Sitting in my room at 430AM

So I arrived in Kathmandu safe and sound yesterday, May 31st. The plane arrived around 1pm, then it took about 45 minutes to get a visa, (100 dollars! yeesh!) find my bags and get thru customs. Then the fun began.

First you get off the plane, and onto a bus. Everyone is packed into the shuttle, which drives about 40 feet to the terminal entrance. I believe they don't let passengers just walk over for safety and security reasons. After you get into the terminal, you walk thru a somewhat winding hallway to the main arrival area. Just a large open room with multiple queues, depending on whether you are native or foreign. If you haven't already arranged a visa, you run over to an ever growing line of foreign travelers and wait to be scrutinized. I didn't have any trouble, but a young guy a few people in front of me had to answer lots of questions about his previous visits to Nepal. After you are approved you head downstairs to collect your luggage. First your carry ons go thru the xray, then you can find your checked baggage (I hadn't seen mine since I left Saint John and was worried it may have gotten waylaid on the many connections I took. No worries, it was waiting on the belt for me). However, what usually happens is that a porter approaches you, grabs your bags andthrows them on a trolley, leads you to the exit and helps you find your ride/taxi/bus. Then they ask for a tip. I only had 2, 1 dollar bills, the rest were tens and up. The porter suggested 5, but I didn't have it! So he got 2.

Now I knew someone would be waiting for me with a sign, but they were no where to be seen. Instead, a huge crowd of drivers and hostel/hotel representatives calling for you to come with them, they will take you to whatever hostel/hotel/guest house they get paid to refer people to. There are also more unofficial porters who try to help you and expect more tips.

My ride was a fwe minutes late, so I ended up with an entourage of guys trying to figure out what hostel was waiting for me. Talk about unnerving! One 'gentlemen' asked me if I had a number for my contact. I did of course, and he called and spoke to Krishna, who informed him I was supposed to be going to the Kathmandu Peace Guest House.

So I was wary. I mean, I had read about drivers who will just take you to a different hostel because they get paid to bring them guests. I couldn't understand what he said on the phone, because he was speaking in Nepalese. However, we walked down past the airport to a loading area and found the hostel's van, and the driver DID have a sign with my name.

Of course, the gentleman helping me expected a tip. I was't giving him 10 bucks, so instead offered the British Pound and 10 pence I had left from the Heathrow airport. He asked for paper money, I told him it was the pound or nothing. He took it, then the drivers from the hostel helped me load my luggage and situated me in the van. There were still other volunteers to find (for a different organization, they won't be traveling with me tomorrow).

Once we were all present and accounted for, we were off! Driving in Kathmandu is insane. There are no traffic lights, or if there are, no one pays attention. There are cars, vans, trucks, motorbikes everywhere! Not to mention pedestrians, stray dogs and cows (yes, cows) wandering everywhere. (Cows are sacred in the Hindu faith, which makes up the majority of Nepal citizens).

As we left the airport lot, a van collided with ours, nothing serious, no damage, but the difference between here and home is amazing. At home, even the smallest collision requires a call to the police to document the accident. Here, the drivers stuck their heads out the window, checked for damage and drove on. On into the crush of vehicles, thru potholed, dirty streets, down narrow, winding roads until we arrived at the hostel. Honestly, it is kind of a dumpy place, but the guys working here are so friendly. And I have a private room and bathroom, including a western style toilet! Still living in luxury.

I and the other passengers checked in and got our room assignments as well as information from our volunteer organizations. Mine was that I would be on a bus by 7AM to drive the 6 hours to Pokhara, where Krishna will be waiting to meet me. That meant I have to be ready to leave by 615AM. It is now 4:45AM here. I think thats around 8 oclock PM back home, Friday night. (It is Saturday here). I was given my bus ticket and shown my room.

And you know what was nice? Having a shower. I turned on the hot dial, only cool water came out. But the weather was a little  humid and I had been sweaty and overheated ever since arriving in Bangkok earlier that morning, and the cool water was amazing. I was washing my hair and the water started to warm up, just enough to finish the shower feeling clean and refreshed.

