My life in Pel Yer (Nepal)

These are just a few photos from my time thus far. They are slightly out of order, but it is really difficult to complete anything because of the internet so this will have to do. (I have spent 2 days posting this--internet issues!). 

Enjoy!

The view from my porch at night!

My house. (I live on the 2nd floor--my room is the 3rd window on the right side of the building)

The site right next door to my house (the view from my window)

The Boudah Stupa (a highly religious site that Buddhists come to worship every day. I will write a whole blog post on this beautiful site)

Prayer Wheel at the Stupa

Butcher...!!!

Yes, it is true, prayer flags are EVERYWHERE

My family cooking momo's (dumplings)

Assembly line

Finished product! SOO Yummy. The one I made is faced down because it is so bad hah

I gave the silver YMCA cups to my family and they loved them. However, I said specifically do not drink hot liquids out of it...and that is ALL they drink, tea! oops! 

In Parphing (orientation week)

The streets of Parphing

View from the Buddhist Monistary--look at all the fields and green spaces. SO different than Kathmandu City

My "Drop Off" buddies--Max and Mark

Prayer Wheels

The walk up to the Monastery 

Mark imprinting the script on the wall for our "drop off" souvenir 

Staring contest--I won!

"Eco-Friendly Bottle House" with a trash site right behind it

In celebration of the holiday Martyrs Day in Nepal, people combine rice, red powder and water to create a sticky mixture to stick on their forehead 

The sunset view from my room again

Food Castle Restaurant where I steal my wifi from 

My room!

Walking in Durnbar Square 

Thursday Temple 

I am in Nepal part 2

I decided to split this VERY long post into two because that way you all can take a breather, maybe a cup of tea (that is ALL I have been drinking) and then come back to the second post!

Once we were in Parphing (at our “resort”) we were lead to our rooms (Lulu, Drew—a girl were my roommates) and then we quickly were whisked into orientation mode. Name games, get to know you’s, and cultural do’s and do not’s were our mission (Ally, you would have been a STAR at the get to know you games!).

We were promptly in bed by 8:00 pm because we were all SO (so so so so so so) tired from all the jet lag/traveling. I have never slept that well in my whole life—did not wake up once!

Now, I will explain my past week in brief because, for you and I both, it is a lot.

Orientation consisted of a “drop off” where I and two boys in my group (Mark and Max—“Tripple M”) were given a piece of paper with a Nepali name on it and were told to go find it. We had NO idea what we were looking for…was it a persons house, a restaurant, a holy place? After very little difficulty we stumbled upon Vadrayogini Temple. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. With remaining time we also visited the near by Buddhist monastery which was equally, if not more, beautiful.

The very next day we had a chance of a lifetime. We visited a Buddhist monastery (one of the MANY) where students (foreigners and locals) come to practice and study Buddhism. The teacher and great master of this establishment is THE Guru Rimposhea. Most of you, myself included, probably have NO idea who this guy is. WELL he is similar to the Dalai Lama and is a very high up teacher in the Buddhist faith. To be a Rimposhea means that you have been reincarnated and so the Guru Rimposhea that we met was the 5^th one. He gave us a (short) 1 hour and 30 minute teaching on Buddhism. This was one of the coolest and most inspirational things I have ever done. Imagine meeting and being taught by someone with SO much knowledge—I was speechless when he asked for questions at the end.

Every morning we woke up and had 2 hours of INTENSVE (this really does not even come close to explaining it) Tibetan language. For those of you who have ever taken Arabic, Sanskrit, Mandarin (Chinese) I give you SO many props. Characters are SO difficult to learn. I almost have the alphabet down (which is NOTHING like our alphabet…because they are not letters, but sounds). We are taught for one hour (grammar, exceptions etc.) and then have one hour where we work one-on-one with a Tibetan language partner. This is one of the coolest parts about this program because we have the opportunity to speak, test out and mess up the language with native speakers! Overwhelmed with the language does not even come close to describing my feelings, but I am ready for more.

Orientation was very much on the go, but it was the best way to assimilate into the culture. Based the rigor of the orientation week I know that this whole semester is not going to be a walk in the park—but I am ready for it.

We left the INCREDIBLE area of Parphing and drove back to Boudha (in Kathmandu) where the SIT program house, as well as our homestay families are. Boudha is predominately a Tibetan community and thus the reason why we are staying there. Our homestay families speak very little English and all have very unique stories.

