1/16/2010 “Mike in Nepal” – Contributing Author and Photographer: Michael Restivo
I have to start this blog out on a more sobering note, I’m extremely upset. I’m upset at some of the things I’ve seen today. Walking through the slums, seeing homes where people can’t even afford a door. They build luxurious shopping centers for the wealthy in the middle of shanty towns. Its disgusting.
That said we are doing well. We got our assignments today and were still doing lots of sightseeing. Yesterday we walked up to the famous Monkey Temple, a temple set high above Kathmandu run by hundreds of wild monkeys, its really quite something. I got lots of amazing pictures. We’ve started our language lessons and we have one more day and then one day of culture lessons.
We tried the famous Dahl Baat, the Nepali staple food eaten with our hands. Its rice with curried vegetables and lentil soup. We only eat with our right hand because the left is considered unclean.
Today we traveled to Durbar Square, a large open space dotted with dozens of ancient stupas and temples. We have a wonderful international group, 2 Scots, 4 Aussies, 4 Canadians, 3 English, 2 Americans, 1 new Zealander, and 1 Korean.
Today I got my assignment. I’m leaving Kathmandu and heading for Pokhara, lake country in western Nepal. I’m working with Victoria, another Canadian. We will be responsible for 15 kids, ages 4-14. I’ll be there for a month and then heading either back to Kathmandu or Chitwan, the jungle. We’ll have the chance to do lots of trekking so I’m excited. Hope everyone is well and I’ll upload pictures soon.
ps: About phone calls and skyping. I’m 10 1/2 hours ahead of Miami time, so its very hard to coordinate, I apologize if I am unable to reach anyone easily. If you can be on early morning or late at night, this would be much easier to talk. Let me know if you’d like to set up a specific time or date. Namaste everyone! Mike
Michael Restivo (American student from Miami. .. Living, teaching and trekking in Nepal) is a photographer and writer, and guest contributor for MiamiRealEstateCafe.com .
