It has been well over a year since I last posted anything here. So I figured I should start posting again.
I don't know what I will write about, or how often I will post updates, but I needed to start somewhere, and this post is it.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Cold
Allow me to talk about the cold.
I have always prided myself on my ability to deal with the cold. And I am glad to say that, although Vermont is testing my pride, I am holding up fairly well. That is not to say that my experiences with Vermont's idea of "cold" has not tested me. I have had a few mishaps with the climate here, which I will gladly share with you.
The baseboard heater in my room burst recently. Turns out when it gets really really cold (around -20) you need to take some precautions in my apartment, like making sure the heat is turned up fairly high. If not, because all the baseboards are on an outside wall, the pipes can freeze, and subsequently burst. My entire room was flooded, ruining my carpet (it really tied the room together), soaking my laundry (mesh hampers do nothing to keep water out), and even ruined a pillow that had been carelessly left next to my bed (no parenthetical comment on that one).
I work at a ski resort here in Vermont, and most of my day is spent outside. I was at work about a week before the pipe bursting incident and the wind was gusting at about 60 MPH, the temp (without windchill) was about 16 degrees, and it was snowing. I had all the proper gear to protect myself from the brutality of the outside world, except a face mask. See, while here in Vermont, I am allowing my facial hair to grow out, and I thought that it would be enough protection from the cold. Turns out, I was right! My face was plenty warm as far as I was concerned, however my coworkers were a little upset with me. See, I had a solid layer of ice clinging to my face-whiskers. They said that looking at me was making them feel colder, and demanded that I stop being stupid and put a face mask on. Grudgingly I went inside, chiseled my face free from its icy prison, and got a face mask.
That same day, coming home from work, I found out that the all-weather all-terrain tires was a great investment. If I happen to hit a slippery spot on the road, during a curve, with oncoming traffic, it is very nice to know that I can at least steer my cay toward the snowbank on MY side of the road. I didn't actually hit a snow bank, but there were a solid 1.5 seconds where I considered it a best plan B.
I suspect I will be writing about the cold more as I continue my life here in Vermont, but I will try not to bore you with mundane weather updates.
I have always prided myself on my ability to deal with the cold. And I am glad to say that, although Vermont is testing my pride, I am holding up fairly well. That is not to say that my experiences with Vermont's idea of "cold" has not tested me. I have had a few mishaps with the climate here, which I will gladly share with you.
The baseboard heater in my room burst recently. Turns out when it gets really really cold (around -20) you need to take some precautions in my apartment, like making sure the heat is turned up fairly high. If not, because all the baseboards are on an outside wall, the pipes can freeze, and subsequently burst. My entire room was flooded, ruining my carpet (it really tied the room together), soaking my laundry (mesh hampers do nothing to keep water out), and even ruined a pillow that had been carelessly left next to my bed (no parenthetical comment on that one).
I work at a ski resort here in Vermont, and most of my day is spent outside. I was at work about a week before the pipe bursting incident and the wind was gusting at about 60 MPH, the temp (without windchill) was about 16 degrees, and it was snowing. I had all the proper gear to protect myself from the brutality of the outside world, except a face mask. See, while here in Vermont, I am allowing my facial hair to grow out, and I thought that it would be enough protection from the cold. Turns out, I was right! My face was plenty warm as far as I was concerned, however my coworkers were a little upset with me. See, I had a solid layer of ice clinging to my face-whiskers. They said that looking at me was making them feel colder, and demanded that I stop being stupid and put a face mask on. Grudgingly I went inside, chiseled my face free from its icy prison, and got a face mask.
That same day, coming home from work, I found out that the all-weather all-terrain tires was a great investment. If I happen to hit a slippery spot on the road, during a curve, with oncoming traffic, it is very nice to know that I can at least steer my cay toward the snowbank on MY side of the road. I didn't actually hit a snow bank, but there were a solid 1.5 seconds where I considered it a best plan B.
I suspect I will be writing about the cold more as I continue my life here in Vermont, but I will try not to bore you with mundane weather updates.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Recently I find myself never leaving a Google website whenever I go on the internet. I will give you an idea of what I mean.
I go to my computer and the first thing I do is check my email. So I head over to gmail.com. Reading my email I get invited to a party a week from now. I head over to google.com/calendar to see if I have anything planned for that day. Doesn't look like I have anything planned that day, so I check the weather at plain old google.com. The results for the weather are displayed right in my search, so I never need to even leave the results page.
