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.

Daddy's Little Girls

Hello dear Wanderers,

Today finds Fiona and I sitting in the Volunteer kitchen, staring at the rain, and contemplating the last couple days in Nepal. These past few days have been a few of the most memorable of my life.

As Fiona mentioned in her last entry, we've begun spending private time with Kabita and Apsara; separating them from the collective and allowing all of us time to simply get to know each other better. The first afternoon after our walk in the rain, we scurried back to our room, and the girls got changed into Fiona's clothes. Warm and dry, we found a deck of cards and Fiona and I taught the girls the time honored games of "Crazy 8s", "Rummy", and "Go Fish". We were amazed at how quickly the girls picked up the rules and started developing strategy. For two children who never spent a day in their lives in school prior to a year ago, they are amazingly intelligent.

The next day, Fiona cooked us all lunch and we ate together as a family up here in the volunteer kitchen. There was something entirely satisfying about sitting around the table enjoying a hot meal as a family. Family dinners will definitely be a staple of the Gilbert household.

After lunch, we sat down with Vinod and asked him to help translate, as we wanted to talk to the girls about their past so that we could understand where they came from. While the conversation itself was far too personal to share here, Kabita cried as she recounted the horrors she suffered at the hands of her father leading up to her arrival at Papa's House. Apsara sat silently, listening intently, and occasionally whispering in Kabita's ear. With not a dry eye in the room, I asked, "Do you think some day I might hit you, too?" Kabita suddenly sobered up and said, "No, father! I know you would never." "You're right, my darling daughter. I promise to never hit you, and I always keep my promises." By this point, the tears were forgotten and the smiles returned.

The afternoon was finished watching a Bollywood movie, "The Krazzy 4s", which of course the irony was not lost on the girls that they just learned how to play Crazy 8s.

That night was Kabita's turn to help prepared the evening meal. All day, she kept reminding me that I had to have dinner at the first hostel. I wish I had a picture of the look of pride she had on her face when she handed me my plate of food. Despite a stomach still churning from too much curry, it was the most delicious meal I've ever tasted. You could taste the love with each and every bite.

And here's the part that amazes me the most...With 53 children all needing love and affection, there is not an inkling of jealousy radiating from our girls when we hug, kiss, and tell other children we love them. They simply stand there, with sparkles in their eyes, waiting for each of the other children to have their turn before taking up residence again at our side. Even as children, they understand the love we profess for them is different than the love we profess for others, and they are willing to share that affection openly and willingly. I have yet to meet two more generous, unselfish souls. I always thought Fiona was the pinnacle of such traits, but these two girls are infinitely ahead of us both in this regard.

I'm looking forward to the next 2 weeks.

Best,
Tom