16-11-11
The night where we went to bed with full stomachs without a meal of dal bhat !
The day's lesson provided workshop and the different facilitation methods and the different phases in facilitation. We were divided in three groups where we were given the task to teach the other groups in different subjects: volunteering for social change, youth across cultures and global activism.
The task was a challenge because we had to present some work that we were judged on. The three groups presented their work in different ways which was nice. All in all this exercise that benefited us and helped us to out later work as volunteers.
Late afternoon we went to Thamel on Restaurant Roadhouse where er got our dinner. Most of us got pizza which was really nice - and not to forget the desserts!
After a 'hyggelig' time on Roadhouse we went to Reggae bar where wehere a band was playing - actualy quiet high, danish style, - any way most of us got some drinks and enjoyed the night with some other Danes and of course some Nepalis !
/ Camilla and the other volunteers with full stomachs :)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Observation at school and Global Change release-party
Today we went to a school where we were going to observe how the school system works at a local, international school in Nepal. We were divided between different classes from pre-school to fifth grade. It was fun and interesting to observe and (of course) the children were very cute.
Most of us were very surprised how good the children were at English considering their age and the general English level amongst Nepali people.
After lunch we were preparing our own lesson for next day in the same class which we observed.
In the evening we were all going to the Global Changers release-party at a place called 1905. At the party you could buy your own bag or T-shirt with their logo "I am a bag bringer". Later there were an auction with unique bags designed especially for this evening. Two guys from Global Change had drawn the pictures and most of the bags were faces of the band members. Later the two most famous Nepali bands Rock Sitar and Albatros were playing. There was a good atmosphere and it was a very good evening.
/Maria
Most of us were very surprised how good the children were at English considering their age and the general English level amongst Nepali people.
After lunch we were preparing our own lesson for next day in the same class which we observed.
In the evening we were all going to the Global Changers release-party at a place called 1905. At the party you could buy your own bag or T-shirt with their logo "I am a bag bringer". Later there were an auction with unique bags designed especially for this evening. Two guys from Global Change had drawn the pictures and most of the bags were faces of the band members. Later the two most famous Nepali bands Rock Sitar and Albatros were playing. There was a good atmosphere and it was a very good evening.
/Maria
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Roleplay, porters and twilight
Today i woke up still happy about having won about 700 rupies last night at a casino. A nice way to start the day. Then we had to presentate the facts about human rights that we had found the day before. I will not tell a lot about it, but let me just say that it did not take very long to hear the presentations...
Then we had to talk about communication and conflicts. We started the class watching a movie about how some people communicate through acting. And then - surprise surprise - we had to make a roleplay ourselves.
After lunch we went to an organisation which fights for the porters rigths. Once again the nepalease time showed, because the man who had to tell us about the organisation did not show up, so an other man had to improvise. After some talk about the organisation we went to a school where only the children of porters go. An example of the poverty showed up, when a 14-year old girl had her baby brother with her in school. He cried, so it distracted both her and the other students. But on the positive side she at least went to school. Later we met a porter on the street, where we had to presentate ourselves. When Camilla told her name to the porter and the man from the organisation, they began to laugh - it turns out that Camilla means ant in Nepali.
When you come to a new country some people cannot 'go to the toilet'. This is a problem for some of the girls, and that is why Camilla shared her knowledge about zone therapy. So we wish that the system begins to work now.
We ended the day by doing something we are very good at; enjoy each others company and watch a movie. A bit funny that the new Twilight movie is to buy in the stores in Nepal, and it has just had premiere in the cinema in Denmark. The quality of the movie was not the best I have even seen, but they used a good effect, were you felt like you were in the cinema - sometimes you could hear a man cough, people eat candy and see a head in the screen. A very nice effect they offen use in Nepal, or...
It was nice to go to bed with Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattison in our minds :)
/Line.
Then we had to talk about communication and conflicts. We started the class watching a movie about how some people communicate through acting. And then - surprise surprise - we had to make a roleplay ourselves.
After lunch we went to an organisation which fights for the porters rigths. Once again the nepalease time showed, because the man who had to tell us about the organisation did not show up, so an other man had to improvise. After some talk about the organisation we went to a school where only the children of porters go. An example of the poverty showed up, when a 14-year old girl had her baby brother with her in school. He cried, so it distracted both her and the other students. But on the positive side she at least went to school. Later we met a porter on the street, where we had to presentate ourselves. When Camilla told her name to the porter and the man from the organisation, they began to laugh - it turns out that Camilla means ant in Nepali.
When you come to a new country some people cannot 'go to the toilet'. This is a problem for some of the girls, and that is why Camilla shared her knowledge about zone therapy. So we wish that the system begins to work now.
We ended the day by doing something we are very good at; enjoy each others company and watch a movie. A bit funny that the new Twilight movie is to buy in the stores in Nepal, and it has just had premiere in the cinema in Denmark. The quality of the movie was not the best I have even seen, but they used a good effect, were you felt like you were in the cinema - sometimes you could hear a man cough, people eat candy and see a head in the screen. A very nice effect they offen use in Nepal, or...
It was nice to go to bed with Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattison in our minds :)
/Line.
Big fat pony and 8D cinema, monday nov 14, 2011
The day started out with meeting Anjana. She was very sweet and it was nice to finally meet her, now that we had only heard about her.
After the morning meeting we had some funny energizers (and we learnt a new great song,about a big fat pony). Unfortunately one of us (Kia) came to learn that it is risky business to play under a tree, - you never know if a bird is sitting up there, just waiting for a "target".
After the energizers we watched the movie "Born into a Brothel", which was a very touching movie, but at the same time inspiring.
Later we had lunch, but not just an ordinary lunch like all the other times, instead a lunch some of us will never forget, because it was the lunch where we for the first time managed to drink water straight from the jar. A skill we had admired some of the Global Changers for having. Even though one third of the water ended up in our laps, we were so proud, that we didn't mind walking around looking like we had been peeing in our pants.
In the afternoon we went to a 8D cinema in the City Center, where we watched 3 short movies - one about a boy and a cat flying through a city, one about dinosaur creatures under water and the last one about huge bugs. The 8D turned out to be 8 special effects like water, smell and soap bubbles etc. I am pretty sure that all of us screamed at least two times during the movies.
- Christine
After the morning meeting we had some funny energizers (and we learnt a new great song,about a big fat pony). Unfortunately one of us (Kia) came to learn that it is risky business to play under a tree, - you never know if a bird is sitting up there, just waiting for a "target".
After the energizers we watched the movie "Born into a Brothel", which was a very touching movie, but at the same time inspiring.
Later we had lunch, but not just an ordinary lunch like all the other times, instead a lunch some of us will never forget, because it was the lunch where we for the first time managed to drink water straight from the jar. A skill we had admired some of the Global Changers for having. Even though one third of the water ended up in our laps, we were so proud, that we didn't mind walking around looking like we had been peeing in our pants.
In the afternoon we went to a 8D cinema in the City Center, where we watched 3 short movies - one about a boy and a cat flying through a city, one about dinosaur creatures under water and the last one about huge bugs. The 8D turned out to be 8 special effects like water, smell and soap bubbles etc. I am pretty sure that all of us screamed at least two times during the movies.
- Christine
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Freezing in the sun
Nov. 23 2011 (Wednesday).
Today we had to continue on our drivers of change, which my group had almost finished the day before, so we had a quite relaxing morning :).
We all had an early lunch as most of us were joining the Global Changers to do yet another flash mop in the streets of Kathmandu. This time we had to do a freezing flash mop at a place in Kathmandu that we do not know the name of, but it was by a white tower. Our task seemed easy beforehand; we just had to stand completely still for five minutes with a plastic bag on our heads. However, standing in the sun was a bit warmer than first anticipated, and running noses and sweat showing on our faces made it all a bit challenging to freeze. In the end it all seemed to have gone pretty well, even though a lot of us did not find the most comfortable freezing position; putting all your weight on one leg is not a good idea when you have to do it for five minutes!
When we stopped freezing we had to hand out flyers about the message; bring your own bag and do not use plastic bags, and even though the actual number of flyers were limited we could see that we have made a lot of attention in the street. A lot of people came to ask what we were doing and where we came from, even when we had left our “freezing place” and just waited for our bus.
After waiting for the bus for what felt like half an hour we were finally on our way back to the platform.
Back at the platform we firstly had to send Kathrine to the doctor as she was worried about her health - but do not worry, nobody dies in this story. After sending Kathrine to the doctor we had to do some research on human rights, which were done with varying degrees of dignity (I must admit that I for one did not have the full concentration to do a very good job on that assignment).
After one and a half hour of “work” Kathrine and Mette-Maria came back from the doctor - still alive but also still sick. The good news was that her illness was not that serious. Hopefully she will be well again in a couple of days.
Kristoffer
Today we had to continue on our drivers of change, which my group had almost finished the day before, so we had a quite relaxing morning :).
We all had an early lunch as most of us were joining the Global Changers to do yet another flash mop in the streets of Kathmandu. This time we had to do a freezing flash mop at a place in Kathmandu that we do not know the name of, but it was by a white tower. Our task seemed easy beforehand; we just had to stand completely still for five minutes with a plastic bag on our heads. However, standing in the sun was a bit warmer than first anticipated, and running noses and sweat showing on our faces made it all a bit challenging to freeze. In the end it all seemed to have gone pretty well, even though a lot of us did not find the most comfortable freezing position; putting all your weight on one leg is not a good idea when you have to do it for five minutes!
When we stopped freezing we had to hand out flyers about the message; bring your own bag and do not use plastic bags, and even though the actual number of flyers were limited we could see that we have made a lot of attention in the street. A lot of people came to ask what we were doing and where we came from, even when we had left our “freezing place” and just waited for our bus.
After waiting for the bus for what felt like half an hour we were finally on our way back to the platform.
Back at the platform we firstly had to send Kathrine to the doctor as she was worried about her health - but do not worry, nobody dies in this story. After sending Kathrine to the doctor we had to do some research on human rights, which were done with varying degrees of dignity (I must admit that I for one did not have the full concentration to do a very good job on that assignment).
After one and a half hour of “work” Kathrine and Mette-Maria came back from the doctor - still alive but also still sick. The good news was that her illness was not that serious. Hopefully she will be well again in a couple of days.
Kristoffer
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Slumming or not slumming
Today we were supposed to visit one of the slums in Kathmandu. It was a, by some dreaded and others anticipated, trip. Unfortunately our facilitators were forced to cancel the whole arrangement due to disagreements between the government and the inhabitants of the slums.
Still, we had the opportunity to learn about the slums, as our Nepalese facilitator, Anjana briefed us about the current situation, and the more general definition of slums.
UN defines slums through 4 criterias: 1)the inhabitants have no concrete houses, 2)the area is crowded, 3)there is no access to services, and 4) poverty (below $1.25 a day).
There are several factors that can cause slums to occur in major cities. One is urbanization, but it can also be caused by conflict, e.g. civil war. In Nepal the latter was a major factor.
Furthermore there are a number of factors which keep people in the slums: For one, the slums are government owned, which means they can intervene at any given time, changing the dynamics or even demolishing the areas if it is beneficial to it. The slums are also of political interest and function as vote-banks during elections. Here the different political parties promises to protect a given slum area in exchange for votes. Also, there exists a number of so called land mafias who take advantage of the governments unpredictable auctions of land in the slum areas. They will buy off several plots and sell them with profits. This way a few people will obtain power and wealth at the cost of the many defenseless slummers.
On top of this, the government have an interest in keeping people in the slums when advocating for international support. On the other hand they might demolish large areas to keep the larger population satisfied.
Outdated laws also restrict the rights of the slummmers. E.g. you have no right to citizenship if you do not own land, but you cannot own land without a citizenship.
Despite the difficult conditions and prejudices against people living in slums, most slummers do not want to leave. They have build a life and a community in the slums. Often you can find schools, daycare centers and youth clubs and even small co-operatives within the boarders of larger slums. People are also more aware of their rights and fight for their causes when the government forces its power upon their home. Many people living in the slums originate from the rural areas of Nepal. They find it beneficial to live in the city where you are closer to services such as dentists, hospitals etc. As Anjana put it; They will rather be poor in the city, than rich in the country.
The current situation is caused by a government plan to demolish a slum area, while the people living there claim their right to be there, referring to the internationally acknowledged Human Rights.
Food for thought:
Today 506 million people are living in the slums in Asia alone. This is 61% of the worlds total slum population.....
Mette-Maria
Still, we had the opportunity to learn about the slums, as our Nepalese facilitator, Anjana briefed us about the current situation, and the more general definition of slums.
UN defines slums through 4 criterias: 1)the inhabitants have no concrete houses, 2)the area is crowded, 3)there is no access to services, and 4) poverty (below $1.25 a day).
There are several factors that can cause slums to occur in major cities. One is urbanization, but it can also be caused by conflict, e.g. civil war. In Nepal the latter was a major factor.
Furthermore there are a number of factors which keep people in the slums: For one, the slums are government owned, which means they can intervene at any given time, changing the dynamics or even demolishing the areas if it is beneficial to it. The slums are also of political interest and function as vote-banks during elections. Here the different political parties promises to protect a given slum area in exchange for votes. Also, there exists a number of so called land mafias who take advantage of the governments unpredictable auctions of land in the slum areas. They will buy off several plots and sell them with profits. This way a few people will obtain power and wealth at the cost of the many defenseless slummers.
On top of this, the government have an interest in keeping people in the slums when advocating for international support. On the other hand they might demolish large areas to keep the larger population satisfied.
Outdated laws also restrict the rights of the slummmers. E.g. you have no right to citizenship if you do not own land, but you cannot own land without a citizenship.
Despite the difficult conditions and prejudices against people living in slums, most slummers do not want to leave. They have build a life and a community in the slums. Often you can find schools, daycare centers and youth clubs and even small co-operatives within the boarders of larger slums. People are also more aware of their rights and fight for their causes when the government forces its power upon their home. Many people living in the slums originate from the rural areas of Nepal. They find it beneficial to live in the city where you are closer to services such as dentists, hospitals etc. As Anjana put it; They will rather be poor in the city, than rich in the country.
The current situation is caused by a government plan to demolish a slum area, while the people living there claim their right to be there, referring to the internationally acknowledged Human Rights.
Food for thought:
Today 506 million people are living in the slums in Asia alone. This is 61% of the worlds total slum population.....
Mette-Maria
Monday, November 21, 2011
Big Fat Pony
18th of November 2011
It was finally time to get a little taste of life as a volunteer. We were going to teach at a local Nepali school. As we approached the school, the butterflies in my stomach started taking of. There, all of the children were assembled in the schoolyard. Today they wore white bottoms and shoes instead of the grey bottoms and black shoes of yersterday. This messed up some of the preparation made by one of the groups. (They overcame it by changing "Your" to "Our".
When the assembly ended, the children ran up to their classrooms where we were greeted by song. I was teaching 4th grade along with Katrine. When we announced that they were going to draw while I read a fairy tale, their faces lit up in a smile. Katrine and I had decided, that we were going to read "The Swineheard" because it took 10 minutes toread out loud, and it had a princess.
Whether or not the children understood what they were supposed to do was a bit unclear in the beginning, since they were completely still while the fairy tale was being read. It was only when Katrine started drawing that they picked up their pencils and followed her lead.
The game of Hangman was the polar opposite. In an attempt to make the game less morbid, we drew a house instead of the hanged man. However the children exitingly cried uot "Hangman, Hangman" when they realized what the game was. So we did the original version instead. At first they were all seated at their tables, one saying a letter at a time. But as the game went along they stood pressed up against each other in a half circle around the "white borad" screaming letters at the same time. It was a wee bit confusing.
Well with the one hour past and our our program finished, we expected somebody to come and take over the class. This did not happen. So we had to improvise. Luckily we had been taught the energizer "Big Fat Pony" in which you run around in a circle whilst singing a song about a big fat pony. Fun and easy and they loved it. A lot. It becomes slightly less fun the seventh time you run around singing, with barely any breath left. But we played it over and over, even when we were told that we were done teaching, we did it again - just one last time.
We left the school feeling a bit like rock stars, because as we were leaving the children were running after us asking for our autographs. We managed to write quite a few, before they were hurdled back into their classrooms.
Back at the platform, we decided to celebrate this our first day of volunteering, the bast way we could think of; with chocolate cake, butterscotch ice cream and a game of charades.
/Kia and the rest of the volunteers, who have eaten way too much cake
Friday, November 18, 2011
Nepali class and "busy" Thamel
Today (4th november) started out with a "social structures in Asia"-class. Here we heard of the Caste System and how it works. It was quiet interesting, but also alarming how much it affects people. When you are a dallit, you are untouchable, and some from the higher castes will not have anything to do with you. Sometimes they will not even drink from the same water system as a dallit.
