school.  He showed me where he used to hang out with his friends and where his mom and dad used to walk when they were “dating”, though they don’t really do that here.  I met some of his mom’s sisters and his cousins.  I saw his campus and met the man whose house he lived in while he was studying.  There is a beautiful grotto at the top of the hill.  It was a peaceful and pretty place.

Then we headed to Darjeeing… about one and half hours on a jeep.  It was a sunny day and a nice ride through the hills.  We had quite a hike from where the jeep left us to our hotel, but it ended up being better in the end, because we were close to the main square.  After relaxing a bit, a hot shower and some lunch, we took walk around.  It wasn’t a very clear day, but you could see the mountains in the distance.  The roads around the main square are closed to vehicles, so there were many people walking and some kids on pony rides.  We stayed three days in Darjeeling.  We saw North Point and St. Paul’s the main colleges there.  We went to the zoo and saw a light and water show in the main square.  We at beef momos (dumplings), which we can’t get in Nepal.  We also visited Kiran’s Mom’s sister and her son.  She smiles and laughs just like Kiran’s mom.  After three nights, we decided to head off to Kiran’s father’s village.

I don’t remember the name of it.  Maybe Maladi.  It’s near the Malootar Tea Estate, where many of the villagers work.  We got into a jeep to Kurseong and took a small van up through rocky roads to as far as we could, and walked from there.  It was really something to go to the village.  His uncle and aunt live there, and two cousins.  Kiran had stayed in the village for about 10 months when he was younger, so everyone knew him and they love him very much.  He showed me the football ground (they play 6 on 6 because it’s small) and I met many of his friends.  His best friend is Manoj, whose family is super cute.  I had a great time.  It was quiet and relaxing.  The kids took me for a walk one morning through the tea gardens.  It was a good time.  We were going to stay two nights but ended up staying 4.  Everyone was disappointed when we left. 

We got a jeep to Siliguri and a taxi to the boarder.  Checked out of India and that same taxi took us back to Nepal.  And what a welcoming we got…

Bandh!  That means a strike.  There was a three day transportation strike planned.  Figures.  So we stayed in Kakarvitta.  The next afternoon, there was a lift in the strike and we left for home.  We had a good trip, but I cant tell you how excited we were to get back to our apartment… little did we know, we’d be on the bus for 25 hours!  The bus we took stopped about 25 minutes out of Kakarvitta to pick up 25 students and a few of their teachers… it took about an hour for them to load up their stuff.  Then, we stopped for gas, and they all wanted to get off the bus… the driver stopped at his home, to pick up clothes, and they all wanted to get off the bus.  We got stopped along the way, because there was a strike zone for a few kilometers, so the police were escorting buses and trucks… we waited an hours for there to be 15 vehicles in the escort… we stopped for dinner, we stopped for breakfast, and two of the students wandered away… so we had to wait while their teachers wandered around Hetauda looking for them… It should have been 5 hours from Hetauda, but it was a local bus, so it stopped constantly to pick up and drop off passengers… anyway… eventually we got back in to Kathmandu.  We were so happy to get into a cab.  As Kiran was telling the driver about our long trip… the car died… it’s funny now… but we couldn’t believe it!  We took a different taxi and finally got home…

Travelling is fun… but we’re glad to stay put for a while.

 

Tihar was fantastic.  Everyone seemed happy to be celebrating and seeing friends and family.  We stayed in Godavari two nights and visited many people.  We went to Kiran’s sister, Kobita’s, house for Bhaai Tika, the brother blessing ceremony.  We also went to Amar Sir’s and saw Bandana, Kanchha and Sangay.  He’s getting so big.  I took some pictures with my 35mm, as I managed to misplace my digital.  The stars are extra beautiful in Godavari, as there are not many lights from houses. 

Everything will be settling down now, as the next big holiday is Christmas, and most people here won’t be celebrating.  Katie, who is a JV at the GAA (with Sean), just emailed that they might have a Halloween party.  We talked to Amar Sir about going out there for Thanksgiving dinner.  Turkeys are hard to come by, but if you order early, you can get one!