Having completed all the humdrum tasks I set out to do, I go to youtube.com to kill some time watching videos. After exhausting the videos of pets doing silly things, it it time to catch up on all my Webcomics, blogs, and tech sites. I head over to Google.com/reader and everything I need is located (in a very organized manner) right there for me to read at my leisure.
After all that, I start to sort my pictures at Picasa.com, another google product. Then I check my voicemail at google voice. I head over to igoogle.com and read up on the headlines for today. Seeing something interesting on CNN (at the google homepage) I head over to google.com/news. Finally I accept the google wave invite and start toying around.
The kicker is... even this blog is written and posted at a google owned site. Google truly is my lord and master, and only now do I realize its awesome power over me. If IMDB.com and Wikipedia.org get taken over by google, about 90% of my internet interaction will take place through Google.
Sorry for not writing for so long, I am going to try to actually keep this blog active even though I am not struggling in some 3rd world country.
I go to my computer and the first thing I do is check my email. So I head over to gmail.com. Reading my email I get invited to a party a week from now. I head over to google.com/calendar to see if I have anything planned for that day. Doesn't look like I have anything planned that day, so I check the weather at plain old google.com. The results for the weather are displayed right in my search, so I never need to even leave the results page.
Having completed all the humdrum tasks I set out to do, I go to youtube.com to kill some time watching videos. After exhausting the videos of pets doing silly things, it it time to catch up on all my Webcomics, blogs, and tech sites. I head over to Google.com/reader and everything I need is located (in a very organized manner) right there for me to read at my leisure.
After all that, I start to sort my pictures at Picasa.com, another google product. Then I check my voicemail at google voice. I head over to igoogle.com and read up on the headlines for today. Seeing something interesting on CNN (at the google homepage) I head over to google.com/news. Finally I accept the google wave invite and start toying around.
The kicker is... even this blog is written and posted at a google owned site. Google truly is my lord and master, and only now do I realize its awesome power over me. If IMDB.com and Wikipedia.org get taken over by google, about 90% of my internet interaction will take place through Google.
Sorry for not writing for so long, I am going to try to actually keep this blog active even though I am not struggling in some 3rd world country.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Nerdy Games Played by Non-Nerds
So what happens when people who are decidedly not nerds start playing games that have historically been considered nerd games? The results vary, but for the most part people LOVE the games.
I have been attending major gaming conventions for the past 3 years. At every one of these conventions there is a possibility of running into the spouse, parent, or friend of a nerd who does not feel like they are, in fact, nerds. They are often dragged, convinced, or kidnapped and taken to these conventions where they will be subjected to hours of playing games, quirky and ironic t-shirts, and the various odors associated with any nerdy convention.
These people invariably end up playing some game at one of these conventions, and their transformation is horrific. Many have a tendency to become addicted or obsessed with the first thing they come into contact with. I have witnessed it first hand. Someone who was playing their FIRST EVER Role playing game, sat down at my table at one of these conventions, and for the next 4 days they were totally addicted to the game.
The point I am trying to make is that nerdy games are FUN. And people LIKE fun.
Give into your inner nerd.
I have been attending major gaming conventions for the past 3 years. At every one of these conventions there is a possibility of running into the spouse, parent, or friend of a nerd who does not feel like they are, in fact, nerds. They are often dragged, convinced, or kidnapped and taken to these conventions where they will be subjected to hours of playing games, quirky and ironic t-shirts, and the various odors associated with any nerdy convention.
These people invariably end up playing some game at one of these conventions, and their transformation is horrific. Many have a tendency to become addicted or obsessed with the first thing they come into contact with. I have witnessed it first hand. Someone who was playing their FIRST EVER Role playing game, sat down at my table at one of these conventions, and for the next 4 days they were totally addicted to the game.
The point I am trying to make is that nerdy games are FUN. And people LIKE fun.
Give into your inner nerd.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The importance of stories
Recently, I have come to understand that something can be important, without it being a fact. For me this applies primarily to my beliefs, understandings, and assumptions about what I actually believe.
For instance, I had been developing a problem with history. Growing up, I believed history was one of the easiest things to study and learn, based on the fact that it has all already happened, and all I had to do was remember it. But as I got older, and history started changing and the concept of different interpretations, and knowledge of how much influence the person actually writing the history had on what was passed forward to future generations, history became something to be wary of.