Then after lunch we had our first Nepali class, taught by Kaji. Therefore i feel (almost comfortable) saying: Mero naam Kathrine ho. Tapai ko naam ke ho? (My name is Kathrine. What is your name?) Getting to know the Nepali language a bit was very funny, but also very challenging. The word we thought meant "banana" actually means donkey!
In the afternoon we had some free time and we went to Thamel, some by taxi some by foot. Thamel is truely an area with lots of tourists and the atmosphere is very chaotic. It is like one big bazaar, but unlike many other bazaars the traffic is just as crazy inside Thamel as outside. In Thamel we also had our first meeting with the lesser organized way of handling things. We were going to book a trip to The Last Resort and more than one hour "quickly" passed away before anything was booked. We were waiting and waiting and were not even sure our wishes could be fulfilled. Though in the end it all fell into order, and we went home excited to leave for The Last Resort the next morning.
/Kathrine November 2011.
Then after lunch we had our first Nepali class, taught by Kaji. Therefore i feel (almost comfortable) saying: Mero naam Kathrine ho. Tapai ko naam ke ho? (My name is Kathrine. What is your name?) Getting to know the Nepali language a bit was very funny, but also very challenging. The word we thought meant "banana" actually means donkey!
In the afternoon we had some free time and we went to Thamel, some by taxi some by foot. Thamel is truely an area with lots of tourists and the atmosphere is very chaotic. It is like one big bazaar, but unlike many other bazaars the traffic is just as crazy inside Thamel as outside. In Thamel we also had our first meeting with the lesser organized way of handling things. We were going to book a trip to The Last Resort and more than one hour "quickly" passed away before anything was booked. We were waiting and waiting and were not even sure our wishes could be fulfilled. Though in the end it all fell into order, and we went home excited to leave for The Last Resort the next morning.
/Kathrine November 2011.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Bumpy Ride
Namaste!
The day started out with a solid meal, cooked by the mother of the platform, Sumi. Once again the breakfast consisted of toast with some sort of slush-ice topping, serial and oatmeal with heated milk – which is a combination some of the girls already enjoy. The focus of the day was Asian religion; Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism in particular. In extension to that we had a trip to a temple. A pink bus was supposed to pick us up at 11.30, but we waited 1½ hour for our sweet, Nepalese guide to arrive – our punctuality is being put to the test but we try to get used to a more easygoing lifestyle. In the meantime we sat in the peaceful environment on our terrace enjoying the lovely lunch pack the kitchen had prepared for us. It is safe to say that is was a bumpy ride to the temple, which resulted in a couple of bumps to the high ones, though I must give the Nepalese people credit for their excellent driving skills! We drove up a mountain on an extremely narrow road, which didn’t appear able to contain more than one car at a time. But time came where we met an oncoming bus and surprisingly enough they managed to get past each other driving inches away from the edge and make room for a motorcycle as well. Impressive! One of the former volunteers described the traffic in Nepal as “survival of the fittest”, which I think is a fitting description. At first we thought they were taping the program “Pimp my ride” on the parking ground in front of the temple, but our guide told us that they were giving their blessing to the car by decorating it. That might explain their daring way of driving. The temple itself wasn’t what we had expected, but we decided to go what felt like 1000 stairs up to look at an amazing, though dusty and misty view. Short of breaths, with red cheeks and smiling faces we stood for a minute just enjoying the moment. Unfortunately there were just as many stairs down. Our dinner was as usual very spicy for the soft Danish and some of the girls (read Maria) tried to spew fire but the only thing coming out of her mouth was a hoarse, masculine noise followed by a laughs all around the table.
Another day in Nepal filled with new exiting impressions and experiences is now coming to an end and we are once again planning to go to sleep to a symphony of barking dogs.
/Marie and the rest of the happy volunteers
The day started out with a solid meal, cooked by the mother of the platform, Sumi. Once again the breakfast consisted of toast with some sort of slush-ice topping, serial and oatmeal with heated milk – which is a combination some of the girls already enjoy. The focus of the day was Asian religion; Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism in particular. In extension to that we had a trip to a temple. A pink bus was supposed to pick us up at 11.30, but we waited 1½ hour for our sweet, Nepalese guide to arrive – our punctuality is being put to the test but we try to get used to a more easygoing lifestyle. In the meantime we sat in the peaceful environment on our terrace enjoying the lovely lunch pack the kitchen had prepared for us. It is safe to say that is was a bumpy ride to the temple, which resulted in a couple of bumps to the high ones, though I must give the Nepalese people credit for their excellent driving skills! We drove up a mountain on an extremely narrow road, which didn’t appear able to contain more than one car at a time. But time came where we met an oncoming bus and surprisingly enough they managed to get past each other driving inches away from the edge and make room for a motorcycle as well. Impressive! One of the former volunteers described the traffic in Nepal as “survival of the fittest”, which I think is a fitting description. At first we thought they were taping the program “Pimp my ride” on the parking ground in front of the temple, but our guide told us that they were giving their blessing to the car by decorating it. That might explain their daring way of driving. The temple itself wasn’t what we had expected, but we decided to go what felt like 1000 stairs up to look at an amazing, though dusty and misty view. Short of breaths, with red cheeks and smiling faces we stood for a minute just enjoying the moment. Unfortunately there were just as many stairs down. Our dinner was as usual very spicy for the soft Danish and some of the girls (read Maria) tried to spew fire but the only thing coming out of her mouth was a hoarse, masculine noise followed by a laughs all around the table.
Another day in Nepal filled with new exiting impressions and experiences is now coming to an end and we are once again planning to go to sleep to a symphony of barking dogs.
/Marie and the rest of the happy volunteers
Chaos, cornflakes and cows..
After 15 hours in the air and in airports we finally arrived to Kathmandu. It was a chaotic Kathmandu we met in the airport. While the others were waiting for Tine and Caecilie to get their visa, the four of us went out to find the bus driver. It was a totally chaos when we came outside. A lot of men were standing with a sign, taxi drivers were pooling in our clothes and the securities blew in their whistles. Finally we saw a man with “ActionAid” written on a sign. He followed us to the bus and we got in – a bit skeptical. Was it the right bus? Was the bus driver going to kidnap us? It turned out that we should not worry. Nepalese people are really nice people who want to help you. As nice the Nepalese people are as crazy is the traffic in Nepal. The traffic in Nepal is not at all like the traffic in Denmark. They honk all the time. Cars, people, dogs and cows are mixed in the street, and everybody just has to take care of themselves. We arrived to the global platform in Kathmandu, and were all happy to be alive.
Wednesday started out with breakfast. Everybody was happy and surprised to see that you could get oatmeal, cornflakes and milk. But… the milk was hot. After breakfast we played a namegame where we had to say our name and then an adjective. When it was Leas turn she said “Lea playful”. Kristoffer was looking a bit confused, and the different accents in the Danish language showed up. Kristoffer did not hear that lea said playful, so he thought she had said some kind of new word that the people over there (jydere) use.
Later on we had to walk around in Kathmandu to see some different places. When we saw there was a fitness center in Kathmandu we got surprised – but not as surprised as when we saw the fitness center. Outside it looked more like a pub than a fitness center.
Altogether it was a great day with lots of new impressions and a day filled with laughs. We have already found the father of the group, who is Christine. She tells the bad dad-jokes. I can feel that it is going to be an interesting and fun time here in the smiling Kathmandu.
/Line.
Wednesday started out with breakfast. Everybody was happy and surprised to see that you could get oatmeal, cornflakes and milk. But… the milk was hot. After breakfast we played a namegame where we had to say our name and then an adjective. When it was Leas turn she said “Lea playful”. Kristoffer was looking a bit confused, and the different accents in the Danish language showed up. Kristoffer did not hear that lea said playful, so he thought she had said some kind of new word that the people over there (jydere) use.
Later on we had to walk around in Kathmandu to see some different places. When we saw there was a fitness center in Kathmandu we got surprised – but not as surprised as when we saw the fitness center. Outside it looked more like a pub than a fitness center.
Altogether it was a great day with lots of new impressions and a day filled with laughs. We have already found the father of the group, who is Christine. She tells the bad dad-jokes. I can feel that it is going to be an interesting and fun time here in the smiling Kathmandu.
/Line.
Monday, November 7, 2011
The world's biggest stupa!
The alarm clock woke Marie, Line and I at 7.15 am, and we had a hard time coming out of the bed after a weekend with river rafting and high ropes (you are 10 meters above the ground, and then you have to go from tree to tree in different ways). We were going to help Sumi make breakfast. Today it was a Muslim holiday called Eid, so the food was a bit different. We got something that looked like donuts, but it tasted like a mixing between donuts and bread. There was also some kind of mush which tasted a bit funny. Otherwise, there was the same food as usual.
The focus of the day was movie making. We started out with some learning about the technical side of making a video, and we talked a bit about the competition MS and Politiken has made which we can take part in. Afterwards, we went out in the streets of Kathmandu to try to get some ideas to make a little movie that has to be done Wednesday.
The biggest experience of the day came in the end where we went to see Boudhanath which is the biggest stupa (a Buddhist temple) in the world. It was a place full of about everything. There were a lot of monks, tourist and regular Nepalese people. Around the biggest temple in the middle there were a lot of “wheels”, and the Nepalese people made them twist. It was all kinds of persons, who did it, and they were from small children to old people. We went into a little temple where we got some kind of incense stick and a monk told us about some figures in the little temple and about Buddhism. Next to him sat another monk and prayed. On the way out, the monk told us that we could give the praying monk some money. In a way, it ruined some of the sanctification of the place and turned it in to be a tourist attraction. Besides, the temple was surrounded by small shops with all kinds of souvenirs. Because of this, it was easy to see that it has become much more than a holy place; it is also a tourist attraction, and therefore, it is now a way for some people to earn money. We also saw some beggars, mostly children, who follow you. It was very hard to watch them, but we have been told not to give them anything, because there are some organisations which try to keep the children away from the street, and it will only keep them there if we give them money. Still, it was an experience that contained a lot. We saw some different people and for some of them, it seemed like it also was an experience to see us. An old woman came and said hi, and then she looked at Kathrine, pointed at her at laughed. It seems like we aren’t the only ones seeing something new.
The focus of the day was movie making. We started out with some learning about the technical side of making a video, and we talked a bit about the competition MS and Politiken has made which we can take part in. Afterwards, we went out in the streets of Kathmandu to try to get some ideas to make a little movie that has to be done Wednesday.
The biggest experience of the day came in the end where we went to see Boudhanath which is the biggest stupa (a Buddhist temple) in the world. It was a place full of about everything. There were a lot of monks, tourist and regular Nepalese people. Around the biggest temple in the middle there were a lot of “wheels”, and the Nepalese people made them twist. It was all kinds of persons, who did it, and they were from small children to old people. We went into a little temple where we got some kind of incense stick and a monk told us about some figures in the little temple and about Buddhism. Next to him sat another monk and prayed. On the way out, the monk told us that we could give the praying monk some money. In a way, it ruined some of the sanctification of the place and turned it in to be a tourist attraction. Besides, the temple was surrounded by small shops with all kinds of souvenirs. Because of this, it was easy to see that it has become much more than a holy place; it is also a tourist attraction, and therefore, it is now a way for some people to earn money. We also saw some beggars, mostly children, who follow you. It was very hard to watch them, but we have been told not to give them anything, because there are some organisations which try to keep the children away from the street, and it will only keep them there if we give them money. Still, it was an experience that contained a lot. We saw some different people and for some of them, it seemed like it also was an experience to see us. An old woman came and said hi, and then she looked at Kathrine, pointed at her at laughed. It seems like we aren’t the only ones seeing something new.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Writing for a change
Sitting in Kathmandu faced with this blank paper my thoughts begins to make sense; the puzzle is falling into place.
3 months ago sitting back home in Denmark I weren’t sure about whether I wanted to go to Nepal as a volunteer at all – my life was just fine as it was; I had a great Job, some great friends and was just about to move into an apartment – I was quite satisfied with my life.
The keyword in this is; satisfied. I think us Danes are too self-satisfied, we each have all you could possible need, both in a materialistic and a social point of view – we are not to worry about much, if we fall, BIGMOTHER will catch us and bring us back into society.
There is nothing bad in this, however, this ‘self-satisfiedism’ has placed us in something similar to Platons’ cavepicture – we only see the shadows, not the things in its real forms.
With pictures of fairytales pulled over our eyes, we proclaim freedom, with the right to freedom of speech in the one hand and the sword in the other – at the same time we are putting up boarder gates to secure our castle. Only chosen ones are allowed entrance; those who are willing to look like us – we are speaking with two tongs.
Instead of looking at the world with the eyes of assimilation, we should praise the diversity of the different cultures – if we don’t do that, we will maintain blind and not see people as what they really are, but as metaphors of something else.
We have to break out of the pseudo-lives most of us are living, even though it is difficult, since it’s something we are born into and are holding onto, to maintain the identity we have built to protect us from the harsh facts of life, furthermore this also makes us blind for all the beauty there is to be found outside our daily-life-horizon.
That’s where I am right now, here in Kathmandu among the Nepalese people with all their smiles and overwhelming generosity despite their poor conditions – here I have realized that I am not only a Dane either an European, but I am a global citizen and with that follows great responsibility.
Sitting in Kathmandu faced with this blank paper my thoughts begins to make sense; the puzzle is falling into place.
3 months ago sitting back home in Denmark I weren’t sure about whether I wanted to go to Nepal as a volunteer at all – my life was just fine as it was; I had a great Job, some great friends and was just about to move into an apartment – I was quite satisfied with my life.
The keyword in this is; satisfied. I think us Danes are too self-satisfied, we each have all you could possible need, both in a materialistic and a social point of view – we are not to worry about much, if we fall, BIGMOTHER will catch us and bring us back into society.
There is nothing bad in this, however, this ‘self-satisfiedism’ has placed us in something similar to Platons’ cavepicture – we only see the shadows, not the things in its real forms.
With pictures of fairytales pulled over our eyes, we proclaim freedom, with the right to freedom of speech in the one hand and the sword in the other – at the same time we are putting up boarder gates to secure our castle. Only chosen ones are allowed entrance; those who are willing to look like us – we are speaking with two tongs.
Instead of looking at the world with the eyes of assimilation, we should praise the diversity of the different cultures – if we don’t do that, we will maintain blind and not see people as what they really are, but as metaphors of something else.
We have to break out of the pseudo-lives most of us are living, even though it is difficult, since it’s something we are born into and are holding onto, to maintain the identity we have built to protect us from the harsh facts of life, furthermore this also makes us blind for all the beauty there is to be found outside our daily-life-horizon.
That’s where I am right now, here in Kathmandu among the Nepalese people with all their smiles and overwhelming generosity despite their poor conditions – here I have realized that I am not only a Dane either an European, but I am a global citizen and with that follows great responsibility.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday the 24th (i think)
We spent a long weekend trekking on the ridge of the Kathmandu Valley from Nagarkot to Sundarijal with a overnight stop at a small village. It was a lovely, refreshing trip offering amazing views of the Himalaya mountains and an exciting experience staying at some local lodges. But after a long descent on sunday that left most of us tired we got back to the platform and all slept very well i can wager. So come monday we were all tired but had to present our Human Rights projects for the country we were going to volunteer in. After that we had to start work on our Social Change picture and Future Worshop project for tomorrow. In the evening we got to unwind at the now infamous Reggae Bar in Thamel. Live music and good company. I think we all had a great night and it didn't end there but this blog does.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday the 18th of October
Today was really a quite day the house, it was every strange beause normely the house is full of life; Global Change was away on a Fieldtrip. Every tuesday is cleaning day, there was a lot to do, beause we were going to clearn every corner of the house.
Monday we filmed in Kathmandu city, the film was about food. Tuesday we have to produce and putting the film together in moviemaker. At 4 o'clock the film should be finised. There was some problems with the computers, so some of the groups worked hard to the last minut. We saw all the film on a big screen, some of them was very funny. Beause we didn't have so long time to make the movies, there was still some work to do. But I think all of the gourps did made a great work even thorgh the short time. Atfer we have seen the films we give earch other feedback.
At the evening we went to Thamel to go out, we went to different pubs. One problem is that the pubs are closing very early so we move to a new places, we visted a pub full of danish people that was weird! When that place also closing we get up on a roof top with some danish people, we playing guitars, sing and drink beers, that was funny and cosy.
Monday we filmed in Kathmandu city, the film was about food. Tuesday we have to produce and putting the film together in moviemaker. At 4 o'clock the film should be finised. There was some problems with the computers, so some of the groups worked hard to the last minut. We saw all the film on a big screen, some of them was very funny. Beause we didn't have so long time to make the movies, there was still some work to do. But I think all of the gourps did made a great work even thorgh the short time. Atfer we have seen the films we give earch other feedback.
