I feel so grateful to have the chance to immerse myself in Nepali family life. I truly feel treated as one of their own through my differences. We laugh and communicate with ease, even through the barrier of language. When I was sick, I was taken......Read More
This last weekend the older brother in my homestay family, mero nepali daai, went trekking with a group of his friends. A couple nights after he returned we were on the roof of our house watching the day slide away, telling stories and putting......Read More
One of the most memorable moments from this week, etched within the depths of my taste buds, was the Ayurvedic cooking class with Sharon. Chowing down on the steamed veggie momos, aloo paratha (potato stuffed bread), curry paneer, and spicy potatoes......Read More
This week Sharon-didi offered us a class on traditional Nepali spices, presenting their uses, Nepali names, medicinal properties, while passing them around to taste and smell. Some of these spices included cinnamon bark, nutmeg, cumin seed, black......Read More
The mountains paint the skyline. Connecting the heavens and the earth. Duality at its finest is the earth the heavens and the heavens the earth. Walking down the street, life feels like a video game or some sort of virtual reality, this simulates......Read More
On a recent Friday evening, our group enjoyed local live music at Open Mic Night night at Cafe Ramsterdam in Boudha, on the east side of Kathmandu. Our fearless leader Sharon Sitling sang a traditional Lepcha song with her husband Aditya Shrestha,......Read More
Last week, on the final leg of our travel period before Patan, we had the amazing opportunity to go to Pharping for a few days. Pictured here is the view from the monastery we stayed at, as well as some photos from our beautiful day hike. One of my favorite moments in Pharping was on the first night, when we did a little scavenger hunt throughout the town to ask locals some questions and to buy a few items. At the very end of our scavenger hunt, we had one question remaining, one that was difficult to ask without knowing… Read More
This to you, to me I will pick up trash from the Sacred ground at your feet. As you stand there, As we walk. I will bend down and reach And touch the grass, the mud, the brick, the pavement. I love you and my heart sings. I will......Read More
Week 3 of our program has been very busy and full of transition. The students are now settled in with their urban homestay families in Patan, with whom they will stay for the next 5 week, and we have begun a daily routine of classes at our program......Read More
For a moment on this day I was shown a dream, rather I was sung and danced and drummed a dream. It was a small moment when our group first sat with the hoop of ladies in red and gold and green. Mallory, Sarah, Kenna, Sharon, our hostess Mitho, and......Read More
As soon as I walked into the Anada tree house my entire being opened like a blossoming rose. It felt as if I had returned home to a home I have never been to (during this lifetime at least). Anada tree house is an eco homestay, cafe, and shop. The......Read More
Here are some photos from the past week! We spent a wonderful few days at HASERA farm where we learned a lot about permaculture. Pictured is one of our amazing views of the mountains, a photo I took while studying on the rooftop during sunset.......Read More
It is clear that this land knows water, and knows it well. Whether it be the falling rain or hanging mist, by being here I have been in constant communion with moisture. Every night of the trip so far I have gone to bed with an encompassing residue......Read More
Last week I spoke about all the expansion of being in Nepal but life is full of polarities- there is never expansion without contraction. There is never joy without pain. While it is so important to share our uplifting memories, it is just important......Read More
We arrived Bhaktapur today afternoon leaving Patalakhet behind with gratitude. Patalakhet has been kind to us, we have been coming together as a group sharing our life stories with one another, exploring, learning and smelling the roses once in a......Read More
We’ve concluded our student orientation, and made our way farther southeast from Dhulikhel to Hasera Permaculture Farm in the lush green valley of Kavre District. On Wednesday we took a long day hike from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Monastery and......Read More
