11 march, 2008

i've been in nepal one month now. still it seems normal somehow. i've been meaning to write about the amazing web that connects me to this place. first its occidental. melyssa and gabe's plans are what first made it possible for me to be here. they planned almost a year ago to be in this place. i meant it when i said i would meet them here, but i don't know if i really believed it could become a reality. then sam is here so that's three good friends in nepal at one time. it i am meant to be here, it is now. once i almost decided to book my ticket, my mom met Hillary, a woman at 24 hour fitness who is working to start an NGO here in Kathmandu. It aims to reduce the large population of street dogs here and set up local and international adoption for the dogs. She put me in contact with her good friends who i have spent time with going to cultural festivals, sightseeing, and beginning more long term projects. Gautam, a school principal has big plans for me once Gabe and Melyssa leave. Anil and Ram also have many opportunities for me to see new things and also influence the community. Since I've been here I've met a good friend of Ashley's, Tanya once time. Her friend Jess is a good friend of Kali's, another Portland connection. Another Portland connection began officially last week. As some of you know, I met a man about my age on a Trimet bus a few weeks before I left. He gave me the name of a Nepali teacher in Portland named Daya. I met with him at his wif'es shop on Sandy and 42nd (my hood). He gave me some journals on Newar studies he published with his son. This week I finally delivered them to Subin, his son here in Kathmandu. I hope to see him and his family more. As I write this, I am Pokhara at the hotel managed by a friend of Ram's (Hillary's friend), Dharma. They have a cultural show of music and dance playing now so i hear flutes, drums, cymbals, and energy.

I guess it comes in waves. The naturalness of being here and the weirdness of it too. i've been smashed up against people, baskets, and seats in the public transportation, crossed the reeking Bagmati river, seen crippled beggars with mangled fingers, limbs, been approached by small children asking for chocolate and breast feeding mothers seeking spare change. i've seen beautiful countryside (even a few mountain views), Buddhist and Hindu cultural heritage sights, restored buildings, Tibetan dance, Buddhist monks, Hindu temples, stupas, Newar villages and the simple daily life of the village people. i've met educated Nepalese youth, over stimulated toddlers, educators, and dreamers. all have an interest in a New Nepal, a semi reality that could begin to materialize in a month after the CA elections. the problems this country face are visible even in the most 'western focused' areas. in Thamel, the tourist hub, we walked past a groupd of kids sniffing glue, smoking, and urinating on the sidewalk midday. Dogs and children lose their hair, trash layers mar ancient monuments, electricity, gas for cooking and transportation run short, drinking water constantly causes intestinal diseases. these problems are immediately apparent. imagine those hidden beneath the exterior. hope i see as well. beauty everywhere. in the people and bright color in clothing, painted buildings, fruit, thanka paintings, and food. color that can inspire. i hope. keep energy and belief in chance alive. this is such an important time and i pray for these people and this place. for a future where the sacred mountains once again look down upon the valley people through clean air and where the fresh water runs happily through a peaceful, prospering city, alive with culture, pride, and opportunity.