At the evening we went to Thamel to go out, we went to different pubs. One problem is that the pubs are closing very early so we move to a new places, we visted a pub full of danish people that was weird! When that place also closing we get up on a roof top with some danish people, we playing guitars, sing and drink beers, that was funny and cosy.
Wednesday: A day at the slum
Another day in Nepal has just passed by and it is time to do some blogging. The key word for today is Slum – which we discussed in class and following saw by our own eyes.
It was a great experience because you as a Danish guy, who never have seen a slum area, have a lot of prejudice about the subject and they were almost all rejected. We went to the slum area with a local guy who lived there himself. Both of his parents were dead and now he lived in the slum with his sister. It was great to be escorted around by someone who lived there and it did not take long time before we were invited to the first home.
The slum or community as the local called it was a very small one compared to many others, only around 30 houses. What surprised me most was the people’s unity almost like one big family, helping and supporting each other at all times.
Likewise the community was very well organized. They had a president and a vice president, and if any problems appeared or any decisions should be made they did it in common. Every voice was heard. They had also made up different rules and regulations to make the community better. Like a non alcohol politic because drinking in the slum areas often leads to a lot of violence, abuse and other bad things.
So, I’m not saying it was a great place to be for the people there is defiantly better alternatives and the people who lived there were still very poor. But it was good to see that they made it work out any way and that a life in the slum not is as bad as the media’s often projects it.
Another day in Nepal has just passed by and it is time to do some blogging. The key word for today is Slum – which we discussed in class and following saw by our own eyes.
It was a great experience because you as a Danish guy, who never have seen a slum area, have a lot of prejudice about the subject and they were almost all rejected. We went to the slum area with a local guy who lived there himself. Both of his parents were dead and now he lived in the slum with his sister. It was great to be escorted around by someone who lived there and it did not take long time before we were invited to the first home.
The slum or community as the local called it was a very small one compared to many others, only around 30 houses. What surprised me most was the people’s unity almost like one big family, helping and supporting each other at all times.
Likewise the community was very well organized. They had a president and a vice president, and if any problems appeared or any decisions should be made they did it in common. Every voice was heard. They had also made up different rules and regulations to make the community better. Like a non alcohol politic because drinking in the slum areas often leads to a lot of violence, abuse and other bad things.
So, I’m not saying it was a great place to be for the people there is defiantly better alternatives and the people who lived there were still very poor. But it was good to see that they made it work out any way and that a life in the slum not is as bad as the media’s often projects it.
It was a great experience because you as a Danish guy, who never have seen a slum area, have a lot of prejudice about the subject and they were almost all rejected. We went to the slum area with a local guy who lived there himself. Both of his parents were dead and now he lived in the slum with his sister. It was great to be escorted around by someone who lived there and it did not take long time before we were invited to the first home.
The slum or community as the local called it was a very small one compared to many others, only around 30 houses. What surprised me most was the people’s unity almost like one big family, helping and supporting each other at all times.
Likewise the community was very well organized. They had a president and a vice president, and if any problems appeared or any decisions should be made they did it in common. Every voice was heard. They had also made up different rules and regulations to make the community better. Like a non alcohol politic because drinking in the slum areas often leads to a lot of violence, abuse and other bad things.
So, I’m not saying it was a great place to be for the people there is defiantly better alternatives and the people who lived there were still very poor. But it was good to see that they made it work out any way and that a life in the slum not is as bad as the media’s often projects it.
Another day in Nepal has just passed by and it is time to do some blogging. The key word for today is Slum – which we discussed in class and following saw by our own eyes.
It was a great experience because you as a Danish guy, who never have seen a slum area, have a lot of prejudice about the subject and they were almost all rejected. We went to the slum area with a local guy who lived there himself. Both of his parents were dead and now he lived in the slum with his sister. It was great to be escorted around by someone who lived there and it did not take long time before we were invited to the first home.
The slum or community as the local called it was a very small one compared to many others, only around 30 houses. What surprised me most was the people’s unity almost like one big family, helping and supporting each other at all times.
Likewise the community was very well organized. They had a president and a vice president, and if any problems appeared or any decisions should be made they did it in common. Every voice was heard. They had also made up different rules and regulations to make the community better. Like a non alcohol politic because drinking in the slum areas often leads to a lot of violence, abuse and other bad things.
So, I’m not saying it was a great place to be for the people there is defiantly better alternatives and the people who lived there were still very poor. But it was good to see that they made it work out any way and that a life in the slum not is as bad as the media’s often projects it.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tuesday 11/10-2011
The Sun rang the morning bell and troughed its sparkle upon the Kathmandu valley for the 8th time, since we arrived.
It’s Tuesday and it’s cleaning day. Sumi, motherplatform, directs around her troops and make things fall into their right places.
I was sent to the garden and established acquaintance with the discipline, sweeping the grass. Not only did I regard it as futile work, so did the mosquitoes and we were all ambushed by a group of bloodsucking vampires, who drained of our blood and made especially Mathilde look like a case of ‘roedehunde’.
After lunch we discussed what defines, and who we regard as being social agents. In groups we came up with names such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, John Lennon etc. I couldn’t help feeling a little humble and holding these figures in awe.
Even though Rikke did her best to boost our self-confidence, it was difficult to find any similarities with King and co. – apart from not being black I’m also musically retarded.
After dinner Rikke took us to a local Bar where ‘krofar’ welcomed us with a bright smile and proudly showed his toothless gums. We all had a great time and on the way home the beer-happy Danes breathed a sigh of relief with the knowledge of where to find the nearest serving of beer - the smiles were like sewn to our faces.
The intoxication was in two parts, since it made me realize why I have chosen to be a volunteer. Going at the local bar showed, among other things, that it gives you the opportunity to dig into the culture and gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs and culture through social relations with local people – this gives you the chance of both spreading and receiving smiles in familiar and friendly surroundings.
That’s why the platform already now is a homely base in the hectic Kathmandu. Familiarity, safety and care are things we all depend on – these are the values we are going to fight for.
The Sun rang the morning bell and troughed its sparkle upon the Kathmandu valley for the 8th time, since we arrived.
It’s Tuesday and it’s cleaning day. Sumi, motherplatform, directs around her troops and make things fall into their right places.
I was sent to the garden and established acquaintance with the discipline, sweeping the grass. Not only did I regard it as futile work, so did the mosquitoes and we were all ambushed by a group of bloodsucking vampires, who drained of our blood and made especially Mathilde look like a case of ‘roedehunde’.
After lunch we discussed what defines, and who we regard as being social agents. In groups we came up with names such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, John Lennon etc. I couldn’t help feeling a little humble and holding these figures in awe.
Even though Rikke did her best to boost our self-confidence, it was difficult to find any similarities with King and co. – apart from not being black I’m also musically retarded.
After dinner Rikke took us to a local Bar where ‘krofar’ welcomed us with a bright smile and proudly showed his toothless gums. We all had a great time and on the way home the beer-happy Danes breathed a sigh of relief with the knowledge of where to find the nearest serving of beer - the smiles were like sewn to our faces.
The intoxication was in two parts, since it made me realize why I have chosen to be a volunteer. Going at the local bar showed, among other things, that it gives you the opportunity to dig into the culture and gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs and culture through social relations with local people – this gives you the chance of both spreading and receiving smiles in familiar and friendly surroundings.
That’s why the platform already now is a homely base in the hectic Kathmandu. Familiarity, safety and care are things we all depend on – these are the values we are going to fight for.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday the 13th of October
Nameste everyone.
What a lovely day, the sun is shining through the window, I feel the warm. It remembers me of a new day has arrived. I can’t wait for a lot of new adventures to begin and spending more time with the other volunteers.
Everything here in Nepal is so different from Denmark and my everyday life at home, so every day is like a new start of a fantastic experience.
Today’s lesson with Anjana was about Global Citizenship. We got a quiz about our life at home, our habits etc. At last we were going to talk two and two about the results and then discuss how we can improve it. We had a long chilling break at the rooftop, with the sun, relaxing music and peoples cheerful minds.
After lunch we were going with the Activistas to a campaign for Disaster Risk Reduction. We gather with some other Activistas and sent the message to the world. These Activistas from the platform is full of joy and life.
When we got home, some of us would like to do something active! So we took a Nepali fitness class in the local fitness center. First of all everything was way more different that I thought. The female instructor were wearing tiny shorts and a little top, we were very surprised. But what a sweaty hour and we’ll surely come back!!
- Watch out Nepal
What a lovely day, the sun is shining through the window, I feel the warm. It remembers me of a new day has arrived. I can’t wait for a lot of new adventures to begin and spending more time with the other volunteers.
Everything here in Nepal is so different from Denmark and my everyday life at home, so every day is like a new start of a fantastic experience.
Today’s lesson with Anjana was about Global Citizenship. We got a quiz about our life at home, our habits etc. At last we were going to talk two and two about the results and then discuss how we can improve it. We had a long chilling break at the rooftop, with the sun, relaxing music and peoples cheerful minds.
After lunch we were going with the Activistas to a campaign for Disaster Risk Reduction. We gather with some other Activistas and sent the message to the world. These Activistas from the platform is full of joy and life.
When we got home, some of us would like to do something active! So we took a Nepali fitness class in the local fitness center. First of all everything was way more different that I thought. The female instructor were wearing tiny shorts and a little top, we were very surprised. But what a sweaty hour and we’ll surely come back!!
- Watch out Nepal
12 - 10 - 2011
The sun Is now awake again and has open her eyes. A new day is beginning. Sometimes I cant understand that I am heir in Nepal. Sometimes it just feel like a dream.
When you wake up and open your eyes you can see a beautiful garden with exotic plant. And you can almost see the Himalaya mountain from the window. There is so many different sounds in the morning. And there is a very peaceful atmosphere. I like to lay down there and just listen and look.
Today we have learned a lot about work shops. Our two very sweets facilitators Rikke and Anjana was introduce us how to make a workshop.
We were now divided into three groups, where each group were going to make a little workshop. And show it for each other. The first group made a workshop which was about Youth across culture, the second group about volunteering for social change and the last group was about global activism. I think it was fun and exciting but also difficult and a challenge for me. A good challenge.
Now it is evening again and our dearest sun has just say good bye, see you guys, and walk for a little trip to another place. And our beautiful moon are now dancing in the sky.
Thank you for this day. And thank you all people for some very good deep talk and a lot of fun. I really like you all. Nameste.
When you wake up and open your eyes you can see a beautiful garden with exotic plant. And you can almost see the Himalaya mountain from the window. There is so many different sounds in the morning. And there is a very peaceful atmosphere. I like to lay down there and just listen and look.
Today we have learned a lot about work shops. Our two very sweets facilitators Rikke and Anjana was introduce us how to make a workshop.
We were now divided into three groups, where each group were going to make a little workshop. And show it for each other. The first group made a workshop which was about Youth across culture, the second group about volunteering for social change and the last group was about global activism. I think it was fun and exciting but also difficult and a challenge for me. A good challenge.
Now it is evening again and our dearest sun has just say good bye, see you guys, and walk for a little trip to another place. And our beautiful moon are now dancing in the sky.
Thank you for this day. And thank you all people for some very good deep talk and a lot of fun. I really like you all. Nameste.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
10-10-2011
For the very first time since we arrived in Kathmandu, we could see the white tops of Himalaya from the balcony. The sight was amazing, and I tried to imagine how it would be standing on one of those tops.
Today we also met our second teacher Anjana for the first time. She had like the kitchen personal, the cook Sumi, the secretary Kaji and some of the global changers been away because of Dasain. The platform was now filled with a lot of people from different countries, which meant that we had to speak English all the time. Very frightening! On the other hand it was nice to experience a livelier global platform.
Anjana started teaching us about street children in Nepal. What chocked me the most was that 60 % of the street children had been physically or sexually abused by policemen. I remembered some children I had seen a couple of days ago. They had been sitting in the garbage and sniffing glue just hundred meters away from the police station. I could not stop wondering if men from that police station were abusing those children. The scenario seemed both absurd and awfully realistic.
Afterwards we saw a movie called “born into a brothel”. In the movie an American photographer teaches children of prostitutes how to take pictures. Despite bureaucracy and social norms the American photographer gets some of the children into a school. In this way the children are given a chance to change their life and not end up in prostitution.
After lunch we started on Future workshop, here we came up with different ideas to how we could make a social change in the places that we are going to be volunteers.
In the evening some of us started to see a Bollywood movie without English subtitles, and all though some of the Nepali Global changers tried to translate, I did not really get the movie.
Today we also met our second teacher Anjana for the first time. She had like the kitchen personal, the cook Sumi, the secretary Kaji and some of the global changers been away because of Dasain. The platform was now filled with a lot of people from different countries, which meant that we had to speak English all the time. Very frightening! On the other hand it was nice to experience a livelier global platform.
Anjana started teaching us about street children in Nepal. What chocked me the most was that 60 % of the street children had been physically or sexually abused by policemen. I remembered some children I had seen a couple of days ago. They had been sitting in the garbage and sniffing glue just hundred meters away from the police station. I could not stop wondering if men from that police station were abusing those children. The scenario seemed both absurd and awfully realistic.
Afterwards we saw a movie called “born into a brothel”. In the movie an American photographer teaches children of prostitutes how to take pictures. Despite bureaucracy and social norms the American photographer gets some of the children into a school. In this way the children are given a chance to change their life and not end up in prostitution.
After lunch we started on Future workshop, here we came up with different ideas to how we could make a social change in the places that we are going to be volunteers.
In the evening some of us started to see a Bollywood movie without English subtitles, and all though some of the Nepali Global changers tried to translate, I did not really get the movie.
Thursday the 6th of October
Namaste followers, i bet there are thousands of you out there following our every move.
It feels like we've been here for weeks but the adventure is only 5 days old. The buzz and excitement of Kathmandu engrosses you so you forget about your fatigue. The new tastes; lovely yet spicy food, sound in the form of a constant blaring of horns and the sight of the colourful and vibrant streets left most of us thoroughly exhausted. So we got to spend today relaxing in the platform of eden in the beautiful weather. Thanks to the Dasain festival the city was relatively peaceful and quiet. In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by some of our own. We ate on the rooftop veranda in the flickering candlelight. After an enlightening guided meditation under the stars most people decided to get an early night in preparation for the early bus ride to Chitwan National Park tomorrow morning.....
Greetings from Kamal Pokhari.
It feels like we've been here for weeks but the adventure is only 5 days old. The buzz and excitement of Kathmandu engrosses you so you forget about your fatigue. The new tastes; lovely yet spicy food, sound in the form of a constant blaring of horns and the sight of the colourful and vibrant streets left most of us thoroughly exhausted. So we got to spend today relaxing in the platform of eden in the beautiful weather. Thanks to the Dasain festival the city was relatively peaceful and quiet. In the evening we enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by some of our own. We ate on the rooftop veranda in the flickering candlelight. After an enlightening guided meditation under the stars most people decided to get an early night in preparation for the early bus ride to Chitwan National Park tomorrow morning.....
Greetings from Kamal Pokhari.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Daarlig loebedag..
“Klar, parat, start!” taenker jeg for mig selv, mens jeg tager afsaet fra det overdimensionerede fortorv, der slanger sig hele vejen rundt om Kanthmandu’s hovedsaede, nemlig The Royale Palace. “Jeg skal bare lige rundt om det naeste hjoerne”, gentager jeg gang paa gang for mig selv, men det sidste hjoerne kommer aldrig paa denne uudholdelige loebetur! De andre er langt foran mig. I spidsen ligger Amanda, pigen der lever for basket hjemme i Danmark, og med sine lange staenger og lyse lokker faar de nepalesiske herrer til at kigge en ekstra gang. Hun kan bare det pjat! Bag hende er vi ca. 5 piger, der stoendende og inaverende proever at folge trop. Den sidste pige er naturligvis mig. Jeg er nemlig den heldige vinder af et par dvaergeben og en solid numse, der bare ikke vil med, selvom jeg kalder paa den op til flere gange. “Det kan bare ikke vaere rigtigt!”, presser det alligevel paa i mit hovede, men i stedet for at fyrre op for min indre loebemotor, vaelger jeg som altid at faa lidt ondt af mig selv. Isaer naar de andre nepalesere kommer loebende forbi paa deres mandagsrute, ja saa vaelger jeg at se lidt ekstra saarbar ud, i tilfaelde af at de rigtig nok tror at jeg er det langsommeste blegansigt i min loebegruppe. Men det er okay. Jeg finder en ny syndebuk, for min daarlige kondi: luftforureningen! De nepalesere jeg loeber forbi er alle udrustede med en form for iltmaske der holder bilos og stoev ude, saa de kan klare turen, og saa er det da klart at jeg hakker noget i det her 10 minutters loeb efter de andre toeser. Resten af turen gaar med at fortaelle mig selv at jeg virkelig har gjort det godt, og at det sikkert bare er (endnu) en daarlig loebedag. De andre er nu i maal og venter kun paa at hende “den langsomme”, altsaa mig, faar roeven med sig, men det goer hun aldrig. I stedet faar jeg stukket dem en fed loegn om at jeg har det lidt daarligt, evt. lidt begyndende diarre, og nok bliver noedt til at gaa hjem. De hopper paa den og vi foelges hjem til platformen. Paa vejen genvinder jeg de andres respekt ved at indskyde; “Skal vi saa tage en tur til igen i morgen?”
