On to Palpa!

Tomorrow we leave Pokhara for Palpa. I'm a bit sad to go because I've really been enjoying this town! Life is a little more relaxed here and I think we all needed the break from crazy Kathmandu. This town has a breath taking view of the Annapurnas. This is our second home stay and each time we are received by a new family we are blown away by the generosity and attentiveness we receive.

We had our second vocational day here in Pokhara and I was really excited about mine! Since getting to Nepal, I have thought about water every single day. It's complicated. The government supplies water but it's heavily restricted and only runs for about 2 or 3 hours each day. Families use those few precious hours to fill rooftop reservoirs that can then gravity feed their house (electricity is also restricted, as Michelle's post mentioned). Many people in Kathmandu (which has gotten more and more populated) depend on public taps for their water, but many of those taps are now dry. In addition, none of the water is treated and the government stresses that everyone boil their water before consumption.

Yesterday, I saw Nepal's very first solid waste & waste water management system! This might not sound as exciting to some of you as a school full of beautiful children but I was fascinated! I think that the two most important components of any community is its drinking water and its waste management. These two things are the foundation of healthy living! It's so easy to take them for granted and I'm honored to experience them here in Nepal.

Well, as with the good experiences we have also experienced a few bad. Some on our team have already gotten sick and poor Michelle has had it bad. Yesterday, she was taken to a local hospital. I went with her and while we both felt that she just needed some peace, rest and rehydration, some felt the hospital would be best. It's a scary experience, being sick and away from home, and the hospital was very unfamiliar! Thankfully, our Rotary friend, Vinod, took us to his own home and Michelle was able to rest. It was just what she needed! Vinod's home was so nice and comfortable and his wife stayed with Michelle all day long, keeping an eye on her and feeding her soup.

Today was a rest day and thanks to Vinod's lovely wife, Michelle has been feeling much better. Tonight we will say goodbye to our host families and tomorrow...Palpa ho!

Namaste!
Sarah