The Girls At Papa's House

Girls During Homework Time

Jesse During Homework Help

Boys Before School

Good Bye!

Today I followed the same routine in the morning and then got to chat with Justin (the first time we've really been able to talk-talk).  Justin noticed I didn't seem to be responding to things like he thought I would and he's right. I have been feeling a little overwhelmed and having a hard time taking everything in.  I can write about it and even talk about it, but I can't really give my perceptions or thoughts about it all.  I just need more time to process everything.  I can't wait until I can come home and actually share what everything is really like with you.  Once you can see the pictures I've taken you'll be able to better understand the magnitude of my experiences. But for now, the technical writing will have to do. 

Last night I attended a birthday party at the Possibility House (they boys hostel) for Daddy, known as Vinod to adults (picture above, you can't even tell there are 53 children there because they are in the rooms facing into the entry way where they candles are).  It was the happiest party I've ever been to.  The kids (53) made him cards and each one presented their card saying, "Happy Birthday Daddy!" and "Love you Daddy!" Then Vinod opened his three presents and each time he opened a card or a present the children would cheer at the top of their lungs.  They all sang happy birthday to him and it was the best sound I've ever heard- Happy Birthday with a strong Nepali accent.  I have it on video to share when I get home.  The power went out right before the party so all of the festivities were by candlelight.  Two small cakes fed 60 people and Vinod and Aleesha (his American girlfriend) had their cake as a married couples do on their wedding day. The children cheered as they smashed it in each others faces.  Then there was dancing and singing by candlelight, talent show style, as gifts from the children for Vinod.  It was the best birthday party ever. 

Today I went out with Vinod, Aleesha and Jesse to Themmel where I was able to have buy school supplies, soap, and a Kurta (traditional dress to wear during my placement in Narti).  We also went to lunch as a nice, Americanized restaurant.  I was feeling very home sick this morning so I treated myself to fattening food I normally wouldn't eat at home.  We had a great time. Vinod is a comic and had me laughing all day long.  I bought my kurta on the way home and it was only a few miles from the house.  Monsoon finally hit today while walking home and it made for a muddy, slippery walk up hill. But, I was laughing all the way and it was the first time in the afternoon I couldn't smell my own BO (gross, but true).  Thank God for monsoon.  We stopped at the market to buy potatoes when I glanced the wrong way to see a goat's head being cut off at the butcher "shop." All of me wanted to cry, but I held it in until I got home.  It is important to me that I remember that I'm not here to judge or impose my views, simply to observe and help.  Therefore, the goat crying stayed in until I made it to the volunteer house bathroom.

The lesson for the day: I can eat American food, but I'm still in Nepal.

Finally, we made it home and I've been packing to leave for Narti tomorrow morning at 5:30 am. The bus ride will take 12 hours assuming there are no Bundahs (road strikes).  I am not looking forward to it, but I am looking forward to seeing some country, mountain side and breathing some fresh air.  I will be there until roughly the 11th or 12th of July.  I'll be living with and teaching girls from the Kamlari system, which is indentured servitude.  The girls have been rescued and are now in the care of VolunteerNepal.  Many of the girls come there not knowing how to hold a pencil or use the toilet. If they do well in Narti they are then released to the homes I've been helping at in Kathmandu.  

If you're interested, one of my housemates, who has raised TONS of money and spends much time here made a video of the children from the past week.  These are some of the same kids I've been working with since I've been here.  Notice how happy they seem. There energy, determination and happiness in the video is completely genuine and it doesn't even really do them justice. 

Possibility House and Imagine House Video: Click Here!

I will post again when I return from Narti and before I leave Nepal to come home.  Love you, miss you and see you soon! - Laura

PS.  It is very late here...I don't have time to proof read! : ) 

Bundha & Pashupati

This morning I went back to Papa's House to help with the girls and they all loved my skirt. Many of them yelled, "You are booteeful!" I was braiding a 4 year old's hair when I spotted lice. I knew the children probably had lice, but it was a little unsettling since we make such a big deal of it in the US (I'm getting itchy thinking about it). Another little girl came over a few minutes later and noticed the lice and started picking it out of her hair and killing it.

After the morning routine I met Sushmita at the volunteer house and we took Sarah to the airport. I was sorry to say good bye to her, I feel like we've become good friends in a few short days. Last night we went to a local restaurant and had fresh and fried veggie momo for dinner. The power was out so we ate in the dark for a bit until one of the boys brought a lanter. The bill for both of our meals came to $1.16 US. Amazing. I still can't get over how inexpensive everything is here. I've been in Nepal for three days now and I've spent less than $10 and I've bought a skirt, and had a few meals out.