Daarlig loebedag..
“Klar, parat, start!” taenker jeg for mig selv, mens jeg tager afsaet fra det overdimensionerede fortorv, der slanger sig hele vejen rundt om Kanthmandu’s hovedsaede, nemlig The Royal Palace. “Jeg skal bare lige rundt om det naeste hjoerne”, gentager jeg gang paa gang for mig selv, men det sidste hjoerne kommer aldrig paa denne uudholdelige loebetur! De andre er langt foran mig. I spidsen ligger Amanda, pigen der lever for basket hjemme i Danmark, og med sine lange staenger og lyse lokker faar de nepalesiske herrer til at kigge en ekstra gang. Hun kan bare det pjat! Bag hende er vi ca. 5 piger, der stoendende og inaverende proever at folge trop. Den sidste pige er naturligvis mig. Jeg er nemlig den heldige vinder af et par dvaergeben og en solid numse, der bare ikke vil med, selvom jeg kalder paa den op til flere gange. “Det kan bare ikke vaere rigtigt!”, presser det alligevel paa i mit hovede, men i stedet for at fyrre op for min indre loebemotor, vaelger jeg som altid at faa lidt ondt af mig selv. Isaer naar de andre nepalesere kommer loebende forbi paa deres mandagsrute, ja saa vaelger jeg at se lidt ekstra saarbar ud, i tilfaelde af at de rigtig nok tror at jeg er det langsommeste blegansigt i min loebegruppe. Men det er okay. Jeg finder en ny syndebuk, for min daarlige kondi: luftforureningen! De nepalesere jeg loeber forbi er alle udrustede med en form for iltmaske der holder bilos og stoev ude, saa de kan klare turen, og saa er det da klart at jeg hakker noget i det her 10 minutters loeb efter de andre toeser. Resten af turen gaar med at fortaelle mig selv at jeg virkelig har gjort det godt, og at det sikkert bare er (endnu) en daarlig loebedag. De andre er nu i maal og venter kun paa at hende “den langsomme”, altsaa mig, faar roeven med sig, men det goer hun aldrig. I stedet faar jeg stukket dem en fed loegn om at jeg har det lidt daarligt, evt. lidt begyndende diarre, og nok bliver noedt til at gaa hjem. De hopper paa den og vi foelges hjem til platformen. Paa vejen genvinder jeg de andres respekt ved at indskyde; “Skal vi saa tage en tur til igen i morgen?”
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
21st of September, 2011
If Mr. and Mrs. Denmark were to define the word slum they would probably say something like: “It’s a group of poor and criminal people living together in a stinky bunch of shelters made from garbage”. But maybe Mr. and Mrs. Denmark would change their perception and even wanted to redefine the term if they were to live in the slum for one day. My perception was changed.
But back to the beginning of the day. In the morning we had a class with Anjana about slum and adequate houses. The class ended with a debate on the topic “Slum tourism”
Moti gave a short briefing about the slum areas in Kathmandu including the slum where he grew up and still lives.
After lunch some of us went to the city center to buy small gifts to the families we later were going to stay with, besides that we did nothing but waited to take off for the slum.
When we arrived at the slum there were no signs of the man who was going to meet us there so we were put into the community house to wait. We were told that he would show up in 1 ½ hour which meant that we had plenty of time to discover the neighborhood.
1 ½ hour passed and the man didn’t show up. Actually no one showed up so we sat waiting in the community house watching the sun set knowing nothing about what was going to happen later on. Eventually the man and a young English-speaking girl showed up. Now the plan was that we should take a walk around the area with them, eat with the families and then return to stay overnight in the community house.
We went into the slum again and got divided between the families 3 or 2 together or just alone. It was quite obvious that most of the families didn’t know we were coming. I was placed alone with a family consisting of the grandparents, the parents, two sons and plenty of cousins and cousin brothers. The older brother aged 20 was quite good at speaking English so he acted translator when the family kept asking me questions of all different kinds in Nepali. They were very eager to hear about me and Denmark and my purpose of going to Nepal. They were very sweet, and most of the time was spend laughing.
For dinner I was served a plate of dahlbath and I can without lying say that there were rise enough to feed 3 persons on that plate. But I smiled and ate it all. After dinner I was served Nepali wine and asked to play guitar. The neighbor son went to get his guitar. A shining white electric guitar without jack stick amplifier, so there I sat playing something that no one could hear. But they clapped and were very pleased.
Just as I was going to bet I was told that I’d better keep some of my clothes on and zip up my sleeping bag and as soon as the light was turned off I discovered why. The bed I was laying in hosted not only me but a mice family as well. So I lay sweating in my sleeping bag while mice kept running round in the bed and on my sleeping bag. But to my fortune it started raining making the sound of the mice disappear. So there I lay slowly falling to sleep full of rice thinking how well I was treated. Sure my perception of the slum was changed!
/Mads
But back to the beginning of the day. In the morning we had a class with Anjana about slum and adequate houses. The class ended with a debate on the topic “Slum tourism”
Moti gave a short briefing about the slum areas in Kathmandu including the slum where he grew up and still lives.
After lunch some of us went to the city center to buy small gifts to the families we later were going to stay with, besides that we did nothing but waited to take off for the slum.
When we arrived at the slum there were no signs of the man who was going to meet us there so we were put into the community house to wait. We were told that he would show up in 1 ½ hour which meant that we had plenty of time to discover the neighborhood.
1 ½ hour passed and the man didn’t show up. Actually no one showed up so we sat waiting in the community house watching the sun set knowing nothing about what was going to happen later on. Eventually the man and a young English-speaking girl showed up. Now the plan was that we should take a walk around the area with them, eat with the families and then return to stay overnight in the community house.
We went into the slum again and got divided between the families 3 or 2 together or just alone. It was quite obvious that most of the families didn’t know we were coming. I was placed alone with a family consisting of the grandparents, the parents, two sons and plenty of cousins and cousin brothers. The older brother aged 20 was quite good at speaking English so he acted translator when the family kept asking me questions of all different kinds in Nepali. They were very eager to hear about me and Denmark and my purpose of going to Nepal. They were very sweet, and most of the time was spend laughing.
For dinner I was served a plate of dahlbath and I can without lying say that there were rise enough to feed 3 persons on that plate. But I smiled and ate it all. After dinner I was served Nepali wine and asked to play guitar. The neighbor son went to get his guitar. A shining white electric guitar without jack stick amplifier, so there I sat playing something that no one could hear. But they clapped and were very pleased.
Just as I was going to bet I was told that I’d better keep some of my clothes on and zip up my sleeping bag and as soon as the light was turned off I discovered why. The bed I was laying in hosted not only me but a mice family as well. So I lay sweating in my sleeping bag while mice kept running round in the bed and on my sleeping bag. But to my fortune it started raining making the sound of the mice disappear. So there I lay slowly falling to sleep full of rice thinking how well I was treated. Sure my perception of the slum was changed!
/Mads
Monday, September 26, 2011
You know you are in Kathmandu when...
- you wake up with six bed-bugs-bites on your arm (Ida G)
- you eat rice at breakfast, lunch and dinner (Frederikke)
- you pay 4 danish crowns for a taxi (Camilla)
- locals call you Salad (Charlotte)
- all men offer you marriage (Catharina)
- being 8 people in a taxi is no problem (Line)
- your stomach hurts because of the spicy food (Marie)
- it suddenly becomes dark when you are in the shower (Ida P)
- you always fight with a salesman about the price (Stine)
- you need a local girl to help you over the road because of the wild traffic (Kristine)
- you are called Maam (Monica)
- the first thing you put in your bag is a headlight (Nicoline)
- you wake up at 5 am to the sound of barking dogs and screaming men (Anna Julie)
- your room mate dissapears every other minute (Mads)
- you can bargain with a taxidriver about the price for a ride (Svenne)
- your stomach has been teasing you for 4 weeks (Jesper)
- there are danish people all around you (Ida S)
- you always have dirty feet (Louise)
Written by Marie Henriksen
- you eat rice at breakfast, lunch and dinner (Frederikke)
- you pay 4 danish crowns for a taxi (Camilla)
- locals call you Salad (Charlotte)
- all men offer you marriage (Catharina)
- being 8 people in a taxi is no problem (Line)
- your stomach hurts because of the spicy food (Marie)
- it suddenly becomes dark when you are in the shower (Ida P)
- you always fight with a salesman about the price (Stine)
- you need a local girl to help you over the road because of the wild traffic (Kristine)
- you are called Maam (Monica)
- the first thing you put in your bag is a headlight (Nicoline)
- you wake up at 5 am to the sound of barking dogs and screaming men (Anna Julie)
- your room mate dissapears every other minute (Mads)
- you can bargain with a taxidriver about the price for a ride (Svenne)
- your stomach has been teasing you for 4 weeks (Jesper)
- there are danish people all around you (Ida S)
- you always have dirty feet (Louise)
Written by Marie Henriksen
Thoughts and ice cream
Woken up at 5 am. wasn't what we (Ida, Anna Julie and I) had in mind, but anyhow it is okay. We got tea but the situation of just sitting in this room with no windows, the not-knowing-what-to-do-feeling, was just too overwhelming and we took a taxi home to the platform. Laying in my bed my bed not knowing whether it was wrong leaving the slum, or not troubled me at lot of thoughts on how we should have reacted. Here we come as foreigners and just leave really early, almost rudely early, in the morning. And had only recieved a lousy cup of tea from this friendly, openminded, caring family. I woulds not say I'm sorry about the situation but lets say it made me think. At 9.30 the ots returned and we shared experiences and talked about the evening and the night had been going. It seemed like everyone had a positive experience. The rest of the day we had no classes, and then 3 o'clock some of us decided to go to Søbogaard, an ecological farm in Bahktapur, outside Kathmandu. They are making juices, ice cream and in general food that is 100% egological. It was a really beautiful farm, the food was delicious, and that homemade ecological ice cream - I still dream about it!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday 9th of September
After a well deserved reminder about the house rule’s (nothing more to say…), we presented our Human Right’s assignments. The groups had made plays, power-point, quiz etc. After the presentations we went down to the TV-room to watch “Born into brothel”. After many technical difficulties, we were finally apple to see the documentary about an American woman, who tries to help Indian sex worker’s kids by teaching them how to photograph. Unfortunately we did not have time to see the whole documentary, because of an early lunch. At 1.00 pm we had to leave the platform to visit Raksha Nepal, a center who provides care and support for sexually exploited girls, women and their children. We had planned some games and social activities for these kids – and what a welcome we received! The founder of the organization told us that the children had taken a day off because we came to play with them. After a short introduction to the organizations work and ideas it was time to meet the 4 to 12 years old children.
The room were the children was supposed to be in was very silent – until the children saw us, then we were overwhelmed with excitement and “NAMESTE, NAMESTE!!!” Without a doubt a very emotional greeting for all of us! After the traditional “we-are-glad-you-came-to-visit-ceremony”, with blessing and scarf, it was time to play. Even though many of us were a bit marked after last night’s adventures, it was an amazing experience!
The evening ended early, because the majority had to get a good night sleep, so they were ready for trekking in Nepal’s many mountains.
The room were the children was supposed to be in was very silent – until the children saw us, then we were overwhelmed with excitement and “NAMESTE, NAMESTE!!!” Without a doubt a very emotional greeting for all of us! After the traditional “we-are-glad-you-came-to-visit-ceremony”, with blessing and scarf, it was time to play. Even though many of us were a bit marked after last night’s adventures, it was an amazing experience!
The evening ended early, because the majority had to get a good night sleep, so they were ready for trekking in Nepal’s many mountains.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
thuesday 20.9.11
Today we had to make a video about something in Nepal. The day before we had made the screenplay and storyboard of our story and today we had to film the video and afterwards edit it.
In the very beginning of the morning five people had decided to join the tea for free event, which was supposed to take place at 6am, but the five people could not find the guy who was the leader of the event, so they decided to take home ammidietly. Me and my roommates had also agreed to participate in this tea for free event yesterday, but this morning Mads was very sick, and my stomach was not well, so the three of us decided to sleep it of instead.
Making the video this day was really fun, interesting, but also a bit stressfull. We had to be done at 5pm, and this seemed to be a tight deadline for everyone, but around 5pm people seemed to be finished with their video, and we saw each others videos on a flatscreen.
It was very fun to see the others and your own video on the flatscreen, and we learned a lot from the feedback which we had afterwards recieved.
At night almost all girls went to the cinema to see a bollywood movie, while me and svenne went to thamel to do some laundry. We came home to a very quiet house with a sick roommate laying in bed and people reading in their rooms. A very quiet night.
In the very beginning of the morning five people had decided to join the tea for free event, which was supposed to take place at 6am, but the five people could not find the guy who was the leader of the event, so they decided to take home ammidietly. Me and my roommates had also agreed to participate in this tea for free event yesterday, but this morning Mads was very sick, and my stomach was not well, so the three of us decided to sleep it of instead.
Making the video this day was really fun, interesting, but also a bit stressfull. We had to be done at 5pm, and this seemed to be a tight deadline for everyone, but around 5pm people seemed to be finished with their video, and we saw each others videos on a flatscreen.
It was very fun to see the others and your own video on the flatscreen, and we learned a lot from the feedback which we had afterwards recieved.
At night almost all girls went to the cinema to see a bollywood movie, while me and svenne went to thamel to do some laundry. We came home to a very quiet house with a sick roommate laying in bed and people reading in their rooms. A very quiet night.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Namaste. Tapai Kasto lai cha?
My phone rings again for wake up, and it's 8.15am, I've been awake the last half hour, just as the previous mornings, because the dogs who live around us, has chosen to bark while we should have some quiet time to sleep. Well, up to get dressed and off to breakfast and morning meeting. At 09.30 am after the morning meeting, we had language training for the second time and it was a great fun, just like last time. Last time it was based on words and numbers, but this time it was based on whole sentences, which we can use when we e.g. want to call a taxi or order some food. It's pretty hard to study a new language which is not similar to Danish or English, it is quite funny and a big challenge. After the language lesson, we had a lesson on Human Rights, which was the "theme" for today. We all got one article each, which we should make a drawing of and then show to the others in the group, while we were explaining our article. It was a good and different way to get the subject remembered.
Then it was time for lunch at 12.30, time for good food and relaxation.
The afternoon programme was a continuation on Human Rights. We discussed the types of human rights and when it is violated. We did this by looking at some different types of cases.
Our training ended earlier than usual because we had to work in some groups and work on a project to be presented on Friday. We chose to look fast at the project so we could get into Thamel, to look around in the streets and look at all their nice things. We left around 3.30 pm and came home after 7 pm. In that time we managed to buy skirts, tunics, shirts, ornaments, etc. We got lost, so when we decided to go home, we took a taxi just to get us on the track, so we could come home and get some food in our stomachs.
Tonight we are going to watch a movie, actually it starts in a few minutes, so I am off for now, see you.
Then it was time for lunch at 12.30, time for good food and relaxation.
The afternoon programme was a continuation on Human Rights. We discussed the types of human rights and when it is violated. We did this by looking at some different types of cases.
Our training ended earlier than usual because we had to work in some groups and work on a project to be presented on Friday. We chose to look fast at the project so we could get into Thamel, to look around in the streets and look at all their nice things. We left around 3.30 pm and came home after 7 pm. In that time we managed to buy skirts, tunics, shirts, ornaments, etc. We got lost, so when we decided to go home, we took a taxi just to get us on the track, so we could come home and get some food in our stomachs.
Tonight we are going to watch a movie, actually it starts in a few minutes, so I am off for now, see you.
Kristine
Today we went to the slum because activista! had donated money to a library. The books were not there yet, but it was opening ceremoni anyway. All of us at the platform were going, so we did a little energizer that was called "big fat pony". At the library there was a lot of speakers and it was all in Nepali. There was school children, women with kids, older people sitting in between. They were all smiling and giving us scarfs that they give to guests or people they respect. We all got chai tea and a little biscuit, and it tasted really good. After the opening ceremoni we went around the area, and I was so surprised. The paths was very narrow, and there was even a television in one of the houses. After lunch back at the platform we had about "Agents of social change". We talked about which skills that are important as an agent of social change. We all agreed that you need patience, leadership, good speaking skills and a good amount of creativity.
after a short break we watched a movie about a Nepali theater group. They go to small villages to preform a play, that has a dilemma and a problem. The people in the village have to make up solutions, and therefore they will learn what to do in similar situations.
