NEPAL | Kaladha
As I sit here writing this, I am looking out
across a valley of yet to be planted crops. To the right I can see two cows
yoked together and ready to get to work. The ducks are enjoying their breakfast
in front of me as well as the three rabbits who have taken their place as the
household pets in a little wooden shack. Shova (pronounced “Solvah”)
is singing some Nepalese hymns as she makes us some pancakes over the fire and
a little black pig just ran by squealing because the neighborhood dog was
chasing it. But, nothing compares to the mountains that sit idly in the
background of this magnificent scene. Though they look comparable to the Smoky
Mountains in the Us, to the Nepali they are simply “hills.” But, I
guess anything is considered a hill, when the Himalayans are always towering
over the countryside ready to win the game of comparison.
Shova’s husband, Bhorat, just arrived from town dripping with sweat
after the 45 minute trip by bike to town (took us an 1.5 hours by foot) over
three rivers and in intense heat. He has brought us some eggs to accompany our
pancakes and some mineral water to insure we stay hydrated.
The house behind where we are staying has three
bedrooms. Nothing is really closed in, just has stick walls and a high tin roof
that covers everything. Us three girls stay in one room and Christopher stays
in the one right next door. Shova and Bhorat, newly wed just 6 months ago, stay
in the room across the open hallway. Bhorat’s parents, sisters and kids are all
taking up a residence on the front porch which has two daybed wooden platforms.
After our 16 hour bus ride to get here and then
the 1.5 hour hike to the house, we headed to the watering hole to shower.
Simply a spicket that runs off a natural spring and a concrete base was our
bathroom. With quite an audience of Nepali women and a few cows, we began the
process. The water was perfectly chilled for the heat outside and I don’t think
I have felt cleaner in a long time.
It is only our second day here in Kaladha, but I
am already in love with everything here! I can’t wait to tell you all more…