I experienced my first bundah, or strike, today. Last night someone was killed on one of the main roads in Kathmandu. When this happens the family will protest and shut the road down until they are appeased. We left extra early to accomodate and we took a million back roads to avoid the mayhem. If I thought Kathmadu was poor, the back roads gave me a new perspective. After a few 10-15 minute traffic delays we made it on time.

After that we went to Pashupati, the second largest Hindu temple in the world. It is spread out like a small city with a park-like atmosphere in some of it. Only Hindus can enter the main temple area, but guests are allowed anywhere else. As we walked through a set a temples there was a bridge in front of us with an Ox standing on it. Throughout Nepal (including highways and city streets) you will see ox wondering around. When a family member dies, if the family owns a cow and an ox, they must let the ox go in the street in homage to that person. After that they are free to roam for the rest of their life. On the bridge we could look out over a very polluted, trickly of a river. on the west bank of the river there were 5-7 platforms, two with burning mounds on them. Sushmita explained that when a person of the Hindu religion dies, they are brought in their best clothing and jewelry to be cremated on these platforms. There is a sitting area for their families to watch and direct family members wear white from that day for a full year. Once the body is cremated the remains are pushed into the river. Sometimes people scavenge for gold or jewelry that wasn't lost during the cremation in the river. While we watched from the bridge I could smell sewer so strongly that it felt like I was tasting it. There were children playing in the river and sorting through garbage on the east bank side.

When we left the bridge we walked up a very long, large flight of stairs towards other religious relics. About half-way up Sushmita showed me a hole in the stone stair wall. If you stand back as far as you can (about 12 feet) and press your hands together, extend your arm, and close your eyes and then walk towards the hole and you put your hands directly into the whole it means you're pure hearted and lucky. I hit it dead on (and I didn't even peak).

We sat and overlooked the whole place (it is very large) and I got the overwhelming feeling that I didn't want to be there anymore. I loved how old it was and the temples and statues were beautiful, but the polution and public grieving bothered me. It didn't really seem to fit with how sacred this sight was supposed to be.

Later I had a Nepali language and etiquit lesson and now I'm going to go with Jesse, another volunteer who has been here before and raised over $22,000 for Volunteer Nepal, to the boys home to help with homework for a few hours. I met some of the boys this morning and they are an energetic and rowdy bunch, but very sweet and polite. Once they saw my camera I was stuck taking at least 20 pictures (how could I say no?) in front of their school.

Later tonight Jesse and I are going into Themel (an area of Kathmandu) for dinner and to talk to a tatoo artist. Jesse has a huge tatoo he got here last year and only paid $50 US. It is really beautiful and apparently the artist trained in the US and has a very respectable parlor. I'm going to try and pick up some extra school supplies while we're there too.

Back at you soon! : ) L

I'm a Fighter

Nepal, Dahapsi
Volunteer House & Training

I'm going to type this as fast as I can. Yesterday I spent 20 minutes writing a detailed description of my first day in Nepal to have the power go out as I was about to click "post."

Yesterday I spent most of my day trying to figure out what time it is. The jet lag was considerably bad since the difference is 12:45 hours. I woke up at 5 am after a night of fairly good sleep. I met my housemates in the volunteer house and everyone is very nice. There were 10 of us her when I arrived and in the past 24 hours it's been narrowed down to three and the other two are leaving tomorrow. The other volunteers are from Alabama, London, Korea, Italy, San Francisco, and Australia. Sushmita is the volunteer coordinator and is the one who provides me with language training and tours of Kathmandu.

Yesterday and today I went to Papa's House, the girls home, in the morning to help platt (braid) all 47 girls' hair before they go to school. The first day they were curious about me and very polite. Today they were more brave, asking me if I was a "fighter" (Sushmita thought it was because I wasn't wearing jewelry and wearing shorts, which are usually reserved for men) and giving me the nickname LoLu, even though they could say my name just fine. One of the girls told me I need to get a skirt, so I promised her I would get on today and wear it tomorrow when I came to get them ready for school. She also suggested dangly earings, but I wasn't able to find an inexpensive pair in the city today. The girls are very sweet and literally fight to hold my hand on the walk to school. The crave every little bit of attention they can get.

