Out and about the last couple of days…

• We were invited to attend a high school leavers picnic/party, with also a small group of 1^st year university students. Held on the hilltop overlooking Dhulikhel the various groups set up ghetto blasters and danced away the day, there was a real festive air and dal bhat (rice and lentils) for everyone! In NZ a party like this would involve alcohol, but here there was none and still guys and girls were dancing and having a good time. It was all over by 6pm – home time … theres no nightlife here!

• We spent a few hours at a careers counselling session for a different group of high school leavers.  For those that are in the fortunate position of pursuing higher education there are plenty of institutes to choose from, however, there is limited information available to give prospective students a good overview of their options, or about the job prospects of the different courses. Most institutes are privately run, and the time and money involved mean students need to pick the right one, furthermore there are plenty which claim far more than they can deliver.

• There have been a few early starts with yoga and morning walks – both popular here for those that can afford the time and those conscious of their health. It’s too hot by 10 am to want to do physical activity then.  Yoga is a huge test of flexibility, and it still surprises me to see middle aged Nepali men and women twist there body like a pretzel. Something to aspire to!  Its full daylight by 5.00 am, and its a normal time to rise here, with lots of people out and about. Infact, many of the higher education institutes hold split class times with the morning sessions starting at 6am.

• We’ve visited the local tailors to get some new clothes made – Ben for a shirt and pants and myself for a Korta-Salwah. First we visit a material shop (of which there are plenty, it seems every second shop sells material down the main street!), lots of colourful cloths are pulled out from the shelves for inspection, while we sit on the floor and decide on a purchase.  At the tailors we get measured (Ben’s come as a bit of a shock to the tailors), and then we wait for a few days for pick up. The tailoring is all done in small rooms, on traditional pedal powered sewing machines.  For all this (including buying the material) we can get a whole new outfit for around $10!