We made it to Chitwan and had just enough time to drop our things before heading out for a meeting with government official. We have been asked to present ENG at a gathering of officials tomorrow afternoon. We spent the rest of the day at Naya Kiran in a planning meeting for Safe Learning Space and gathering information on our scholarship girls. The school leaders and teachers agreed that a safe play area for the children was their biggest desire. Currently it is a dust filled yard that they feel is a health risk to the kids. We will help them build a better environment. The children were so precious and were thrilled to talk and play!  Favorite moment today: in a dust filled classroom brimming with excited little ones I started drawing objects on the board and they would call out the name of the object and then spell it in English. They kept moving from their desk closer and closer until they were surrounding me with big brown eyes, excited voices, and huge smiles. I drew a car, a cat, a house, and then a heart ❤️ and in unison all the little voices screamed out L. o. v. e. —-LOVE!!! Yes it is!  

Washing clothes today in preparation to leave for Chitwan tomorrow! Getting ready to travel from Kathmandu for first region and school visits.  

I walked the city all day long. Farmers market, tea. Thamel, tea. Groceries, coffee. I found Diet Coke… It’s like finding gold! I bought a case and then started walking the 5 miles home with back pack, market purchases, and cokes. I look like a pack horse or a yak! Got caught in the rain-cold rain. I thought a warm shower would be just the thing. No warm water when I returned. So I dried off and just finished my Diet Coke. Worth it!!’

A few early morning views from my two hour walk to the ex pat farmers market this morning. Bought fresh cheese, cream, eggs, and bread!!!!  

   
   Work sessions to prepare for travel and birthday dinner with Sherpa family! Found a bakery at the Yak & Yeti to share cake! 

Today was the first of our 19 school visits. Ganesh school in Kathmandu is a government school that has classes from pre-k through university. About 650 students attend each day. It is one of the older schools in Kathmandu. Our safe learning space project will assist them in developing a library for the students. The gov has provided the funding to build the actual space so we will provide the tables, chairs, and bookshelves. This is the greatest need.  

  The spot in the sunlight will be a “children’s corner”with developmental toys/supplies -anyone want to sponsor the materials? Let me know?

 They still need help purchasing books. If anyone would like to help please let me know! 

So I just took my first motorcycle ride in Kathmandu! Had a beautiful evening -great food, great company, a little work and a lot of fun! The ride home was cold but riding under s full moon coming home was pretty awesome! Thank  you so much FuNuru!!!    

Meetings went very very well this morning at the American Embassy. Sorry about lack of photos but camera/ cell phone/personal items not allowed for security reasons, just approved documents.  Made some great connections for #NSU #ENG #ICMS 

Had a wonderful dinner out with treasured friends tonight. Thank you Nima Sherpa for the invitation, a lively and enjoyable evening and as always, for your friendship.  

It is storming in Nepal. Can I just say the thunder and lightning seem MUCH closer! I’m snuggled in my room working with hot tea-not a bad way to spend a late afternoon!