Impressions are contrasting shades of colours, not unlike the Habitat Build volunteer t-shirts - hues of pink, orange, green and blue. We began our Everest Build day in Pokhara with the usual first day hiccups when trying to move 400+ international (8 countries represented) volunteers -- buses ran late or failed to show -- some buses could not travel down the mountain highway because bigger buses were coming up the road; our lunches mysteriously went AWOL but we did not go hungry -- the officials soon make sure we had some food.
The hike at our Begnas Lake Resort up 276+ steps to our bus began our week's physical conditioning -- if we could survive the daily climb then we could tough out the rest.
At 4:30pm after a long day of cutting and weaving bamboo walls, and being very hot and sticky (or is that stinky?), we had to wait in the heat once again for our bus. It eventually came and took us back to a well-earned swim at our resort.
After a shower (warm water from 5-7pm) and a delicious Western buffet dinner, most of us were in bed by 9pm (hard to believe). We're up at 6am and the combined heat and physical demands dictated an early bedtime, no matter your age.
Our first day rendered us tired but content with the foundations established for an amazing week ahead!
- Annie S.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
House #17
House #17 is our house and it is perfect. It overlooks such a beautiful valley with rolling hills. The view is breathtaking. The homeowners are so sweet. It is incredible how hospitable and appreciative the Nepalis are. They are truly beautiful people.
-Sameena
-Sameena
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sarangkot
This morning was special, we woke up at 3h30am. We met at the top of the steps of the resort (the Dining hall/bar/internet/everything house thingy). To get out of the resort, we have two options for leaving the resort. We could take the boats out, but it was too dark. The other way out is 264 steps up to the top where the bus meets us. We climbed all of them, but without complaint - because today we were going to make it to the top of Sarangkot before sunrise! A huge challenge. This peak is taller than the highest mountain in Austrailia, according to Robyn. You can look up info on it I'm sure.
It was SUCH a hard climb. I guess that might not be true for some, but I've never trekked or mountain climbed before. I only do hikes in Northern Ontario, which isn't that difficult. Even with the rocks put in as steps on the way to the top of Sarangkot, it was just so vertical. But once at the top, all huffs and puffs, we made it before the sun. I was actually the second one to make it up! I was surprised because I was panting and sweating and about ready to fall down. The view was amazing, mountains in the background, the perfect red sun blazing as it draws up the hills. Even though we had a cloudy and misty day, it was still amazing. Even after all that work, I wouldn't mind going again to be honest. After hanging about and taking pictures, we go back down. I was the last to the bottom because the scenery was amazing! (And to be honest, my legs were a little weak) It is amazing what you miss in the dark, flew right by it all on the way up. But stepping down I got some gorgeous scenery shots.
An amazing morning, and later this afternoon will be our day one with Habitat - all the teams meeting! How exciting!
-Amy
It was SUCH a hard climb. I guess that might not be true for some, but I've never trekked or mountain climbed before. I only do hikes in Northern Ontario, which isn't that difficult. Even with the rocks put in as steps on the way to the top of Sarangkot, it was just so vertical. But once at the top, all huffs and puffs, we made it before the sun. I was actually the second one to make it up! I was surprised because I was panting and sweating and about ready to fall down. The view was amazing, mountains in the background, the perfect red sun blazing as it draws up the hills. Even though we had a cloudy and misty day, it was still amazing. Even after all that work, I wouldn't mind going again to be honest. After hanging about and taking pictures, we go back down. I was the last to the bottom because the scenery was amazing! (And to be honest, my legs were a little weak) It is amazing what you miss in the dark, flew right by it all on the way up. But stepping down I got some gorgeous scenery shots.
An amazing morning, and later this afternoon will be our day one with Habitat - all the teams meeting! How exciting!
-Amy
Friday, October 1, 2010
Check out this Link!!
