July 19, 2009

• Nepal Project’09 – Acclimation to Nepal?

  July 18, 2009
  9:04PM Pokhara time

  Sitting in our room in the Pokhara home we’re staying in as Sofia sleeps.  It seems to strike every one who comes to Nepal during their first time, so unfortunately she has what is probably best described as TD.  I had it after my 3rd day in Nepal two years ago and it’s been affecting other team members who are also new to the country.

  Nepal, in my personal opinion, is a difficult place to adjust and adapt to at first.  Though there are familiar elements of western culture here, it is still one of the most foreign(non-western) cultures to those of us who live State-side.  The foods, sights, sounds, smells are all foreign to us, and can be overwhelming for a person who didn’t know how to prepare oneself for this.

  While the potential of contracting TD or any other type of infection is high, I have seen and experienced first hand the hospitality and care that Nepalese people will go through to take care of those they love.  The moment it was clear that Sofia was not feeling well, Prakash was willing to immediately take her home on his motorcycle ASAP so she can get to her medicines.  Afterwards, the family here have been concerned for her, trying to provide whatever she needs to get better, and were willing to cancel their plans in order to accomodate and take care of her.  It was the brightest spot through all this as I was worried about wife, but knew she was in very caring hands.

  It does bring up some questions in regards to future trips to Nepal.  Maybe we will need to build into the agenda an acclimation period to allow newcomers time to adjust to the new encironment.  It doesn’t mean the new people don’t do anything, but what it does mean we set a schedule that allows the newcomers to not be overwhelmed with their experience of Nepal once they step off the plane.

  Another idea is better planning on our side prior to traveling to Nepal.  Maybe all of us who’ve been part of this project for a much longer time will need to sit down and write up a list of things that we think will help newcomers to Nepal and implement them for the next trip back to Nepal.

  This trip has helped me see how easy it is for those of us who are veterans to this country can easily forget how difficult it was for us when we came during our first time.  Compassion and empathy must definitely be part of our training for each other; when one of us fall, we all fall together.  Loving one another as He has loved us, no clearer picture of His words really being our lives’ foundation.

  • 5:11 am
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