Hey everyone,
Crazy few days. By now no doubt all of you have heard about the earthquake, devastation, deaths, etc, as well as the fact that we are ALL FINE. We were incredibly fortunate to be in a place well stocked with food, water, and supplies to make shelter. We all had a bit of a different experience, so I'll leave it to the students tell you their individual stories, but suffice it to say that we may well have been the luckiest and safest group in all of Nepal.
I'm writing this from the airport in Kathmandu, a city barely even recognizable from the sheer level of damage visited upon it and its people, where we are waiting to check in to our flight to New Delhi. The blog has been looked at over one and a half thousand times, showing a staggering amount of care and concern, and I'm sorry I couldn't have posted something earlier to assuage your fears, worries, and concerns, as the electricity (and by extension wifi) was down for the duration of the earthquake.
The Himalayan Voluntourism team deserves the most outstanding thanks for their hard work in taking care of us; they cooked meals, washed dishes, prepared the campsite, visited the city to check for damage, organized transport, news, and the delivery of fresh food and water, as well as (most incredibly) remaining cheerful, in spite of everything.
This is more or less just a quick update, and as intense as all of the above sounds, we really did have a fantastic time at the farmhouse playing cards, singing, and chatting around the fire. I'll try to get some students to post here later, and will write a more detailed story about our time in the tomato fields.
See you soon!
Namaste
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Day Five - Teaching, Dancing, and Planning
Hey everyone,
A shorter post today, as there's not much to tell. The day was, effectively, identical to yesterday, which is not to say boring; each experience here, new or otherwise, is amazing. The walk down was easier, the walk back up was arduous, the teaching went well, and the after-school activities were fun (we pulled some new guitar songs off the Internet to shake things up a little).
Each day after the trek back to the farmhouse, once everyone is showered and relaxed, tea and snacks are served at the common room in the main building. The tea is a special Nepali brew, which tastes surprisingly akin to a Chai tea latte (that is to say filled with milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon).
Dinner was a superb rice and spinach concoction whipped up by the chefs, who wake up every day at five in the morning to walk up to the farmhouse and make breakfast for us, so we do our best to help out with clean-up by taking plates and utensils into the kitchen.
Tomorrow is our last day in Nagarkot, and we hope to make the best of it; we spent over an hour this evening prepping for the lessons, gathering supplies, and sharing ideas. It's truly astounding to see these small Nepali children picking up the things we teach them, and applying them so enthusiastically.
Namaste
A shorter post today, as there's not much to tell. The day was, effectively, identical to yesterday, which is not to say boring; each experience here, new or otherwise, is amazing. The walk down was easier, the walk back up was arduous, the teaching went well, and the after-school activities were fun (we pulled some new guitar songs off the Internet to shake things up a little).
Each day after the trek back to the farmhouse, once everyone is showered and relaxed, tea and snacks are served at the common room in the main building. The tea is a special Nepali brew, which tastes surprisingly akin to a Chai tea latte (that is to say filled with milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon).
Dinner was a superb rice and spinach concoction whipped up by the chefs, who wake up every day at five in the morning to walk up to the farmhouse and make breakfast for us, so we do our best to help out with clean-up by taking plates and utensils into the kitchen.
Tomorrow is our last day in Nagarkot, and we hope to make the best of it; we spent over an hour this evening prepping for the lessons, gathering supplies, and sharing ideas. It's truly astounding to see these small Nepali children picking up the things we teach them, and applying them so enthusiastically.
Namaste
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Day Four - Fun and Games
Hey everyone,
The amazing journey continues! Today was quite similar to yesterday, with the exception of the fact that we have vastly improved our leading skills and lesson plans for working with the students. The teaching was enjoyable as always, but the real fun was in the after-school activities. Once back at the farmhouse and sheltered from the (admittedly light) rain, a good portion of the students began planning a goodbye dance to perform for the Nepali children, to complement their own farewell ceremony. While this was happening, our own Rebecca Greenway (yes, I know, Ms. Greenway to me) was kind enough to lead an hour-long intense yoga session in the meditation hall.
After dinner, we competed in a rather ferocious bout of trivia questions, quizzing us on everything from Snow White and Dora to the New Zealand football team and the works of Voltaire. This was followed immediately by yet more singing and guitar, as well as two highly involved and exciting rounds of a game called Resistance, which is all about lies, deception, and table talk - a fun play for all!
On a side note, I have been informed that some of you may be experiencing difficulty commenting without a Google+ account; as a temporary fix for this problem, email any comments you wish to make to this address: connor.barker@createthenext.com, along with your name, and I will make a public post containing them all!
