One Week Down!
So not including travel, I've been in Nepal for a little over one week. If I could sum up my feelings into one word, it would be crazyawesomerevitalizingscarydifferentbreathtaking...ok so I can't sum up my feelings into one word as usual. Nepal is simply sundaar (beautiful). My temporary host family is from the village of Salledol, Nepal just outside of Bhekundebesi, Nepal. I've tried to google it but couldn't find it. I believe I'm south east of Kathmandu.
My host family's surname is Sigdel. I have an amaa (Father's mother), Dai (father), Didi (father's wife/older sister), bahini (younger sister), and two bai (younger brother). So in Nepal, you refer to each other by your kinship, therefore I am Didi to the three children. My first few nights with my new Nepali pariwaar (family) have been great! They are so caring and attentive. Somehow, we are able to communicate, and I attribute that to how much they care about me. We have shared photos, and laughs over language barriers. My default when I don't know what they are saying is to laugh or smile, so I was given the Nepal nam (name) Khusi (happy) because I literally laugh and smile 24/7.
Of course there are challenges, even now. For example, bathroom, showering, and eating habits are soooo different. I've never consciously thought about those habits so much until now. I'm (bistaari) learning to adapt and cope with these habits. Like telling myself how much I love cold bucket baths...etc.. :)
To have such a great host family really makes things easier. It's just nice to feel welcomed into the village, and I might mention I'm the only female in my cluster group (31 PCTs were broken into 7 groups) so all the women in the village are so excited to meet me, talk with me, and drink cyia (tea) with me. I've asked my Dai (host dad) if I can makai kaatchhu (cut corn staks) with him, but he said it was too hard. I hope he learns that I can work hard.
Language training has been challenging too, but it's good to remind myself that Ive only been in Salledol for three days, and it will come. Luckily, our group is on the same level so that makes is less intimidating. This is a picture of our classroom surrounded by rice paddies.
I can't wait to write more. I'll be sure to take more pictures of Salledol and with my host family and post for you to see. I know, I'm such a tease with my one photo of a building where you can't really tell what's happening ...sorry!! Unitl next time....Pheri bhe Taulaa (See you later)
My host family's surname is Sigdel. I have an amaa (Father's mother), Dai (father), Didi (father's wife/older sister), bahini (younger sister), and two bai (younger brother). So in Nepal, you refer to each other by your kinship, therefore I am Didi to the three children. My first few nights with my new Nepali pariwaar (family) have been great! They are so caring and attentive. Somehow, we are able to communicate, and I attribute that to how much they care about me. We have shared photos, and laughs over language barriers. My default when I don't know what they are saying is to laugh or smile, so I was given the Nepal nam (name) Khusi (happy) because I literally laugh and smile 24/7.
Of course there are challenges, even now. For example, bathroom, showering, and eating habits are soooo different. I've never consciously thought about those habits so much until now. I'm (bistaari) learning to adapt and cope with these habits. Like telling myself how much I love cold bucket baths...etc.. :)
To have such a great host family really makes things easier. It's just nice to feel welcomed into the village, and I might mention I'm the only female in my cluster group (31 PCTs were broken into 7 groups) so all the women in the village are so excited to meet me, talk with me, and drink cyia (tea) with me. I've asked my Dai (host dad) if I can makai kaatchhu (cut corn staks) with him, but he said it was too hard. I hope he learns that I can work hard.
Language training has been challenging too, but it's good to remind myself that Ive only been in Salledol for three days, and it will come. Luckily, our group is on the same level so that makes is less intimidating. This is a picture of our classroom surrounded by rice paddies.
I can't wait to write more. I'll be sure to take more pictures of Salledol and with my host family and post for you to see. I know, I'm such a tease with my one photo of a building where you can't really tell what's happening ...sorry!! Unitl next time....Pheri bhe Taulaa (See you later)
:HI Katie! It was so great to hear from you! The blog is great and Anthony wants to write down all the new words and try to learn them! Haha! :) He is a "mountain man" so he was drooling a little when he saw the photo. I am saving my pennies so I can visit and see them in person! I am so glad you are with such a nice family. Tell them we said hello! Love you!!! Mom
ReplyDeleteKHUSI! i like your new name! tee hee! luv the "schoolhouse" can't wait until your next post!
ReplyDeletetesting testing 123
ReplyDeleteHi, Katie!
ReplyDeleteThis is your tech challenged Aunt that's working REAL hard to communicate! Sent a text and found out no phone. Tried to comment on the blog. No luck. Your mom was going to help but I want to talk to you in this life. Colleen had good intentions but we both got distracted... A friend at school showed me what to do so we'll see : ) I am so excited, relieved that you made it and that everything is going well. What a fabulous cultural experience!!! Sounds like you may have a lot of potential visitors. Maybe you can get us a lodging deal in Kathmandu!!! Much love, Aunt Alice