After dinner we all went to a local pub with Rikke. They were very happy to see us, and they were all very nice. After some big beers, a couple of hours and a lot of fun we went home. It was the intern Louise last night, and everybody were so excited to dance.
after a short break we watched a movie about a Nepali theater group. They go to small villages to preform a play, that has a dilemma and a problem. The people in the village have to make up solutions, and therefore they will learn what to do in similar situations.
After dinner we all went to a local pub with Rikke. They were very happy to see us, and they were all very nice. After some big beers, a couple of hours and a lot of fun we went home. It was the intern Louise last night, and everybody were so excited to dance.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Today, sunday september 4
Today, sunday september 4., was the day for our first group excursion.
The day started out as a sunny and hot one, which gave us a beautiful picture of the Kathmandu valley and all the rice fields.
However, we probably should have prayed to the Hindu God who's in charge of the weather, because within a short period of time the rain started. And not just a few raindrops, but serious monsoon rain. But nothing could stop us from enjoying the experience, and since it is the rainy season, the downpour was worth experiencing in itself.
The first place we visited was a Hindu temple placed in a forrest. Luckily we were there at the time of day where they were doing sacrifices - which included sacrificing a chicken to the Gods.
At the temple the girls received a blessing from old ladyes sitting on the ground. They put colored rice (red, yellow and silver) on our foreheads and put string around our handwrists while saying a long verse, that we suppose means good luck. When heading back to the bus, once again the rain started, which made some of us run as fast as we could through the mud and back to the bus. This seemed to amuse the Nepalese people, who all started cheering for us and shouting. Unfortunately it turned out the rice we had in our foreheads and the rain was not the best combination, so back in the bus we had to get out the cleanex, since we had all the color running down our face.
The plan had been to eat our lunch at a lake nearby, but because of the rain we enjoyed it in the bus - A Nepalese Happy Meal, prepared by the guys at the Platform.
Spending hours in the traffic jam of Kathmandu getting back and forth was an experience in itself, even though it was a bit over the top for us when our bus hit a scooter - but luckily nothing happened to him, and we could see him walking away in good condition. Since the Buddhist monastry we should have visited was better to visit at a sunny day, we ended up going to a Buddhist stupa. As soon as we got up there, we could see that it was the exact same one that is on the front the Nepal guide book brought from Denmark - so this was a place that we had all really wanted to see. It was the stupa with all the monkeys, jumping all over it. We got to see Buddhist monks sitting in a room and chanting, which they had propbably been doing all day. There was a certain feeling in the room when they were silent for a moment and hid the big drum, to start over again. What was also funny was seeing one of the young monks was texing on his cell phone while chanting with the others.
In total it has been a really exciting day, which ended perfectly with board games and music in the couches in the living room.
The day started out as a sunny and hot one, which gave us a beautiful picture of the Kathmandu valley and all the rice fields.
However, we probably should have prayed to the Hindu God who's in charge of the weather, because within a short period of time the rain started. And not just a few raindrops, but serious monsoon rain. But nothing could stop us from enjoying the experience, and since it is the rainy season, the downpour was worth experiencing in itself.
The first place we visited was a Hindu temple placed in a forrest. Luckily we were there at the time of day where they were doing sacrifices - which included sacrificing a chicken to the Gods.
At the temple the girls received a blessing from old ladyes sitting on the ground. They put colored rice (red, yellow and silver) on our foreheads and put string around our handwrists while saying a long verse, that we suppose means good luck. When heading back to the bus, once again the rain started, which made some of us run as fast as we could through the mud and back to the bus. This seemed to amuse the Nepalese people, who all started cheering for us and shouting. Unfortunately it turned out the rice we had in our foreheads and the rain was not the best combination, so back in the bus we had to get out the cleanex, since we had all the color running down our face.
The plan had been to eat our lunch at a lake nearby, but because of the rain we enjoyed it in the bus - A Nepalese Happy Meal, prepared by the guys at the Platform.
Spending hours in the traffic jam of Kathmandu getting back and forth was an experience in itself, even though it was a bit over the top for us when our bus hit a scooter - but luckily nothing happened to him, and we could see him walking away in good condition. Since the Buddhist monastry we should have visited was better to visit at a sunny day, we ended up going to a Buddhist stupa. As soon as we got up there, we could see that it was the exact same one that is on the front the Nepal guide book brought from Denmark - so this was a place that we had all really wanted to see. It was the stupa with all the monkeys, jumping all over it. We got to see Buddhist monks sitting in a room and chanting, which they had propbably been doing all day. There was a certain feeling in the room when they were silent for a moment and hid the big drum, to start over again. What was also funny was seeing one of the young monks was texing on his cell phone while chanting with the others.
In total it has been a really exciting day, which ended perfectly with board games and music in the couches in the living room.
Monday September 5, 2011
Monday September 5, 2011
Today it is Charlotte’s birthday so most of us woke her early this morning with a birthday song and a present. She was a bit surprised, but happy.
We had our first day with classes today. We started with language, where Anjana taught us about Nepali and wrote our names on the board, it was very funny to see our own names look so strange. We also learned to pronounce some basic words in Nepali, and a few in Hindi. It was hard, because a lot of the words are so different from Danish and Norwegian. After a break we heard about social structure and the Caste System, which is so far from everything we know, but it was very exciting to hear Rikke and especially Anjanna telling about it. For the ones who are going to India or staying here in Nepal it is something, we will be exploring on our one so it was nice to gets some information about how the System influences the people, who lives by its rules.
After lunch Charlotte had bought Nepali cakes for all, which was very nice, but also sweeter than we are used to. It was decorated with eatable silver, and looked so pretty in laying in the box. After having explored something new, we talked about gender and how it influences us and the Asian societies. In association to this we had a small quiz, which lead to a smaller debate. It is nice to meet people with strong opinions. This was our last class of the day and everybody went out to enjoy our spare time. The boys played soccer with some local boys; most of the girls went to a park to celebrate Charlotte’s birthday and the rest just hanged out in our neighborhood.
Right now I can hear some of the others playing Ping Pong, it sounds like it is a very important game and a lot of fun too.
Today it is Charlotte’s birthday so most of us woke her early this morning with a birthday song and a present. She was a bit surprised, but happy.
We had our first day with classes today. We started with language, where Anjana taught us about Nepali and wrote our names on the board, it was very funny to see our own names look so strange. We also learned to pronounce some basic words in Nepali, and a few in Hindi. It was hard, because a lot of the words are so different from Danish and Norwegian. After a break we heard about social structure and the Caste System, which is so far from everything we know, but it was very exciting to hear Rikke and especially Anjanna telling about it. For the ones who are going to India or staying here in Nepal it is something, we will be exploring on our one so it was nice to gets some information about how the System influences the people, who lives by its rules.
After lunch Charlotte had bought Nepali cakes for all, which was very nice, but also sweeter than we are used to. It was decorated with eatable silver, and looked so pretty in laying in the box. After having explored something new, we talked about gender and how it influences us and the Asian societies. In association to this we had a small quiz, which lead to a smaller debate. It is nice to meet people with strong opinions. This was our last class of the day and everybody went out to enjoy our spare time. The boys played soccer with some local boys; most of the girls went to a park to celebrate Charlotte’s birthday and the rest just hanged out in our neighborhood.
Right now I can hear some of the others playing Ping Pong, it sounds like it is a very important game and a lot of fun too.
3-09-11
3-09-11
Today we had a day off. In the morning some went shopping in the city center and others went for a walk through the streets.
We decided, as the schedule recommended, to go to Durbar Square in the old part of Kathmandu. When we arrived, we had to pay to go in and see the temples. We met a 13-year-old local boy who at first asked us for Danish crowns, because he collected them, and he wouldn’t accept Rs. He offered to give us a tour through some of the temples and didn’t require any payment of any kind. He told us his dream was to become a professional guide when he grew up. He was very humble and kind, and even when Camilla offered him some licorice he told us that he would give it to his younger sister.
Later we decided to take a break and have a drink and a snack at a restaurant where we sat on top of the roof with a great view over the city and the mountains in the background.
On our way back to Durbar Square we passed a parade with a lot of people who were celebrating an old man’s “birthday”: he was turning 77 years, 7 months and 7 days. Further down the street we also passed a parade, but much more different since it was some sort of funeral, where many people were mourning over a dead person who was lying on a wooden board carried by relatives and friends. The corpse was covered by a yellow embroidered sheet and only the feet peeked out.
Some then decided to take a taxi back home to the platform and other continued to walk down the streets for some shopping. We walked by several regular shops but also went to a smaller market.
When leaving Durbar Square some of the girls decided to take one of the small busses back, which usually only drives along a particular route, but the drivers accepted to make an exception and drive us to the city center. We were sitting tight, but the ride was fun and a bit different from a taxi-ride.
Today we had a day off. In the morning some went shopping in the city center and others went for a walk through the streets.
We decided, as the schedule recommended, to go to Durbar Square in the old part of Kathmandu. When we arrived, we had to pay to go in and see the temples. We met a 13-year-old local boy who at first asked us for Danish crowns, because he collected them, and he wouldn’t accept Rs. He offered to give us a tour through some of the temples and didn’t require any payment of any kind. He told us his dream was to become a professional guide when he grew up. He was very humble and kind, and even when Camilla offered him some licorice he told us that he would give it to his younger sister.
Later we decided to take a break and have a drink and a snack at a restaurant where we sat on top of the roof with a great view over the city and the mountains in the background.
On our way back to Durbar Square we passed a parade with a lot of people who were celebrating an old man’s “birthday”: he was turning 77 years, 7 months and 7 days. Further down the street we also passed a parade, but much more different since it was some sort of funeral, where many people were mourning over a dead person who was lying on a wooden board carried by relatives and friends. The corpse was covered by a yellow embroidered sheet and only the feet peeked out.
Some then decided to take a taxi back home to the platform and other continued to walk down the streets for some shopping. We walked by several regular shops but also went to a smaller market.
When leaving Durbar Square some of the girls decided to take one of the small busses back, which usually only drives along a particular route, but the drivers accepted to make an exception and drive us to the city center. We were sitting tight, but the ride was fun and a bit different from a taxi-ride.
Wednesday 14/9
Today we had a 1-day workshop on the platform. We had invited around 20 young people from a nearby college to come and participate. The purpose of this kind of workshop is among other things to learn about and accept different cultures. The motto of the day was “Learn by doing” and to do that we had to make our own workshop. We were divided into four groups with a mix between people from Denmark and Nepal. Each group had to prepare a workshop based on a specific topic. The topic in my group was "volunteering for social changes" and we chose to work with child labor. In the beginning it was quite difficult to do group work because the people from Nepal had a completely different way of working than we are used to in Denmark. But the result turned out ok and in our workshop we performed a play with a problem, and afterwards the other group had to give suggestions to solve the problem. After each group had presented their workshop for one of the other groups, we were told to evaluate each other's workshops. Earlier today we learned how to give constructive critic and we got two different models, the burger and KAD, that we could use. The two workshops that a participated in was great and well structured. To fit in I wore a tunic that I bought here in Nepal, but all the nepali girls wore western clothes, so I ended up sticking out anyway. But all things considered it was a great and very learning day!
Today we had a 1-day workshop on the platform. We had invited around 20 young people from a nearby college to come and participate. The purpose of this kind of workshop is among other things to learn about and accept different cultures. The motto of the day was “Learn by doing” and to do that we had to make our own workshop. We were divided into four groups with a mix between people from Denmark and Nepal. Each group had to prepare a workshop based on a specific topic. The topic in my group was "volunteering for social changes" and we chose to work with child labor. In the beginning it was quite difficult to do group work because the people from Nepal had a completely different way of working than we are used to in Denmark. But the result turned out ok and in our workshop we performed a play with a problem, and afterwards the other group had to give suggestions to solve the problem. After each group had presented their workshop for one of the other groups, we were told to evaluate each other's workshops. Earlier today we learned how to give constructive critic and we got two different models, the burger and KAD, that we could use. The two workshops that a participated in was great and well structured. To fit in I wore a tunic that I bought here in Nepal, but all the nepali girls wore western clothes, so I ended up sticking out anyway. But all things considered it was a great and very learning day!
Friday 2/9 2011
Friday 2/9 2011
Today has been our first day of our program for the month. We started out with breakfast after a good night’s sleep - finally..! and were in for an unusual meal. We had toast, which we all know either with jam, butter, peanut butter or others. But what we hadn’t expected was cornflakes, YES delicious everyone likes cornflakes, until they have tasted it with warm milk… what to say, quite different, but something that we will get used to, I guess.
After breakfast we went outside to our first class which included a warm welcome from Rikke and Anjana followed by in introduction to the program for the next month in Nepal. We sat outdoor to enjoy the good view and weather, which is also surprisingly good considering that September should be the last month of the rainy season. Anyway, the class was about ourselves and our expectations and concerns for our journey in Nepal. To get to know each other at bit we made drawings of how we had ended up at the same platform here in Nepal, all of the drawings where quite good even though several claimed they weren’t talented drawers…
Afterwards we were told to write a letter for ourselves, which we will get back when we leave the platform. The letter should contain 3 challenges and 3 goals. Writing a letter to yourself was kind of odd, but I think it is one of the best ways to realize how far you have come and how much you have experienced and learned after the 4 months. I hope that reading this letter in 4 weeks will convince me that I AM able to live and enjoy India for 3 month!
3.pm. : Class is off.. 3.30 pm. and we are on our way to Thamel (or something) in 4 taxis, all squeezed together in the back of a small Suzuki. For the next 2 hours we were in the tourist part of Kathmandu, experiencing the wild traffic, the many street dogs, the women dressed in beautiful and colorful saris -or what you call it - and all of the shop owners trying to sell us the same things on every street.
Now 9 pm. We are having a good time by the computers, checking out facebook !!
Today has been our first day of our program for the month. We started out with breakfast after a good night’s sleep - finally..! and were in for an unusual meal. We had toast, which we all know either with jam, butter, peanut butter or others. But what we hadn’t expected was cornflakes, YES delicious everyone likes cornflakes, until they have tasted it with warm milk… what to say, quite different, but something that we will get used to, I guess.
After breakfast we went outside to our first class which included a warm welcome from Rikke and Anjana followed by in introduction to the program for the next month in Nepal. We sat outdoor to enjoy the good view and weather, which is also surprisingly good considering that September should be the last month of the rainy season. Anyway, the class was about ourselves and our expectations and concerns for our journey in Nepal. To get to know each other at bit we made drawings of how we had ended up at the same platform here in Nepal, all of the drawings where quite good even though several claimed they weren’t talented drawers…
Afterwards we were told to write a letter for ourselves, which we will get back when we leave the platform. The letter should contain 3 challenges and 3 goals. Writing a letter to yourself was kind of odd, but I think it is one of the best ways to realize how far you have come and how much you have experienced and learned after the 4 months. I hope that reading this letter in 4 weeks will convince me that I AM able to live and enjoy India for 3 month!
3.pm. : Class is off.. 3.30 pm. and we are on our way to Thamel (or something) in 4 taxis, all squeezed together in the back of a small Suzuki. For the next 2 hours we were in the tourist part of Kathmandu, experiencing the wild traffic, the many street dogs, the women dressed in beautiful and colorful saris -or what you call it - and all of the shop owners trying to sell us the same things on every street.
Now 9 pm. We are having a good time by the computers, checking out facebook !!
15. September - Observing at a school
Today was excursion day, so we had to wake up a little earlier than we were used to. A little past 9 o’clock we arrived to a private school. We were going to observer a normal school day and then we are supposed to teach at the same school the following day. The settlement was arranged with help from Khaji, because he has two children at the school. Originally we were supposed to observe more than one class, but because today was ‘Children’s day’, the pupils only had a half day of classes. When we arrived, all the pupils were doing a morning ritual, where they were standing in lines and talking in a choir. It was much disciplined and very different from the Danish school system. Afterwards they went to different classrooms sorted by age. After a briefly introduction we were divided in smaller groups. Six of us went to a nearby kindergarten/nursery school. There were three different classes and Catharina and I went to see a class with around 20 four years old boys and girls. They had just started learning English, so they couldn’t even say their own name. In the classroom Catharina and I was placed on small plastic chairs and forty big brown eyes were starring at us including Khaji’s four year old son. He was a straight A student. We were participating in the class for about 45 minutes. And during the class there was singing, dancing and repeating, what the teacher said. The discipline from before was totally gone now, and during the class, one girl just suddenly stood up and started dancing, while others were climbing on the table. They were all very adorable. I’m very excited to see if Catharina and I will succeed in teaching Friday, when the children are in such young age.