Hello to all of our family and friends back home! We have a link for you on the main Habitat for Humanity International Website. It is going to be updated daily with photos. Please feel free to watch this link as much as our blog!
http://www.habitat.org/asiapacific/what_we_do/events/everestbuild2010/default.aspx
-Amy
http://www.habitat.org/asiapacific/what_we_do/events/everestbuild2010/default.aspx
-Amy
The Streets of Kathmandu
When you enter the streets of Kathmandu, the first thing I notice is the traffic. People are on their way by every mode of transportation imaginable. As they walk they are dodging cars, bikes, rickshaws and trucks. There are a lot of motor cycles, amazingly quiet, but to make up for it they beep and honk incessantly as do the cars and trucks. The sounds are constantly shrill interjections of horns: "Look out for me, I'm coming through!"
The piece de resistance is the roundabout. There is one just down the road from our hotel. There seems to be no order, yet the people of Kathmandu seem to know just what to do; when to go and when to stop. People and vehicles are going every direction and yet, we have not seen anyone hurt or any two vehicles crash.
They travel so close to one another that we gasp and wait for a crash or a scream, but none happen. Also, interspersed amongst he pedestrians and vehicles are street people sleeping under a tree and vendors selling food, mainly nuts and seeds.
Storefronts and vendors line the streets designed to sell only one thing. Beside one another, are food, small machine repairs, rugs, fabrics, light hardware, and trekking stores. Today I saw a man with a dead goat. He was immersing it in a tub of water before he butchered it. Stacks of meat and eggs sit open and unrefrigerated waiting to be purchased. Maple Leaf Foods would be proud.
Amongst all is a large amount of garbage. It is everywhere and people walk along seemingly oblivious to it. The amazing thing to me is that the women dress in the most beautiful array of coloured Saris and Nepali clothes. They look beautiful, stunning in contrast especially to the drab buildings, garbage and construction materials.
Also among the pedestrians are many children walking to and from school. They are the same as children everywhere; laughing, holding hands, and dressed in their uniforms ready for a day of learning. They often will say "Hello" practicing their English from class.
At first, the people seem different from us as they live their lives foreign to us. But then you make eye contact and a beautiful smile is communicated. I have felt that we are all just the same - people going about our lives, providing for our families in our own ways.
Tomorrow we leave Kathmandu and the traffic behind. I have enjoyed the experience immensely. However, I confess, I look forward to some quiet, some green spaces and some clean air. I won't miss the traffic but I will take with me the special moments when one of the people and I shared a smile.
-Laurie
The piece de resistance is the roundabout. There is one just down the road from our hotel. There seems to be no order, yet the people of Kathmandu seem to know just what to do; when to go and when to stop. People and vehicles are going every direction and yet, we have not seen anyone hurt or any two vehicles crash.
They travel so close to one another that we gasp and wait for a crash or a scream, but none happen. Also, interspersed amongst he pedestrians and vehicles are street people sleeping under a tree and vendors selling food, mainly nuts and seeds.
Storefronts and vendors line the streets designed to sell only one thing. Beside one another, are food, small machine repairs, rugs, fabrics, light hardware, and trekking stores. Today I saw a man with a dead goat. He was immersing it in a tub of water before he butchered it. Stacks of meat and eggs sit open and unrefrigerated waiting to be purchased. Maple Leaf Foods would be proud.
Amongst all is a large amount of garbage. It is everywhere and people walk along seemingly oblivious to it. The amazing thing to me is that the women dress in the most beautiful array of coloured Saris and Nepali clothes. They look beautiful, stunning in contrast especially to the drab buildings, garbage and construction materials.
Also among the pedestrians are many children walking to and from school. They are the same as children everywhere; laughing, holding hands, and dressed in their uniforms ready for a day of learning. They often will say "Hello" practicing their English from class.
At first, the people seem different from us as they live their lives foreign to us. But then you make eye contact and a beautiful smile is communicated. I have felt that we are all just the same - people going about our lives, providing for our families in our own ways.
Tomorrow we leave Kathmandu and the traffic behind. I have enjoyed the experience immensely. However, I confess, I look forward to some quiet, some green spaces and some clean air. I won't miss the traffic but I will take with me the special moments when one of the people and I shared a smile.
-Laurie
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