A Whole New Experience

Saturday was a rest day so we walked down the hill to Lakeside and then on to Pokhara. The track down was very steep and rough with some very old man made steps in some parts. This area is also known for paragliding and there were dozens flying today, what seemed like nonstop. It was a clear beautiful day and quite hot, some locals were swimming in the lake, bathing, washing clothes, fishing and the water buffalo were cooling off. There were a couple of boats out fishing, for trout and carp. 

We found a cafe with wifi in Pokhara and this is a treat to be able to get online. We have no wifi at the house and electricity goes off all the time, so just keeping devices charged is a challenge. 

Pokhara is a large city of about two hundred thousand, some areas are quite dirty and it's very dry and dusty. There is quite a haze over the whole valley which I think is mainly a mist and dust but also from fires in the hills that you can see, even though the locals say "no smoke", I can't quite believe them when we can actually see it!  The air was really clear this morning and I could see the mountains behind us, beautiful. I have to muscle up and walk to the top of the ridge; where Jim walked the other morning for a very spectacular view. It takes about an hour and a half up, very up, very step, very not my ideal walk, but it must be done at least once. There is a restaurant/hotel at the top as it is a popular tourist area with all of the walks and paragliding in the area, not to mention the scenery.

We try to help around the home with chores as it is mainly Meena who does all the domestic work, including feeding animals, tending the large kitchen garden as well as the fields. We had to cart water from the spring yesterday as the main pipe had been broken on the road by a vehicle; it is being repaired today. I hope so as it is a very steep climb back up from the spring. 

Most meals are cooked over a open fire and quite simple fare, but plenty. We have to buy bottled water as we cannot risk drinking even the spring water. Jim has gone to suss out the local shops to see what he can find, we feel we need a few treats. He is back, without treats, oh well.

We start at the local school today, so who knows what this will be like.

Texted one of the other volunteers today, and their homestay is also modest, ( love my tack, so not like me). They have a river to wash in, but their house ablutions are a bit dire. We are managing but I will never, ever, ever take electricity and a real shower for granted, nor a western toilet. We have