Friday, October 26, 2012

To hug or not to hug, that is the question

Thank you to all who responded with your opinions. After much thought and discussion with the children and the older brother it has been agreed that hugging the small children is perfectly acceptable, while it is not customary they respect that it is my expression of affection. The general rule is that a boy or young man cannot hug the opposite sex, it is seen as a sign of great affection therefore cannot be done in public. Boys can hug each other, they can hold hands, (men also) and be very affectionate with each other but never with a girl unless he intends to marry her. So to put end to this debate I am hugging the children goodbye every time, they expect it now and enjoy it, sometimes I grab 2 or 3 at a time and do a group hug.

Keep on hugging!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Festival Time and Monkey Temple




Things have been very busy here getting ready for exams at school and for the Dashain Festival. This festival is the biggest of the Hindu faith in Nepal. It last 10 days and everyday is a different festival within Dashain. I have been invited to visit a village about 100km from Kathamandu on the weekend, I will be the first white person to visit this village so they are really excited to have me. I will be treated like a god, Nepali god, but a god nonetheless. It will be nice to get out of the city. Life here is simple and wonderful. After the festival I will resume teaching duties. Here are some pictures of the last little while.














Thursday, October 11, 2012

Need you opinions.

I am faced with a situation that requires your help. Here in Nepal it is not customary to hug each other. I started hugging the kids from the orphanage about one week ago when I say goodbye. At first they were very stiff but now they are more relaxed. While speaking to the VSN coordinator last night he advised me that hugging is not their custom and I should cease. My dilemma is that these children do not receive any type of physical contact or affection. The only physical contact they are familiar with is punishment, as hitting is acceptable as punishment. I strongly believe that I should continue hugging them as it is my custom and my way of showing them that I care about them.
Please let me know your thoughts about this I would appreciate your feedback.
Should I continue? or should I stop?

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Dokshinkali Temple and Monastery Tour


Today VSN took the volunteers out for a sightseeing tour. We went high into the mountains to see the famous and most holy Dokshinkali Temple and visited two local monasteries. The trip was of course very interesting. Winding mountain roads barely able to fit one vehicle never oncoming traffic. Sheer drops and blind corners. I cannot figure out how it works, the traffic, it is pure chaos but it does work and everyone seems to get to and from without major injury or frustration. Attached are some pictures of the day. Enjoy!









Carmen from Holland, Sylvia from Belgium, Mariye and Nicole from Holland, Kornel from Hungary, Lisa from the UK, me and Yongbin from China.











Prayer Flags\





Friday, October 5, 2012

Flora and Fauna

no not the conjoined twins from the Adams Family

Yesterday was a day off for the volunteers, the students had an exam preparation day so they did not go to school. I along with Kornel from Hungary and Carmen and Nicole from Holland went into the city for some food and relaxation. We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant, I had a green salad for the first time in 3 weeks it was heavenly! Then pizza with bacon, cheese and spinach, gnocchi with cream sauce and cappuccino. It was a great meal for under $10. We then walked to a beautiful garden called the "Garden of Dreams". It was built in 1920 for the King. We spent the afternoon there, lying in the grass and relaxing. Here are some pictures.