September 28, 2013
Dear Friends and Family,
Last day- a day full of profoundly deep heart-felt emotion.
Five AM was bitter sweet as we woke up to get ready for the day of good-byes
and of celebration for the new school building donated by the Swiss for the
children of Koshidekha. Saying farewell to Rajman and Maya was the hardest and
brought on our first bout of tears. After dragging our gear up the mountain to
the school, we found intense preparations under way, as teachers and volunteers
had been working for days and into the night.
The Swiss arrived in their hiking clothes to a flanking of 500 children
lined up for a long stretch through the tiny town, in uniform. The procession
included ancient Tamang drumming and dancing, teachers dressed in Saris and dress
clothes, and all with flower petals to shower the guests. In spite of the pomp
and formalities, stray dogs and chickens settled in amongst the revelers. Five hours of speeches in three languages
(Nepali, German, and fractional English), traditional dances, and songs taught
by yours truly to each grade 1-7, we ate a feast cooked by teachers throughout
the preceding night. The final song, We Shall Overcome, was the
culminating moment for us, as 45 children sang their hearts out for us, as we
all dreamed of a good future for the people of Koshidekha. After tearful good-byes and many Pheri Betaula’s
(“see you agains”) we piled into the 4-wheel drive jeep to bounce down the
mountain road toward Kathmandu.
On our first night of re-entry with our hosts, Dr. and Mrs.
Shakar included our first hot water soaking shower in a month and electric
light (as opposed to head lamps and flashlights). The cooking was actually on a
stove. And the sit-down toilet felt good under us!!! We awoke, however at 4am
(damn) to the cacophony of thousands of
rooster cock-adoodle-doos and barking dogs. Welcome to the city! We have found
our hotel for the next few nights, before heading for the Everest Mountain
area. Tomorrow we volunteer for a medical health camp in Baktapur, joining our
Nepal Children’s Center hosts and the Swiss group who funded the new Koshidekha
school building.
Stay tuned for our next adventure surely upon the horizon…
C and J
Following your every word from afar. Never has a hot shower and a warm meal seemed so momentous. Do NOT attempt Everest without oxygen! Otherwise be well. Bob and Larry last seen boarding a plane in Dubai. Love, Jim
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