NEWS FROM LAURA

Hi!!

It has been over 2 weeks since we’ve arrived in Kathmandu and little by little we are getting used to it: its sounds, cleanliness (or lack of it), people, food, traffic…

When we arrived, we went to the guesthouse that VSO’s volunteers use. Our only reference of this place was not a real good one, but we were gladly surprised – quite clean, big room, hot water most of the days, balcony, friendly staff and close to restaurants. We can even see some of the snowed Himalaya Mountains from its rooftop on clear days.

The noise of Kathmandu’s life wakes us up very early each morning: dogs barking, garbage being collected, a man singing, motorbikes and cars beeping… Right by the guesthouse, a little shed covers some cows and sheep (with three cute just-born sheep). Vegetables and meat are being sold on street counters (sheep heads included): this might be one of the reasons why we have become semi-vegetarians.

The apartment that we will rent is in a Nepali residential area with many restaurants and shops and not far from the tourist Thamel area.
Since the building is not complete yet, we will not enjoy the solar water heating (very common in Nepal) and the rooftop views over the city. However, we think we have our hot water supply more or less guaranteed (if electricity works) with the “water heater” they have installed in the bathroom and with their own well - water supply is not necessarily available throughout the year (specially during the dry season) nor heating through the solar panels (no sun means no hot water) nor electricity (we have already had scheduled power cuts due to lack of rain).

Our furniture will be made out of bamboo, and we will hopefully have a washing machine: a luxury item for most of Nepalis.

We are looking forward to the trip to the South of Nepal, in the Terai, although VSO will only allow us to go if there is no major conflict in the area. Currently, Nepal suffers lots of strikes (“bandas”) against the government, paralyzing some parts of the countries, specially the South, leaving people and goods with no means of transportation.

That’s all for my part. Laura.