Nepal is pretty chill

15 June 2010                      7:32pm                 Old Baneshwor

Today was my first ‘official’ day at Gurukul, even though I didn’t get there until 1:30pm.  I did at least have a very relaxing morning reading the newspaper and typing up blog posts (hopefully I can post them later tonight).  [Note: clearly that never happened!]  I ate lunch at home today, which was nice.  It’s very awkward though, being served when you’re the only one eating.  I think I’ll just add it to the list of things I need to adjust to.  On the other hand, I think I’m adjusting much better now.  Kaka and Kaki have been so understanding and just all-around great.

I left for work soon after lunch (dal bhat again, but this time with finger chips!).  When I got there I met with Jeebesh, the communications director, whom I’ll be working with.  We set out what they wanted me to do for them, but when it came to what they could do for me I got a little stuck, as my original idea for a project doesn’t seem like it’s going to work out.  I have to work on what I want to do and get back to them on that.

Today I looked at the organization’s website, as one of my roles is to help them update it.  At first glance their website looks fine, but after going through it thoroughly there are a lot of changes that could be made.  Hopefully tomorrow I can start working on that so that I can move on to other things.  I was thinking I would directly edit the website, but apparently they have an outside expert who does it for them.  At least I don’t have to worry about teaching myself web design.

After work I went with Jeebesh to a local restaurant down the street which is apparently the Gurukul hangout.  I had Nepali tea and some sort of soup, neither of which I cared for.  I thought it would be rude though to say ‘Malaai chiya Nepali ra khaane piro man pardaina.’  Even though I think they would be happy as I was speaking Nepali.  I think I should make a goal, like one new sentence every day or 5 new words every day.  Something to motivate me.

A little while after I got home Ashok came over, as he had yet to meet my family.  The meeting went well, and I also found out this is my family’s first time hosting a student.  I feel bad, they’re going to think all Americans are big fat crybabies or something equally super lame.  But hopefully not, I think they understand.  I’m just glad that now I know I’m not the only one going through a new experience.

I also arranged everything with Ashmina about going tomorrow, which should be fun.  I’m basically packed, so I’m all set to go.  Now I just am relaxing.  I was watching the Portugal/Cote d’Ivoire game (go Portugal!) but go figure, the power went out.  Hopefully it’s not like in Bangladesh (if I remember correctly) which I read about this morning, where people started rioting when the power went out during a match a couple of days ago.  I think that we’ll be ok though, for a country in transition Nepal seems pretty chill about stuff like this.