First thoughts

Well, this has been a pretty incredible trip. I must say this is the most amazing thing that we have ever done as a family. Internet service has been pretty hard to come by as is electricity. We have been averaging around 5 hours of power during the day and then another 5 or so through the night. Keeping the gear charged has been a bit of a challenge but not too bad. Last night was the first night that we had electricity in the evening. It was due to a rainstorm that blew through two days ago, power generation in Nepal is mostly hydroelectric. It felt like a real privilege to have lights on in the house. Being here is teaching all of us to take nothing for granted.

The trip here went pretty well. The flight to Hong Kong didn’t seem as bad as 14 and a half hours sounds. Overall pretty smooth and everyone was no worse the wear. We put our things in a storage locker and took the bus to a near by town for lunch and a little shopping. The food was great and the shopping not bad. The flight from there to Bangladesh seemed a bit long. And by the time we landed in Kathmandu I was ready to get off of the plane. Everyone was in good spirits after enduring the 34 hour journey and we got all the gear through customs without a problem.

Driving form the airport to the hotel was pretty interesting. The whole city was dark due to power rationing. So as we drove it felt post apocalyptic. We got to the hotel with our 10 checked bags and 10 carry ons and proceeded to check in  in the dark. A side note: elevators run on electricity so it was a walk up to our third floor room.

We all seemed to adapt to Nepali time pretty well, no major jet lag issues. We were met the next morning by the director of Ama Ghar, Bonnie Ellesson. She is one of the most unique spirits I have ever met. Full of life and love. I feel I could learn many lessons from her.

Just now, as I sit here writing, the power turned off. It must be 10 o’clock, we have had all the juice that we will get for the day. Power in general is an issue here in Nepal. Very little electricity and long lines at the gas stations, which are surrounded with barbed wire. Life here seems to be difficult to say the least, but the people are very kind and gentle. Everything moves at a much slower pace with great difficulty and is always shrouded in pollution. Today for example, we drove around to 4 banks before finding a working atm. Again, something that we all take for granted everyday.