Peace love and granola

Haha I feel out of place. Standing in line at the office of immigration in Kathmandu to renew my visa, I notice that 80% of the line looks like they've been living with cave people for the past 10-52 months. White skin, matted hair in dreds, or hair that's been shaved on one side (probably the stone used to cut it became dull before the job was finished... Or used for more important things like skinning a boar), wafts of incense, pants that can fit two Jared's inside before he started eating at subway, cave drawings on their skin, holes you can see through in their ears (used for fishing line???) and all sorts of jingly things draped on their necks, ankles, and fingers. Who are we? We are foreigners who've come to see your magnificent mountains. Nepali faces behind the office window seem used to these people but still shoot quizzikle looks at their unkempt "style." they must wonder... What happens in the western world? Don't they have showers and combs? Maybe we're not so bad off after all in Nepal. We may not have electricity or running water but we know how to look presentable :)
The hippie movement lives on but in such a different way, I guess, than the original flower children.
I didn't know Nepal would attract so many but it's quite evident in this line. Maybe I've become conservative while living here:) only a little though.
Crunchy granola or not, i wish this line would move faster!! I've been standing for over an hour now and I have places to be!! I will pick up my parents today at the airport! I am elated to have visitors here and share Nepal with them. It's been 10months away from home now home will come to me :)

There's ALWAYS room for three more!

This is Nepal - There are so many unusual things I witness here and just have to think, "this is Nepal." Traffic jams caused by goats who won't move, families who invite you for tea just to stare at you, "banda" strikes for days in a row, electricity outages, having to physically catch and drag a plumber to get him to finish a job, and overcrowded vehicles (pronounced bagles) like this one!

It's like they put all the happy people on top because every time one of these buses passes by, they all yell "hello!!" with huge smiles on their faces. It could be because it's exciting to see three foreign girls walking in Sarlahi, but no, I think it must be because they are having a good time up there. Wind in their hair, people to shout with, good view of upcoming buffalo and sugarcane fields, and coziness that comes with sharing small spaces.
Everytime I see these people on top of the bus I want to have that experience! So I finally got to ride on top of Sarojs land cruiser with Hyesu a while back. It's was overwhelmingly funny to see her face slick back. I wanted to laugh so much but no sound came out and the wind made my mouth tight just like when I was falling from the sky. One slight turn to the side and my sunglasses flung off my face in a second. Donated to the road. It could have been having a Saturday, being with friends, or the joy of rising up there, but I am sure I was so happy.

Extraordinary

Today was a "banda" day, strike. That means no transportation, all school closed, all shops closed, not allowed to use cars. In other words, it is a forced an unplanned vacation/relaxation day for us. It was a fine day weather-wise too, so Saroj dhai suggested "let's go visit Santi Didi in Girai and have a picnic!". I love it when he suggests to have a picnic because it's always a good time.
Because of banda, we traveled by motorbike - all six of us on two bikes. Upesh, Abu, and Hyesu on one and Saroj dhai, me, and Daeha on the other. I felt so safe sandwiched between two dhais. It was really snug :)
Driving on the bike was so pleasant. The wind was just the perfect temperature. I could enjoy the scenery on both sides - villages, trees beginning to bloom, people working hard in sugar fields... I thought, one day I want to try working with them in the field to see what their everyday work is like and to understand what effort it takes to put sugar in my tea. Maybe it would be difficult especially in hot season, but difficulties always end up being the best memories.

We came to Santi didi's village and were greeted with her friendly-aggressive hugs( kind of like Kayla Ranz hugs:) ). Daeha said he feels like they are his people and I can see that Santi didi is like his aunt or Nepali mom here. Santi didi is such a strong lady. She's sweet and warm but also not someone you want to mess with. She's in charge of managing a huge forest in her village, started the local market, has been their mobile librarian, manages women's literacy class scholarship students, just bought two male buffalo by herself, and is just physically super strong.
We all went to the nearby market that consists of a few huts. There we can find eggs, chickens, roti, chura, and the occasional wild boar or goat. We bought like 15 eggs, tons of roti, chura, and a chicken with really good sauce. Santi didi brought 10%popped corn and big bottles of homemade rocksi (local hard A). Sitting near an impressive tree, we had a cozy time eating, chatting, listening to Korean music, and watching the sunset.

When we were full, Santi didi informed us that "Khana Khane bella vayou," now it's time to eat more at her house. Dhal bhat tarkari and more rocksi. at this point, I was getting nervous about driving home in the dark with a drunk Saroj... But I lived to write about it so it's all good :) sorry mom sometimes bike is the only way.

After dinner, there was a meeting with the women's literacy class students to remind them of their commitment. Saroj dhai gave a bit of a lecture because some of the scholarship students who were given a goat, haven't been attending class regularly like they had promised. He gave them a warning and if they don't improve, they will have to give the goat to someone else. Each goat owner is supposed to give female offspring to other families for free so that they can spread the wealth. Goats have a few babies every 6 months so essentially, if everyone truly followed this idea, everyone would have a goat by now. They don't so this mean some are keeping the goats or selling them rather than giving them as an offering.

