On thursday the rain had finally stopped and full of optimism and excitement we embarked upon our first field trip to two temples in Kathmandu. One hindu and one buddhist.
The first temple was the Pashupatinath which spreads over a large area with many different buildings and a river running through. We walked around the area in small groups, answering questions with the help from local visitors. Actually we didn't need to address people in order to get help with the questions, most people adressed us long before. Some of them were just local people or other tourists being interested in us and wanting to say hello and help us. Some of them were trying to sell us something; jewellery, flowers, Tikka for the forehead, guided tours or even a photography together with a monk.
A few meters away from all the salesmen were a lot of platforms alongside the river where dead people were cremated. We walked very close to the fires, smelled the smoke and ashes and saw different bodyparts sticking out of the flames. All in all that was a very strong and also strange experience and I think we all came to a closer understanding of hinduism and its meaning in Nepal.
After a couple of hours we withdrew from all the people and went up the hill to have a delicious lunch prepared and packed by the platform kitchen. There we could eat almost alone, only disturbed by a few hungry monkeys, a deaf man and a wedding party.
Then we went to see the buddhist temple, or stupa, Boudhanat. This was quite a lot smaller than the hindu one, and the temple itself was only one building in the middle of a kind of courtyard. A large white pagoda with a small tower on top with Buddhas characteristic eyes looking out on (and for) all of us. A kind british guy our age discretely hinted us that we were about to walk counterclockwise around the pagoda instead of clockwise as one should.
There were just as many people, and many more tourists, there than at Pashupatinath, but nonetheless this seemed much less chaotic and crowded, and much more peacefull and calm. It's such a cliche - european youth comming to the east and being fascinated by buddhism, but this place really seemed special. Jinita arranged for us to visit a monastery connected to the temple, where we met an old and very kind monk, who blessed us by saying our name and binding a red and yellow silk string around our neck. This was also a very strong experience and right now I can't really decide whether to take the string off my neck or not - it'll be interesting to see if I stille have it on on monday reading this aloud to the morning meeting.
I think this day showed us a lot about buddhism and hinduism, and for various reasons I would really like to go back to both temples during our three weeks left. However this all seemed to have been enough spirituality for one day and the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent sleeping and packing for the weekend in Pokhara ...and of course on playing a bit of table tennis.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
A Raining Day
7th February 2012
At the beginning I was quite disappointed, because I had really looked forward to see the temples and learn about Hinduism and Buddhism in practice. But after the first class I actually didn’t thought of the real schedule for the rest of the day. Janita told us about gender and discrimination in Nepal. She told her own and others experience. It was so fascinating that none of us said a single word through her stories. And she made us think and reflect afterwards.
So the raining day became a day for reflection
In next class we learned about social change, activism, voluntarism and development. One could really feel that people was up for discussion for the themes.
The raining day became a day for reflection and discussion
In the evening there was a peaceful atmosphere at the house; most of the group went to Thamel, the boys played Risk in the garden and I enjoyed to calm and quiet moment from my warm bed.
The raining day became a day for reflection, discussion and relaxing
After dinner the rain stopped also for a little while – amazing! Some of us went to the movies to see a film called Kathmandu, while others felt the need to relax at home. The film was about the capital of Nepal; what kind of issues the city was loaded with. Even though, the themes were quite relevant for us, we couldn’t take the film seriously. It is impossible for me to describe why – all I can say is that one should really see this movie! It is long time since I laughed so much!
The raining day became a day for reflection, discussion, relaxing and a lots of fun
- A great day in Kathmandu!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Subha Bihani (Good morning)
Blog for the 7th February
“Aaaaarrrgghhhhh….. it is already 8.15 – and breakfast here at the platform is at 8’o clock. How can you feel so tired?” I thought to myself realizing that it was only my second morning here in Nepal. The feeling of being home was in my body but it felt strange to feel at home this soon.
After breakfast we were to clean the house. Sumi (the housekeeper) introduced us how to do it. I’m not sure I have ever tried such an ineffective broom, but Sumi had presented it with a smile and like that we received it.
Janitha, who is nepali, was the facilitator of the day. She told and explained about religions in Asia, and late we discussed social structure. The social structure here in Nepal is created by the caste system, culture and religions. I thought it was very inspiring to hear how she had felt due to the discrimination she was been exposed of because of her caste. She is born into one of the untouchable castes which is called the Dalits.
When she told her story you could see that she is a strong and clever woman, who has decided not to practice the caste system, though it is so common in her culture. Our discussion on discrimination developed to deal with sexuality, gender or sex (society or biology) and religion also.
In the afternoon we were taking Janitha’s advice on where to go and buy “local” clothes. Four girls, including myself when because we really wanted to wearer local clothes tomorrow. Tomorrow we are going to two temples – which I am extremely excited about.
The day has been fascinating to me because it is not very often at home in Denmark that I meet people who are so devoted to something as religious people are to their religion.
We ought to go to bed soon because every day brings lots of things which requires lots of energy.
But let us see…..
Yesterday we went to bed at 1 am because we were sitting in a room on the platform talking. It is amazing people here. Everyone has their story and their experiences. From the people here I am probably learning the most.