I became unable to turn my back on history for one minute without realizing that something I thought about history was in fact wrong, misleading, incomplete, or simply skewed a little off target. So I stopped trusting. I couldn't believe anything happened they way people said it happened.
After doing some reading, some soul searching, and spending a lot of time thinking about it, I now have a different approach. The stories that are told as history, while they may not be factual, ARE important. It is important to know that something happened. It is important to realize that it is part of what shaped your world. The way we THINK things happen shape the world just as much, if not more, than the way things ACTUALLY happen.
We humans need stories. We need it about the past, the present, the future, ourselves, the world around us, and things beyond our own world. And whether or not a thing actually happens does not take away from the historical and actual impact of something.
To sum it all up. Stories are important because we make them important.
For instance, I had been developing a problem with history. Growing up, I believed history was one of the easiest things to study and learn, based on the fact that it has all already happened, and all I had to do was remember it. But as I got older, and history started changing and the concept of different interpretations, and knowledge of how much influence the person actually writing the history had on what was passed forward to future generations, history became something to be wary of.
I became unable to turn my back on history for one minute without realizing that something I thought about history was in fact wrong, misleading, incomplete, or simply skewed a little off target. So I stopped trusting. I couldn't believe anything happened they way people said it happened.
After doing some reading, some soul searching, and spending a lot of time thinking about it, I now have a different approach. The stories that are told as history, while they may not be factual, ARE important. It is important to know that something happened. It is important to realize that it is part of what shaped your world. The way we THINK things happen shape the world just as much, if not more, than the way things ACTUALLY happen.
We humans need stories. We need it about the past, the present, the future, ourselves, the world around us, and things beyond our own world. And whether or not a thing actually happens does not take away from the historical and actual impact of something.
To sum it all up. Stories are important because we make them important.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Travel Sick
So I have been home for 3 days now, and last night I got a serious case of Delhi Belly. I thought it was particularly unfair that I spent 3 months in Asia and managed to avoid getting sick, just to get a wicked case of stomach problems after getting back to America.
Someone suggested that this was just my body flushing India from my system. This morning, my system apparently is 100% flushed, so I hope I do not need to worry about this process any more.
I suppose the fact that I cam home and just kept going might have had something to do with what happened to me. I still haven't taken a day to just relax and unwind after traveling. There just isn't any time.
Someone suggested that this was just my body flushing India from my system. This morning, my system apparently is 100% flushed, so I hope I do not need to worry about this process any more.
I suppose the fact that I cam home and just kept going might have had something to do with what happened to me. I still haven't taken a day to just relax and unwind after traveling. There just isn't any time.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Adreno-travel
I went to bed at 12:00 last night. It was the first real sleep I had had in 48 hours. It was the first time I have slept in MY bed. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.
It is amazing how easy it is to fall asleep when you have not slept for 48 hours, just got done traveling, and take a heavy dose of NyQuil. I only got 8 hours, but that seems to be all I am capable of.
When I travel, I have an incredibly high level of energy. Always being on the move gives me... momentum. However after I return home, I usually crash hard. This time, I came home to a full dance card. I have things planned, scheduled, and forced upon me for the next 5 days. The effect of this? I still feel like I am in travel mode. So, like a shark, I have to keep moving.
Monday. On Monday I have absolutely nothing to do. I think Monday I will crash harder than the Chinese Stock Market if they used real accounting practices.
It is amazing how easy it is to fall asleep when you have not slept for 48 hours, just got done traveling, and take a heavy dose of NyQuil. I only got 8 hours, but that seems to be all I am capable of.
When I travel, I have an incredibly high level of energy. Always being on the move gives me... momentum. However after I return home, I usually crash hard. This time, I came home to a full dance card. I have things planned, scheduled, and forced upon me for the next 5 days. The effect of this? I still feel like I am in travel mode. So, like a shark, I have to keep moving.
Monday. On Monday I have absolutely nothing to do. I think Monday I will crash harder than the Chinese Stock Market if they used real accounting practices.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cars Scare me More Than Planes
There is no easier way to frighten people at an Airport than to smile.
Walking around like there is nothing wrong in the world, or with a face that suggests that "today is a great day" really makes people look at you with their head cocked to the side. I believe it is because they don't trust anyone who looks like they enjoy flying. I can understand that. Flying is not exactly a pleasant experience, but it's not a bad one either.
The way I see it, there are 2 likely outcomes to any flight; Safe landing, or horrible horrible crash and death. If you are comfortable with both scenarios, flying is really really easy to handle.