Namaste
The amazing journey continues! Today was quite similar to yesterday, with the exception of the fact that we have vastly improved our leading skills and lesson plans for working with the students. The teaching was enjoyable as always, but the real fun was in the after-school activities. Once back at the farmhouse and sheltered from the (admittedly light) rain, a good portion of the students began planning a goodbye dance to perform for the Nepali children, to complement their own farewell ceremony. While this was happening, our own Rebecca Greenway (yes, I know, Ms. Greenway to me) was kind enough to lead an hour-long intense yoga session in the meditation hall.
After dinner, we competed in a rather ferocious bout of trivia questions, quizzing us on everything from Snow White and Dora to the New Zealand football team and the works of Voltaire. This was followed immediately by yet more singing and guitar, as well as two highly involved and exciting rounds of a game called Resistance, which is all about lies, deception, and table talk - a fun play for all!
On a side note, I have been informed that some of you may be experiencing difficulty commenting without a Google+ account; as a temporary fix for this problem, email any comments you wish to make to this address: connor.barker@createthenext.com, along with your name, and I will make a public post containing them all!
Namaste
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Day Three - Greeting and Teaching
Hey everyone,
We're just wrapping up a very entertaining, tiring, educational twelve hours. The day started peacefully, with clouds of mist obscuring the mountains behind the dew-frosted windows. Breakfast was, of course, lovely, and provided some good energy for the long trek down the path to the school.
Upon arrival at the schoolhouse, we found an adorable welcome ceremony waiting; roughly sixty children were lined up according to age and grade. They said hello and welcome in chorus, then proceeded to sing their national anthem with much vim and vigor. The teachers passed out small bouquets and marked our foreheads with reddish dyes, thanking us for coming to teach the students. All in all, quite a humbling experience.
The lessons, for the most part, went better than was expected for the first day. Introductions were made, games were played, and students of all grades and nationalities had a great time. After the classes were over, the walk back up to the farmhouse began, and what a walk it was. Going up, needless to say, is far more difficult than going down, so everyone was panting after the 45 minute journey back.
More singing and dancing ensued both before and after dinner, which was more delicious Nepali food. Having learned from the successes and trials of the day, we refined the lesson plans and objectives, with much help from our incredibly patient teachers/chaperones (thanks again you guys!).
Namaste
We're just wrapping up a very entertaining, tiring, educational twelve hours. The day started peacefully, with clouds of mist obscuring the mountains behind the dew-frosted windows. Breakfast was, of course, lovely, and provided some good energy for the long trek down the path to the school.
Upon arrival at the schoolhouse, we found an adorable welcome ceremony waiting; roughly sixty children were lined up according to age and grade. They said hello and welcome in chorus, then proceeded to sing their national anthem with much vim and vigor. The teachers passed out small bouquets and marked our foreheads with reddish dyes, thanking us for coming to teach the students. All in all, quite a humbling experience.
The lessons, for the most part, went better than was expected for the first day. Introductions were made, games were played, and students of all grades and nationalities had a great time. After the classes were over, the walk back up to the farmhouse began, and what a walk it was. Going up, needless to say, is far more difficult than going down, so everyone was panting after the 45 minute journey back.
More singing and dancing ensued both before and after dinner, which was more delicious Nepali food. Having learned from the successes and trials of the day, we refined the lesson plans and objectives, with much help from our incredibly patient teachers/chaperones (thanks again you guys!).
Namaste
Monday, April 20, 2015
Day Two - Temples, Bowls, and Nagarkot
Hey everyone,
Another lovely day in Nepal! Today's highlights were many and varied, as were the places we visited. The first thing in the proverbial list was Patan; one of the former Kingdoms of Kathmandu valley, a UNESCO site filled with clusters of perfectly temples and ancient constructions, such as the statues and the palace. The group then meandered into a shop which followed the ancient tradition of making singing bowls, which are used for ritual healing, religion, and meditation in places such as Tibet, China, and Japan.
The next stop was the "monkey temple", named (somewhat unoriginally) so by tourists, due to the large population of monkeys there. It is a massive Buddhist temple perched on the top of a cliff, surrounded on all sides by mountains and mist, and made for some fantastic photos. The bus ride was a long but entertaining wind up though the hills, cumulating in our arrival at the farmhouse, a quiet, peaceful little haven high enough to see for kilometers in every direction. Aside from a little drama over an oversized arachnid, the unpacking and settling in went quite smoothly, and was followed by a lovely fireside guitar session and a traditional Nepali dinner. Tomorrow, the lessons start!