I changed then went in search of fluids. The on site restaurant only served Pepsi, but I was craving sugar and caffeine so I bought one and a bottle of water. Back up to my room, I reorganized my luggage, emptying my carry on purse and repacking my suitcase so that I would only have 2 pieces for the next leg of the journey. My suitcase is now even heavier, but I have my backpack with my important things and the big empty purse is now packed into the suitcase. Just trying to streamline everything.

I did some internet updating, emailed friends and family, did some exercises with my backpack as a weight (can't slack off on the getting fit just because I am on 'vacation') and then climbed into bed. It was only 5PM when I went to sleep for the first time, my headphones on to drown out the noise of the city bustling around us, one of my slouchy hats pulled down over my eyes to block out  the sun, and a couple Tylenol PM's to help my achy muscles and let me sleep.

I slept a couple hours, woke up, watched some videos on my computer and tried to go to sleep again. I woke up at 3AM, unable to sleep any longer. So I am updating, chatting with friends, and waiting. Waiting to  catch the bus to my home for the next 4 weeks.

I am anxious and excited and worried all at once.

Thanks everyone for all your input and well wishes, I am already feeling slightly homesick (just for my kitty and the ability to speak to anyone without really worrying about language differences,) but I am not going to let it get to me. I am throwing myself into this whole experience.

Namaste, friends. 

An update from Bangkok

Namaste friends,

I am right now sitting in the Suvarnabhumi airport waiting for the final leg of my flights to Kathmandu. Oh glory I am exhausted. I left Saint John at 7:30 on Wednesday night, and will arrive in Nepal around 1am Atlantic time on Friday morning. Although it is already Friday morning here.

Everything has gone smoothly so far. Security hasn't been a problem, but I'm not smuggling anything and I am a polite, honest Canadian. Air Canada breakfast was pretty good, and the Thai Gardens meals (two meals and a snack on the overnight flight from London) were just absolutely amazing! Who knew airline food could taste so good!

One problem I have encountered is my non-ability to sleep when I need to. I've been up since Wednesday morning around 730AM. I slept about 30 minutes between Halifax and London, and maybe 2 1/2 hours (not in one spell but in short naps) on the flight from London to Bangkok. Now, I have another hour or so before my final connection leaves. That flight is supposed to be 2 hours long, then I have to find my baggage, pay for my tourist visa and find my contact from Alliance Nepal. Someone will be waiting at the airport holding a sign with my name on it. Just like the movies! Lol. After that I am putting myself in their hands- they will have somewhere for me to stay. I just hope I get to recover before they start giving me a tour or training! My brain can't handle much more.

Some memorable things I will expand on later:

Canadian travelers have been super friendly. Seems like when I'm in line and talking to a stranger of anglo descent, the chatty ones turn out to be Canadian! I also sat beside a really nice retired teacher from Sydney, NS on my way to London. She told me about her travel plans and was excited when she heard what my upcoming adventure entailed.

Thai Gardens is an amazing provider of air travel. The seats are super comfortable, even in economy. They fed us some of the most delicious foods I've ever had while traveling, and the best beef rendang I've ever tasted. The flight attendants are extremely polite and, well, attentive. And they kept the drinks flowing. I've only flown domestically before this flight, and there are no free drinks on those trips. This trip, all I had to do was ask. And even then, they came and offered throughout the trip. Not just alcoholic drinks, but snacks and water and cola too. The only thing that would make the flight better would have been if I had fallen asleep.

I am not good at sleeping in a non-flat, less than conventional place. I don't need a bed, I could sleep on the floor with no issues. But I could not fall asleep for any restorative amount of time on the planes. And not for lack of trying. I tried zopiclone, alcohol, gravol, and all I got was drowsy. No real sleep. Damn me!

The next 2 months are going to be a hot mess. Of humidity. I mean. I stepped out of the plane into the walkway connecting us to the airport and was hit by a wall of humidity. At 6AM, when I arrived, it was already 28 celsius. I couldn't find a humidex rating but I assume it was way up there. And this is the type of weather I can expect during MONSOON SEASON in Nepal. Yes, I chose to come during monsoon.

Anyway, thats all for now. I am going down to my gate and think I'll watch a video until boarding time. Thank you everyone for all your support, your messages and likes and comments on facebook make me feel less homesick. Keep it up!

Until my next internet connection!

