Sundrawatti

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” (Mary Anne Radmacher)

On Thursday I had the pleasure of traveling to Sundrawatti to attend a Youth Migration Workshop. It has been a long time goal for TBT to do this and I was very happy to be part of it. Each village (Kalimati, Mahadev-Beshi, and Ranimala) had two guides to represent their area as well as one volunteer (me for Kalimati, Al for Mahadev-Beshi, and one of the staff, B, from Ranima). The 9 of us met at in the Big House Tuesday evening. We had dinner together and then the kids worked on the activities for the workshop and I had a meeting with Al and B. Shortly after we all went to sleep because we had to wake up very early the next morning.

Wednesday morning I woke up at 5:40 so we could leave the house at 6:00. I was not happy! We took a microbus to the bus park and from there we got on the bus that would take us to Sundrawatti. We all piled on and only left about a half hour late (8:00) but then stopped 10 minutes later to load on what felt like 50 people and all of their belongings. Finally after 9:00 we left! Then we stopped for gas and dal bhat and then drove a long, long way. We eventually arrived in Chericoat (the town about an hour away) and then we had a very bumpy and nauseous ride to Sundrawatti. We got in after 5 and it was getting dark when we arrived. I was extremely grateful that the house was very close. It was so wonderful to see everyone! Al and I were sleeping in the house with everyone and the kids and B were sleeping in a hotel close by. We settled in and had dinner. It is so peaceful and quiet there. They are really in the middle of nowhere and it couldn’t be more beautiful. We went to sleep very early that night, I was extremely tired and I cuddled up with Sm and M and had a great night sleep!

The next morning (Thursday) we woke up and had breakfast and had a staff meeting with the Nepali staff (B from Ranimala and U from Sundrawatti). We talked about some details of the workshop and the decorations and supplies we needed to prepare. While the guide had a board meeting we worked on everything for the workshop. When we were finished I took a walk to the farm to see Sh and Eli. The view is breathtaking! They have an amazing backdrop where they work every day! They have also done a lot of work! At the moment they are working on building a green house. Around noon we gathered all the decorations and supplies and went and had lunch. When we were finished we went to the school. It was really nice and again, had an amazing view. Around 2:00 we started the workshop. 58 kids came! It was so crazy! I was so excited! We began by singing the Hami Yuva and Neplai anthems, which was so cool to see. Then we had activities, a play by the guides, and discussions all about migration from the village to the city. It was especially great because the guides led the whole thing, we (the volunteers) were just there to facilitate. This is extremely important because this is the last machzor that will be in Sundrawatti. We didn’t end until after 5 and it was getting pretty cold outside. We walked back to the house and helped make dinner. There was this really beautiful vibe in the room as well all sat and helped with dinner and asked about each other’s days. It wasn’t forced or awkward but sincere and lovely. Everyone seemed truly interested in what their peers were doing. Music played in the background and the food smelled delicious. I looked around me and felt very luck to be able to have this experience if only for a day. After dinner we made hot chocolate and hung out and talked for a bit. I was really happy because I really miss everyone when I am in Kalimati (especially Sh, Sm, and M). Before too long I was very tired, which was good because we had to wake up early again the next day. I went to sleep happy about the day’s work but sad to have to leave so soon.

Friday morning I woke up at 6:15 (which was actually an improvement of the 5:40 wake up I had, had on Wednesday) and got dressed and went to try to have some tea before we left. Around 6:45 we got a call that the bus was on its way. We said our goodbyes, which is crazy because the next time we will all be together is at the end seminar, and headed down to the road to get on the bus. I knew the ride from Sundrawatti to Chericoat would be bad but I felt really awful by the time we got there. I got out and got tea and donuts with Sh and Ab (they had come because they were starting a hike from Chericoat) and felt much better after although I almost missed the bus (luckily Al was there to save me)! The ride from Chericoat until the dal bhat stop was not much better. It was bumpy and I felt sick. When we stopped I drank a lot of water and took a Dramamine (I advise bringing these!) and felt much better. We got back to Kathmandu around 3 to find it gray and wet looking. All we wanted to go back to the Big House and have a shower! After we met up with GB and O who were visiting from Mahadev-Beshi and all had a night together in the Big House.

I cannot believe this workshop has come and gone so quickly. We move out of our areas in under 3 weeks! Although some of the days have dragged by, overall, time has slipped away from me. I am not ready to leave yet so I guess these next few weeks will have to be enough to mentally prepare myself to move on. We have lots of projects coming up in Kalimati and I can only hope they are successful. The only thing I can do is remember to have a Nepali sense of time and take everything slowly and savor each moment.

Signed,

Slow and Steady