Konichiwa! The beginning of a year in Japan :)

So if we're being honest here, I would MAYBE have to say that my first day here in Japan was a bit of a culture shock.  I guess I'm not really sure why...maybe it's because BARELY anything here is in English.  Maybe it's because I had no clue what any of the food was in the supermarket and I almost bought dog food....until I realized I was in the pet section. Maybe it's because I can't even understand the washer/dryer, ac remote, or tv because they are all in Japanese!  Not to mention trying to figure out public transportation in only one of the biggest cities in the world. But not to worry, the culture shock quickly subsided after I was cured by the wide selection of sushi and Japanese beer.  :)

The washing machine....yeh not sure...

The most technological toilet ever...and my first heated toilet seat...pretty nice.  :)

So here are a few fast facts about Japan...
Vending machines on the streets are as common as the arcades and casinos here.  Which means they have a SH%T ton of both literally on almost every corner! And the vending machines here sell everything from juice, soda, beer to even cigarettes.  The Japanese are also crazy for arcades...It must be a law that every city has to have an arcade or casino because so far that seems to be the case.

Line to get into the arcade on a Saturday morning before 9am

Shinjuku, Tokyo

 I think that it goes without saying that there is so much to see in Tokyo.  I'm pretty sure the entire day my head was spinning in all different directions trying to take everything in. I'm surprised I didn't get lost and I somehow survived all the train and metro lines...basically by pointing to a destination on my map and being told which platform to run to from there. :)

Meiji Shrine, Sake barrels

Personal prayers from all over the world :)

One of my favorites :)

One of the little neighborhoods I explored was quite different to say the least.  I seriously felt like I was in a fun park or something...the shops and stores all seemed JUST a LITTLE different.  But I'll leave that for you to decide...

Fun land?  No, just a normal crepe shop

I'm still not really sure what was going on here

The shrines and parks all over Tokyo are amazing.  Just by being here you can tell this country is rich in it's ancient traditions.  And it's beautiful.  :)

Japanese traditional garden

Japanese wedding I was lucky enough to see :)

Just a typical stranger wanting to take a picture :)

 I'm not sure if any of you have seen the movie Hachiko...if you haven't, you definitely should! The Japanese made a statue of the dog in remembrance of him and it is now in the center of Tokyo.  :)

Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko statue

Until next time!

Vipassana Meditation in the Philippines!

I’m really not quite sure where to begin after I somehow managed to survive an 11 night/10 day Vipassana meditation course. You're probably wondering what that even is...WELL, let me tell you.  :)  For the entire 10 days you are to observe noble silence.  And what exactly does that mean?  ABSOLUTELY no talking, no eye contact, and no gestures/physical contact towards anyone else.  Not only that, you are not allowed to use computers, phones, books, or to write.  The wake up bell goes off at 4am (I grew to dread that bell), AND to top it off, there is absolutely no exercising AND no dinner!  For "dinner" you get a piece of fruit and tea.  Mind you, the bananas here in Asia are extra small.  They are literally Chiquita bananas.  Let's just say that I had quite a few cups of tea and coffee to fill me up.   

Literally meditated for 10 hours everyday

 

Although we shared a table together, we enjoyed all of our meals in silence  :)

 

 Our living conditions weren't really much to write home about either.  I shared a container with 13 other girls and there were hospital like curtains to separate the beds. But since none of us could talk it actually wasn't too bad...it was so quiet there were times I thought I was actually in there alone.  Oh and I also wasn't prepared for 10 days worth of bucket showers.  I thought I had somehow escaped those but I guess not.  :) 

Mandy and I in our "living area"

 

The container we slept in

So here are a few things that happen when you're sharing your living area with others and aren't able to communicate...

On the first night there was a tarantula type spider on the bathroom mirror…I saw it but couldn't tell the next person coming into the bathroom to watch out for it…I just silently wished them luck.We also took a vow not to kill anything during the course...including spiders...so the lucky little thing got to live.

After accidentally slamming the door literally on someone's face, you can't say sorry or even make eye contact to apologize or see if they have a bruise.  Oh well I guess.  :)

One of the poor girls also didn't realize that there were specific sandals to use while in the bathroom since it was so gross.  For the entire course, she was going in barefoot.  Seriously, pretty disgusting and no one could tell her that she could use the sandals.  Needless to say, I felt pretty bad for her once she found out she could have used them. :)

Not happy after finding out about the bathroom sandals

The 2 Americans with the Filipinos :)

In regards to the meditation, it was definitely a challenge that's for dang sure.