11 hours for 67 days

A little confusing? I'm just excited. I have 11 hours until my plane leaves. When my plane leaves, I'll be gone for 67 days. 67 days without my own bed, my own language, my own food, etc etc etc. No, I'm not whining. I'm quite enthusiastic to go. I don't mind missing out on my bed, on stretching my comfort zone. That's the point. To change me, my life.

And you don't get to change things without getting a little uncomfortable. Or a lot uncomfortable.

On Saturday (May 24th) my mother held a little get together to wish me luck at our nearby summer camp. It was a lot of fun, if not quite wet. It rained and rained, but still friends of the family stopped by to support me. Some even with donations! What a surprise. A very appreciated surprise.

So my suitcase is mostly packed (yes, I know it's getting late), I need to pack up my carry on and my large-ish purse. I am so last minute I am even waiting for the final load of laundry before I go. Why do I leave so much to the last minute?

I am so excited, and yet I am also scared. It seems natural, when embarking on something to very new to be nervous or scared. I just won't let that fear win. "Screw you, fear, I'm in charge here!" (I hear that in my best Liz Lemon voice). So even tho I have to force myself not to be snippy as the time for departure arrives, I am anxious in the best possible way. I just want to get this started!

I am going to miss everyone very much. I am sorry to the people I wanted to visit before I go, things just got crazy! I promise to update with pictures and adventures as often as possible. Leave comments here, message me on facebook, tweet me, or even email me at my school account (z5b46 followed by @unb.ca, don't want to leave a searchable email on here for the bots!)

Namaste,

Laura Gordon

And please, keep sharing my story! My gofundme page will still be accepting donations. Anything I don't use I will be donating to the Koseli School when I leave. You can also donate directly to them via their website.

Silence isn't a bad thing...

It has been a while since I have posted anything. I can make all kinds of excuses like I was busy getting ready to travel, busy working, busy taking care of our new kitten. I have been busy, but I don't want to make excuses. I should be better at updating in order to keep track of all the emotions I have about myself and my upcoming trip.

So no more excuses, I commit to not being lazy about my writing and creating posts more often. When I am away I want to write daily, even if I don't post immediately. I want to capture how I feel as I discover a new world, and hopefully, a newer, better me.

I mentioned work-I have been scheduled more than I was before. I am unsure if they are trying to be supportive and giving me more hours so I can save for the trip, or if it is just how hours and scheduling work. Whatever the reason, I appreciate the fact that I have been earning good cash to take with me. A relief, because some student loan issues have taken a bite out of my bank account! (Those guys can be complete jerks, and that is being polite.)

I have also been taking care of a new kitten. A few weeks ago I was going through the basement to my room when I heard some loud cries. Kitty cries. It didn't sound like my fatso cat Lebowski, a large, solid tabby cat. I worried it might be one of Mom's almost adult cats. It wasn't. Mom, Dad and I crowded around the tiny opening to the crawlspace under our dining room, only to see a tiny bundle of beige fur crawling around. Dad climbed in and grabbed the little beast, who was shivering and crying.

Immediately I was taking him over to our local pet store to find a bottle, some food and some advice. Everyone fell in love with him. He was so adorable. No, he IS so adorable. We found him some kitten formula and a bottle and I adopted him as my own.

 The day I found him...

But not for good. We already have 3 cats living with us, 2 of which HATE the 3rd and began hissing at the kitten as soon as they saw him. My dad, the one with a bit of common sense, put his foot down. Luckily, my older brother heard about our little discovery and offered to take him. This means I'll be able to visit my little man!

Because I competely fell in love with this beige kitty. Anyone who has known me for some time will remember my cat Trudeau, a wonderful, intelligent, loving beige cat who came to me when I needed someone to love and left way too soon. This kitten looks so much like him I started calling him Justin Trudeau, in a happy tribute.

I needed something to really give my love to, to focus on before I leave. My fat cat doesn't like as much overt attention. He likes to be petted and adored on his schedule, so it was fortuitous that I had this bundle of cuteness to take care of. Altho Lebowski adopted the kitten too.

 Fatso knows what it is like to be stray...