Ending this blog I feel just like I did this morning: the time is running so fast that I hardly can remember everything because I get so many impressions all the time. I learn every second.
Therefore I cannot doubt that within this month we will be ready to go and volunteer.
- Elin
“Aaaaarrrgghhhhh….. it is already 8.15 – and breakfast here at the platform is at 8’o clock. How can you feel so tired?” I thought to myself realizing that it was only my second morning here in Nepal. The feeling of being home was in my body but it felt strange to feel at home this soon.
After breakfast we were to clean the house. Sumi (the housekeeper) introduced us how to do it. I’m not sure I have ever tried such an ineffective broom, but Sumi had presented it with a smile and like that we received it.
Janitha, who is nepali, was the facilitator of the day. She told and explained about religions in Asia, and late we discussed social structure. The social structure here in Nepal is created by the caste system, culture and religions. I thought it was very inspiring to hear how she had felt due to the discrimination she was been exposed of because of her caste. She is born into one of the untouchable castes which is called the Dalits.
When she told her story you could see that she is a strong and clever woman, who has decided not to practice the caste system, though it is so common in her culture. Our discussion on discrimination developed to deal with sexuality, gender or sex (society or biology) and religion also.
In the afternoon we were taking Janitha’s advice on where to go and buy “local” clothes. Four girls, including myself when because we really wanted to wearer local clothes tomorrow. Tomorrow we are going to two temples – which I am extremely excited about.
The day has been fascinating to me because it is not very often at home in Denmark that I meet people who are so devoted to something as religious people are to their religion.
We ought to go to bed soon because every day brings lots of things which requires lots of energy.
But let us see…..
Yesterday we went to bed at 1 am because we were sitting in a room on the platform talking. It is amazing people here. Everyone has their story and their experiences. From the people here I am probably learning the most.
Ending this blog I feel just like I did this morning: the time is running so fast that I hardly can remember everything because I get so many impressions all the time. I learn every second.
Therefore I cannot doubt that within this month we will be ready to go and volunteer.
- Elin
Mero nam Clara ho
"Mero nam Clara ho" I said to the taxi driver. At first he looked at me as if I was some kind of alien but then he suddenly started smiling and laughed. That was my first words in Nepali on my first day in Kathmandu.
Earlier that day we had our first lesson in Nepali language. It was something which I had very much been looking forward to and therefore I was very eager to go out in the city and use it. We learned some basic words and phrases and were now ready to go out and practice.
We went to the part of Kathmandu called Thamel because we wanted to book hotel and transportation in the city of Pokhara. We are going to Pokhara this weekend for hiking and sightseeing. It was on our way home I had my very first experience with Nepali language. Me and some of the other girls decided to take a taxi home instead of walking all the way. It was Elin who made the first move. She tried to ask for the drivers name in Nepali. At first he didn't understand what we were trying to say but slowly he began to understand and started smiling and laughed kindly at us. He asked for our names as well. "Mero nam Clara ho" I said. I was very proud of myself for saying my very first words in Nepali, even though it wasn't that bog a deal now I come to think of it.
In the evening Vibe asked us to join a local bar with her. When we got there we were the only ones inside. They played Lady Gaga and Rihanna and the whole group ened up ordering Carlsberg beers. So much for wanting to feel local.
Earlier that day we had our first lesson in Nepali language. It was something which I had very much been looking forward to and therefore I was very eager to go out in the city and use it. We learned some basic words and phrases and were now ready to go out and practice.
We went to the part of Kathmandu called Thamel because we wanted to book hotel and transportation in the city of Pokhara. We are going to Pokhara this weekend for hiking and sightseeing. It was on our way home I had my very first experience with Nepali language. Me and some of the other girls decided to take a taxi home instead of walking all the way. It was Elin who made the first move. She tried to ask for the drivers name in Nepali. At first he didn't understand what we were trying to say but slowly he began to understand and started smiling and laughed kindly at us. He asked for our names as well. "Mero nam Clara ho" I said. I was very proud of myself for saying my very first words in Nepali, even though it wasn't that bog a deal now I come to think of it.
In the evening Vibe asked us to join a local bar with her. When we got there we were the only ones inside. They played Lady Gaga and Rihanna and the whole group ened up ordering Carlsberg beers. So much for wanting to feel local.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentine! :D
Today started like any other tuesday - cleaning! But we were rather efficient so we were quickly done, and even had time to clean out our own rooms, which for some of us was pretty necessary!
The topic of today's program was Human Rights, and we had Rikke as our facilitator.
before lunch we discussed what exactly Human Rights is, and what specific areas they cover. As a small exercise we each had to draw an article from the Human Rights Declaration.
before lunch we discussed what exactly Human Rights is, and what specific areas they cover. As a small exercise we each had to draw an article from the Human Rights Declaration.
Then came the best thing of the day - Pizza!!!! :D :D Need I say more?
After lunch we worked in our country-groups, researching about our countries status with the HR. We then had to make a small and preferably funny presentation for the other groups. We had songs, puppit shows, a quiz and... William :p
Later some went to the local fitness, some played "Hit Med Sangen", and some went to the movies.
All in all a very interesting and agreeable day! (: (:
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