There was no where to turn to and no one to go to except 4 ur own mind.  I mean LITERALLY, there was nothing else except your mind. And after sometime you really do start to lose it.  But what to do? Want to work out?  Can’t. Want to go for a walk? Can’t.  Go out for dinner?  Can’t.   This is definitely not the right place to lose ur mind….it’s LITERALLY the only thing you have. 

 You can tell sometimes we just didn’t know what to do with ourselves.  I often times saw others playing with ants and really just doing the weirdest things to keep themselves busy.  I’m also pretty sure we all brushed r teeth at least 4-5 times/day. I mean, why not?

I also started to find myself cracking up at some pretty ridiculous things.  One day I saw a mini banana in the toaster oven and thought it was the most hysterical thing ever.  I mean, really?  Not that funny...

After being split up from the guys for the entire 10 days, we were finally reunited.  :)

Over the course of the 10 days, I spent over 100 hours observing my breath and the sensations in my body.  I could easily write a book about it.  But I won’t bcuz that would be boring.  :)

To sum it up, the course was hard as hek.  But SUPER insightful after somehow surviving it.  And if you're wondering, right when I got back to the city I went out for a few beers...of course.  :)

A couple of the girls and I celebrating with a massage...along with the 25,000 workers they had there.  :)

A Taste of Sri Lanka

Traveling the lovely little island of Sri Lanka has been WAY more relaxing than we were planning.  I was honestly expecting a bunch of chaos and mayhem, but in reality it's such a laid back chilled out country.  That being said, the buses and trains were STILL hot and crowded...but yet in the midst of all the people...the Sri Lankans STILL offered US seats...out of all the people on the bus...not sure why but they always seemed to find us. The train and bus stations have been surprisingly organized...and the cost of transportation is ridiculously cheap here...for a 2 hour train ride you're looking at about $.50 cents....i guess that means only one thing...more beer money. :)

Not sure how the hek these guys hang on...

one of our lovely little local buses :)  aka how is this thing still running?

Enjoying our first Lion Lager :)

The beaches have of course been amazing...even with some crazy heat waves and having to watch out for the snake men on the beach.  I mean there's nothing better than trying to relax in the sun and opening up your eyes to a freaking ginormous snake in ur face!  Ummmmm no thank you?

seriously?

Arugam Bay

We did a Safari in Uda Walawe National Park one afternoon... saw a TON  of elephants and a few other animals...but I'm pretty sure my faves were the little babies.  :)

One of our excursions was hiking to this place called Ella Rock.  We weren't given many directions except to follow the train tracks, take a left and hike up the rock. Oh yeh and to of course watch out for the trains in case they are passing by while we are on the tracks...Perfect.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Well, turns out we had absolutely no clue where we were going and it wasn't until we ended up in this local man's backyard that he finally decided to lead us on r hike (pretty sure bcuz he was sick of watching us take every wrong turn possible).  He didn't speak much English but thank God knew the way...after what was not the easiest hike of our lives and following a local man in a skirt and flip flops, while of course smoking....we made it.  Without any leeches...which was also a huge bonus. :)

Trekking on the tracks :) ...And praying a train doesn't come...

our "guide"

FINALLY

If you like tea, come to Sri Lanka.  They are known for their tea and have some pretty exceptional tea factories here....cool story hey?  :)

Tea plantation :)

The people of Sri Lanka have been awesome, along with the outstanding curries, and super cool train rides.  :)  Oh and the Lion Lager beer, sunrises and sunsets of course...

sunset over Kandy lake  :)

Until Next Time Nepal....

Here's to summing up BY FAR one of my favorite countries yet...

After living in Nepal for the past 5 months, I have learned 2 appreciate (and LOVE) cold showers.  Sometimes even 4 per day (what can I say, it was quite hot).  My new favorite food is definitely momos...which is the unofficial national dish here in Nepal. I can get a plate of 10 momos, which is definitely a full meal, for only $.50 cents.  Since I've also been having daal bhat (rice and lentil soup) for both lunch and dinner everyday for the last billion days, I do have to say I might be ready for a new diet.  :)

Momos from a great place in Patan

Many things that have become the new normal...cows roaming the streets, crowded hot buses, passing corn on the cob vendors everyday, paying $.90 for a full season of Modern Family and $.25 cents for an egg omelet.  Walking up to a street stall pharmacy and getting prescription medication (without a prescription of course) for $1 is not unusual either.