My homestay family is cute, but quiet, small but kind, and speaks very little English. Saturday (01/01) I was greeted my by Amala (mother) and her friend at the SIT program house. We trekked my bags 25 minutes to where my house is. The walk is up and down hills, through winding roads and you always have to be careful of motorcycle and car traffic. (Although the street looks like a sidewalk in the USA…you would never guess you could fit two cars side by side.) I was served tea (sweet, milk tea) and then given time to “rest”—unpack my bags. I met my pahla (father) and we ate dinner. The dinner was a soup/stew with greens, onions, cilantro and beef. It was easy enough to pick around the beef, but my family noticed and hasn’t made a meal with meat in it since…:/). We had an elaborate conversation about how the entire family escaped from Tibet and came to Nepal (they trekked for over 4 months). I hope to find out more information on they’re trek, and maybe even about their friends. My family lives on the 3^rd story of a freestanding apartment building and shares the floor with a mother and her two children. I have my own room that has the communal porch attached to it. I cannot complain about the view at night because I watch the sun go down behind a beautiful “hill” (which I would call mountain).

We are staying in Boudha for the next week and a half then we leave to go to Lumbini (the birth place of the Buddha, in Nepal). I am very excited for that, but there is still a lot that stands between now and then. I will try to keep you all updated but Internet is VERY scarce here and the time difference is a bit tricky. (I believe Kathmandu is 11 hours a head of the East coast in the USA).

Simjanango (good night and good sleep)! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or want to fill me in on your life. 

I am in Nepal!

Tashedalek! (Hello, congratulations, good health etc. in Tibetan) I have safely arrived in the beautiful (really, though) land of Nepal. Although my journey here was difficult I could not be happier and more excited to be studying abroad a second time. Lets go back to the journey over here:

January 28^th, 4:23 pm: Leave BOS for JFK. This was a very smooth flight…sat next to a very relaxed baby who loved to play and smile, score!

I arrived to JFK hoping to catch the air tram (the public transportation system that brings you from terminal to terminal) but to my pleasant surprise it was closed down… So I had to find the public busses outside the airport and find the one that was going to terminal 4. Finally I was able to do that got to the International Terminal. I checked into Ethaid Airways and was told that my bags would not check all the was through to Kathmandu, Nepal and that I would have to pick them up in Mumbai, India. Normally I would not be upset about something like that (especially because I had a 8ish hour lay over in India) but I did not have an Indian visa and therefore was not permitted to leave and come back into the Indian country…aka how was I supposed to pick up my bags! YIKES. This had me very worried…and my dad too. (He was helping me figure everything out via cell phone—thanks Dad!) 9:50 pm: JFK to Abu Dhabi. I boarded the plane and was lucky enough to have the WHOLE ROW to myself. I was assigned the window seat but did not have anyone join me so therefore I was able to lay down on the whole seat—I slept for almost the whole 11 hour flight because it was equivalent to a nights sleep for me! I also watched We are the Millers and Mary Poppins!

I arrived to Abu Dhabi around 3:30am (Abu Dhabi time) and managed went to speak with an Ethiad Airways representative to figure out how I could get my bags in India with no India visa. The representative told me that I was to be okay, they would check all the way through to Kathmandu. While this sounded awesome, it seemed too good to be true…and I later figured out it was.

Once I got to Mumbai, India 1:00 am (Mumbai time) I was greeted by a man holding a sign for “Mr. Megan McGregor” I excitedly greeted him and he brought me to a one person holding cell (who knows where) in the airport. I was told to hand over my passport, boarding ticket and itinerary and that this gentleman, Riji, would some how get my bags, check me in and come back to me. What else was I supposed to do?! I VERY hesitantly handed over my entire life and hoped for the best. 4 HOURS LATER, at 5:00 am Riji came back. (I have never been SO excited to see a complete stranger in my whole life). I was guided into the security line where my bag was checked and I was patted down, laughed at (because of my make-shift skirt situation) and then told how to wrap it correctly. After that I was left to wait in the Mumbai airport for 5 hours until we were supposed to board at 10:40 am. I waited, and waited, and ate a croissant, and waited and talked with some friendly Indian men, and waited, and tried to study Tibetan but was too overwhelmed so just waited longer.

