Dirt under my fingernails

The kings of the world are old and feeble.
They bring forth no heirs.

Their sons are dying before they are men,
and their pale daughters
abandon themselves to the brokers of violence.

Their crowns are exchanged for money
and melted down into machines,
and there is no health in it.

Does the ore feel trapped
in coins and gears? In the petty life
imposed upon it
does it feel homesick for earth?

If metal could escape
from coffers and factories,
and the torn-open mountains
close around it again,

we would be whole.

-Rainer Maria Rilke


Hello Everyone,

I have been in training in Dadhing's district center for the past week. The local, national, and international volunteers have been staying in a basic hotel and most of our training has been in the basement of a nearby school. I go to my village tomorrow. Dadhing is bigger than I expected, but I like it. It's kind of like Kathmandu except much smaller and much cleaner. There's some shops and plenty of fruit stands which is a relief because we are never served fruit in the home. I actually found an internet cafe but the computer is very very very slow... so no pictures this time. It has taken me about an hour just to get this far on the blog.

I was a little upset because SPW actually placed me in the village that is closest to the district center... it's on top of a large hill/small mountain just about a 30-45 minute walk away... depending on whether you're going up or down. I had hoped to be in a much more rural area, but I figure que sera, sera. The village is called Sankosh. There are 15 homes in the village. I will also be doing alot of work in neighboring villages... all within a 1-2 hour walking radius of my host family. Half of the volunteers went up to the Sankosh school a few days ago for facilitatoin training, and I couldn't really understand what was going on, because my Nepali isn't good enough yet... but I just loved being with the kids. All of the little girls were giggling at this "tall" white person speaking broken Nepali and wearing a kurta surwal that didn't fit quite right. When another volunteer, Ashish, told the girls that I would be their teacher, they couldn't believe it... "No, she won't come..." I tried my best to assure them that I would be back in a few days, and they finally seemed convinced enough to offer to teach me Nepali if I would teach them English. I said it was a deal. So we set in the grass and sang (the only two Nepali songs I have learned) until time to go back to work. I'm excited.

SPW's community volunteers have also joined us for training this week. The community volunteer for Sankosh is Parbati. She's great. She reminds me a lot of Alizeh. I went to her home the other day for popcorn. But she speaks about as much English as I speak Nepali. I am really looking forward to working with Parbati, Silpa, and Uma. I think we will make a good team.

I've got my journal with me, so I'm just going to copy a few selections from my past few jounral entries because I can't really think right now.

November 20, 2008

We were in Kathmandu for the past two nights. We were only supposed to be there for one, but there was a strike and we couldn't get out of the city.... Today we left at 4:00 AM to get out of Kathmandu before the strikers got started again, so this is our first night in Dadhing.... The people here are clearly not used to seeing white people. I have never in my life been so aware of my skin color as I was when I was walking down the street today.

I finally got my first Kurta Surwal yesterday, and I am having a second one made. The other volunteers are getting at least three... but Uma told me that two would be sufficient.

I have had dirt under my fingernails since I got here and I can't get it out. I think that is how it should be...


November 21, 2008

This morning I awakened to soldiers marching through the street. A small child was crying. Children know that it's not supposed to be like this. Children know that men in uniform shouldn't be running in formation through the streets with guns strapped to their backs. Sometimes small groups of street protesters also march through the street below my hostel window, chanting things I don't understand.

I'm starting to get used to the electricity going out randomly. Last night I was sitting in the room playing "Holy, Holy, Holy" on the guitar and everything went completely dark... I didn't even flinch... just continued with the song.

Last night I dreamed that it snowed.


November 22, 2008:

I went to my village for the first time today. I wish it wasn't so close to the Dadhing district center but I like it. It's on top of a big hill. I haven't seen my house yet or met my host family. I hope the house isn't too big. I want to move closer to you, God. I'm feeling a little bit lonely today. Andy's letting me borrow his ipod tonight. I'm listening to an artist called Jose Gonzalez. He's really good...


November 23, 2008:

Creepa taught class today and translated everything he said in Nepali which was great.... I also finished reading Sold today.

November 24, 2008:

We met with officials from District Organizations today and walked around to see the offices and headquarters.

I am particularly thankful for pommegrannets today. [These might be my new favorite fruit... I'd never had one before I came here, but they sell them like apples... alot of the street vendors have them. I remember Alex telling me about surviving off of pommegrannets when he was in California, so I think of him every time I eat one.]

I got my second Kurta Surwal today. It fits better than the first one.


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My deepest respect, love, and blessings to all of you. It feels really weird just writing all of this stuff about myself and posting it up to the internet. As I said, I go to my village tomorrow. I'm not sure when I am going to have access to post, internet, or telephones again... but hopefully it won't be too long. Actually, I have to go back to Kathmandu in 2 weeks to get my third rabies shot... so maybe I can use a computer then and update this thing.

I'm going to head back to the hotel and have my daal bhat.