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!!
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.
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