Week 5 Dhulikhel

This week we had a new caretaker in the guest house.  Min our regular guy has gone to china with Niv to see his brother.  To stand in we have Aashish, who also works in the hospital canteen.  His food has been fantastic.  Highlights so far – Thukpa (noodle soup), Dal Bhaat and momos – min has competition.  Really looking forward to seeing what else her cooks and I plan to learn some recipes from him next week.

Time at the hospital was spent finishing off the curriculum and planning for the filming that we are doing next week with Nepal TV to promote Physiotherapy.  We had a food festival on Wednesday lunchtime.  All the nursing students set up food stalls with traditional Nepal food such as Pakodas, Sekuda and Dal Bhaat.  The food was cheap and fantastic.  Unfortunately Jonas and myself were ill overnight, and charlotte was stricken for 3 days with vomiting and upset stomach.  The consolation was that some of the Nepal physios were ill too probably because the food was seriously spicy.

The Elephant Band

Jonas and my first ever empty
bottle of Nepal Ice beer

Friday evening we took the hospital bus into Kathmandu, the original plan had been to see “Skyfall” at the cinema, but unfortunately it has now gone.  Instead we went to the Himalayan Blues festival being held at 1905 restaurant.  800rs (£5.50) got us an evening of bands from USA (Amy Hart, Sean Carney, Nepal (the midnight riders), Norway (oh no! Blue Elephant With No Hat or Straw is Flying On Air!), and Finland (Wentus Blues Band).  The bands listed were fantastic, the elephant band had a Saxophonist and the Finnish band really got the place moving.  Tonight was the first night I have had beer in Nepal and I even managed to drink the whole oversized bottle which those of you that know me will know that is quite an achievement.  Unfortunately Charlotte made it to Kathmandu with us but was too ill to come to the concert.  Here we also met Doodi who was here from Israel to run a medical clowning course at Dhulikhel Hospital next week.

Christmas Baubles

Saturday morning we returned to 1905 restaurant for the organic farmers market, where we met up with Noga (from Nagarkot trip), and bumped into Alon, who is from Israel and is working for Nepal Telecom – he has been here for 3 years.  Together we then headed to the Regency Hyatt hotel for a charity Christmas Fayre.  Shopping here was mainly for food – the best oatmeal, white chocolate and cranberry cookies, and I also bought my Christmas Baubles to hang up in the guest house.  The highlight of this day was the motorbike ride back into Thamel with Alon.  This is the one form of transport that I hadn’t been on and the long ride back from the Fayre did it for me.  Loved it!  No helmets is the norm it is only recently that drivers have been allowed to wear helmets they were banned during the maoist conflicts.

Motorbike riding with Alon (no helmet!)

Kathmandu Guesthouse

Monkey clutchin phallus
(just for Georgie and Sarah!)

After a quick drink on the bar of Kathmandu guest house, sat alongside the monkey clasping the penis (of course!), we took the bus back to Kathmandu, stopping on the way to the bus park to pick up a new shawl for the cold and Jonas bought a great North Face jacket for 3500rs about 25 pounds.

The bus ride back was crowded.  I spent most of the time wedged between Jonas and a Nepali ladies ample bosom!  Kept me warm though so can’t complain.  Dinner at the restaurant above the guest house, and then we all congregated in one room under duvets to watch a dodgy copy of Skyfall that we had picked up in Kathmandu. Perfect day.

Namobouddah

Prayer Flags

Sunday Charlotte was feeling better and so she joined us taking a cab up to Namo Bouddah.  This time the main shrine room was not open which was a shame.  We walked along the ridge under all the prayer flags, and sat in the sun on the outcrop admiring the peace and the view.  We walked back to Dhulikhel which took about 2 and a half hours and was a really pleasant walk.  Locals along the way gave us directions and we made good time.  I have never considered that the people would dare to give wrong directions I trust them too much – let’s hope I don’t come a cropper one day!

Views walking back to Dhulikhel

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The days remain hot during the day when the sun is out, but the evenings and nights are really cold now, and the lack of heating is really hard to get used to.  I am now sleeping with a t-shirt, a fleece, a neck fleece, thermal leggings, pJ bottoms, thick socks, a hot water bottle, yak blanket to lie on and 2 think duvets on top.  My nose is still cold! The only concern is that it is actually going to get colder. 

No wonder the electricity system is in trouble!

The electricity load shedding (ie time without electricity) is going to get longer.  I am typing this now at 7pm and we have 30mins more before it goes off until 11.30pm tonight.  Luckily the hospital has electricity from solar panels and generators all day so I can generally charge everything up there.



My new dress

I have had requests to put a picture of the dress I had made on the blog so here it is.  The material cost about 10 pounds and it cost 3.50 to have made! The time is really flying by now, with only 3 more weeks at the hospital and less than a month until my sister arrives.  Cant’ sit here typing all evening need to go and learn how to make momos!......