Around 8:30 am I was greeted by an American girl, her name was Emily! We made the connection that we were both going to Nepal with SIT (different programs) and that we had a very good mutual friend named Emily! Small world. We exchanged our stories and waited until we boarded the plane. Come 10:00 am all the Kathmandu passengers were asked to go through yet ANOTHER security check point and then we all went on a 30 minute bus ride to where our plane was…(it was very odd). Then we boarded the plane and by this time we were about 45 minutes late. The best part of the whole plane ride was the last 15 minutes as we flew over the Himalayas. Words. Cannot. Describe. The. Beauty. (neither can pictures…because I do not have any SO SORRY:/).

We arrived in the Kathmandu airport 1 hour later than was planned. This put me right on the edge of making the 3:00 pm deadline for meeting with my group. Once I obtained my visa, got my bags (YES, THEY REALLY DID COME!!!!!!!!!) it was about 3:15 pm. I was very worried, but found one of my teachers holding a sign reading SIT! (Oh, happy day, I did not miss my group.)

Three other students, my teacher Tenchou La, and I got into a minibus and proceeded 1 hour 30 minutes to Parphing (a religious sight for many Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimages right on the border of the Kathmandu Valley) where we were staying for the next week. The drive was beautiful, horrifying, exciting, and a whole lot more contradicting emotions. Traffic habits, wandering goats (!), unpredictable foot traffic and the incredible Himalayan mountain range guided us all the way to Parphing.

Round II

Well, here I am again...packing everything I need for the next 5 months into my hiking backpack and day backpack. Unlike last spring, to Kenya I brought a hiking backpack, a duffle bag and a backpack...this semester I have cut it to just a hiking and day backpack. Go me! (See picture evidence below)

This semester is going to be unlike anything else I have ever done. The program I am going on is through SIT World Learning and is not through my university. Therefore, unlike my semester in Kenya, I will not know any of the other American students I am going with! (Nervous, but excited to make new friends!!). The program that I am going on has multiple different adventures and homestays and culminates with a month-long independent study. I am hoping to spend more time in Bhutan or India, but we will see. Here is what the program looks like:

I am leaving tomorrow for a fun 48 hours of traveling...and yes, you did hear me right 48 hours!!!!! BOS>JFK>Abu Dhabi> Mumbai> Kathmandu!

I do not know when I will have internet access next (because we go right into homestays) but I will be sure to update you as soon as I am available!

I wish you all the best and please stay tuned!

Namaste,
Megan

So long... farewell!

So tomorrow at approximately 3:00 am my father will be arriving to Kenya...this means that my semester has come to an end :( . It has been such an incredible experience and I am foreseeing a trip back here very soon. The group flight (that a majority of the students are on) is leaving at 11:00 pm on Thursday and so everyone has to be off the compound at 6:00 pm...NO LATER. (The SLU summer Kenya group is coming on Friday morning at 8:00 am...quick turn around) I will be meeting up with my dad at some point tomorrow and I am excited to be his personal tour guide in Nairobi for a few days.

We are leaving for our Tanzanian adventure on May 18th and start hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro on the 19th and are making our way to Zanzibar island on the 25th! There is so much that awaits me between me and the end of this month...I CANNOT WAIT!

This will probably be my last blog post...I am thinking there will not be much internet access on the mountain...hahah. Wish me the best of luck--I've heard ginger is a great way to conquer the altitude adjustment, any other suggestions?

See you all back in the sates on June 1st. Stay tuned for a follow up blog post when I get back!

Kwaheri from Kenya!

You know you're in East Africa when...

