There are some sexy monks in here...

As corny as it sounds, I can't get over how friendly, warm and beuatiful the people here are. In the past few days we've met/hung out with some very great people. Dr. Pandey is the doctor who took us in the first few days we started volunteering at the hospital and on Wednesday, he spent most of the day with Stacy, Sam, and I. He invited us all to go with him to his lecture on rabies at a nearby clinic. At first I wasn't sure about going but then after a few hours in the AIDS clinic, where we contemplate life and hand out medication (a scary thought right) the three of us decided that we're taking a new approach to our trip. Volunteering here can be a little frustrating when you're program is not ultra organized to go along with the fact that Nepal is not really organized itself. This country is in so much need, including volunteers, but it's hard to find places that know how to use them. Anyway, we decided that instead of stressing about our volunteer sites, we will accept the fact that this trip is not only to volunteer, but to learn and observe. As we see it, we're "assessing the situation here" for the next we come back more prepared, hopefully with a little more money and some more education as well.

Seeing as our new philosophy here is to fly by the seat of our pants, I decided to ride along on the trip to Dr. Pandey's lectures. We drove in his car about twenty or so minutes away to Schechen Clinic (I could and most likely am spelling that wrong) This clinic was the complete opposite of Teku hospital where we volunteer. The building was beautiful and clean, there different portions of the building sectioned off for various services and even the landscaping was gorgeous. This specific clinic is sponsored by certain French people, who also volunteer there as well. We were fed there and given a chance to walk around. After eating we headed to the monastery right next door where Dr. Pandey was giving his first lecture. Just like the clinic, the monastery was equally beautiful and somewhat breathtaking. I was not prepared for what came next, we walk into a room full of 200 monks who were just as excited and shocked to see us as we were to see them. Then one or a few of them whistled/cat called/whatever you want to call it, at us. I was pretty sure that had to be against some monk rules but what do I know. Either way, just sitting in that room was awesome, then we got to learn about rabies, sort of, Dr. Pandey gave the lecture in Nepali so I didn't catch most of it but still felt enligtened.

Later on, Dr. Pandey gave his lecture at the actual clinic to the doctors and nurses there, powerpoint in English included. Before he started we all had some hot dudh chiyaa (milk tea) to cool us down after sweating all day. It's not that funny but Sam almost spit her chiyaa everywhere because it was a lot hotter than she thought. At home, I may not have laughed that much, but here I did, which just goes along with the humor here. People tend to laugh at things that may seem childish at home, but it just goes with the easy going, happy atmosphere here. Anyway, after the lectur Dr. Pandey took us to a small cafe for a quick snack, momos and garlic chicken. It was delicious of course. Dr. Pandey had spent so many hours with us and it was just a nice new experience. We made a friend with a Nepali coordinator for the clinic who gave us her number and told us she would give us a real tour of the clinic and monastery if we wanted. We will definitely be back. That's another fact about the people here, they always are willing to give you their contact and ask for yours, assuming right away that you're friends. People at home I feel are very apprehensive to do this. That's another thing I want to add to my list of things to implement at home, and they are:

Enforce strict rules about taking off shoes in the home, being barefoot is way more fun!
Give my contact out to people who may want it, or not, it just makes people feel more welcome
Learn how to make dudh chiyaa and offer it to any visitors
Attempt eating at a low table, who needs chair anyway?

That's all I can think of for now but I'm sure I'll think of more later..

Soon to come, blogging about our day at the clinic (pre fight over medications) and the daycare, also our day at the Kanti Children's Hospital and Mr. Bishop.

Miss you all!