Picture upload worked! A sampling of sights for you to the right. If you click on the photo box, you can see and click through the whole album on Picasa.
See you soon :)
Friday, October 15, 2010
The looong trip home begins...
Hi Everyone!
I am sitting at the Kathmandu airport at the start of my 30-some odd hour trip home. First time I have been alone in a long time :) The trip has been amazing, lots to process and reflect on...
I did want to tell you about the post from the last day of the build. The picture with me and our family was taken just after the house dedication ceremony. Let me introduce you: Ram Bahadur Thapa (45), Dad, retired military and now does social work in the village; Ram Maya (30), Mom; Roshani, Daughter (13); and Raji (10) our mischievous boy! Ram's mother, Guri (75), also lives with them but she traveled to her sister's house in a nearby village after she greeted us on day #1... it was pretty hectic at the house! They were amazing people and an absolutely beautiful family as you can tell. Getting to know them was hands down the highlight of the trip. My friend Sangeeta (who you already met) speaks fluent Hindi, which is quite similar to Nepali, so she was able to translate. Being able to understand and really talk to the family was amazing. Sangeeta really enhanced how the special the trip was for me and many others!
Ram, Ram Maya, and Bisnu (Ram's sister) were super funny and fun-loving. We had a bit of a running joke about the regular habitat loud speaker announcements which all started with "attention please"... The three of them would say "attention please, attention please" in english regularly as if to poke fun at the announcements which we all appreciated so much! One more reminder to drink lots of water could have put any one of us over the edge!
To be there with them and help build their new house, where they will be a family for years to come was a real gift. They were so gracious and thankful and hospitable. At the house dedication they expressed their appreciation and let us know that on our return to Nepal our first stop should be their house - no hotels, no restaurants... we would stay with them, in their home as part of their family. They said they would never forget us.
To see a family, just like others I know and love, but in a totally different culture and setting was so eye opening. I was surprised at how many more similarities there were than differences... Raji getting the stink eye from his Dad on the first day for not saying "Namaste" back to us (and him saying with attitude, "I already did, jeeze!"), Maya telling us that even though she got married when she was 15, that she has worked too hard raising her daughter to let her go anytime soon, the quiet respect and love between Ram and Ram Maya and their respective roles in the household... the list goes on.
One afternoon, Ram asked me if I was married and when I said yes, he asked me why my husband wasn't with me. I (with Sangeeta's help) explained that Rich is not a big traveler although I would have loved for him to have been able to meet Ram and his family. Ram's response was that he also wished he got to meet Rich and said that whenever he is ready to make the trip, he and his family will be ready to welcome us to Nepal and their home. It was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. I thought his sentiment and understanding was really special and something I will always remember.
Unfortunately, we didn't finish the house. We made huge progress, but it was really hard to leave knowing that it wasn't done. I am not 100% sure what the next steps are to get it finished, aside from the family plugging away - which I know they will. I am planning to send a care package to them when I get back to the states. We all got a copy of their village address and they thought the post would get to them ok. Looking forward to checking in from time to time.
I have about another hour and a half until my flight so I am going to try to upload some more pictures... we'll see if it works! If not, I will get all my pics posted over the weekend for your viewing pleasure.
My love to you all,
sar.
I am sitting at the Kathmandu airport at the start of my 30-some odd hour trip home. First time I have been alone in a long time :) The trip has been amazing, lots to process and reflect on...
I did want to tell you about the post from the last day of the build. The picture with me and our family was taken just after the house dedication ceremony. Let me introduce you: Ram Bahadur Thapa (45), Dad, retired military and now does social work in the village; Ram Maya (30), Mom; Roshani, Daughter (13); and Raji (10) our mischievous boy! Ram's mother, Guri (75), also lives with them but she traveled to her sister's house in a nearby village after she greeted us on day #1... it was pretty hectic at the house! They were amazing people and an absolutely beautiful family as you can tell. Getting to know them was hands down the highlight of the trip. My friend Sangeeta (who you already met) speaks fluent Hindi, which is quite similar to Nepali, so she was able to translate. Being able to understand and really talk to the family was amazing. Sangeeta really enhanced how the special the trip was for me and many others!
