Girls' Day Out

Dear All,

Last night our little family marched up the hill with my pillow and sleeping gear. I was invited to a sleepover in Kabita and Apsara's room. Michael has done such a wonderful job with discipline with these kids that even though they had a distraction in their midst, they were all asleep before 9 pm.

This morning, we were up by 5 am and Kabita headed downstairs to start making breakfast. I had the job of cutting beans, potatoes, garlic and onions. I think it is much safer to be in the position of preparation rather than cook after my attempt last year!

Anita, Sunita, Kabita, Apsara and I had planned a shopping trip to Jamal a few days ago. To make sure we left on time, Tom volunteered to complete the washing up instead of Kabita. Didi Dawn Kumari very firmly put her foot down on that notion! She is such a wonderful lady, we both only wish we were able to speak with her in Nepali.

We caught a taxi from Basundhara to Jamal. Apsara has discovered that she really enjoyed the view from the front seat. In Jamal, we went from shop to shop hunting down a purple lengha for Kabita and a pink sari for me. We both completed our shopping trip with clothes we didn't set out to buy - Kabita will now have a silk pink and purple kulta sulwar and I have a silk turquoise sari with a pink and gold border, as well as a brown cotton sari for everyday wear.

Anita and Sunita patiently translated and bargained for us. Once again, I cannot begin to express how wonderful these two young ladies are.

For lunch, Anita introduced us to a dish called samosa chat; talk about spicy! Apsara had tears running down her face and we ordered an extra dish of momo to take the spice away. The ability to have a huge lunch for under US$1 a person is one of the pleasures of Nepal.

As we left in the taxi from Jamal, we saw a street march heading towards us. We left just in the nick of time! Anita tells me it was a congress protest.

The afternoon was spent at Papa House II with Kabita and Apsara, who were both dying to spend time with Dad. The three of them cracked open one of the coconuts I had bought in Jamal and enjoyed some lychees too. It was incredible that a kilo of lychees was cheaper than apples! I know what I am going to feast on from now.

As always, sending much love,

Fi

P.S. I had to include a picture of corn in this blog. Every available spot of land is swaying with corn stalks. It is obviously a vegetable that grows easily. And here, it will definitely be consumed as food rather than converted to biofuel. On the way home in the taxi, I saw a vendor grilling corn, I haven't told Tom yet, but I am sure he'll have to pay a visit very soon.