Now getting into a car, where you are also just as likely to be permanently injured or crippled.... that scares me.
Walking around like there is nothing wrong in the world, or with a face that suggests that "today is a great day" really makes people look at you with their head cocked to the side. I believe it is because they don't trust anyone who looks like they enjoy flying. I can understand that. Flying is not exactly a pleasant experience, but it's not a bad one either.
The way I see it, there are 2 likely outcomes to any flight; Safe landing, or horrible horrible crash and death. If you are comfortable with both scenarios, flying is really really easy to handle.
Now getting into a car, where you are also just as likely to be permanently injured or crippled.... that scares me.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Coming Home
I am getting on a plane in a few hours.
I am going to be leaving this world and returning to "my" world. The USA.
India and Nepal have given me a lot. I have new things to think about, new ways to think about them, and new reasons for what I do. I have had hard times, good times, and boring times. I worked, played, and slept. I have been teacher, student, and something in between/I have people who call me friend, some call me family, and one man in Nepal considers me his Mijyu. To sum it up, I have had a life here in Asia.
The amazing part to me, is it has only been 3 months. What is 3 months? Nothing. Back home, 3 months could have passed with nothing happening at all. I would have been in a routine, just doing what I always do. Why do I do that back home? What is it about America that pacifies me? Makes me just return to my normally scheduled programming?
Well, I am not gonna do it this time. I can't. I have reaped too many benefits to just be what I was. I am healthier, happier, and smarter than I left, and I want to continue all of those things. I am not a "new" William coming home. I am the same person who just realized that I have more potential than I gave myself credit for.
Time to achieve.
I am going to be leaving this world and returning to "my" world. The USA.
India and Nepal have given me a lot. I have new things to think about, new ways to think about them, and new reasons for what I do. I have had hard times, good times, and boring times. I worked, played, and slept. I have been teacher, student, and something in between/I have people who call me friend, some call me family, and one man in Nepal considers me his Mijyu. To sum it up, I have had a life here in Asia.
The amazing part to me, is it has only been 3 months. What is 3 months? Nothing. Back home, 3 months could have passed with nothing happening at all. I would have been in a routine, just doing what I always do. Why do I do that back home? What is it about America that pacifies me? Makes me just return to my normally scheduled programming?
Well, I am not gonna do it this time. I can't. I have reaped too many benefits to just be what I was. I am healthier, happier, and smarter than I left, and I want to continue all of those things. I am not a "new" William coming home. I am the same person who just realized that I have more potential than I gave myself credit for.
Time to achieve.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Service Deficit
Today was spent running around Delhi with Biku, Govinda, and Michael. It is Biku's first trip to Delhi, and his first trip outside of Orissa. So we went to Connaught Place.
We did some shopping at the Khadi Shop. These shops were created by Gandhi to provide support to rural India by having the government purchase the "cottage" industry's goods. The government would then create shops, and sell the goods produced by rural Indians.
Imagine, for one moment, that you went to the Gap, or A&P, or any other retail store in the United States, and you were served by the exact same people who work at the Department of Motor Vehicles?
I do not have to imagine this, because I have experienced it first hand! The people working these shops do not care if ANYTHING gets sold. They are government employees, and therefore have extremely low job satisfaction, but high job security, seeing as how it is practically illegal to fire them. I shop there only because they really do have some very nice things, that you can only get there. But, if I could pay 3 times the amount and get the same item somewhere else, I would... in a heartbeat.
We did some shopping at the Khadi Shop. These shops were created by Gandhi to provide support to rural India by having the government purchase the "cottage" industry's goods. The government would then create shops, and sell the goods produced by rural Indians.
Imagine, for one moment, that you went to the Gap, or A&P, or any other retail store in the United States, and you were served by the exact same people who work at the Department of Motor Vehicles?
I do not have to imagine this, because I have experienced it first hand! The people working these shops do not care if ANYTHING gets sold. They are government employees, and therefore have extremely low job satisfaction, but high job security, seeing as how it is practically illegal to fire them. I shop there only because they really do have some very nice things, that you can only get there. But, if I could pay 3 times the amount and get the same item somewhere else, I would... in a heartbeat.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I Made It Safe and Sound
Today was one helluva long day.
I spent 2 hours in the Taxi in Kathmandu because of the demonstrations. By the way the riots were not that bad. It was more like parades. A little pushing and shoving, but that was as far as it got from what I saw.