After observing the class, we all gathered together and shared experiences. We then watched the ‘Children’s day’ ceremony, where five of us participated and gave present for some of the pupils. During the ceremony there were different speeches, a quiz, music and dance. It was a great experience to be a part of. Some of us really wanted to stay longer, but we had to go home for lunch. At lunch we had burgers for a change, but honestly I already missed nepali food. In the afternoon we had an energizer and a meeting, where we talked about our emotions and different issues as toilets and food. We were supposed to have a session about learning methods, but since we all were very tired, we instead had time to prepare for tomorrows class. Before dinner most of us went to Thamel to book the weekend trip to Last Resort, where we are going bungee jump, river rafting, tree climping, relaxing and rappelling. It’ll be fun! Tonight is a very exciting night because of the election in Denmark and hopefully we can hear some Danish radio. And hopefully the right party will win.
After observing the class, we all gathered together and shared experiences. We then watched the ‘Children’s day’ ceremony, where five of us participated and gave present for some of the pupils. During the ceremony there were different speeches, a quiz, music and dance. It was a great experience to be a part of. Some of us really wanted to stay longer, but we had to go home for lunch. At lunch we had burgers for a change, but honestly I already missed nepali food. In the afternoon we had an energizer and a meeting, where we talked about our emotions and different issues as toilets and food. We were supposed to have a session about learning methods, but since we all were very tired, we instead had time to prepare for tomorrows class. Before dinner most of us went to Thamel to book the weekend trip to Last Resort, where we are going bungee jump, river rafting, tree climping, relaxing and rappelling. It’ll be fun! Tonight is a very exciting night because of the election in Denmark and hopefully we can hear some Danish radio. And hopefully the right party will win.
15. September - Observing at a school
Today was excursion day, so we had to wake up a little earlier than we were used to. A little past 9 o’clock we arrived to a private school. We were going to observer a normal school day and then we are supposed to teach at the same school the following day. The settlement was arranged with help from Khaji, because he has two children at the school. Originally we were supposed to observe more than one class, but because today was ‘Children’s day’, the pupils only had a half day of classes. When we arrived, all the pupils were doing a morning ritual, where they were standing in lines and talking in a choir. It was much disciplined and very different from the Danish school system. Afterwards they went to different classrooms sorted by age. After a briefly introduction we were divided in smaller groups. Six of us went to a nearby kindergarten/nursery school. There were three different classes and Catharina and I went to see a class with around 20 four years old boys and girls. They had just started learning English, so they couldn’t even say their own name. In the classroom Catharina and I was placed on small plastic chairs and forty big brown eyes were starring at us including Khaji’s four year old son. He was a straight A student. We were participating in the class for about 45 minutes. And during the class there was singing, dancing and repeating, what the teacher said. The discipline from before was totally gone now, and during the class, one girl just suddenly stood up and started dancing, while others were climbing on the table. They were all very adorable. I’m very excited to see if Catharina and I will succeed in teaching Friday, when the children are in such young age.
After observing the class, we all gathered together and shared experiences. We then watched the ‘Children’s day’ ceremony, where five of us participated and gave present for some of the pupils. During the ceremony there were different speeches, a quiz, music and dance. It was a great experience to be a part of. Some of us really wanted to stay longer, but we had to go home for lunch. At lunch we had burgers for a change, but honestly I already missed nepali food. In the afternoon we had an energizer and a meeting, where we talked about our emotions and different issues as toilets and food. We were supposed to have a session about learning methods, but since we all were very tired, we instead had time to prepare for tomorrows class. Before dinner most of us went to Thamel to book the weekend trip to Last Resort, where we are going bungee jump, river rafting, tree climping, relaxing and rappelling. It’ll be fun! Tonight is a very exciting night because of the election in Denmark and hopefully we can hear some Danish radio. And hopefully the right party will win.
After observing the class, we all gathered together and shared experiences. We then watched the ‘Children’s day’ ceremony, where five of us participated and gave present for some of the pupils. During the ceremony there were different speeches, a quiz, music and dance. It was a great experience to be a part of. Some of us really wanted to stay longer, but we had to go home for lunch. At lunch we had burgers for a change, but honestly I already missed nepali food. In the afternoon we had an energizer and a meeting, where we talked about our emotions and different issues as toilets and food. We were supposed to have a session about learning methods, but since we all were very tired, we instead had time to prepare for tomorrows class. Before dinner most of us went to Thamel to book the weekend trip to Last Resort, where we are going bungee jump, river rafting, tree climping, relaxing and rappelling. It’ll be fun! Tonight is a very exciting night because of the election in Denmark and hopefully we can hear some Danish radio. And hopefully the right party will win.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
September 6th at Global Platform Nepal
Getting up at 7.30 is just as hard as it has been all the other days, even though you’re waking up to sun in your face and nice weather. Tuesdays are cleaning days, so we found our brooms, cloths and our ‘all purpose spray’ and started washing every corner of the house. When we were all finished it was no surprise to find Louise downstairs still working on her major project: putting all the board games together. But I’ll tell yah that the platform was shining from one end to the other. So even though you’re all Danish you did a good job cleaning!
After our two hours of cleaning we went back to class where the man running Tea4Free stopped by to tell us about his project working with the street children. He visits different places in Nepal and together with a huge network of volunteers; they serve the street children tea and some of them get a chance to do something different with their lives. A very impressive project if you’re asking me.
The event of the day happed later that night when we had our International Culture Night. All countries performed some sort of song or dance typical for their home. The Danish people sang the nation anthem as well as helping little Norway in a little folkdance. I would say the best part was when we all just started randomly dancing. On at a time, both guys and girls showing of their dance skills hit the dance floor. The highlight would be trying to follow the Nepali girls in their ultimate dance off. That was not an easy task. This arm should twirl like that while this foot goes back and forth this way. As a perfect ending to the day, some of us sat down on and played guitar and sang. It’s not always easy to find songs that we all know, but we sang ‘Summer of 69’, ‘I’m yours’, and ‘Wonderful world’. Thank you everyone for a wonderful evening!
After our two hours of cleaning we went back to class where the man running Tea4Free stopped by to tell us about his project working with the street children. He visits different places in Nepal and together with a huge network of volunteers; they serve the street children tea and some of them get a chance to do something different with their lives. A very impressive project if you’re asking me.
The event of the day happed later that night when we had our International Culture Night. All countries performed some sort of song or dance typical for their home. The Danish people sang the nation anthem as well as helping little Norway in a little folkdance. I would say the best part was when we all just started randomly dancing. On at a time, both guys and girls showing of their dance skills hit the dance floor. The highlight would be trying to follow the Nepali girls in their ultimate dance off. That was not an easy task. This arm should twirl like that while this foot goes back and forth this way. As a perfect ending to the day, some of us sat down on and played guitar and sang. It’s not always easy to find songs that we all know, but we sang ‘Summer of 69’, ‘I’m yours’, and ‘Wonderful world’. Thank you everyone for a wonderful evening!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thursday 17/3
Today was human rights day. After our last nepali-lesson where we learned how to introduce ourselves, we had about the human rights.I heard a lot about the human rights before, but it was good to hear it again. We talked a lot about how to define a human right because you can interpret them differently. I was surprised to find out that the best way to file a violation is to go through the media and not through the machinery.
After lunch we got an assignment. We had to figure out what the status of the human rights in our placement country is. In the afternoon some of us went for a short trip to the dilli bazar and it was raining for the very first time since we got here :)
For dinner we got momos made by some of the girls, and of course Goku. They were very tasty. The day ended with 3 hours of trivial pursuit.
-Signe
After lunch we got an assignment. We had to figure out what the status of the human rights in our placement country is. In the afternoon some of us went for a short trip to the dilli bazar and it was raining for the very first time since we got here :)
For dinner we got momos made by some of the girls, and of course Goku. They were very tasty. The day ended with 3 hours of trivial pursuit.
-Signe
Tuesday the 5th of April
Today, we had our last "normal" lessons. We learned about conflicts and reactions towards these. We did a small "roleplay" where we learned the importance of bodylanguage, and were told that 55 % of our communication is bodylanguage, 38 % is tone of voice and 7 % is words. Later on, we had a Forum Theater in which we prepared for different dilemmas once we reach our placements. For example, we talked about what to do if some teachers hit the schoolkids, or how to react if an orphanage asks us to pay for nescessary product. We had to act the different solutions, and people could join in if they had ideas for solutions.
When class ended, people did different things like visiting the Garden of Dreams, the Buddha Temple or even getting tattoos!
When class ended, people did different things like visiting the Garden of Dreams, the Buddha Temple or even getting tattoos!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
THE BRICK-FACTORY 19.03.2011
Today we went to a brick-factory, where woman and men worked and some of the children were going to school or daycare. We meet the woman who had started the project "Care development organization" which included telling about health to the workers and their families and also was taken care for the children. The woman who has started the project was a very inspiring woman.
The factory was a crazy and surrealistic experiences, where all of us got our lives into perspective. Compared to Denmark it was like a slave-factory.
In the evening we were going out in the Nepali nightlife. We ate at a Thai restaurant and some got a big fat steak! Later we got drinks and were ready to party, but apparently the places to drink and dance close at 12 pm in Nepal!
Today we went to a brick-factory, where woman and men worked and some of the children were going to school or daycare. We meet the woman who had started the project "Care development organization" which included telling about health to the workers and their families and also was taken care for the children. The woman who has started the project was a very inspiring woman.
The factory was a crazy and surrealistic experiences, where all of us got our lives into perspective. Compared to Denmark it was like a slave-factory.
In the evening we were going out in the Nepali nightlife. We ate at a Thai restaurant and some got a big fat steak! Later we got drinks and were ready to party, but apparently the places to drink and dance close at 12 pm in Nepal!
16/3
Today the first lesson was Nepali language, and we learnt how to say "I like volunteering"(malai soemsewa garna manlagccha) and I think everyone here do. The next lesson was about the caste system and everybody was asking alot of questions. After lunch we all took a taxi to womens social forum. We were very surprised to find out that most of the speeches were in Nepali, unfortunately Anjanas Nepali lesson didn't quite reach. Then action aids international coordinator actually said something we understood. Afterwoods some of us took a taxi to Tamel where we were relaxing at a roof terrace drinking soft drinks and eating a snack. At night we went to a local Khaga ghar drinking some beer.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The 29th of March
When I was told that we were going to sleep for a night in the slum a lot of thoughts ran though my head. I think I can say that almost everyone was kind of nervous about going there. We talked about our hopes and fears like: What could we expect? How do the people in the slum live? Can they speak English? and so on. Unfortunately, some of us woke up Tuesday morning with bad stomach. We wanted to go so much that some of us doped our bodies with Imodium and went. We arrived in the evening and all of the people thought that we were very interesting. We had an introduction to the slum and the program for the night. Afterwards they showed us around in the slum. At 6 pm the “fun” began. We taught them the “Bunny Bunny” and the “Pony” and they all thought that it was very funny. We learned how to play some different games too. Then we danced and had fun all the evening as scheduled. All of the children were asking “What is your name sister?” and I think that all of us were told that we had very beautiful names. Afterwards we went to our host families to have dinner and spend the night there. Some of us had to eat with one family and sleep with another, but it was totally okay. We all lived with very different families; some were more reserved than others. The place where I had to stay was a house only made by sheets of metal and I couldn’t even stand in an upright position. We enjoyed the night with the family and some of us tried to sleep while listening to the rats running around on the thin roof made of metal. We met in the morning with smiles on our faces, but also very tired. The people from the slum held a last ceremony to thank us for staying there. I think I can say that everybody were very happy that they decided to go to slum and we all had an experience that we will never forget.
- Stine
- Stine
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The 24th of March
Today we were supposed to visit the orphanage which Amanda and Caroline will be working at later on. But due to 98 Japanese visitors there wasn't room for us and we will go there on Sunday instead. So today we had Friday's class, 'future workshop'.
We were introduced to the critique, the fantasy and the implementation phase. At first we should find all the negative aspects of 'Youth in Asia and social change', then the most positive development we could think of and in the end try to build a bridge between the negative and positive, figure out how the change could be implemented. Only interrupted by chicken-energizers we worked on this all morning.
In the afternoon we had time to work on our Drivers of Change-projects; the ideas for projects we will like to start when we reach our final placements.
The highlight of the day was at dinner when we finally got the sushi many of us had been craving the last days and later on we once again enjoyed Kathmandus night life.
We were introduced to the critique, the fantasy and the implementation phase. At first we should find all the negative aspects of 'Youth in Asia and social change', then the most positive development we could think of and in the end try to build a bridge between the negative and positive, figure out how the change could be implemented. Only interrupted by chicken-energizers we worked on this all morning.
In the afternoon we had time to work on our Drivers of Change-projects; the ideas for projects we will like to start when we reach our final placements.
The highlight of the day was at dinner when we finally got the sushi many of us had been craving the last days and later on we once again enjoyed Kathmandus night life.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The 22nd of March
Today we woke up to a brand new week after the weekend, where our two days trekking trip, from Sundarijal to Chisopani, had put its marks on all of us with really sore feet and muscles. Therefore much of the day went by listening to people complaining over this ;) After breakfast we did our weekly Tuesday-cleaning to make the platform all shiny again, which nobody really sees as a hard job be course it's just so cosy hanging out with the other guys meanwhile. Afterwards we all had to present the assignments on the Human Right situation of the countries we are going to, which was really exciting and informative. Then we had a House Meeting and to sum up: "everybody thought that everything was going very well and was very happy to be here - from the bottom of their harts" ;) Today's lunch was a hit for all of us, we had pizza which was a really great change from daalbhat. Not that we don't like it... After noon we had a class with Rikke about social change agents and we found out what characterizes a social change agent, for an example is it someone who is thinking independently, speaks up and who is challenging the norms, so we could at the end of the day conclude that we are all social change agents! I personally found that very inspiring and motivating for my further journey , both as a volunteer, but also in life :)
The rest of the day went by washing clothes , shopping, hanging out and seeing a movie. When we went to pick up our clothes again at the laundry service we all discovered, horrified, that much of our clothes had shrinked or was been miscoloured in some way. When we confronted the laundryman he just replied: "Not my problem, we use chemicals?" .....!! So from now on we do our own laundry.
The rest of the day went by washing clothes , shopping, hanging out and seeing a movie. When we went to pick up our clothes again at the laundry service we all discovered, horrified, that much of our clothes had shrinked or was been miscoloured in some way. When we confronted the laundryman he just replied: "Not my problem, we use chemicals?" .....!! So from now on we do our own laundry.
The 14th of March
This day was our first excursion-day in Nepal, and we were all really excited to see more of the country. After our morninggathering and about an hour of culture- and religionclass, we all got on a bus and headed for the wetlands where we would visit temples. The busride was extremely bumpy, and there were many obstacles on our way - for instance, our driver's helper had to climb on top of the bus to remove electrical wires hanging really low. Besides, the engine kept setting out, and we weren't always sure whether or not the driver would be able to start again. When we arrived at the first location, which was a beautiful little lake, we all stumbled out of the bus with our cameras and started clicking away, which made us look like a group of Japanese tourists. We soon found out that we are very different than the japanese though, since our heavy Danish Viking-bodies almost made the boats sailing us across the lake sink! The weather was great, and with the breeze on the lake and the beautiful surroundings, we couldn't help but love the fact that we are finally in Nepal. It was certainly worth the 1,60 Danish Kroner we paid for a boat and a boatsman!
After the sailing, we ate some sandwiches on the bus while going to the first temple of the day. It was situated on top of a hill, and we had to climb a rough 256 steps - or that was how many there are officially, but Thomas counted 353 of them, so it's understandable that some of us were short of breath when reaching the top! We had a great time there though, and the locals were really friendly.
They gave us all red dots on our foreheads and came with food which we were too polite to say no to - luckily, noone has gotten the diarrhea yet!
The next temple was in a forrest and it was interesting to see how different the temples are here. We visited a monestary and saw young boys being taught by a lama. The third temple was different again from the last 2, and we spent most time here doing funny roleplays for each other. It was a great day with a lot of new impressions and experiences, and I personally slept the whole way back to the platform. Pretty nice accomplishment if I may say so, with all that honking and bumping on the streets here in crazy Nepal!
After the sailing, we ate some sandwiches on the bus while going to the first temple of the day. It was situated on top of a hill, and we had to climb a rough 256 steps - or that was how many there are officially, but Thomas counted 353 of them, so it's understandable that some of us were short of breath when reaching the top! We had a great time there though, and the locals were really friendly.
They gave us all red dots on our foreheads and came with food which we were too polite to say no to - luckily, noone has gotten the diarrhea yet!