So I started feeding him, cleaning him, helping him poop (kittens need their mama's to make them go at first). Now he truly is my boy! He has been a surprising little thing, he started using the litter box on his own spontaneously, he has been growing non stop, and even likes dry kitty kibble! He dances around and plays and is the happiest kitten I have met.

And he loves to sleep on me. He is so adorable when he sleeps, but he chooses spots that mean I get stuck holding him while he does. Once he is sleeping deeply, tho, he pretty much stays whereever you put him down.

 He just flops wherever you lay him once he is asleep...

So thats most of what I've been doing, working, studying, preparing to teach and taking care of my little man. I am going to miss him, but when I return I'll still have my fat cat and I wil be able to drive to Moncton to see the (no longer an) orphan. And life is all about accepting the things that you cannot change. I just feel so lucky to have had him for the three weeks I did.

He has already grown up so much!

Forgiveness.

Sometimes I find myself re-approaching old habits without realizing it. One of those habits is losing myself in a negative spiral of self pity. I used to whine and complain and cry "oh, why me? Why doesn't anyone help me/love me/ stand by me". Which is actually quite idiotic of me, since so many people help, love and stand by me. The problem is when we forget that our worth has not to do with others, but instead is set by our own selves. A famous quote, "we accept the love we think we deserve" illustrates my point. We allow ourselves to be loved or cared for in a way we think we deserve. If we didn't think we deserved to be treated poorly or carelessly, we would leave these relationships. But so many of us do not. We allow ourselves to be mistreated by partners, family members, friends and co workers.

Let's no longer put up with it. Starting now, I challenge you to re examine what you think of yourself.  Look in the mirror and instead of sizing up your flaws, say three positive things about what you see. Then say three positive things about your personality or talents. Start by telling the biggest bully in most if our lives, ourselves, to knock it off and start acting with respect.

I found a quote today which seemed pretty relevant to my situation. I posted it on Facebook only to have a friend ask for advice about it- she was going through something similar.

If someone hurts you, abandons you, betrays you, it says nothing of your worth and everything about their character.

This doesn't mean that everyone who leaves you is bad, or that breakups mean one person is a horrible meanie and the other is a saint. What I take from it is that when you are not given the respect you deserve, that every one of us deserves, then it doesn't mean you are worthless. It reflects the character of the person who wasn't mature enough or honest enough or just plain good enough to act with respect.

After someone has wronged you, hurt you, broken your heart or your trust, forgiveness is difficult but a worthy skill to develop. I say skill, because it is A tricky thing. Forgiveness isn't about forgetting what was done to you and allowing those people who hurt you back into your life while handing them the ability to do it again. Mistrust is to be avoided, but caution welcomed. Encouraging a forgiving heart allows personal growth.

Compassion, forgiveness, these a the real, ultimate sources of power for peace and success in life. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The act of forgiving benefits you much more than the person seeking forgiveness. Quite often we do not want to let go of a wrong we suffer, whether large or slight, because we feel forgiving means we are letting the perpetrator get away with it. That we are in a way endorsing that behaviour. Holding on to resentment or sadness isn't just depressing, it ca have real, negative effects on your health. Imagine it like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Absurd, and unfounded. 

Holding onto resentment causes stress. Stress will mess up your body and its systems. I know when I was a full time student and faced with finals, three semesters in a row my hair fell out. No exaggeration, the week or so before finals I could find a loonie sized bald spot on the back of my head. The hair always grew back, but damn! It made me really self conscious. I also suffer from auto immune disorders which get worse when stressed. (So why am I attempting a stressful, crazy adventure? Why not? Can't live scared my whole life!) 

Stress can cause heart disease, sleep disorders, it has been linked to raised rates of obesity, it can exacerbate skin and digestive disorders, raise the incidence of depression, and complicate menstrual cycles. Just to name a few.

Forgiveness does not dismiss the past, but it does enlarge the future.-Paul Boese


Namaste, friends

Laura

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Educating Women

Growing up in Saint John, I was fortunate that I had a loving family, a stable home and a good education. It wasn't until I was an adult that I really felt like I was being treated differently because I was female; in my life, I hadn't ever experienced it.

Yet in many parts of the world, including our own progressive country of Canada, women are treated less than their male counterparts. In many developing countries, most in fact, girls work while boys are offered what little education opportunities may be available. And on the surface, it seems harmless. In truth, by keeping girls home and working, undereducated, the conditions and poverty of their lives are less likely to improve.