Schools are back in session so hopefully I'll get a call or two.  Otherwise I'll have to make more copies of my resume and take a walk around the neighborhood. 

I actually havent been feeling too well.  I went to the doctor yesterday to get medicine for my cough and cold.  He said I had a chest infection, so I'm on antibiotics for a week.  I don't mind so much as the coughing stops.  It's been preventing me from sleeping well.  And we all know I dont need to put my cranky pants on any more that I already do!  Kiran's been taking good care of me.

 

 

Holiday time is fun time.  The past week has been spent visiting friends and family (well, Kiran’s family).  It is so good to see everyone dressed up in their new clothes and chatting with their family.  I had a great time over Dashain.  I went up to the temple, fortunately did not witness the slaughtering of the animals.  Shared meals and many different people’s houses and ate all kinds of meats.  We had a few friends over to the apartment.  Kiran's family gave me tika.  It’s been busy and tiring but fun at the same time.

 

I haven’t visited Godavari school yet, but I hope to this week or next.  I’m also on my job hunt now, so that should be exciting and tiring as well.  Bijay has a friend who might be able to give me some good suggestions and put in a good word for me at a school or two. I’ll meet her (Nancy) tomorrow sometime.  Diane also had a few people who might what some on-the-side help with English so that might work out too.

 

For those of you wondering who Lucy is, she was a British volunteer when I was working at SXG.  She was back her visiting for a few weeks.  She’s gone back to England now, but it was good to see her for a visit.

 

There’s not much else exciting going on, we’ve just been chilling out after all the Dashain partying.  My stomach is less than settled, but hopefully it’ll be fine in a few days. 

 

We’re going out to Godavari for the afternoon.  I’ll probably go up to the JesRes for mass tomorrow morning.  Hopefully I’ll meet Fr. Peter, Br. Hermon and Br. Clarence then.

Well, I'm 25 now.  I had a great birthday.  A relaxing morning and then off to church.  I went to Assumption Church (the only official Catholic Church in Nepal).  It's a 10 minute walk from my apartment; Kiran walked with me.  Mass was great.  I read the first reading and the psalm (in English).  The music was good and made me happy.  I thanked God for all of you and for everyone here that loves me.  After mass I met Br. Bijay and he drove me back to the apt. on his motorbike.  It was nice to chat with him after so long. 

Kiran's cousin, Rachan, came over with his niece, Mala.  She is so cute.  She's 15 months old and had a gerat time hanging out.  She loved my teddy bear.  She was making him dance with her.

Later Bhagya, Bandana, Khaancha, and Sangai came over.  I cant believe how big Sangai has gotten.  He's 13 months old and super cute. He was walking/crawling/wabbling around touching everything.  He was so excited.  Everyone loved the apartment- which makes us happy because we love it too.  I took some pictures and I'll try to post them soon.

Of course I was super happy to get calls from Mom and Dad, Granny and Uncle Geoff and Kate.  Sorry about the phone situation... we're working on it.  I'm in an internet place 3 minutes from my apartment and it's cheap so I should be able to email often.

Maybe we'll head out to Godavari for a while this evening.  Otherwise, no big plans.

 

 

 

Well, I'm all packed and the bags are in the car.  Mom, Dad and I are just about ready to head off to the airport after a final cup of coffee.  It's been very fun hanging out with lots of family and friends over the past few weeks.  You guys are really awesome. 

I'm super excited to see my family in Ireland and anxious to get back to Nepal, to meet Kiran.  I'll continue to keep you posted.  Please keep in touch too!

 

Hi All,

Welcome to my space.  Kate suggested I get this set up before I head back to the Himalayan Kingdom.  This way I'll be able to keep in touch and upload some pictures.

The summer has been great.  Camp Ramaquois rocks :-)  I'm definitely a camp counselor at heart.

I've been spending lots of time with the family... they're awesome.  I love you guys!

As for my packing, it's coming along just fine.  I head out August 31st.  Dad and I will be spending a few days in Ireland before I continue on and he returns to the US.

Keep in touch! 

Ger