Once the girls are at school I walk back to the volunteer house to meet Sushmita for sight seeing and lessons. I've been butchering the language for two days now and don't understand a word except for Namaste. Yesterday we went to Bodhnath, a Tibetan temple or stupa. It was overwhelmingly big and everything was colorful with prayer flags flying everywhere. We paid our respects at the large prayer wheels and witnessed burnings in honor of boudha.

Getting there was its own challenge, we hoped on three different minis (Toyota van taxis that can mash 24 people inside- no joke) on the way there and then again on the way home. On the way there a family of 5 got on and there wasn't enough room for the two year old little girl to have a seat. Her mom (holding an infant) wedged her between my leg and hers. I wasn't sure what to do so I just picked her up and put her on my lap. She was so light, like a little doll, and didn't mind sitting on my lap at all. It was 85 degrees out and she was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, causing sweat to run down her face. I kept brushing it away, trying to keep it out of her eyes. Even though she was very dirty and sweaty she was one of the prettiest girls I have ever seen. I have never witnessed traffic like that in Kathmandu in my entire life. There are no lanes, lights or rules. Honking is continuous and its like the biggest rat race I've ever seen. I could never drive here. I'd be dead in about 3 minutes. The side roads are small and narrow and can barely fit a van, let alone two. People, motorbikes, vans, cars (taxis), and cows share the road and I've almost been hit by a bike a few times. Apparently, if a driver hits cow it is 2 years in jail, but if they hit a person they just have to pay a fine. Let's just say I try to stay out of the way and keep my head up!

Today I went with Sushmita into downtown Nepal to see some sights and visit the national museum. About two years ago the monarchy was over thrown and the king's palace was turned into a museum by the government. Unfortunately it was closed. Once in the old part of the city the road was very narrow (vans can't fit) and most people walked or rode on motorbikes. It was very crowded and smelled of insence everywhere. There were hundreds of shops and restraunts. Everywhere we went there was some homage to Boudah, either a temple, prayer wheel, monument or statue. They are all very old and well used. While I was there I had lunch, took some pictures, and bought a skirt (Shagita will be so happy tomorrow morning and maybe they won't think I'm a fighter!).

Later today I'm going to walk down to a little restaurant with my new friend Sarah (Australian volunteer) to celebrate her last night in Nepal. She has been here for just over two weeks and volunteered in Narti, one of my possible placements. The restaurant only has two tables and is owned by Sushmita's uncle. The food looks amazing, although I couldn't eat it yesterday when I was there, I was feeling too sick due to the jet lag. Every restaurant here offers a large amount of vegetarian food and all of it looks and smells good. Today I had naan (flat bread) with yellow curry vegetables. I don't like curry from home, but the curry here is very good and a more balanced flavor. Every meal at the volunteer house (breakfast and dinner) is steamed rice, beans, and curry vegetables. Lucky for me I like it. When I got to my placement it will be more of the same. Most Nepali's only eat two meals a day due to a lack of money.

Pollution here is a big problem. People often wear masks to shield them from the dirty air. It is difficult to see the hills that are just beyond the volunteer house. There are no real public garbage cans here and people just throw their garbage on the ground. As Sarah and Pam say, "There is rubbish everywhere!" It is very dirty and sad. Many homes don't have running water and virtually none have washers for their clothes. All showers are cold because it is too expensive to heat the water. I can't wait until I ge into the country and they air is a little bit lighter. The poverty slaps me in the face everywhere I go, but the people seem happy and don't seem to notice the conditions they live in because it is normal to them. Nobody owns a car unless they use it to make money as a Taxi. At most a family might own a motorbike, but most people walk and take taxis or minis.

The most surprising thing about Nepal so far is that they are dogs everywhere. They are all medium sized dogs who are lethargic and look like they could use an extra meal or two and clean bowl of water. I want to take them all home with me. At night they come alive and all I can hear is dogs barking over music and people talking in the alley.

The exchange rate here is 77/1 and my $100 got me 7,700 rupees. Most things here are very inexpensive. For example, a plate of momo at the little restraurant down the street cost 25 rupees and a coke is 15 rupees. A nice meal might cost me a $1US at most. In the city things a more, but still relatively inexpensive. My skirt today cost 400 rupees, $5.20 US.

