Kalimati Orientation

"The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious you might never come home, like all the men who now live with the mermaids at the bottom of the sea.” (Jeanette Winterson)

This was an extremely tiring and stressful week. On Sunday we moved out of our house in Swayambhu and said our goodbyes. The group going to Sundrawatti left at 7:30 so most of us woke up to say goodbye. It was really sad. So to distract ourselves some of us went to the bakery for breakfast (which was amazing). When we came back we brought our bags downstairs and said goodbye to the Mahadev-Besi group. We won’t see each other for 3 weeks. The Kalitmati group got into cabs and left right after Mahadev-Besi. We went to our new house in Kalimati. The first floor is used for daycare and some women and youth groups. The second floor has an office, activity room, a bathroom, and 2 bedrooms (one for Ne and El and the other for C and L). On the third floor we have the kitchen and my room (which I share with S and Ni). We also have a balcony with a bathroom, a big open space and a staircase that leads to a roof top. It’s a beautiful house. We made lists of basic food and supplies for the house and after lunch we got into 2 groups to buy things. What felt like a very long time later we met back up again and while everyone went over scheduling with Su (one of the Kalimati Neplai staff), while I went with At (the other Kalimati Nepali staff member) back to out house in Swayambhu to pick up a few things. I ended up having to wait for L to come because I thought At would be taking me back to Kalimati (he couldn’t). So when L came we picked up some food that we couldn’t buy in Kalimati and loaded the stuff we had taken from the Swayambhu house into a cab. When we got back dinner was ready (cooked pumpkin and beets with a big salad) and we ate in candlelight (we loose electricity for about 2-3 hours every morning and night). We started a tradition called “how was your day honey?” in which everyone talks about how they feel and something significant they experienced that day. I said I felt weird without everyone else and others apologized for being a bit impatient while trying to get things done today. The lights eventually came back on and every one smiled. It was a long first day but it ended ok.

On Monday we went over house rules before going to lunch. Afterwards we went over last machzor’s progress with one of the Women’s group (called Didi-Bahini, which means big sister-little sister). It was really amazing to see how much work they got done and all of the cool projects they came up with. We were supposed to have a meeting with the Didi-Bahini group but only a couple members showed up and were a bit late. I was asleep by the time they got to the house. I felt so drained both physically and emotionally. I slept for most of the afternoon. Every time I opened my eyes I just wanted to be back asleep. I finally made myself get up and shortly after we had dinner (shakshuga and salad) and then sat around and talked for a while after.

Tuesday was a pretty cool day. We went to the Kuleshwore school and met with the Indreni group (one of the youth groups), spoke with the ECD teacher and got to see the kids for a bit, and then talked with the principal of the school. It was so great to get to see the kids and talk with them (even if my Nepali isn’t that great). They are so adorable and sweet. We left around 2:00 and had lunch and then S and I found an amazing supermarket where we bought some important things (like shampoo and cookies) and then headed home. We talked with Su and At about some project ideas we had been thinking about (photo exhibition) and then we were done! L and I were making dinner so we went to go food shopping. We went to the vegetable market first and bought a ton of stuff (not only for dinner but for general use) and this really nice guy helped us and even friended L on facebook! We bought veggies, cheese, and yogurt and then bought the rest of the things we needed at the supermarket S and I had been to. We made a good dinner when we got back (pasta with amazing red sauce and a killer salad) it was really fun! We listened to music and talked and ended up not destroying anything! We sat down and ate and then I left because I got too frustrated with everyone talking in Hebrew. I called my mom to talk for a bit which made me feel better. The night ended with me finishing a book (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit) and starting another (Life of Pie), which made me happy.

Wednesday was full of meetings. In the morning we met with the head of the daycare (Sun) and got to see the daycare and then kids on the ground floor of our apartment. They were so adorable and sweet! I plan on being a frequent visitor! After lunch we met with the SAY club (Struggle Active Youth) which is one of the youth groups we work with which is with older kids, and then we met with 3 members of the newer and younger women group. These people are amazing, The kids want to learn about everything. They want to have fun as well but they made it very clear that they want to really get something out of the meetings. After we met with 3 members of the younger women’s group (Ujaalo). They were sweet, funny, and just as curios about us as we were about them. If possible I would really liked to be involved in that group! When we were finished Ni and I went to Thamel. I dropped off my laundry (which I usually do by hand but had gotten a bit out of control since the move to Kalimati) and then sat at a café and used the internet. I wrote mails, went on facebook, and skyped with my parents. I was in a very good mood…until after dinner. Once a week each area must have a group meeting. For the first 5 weeks C and Ni will facilitate and for the second 5 weeks S and I will be in charge. Now the activities that they came up with were really good (1. Writing an adjective for each person in the group about how you viewed them this week and then writing one on how you viewed yourself. Then we had to read what everyone wrote and then people would say why they wrote what they did. 2. Each person giving and taking something from each person. i.e. I give X Strength and I take their positive attitude) but it was not my cup of tea. The first activity could have gone very wrong very fast. When it got to my turn I read what people wrote about me (acclimating, pensive, closed, letting it go, between comfortable and uncomfortable, and testing) I said I didn’t want to know.  I asked about 2 of them and that was it. The second was ok but it took FOREVER. I was in a very bad mood afterwards. I took a shower to wash off the bad feelings I had and then S told me people from Mahadev-Besi had called for me. I called them back and talked to GB. He made me feel so much better! He told me that they really missed me and couldn’t wait to see me next weekend (they are apparently visiting) and just really made me smile. I went to sleep in a much better mood.

