As the new year clicked in, I started reflecting on the many different phases and feels of 2016. It's always hard to say what was the BEST time, or what was most influential.. But my time in Nepal has really got to be up there! Quite a delayed blog post, I know, but it's better late than never.
After a few days in Kathmandu we took the winding bus ride to Pokhara. A layer of haze shrouded the valley at this time of year, as you can see above...
Cranes are crazy about this bamboo. Must be the good stuff.
After a nice long week of venturing around the area, wandering along the lake, drinking coffee and sleeping in, Kyle and I parted ways. Me on the way to volunteer at Maya, and Kyle to fly to Leh.
I had a fantastic experience volunteering at Maya. It's difficult to put it into words, actually. Something about the simplicity of life, and connection created between volunteers, other teachers and the kids, it was really such a special experience. I hope I can get back there in the coming years.
This is the kitchen hall where everyone has breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's also for homework and dance parties!
Morning circle happened every morning before classes started, gathering all students and teachers together to prepare for the day.
The main school building. The volunteer quarters are on the top floor.
Homework in a tree.
Far below on the next hill you can see some of the school buildings.
Some kids travelled far by foot, and some lived right nearby.
These ferns always got me in the afternoon light, so pretty. On the way to the tap.
The tap. Drinking water, washing water, bathing water, cooking water. Such valuable stuff flowing straight out of the hill!
Grade 3 - Wild Rabbits
Grade 4 - Hippos
Grade 5
Water buffalo being cool.
And then the time at the school was all of a sudden at an end... I was going trekking!
Despite it really not being the right season for it, I departed on my journey up to Annapurna Basecamp. Even though the views could have been clearer, and less rain would have been nice, I wouldn't trade in my experience for anything! I loved every minute of it, even the gruelling hundreds of stairs followed by more hundreds. Life on the trail is simple and clear, I dig that.
This girl walked with me for hours! I hope she found her way home.
First night.
This kids shared their plums with me. We had a pip spitting contest.
Into the clouds.
Out of the clouds.
Kitty and gumboots.
Up among the peaks. Not that you can see them, neither did I really... but they're there! Besides, I was so blown away by the landscape I could see, I don't know how I would've coped with anything more.
Dawn.
This was the best view of the caps that I got. Obviously, I would have loved to witness the panorama, but I just had such a wonderful time as it was, with such a fab group of people. I wouldn't change it even if I could!