I talked to Michael about how to spend the money that was donated and we are going to meet about it tomorrow. I want him to tell me the best way the money can be spent and go from their. He thought it would be better to spend in on something special for the girls that would be out of reach otherwise and I thought that was a great idea. I'll keep you posted on what is decided after we talk.

I tried calling home over the past two days but the phones have been down or the person on the other end can't hear me even though I can hear them. I talked with Mom today briefly and had a broken conversation with Justin. It is on 2 rupees per minute to call home but the connection is unreliable at best so I'm relying on email to communicate.

I'll probably leave for my teaching placement on Thursday or Friday, so I'll try to post again before I leave, assuming their is power.

I'm missing everyone terribly, but am starting to feel a little more normal now that I'm adjusting to the time and feeling more confident in my surroundings. I hope everyone is well and that Stoli and Maddie are keeping Justin company at night! Love, L

First Day- SAVED!

As I said in my last post, the first update I tried to post was lost in the power outage...so I thought. Thanks to Auto Save, I found it! So, here it is, DAY ONE.

I got here last night around 10 pm. I forgot to bring a picture for my visa so that held me up a little at the airport, but not much. The airport here is very small & much more laid back than other international airports. The people who worked there actually smiled and helped me when I didn't know what was going on. I took this as a good sign.

I was picked up by the volunteer coordinator, Sushnita, and brought to the volunteer house. As we would through the streets to the house I couldn't make out much except that there was "stuff" everywhere. When I arrived at the house the power was out and everyone had been sleeping for awhile. The house manager, Babita, showed me to the girls room by flashlight. I went right to bed, but just laid their for a while listening to all the sounds. Along with the sounds of cows, birds, crickets, people speaking Nepali, there was constant dog barking. There are tons of dogs here, which surprised me. They are all mixed breed, medium size dogs that look like they could use fresh water and an extra helping at dinner, but they're all very calm (lathargic?) and nice. I fell asleep after a while to be awaked to rain coming in the window during a down pour. It felt good though so I didn't close the window and a little later one of my roommates got up and closed it.

The house is two stories and well laid out. It isn't fancy, but it has everything we need. The boys sleep and use the bathroom downstairs and the girls are upstairs near the kitchen. Today there were a total of 9 volunteers here (a full house) and now it is down to 5 of us since the others either went home or to their placements. I'll know more about my placement tomorrow, but it sounds like I will be leaving on Thursday or Friday. I'll be gone for two weeks and will arive back on the 10th or 11th of July.

I woke up at 5 this morning and killed some time reading. I hadn't met anyone but Babita the night before so I didn't know any of the four women sleeping in my room. My bed is a small four post bed with a pad that is about as thick as a sleeping bag. There is a sheet down and then a blanket to cover with, but it was so warm I didn't need it. The temperature doesn't really drop at night here like it does at home. At 6 Pam got up and I had tea and "biscuits" with her and she told me what to expect during my training period (which is resetting my internal clock, learning language, seeing historical sights, working with children in the morning, and choosing my placement. She is very nice and has been here since early May. Her children flew in from Italy and London to spend two weeks with her here. They're leaving on Wednesday to go on a rafting and trecking trip together. Once everyone was up and moving about seven, we ate a standard breakfast of rice, curry vegetables and beans. It was actually very good, but I've been having a hard time eating since my stomach thinks it is night.

Once we finished eating some of us walked down to Papa's House, the girl's home, and help to braid (platt) their hair for school. Their are 47 girls living their at this time and they all wear uniforms to school. Michael is their primary care taker and I've never seen a man braid hair before, or that efficiently. The girls then lined up single file at the gate and we walked them to school. One of the girls help my hand the whole way and told me I should get dangly earings. Most of the girls have their ears peirced and many have their nose pierced. We high fived them on their way into the school gate and then walked back to the Volunteer House.

Sushmita met me at the house and we went into the city to a giant Buddhist temple (that I cannot remember the name of for the life of me). We had to transfer busses & "minis" (toyota vans) three times on the way their and three times on the way back. It was chaotic and cramped. On one of the buses a family of five got on and there weren't quite enough seats so the mother sat by me, holding her infant and wedging her two year old between my leg and hers. I wasn't sure what to do so I picked the two year old up and put her on my lap. She was perfectly content sitting with me and looking out the window. She was the prettiest little girl I've ever seen. It was about 85 degrees today and she was wearing a dingy sweatshirt and sweatpants and sweat kept running down her face. I kept wiping it off or her trying to keep it from her eyes. Finally, we arrived at the temple. The temple was mind blowing. It was huge and their were prayer flags everywhere. We spun on giant prayer wheels and witnessed ceremonial burnings (nothing living!). It was a lot to take in and I'm still not real clear on everything I saw.