My last day at school the kids had a fancy dress competition.  They practiced for a over a week and it could not have been a better last day.  It was beyond the cutest thing OF MY LIFE.

A Princess

Nepali Babu

My class 2 boys :)

Last day with all the kiddos

To the temples, the Himalayas, the meditation courses, the children, and the people of Nepal, this country is a diamond in the rocks.  I am so extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to discover this beautiful country and it's people and could never have imagined this experience to be as amazing as it was.  I'll have no choice but to come back.  Oh Darn. :)

Temples of Patan

Kopan Meditation Class

View from Poon Hill

My Amazing Nepalese Family :)

A final few words from my Nepali grandpa....."We have the best of times, not the worst of times"  in regards to our conversations...which could not have been more true...considering we talked about everything from philosophy to religion and all of his amazing life experiences.
His ancestors told him "Dont be a beggar, be a giver."  Pretty sure he nailed that one along with all the other hundreds of thousands of Nepalis. :)



An African proverb I somehow just stumbled upon says "Every time an old man dies, it is as if a library has burned down."Let's hope THIS library doesn't burn down for awhile so I can come back to pay him another visit. :)

Nepali Family Life

Living with a Nepali family these past 4 months has been the best thing EVER.  My roommates consisted of my 96 year old Nepali grandpa, his son, and the two girls that do their cooking and cleaning.  Oh and how could I forget Uttum the dog. When I asked the gramps what kind of dog Uttum was, he said "A local kind."  :)

The fam :)

Me and my favorite dog :)

 The majority of my time in the house was spent with the gramps.  He's 96, but is still sharp as hell and can speak fluent English.  He is FULL of life experience and I've been blessed to have had the opportunity to hear all his wisdom he has to share.  He goes to work everyday where he grows many indigenous plants and flowers..especially rare orchids.  One day I came home to him chopping wood for his orchids.  He LITERALLY was sitting on this stoop for over 3 hours chopping away.  :)

Still workin hard

Here are just a few things to give you a picture of how amazing my gramps here is....

He doesn't drink beer and will only have an omelet made from the egg whites.   He is still watching his figure.  But yet it's ok for me to drink beer and have an omelet with egg yolks....

One night he spent about 25 minutes explaining to me how important it is to save the steam when cooking and to not waste it. So if you find yourself in the kitchen anytime soon and boiling vegetables or anything of that sort, use that extra steam wisely!

Another night he asked me if I knew the exact formula for making soap.  He says he's been trying to figure it out because there are so many raw materials here and that he could find jobs for many of the unemployed guys here.  So if ur wondering what the thoughts of a 96 year old Nepali man are...there they are.  How to make soap and employ a bunch of people.  :)

Over and over again he also tells me to "Live your life so you have no regrets."  His only regret to this day is that he never tried the meat of the tiger or bear.  Those are his ONLY regrets!

Since there is rarely power here in Nepal, which means no TV, the gramps and I spend plenty of time talking together every night.  Every night I come down to hang out with him for about 45 minutes before dinner.... and EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, he has a cup of brandy waiting for me..usually along with a little bowl of peanuts or some other Nepali treat.  :)

Chatting it up before dinner in his room...our usual spot :)

In front of my house :)

 Almost everyday before school and before bed he "Wishes me all the best."  Probably the cutest little line I have ever heard in my life.

My life here could not be more simple and beautiful.  :)

Handprints

So again, being the nice teacher that I am....I decided on doing another project...but this time for the whole school.  Lucky for the kids, this time around it didn't take much work on their part, got them out of class for a bit, and also involved a fun little mess with kerosene.  Apparently kerosene is good for getting off paint...so after the kids put their hands on the wall, they then dipped their hands into some petrol.  Needless to say there was paint and petrol EVERYWHERE.  Thank God no one lit a match.  Here are some pics of our fun little project.  :)

Class 5 waiting their turn

First Handprint on the wall goes to Prashish :)

Nysa - Class 6

Class 3 girls

Iksaa and I doing some writing :)

Final Outcome with hand prints from grades 1-10 and of course a few teachers :)

First two handprints

Watching the soccer tourney :)

Our lovely little school :)

 The kids loved the project...I think it's because they got to get paint all over themselves.  And the Friday fun day continued with a continuation of their "World Cup" soccer tournament.  :)