So where to begin...hmmm...many of you have already read this in an email...but if you haven't, welcome to my blog and read on! Please feel free to post!
I arrived in India and stayed at this great radisson hotel overnight - got my bearings together, had a nice meal and slept a lot. The next day I arrived in Nepal, and the son of my host family picked me up in a car where I was literally eating my kneecaps it was that small - I think it was a hugo or something :) I mentally prepared myself that Kathmandu was going to be third worldish, especially after seeing a few poor Indian peeps on my way from the Delhi airport to my hotel the night before...but jeez...this place is on another level it seems.
On the short 10 minute ride to the house, I saw adults pooping on the side of the highway, 2 stray dogs bulldozed by cars, and trash till the eye can see. I'm sure there are dirtier places out there...much dirtier...but based on my limited experience, this is more like the fourth world :) Everyone spits and defecates in public, burning trash everywhere....and just a few hours ago a monkey tried to steal my Diesel bag! As if he knew he could sell it to ignorant tourists like myself for a nice price, lol...so the place is completely filthy, but its part of the charm if that makes sense!
Another interesting part is the mix of hindus, buddhists, muslims and christians...everyone has their own places of worship and it seems there are constant rituals going on of various types. But everyone gets along and the people are extremely friendy. I got lost earlier today and the father of my host family picked me up in a scooter after getting directions from a stranger I handed my cell phone to...so everyone is super nice.
Last night was the Nepali Sherpa New Year, and my host family (being sherpas) threw a big bash in the mountains. I tried my first yak milk dumpling, they forced me to dance a very strange folk dance, gave me some sort of honorary shawl, and welcomed me to Nepal...everyone is incredibly nice and friendly.
The hospital is equally as crazy...today was an outpatient ophthalmology clinic...I looked out in the waiting room and there were probably 200 patients waiting. They pay $.80 for a check-up and if they need cataract surgery the grand total is $10 per eye. The facilities are abysmmal, and when I went to the cafeteria for lunch time, I had to refuse everything and make myself look like a jerk because (judging from the plates and food) I would have gotten dysentary, hepatitis, and possibly the plague from one bite. Better rude than poopy.
So thats it so far - the place is certainly facinating and will make for good stories. I wish I were closer to the city so I could sightsee the more famous temples and such right after work - but apparently its not the safest for tourists to wander into taxis by themselve. After 2 weeks in the hospital, Im gonna go into a hotel in the city, and do a trekking expedition with a group before going to Delhi for a week. Hugs and kisses to all!
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