After the temple we headed back towards the house and stopped at Sushnita's uncles Nepali restraunt. The food looked amazing but I wasn't feeling well so I didn't get to try it. I'm going to walk back their tomorrow and eat. For $100 US, I got 7,700 ruppees and the food only costs 15-40 rupees per item. An expensive meal might cost about $1 US.

Finally we walked back to the house and I've been reading and resting since. Everyone except for Alan, another volunteer went out for the rest of the day/evening, but I'm not feeling so super and I thinking resting is the only way to cure jet lag.

I miss everyone at home, but I've having a good time here. The people are very nice and the other volunteers are a lot like myself and we have lots in common. I feel like I've known them for a long time (it's been 12 hours).

I'll write again soon.

Hi from Hong Kong

Hi there! I just got done spending the day in Hong Kong. My flight got in around 6:30 HK time this morning and I managed to find my way through this GIANT airport (no kidding, there are probably 1,000 shops and restraunts), pass my swine flu screening and make it through customs even though I filled out the wrong paperwork.

Then I called home via a pay phone because unlike At&t said, I don't have cell service here (so I'm guessing I won't in Kathmandu, either). I headed into Hong Kong via train. When I got there I was planning on going to The Peak (see previous post for the link), but when I got off the train I got lost. The problem is that the tram for The Peak was actually further than the train station map elluded and people don't walk on the streets (for the most part) because there are sky bridges linking most buildings. So, I decided to ditch that plan (I didn't want to have to deal with taking the bus) and to just hoof it around the city.

I started on the sky bridge, but that just led me to shops that required a security guard, and signing in and out before shopping (no thank you!). Then I headed back the other direction toward the water. I took the sky bridge down the piers and people watch, read, and wrote a little while watching the boats, water taxis and ferries. Everyone pretty much ignored me except for a monk who gave me a blessing and then asked for a donation. I gave him $10 HK (just under $2.00) and he asked for more. Apparently blessing come with a bigger price tag than I thought. He had cargo pants on under his monk suit, hmmmm...

Then I went to a small farmers market on one of the piers and had some local beans and fruit (not sure what it was, but it was sweet and juicy), some cucumber sushi and little Chinese cakes for lunch. Once I was done with that I headed back to the train station but made sure to stop and buy a new t-shirt on the way to replace the stinky, dirty one I was wearing.

I got back to the airport about an hour ago, grabbed my things from the locker I rented and then headed for the Pay-In Showers Jayme told me about (thank you, I love you!). This place is awesome. For about $35 US (including a tip) I got my own private bathroom to shower (including soaps & stuff), a three course lunch (which has some of the best soup I've ever had), iced peach tea, and unlimited internet access. I would have paid that much just for a shower; I STUNK.

My flight leaves in about four hours (7 pm HK) and I'll arrive in Kathmandu at about 10 pm their time. The flight is just under five hours and is a relief compared to the 14 hour flight yesterday/today. The flight from SFO to Hong Kong was weird. It felt like we were chasing the sun. It was dark, dark, dark for a good 15 hours from the time I hit San Fran. until the time the sun peaked through before landing in Hong Kong. It felt like I was watching the sun rise just behind the plane for about 2 hours, it just wouldn't pop up, but you could see the light line. When the plan landed I couldn't even see the runway, only water. I wasn't sure we were even going to hit land until the tires hit the pavement. It was kind of spooky. All I could think about is the plane that landed in the Hudson.

I'd better head up to my final flight on this leg of my trip (yey!). I'm eager to be in Nepal already and I'm feeling more confident about my ability to communicate and get around. Don't get me wrong, Nepal is far less domesticated and English friendly, but I'm willing to bet the people are friendlier than in Hong Kong (they're not mean, they just don't really smile much).

Anyway, off I go. See you sooner than later! Love, Laura

I Forgot...

I forgot one important Thank You. Justin has been unbelievably supportive (he's out hunting for camera batteries as I type this) and positive about this trip. If it were me, I'd have a hard time shipping him off to a foreign country without a true itinerary or contact information. This type of support is rare and I am aware of it and thankful for it. Love you! XO, L

A Quick THANK YOU!