Ram, Ram Maya, and Bisnu (Ram's sister) were super funny and fun-loving. We had a bit of a running joke about the regular habitat loud speaker announcements which all started with "attention please"... The three of them would say "attention please, attention please" in english regularly as if to poke fun at the announcements which we all appreciated so much! One more reminder to drink lots of water could have put any one of us over the edge!
To be there with them and help build their new house, where they will be a family for years to come was a real gift. They were so gracious and thankful and hospitable. At the house dedication they expressed their appreciation and let us know that on our return to Nepal our first stop should be their house - no hotels, no restaurants... we would stay with them, in their home as part of their family. They said they would never forget us.
To see a family, just like others I know and love, but in a totally different culture and setting was so eye opening. I was surprised at how many more similarities there were than differences... Raji getting the stink eye from his Dad on the first day for not saying "Namaste" back to us (and him saying with attitude, "I already did, jeeze!"), Maya telling us that even though she got married when she was 15, that she has worked too hard raising her daughter to let her go anytime soon, the quiet respect and love between Ram and Ram Maya and their respective roles in the household... the list goes on.
One afternoon, Ram asked me if I was married and when I said yes, he asked me why my husband wasn't with me. I (with Sangeeta's help) explained that Rich is not a big traveler although I would have loved for him to have been able to meet Ram and his family. Ram's response was that he also wished he got to meet Rich and said that whenever he is ready to make the trip, he and his family will be ready to welcome us to Nepal and their home. It was one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. I thought his sentiment and understanding was really special and something I will always remember.
Unfortunately, we didn't finish the house. We made huge progress, but it was really hard to leave knowing that it wasn't done. I am not 100% sure what the next steps are to get it finished, aside from the family plugging away - which I know they will. I am planning to send a care package to them when I get back to the states. We all got a copy of their village address and they thought the post would get to them ok. Looking forward to checking in from time to time.
I have about another hour and a half until my flight so I am going to try to upload some more pictures... we'll see if it works! If not, I will get all my pics posted over the weekend for your viewing pleasure.
My love to you all,
sar.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
First team friend!
Cindy lives in Vancouver, BC.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Two times farther than ever before...
Morning from Hazy Bangkok!
Yes, it is morning here, 8:04 a.m. to be exact. Got in about an hour and a half ago. The 17 hours from LA to Thailand could have just as easily been one hour... it was a total time vacuum. Slept pretty good, I think, but would wake up with no concept of how long I'd been asleep - strange feeling.
I was thinking as the plane was descending that when we landed, I would easily be twice as far away from home than I have ever been in my 32 years... kind of a crazy thought. In case you are wondering specifically how far Bangkok is from New England, it is inside the full stretch of my pinkie and thumb on the map (as if I was making the "hang loose" sign - which, come to think of it, is a far under used hand gesture!) So bottom line, I am really not THAT far away right now as I type, just a day and a half or so.
By the way, I have beat you all to October... wait 'til you get here... really great this year :)
Next flight boards in a little over an hour and then less than 4 hours separates me and Kathmandu!
Have a good sleep :)
sar.
Yes, it is morning here, 8:04 a.m. to be exact. Got in about an hour and a half ago. The 17 hours from LA to Thailand could have just as easily been one hour... it was a total time vacuum. Slept pretty good, I think, but would wake up with no concept of how long I'd been asleep - strange feeling.
I was thinking as the plane was descending that when we landed, I would easily be twice as far away from home than I have ever been in my 32 years... kind of a crazy thought. In case you are wondering specifically how far Bangkok is from New England, it is inside the full stretch of my pinkie and thumb on the map (as if I was making the "hang loose" sign - which, come to think of it, is a far under used hand gesture!) So bottom line, I am really not THAT far away right now as I type, just a day and a half or so.
By the way, I have beat you all to October... wait 'til you get here... really great this year :)
Next flight boards in a little over an hour and then less than 4 hours separates me and Kathmandu!
