From Dhapakhel

Found the internet shop in the village so although too slow for piccies, a short e-mail to the blog to give first impressions.

 

We are staying with a lovely family, grandfather & grandmother (in their 60s), father and mother (30s) plus 2 daughters and a son (9 - 14 ish - must remember to ask again, I couldn't translate when first told). The kids speak a lot more English than we speak Nepali which is really helpful. The parents & grandparents who speak no English are remarkably good at deciphering our stumbling attempts to communicate. We have a first floor (less risk of rodents!) room and despite an extremely firm (like no mattress) bed slept like logs. Snoring must have been dreadful 'cos I've got a bit of a sniffle (at this stage, having typed sniggle, I will apologise for any typos - the letters on this keyboard are worn out and it is not easy to read the ones that have been carved in with a hot knife). Food has been good, the inevitable dhal bhaht (rice & dall) plus extras specially for us, fried potatoes and greens last night and for breakfast (yes we do get dhal bhaht @ 9 am) potatoes and a sort of omelette. The family are farmers with 2 cows and 5 goats right next to the house and some fields (smaller than a Culver Road back lawn) growing mustard, maize and other crops I could not owrk out.

 

The best way (for Sussex folks anyway) of expaining the village is that it is to Kathmandu what Yapton is to Brighton, and yes they are mpstly related! It spreads out about half a mile along a single dusty road with a couple of shops for basics (and of course this internet shop).

 

Must get off the PC to give other vols a chance.

 

Cheers

Roshan

 

P.S. You might have seen the news that the blockade of Kathmandu is off. Just in time 'cos the queues for petrol were enormous. Next bit of excitement is the national strike on 6-8 April.