My plane was then delayed another 3 hours once I arrived at the airport. So I ended up sitting in an airport lounge for about 5 hours. It wasn't so bad, except this airport lounge was playing the news. In Kathmandu that means alot of angry politicians shouting... a man can't sleep while that is happening...
Arrived in Delhi, got my bags, got in a prepaid taxi, and he got lost.
I had to tell the cab driver where to go, and he is from Delhi!!! In his defense it is a big city, and most tourists never go to Subhash Nagar. But still...
I am exhausted from a long day of doing nothing but sitting in uncomfortable positions. Time to crash on the couch, my home away from home.
I spent 2 hours in the Taxi in Kathmandu because of the demonstrations. By the way the riots were not that bad. It was more like parades. A little pushing and shoving, but that was as far as it got from what I saw.
My plane was then delayed another 3 hours once I arrived at the airport. So I ended up sitting in an airport lounge for about 5 hours. It wasn't so bad, except this airport lounge was playing the news. In Kathmandu that means alot of angry politicians shouting... a man can't sleep while that is happening...
Arrived in Delhi, got my bags, got in a prepaid taxi, and he got lost.
I had to tell the cab driver where to go, and he is from Delhi!!! In his defense it is a big city, and most tourists never go to Subhash Nagar. But still...
I am exhausted from a long day of doing nothing but sitting in uncomfortable positions. Time to crash on the couch, my home away from home.
Every Time I Leave Nepal There is a Riot
Ok.
I am leaving Nepal in the next few hours, and Alot of the roads are closed. I should be fine getting to the airport, but it is gonna take a while.
Wish me Luck!
I am leaving Nepal in the next few hours, and Alot of the roads are closed. I should be fine getting to the airport, but it is gonna take a while.
Wish me Luck!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Last Night at Namaste
Tonight is my last night in Nepal. I spent all day wandering around to all my favorite spots and saying goodbye to all my favorite Nepalis. At 7pm I realized I hadn't eaten yet today, so I went for one last Falaffel at my favorite lunch spot.
After that it was off to Namaste Cafe to say bye to my Mijyu (Found out that is the proper spelling) and to say good bye to all the staff there. Had a few Min's Specials and some more Cough Syrup.
I know this is a very "what I did today" post, but it's the best I have right now.
I found out that there are going to be some riots tomorrow, and a few political demonstrations. It will make getting to the airport a little more... difficult than I anticipated, but should not present a major problem.
After that it was off to Namaste Cafe to say bye to my Mijyu (Found out that is the proper spelling) and to say good bye to all the staff there. Had a few Min's Specials and some more Cough Syrup.
I know this is a very "what I did today" post, but it's the best I have right now.
I found out that there are going to be some riots tomorrow, and a few political demonstrations. It will make getting to the airport a little more... difficult than I anticipated, but should not present a major problem.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Taxi of DOOOOOM!
I saw someone's life flash before my eyes today. It was not mine. It was the guy driving the cab I was taking back to Thamel from Bhaktipur. I thought, after watching his life before my eyes, that if he does not die in a horrible car accident while driving me back to my guest house, I am going to kill him.
I got out of his cab, mostly intact, and paid him. I then ran down the street shaking from the ordeal. My heart was pounding like I had just run the 15km from Bhaktipur to Thamel. The list of things he almost hit include:
6 Motorcycles
6 Other Taxis
5 Tuk Tuks(Nepali "Short Bus")
3 Civilian Vehicles
2 Children on Bikes
1 Large Transport Truck Filled with Chickens
The last one... I almost wanted him to hit. Cause it would have been classic "chase scene" gone wrong.
Can't have everything.
I got out of his cab, mostly intact, and paid him. I then ran down the street shaking from the ordeal. My heart was pounding like I had just run the 15km from Bhaktipur to Thamel. The list of things he almost hit include:
6 Motorcycles
6 Other Taxis
5 Tuk Tuks(Nepali "Short Bus")
3 Civilian Vehicles
2 Children on Bikes
1 Large Transport Truck Filled with Chickens
The last one... I almost wanted him to hit. Cause it would have been classic "chase scene" gone wrong.
Can't have everything.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Miju
I said goodbye to Sushila today. Sushila is the office administrator at Citta Nepal. She is fantastic at her job and she recently had a son, who is extremely cute. Her husband lives and works in Dubai, so her mother helps her raise the child.