That is, if an effort is made to educate girls in developing countries, to promote education to women in our country as well as others, poverty can be greatly reduced. Fertility rates drop, girls have fewer but healthier babies. Coupled with this is a decrease in mortality rates for both mothers and their children. Women who are educated have smaller families but are able to offer the healthier futures.

Educating women reduces their risk of HIV transmission. Right now in parts of Africa, young adult women are the fastest growing group of new HIV infections. How frightening is that? Yet by educating women they are in greater control of their own bodies are have the knowledge to help prevent deadly STD transmission.

Girls who receive an extra year of primary school can expect up to 20% better wages than girls who do not. Adding an extra year of secondary school could add an additional 25% to that. Wage increases benefit the family and the community.

And of course, investing in the education of girls now is also an investment in the education of future generations. Women are more likely to share their knowledge with other women, their children, and others in their community.

One of the reasons I am so excited about helping at the Koseli school is that they actively try to recruit girls; if they find a family with boys and girls, they try to enroll the girl first. They want to take everyone possible, it when restricted, they make an effort to take the girl. Which I feel very strongly about.

Just a few thoughts on the power of educating women.

Namaste, friends

Laura

Please, don't forget to share! My blog and my gofundme page need your support! Thank you!

Hostel Shopping

Well, I lost my credit card, so I had to call my bank and have them cancel it and send me another. Which means I am prevented from booking my hostel accommodations. I am on my own to find somewhere to stay in Kathmandu. Alliance Nepal, an NGO based out of Pokhara will be handling my  arrival and roast 5 weeks, then I travel back to Kathmandu for the remaining 3 weeks at the Koseli school. I spend part of every day reading review after review of hostels in Kathmandu, and have a few requirements.

First is location. The school itself is in a part of Kathmandu called Tinkune, which has one affordable hostel. Only about 6 bucks Canadian a night. So I also have been spreading out, trying to stay within the Ring Road area (pretty much wraps around the centre of town and has a supposedly reliable transit system), without getting further than 5km away. A bus ride within 5km seems completely doable twice a day, and only costs about 20 cents each way. Even if I splurge a couple times, a taxi ride is only about 4 dollars CAD within this distance, so I can do it.

The second thing I am looking for is cleanliness. I don't expect Western standards, I can rough it. I just pay very close attention to what other guests have posted about beds (so scared of bedbugs) and the toilets. It is already going to be a culture shock, I would prefer to avoid hostels that reviewers specifically mention how disgusting the bathrooms are. I am avoiding a dorm room but sacrificing a private bath, so the state of the bathroom is very important.

The third is security. 3 weeks I will be assisting at Koseli, and I don't want to have to carry my netbook with me every day. So safety deposit boxes are a must. Also, I check for previous reviews from solo travellers, especially women, as to whether or not they felt safe.

So those are my main requirements as I search for my accomodations. I believe I will book by the week, instead of all three weeks at once. I mentioned there was be hostel in Tikune. It would be ideal, since it is only 5 minute WALK from Koseli, but one of the reviews mentioned the hstel was less than clean. Everywhere else I find that is affordable (read 10 dollars or less a night) are further away in the neighborhood of Thamel.

Thamel is the main tourist area in Kathmandu. It has so many hostels and guest houses and hotels, as well as restaurants, bars, shops, markets, trekking companies, etc. From Thamel you can plan your entire tour of Nepal. For me, Thamel means a transfer on the bus route, and a total of up to 45 minute travel. Not bad, sort of like how long it used to take me to bus to campus. But wouldn't you prefer to be 5 minutes from your main destination?

By booking by the week, I can "suffer" through the hostel in Tinkune should it be bad, and take Saturday to check out a couple hostels in Thamel. Should I be surprised and find the cheap and close hostel is actually great, I'll just extend my stay. Easy peasy. I hope.

I just can't do anything until the new card arrives. So I try to stay healthy, work hard, save my cash, and prepare. Only 40 days!

Namaste, friends.

Laura

Please, I know it gets annoying, but anytime you share my blog or my gofundme page, you help make a difference. Share often! Thank you!