Namaste
Another lovely day in Nepal! Today's highlights were many and varied, as were the places we visited. The first thing in the proverbial list was Patan; one of the former Kingdoms of Kathmandu valley, a UNESCO site filled with clusters of perfectly temples and ancient constructions, such as the statues and the palace. The group then meandered into a shop which followed the ancient tradition of making singing bowls, which are used for ritual healing, religion, and meditation in places such as Tibet, China, and Japan.
The next stop was the "monkey temple", named (somewhat unoriginally) so by tourists, due to the large population of monkeys there. It is a massive Buddhist temple perched on the top of a cliff, surrounded on all sides by mountains and mist, and made for some fantastic photos. The bus ride was a long but entertaining wind up though the hills, cumulating in our arrival at the farmhouse, a quiet, peaceful little haven high enough to see for kilometers in every direction. Aside from a little drama over an oversized arachnid, the unpacking and settling in went quite smoothly, and was followed by a lovely fireside guitar session and a traditional Nepali dinner. Tomorrow, the lessons start!
Namaste
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Day One - Travel and Settling In
Hey everyone,
Well, it's been a long, tiring, silly and ultimately rewarding day-and-a-half. The travel and transit could not have gone better; there were no forgotten passports, documents, or money, and the plane rides were (relatively) quick and easy.
Kathmandu is a fascinating city, full of quirks and contrasts. On one hand, poverty is evident, with rundown houses and bikes everywhere. On the other, all the locals seem cheery and good-natured, and the level of sheer cultural intensity already is quite astounding.
Aside from (finally!) arriving at the hotel, today's highlight was indubitably the Buddhist temple, a massive white dome structure crenelated with strings of bright prayer flags, grinning depictions of painted faces, and a tiered bronze roof.
Tomorrow we set off for the farm in Nagarkot, the village where we will be teaching the children, which is about two hours away. Everyone is prepped and ready to start their teaching courses, which will hopefully go as flawlessly as the travel!
Namaste
Well, it's been a long, tiring, silly and ultimately rewarding day-and-a-half. The travel and transit could not have gone better; there were no forgotten passports, documents, or money, and the plane rides were (relatively) quick and easy.
Kathmandu is a fascinating city, full of quirks and contrasts. On one hand, poverty is evident, with rundown houses and bikes everywhere. On the other, all the locals seem cheery and good-natured, and the level of sheer cultural intensity already is quite astounding.
Aside from (finally!) arriving at the hotel, today's highlight was indubitably the Buddhist temple, a massive white dome structure crenelated with strings of bright prayer flags, grinning depictions of painted faces, and a tiered bronze roof.
Tomorrow we set off for the farm in Nagarkot, the village where we will be teaching the children, which is about two hours away. Everyone is prepped and ready to start their teaching courses, which will hopefully go as flawlessly as the travel!
Namaste
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Don't Miss A Post!
Hey everyone,
I'm sure we're all very excited and ready for the big trip. The flight is in just a few hours, so I'm positive the goodbyes and well-wishing have already begun!
For those who don't know, this is a blog on which information about the grand class adventure will be posted, such as daily (or as close to as possible) updates, important goings-on, and maybe even a photo or two! (Video is unlikely, but post-trip some links might appear for media recorded previously)
The 'email' bar above allows you to subscribe to the blog, alerting you whenever posts go up. This is a PUBLIC blog; no logging in required, to those who have asked me. You could of course simply check the blog every now and then if you don't want to give out your email, but either way, don't miss a post!
The blog is still in a rough 'beta', meaning that small issues are being sorted out, so feel free to leave comments on anything wrong, missing, or that you feel should be included. The same goes for questions, ideas, or pretty much anything else; just comment below!
Namaste
I'm sure we're all very excited and ready for the big trip. The flight is in just a few hours, so I'm positive the goodbyes and well-wishing have already begun!
For those who don't know, this is a blog on which information about the grand class adventure will be posted, such as daily (or as close to as possible) updates, important goings-on, and maybe even a photo or two! (Video is unlikely, but post-trip some links might appear for media recorded previously)
The 'email' bar above allows you to subscribe to the blog, alerting you whenever posts go up. This is a PUBLIC blog; no logging in required, to those who have asked me. You could of course simply check the blog every now and then if you don't want to give out your email, but either way, don't miss a post!
The blog is still in a rough 'beta', meaning that small issues are being sorted out, so feel free to leave comments on anything wrong, missing, or that you feel should be included. The same goes for questions, ideas, or pretty much anything else; just comment below!
Namaste
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