These are my final days in Nepal, and I know I am really gonna miss this place. Tonight I went to Namaste Cafe and had more cough syrup with Min, who is my Miju. Miju in Nepal means something more than best friend. The way it was described to me by Min, Miju is the person who you must listen to when he gives you advice, Miju is the person who doesn't lie to you, and Miju is the person who will always back you up. So now in Nepal, I have a Miju! It is a really great honor for someone to call you their Miju.
So I am now good friends with another club owner and another bartender. I am noticing a trend.
These are my final days in Nepal, and I know I am really gonna miss this place. Tonight I went to Namaste Cafe and had more cough syrup with Min, who is my Miju. Miju in Nepal means something more than best friend. The way it was described to me by Min, Miju is the person who you must listen to when he gives you advice, Miju is the person who doesn't lie to you, and Miju is the person who will always back you up. So now in Nepal, I have a Miju! It is a really great honor for someone to call you their Miju.
So I am now good friends with another club owner and another bartender. I am noticing a trend.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Grandpa's Cough Syrup Results
So I took Michael and Yeshe's advice and tried the whiskey. It worked like a charm!!! The tickle is gone. Of course I figured that because of my size, I would need to at least double the dose. I have to do that with aspirin, why not cough syrup? So I started with double the dose, then my current doctor (bartender) suggested alternative medicine. And he performed a very complex ritual which I had to participate in.
This ritual involved many medicines, which he then lit on fire. After burning the impurities from the medicine, I was then told to drink it. I did, and it also removed any tickle from my throat!
However like all cough syrups I now feel very sleepy and I think I will rest... very soundly tonight.
This ritual involved many medicines, which he then lit on fire. After burning the impurities from the medicine, I was then told to drink it. I did, and it also removed any tickle from my throat!
However like all cough syrups I now feel very sleepy and I think I will rest... very soundly tonight.
Grandpa's Cough Syrup
I am sick. I woke up this morning with a wicked tickle in my throat. It's this damn Kathmandu air. It is so filled with smog and soot that every breath is like sucking on a tailpipe of a greyhound bus. I have been drinking herbal Tulsi tea. It is supposed to be a super remedy for this kind of thing.
I even went and got a massage. Hoping it would force whatever was in my system to run it's course. I have taken cold medicine. NOTHING IS WORKING!!! I called Dr. Yeshe and he gave me a prescription. 60ml Whiskey. "Grandpa's Cough Syrup."
Michael also once told me that whiskey was perfect for cleaning out the throat from Kathmandu junk. So I will take my medicine like a good boy tonight before bed.
I even went and got a massage. Hoping it would force whatever was in my system to run it's course. I have taken cold medicine. NOTHING IS WORKING!!! I called Dr. Yeshe and he gave me a prescription. 60ml Whiskey. "Grandpa's Cough Syrup."
Michael also once told me that whiskey was perfect for cleaning out the throat from Kathmandu junk. So I will take my medicine like a good boy tonight before bed.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
100 Posts!
Today I celebrate an arbitrary milestone in my blogging. Because of humanities obsession with 10 today I celebrate the 100th post of this blog!
Kathmandu does not lend itself to the same solitude that I experienced in Orissa. For example right now I am sitting in Java, a cafe in Thamel. There is a murmur of different languages and different types of conversations. There is the awkward "first date" discussion by some local Nepalis. I don't even need to speak their language to realize that they are definitely on a first date. In the corner there are 4 men with ties on. They are showing each other papers and different charts. It's business if I have ever seen it. There are a few of "us" NGO workers sitting by ourselves typing away on our laptops. Our addition to the noise is simply click-click.
The lights are low due to power shortages. Instead of ruining the atmosphere with florescent light, the staff have lit candles where everyone is sitting. I am hunkered down in a large leather chair with a thick, solid arm rest. My computer is to my right, and I have an iced blended coffee (no sugar) in front of me.
This environment is very starbucksian. However it is the perfect place to write my 100th post to this blog. I have successfully written a blog entry every day on my trip so far. Sometimes I post them late, but I have written every single day. I didn't think I could do it when I left the US. I thought I would do it for one week, and then forget about it. Well looks like I stuck it out.
Thanks everyone for reading and commenting. This blog has been, and will continue to be, a joy for me to write, even after I come home.