The next temple was in a forrest and it was interesting to see how different the temples are here. We visited a monestary and saw young boys being taught by a lama. The third temple was different again from the last 2, and we spent most time here doing funny roleplays for each other. It was a great day with a lot of new impressions and experiences, and I personally slept the whole way back to the platform. Pretty nice accomplishment if I may say so, with all that honking and bumping on the streets here in crazy Nepal!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Last day with teaching
Today was our last day with teaching at the global platform. A day where we finished the last things we have been working on for our entire stay here in Nepal. First we had a feedback session on our drivers of change projects, before put our finishing touch on them and presenting them to the rest of the group. The drivers of change projects are plans for projects we will do when we get to the countries where we are volunteering. They are not the main thing we will do, but volunteering we will do besides the main project. There were lots of great projects presented today; we had projects about after school clubs, student councils, art class, HIV/AIDS information campaigns and other exiting projects. This was also the day our photo project ended. All month we have been supposed to take a picture of social change. Today our pictures were exhibited together with a text explaining the picture and why it showed social change. All the people living at the global platform were then invited to look at the photos and vote for the best. Here Sebastian’s picture showing some Nepalese youths became the winner. He therefore won a vase and is now competing in a global ms competition for the best social change picture. Here the grand price is a Roskilde festival ticket.
All these things ending today made me realize how soon we are leaving Kathmandu and all the great people we have been living with for the last month. We have had our daily life and established a daily routine in this house and grown to love being here. I am sure that we have all enjoyed our stay here in Nepal very much and wouldn’t have been without it. It also shows in our conversations which now are a lot about the countries we are leaving for, what to expect, hopes and fears. I feel sad to leave all these great people and what has been our home for the last month. But at the same time I am very excited about getting out and doing some real volunteering.
This evening some of us went to curry without worry. Curry without worry is a project were volunteers give out food to everyone who wants some. There is no strings attached, one can just come and get food. Some had already been 2 weeks ago, they had told about glue sniffing everywhere and street children acting almost violent. Today was very different from what I had been expecting from these stories. People were cueing without problems and I dint see a single child sniffing glue. It almost seemed like everyday life and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed. This was a very positive experience for me, seeing how some people are trying to help those in need. We helped by serving the food, and just talking to people. There was also a lot of people looking and taking pictures of us. I believe that by just being there we helped by creating awareness and showing that we at least try to do something.
Malte
All these things ending today made me realize how soon we are leaving Kathmandu and all the great people we have been living with for the last month. We have had our daily life and established a daily routine in this house and grown to love being here. I am sure that we have all enjoyed our stay here in Nepal very much and wouldn’t have been without it. It also shows in our conversations which now are a lot about the countries we are leaving for, what to expect, hopes and fears. I feel sad to leave all these great people and what has been our home for the last month. But at the same time I am very excited about getting out and doing some real volunteering.
This evening some of us went to curry without worry. Curry without worry is a project were volunteers give out food to everyone who wants some. There is no strings attached, one can just come and get food. Some had already been 2 weeks ago, they had told about glue sniffing everywhere and street children acting almost violent. Today was very different from what I had been expecting from these stories. People were cueing without problems and I dint see a single child sniffing glue. It almost seemed like everyday life and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed. This was a very positive experience for me, seeing how some people are trying to help those in need. We helped by serving the food, and just talking to people. There was also a lot of people looking and taking pictures of us. I believe that by just being there we helped by creating awareness and showing that we at least try to do something.
Malte
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sneaky nepali men
This weekend was by far the most interesting weekend in Nepal. We were 9 people from the platform who went to Chituan for a 3 day safari hoping to se elephants, crocodiles and of course the famous and very shy tiger. Saturday morning we left the platform about 6 o’clock and oh my god, I have to get use to getting up early, because I was so tired. It took about 6 hours to get to Chituan, and we all got really annoyed by the fact that we stopped almost every hour for a toilet break. The first toilet break was really interesting, because the toilet wasn’t like a little shed with a hole in the ground, but four sticks planted in a square with some fabric wrapped around them for “privacy”. The funniest thing was, just before I had to go in Mathias caught a Nepalese guy in lurking on one of the girls from our bus while she was peeing. Really sneaky!!
We arrived at the hotel and six of us went to go on jeepsafari hoping to see tigers and rhinos. Early to bed and up again sunday at 7 o'clock. Our schedule was really busy and I have never met so stressed out nepalese men before. They just kept saying hurry hurry to Louise, Sofie and I. I didn't sleep at all that night because we had a very interesting neighbor who partied all night long and then got up at five thinking that it would be so funny to puke right outsite our window. such a good wakeup call.
First we had to go on a canoe trip to see crocodiles and Signe and I was almost peeing ourselfes, so afraid to be attacked by a crocodile. But the only one we saw was so tiny and it almost looked paralysed. I'm pretty sure it was a fake one. Then out for a swim with the elephants and later on an elephantride.
We met some pretty cool british guys and sunday evening we played some wicked games with them and they tought us some great new energizers.
So all in all it has been a great weekend with new experiences, new friends, and some really great pictures on my camara of Louise and our neighbor "the camel toe".
We arrived at the hotel and six of us went to go on jeepsafari hoping to see tigers and rhinos. Early to bed and up again sunday at 7 o'clock. Our schedule was really busy and I have never met so stressed out nepalese men before. They just kept saying hurry hurry to Louise, Sofie and I. I didn't sleep at all that night because we had a very interesting neighbor who partied all night long and then got up at five thinking that it would be so funny to puke right outsite our window. such a good wakeup call.
First we had to go on a canoe trip to see crocodiles and Signe and I was almost peeing ourselfes, so afraid to be attacked by a crocodile. But the only one we saw was so tiny and it almost looked paralysed. I'm pretty sure it was a fake one. Then out for a swim with the elephants and later on an elephantride.
We met some pretty cool british guys and sunday evening we played some wicked games with them and they tought us some great new energizers.
So all in all it has been a great weekend with new experiences, new friends, and some really great pictures on my camara of Louise and our neighbor "the camel toe".
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Shuva Bihani, Shuva Ratri and Nameste Nepal.
The time we have spent in Nepal is slowly coming to an end. And as much as I am happy that we are about to embark on our volunteer-adventure, I can’t help feel a little solemn that the time lost, is so close at heart.
Trying to number the days in Nepal is as hard as catching the fleeting wind. You never suspect that a storm brewing, will rush over you at any second, at any time.
From sitting in the slum eating something suspiciously called ‘Balls’, to hearing till tale of the father and his transcend from high ranking military officer, to poor workman in the slum. Or the trekking in the Nepalese mountains covered with experiences like me taking a dip in a fountain, while an old Nepalese man was laughing his ass off. And by that I mean he quite literally laughed at me, while taking a dump. And I can’t forget the children at the orphanage and the joy we had with dancing, talking and fun remarks like “You so tall, you so white!”
These and hundreds of experiences have made me grow as a person, within the few weeks we have been here. And I am guessing the same applies for my fellow volunteers and the experiences they have encountered and enjoyed.
So while the days are numbered (one week to be exact), the work is still at hand. And with the Drivers-Of-Change, still buzzing discussions and euphoric weekends in the sun and in the mountains (the last one might not seem as work, but to work, you need to relax), the trip is finally taking shape. And I can’t wait for the next few days where we will have our last live experiences before departure.
Signing out Troels
Quote: “Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step on the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to”
Trying to number the days in Nepal is as hard as catching the fleeting wind. You never suspect that a storm brewing, will rush over you at any second, at any time.
From sitting in the slum eating something suspiciously called ‘Balls’, to hearing till tale of the father and his transcend from high ranking military officer, to poor workman in the slum. Or the trekking in the Nepalese mountains covered with experiences like me taking a dip in a fountain, while an old Nepalese man was laughing his ass off. And by that I mean he quite literally laughed at me, while taking a dump. And I can’t forget the children at the orphanage and the joy we had with dancing, talking and fun remarks like “You so tall, you so white!”
These and hundreds of experiences have made me grow as a person, within the few weeks we have been here. And I am guessing the same applies for my fellow volunteers and the experiences they have encountered and enjoyed.
So while the days are numbered (one week to be exact), the work is still at hand. And with the Drivers-Of-Change, still buzzing discussions and euphoric weekends in the sun and in the mountains (the last one might not seem as work, but to work, you need to relax), the trip is finally taking shape. And I can’t wait for the next few days where we will have our last live experiences before departure.
Signing out Troels
Quote: “Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step on the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to”
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Namaste !
Friday there where suppose to come a guestspeaker called Mutti, to talk about life in the slum (or something). Unfortunately he could'nt come because he had to go to a wedding so instead we spendt the hole day preparing for monday, when we are going to visit the slum and stay there for a night. We are spending the night at different families and although I am very exited about it I am also a bit nervous because I don't know what to expect, except from a great experience of course!
At around five o'clock we went to see the premier of a theater play. The play was in nepali so we didn't understand much but otherwise it was fun to see and I think it would have been a really great play if we had understod it. After the theater we took some taxies to a dancebar in Tamel. At first we sat upstairs on some pilows on the floor and saw nepali dancers. It was fun to see the dancers but even more fun when we where asked to dance in the end of the show, where the dancers showed us some moves. Then we had dinner where we finally had some meat, which the waiter explained was forest pig or something like that.
The rest of the weekend where mostly spend relaxing, which was really nice after two weeks filled with new impressions and experiences.
Signe Krogh
At around five o'clock we went to see the premier of a theater play. The play was in nepali so we didn't understand much but otherwise it was fun to see and I think it would have been a really great play if we had understod it. After the theater we took some taxies to a dancebar in Tamel. At first we sat upstairs on some pilows on the floor and saw nepali dancers. It was fun to see the dancers but even more fun when we where asked to dance in the end of the show, where the dancers showed us some moves. Then we had dinner where we finally had some meat, which the waiter explained was forest pig or something like that.
The rest of the weekend where mostly spend relaxing, which was really nice after two weeks filled with new impressions and experiences.
Signe Krogh
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Workshop med 25 unge nepalesere
Namaste allesammen
Saa blev det torsdag, dagen hvor vi fik 25 unge nepalesere paa besoeg til workshop. Til at starte med vidste ingen af os rigtigt hvad det gik ud paa, vi havde blot set paa skemaet at der stod workshop. Det viste sig, at vi sammen med nepaleserne skulle laere at arrangere og gennemfoere en workshop. Der kom en del flere nepalesere end vi havde regnet med, saa vi endte med at maatte hente et par ekstra stole for alle at kunne sidde ned. Det gik dog fint nok altsammen. Til at starte med snakkede vi om hvad en workshop overhovedet er, og om hvordan man arrangere en workshop. Vi havde ogsaa et par smaa lege, saa vi kunne laere nepaleserne at kende og de kunne laere os at kende. Herefter blev vi delt ud i fire grupper, som hver isaer skulle arrangere en workshop, og gennemfoere den med en af de andre grupper. Min gruppei fik emnet ”voluenteering for social change”, hvilket vi syntes var lidt bredt, saa vi valgte rimeligt hurtigt at snaevre det ind til ”street children”. Det var rigtigt spaendende og laererigt at arrangere workshop med nepaleserne, da ingen af os rigtigt vidste hvor og hvordan vi skulle starte. Det fandt vi dog hurtigt ud af, og vi fik da ogsaa lavet en udemaerket workshop. Det var dog nogle gange lidt svaete at snakke med dem, da de en del af tiden valgte at snakke nepali i stedet for engelsk, saa det forstoed vi ikke saa meget af. Dog var de for det meste soede nok til at oversaette hvad de snakkede om, saa vi ogsaa kunne forstaa det. Lidt efter frokst skulle vi gennemfoere vores workshop. Vi skulle ogsaa deltage i en workshop, som en af de andre grupper havde arrangeret. De havde om ungdomskultur i Nepal og Danmark. Det var et virkelig spaendene emne, og vi fik stor mulighed for at snakke med nepalesere om hvordan det er at vaere ung i Nepal. Paa nogle punkter er det meget som i Danmark, men paa andre punkter ogsaa meget anderledes. Fx overraskede det mig at det er foraeldrene der bestemmer hvem de skal giftes med. Det var tilgaengaeld meget overrasket over hvor sent distoketer og barer lukker i Danmark. Alt i alt har det vaeret en rigtgt spaendende og laererig dag, hvor vi har laert at arrangere workshops og faaet stoerre forstaaelse for den nepalesiske ungdom.
- Stine
Saa blev det torsdag, dagen hvor vi fik 25 unge nepalesere paa besoeg til workshop. Til at starte med vidste ingen af os rigtigt hvad det gik ud paa, vi havde blot set paa skemaet at der stod workshop. Det viste sig, at vi sammen med nepaleserne skulle laere at arrangere og gennemfoere en workshop. Der kom en del flere nepalesere end vi havde regnet med, saa vi endte med at maatte hente et par ekstra stole for alle at kunne sidde ned. Det gik dog fint nok altsammen. Til at starte med snakkede vi om hvad en workshop overhovedet er, og om hvordan man arrangere en workshop. Vi havde ogsaa et par smaa lege, saa vi kunne laere nepaleserne at kende og de kunne laere os at kende. Herefter blev vi delt ud i fire grupper, som hver isaer skulle arrangere en workshop, og gennemfoere den med en af de andre grupper. Min gruppei fik emnet ”voluenteering for social change”, hvilket vi syntes var lidt bredt, saa vi valgte rimeligt hurtigt at snaevre det ind til ”street children”. Det var rigtigt spaendende og laererigt at arrangere workshop med nepaleserne, da ingen af os rigtigt vidste hvor og hvordan vi skulle starte. Det fandt vi dog hurtigt ud af, og vi fik da ogsaa lavet en udemaerket workshop. Det var dog nogle gange lidt svaete at snakke med dem, da de en del af tiden valgte at snakke nepali i stedet for engelsk, saa det forstoed vi ikke saa meget af. Dog var de for det meste soede nok til at oversaette hvad de snakkede om, saa vi ogsaa kunne forstaa det. Lidt efter frokst skulle vi gennemfoere vores workshop. Vi skulle ogsaa deltage i en workshop, som en af de andre grupper havde arrangeret. De havde om ungdomskultur i Nepal og Danmark. Det var et virkelig spaendene emne, og vi fik stor mulighed for at snakke med nepalesere om hvordan det er at vaere ung i Nepal. Paa nogle punkter er det meget som i Danmark, men paa andre punkter ogsaa meget anderledes. Fx overraskede det mig at det er foraeldrene der bestemmer hvem de skal giftes med. Det var tilgaengaeld meget overrasket over hvor sent distoketer og barer lukker i Danmark. Alt i alt har det vaeret en rigtgt spaendende og laererig dag, hvor vi har laert at arrangere workshops og faaet stoerre forstaaelse for den nepalesiske ungdom.
- Stine
Besoeg paa murstensfabrik
Namaste :)
Idag startede vi med at faa et oplaeg omkring labour-rights og trade unions i Nepal af Bo, som arbejder med emnet og derfor havde en stor viden at dele ud af. Oplaegget var interessant og vi blev klogere paa de tre forskellige trade-unions i Nepal og deres historiske baggrund.
Senere besoegte vi en brick-factory udenfor Kathmandu hvor vi til at starte med moedte koordinatoren for Care and development-organisationen og hun fortalte os lidt om deres forskellige programmer, tiltag og udvikling. Blandt andet soerger de for at nogle af de boern som arbejder paa murstensfabrikken kan faa undervisning paa et tilknyttet skolecenter hvilket giver dem mulighed for at fortsaette paa en normal uddannelse bagefter. Sikke et stykke vigtigt arbejde.
Det var baade spaendende og skraemmende at besoege fabrikken i og med at vi nok allesammen havde en forestilling om 'hvad en fabrik er'. Det viste sig dog ikke at leve op til vores forestilling om store maskiner og fabriksbygninger, men i stedet bestod fabrikken af udendoers marker som hvert halve aar bliver omlagt til rismarker. Arbejderne boede i meget smaa simple hytter lavet af - sjovt nok - mursten, og fire sov i hver - sikke et kulturchok. I hvert fald for mig.
Mens vi var der fik arbejderne et kursus i seksualundervisning som led i forebyggelse mod f.eks. HIV/Aids, hvilket ogsaa var noget Care and Development organisation havde fingrene med i.
Dagens udflugt sluttede af med et besoeg paa den foeromtalte skole og vi havde en dejlig tid med boernene som baade var generte, nysgerrige og enormt bedaerende.
Jeg synes turen gav et godt indblik i hvorledes mange mennesker hver dag slider og slaeber for at sikre sig mad paa bordet og hvilke forhold de lever under. Et er at hoere og laese om det, noget andet er bestemt at se det med egne oejne. Stor respekt til Care and development organisation, det er hvad man kalder social change!
