Orientation Week 4

“When you look at the world perched on heights of arrogant, blind power, separated and disconnected from those who have lost their livelihoods, lifestyles, and lives-farmers and workers everywhere-it is easy to be both blind to the valleys, of poverty and the mountains of affluence.” (Vandana Shiva)

This week was extremely special. From Sunday to Tuesday we went to a Village called Ranimala (about a half an hour from Mahadev-Besi). We left Tuesday afternoon by bus and arrived in Mahadev-Besi where we got onto a truck, which took up precariously up a mountain. We arrived in Ranimala just before evening. The sun was setting and we watched it from the most amazing view. We had a Tika ceremony and took lots of pictures. It felt even more special than usual because so many kids and women came to see us and welcome us. Then we split up by village (Kalimati, Mahadev-Besi, and Sundrawatti) for sleeping arrangement. The Kalimati group (my group) was spending the next 2 nights in a community called Chakmake. We would be staying in the homes of people from the village! Ne and El stayed in one house, C and L, in another, Ni and M (one of our wonderful Israeli guides) in a third, and finally S and I. A little girl came and took S and I by the hands and led us to her home where we would be staying.

We met the father and mother of the house and they showed us where we would be staying…up a latter in a tiny room with corn under the beds and goats in the nest room! All we could do was laugh! Then we went downstairs for food. We got served this really go bread and potatoes. We were so happy the meal was light because we were still a little nauseous from the bumpy truck ride up. Then S looked at me and said, “I think there is more food.” I looked but didn’t see anything else in the small hut. So we finished our plates (as we had been instructed to do) and headed back upstairs. We were in the process of taking out stuff from our bags when the little girl was back. “Dal bhaat” she said happily and waved for us to follow her. S and I looked at each other with dread. We were already full and very worried about not eating and offending our hosts! Reluctantly we headed back downstairs and did our best. We learned that there were two other children in the house, a younger girl and boy. They all watched us and laughed at our attempts to talk in Nepali. However we knew we sounded funny so we laughed along with them. We went back up to our room and was visited by B (one of the Nepali staff) who had wanted to make sure we had settled in ok. “And don’t be worried,” he smiled “if you hear some noises on the roof. It’s just the mice.” MICE?! “But they can’t get in so don’t worry!” We were worried! As we lay in bed (we decided to share a bed in case we got scared) freaking out, all of a sudden one of the goats let out a loud MEHHHH! We started cracking up and then we were silent but the sound of one of the goats taking the loudest pee I have ever heard. Needless to say it was not the best night sleep I ever had.

The next day (Monday), after S and I brushed our teeth very awkwardly outside with a bottle of water next to cows and roosters, we had lessons all afternoon. We had a lecture, GG lead theater games, D taught us some basic fighting steps from the army, and Eli talked about nature and trees. It was really nice being outside and learning from each other instead of a lecture. Afterwards we had khaajaa (snack) and then had free time! We got to relax and hang out and enjoy the outdoors. I played cards with M, Al, and GB, sat in a big tree, and went on a swing. I went back to the room and read and relaxed with S. It was a great afternoon.

That night the youth of Ranimala put on an amazing dance show for us! They were FANTASTIC! Kids from different age groups had learned and made up dances and performed for us! They were all so happy and free and I loved watching them and seeing hoe much fun they had. At the end we got up and danced all together. We were outside in the cold under the most beautiful and clear night sky. When I looked up I could see more stars than I had ever seen before. It was magical.

On Tuesday morning we had our first village meeting. M took the Kalimati group to this classroom in Chakmake and her and O read us a story called “Crazy Glue” and then we had to lay down and close our eyes while they traced our group outline. Then we had to find where we had lain and write two things: something the group didn’t know about us, and something we can contribute to the group. It was really emotional for some reason. Three people cried (not me) and it was heavy and unexpected. As nice as it was that those people felt comfortable enough to share those things I felt really uncomfortable because in no way did I want to share like that. I know I wasn’t expected to, but I also didn’t want anyone to think I was holding out. Overall I think our group got closer and it was the start of a good foundation for Kalimati. After our village meeting we packed up, said goodbye to our families (Tika ceremony and lots of pictures) and headed back to Swayambhu (which ended up taking a VERY long time because of traffic). That was the end of our Ranimala trip!

On Wednesday night (after a day full of classes and lessons) most of us went to a jazz festival called Jazzmandu. It was at a really nice hotel, which kind of freaked us out at first. It started off really slow and boring but after the first act we were dancing non-stop! The third act was the best one and the group was funny and super talented and made us all laugh! We had so much fun together and I was really glad that people convinced me to go!

Wednesday night was great but Thursday and Friday I didn’t feel well. My stomach hurt and I missed a major group activity of games with the Nepali staff and getting our TBT shirts. I was really bummed out. My bad mood (and stomach) continued to Friday when we met with our thematic groups to work on our next project. I got really pissy and frustrated about not being able to understand Hebrew. O made me feel better so by the end I was in a better mood. I spent the afternoon sleeping until Shabbat and then after dinner stayed in and recovered.

Saturday I felt much better and was able to function during lessons. We had a good group time in which we did a spin off of speed dating. Half of us made a circle and the other half made a circle around us. Then the inner circle faced the outside so everyone was across from someone. We got asked a general question and then had five minutes to discuss with the person across from us. Every five minutes we would rotate so we got to talk to different people. It was a chance to talk to people that you may not talk to besides the usual chit chat. I really enjoyed it.

That night E and I went out to dinner with the Aussies to say goodbye. They are done their program and head back to Australia. We had a good dinner at a place called Funky Buddha and then after they left E and I had coffee and dessert at Roadhouse Café. We got to have girl talk and hang and relax for a bit. It was a  good end to the weekend and to a long week.

Signed,

Steady As She Goes