Kathmandu does not lend itself to the same solitude that I experienced in Orissa. For example right now I am sitting in Java, a cafe in Thamel. There is a murmur of different languages and different types of conversations. There is the awkward "first date" discussion by some local Nepalis. I don't even need to speak their language to realize that they are definitely on a first date. In the corner there are 4 men with ties on. They are showing each other papers and different charts. It's business if I have ever seen it. There are a few of "us" NGO workers sitting by ourselves typing away on our laptops. Our addition to the noise is simply click-click.
The lights are low due to power shortages. Instead of ruining the atmosphere with florescent light, the staff have lit candles where everyone is sitting. I am hunkered down in a large leather chair with a thick, solid arm rest. My computer is to my right, and I have an iced blended coffee (no sugar) in front of me.
This environment is very starbucksian. However it is the perfect place to write my 100th post to this blog. I have successfully written a blog entry every day on my trip so far. Sometimes I post them late, but I have written every single day. I didn't think I could do it when I left the US. I thought I would do it for one week, and then forget about it. Well looks like I stuck it out.
Thanks everyone for reading and commenting. This blog has been, and will continue to be, a joy for me to write, even after I come home.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Random Encounters
Most people you meet in your life will be introduced to you through someone or something. That is to say that very rarely do you interact with someone that you have no pre-existing connection. Most of the time the new people you encounter are found when you try a new activity, begin a new job, or you are introduced by a friend who already knows that person. Sometimes it is nice to meet someone just because you happened to.
Here in Kathmandu, I have had alot of opportunities to to just meet someone. Sitting in a cafe by myself, sitting at a bar, or just walking down the street every day I have the opportunity to be met. It is something I don't do in the US. Walking down the street I am in my own world experiencing my own reality. I don't stop and say, "Hi!" to someone just because they look interesting or lost. But here, I do.
These random encounters have led me to many strange and interesting places, and forced me to talk with people I never thought I would.
These people I have met have no notion of who I am. They do not know where I am coming from. The ONLY thing they know about me is that I am in Kathmandu and so are they, and that is enough for a connection. I chat with people, and move on. Meet someone, make a connection, and leave.
Here in Kathmandu, I have had alot of opportunities to to just meet someone. Sitting in a cafe by myself, sitting at a bar, or just walking down the street every day I have the opportunity to be met. It is something I don't do in the US. Walking down the street I am in my own world experiencing my own reality. I don't stop and say, "Hi!" to someone just because they look interesting or lost. But here, I do.
These random encounters have led me to many strange and interesting places, and forced me to talk with people I never thought I would.
These people I have met have no notion of who I am. They do not know where I am coming from. The ONLY thing they know about me is that I am in Kathmandu and so are they, and that is enough for a connection. I chat with people, and move on. Meet someone, make a connection, and leave.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
Every single meeting I had planned for today did not happen.
I was supposed to go to a few fashion colleges here in Nepal and talk to their career placement people, however when I got to each of the colleges, that person was unavailable, at a campus of the college, or in one case in the hospital due to an illness.
So I rescheduled these meetings for when they will be available, at this campus, and fully recovered.
So after a frustrating day I headed over to Namaste Cafe to see a few of my Nepali friends. Just as I got to Namaste, a huge hail storm started to pelt Kathmandu. The hail was only the size of dimes, but it hurt like hell nonetheless. The hail was followed by torrential rain. So, what I thought was going to be a few minutes in the Cafe turned into a few hours. I was also the only person in the Cafe apart from my friends, who happen to be the staff.
After that there was no power, so none of the Internet Cafes were open, so I was unable to call my Grandmothers/Mother to wish them a happy Mother's Day. Consider this an excuse/apology for my failure to report for grandson/son duty.
I was supposed to go to a few fashion colleges here in Nepal and talk to their career placement people, however when I got to each of the colleges, that person was unavailable, at a campus of the college, or in one case in the hospital due to an illness.
So I rescheduled these meetings for when they will be available, at this campus, and fully recovered.
So after a frustrating day I headed over to Namaste Cafe to see a few of my Nepali friends. Just as I got to Namaste, a huge hail storm started to pelt Kathmandu. The hail was only the size of dimes, but it hurt like hell nonetheless. The hail was followed by torrential rain. So, what I thought was going to be a few minutes in the Cafe turned into a few hours. I was also the only person in the Cafe apart from my friends, who happen to be the staff.
After that there was no power, so none of the Internet Cafes were open, so I was unable to call my Grandmothers/Mother to wish them a happy Mother's Day. Consider this an excuse/apology for my failure to report for grandson/son duty.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)