The meeting got pretty heated for what I could understand. It's so different here. This was like a "Town meeting" But instead of complaining about crosswalks, park space, stop signs, or neighborhood events, it was solely about the distribution of goats.

Our ride back was really nice. We were all a little tipsy maybe and had some nice conversation on the bike. It was cold in the wind but I had warm hands in mine so it was ok. We were talking about being service minded and Saroj dhai said, "f you don't serve, you will not get anything but if you serve, you can win the world!" for emphasis he put his fist in the air and was talking really loud, until I reminded him to please use two hands to drive :)
He told me that I was an extraordinary American. He said he never met an American like me. I wanted to ask what he meant but didn't for some reason. Then he told Vijay opa he was an extraordinary Korean because he is able to just go with the flow and make things happen rather than get tangled in the details. I think this is true. I feel Saroj dhai has been grateful for Daehas attitude and work style.
We told Saroj dhai that he is an extraordinary Nepali because he is so genuinely dedicated to serving his people and has an amazing ability to inspire others to serve with joy too.

I felt lucky to be here this night on a bike full of extraordinary people. Oh yeah,PLUS the stars were extraordinarily bright!!

Happy home

The term "happy home" is mentioned a lot in my life these days because one part of our children center is named Happy Home. Maybe because I'm used to this name, I assume it will be a happy place for all, all the time. This, however, is not always the case. But, today I had the honor of experiencing a true happy home, one that has earned this name without being labeled first. The happiness flowing into and out of Sabin sir's house was so apparent and obvious.
Everything in this home, the huge family photos on the wall, the stuffed animals on display, the way Sabin sir called his wife and daughter "madam," the jampacked shelves of books well read, the humble one room dining/living/sleeping combo space, the heavenly smells coming from the kitchen, the collection of big and small shoes in front of the door, and the many smiles exchanged between Sabin sir and his wife and daughter shouted "this is a happy home full of love!!" to me. Within ten minutes I found myself unable to suppress my grin and nearly got the giggles just from pure happiness. Somehow, the feeling was so tangible and undeniable there was no choice but to smile the whole time and have a really nice time....and that's what I did :)

I have enjoyed getting to know Sabin sir while working here. He is one of those "life long learners" who is always seeking to understand others and gather new information. Many of our conversations begin like this: after exchanging namastes, he will catch my eye and say, "actually Bipana sister, in American culture....it is like this, no?" Sometimes he asks me to critique his teaching style and give him suggestions. He is my senior and asking me for advice...this is uncommon in Nepali culture and it is one reason I respect his character. He always seems to reassure me that I am making an impacts here and that the children won't forget this time in their lives.

So, it was so lovely to be invited in his home for kaja which turned into dinner and then some. It is Hyesus last day on Sarlahi. I'm glad we could all enjoy this home together. When we sat down, Sanskrita (cutest 5 yr old i have met in a long time) quickly assumed the role of our entertainer. She bravely stood in front of us and recited every English rhyme/song she knew... Without stopping. It was so cute how well rehearsed she was, with hand motions, a very very loud voice.. It was like she was on autoplay. Then throughout the evening, she would randomly spell a word "mushroom: mush-r-o-o-m, mushroom." "ball: b-a-l-l, ball".

We, Anu, Hyesu, Daeha, Sandip, Sabin sir, and I, ate THE BEST MEAL i have eaten in Nepal. Really, it was amazing. It began with popper (Nepali chip like thing), next a bento box dish arrived: creamy potato curry, delicious mushroom soup with fresh vegetables, tomato hachar, and small roti... Then the most mitho rice pudding/porage. It was so creamy, had nuts, raisins, and a hint of chai flavor. The first bite took me back to Christmas time, enjoying Danish rice pudding with Cecilie and josh in Mayanmar this year. I took a picture for you josh and cile!
Everytime I thought I was making progress on the meal, more would appear. Each dish was replenished before I could think to reject. I was soooo full by the end but really enjoyed every part. Thank you Pragya Didi (Sabin sir ko wife) for this experience to "write home about!" I will definitely take you up on your offer to come again :) I hope soon.

After sharing food, we played the most epic game of snakes and ladders, lit by flashlight. This game seems to have the risk of being endless. After the first hour, I finally reached place "100" but after a short applause, Sabin sir said, "ok good, now lets see who will reach square 1 first! You must go backward to really win.." now I was hoping for snakes, dodging the ladders. This extended our game for at least another hour that felt like three.
Normally I might have stopped earlier, but I so enjoyed watching this small family have so much fun together playing a simple game. They literally looked like the people on the back of the game box who are having the time of their lives, cracking up with surprise in their eyes everytime someone landed on a snake or ladder. Precious. It's moments like this that I want to remember well. I really value the feeling in this home and hope people will feel this way when they come to my family's home one day.
What can I do now to cultivate this kind of happiness in my future? When I am in love with my family, how can I share this love with others? Can people feel love and happiness when they come into my living place or when they interact with me? I hope so.
Maybe a happy home can be created anywhere, in a big house, a small house, a stucko house, or a mud and bamboo one.

I am grateful to have a clear image and memory in my mind to attach to the term "happy home." I will do my best to create this feeling in our center's Happy Home.