Hannah does Nepal!

The Royal Palace

2011-07-18T10:14:00.005-03:00

This afternoon me and Isabelle (another volunteer coming to Chitwan with me tomorrow) ventured out in the crazy heat to see the Royal Palace which is now a museum. Unfortunately we weren't able to take our cameras inside but I took a picture outside through the fence.

The palace was beautiful and me and Isabelle manage to get some of our questions answered by some local Nepali folk, after a bit of a struggle. There was a ridiculous amount of stuffed Tigers and skinned crocodiles. And pictures of the King with visiting head of state like the Queen of England.

I also took a few pictures on the walk home. The traffic is absolutely insane here! To cross streets you just sort of hope for the best and go for it. There are no traffic lights so cars and bikes just go when they feel like it. Pretty risky when you put your entire family in the car. I saw a small car with atleast 10-12 people aged 4-80 yrs old piled in it weaving its way through the streets.

I'm off to chitwan tomorrow morning at 7am for the 6 hours trip (although its only 150 kms) where I will meet my host family and be introduced to my placement.

Wish me luck!

2011-07-17T10:48:00.006-03:00

Well today has been far less glamourous than yesterday. I’m having a hard time getting used to something here (food, heat…) and have spent 20 of the last 24 hours in bed. I really hope that I can kick this before I make my trip down to Chitwan where its even hotter and western food is significantly harder to find.

Yesterday I did manage to get some sightseeing in with Katarina (one of the staff members here) and we went to the BoudaStupa which is a larger prayer sight on the outskirts of Kathmandu. It was a beautiful day and rained for about 30 seconds (which in the heat was very welcomed). For monsoon season its been pretty gorgeous here, definitely not what I was expecting but who know, maybe I’ve just been lucky.

Boudha Stupa

Well im just going to be resting for the rest of tonight and hopefully Ill have some more interesting updates tomorrow night.

ps, Here are some plane ride pictures from the trip in.

Made it!

2011-07-16T02:57:00.003-03:00

I've successfully made it to Nepal! Everything's a bit of a blur right now after 31 hrs of travel but Kathmandu is quite the place. Constant honking and zooming as cars fly past each other through the tiny streets jam packed with vendors and store fronts.
I'm just getting settled into the hotel here and I'm in desperate need of some sleep so I'll post some more interesting things soon.

So far some highlights:
-The 6 seconds walk from plane to bus in Qatar in about 40+ degrees. And it was night time!!!
-Seeing the Himalayas peaks over the clouds on our descent to Nepal. Little house were perched on sheer cliffs! I wonder what it would be like to live there?
-My crazy ride from the airport. I could never neevvvvver drive in Nepal. Not only is it on the opposite side of the street, there are no lines, no stop signs, no stopping at all really and there are dogs, chickens and goats mingling with the traffic.
-The fact that I get free food at the hotel!
-The high power fan in my room!

But now, I'm going to go break in my bed and get some sleep!
Miss you all back in Canada!

Bring it on!

2011-07-12T14:37:00.006-03:00

Getting ready to take off on Thursday! I fly out of Halifax at 4:45pm on my way to New York, Doha and finally Kathmandu! 31 hours of travel! Joy!

Here's some basic info about my trip for those interested:
I'm staying with a family at:
Bharatpur 7
Krishnapur
Chitwan
Nepal
but all mail should be directed to:
Projects Abroad
Post Box 15142
KPC 338
Kathmandu
Nepal
You can reach me at: hannah.dahn@dal.ca

There is an internet cafe across from my host families house so I'll be trying to update you all on how my trip is going as often as I can.

I will be working at the Chitwan Medical Teaching Hospital (http://www.cmc.edu.np/) during the week. We'll see what I get to do and learn when I get there!
I'm doing my placement there for 4 weeks and then taking the remainder of my time to travel up to Kathmandu and do some of the more touristy things.

Namaste! (That is currently the only word of Nepali I know....greeeaattt :p)

Hannah