September

The past couple of days/weeks have been very atypical from the village life. I celebrated my birthday with my host family in Manpur, then headed out to Kathmandu, making a stop in butwal along the way, and finally went to Bhakundebesi, Kavre, to the PST training site where group 201 was learning all about the ways of Nepal and Nepali language to kick start their service.

Reflecting chronologically, my birthday celebration in my village was a lot of fun. I gave out "pursad" or prayer food to some of my neighbors and my family decked me out in red tikaa and fed me my pujaa food (worship food) in honor of my "janma din" (birthday). I felt very appreciated and loved. :)

Next, butwal! Butwal is known to travelers as a travel stop in between destinations.  It is not known to be a city where foreigners go out of their way to see, but rather just spend a quick night and carry on in their travels.  Us PCVs understood this behavior quickly, as butwal can be dusty, loud, busy, with not many traveler delights to offer. However, this time around I discovered a swimming pool at a very nice hotel, coffee at a new shop called Game Zone, and I got the luxury of staying at Darcy's International Hotel, one of the much nicer hotels in the area (if not the nicest) because I was traveling for official Peace Corps duty. yippeeeee. It was a good night.

Next, Kathmandu! I got to spend my actual birthday in the capital, and met with Marvin, a volunteer for group 199 who's birthday is also on 9/11.  It was nice to celebrate our birthdays together, and with our other friends who were in the area.

Next.... Bhakundebesi, Kavre, aka N201's PST site.  I, with Jewels, another PCV in my group originally from Chicago, taught the new group about gender considerations in Nepal and assisted our safety and security coordinator on the sessions on sexual assault awareness. Although we had to talk about some heavy topics, it was a fun time getting to know the new PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees), and a lot of them are from California! woohooo!

Also, Nikki Bose- this is so random but Jewels and I were chatting and I realized she also went to Walter Payton in Chicago!! Cool.

Now I'm back in Kathmandu for a few days before I head back to Dang to spend some quality family time with my village people. It's the holidays in Nepal, Dashain and Tihar are coming up (sorta like thanksgiving and Christmas in USA). Looking forward to a good time.

Hope everyone is taking care out there. Thinking of you folks back home :)
I also hope all is going well in San Diego with the ceremonies dedicated to Bernadette.

-Bora

to Bernadette

This one goes out to you Bernadette.
Dance with freedom and rest in peace.

Happy birthday to my September 11th birthday twins Marvin (Peace Corps), Bryce (Del Mar), and Nikko (UCSD).

And to the day of remembrance for what happened on 9/11/01.

With love,
Bora