1. the power is out more then it is on (currently it is out)
2. you have to stop to let cows and animals cross the street in the city
3. the smell of burning trash is very familiar
4. the public buses are decorated with religious sayings
5. a school bus is stopped on the side of a road with the driver syphoning gas into his tank
6. you cannot walk anywhere with hearing "mzungu" or being cat called at
7. you walk by a group of children and they all either touch your arm or shake your hand
8. the morning it is sunny and then come 4:00 pm it is down pouring rain
9. a question word comes at the end of a sentence versus the beginning (eg. you are going where?)
10. there is a security guard at every gate entry
11. it takes 50 minutes to get to a 20 minute destination because of the traffic...(real life)
12. you can pay $3 for chapati, curry and a salad
13. the vendors say things like: "its so cheap its almost free" and "touching and looking is free"
14. you say meet at 2:00 which really means 2:30 aka Africa time
15. you have to clarify "bottled water" or else you'll be sick for days
16. people assume a white person equals a rich person
17. people thinks that Japan is next to Texas
18. people assume you are fluent is Kiswahili when you say "asante"
19. at chai time the entire city shuts down
20. you can send a friend as much money as you want via your cell phone
21. you are walking down the street and end up saying "hi" to everyone you pass
22. you should not pet a dog in fear of contracting flees
23. dinner is served at 10:00 pm
24. a paved road is like heaven
25. a police can stop a car randomly in order to receive a bribe
26. if you want to keep driving as you're being stopped by the police its okay...they're on foot, they can't stop you!
27. you can't find a bed without a bug net...anywhere
28. you are required to take a de-worming pill before you get on the plane to go home
29. it is very normal to see a guard carrying a large AK/47 around...very casually!
30. you're driving on the highway and pass by a zebra and giraffe

It's the Final Countdown

I just got back from the independent study in Tanzania and am now back in Nairobi. Although it rained the entire time (okay, only 18 out of the 21 days) that I was there I still managed to have a great time. Kate, my IDS partner and I really enjoyed our time exploring Usa River, Arusha and working at the center. My actual work at the Seeway center was somewhat limited because we were not really needed. The center was very efficiently run and they do not rely on volunteers so they did not have much for us to do. (Good and bad, I suppose) We spent the mornings observing the methods and techniques, or perhaps lack there of, of the teachers. We ultimately were able to teach a few lessons which was a great and fun time but also a learning experience. Its very difficult to try and mimic teaching styles that are not what you would necessarily do yourself. Regardless, it was a great experience and I would not take it back.

The rest of the SLU crew here in Kenya had great experiences--the general consensus is that no one wanted to leave and they all really enjoyed their placements. Here are some cool things people did: went bungee jumping, went rafting in the Nile river, was the primary care-giver to orphaned baby monkeys, made art sculptures, worked closely with sea turtles, conducted helpful research, ran in an actual competitive running race (DANNY!!), watched a live birth of a child and started children's programs that are going to continue!! Here we go Saints!

Last night was a lot of fun catching up with each other here in Nairobi. We are all sharing the same mixed emotions about the program wrapping up--its very bittersweet. On Monday and Tuesday we have group presentations (?) and we have to finish our final IDS papers by Thursday before we leave--guess this is what finals week looks like? Crunch time.

The program officially ends on Thursday the 16th and all the SLU kids fly out then (besides those whom are staying for a longer time...there's only a handful). My dad will be flying into Nairobi at 3am on the 16th and we make our way to Tanzania on the 18th to start our quest up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here's what our itinerary looks like:

May 16 - Rob arrives and stay in Nairobi
May 17 - stay in Nairobi
May 18 - go to Arusha and stay at Marangu Hotel
May 19 - start climb six days and five nights
May 24 - arrive back to Arusha and stay at Marangu Hotel
May 25 - go to Zanzibar
May 29 - back to Nairobi
May 31 - fly out of Nairobi at 3:30(?) am.

I'll attach a few pictures from my IDS...sorry the picture selection is limited! 

Gorm (recently learned the Dogs name...prior to that had been calling him God)

Roasted maize that Kate and I would eat occasionally 

Our bed/drying rack for all of our laundry...thank you rainy season

We've come a long way from our first night of yogurt, granola and avocado to this! 

We forgot about the lentils in the fridge and they started to sprout...oops!

Managed to watch 1/4 of the Julia Roberts collection! 

A DollaDolla...$.60 to get into Arusha town (40 min drive)

Waiting to get picked up at Rotterdam in the morning--checking out the fresh veggies

Teacher Kate examining our newly drawn wall hangings and painted black board!

The nursery school going crazy with the chalk we brought

Sports day

Kate serving up the Ugii (porridge--we call it ewgie)

Singing and dancing on sports day

The office

The road to the center...with a river in the middle of it due to the rainy season

This was THE WORST part of the road...straight up rocks

Singing and dancing to Kiswahili songs

Hope everyone a great few weeks...congrats on completing all your finals (if you had them)! It's almost summer time!!!