Plan #2: Bargain a better price for your bus fare.
Plan #3: Prepare your rear end for another bumpy journey.
Plan #4: Forget all plans, because this is Nepal and you simply cannot expect anything. Ever.
Saturday morning, Lisa from Ireland and Emmi from Finland and I departed for Lumbini to become enlightened. Even though we heard there was a bandh, or strike. This time, it's due to the student elections. Strikes are very common here. Sometimes they block the road for days. One time in particular, Juan and Tariq were stuck in KTM for 11 days because the protesters don't let up until some sort of agreement is reached. Anyway, we talked to the bus driver and he said he'd drive for as far as he could. We got halfway there and were stranded amongst Km upon Km of stagnant trucks and buses with people sleeping on blankets on the ground beneath them. We didn't know when the bandh would let up, so the options were to wait it out or wait for a bus back to Narayangath. We decided to eat some daal bhat so we could think clearly about what to do. Back to Narayangath for us. We got a hotel and took the bus in the morning to nearby Devghat, perhaps the most sought after Hindu mecca in all of Nepal.
Devghat...how wonderful. I don't think we could have had a better change of plans. We met this amazing family on the bus who took us to their home for COLD soda and delicious daal bhat with buffalo meat (which is a treat when you can get it) and also took us on a walking tour of the village. We boated across the river after a very peaceful afternoon in such a serene area before returning back home. I couldn't believe we stumbled upon such generous and welcoming company!
As for the health camp last week, we saw a variety of patients from around the Rampur village. I took vitals in the pediatrics ward. There were also medical and gynecological wards as well as a medication distribution room, all free to the public.
I was back at the hospital on Sunday, now with Jessica who is an EMT from Indiana. It's a lot more fun having a buddy in the emergency room to change dressings, clean wounds, and complete admission work.
Speaking of Jessica, she wants to go paragliding in Pokhara (as she's never been) so I think I may tag along on Thursday...
Patients waiting at the health camp in Rampur.
Jordana, you're doing great -- making the best of things, finding the bright sides when things go down. This journey is showing promise :-)
ReplyDeleteremember that time we went parasailing and while we were up there, we were discussing the things we could do to the people below us. that and urination.
ReplyDeleteglad you're having fun!
How many times can I say I'm still shocked your half way around the world doing all of this stuff before I get banned from saying it? Sounds fabulous. :)
ReplyDelete-Dj
Mom...I love you lots. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteSelena...can you think of any other ideas I can suggest to my paragliding partner besides urination? Don't know if she'd be cool with that. I need your creative mind here!!
DJ...is it really halfway around the world?
Your have the most dynamic family ever.
ReplyDeleteno jordana, i can't. i think the only option is urnation.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I'm saying this ... there's always spitting, less messy.
ReplyDeletePooping?
ReplyDeleteOh goodness. This is much too much.
ReplyDeleteMaj, they spit all the time here. And blow air hankies. Everyone does it constantly, even the women.
Uncle Frank, I don't know what to say. Ummm...thanks for the suggestion?