“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