Have a good sleep :)
sar.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Beautiful day in bean town
My route is Boston to LA (6 h) - LA to Bangkok (17 h YIKES!) - Bangkok to Kathmandu (4 h). Arrive in Nepal at noon on 10/1.
Thanks for all the well-wishes. Miss everyone already, not even out of MA yet :)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Welcome to Nepal 2010 - whoop, whoop! (a.k.a. the "Sarah Blog-Chin-Ski")
Hi Family and Friends!
Welcome to my first-ever blog! For those of you who know my stance on social media (serious non-adaptor), this blog may seem like a pretty big leap forward... which, I agree, it is! When I recently shared that I was considering keeping a journal of my upcoming adventure in Nepal, I was encouraged to join the 21st century and "blog-it". All the credit for the cutting edge idea goes to two of my favorite colleagues, Maria & Mary Jane - THANKS!
Many of you have asked me what prompted this trip and why on earth would I be going so far away when there are plentiful volunteer opportunities closer to home. The answer to both questions is wholly selfish: I set a goal for myself earlier this year to expand my horizons (literally). I realized that my "global perspective" was lacking. The volunteer piece came into play because I also realized that as luckily Rich and I are for all we have, I haven't done even a moderately good job at giving back. Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program (HfH, from here on out) was particularly attractive because I could satisfy both my goals! Who doesn't love that kind of efficiency!
For those interested in learning a bit more about HfH and the 2010 Nepal/Everest Build specifically, check out the previous posts.
My plan is to post at least once a day while I am away (29 Sept - 16 Oct). Here's to hoping that any of my beep-bop-boop gadgets work 7,500 miles away from home :) I have figured out how to get posts up using a few different methods, so hopefully at least one will work!
I hope it will be fun reading for you, and for me, I am sure it will feel like you've come along for the adventure!
My love and thanks,
sar.
p.s. I love to write but am the world's worst speller... no editing allowed, please and thank you!
Welcome to my first-ever blog! For those of you who know my stance on social media (serious non-adaptor), this blog may seem like a pretty big leap forward... which, I agree, it is! When I recently shared that I was considering keeping a journal of my upcoming adventure in Nepal, I was encouraged to join the 21st century and "blog-it". All the credit for the cutting edge idea goes to two of my favorite colleagues, Maria & Mary Jane - THANKS!
Many of you have asked me what prompted this trip and why on earth would I be going so far away when there are plentiful volunteer opportunities closer to home. The answer to both questions is wholly selfish: I set a goal for myself earlier this year to expand my horizons (literally). I realized that my "global perspective" was lacking. The volunteer piece came into play because I also realized that as luckily Rich and I are for all we have, I haven't done even a moderately good job at giving back. Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program (HfH, from here on out) was particularly attractive because I could satisfy both my goals! Who doesn't love that kind of efficiency!
For those interested in learning a bit more about HfH and the 2010 Nepal/Everest Build specifically, check out the previous posts.
My plan is to post at least once a day while I am away (29 Sept - 16 Oct). Here's to hoping that any of my beep-bop-boop gadgets work 7,500 miles away from home :) I have figured out how to get posts up using a few different methods, so hopefully at least one will work!
I hope it will be fun reading for you, and for me, I am sure it will feel like you've come along for the adventure!
My love and thanks,
sar.
p.s. I love to write but am the world's worst speller... no editing allowed, please and thank you!
Global Adventure Packing 101
Q: What about the trip is making me most nervous (right this second)?
A: Packing... do I have the right stuff?!?
A: Packing... do I have the right stuff?!?
Considering I have made about a dozen trips to CVS, procured a sample of every "wicking" fabric known to man, and have my very own tool belt... one has got to believe I am ready! Something tells me I'll survive either way.
 |
| Everything under the sun |
 |
| All bagged up |
 |
| Tool Donation (50 lbs. worth!) |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
About Habitat for Humanity - Global Village
What is Habitat for Humanity International?
- A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
- We seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
- To accomplish these goals, we invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
- Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda.
- Today, we have built over 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
How does it work?
- Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent housing alongside our homeowner (partner) families.
- Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
- Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
- The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses
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