- Mathias Guldberg
Idag startede vi med at faa et oplaeg omkring labour-rights og trade unions i Nepal af Bo, som arbejder med emnet og derfor havde en stor viden at dele ud af. Oplaegget var interessant og vi blev klogere paa de tre forskellige trade-unions i Nepal og deres historiske baggrund.
Senere besoegte vi en brick-factory udenfor Kathmandu hvor vi til at starte med moedte koordinatoren for Care and development-organisationen og hun fortalte os lidt om deres forskellige programmer, tiltag og udvikling. Blandt andet soerger de for at nogle af de boern som arbejder paa murstensfabrikken kan faa undervisning paa et tilknyttet skolecenter hvilket giver dem mulighed for at fortsaette paa en normal uddannelse bagefter. Sikke et stykke vigtigt arbejde.
Det var baade spaendende og skraemmende at besoege fabrikken i og med at vi nok allesammen havde en forestilling om 'hvad en fabrik er'. Det viste sig dog ikke at leve op til vores forestilling om store maskiner og fabriksbygninger, men i stedet bestod fabrikken af udendoers marker som hvert halve aar bliver omlagt til rismarker. Arbejderne boede i meget smaa simple hytter lavet af - sjovt nok - mursten, og fire sov i hver - sikke et kulturchok. I hvert fald for mig.
Mens vi var der fik arbejderne et kursus i seksualundervisning som led i forebyggelse mod f.eks. HIV/Aids, hvilket ogsaa var noget Care and Development organisation havde fingrene med i.
Dagens udflugt sluttede af med et besoeg paa den foeromtalte skole og vi havde en dejlig tid med boernene som baade var generte, nysgerrige og enormt bedaerende.
Jeg synes turen gav et godt indblik i hvorledes mange mennesker hver dag slider og slaeber for at sikre sig mad paa bordet og hvilke forhold de lever under. Et er at hoere og laese om det, noget andet er bestemt at se det med egne oejne. Stor respekt til Care and development organisation, det er hvad man kalder social change!
- Mathias Guldberg
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Bryan Adams og Himmalaya
Saa blev det tirsdag efter en oplevelsesrig forlaenget weekend. Efter at stoerstedelen var taget afsted paa en tre dages trekkingtur tog fire af os der blev tilbage loerdag aften til Bryan Adams koncert paa Kathmandu stadion. Det var en anderledes og samtidig rigtig fed aften sammen med 15.000 skrigende nepalesere. Da hr. Adams er den foerste store sanger, som har besoegt Kathmandu var sikkerheden i top. Der var top gejlede security folk alle vegne, selv i skydetaarnet stod bevaebnede nepalesere parat, hvis noget skulle gaa galt.
Da vi, efter en laengere soegen, endelig fandt frem til den rigtige indgangskoe kom en venlig mand og foerte os ind foran alle de andre taalmodige gaester og direkte hen til indgangstjekket. Vi undrer os stadig over, hvorfor vi skulle have denne saerbehandling, men foelte os samtidig lidt VIP med vores lyse hudfarve.
Koncerten var fed og stemningen i top og efter de mest populaere sange eksploderede begejstrede tilskuerne ud i et kor med tilraabene "once more, once more". Vi sad paa en af de bagerste tribuner og kunne der samtidig nyde synet af de lysende mobiltelefoner, der blev holdt i vejret ved sangenene "Heaven" og "Everything I Do". Det var en uforglemmelig aften i selvskab med venlige og for nogen maaske lidt for nysgerrige nepalesere.
Soendag morgen drog vi fem tilbageblevne til Nagarkot for ogsaa at faa lov at nyde synet af himmalaya bjergene. Astrid og jeg havde planlagt at gaa fra byen Bakthapur til Nagarkot, men ombestemte os dog hurtigt, da vi ankom til byen og fik at vide at vi skulle gaa 20 km. og ikke anede i hvilken retning. Vi fik derfor lokket vores taxacharfoer til at koere os helt til Nagarkot, hvor vi derfra gik fire km. op til bjergets hoejeste punkt. Og hold da op en udsigt der moedte os. Vi havde tidligere faaet at vide at vejret ikke var til det, men da vi naaede toppen havde vi himmalaya bjergende lige foran os. Det var ubeskriveligt smukt.
Natten tilbragte vi naesten alle paa hotel View Point, som ligger, som navnet ogsaa antyder, med en fantastisk udsigt til bjergene. Troels og Sebastian havde tjekket ind paa et hotel naer os, da de ikke vidste hvor vi befandt os.
Om morgenen stod tre af os op for at nyde solopgangen, der dog ikke var saa fantastisk som vi havde haabet paa. Smukt var det, men himmalaya bjergene var vaek i disen, saa dem saa vi ikke mere til paa denne tur.
Da vi kom hjem var alle forstaaeligt meget udmattede og resten af mandagen blev derfor brugt til hygge og afslapning.
Dagen idag vil nogen af os nok mest huske for den lidt surealistiske taxatur fra bydelen Thamel og hjem til platformen. Da Louise spurgte chaufoeren om vi kunne hoere lidt radio foreslog han, at vi kunne se en film i stedet, da radioen ikke virkede. Vi undrede os lidt, da straekningen ikke tager mere en ti min., men takkede dog ja til tilbudet, hvorefter chaufoeren giver Louise mobilen og en pornofilm begynder at rulle over skaermen. Med citaterne "Very nice, very nice", og "this is big, but mine is double" tror jeg at jeg vil slutte bloggen af.
Mette Rykaer
Da vi, efter en laengere soegen, endelig fandt frem til den rigtige indgangskoe kom en venlig mand og foerte os ind foran alle de andre taalmodige gaester og direkte hen til indgangstjekket. Vi undrer os stadig over, hvorfor vi skulle have denne saerbehandling, men foelte os samtidig lidt VIP med vores lyse hudfarve.
Koncerten var fed og stemningen i top og efter de mest populaere sange eksploderede begejstrede tilskuerne ud i et kor med tilraabene "once more, once more". Vi sad paa en af de bagerste tribuner og kunne der samtidig nyde synet af de lysende mobiltelefoner, der blev holdt i vejret ved sangenene "Heaven" og "Everything I Do". Det var en uforglemmelig aften i selvskab med venlige og for nogen maaske lidt for nysgerrige nepalesere.
Soendag morgen drog vi fem tilbageblevne til Nagarkot for ogsaa at faa lov at nyde synet af himmalaya bjergene. Astrid og jeg havde planlagt at gaa fra byen Bakthapur til Nagarkot, men ombestemte os dog hurtigt, da vi ankom til byen og fik at vide at vi skulle gaa 20 km. og ikke anede i hvilken retning. Vi fik derfor lokket vores taxacharfoer til at koere os helt til Nagarkot, hvor vi derfra gik fire km. op til bjergets hoejeste punkt. Og hold da op en udsigt der moedte os. Vi havde tidligere faaet at vide at vejret ikke var til det, men da vi naaede toppen havde vi himmalaya bjergende lige foran os. Det var ubeskriveligt smukt.
Natten tilbragte vi naesten alle paa hotel View Point, som ligger, som navnet ogsaa antyder, med en fantastisk udsigt til bjergene. Troels og Sebastian havde tjekket ind paa et hotel naer os, da de ikke vidste hvor vi befandt os.
Om morgenen stod tre af os op for at nyde solopgangen, der dog ikke var saa fantastisk som vi havde haabet paa. Smukt var det, men himmalaya bjergene var vaek i disen, saa dem saa vi ikke mere til paa denne tur.
Da vi kom hjem var alle forstaaeligt meget udmattede og resten af mandagen blev derfor brugt til hygge og afslapning.
Dagen idag vil nogen af os nok mest huske for den lidt surealistiske taxatur fra bydelen Thamel og hjem til platformen. Da Louise spurgte chaufoeren om vi kunne hoere lidt radio foreslog han, at vi kunne se en film i stedet, da radioen ikke virkede. Vi undrede os lidt, da straekningen ikke tager mere en ti min., men takkede dog ja til tilbudet, hvorefter chaufoeren giver Louise mobilen og en pornofilm begynder at rulle over skaermen. Med citaterne "Very nice, very nice", og "this is big, but mine is double" tror jeg at jeg vil slutte bloggen af.
Mette Rykaer
”Man siger at billeder kan sige mere end 1000 ord”
Denne paestand vil jeg med dette blogindlaeg gerne modbevise. Hverken ord eller billeder kan beskrive den natur gruppen og jeg har rejst igennem denne weekend. Ved gensyn af de billeder jeg har taget i loebet af trekkingturen har jeg flere gange maette stille spoergsmaelstegn ved, om det overhovedet er noget jeg har oplevet. I kontrast til de erindringer og indre billeder som fylder mig, er billederne pae mit kamera uinteressante og intet sigende om den oplevelse som stadig, efter vores hjemkomst til platformen, summer i kroppen pae mig. Jeg er af den overbevisning, efter min udforskning af Kathmandu dalen, at man ikke via billeder kan fae en fornemmelse af Himalayas majestætiske tinder og den natur som vi har vaeret omgivet af. Kun ved selv at stae overfor denne natur forstaer man. Denne oplevelse har til en vis grad faet mig til at fae en indsigt i den religioese betydning disse bjerge har for mange mennesker. At befinder sig i denne uberoerte natur faer en foelse af underdaninghed frem i mig.
- Mette Falk
- Mette Falk
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Theater the Nepali way
This morning we were introduced to a video clip from youtube.com about social change and how we ourselves can have an impact on social change just by doing small things like standing out in a crowd. The video clip showed actors in London lying on the street and acting ill. No one stopped to help them even though the human traffic at the spot was massive. It wasn't until the male actor was dressed in a suit people immediately stopped to help him.
I think a lot of us were quite stunned. I guess we all expect that people at least would stop to ask if you need a hand. We all agreed that we from now will be attentive to people around us, even though they're not dressed in a proper way.
Around midday a guy from an organization called Heartbeat dropped by. I'm sorry, but I can't remember his name. The names can be really difficult here. He introduced us to a project called tea4free. He meets street children on the streets every tuesday morning where he gives them a cup of tea and talk to them. We're going to attend one of these mornings and learn a lot more about the relentless life on the streets.
This afternoon we went to the theater. We were going to see a play about social change. However something went wrong and we were to see a rehearsal of another play. It was really fun and kind of strange to watch a play where you don't understand the lines. The play was repeatedly interrupted by the director, an american woman, and she asked us advice about the acting. Louise was so cool and brave and she joined the play to show us her version of how a deceased mother would care for her son.
Hope everything is well in Denmark. We're all doing fine here and are finding it hard to get the time to communicate with you guys back home.
- Maria
I think a lot of us were quite stunned. I guess we all expect that people at least would stop to ask if you need a hand. We all agreed that we from now will be attentive to people around us, even though they're not dressed in a proper way.
Around midday a guy from an organization called Heartbeat dropped by. I'm sorry, but I can't remember his name. The names can be really difficult here. He introduced us to a project called tea4free. He meets street children on the streets every tuesday morning where he gives them a cup of tea and talk to them. We're going to attend one of these mornings and learn a lot more about the relentless life on the streets.
This afternoon we went to the theater. We were going to see a play about social change. However something went wrong and we were to see a rehearsal of another play. It was really fun and kind of strange to watch a play where you don't understand the lines. The play was repeatedly interrupted by the director, an american woman, and she asked us advice about the acting. Louise was so cool and brave and she joined the play to show us her version of how a deceased mother would care for her son.
Hope everything is well in Denmark. We're all doing fine here and are finding it hard to get the time to communicate with you guys back home.
- Maria
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Namaste!
Namaste!
Today it’s been exactly one week ago since we all had more or less tearful goodbyes to our families and loved ones, exactly one week ago since we all went on our different airplanes to face a looong trip, and exactly one week ago that the butterflies in our stomachs escalated to a level where one would consider if they would pop out from the navel.
I believe that every one of us have now started to become acclimatized. This acclimatization has been possible due to many different experiences so far. The first thing that made many of us realize that this was nothing like the small northern country we all come from was the experience of the Nepali traffic. Never have I heard so much tooting from car horns ever before. The traffic is so crowded and it seems like the principal of “survival of the fittest” applies here.
Nevertheless I already got more relaxed and used to it the second day. Yesterday I even went bicycling in the insane traffic on a too small mountain bike with questionable brakes. I have to mention that I did wear a helmet, just in case my mother reads this.
The food is another thing that I’ve now learned to love more than the food I usually prefer. There’s not much meat here, in fact we’ve only had meat once, but I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything. I will not speak on behalf of the rest of the volunteers on this topic though, since I believe that more than one of the boys is craving steak.
Today I just learned to make the most wonderful thing on Earth – momo. Goku our kitchenlady is a wonderful cook, and she taught Signe, Astrid and I how to make them. Momo is something like Chinese dumplings – just a whole lot better. As I’m writing this blog we’re waiting for dinner – I hope we made enough! When I return back to Denmark I have to make them again for sure.
The last thing that definitely changed within me since coming to Kathmandu is my hygienic standard. Normally I wash my hair everyday just to make an example. This first week I’ve already used up half of my dry-shampoo which speaks for itself. Yes, my hair is beyond greasy. The thing is, usually I would feel disgusting, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or not, but it is convenient though since the water in the showers is freezing cold! It takes a lot of determination to take a shower. And I’m thinking that it’s not at all as bad as it’s going to be when I get to India. This Western-style platform have flush-toilets for example. A few days ago we went to a Hindu temple and here the “toilet” was a FULL hole in the ground full of….. with flies all around it. Since the hole was packed with you-know-what there was also a lot of you-still-know-what around the hole. Signe was certain that a cow had been passing this “toilet”-place since the amount around the hole was enormous.
Despite the cold showers, the expectation of horrible toilets, the lack of hygiene for all of us and the monsoon-like rain today it is amazing to finally be here. It’s amazing to cook with Goku and not suffer tourist-dishes every night, it’s wonderful to walk around the streets and alleys of Kathmandu while being able to say a few words in Nepali and receive grinning smiles in return and it’s terrific to have so many to share everything with. Even the smallest things become special and precious if you look closely enough.
Goodbye for now and Namaste – I greet the divine within you.
Today it’s been exactly one week ago since we all had more or less tearful goodbyes to our families and loved ones, exactly one week ago since we all went on our different airplanes to face a looong trip, and exactly one week ago that the butterflies in our stomachs escalated to a level where one would consider if they would pop out from the navel.
I believe that every one of us have now started to become acclimatized. This acclimatization has been possible due to many different experiences so far. The first thing that made many of us realize that this was nothing like the small northern country we all come from was the experience of the Nepali traffic. Never have I heard so much tooting from car horns ever before. The traffic is so crowded and it seems like the principal of “survival of the fittest” applies here.
Nevertheless I already got more relaxed and used to it the second day. Yesterday I even went bicycling in the insane traffic on a too small mountain bike with questionable brakes. I have to mention that I did wear a helmet, just in case my mother reads this.
The food is another thing that I’ve now learned to love more than the food I usually prefer. There’s not much meat here, in fact we’ve only had meat once, but I really don’t feel like I’m missing anything. I will not speak on behalf of the rest of the volunteers on this topic though, since I believe that more than one of the boys is craving steak.
Today I just learned to make the most wonderful thing on Earth – momo. Goku our kitchenlady is a wonderful cook, and she taught Signe, Astrid and I how to make them. Momo is something like Chinese dumplings – just a whole lot better. As I’m writing this blog we’re waiting for dinner – I hope we made enough! When I return back to Denmark I have to make them again for sure.
The last thing that definitely changed within me since coming to Kathmandu is my hygienic standard. Normally I wash my hair everyday just to make an example. This first week I’ve already used up half of my dry-shampoo which speaks for itself. Yes, my hair is beyond greasy. The thing is, usually I would feel disgusting, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. I’m not sure if that’s a good sign or not, but it is convenient though since the water in the showers is freezing cold! It takes a lot of determination to take a shower. And I’m thinking that it’s not at all as bad as it’s going to be when I get to India. This Western-style platform have flush-toilets for example. A few days ago we went to a Hindu temple and here the “toilet” was a FULL hole in the ground full of….. with flies all around it. Since the hole was packed with you-know-what there was also a lot of you-still-know-what around the hole. Signe was certain that a cow had been passing this “toilet”-place since the amount around the hole was enormous.
Despite the cold showers, the expectation of horrible toilets, the lack of hygiene for all of us and the monsoon-like rain today it is amazing to finally be here. It’s amazing to cook with Goku and not suffer tourist-dishes every night, it’s wonderful to walk around the streets and alleys of Kathmandu while being able to say a few words in Nepali and receive grinning smiles in return and it’s terrific to have so many to share everything with. Even the smallest things become special and precious if you look closely enough.
Goodbye for now and Namaste – I greet the divine within you.
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