One more think before I go...A BIG thank you to everyone who donated money for me to spend on the kids I'll be working with in Nepal. I'm taking over $600.00 in donations! I was shocked by the generosity and honored that so many of you trust me to spend your money as I see fit. Thank you, again and again.

Ursula Scott
Marilyn Richer
Mom & Dad
Kara (my sister)
The Sniezaks
Joe and Debbie Suver
Veronica Hagman
Carolyn McNeal
Mical Bryant
Theresa Lee-Hodson
Gary & Diana Gallinger

Another BIG thanks to everyone who donated trinkets for me to use along the way. The kids will love them and I can't wait to see their reactions.

The Thomas Family
Chris Nimick (Mom #2)
Ruth Pitingoro

And a final thank you to everyone who has made their support evident through their gifts, time and well wishes.

Bonnie Westmark (LOVED the good-bye party)
Becky Thompson (I'm drinking Starbucks as I type this!)
Julie Benkovich (I can't wait to paint)
Jamie Coffey (My Hong Kong Planner)
All my Bethel Friends
Tiffany & Mariah at Forest Canyon
My Buds-N-Blooms Family
My Advisory Kiddos

Thank you, love you and see you in a few weeks!
Laura

It's Go Time

Is it bad that I'm not even packed yet? Even the dogs are getting annoyed. I leave for the airport in a few hours and I feel like I might throw-up and cry at the same time. I'm excited to be IN Nepal, but not excited about getting there. I have a 2 hour flight to San Francisco with a three hour layover, then a 13 hour flight to Hong Kong with a 12 hour layover, and finally a 6 hour flights to Kathmandu.

Jayme, Justin's sister, did some online research for me (thank you!) and found a tram & ferry ride I can take to see some of Hong Kong during my layover. At this point I think I'm going to head into the city and then take the tram up to a place called The Peak, which has food, shopping and views of the city. That sounds like a good way to spend a few hours and I feel fairly confident I can find my way back to the airport when I'm done.

Once I get to Nepal I'll spend 3-5 days getting adjusted, learning about the culture, visiting historical sites, learning how to spend their money. Once I'm comfortable (or as comfortable as I'm going to get) I'll most likely be put in a teaching placement in a rural area, but there is the possibility I'll stay in Kathmandu. When I first decided to do this I was sure I wanted to stay in Kathmandu, but now that I've had some time to think about it, I think getting a rural placement would be a more valuable use of my time and a better learning experience. I'll just have to wait and see what the stars have alligned for me.

Listing, Printing, Stressing

Today I finally got around to making a list of all my necessary items (flashlight, Tylenol PM, passport, books, water bottle, water pills, prescriptions, etc.) and printing my itinerary and travel documents for my family. I'm not sure if I'm feeling accomplished for knocking-out a bit of my to-do list or stressed because I didn't get more done. Maybe both.

Tomorrow will be filled with errands and getting packed. I'm hoping to find a high quality digital camera for a good price that takes regular batteries since I might go for long periods of time without access to a power source.

Off to Thai food with Mom and Dad to "celebrate" my trip before I leave, even though I'm pretty sure my mom thinks I might not come back! More tomorrow...

Trinkets and Things

Many of you asked what you could send with me for the children and my answer was, "I don't know!?" After some investigation I've come up with some ideas for you.

Small Trinkets & Toys: Because I'm traveling VERY light (one bag) anything I bring must be very small and light. The kids where I'll be volunteering have very few toys and school supplies, if any. The toys they do have are frequently "borrowed" by neighborhood children who are also lacking play things. So, with that in mind, here are my suggestions: bracelets, Chinese jump ropes, jump ropes, bouncy balls, silly putty, brightly colored yarn (to make yarn dolls), very small, stuffed toys, etc. Keep in mind, toys cannot contain liquid, they won't make it through security.

Cash: A few dollars in Nepal can go a long way. The money could be spent on teaching supplies for the schools I'll be teaching in, or on fresh fruit to supplement the diets of children and families whose primary source of nutrition is rice and vegetables (malnutrition is a big problem, especially for orphaned babies). Another basic need is medications to treat ear and eye infections, diaper rash, and other common ailments.

If you'd like to donate cash and have it used a certain way, I'm happy to make sure the money is spent as you choose.

As always, I appreciate everyone's well wishes and support as I'm starting to freak about a bit about getting on a plane (by myself -eek!) and flying half way around the world (literally). There are just over two weeks until I leave...where did the time go?