Swingin' on Vines
Hello!! Long time no post I see!!
Unfortunately Internet is very expensive in Pokhara so I'll have to keep this short!
Back in Kathmandu we visited the largest Tibetan Buddhist stupa, Bodhnath. We arrived around sunset, so I sat and solar-gazed in top of the stupa until it had disappeared behind the valley...what a glorious day. Haven't felt so peaceful in a while. Feels good. However, the next day, I decided I needed to see a doc. I had been having some stomac pain and just all around strangeness. I could easily have dealt with it for many more weeks...but I thought hey...it'll be awhile till I can get good care after we leave Kathmandu. Visited an American doctor (actually the guy who wrote the health chapter for the lonely planet guide book!) and got some test done. Turned out I had dysentery...ewwww. So I had to take 1 pill for three days and now it's gone! Hooray! I think I caught it in Varanasi...it's notorious for those kinds of bugs! Logan didn't seem to catch anything however...lucky boy! Although these bugs often take a few months before symptoms appears...wouldn't be surprised if I caught something else before we get back!! Thank god for health insurance!
A few days after being rid of dysentery we took an early morning bus to Pokhara, a smaller town 6 hours West of Kathmandu. Kept busy with books and sleeping, since Logan claimed that playing our Chess or Backgammon boards would have made him nauseous! Seriously tho, we've been playing of alot of chess...we'll be masters! (We're trying to invent our own game right now actually!)
As soon as we arrived, many, many touts tried to get us to Lakeside hotels... (becaue they get commision)( so lukily a Dutch man came and helped us) He showed us a killer hotel...150NRs for a large room with windows on 3 walls and with some good views of the annapurna range and the macchapuchare peak. So beautfiful in the morning! There is a large lake called Fewa Tal lake where we rented a row boat and explored an island that seems to have selectively breeded beautiful pidgeons that are all white or mixtures of brown, white, pink...so amazing!
I wanted to rent a motorbike to cruise around in with logan so I tried on out. Was doing alright until I had to turn around...and I turned too sharp and skidded out. Since I was by myself...many many Nepali boys came to my rescue as the bike weighs a ton...I just managed to escape it's grip. But lazy I noticed I lost some skin and hair on my leg...battles scars I guess. I still think motorbikes are wicked...but I won't be riding on here. We decided on cycle bikes for less than a dollar a day!
One nice thing about Pokhara is that we can filter the water...bottled water is hard to find and we're saving a bundle a bundle of money and plastic. (Trust me, I'm using a little more than necessary to purify, just to make sure!)
A few ago, we hiked a few hours in a steep forest till we came to the top of a hill where many cultures (Japanese, Indian...) got together and made a World Peace Pagoda (look it up for pics). Nice stupa, but even better views. We vowed to come back because we found some awesome vines (no joke!) that you could swing on. Yesterday we made videos hoping to post them...but once again we are limited by the poor quality computers. Darn.
We also visited a killer waterfall. Its the point where a river goes and plunges 100m and becomes an underground river. We got to explore a cave and see where it falls...caves are awesome.
So my sister Danielle is leaving for Thailand this week for a month...it's nice to know we'll be closer together! Just make sure you take lazy days...do nothing ya know? Also, to reduce/eliminate culture shock, leave your beliefs and habits at home. Culture shock is the result of attachment to your society...you are Not in Canada anymore. Very important...be open to it. Also, notice your thoughts and how limiting they are. Notice the words you use to express something and how they really don't say it all. Verbalization kills the moment...because the brain is busy trying to access words and convey them. Enjoy the sunset without saying, "that's a nice sunset" to your friend because, surely, they have noticed. Admire a tree without attaching words...it feels good. Just be. Enjoy yourself my sister. And smile a lot. Travelling is only one of the many ways to expand your being, take advantage.
Martine I miss you!
Still about 25 degrees here...but we'll be heading back to northern india and we'll have to wear our wooly jackets again!
Still feeling great, been filtering our water for 4 days now!
Oh Cory, see you in a few weeks!! (We may not be in Dharmsala till December due to how sweet Nepal is!!!)
Oh how I wish I could talk to all of you...not that I'm homesick, but human interaction feels so good! Especially with those you love!
Keep the emails and comments coming!
Om Mani Padme Hum
Unfortunately Internet is very expensive in Pokhara so I'll have to keep this short!
Back in Kathmandu we visited the largest Tibetan Buddhist stupa, Bodhnath. We arrived around sunset, so I sat and solar-gazed in top of the stupa until it had disappeared behind the valley...what a glorious day. Haven't felt so peaceful in a while. Feels good. However, the next day, I decided I needed to see a doc. I had been having some stomac pain and just all around strangeness. I could easily have dealt with it for many more weeks...but I thought hey...it'll be awhile till I can get good care after we leave Kathmandu. Visited an American doctor (actually the guy who wrote the health chapter for the lonely planet guide book!) and got some test done. Turned out I had dysentery...ewwww. So I had to take 1 pill for three days and now it's gone! Hooray! I think I caught it in Varanasi...it's notorious for those kinds of bugs! Logan didn't seem to catch anything however...lucky boy! Although these bugs often take a few months before symptoms appears...wouldn't be surprised if I caught something else before we get back!! Thank god for health insurance!
A few days after being rid of dysentery we took an early morning bus to Pokhara, a smaller town 6 hours West of Kathmandu. Kept busy with books and sleeping, since Logan claimed that playing our Chess or Backgammon boards would have made him nauseous! Seriously tho, we've been playing of alot of chess...we'll be masters! (We're trying to invent our own game right now actually!)