On Thursday it was Thanksgiving. We got up and went for another painting project with the Israeli embassy and kids. We spent the whole morning there. We painted, hung out with the kids, got to see M, O, and N (our Israeli guides), which was, awesome and just hung out. Then At (Nepali guide) went back to Kalimati with us for some lunch and then we went to the Saraswati school. They ended up not showing up but while we were waiting At told us a bit about his childhood in school and how he became involved in TBT. He is a really wonderful and interesting person and I am really happy to have him as a guide. At night everyone wanted to go to one of the movies for the Human Right’s Film Festival, I didn’t want to go because since it was Thanksgiving I wanted to be on-line talking to family and friends. So I went by myself to Thamel and set myself up at OR2K. First I met this really nice Danish girl who was there. She said her and another girl she had recently met from Germany were going to see the new James Bond movie and invited me! I didn’t go because I was afraid of going back to Kalimati alone that late at night, but we made plans to meet up again! Then I enjoyed a long uninterrupted time on the internet with delicious food. I was in an excellent mood when I finally came back to Kalimati (plus I picked up my laundry so I had clean clothes)!

Friday was strange. I went back and forth from being happy to annoyed all day. First we went with Sul (Nepali guide) to Saraswati School to meet with the ECD teacher. It was really boring. I couldn’t really understand the teacher and the same kinds of questions and answers were repeated. We had a quick lunch and then we finally started the division process (which groups each of us are going to be working with). Youth (Me, S, and C) was easy enough: S and I are doing the Happy Child Club and Say Club, C and I are doing the Saraswati Club, and S and C are doing Indreni Club. Then things got complicated. We started to divide education and there were a couple people who just made things very difficult. Then I really wanted to help with Daycare (which I can do) but I also wanted to be involved with the parent and staff meeting. El made a big deal about how she wanted to do it so I let her have it. But then when it came time to divide the women’s groups El and Ni wanted to do all three groups. S and I mentioned that we wanted to help as well and everyone helped S but not me. I was very irritated. I feel like sometimes I am not listened to because I don’t speak Hebrew. When we finished Sul told me she would help figure out a way for me to be involved with a women’s group, which made me very greatful to her. I was pretty annoyed after and really wasn’t in the mood to go to go food shopping for dinner. But I went anyway and I’m glad I did. We were in the middle of picking out some vegetables when I saw a little boy who I played with earlier in the day at daycare. Then I saw his mother, who I had also met a couple days ago, she works at the market. I went over to say hello and she immediately recognized me! Her English was really good and she started asking me all sorts of questions. I told her about her son and how he had been really good today and how well her could throw a ball and all sorts of things mothers like to hear. She invited me to sit with her and in a minute other women came over to smile and stare. They all said I was pretty and laughed when I blushed. They brought me tea and sat with me and it was truly one of the best moments I have had here. I had to leave too soon because I had to go and cook but I promised I would come back soon. I was in a much better mood after that! The afternoon was spent cooking for our American/Israeli Thanksgiving inner in Nepal. We had a very good menu:

                                   

            Green salad (including cheese, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds)

            Rice with nuts, raisins, and beets

            Cooked pumpkin

            Yogurt sauce

            Mashed potatoes with onion

            Fried apples with vanilla ice cream

It was so delicious! There were ten of us (the 7 of us and N, M, and her husband). We all sat and ate and talked about our first week. After dinner I did an activity: we all wrote down 5 things we are thankful for. We shared one of the things we wrote and then everyone had to keep their list for a day where they felt frustrated and ungrateful. After dessert the conversation turned to all Hebrew so I made a graceful exit. But all in all it was a good night.

Saturday was very relaxing! I woke up and made breakfast and read. Then I walked to Thamel with S and L. We sat outside at a café and got coffee and used the wi-fi. Then S and headed back to Kalimati to meet with the SAY Club! 12 kids came and S and I did an introduction activity with At helping to translate. When we were done he spoke to them about upcoming goals of this machzor and some project ideas. It was really awesome to finally do something even though we mostly just observed. I really hope I get to know these kids in the next couple months. I took a shower in the dark again (no electricity, last night as well) and then I talked to O in Mahadev-Besi and Sh in Sundrawatti! It was so great to talk to them and know that they are doing well. Plus I miss them both a lot. I think some people from Mahadev-Besi are coming here next weekend, which would be amazing!

Now it’s going to be a long night. No one wants to go out and after another week of orientation that’s all I want to do.  I want to go by myself but everyone makes a big deal about it. I understand that this is in the States or even Europe but it still frustrates me. It’s still early (7:15pm) so perhaps things will change. I am really glad this week is over. We are settled in, we have gotten to know the area a bit, and are more than ready to start working!

Signed,

Ready to Go!