The value of Personal space

Did I mention that the water I use to make my tea is slightly off color? I usually put the tea bag in first but the other day someone passed me a cup of hot water so that I could make my tea and we all realized that the water we are using for our coffee and tea in the morning is not clear. Hmm… wonder when that’s going to start affecting the internal system? (I spoke to soon…today was the day!)

As I walk down the streets of Nepal I notice there are holes in the paved road. I am assuming that this is some form of sewage or drainage system for the roads. Nobody seems to know what it’s for or where it leads LOL

Today was another crazy day at the Orchid Garden. I am getting use to the routine and the teacher and I are somehow managing to work one on one with the kids despite the incredible amount of noise and fighting that the remaining 20 kids can generate.

Hailey is now (or maybe always was) completely independent of me down here. She has a great group of friends that work with her at the hospital and they have now taken to going out before and/or after work without me. I’m now wondering if it is me who needs her more than she needs me.  The good news is while she was out shopping she bought me a beautiful new top and left it on my bed as a surprise. The girl has great taste!

I heard from Douglas today. I’m not entirely convinced it was Douglas on his own as his message was very well written but if it took prompting I guess I should at least be glad that I heard from him. I do miss my boy :) After spending my days with 22 - 2 & 3 year olds I may never complain about him being loud again.

Five of us went into Thamel tonight. We all crammed into one cab. To put this in perspective, the cabs in Kathmandu are all Suzuki Maruti’s (google that), they are about the same size as Le Car, remember those. Anyway, so picture five of us plus the driver; that was still not near as packed as the bus during rush hour!

When I got back Hailey told me about her day. She was able to sit in on several surgeries and a birth. She was very excited about it and said “It’s just like Grey’s anatomy only dirtier.”  (Hey Sio, she is loving the births, we may need to talk to you when we get home :) )

I learned today that the reason the streets all seem to be under construction is because they are. Apparently very recently the government decided that the roads should be widened and everyone was forced to accommodate this at their own expense. I will post photo’s later but essentially the sides of the roads are full of bricks and sidewalks being constructed or possibly re-constructed. Many of the buildings look like they are part of a war zone. They literally took off the front section of many buildings and are re-building them in order to make the street wider. It is the equivalent of removing the living room from your house and re-facing it. The pictures speak volumes so now that I understand what’s going on I will take a walk tomorrow and post photo’s.