As soon as we arrived, many, many touts tried to get us to Lakeside hotels... (becaue they get commision)( so lukily a Dutch man came and helped us) He showed us a killer hotel...150NRs for a large room with windows on 3 walls and with some good views of the annapurna range and the macchapuchare peak. So beautfiful in the morning! There is a large lake called Fewa Tal lake where we rented a row boat and explored an island that seems to have selectively breeded beautiful pidgeons that are all white or mixtures of brown, white, pink...so amazing!
I wanted to rent a motorbike to cruise around in with logan so I tried on out. Was doing alright until I had to turn around...and I turned too sharp and skidded out. Since I was by myself...many many Nepali boys came to my rescue as the bike weighs a ton...I just managed to escape it's grip. But lazy I noticed I lost some skin and hair on my leg...battles scars I guess. I still think motorbikes are wicked...but I won't be riding on here. We decided on cycle bikes for less than a dollar a day!
One nice thing about Pokhara is that we can filter the water...bottled water is hard to find and we're saving a bundle a bundle of money and plastic. (Trust me, I'm using a little more than necessary to purify, just to make sure!)
A few ago, we hiked a few hours in a steep forest till we came to the top of a hill where many cultures (Japanese, Indian...) got together and made a World Peace Pagoda (look it up for pics). Nice stupa, but even better views. We vowed to come back because we found some awesome vines (no joke!) that you could swing on. Yesterday we made videos hoping to post them...but once again we are limited by the poor quality computers. Darn.
We also visited a killer waterfall. Its the point where a river goes and plunges 100m and becomes an underground river. We got to explore a cave and see where it falls...caves are awesome.
So my sister Danielle is leaving for Thailand this week for a month...it's nice to know we'll be closer together! Just make sure you take lazy days...do nothing ya know? Also, to reduce/eliminate culture shock, leave your beliefs and habits at home. Culture shock is the result of attachment to your society...you are Not in Canada anymore. Very important...be open to it. Also, notice your thoughts and how limiting they are. Notice the words you use to express something and how they really don't say it all. Verbalization kills the moment...because the brain is busy trying to access words and convey them. Enjoy the sunset without saying, "that's a nice sunset" to your friend because, surely, they have noticed. Admire a tree without attaching words...it feels good. Just be. Enjoy yourself my sister. And smile a lot. Travelling is only one of the many ways to expand your being, take advantage.
Martine I miss you!
Still about 25 degrees here...but we'll be heading back to northern india and we'll have to wear our wooly jackets again!
Still feeling great, been filtering our water for 4 days now!
Oh Cory, see you in a few weeks!! (We may not be in Dharmsala till December due to how sweet Nepal is!!!)
Oh how I wish I could talk to all of you...not that I'm homesick, but human interaction feels so good! Especially with those you love!
Keep the emails and comments coming!
Om Mani Padme Hum
Oh Doe!! It's SOOOOOOO good to hear from you. Never thought I was much of the worrying type, but a few nights ago I had a dream that something had happened to you!I think I knew all along that you were fine, but that dream sparked a little doubt I admit.
Anyways, your post was fascinating! Sometimes I pause during my day and wonder what you're doing that exact second. Then I clue in that you're probably sleeping, heehee. But when I'm in Thailand (Nov. 8 to Dec. 1), we'll only be a few time zones away, so I'll be awake when you're awake! What a strange, wonderful feeling that will be.
And your advice is very wise. I know about the limitations of speech, often finding that vocalizing incredible experiences actually devalues them, or reduces them to something that is just "nice".
I'm sooo excited about Thailand!! I'm packing right this moment, but took a break to respond to your blog because I was so happy to hear (read?) from you! I've decided not to blog in Thailand, given that there would probably only be a few entries. So I'll just resort to the group e-mail thing, with some occasional personal e-mails...I'll be using your gmail address.
Well, gotta finishin packing, go rock-climbing with some great friends and have dinner with my wonderful family.
Stay healthy and know that you are close to my heart no matter where you are on this strange and beautiful planet.
Love,
Da
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:36 AM
P.S. Got your postcard yesterday. SWEET!
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:56 AM
Yes! VERY re-assuring to hear from you. I'll write you a longer email this week.
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:59 AM
Bravo, so very nice to see your posting and once again very interesting reading! I'm glad you seeked medical help and so happy that you are feeling better. Bet you wish you would have done this sooner.
Every once in awhile I go back to the beginning of your blogsites and read it all the way through. What an amazing journey you two are having.
You are so fortunate that you didn't injure yourself on the motorbike, I can't imagine your petite body on a motorcyle. Maybe my fear of motorbikes kept Logan from trying.
I tried to look up the World Peace Pagoda you saw but couldn't locate it, I'll look further later.
Adios
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:13 AM
Doe, nice to hear that you got what you needed to get rid of the dysentery. I enjoyed reading your insight on just enjoy the moment without having saying anything.
Stay real and we'll keep on reading....
Darryl,Denise,Brigitte,Daniel
ps. we have been reading Logan's as well
Posted by
Anonymous |
7:00 AM
Hello, one of my co-workers who's from India suggested if you can fit a trip to KULLU – MANALI by road it would be well worth the trip as it's a heaven on earth when comes to beauty by Mother Nature.
Also Amritsar to Delhi he said you two should go for a day or two via Chandigarh, his home town, most modern, clean city, designed by a famous French architect. Also he said KURUKSHETRA is another place on the way to Delhi.
He's been reading both your blogsites and had compliments & also said that the truth is being spoken, whether it's good, bad or ugly about his home country.
Adios
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Anonymous |
11:35 AM
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