July 22, 2007

• First full day in Kathmandu!

  We got into Katmandu yesterday night around 530pm. My 2 other teammates and I were exhausted but were extremely happy to see familiar faces once we left the airport. 2 major thing hit me once we met up.

  1. The sense of desperation and initiative that some of the people were showing. One of the many ways that some of the poor in the country make money is by helping tourists, even if the tourist didn’t want the help in the first place! One person followed us, esp. me as we made our way to a taxi. I didn’t let him get my bags, but at the last moment once I was about to put the suitcase into the trunk, he grabbed it and tossed it in. He then expected a tip for 6 bags (my 2 and my teammates!).

  2. The pollution & traffic is extremely bad here. Most of the cars here are running on diesel and driving here is more hazardous than Boston with no doubt. I’ve concluded seeing how the driving conditions are here that if you know how to drive in Kathmandu, you can drive anywhere!!!

  Besides that, today was also my first day as an English teacher at the local government school in Kathmandu. I have about 40 students and I think we got off to a good start today. They all thought it was amazing that I looked so young and that I was born in the USA.

  One of the things you will notice in Nepal is that they are really a mixed race of different ethnicities and cultures. You may see some Nepalese who may look Indian, and others who will look chinese/mongolian. Apparently to most Nepalese here, they’re mistaking me and a few other friends to be Mongolian.

  We’ll be doing more similar work during this week and next week we will be heading to Pokhara to work with another government school as well. I’m enjoying this time with my team, could not ask for better friends on this trip.

  Will write again next time I’m able. Take care!

  • 7:42 am
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