Be the Change: Randomness of Nepal

Here is a quote from my 96 year old Nepali roommate….

“The people of Nepal are just happy go lucky people. They don’t have money but they are still happy. They eat, drink, and are merry.” As he laughs away, sipping on his brandy and eating rice and lentil soup.

A puja (ceremony) for his wife who passed away 2 years ago

Many offerings, incense and rituals for the puja

After spending my first 8 weeks here and getting to know the people, I couldn’t agree with him more. Sure there are over 12 hours of power cuts a day, garbage everywhere, pollution so bad you can actually see it, but that doesn’t bother them…or at least it doesn’t show. All of the Nepalese people I have come across are so happy it's contagious. And when the power comes on, and we can actually watch t.v., it's like the most exciting thing ever. :)

Pretty sure the dump yard is right along the river

Although it doesn’t seem like there is always order to things here, somehow things always manage to find a way to work. I have yet to see one stop and go light here, but at the busiest intersections there is always one lonely cop that acts as the traffic light for the day. It somehow works.

Traffic Light

There are shoe repair men on almost every corner and people carry absolutely everything on their backs, including ginormous dressers. The fuel shortage here is quite ridiculous...people will LITERALLY wait for half a day for petrol...and then come to find out that the gas station has run out and they should try back in a few days when more petrol will be delivered. So if someone doesn't show up to work, understandable...they prolly dont have any fuel to get there. Although they could, and probably do take one of the many forms of public transport here. The most popular one being a super packed bus with people packed to the brim like sardines. Some of these bus rides here are so packed, people are literally hanging out of the bus, hoping they aren't gonna get whipped off! Oh and no need to worry about not catching a bus, trust me, they find YOU.

Note the guy hanging out of the bus...like I said, they will find YOU.

You can't see, but the second person carrying the dresser is actually me.

The road I am now living on was a dirt road for the first week while I was here. And let me tell you, I couldn't believe that I could actually SEE the dust. And I now that I know you are all wondering, yes we finally got some asphalt put in. And it was MORE than an exciting day. I'm pretty sure everyone in the neighborhood watched the entire process from start to finish. And now, the people are so excited that I don't even see anyone using the sidewalks anymore. :)