…literally. Life is so hard for so many. Please do something kind today…

After work I was invited to share a meal with Pasang and his beautiful family. It was the perfect way to relax and reenergize after a very productive few days. Pasang precious parents are in from Nepal and the meal included Sherpa stew with dumplings, one of my favorites, a rich stew of veggies, dumplings, and water buffalo meat . The motorcycle ride across Kathmandu was a great transition from work to play! Cowboy hats were delivered from the U.S. as promised. Men’s hats in the Sherpa culture are very important to tradition. The original Tibetan style hats were made from red panda fur. This tradition no longer occurs for obvious reasons so the hats have transitioned to a more modern cowboy hat. Pasang and Kelsung will look very handsome at the upcoming Sherpa Loshar celebrations next month!

I can’t begin to explain the fulfillment of sharing ideas, wisdom, lessons learned, laughter, insecurities and strengths as we plan for the future training of professionals in psychology in Nepal. Amazing lessons of respect of differences and similarities.

Started my day out with an extremely cold shower, a French press coffee, and a search for a taxi. I stepped out onto the dirt road in Thamel and walked to find a cab and negotiate a fare. My blonde hair and blue eyes always seem to raise the starting price by a dollar or so but I drive a hard negotiation! Today the destination was a challenge and I wound up in a conference on the side of the road with 5 taxi drivers all passing my phone around guessing about directions to the University and vying for my business. None seemed certain so I ducked into the back seat of the closest cab, the driver appeared and we were off! With no less than 4 stops to ask directions from strangers on the way, numerous loud phone calls seeking directions and a sudden u-turn smack in the middle of crazy traffic, we arrived at ICMS.

I spent the day in a faculty meeting and clarifying the goals of my Fulbright time. The largest components with ICMS will include teaching alongside faculty at the graduate level in Counseling Psychology for both first and second semester students, designing a collaborative research project with interested faculty members, designing and implementing a large 3-6 day workshop, and developing curriculum for the new degree program. I will be participating in an international mental health conference and a Nepali Red Cross training. I’m scheduled to present at the Fulbright Commission and conduct a workshop for another University. Me thinks it’s going to be a busy 42 days! We sat in the sunshine on this cold day, sharing information, planning, drinking hot tea and eating cookie, What a wonderfully collaborative day!

On the way home I had to stop for a bit of banking. It took me a while, but I stood in the middle of the bank observing until I understood the ebb and flow of human traffic, Take a number, fill out a banking slip with much used carbon copy paper, choose a line, and try to hold your place to get a chance at the window. Success! I am wonderfully exhausted mentally and physically but a walk to the market and I’m ending the day with a beautiful pomegranate, apple salad and a chai tea. What an amazing experience!

Spent the day in security briefing at the embassy (amazing system) and Orientation meetings at the Fulbright office. Reporting ready for duty!

I made it to Nepal after 24 hours of flying, a missed flight and a crazy visa experience upon landing. My apartment in Kathmandu is perfect. I had a bit of adventure without electricity last night and it is more than a bit chilly!

Woke up to watch the sunrise and started getting settled in. Day was spent with unpacking, finding groceries, a walk around the area, new SIM card, initial contacts, and quick calls back to family. I can’t wait to hit the ground running tomorrow!

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