The Nepal that I used to know

Only in Nepal do you drive several hours West in order to get to your final destination in the East.

The bus journey we endured onThursday reminded me a lot of the Nepal that I remembered, fell so in love with last time. A hot, humid, sticky world full of crazed drivers, loud horns, and lovely views.

It was by far the best journey I’ve had traveling in Nepal yet because almost everything went as planned and it involved just 12 hours of napping, watching the world, and reading. I asked after 12 hours on bus number one if we could ride on the roof of bus number 2, saying we all needed fresh air, and the kind bus driver agreed.

It is so good to be back in the Terai. I knew the moment I saw it again that these next few months were going to be an adventure, and one I wouldn’t forget.

[Photos: 12 hours + 2 buses//Grace Farson]

Here

Made it to Letang in the Morang district.

This is home for the next two months. And within the first few moments here, I knew I could stay happily for most of a lifetime. The town is surrounded by gorgeous hills (*mountains in my world//hills in Nepal) and palm tree forests.

I’ve missed the Terai and it feels good to be back.

It is not surprisingly hot here, very hot, but we’re surviving//staying busy//trying new things. And I have nothing to complain about. My health has come back and I’m feeling incredibly satisfied by the endless dal bhat and masala tea.

Yesterday, we cleaned the ECCA office and officially opened it up for business, went to a school and weeded a garden, danced, met a lot of mothers, went for a walk. . .

After all that, I decided to ignore the strange looks and went running up a mountain. I was chased around town by little kiddos screaming “hello didi!!!” and a herd of goats.

The night ended with a card games and even more dancing.

I’m currently sitting in the heat, dealing with the sweat and relaxing after a heavy meal and a day at the school. Today, the five of us were all proctors at an essay competition, also sponsored by ECCA.

Each day is a surprise (*riots in the street // spontaneous water shortages and power cuts// kids who can immidate a dark bark perfectly. . .), but I feel very alive. Content.

We laugh a lot these days and bond over the quiet as well as the moments when we’re not sure of anything at all . . .

[Photo: Letang community, Nepal//Grace Farson]