Later than I planned

Is it really 2 weeks since I did my last post? Apologies to all of you who have been checking for the latest thrilling instalment of our life in Kathmandu. As it has been such a gap and the power is likely to go off soon, I'll start with an edited version of an e-mail Sheila sent at the end of our first week. I'll try to insert some photos tomorrow and write some more to bring you up to date.

26-2-06

The end of the first week and we woke this morning to sunshine but yet again no electricity and after several mornings when we have had the treat (it seems that now) of hot water, today it is cold so not very inviting to get up for a shower.

As a Sunday we don't have language school today although schools here are usually open. Today there is a festival so unsure whether we will have the masses of children in their school uniforms going under the window and across the dusty square not quite a square but more than a street and several shops and the rubbish tip around the edge.

Now 1.10pm, the power returned and we had hot showers Yes! Then breakfast of rather strange but good yoghurt (curd) chopped apple and banana and muesli and hot water, I haven't risked coffee here at the Pacific although we found somewhere yesterday to have a proper long black. Then as so sunny we went and sat at table on roof terrace for a couple of hours. Slightly windier today, although hot, and cloud lifted a bit so some of the hills just outside city were clearer [Ed – due to smog not likely to see Himalayas until August apparently]. The roof terrace is edged with pot plants full of pansies, petunias and marigolds.

On Thursday when we met Jeanna (whose replacement I am) we went round to look at their home liked it immediately. It is in a quiet residential area with lots of plants around and tucked in behind the Radisson hotel in the Lazimpat district. They, Jeanna and David, have the ground floor and the landlord and family live upstairs with access from an external staircase. The properties are accessed through a large gate and little footpath leading to small front gardens with walls, trees, bushes and masses of flowers in pots. There is also a small patch of grass big enough for a small table and chairs. There is one step from a bit of courtyard to the mesh front door and inside is all flat!

Three main rooms lead off a hall, all similar size so unsure at this stage which we will have as bedroom. The kitchen is good size for here with some cupboards with deep turquoise doors which are great. Fridge and sink and a two burner hob (like a camping stove) set up on worktop. I might have to get a step to reach! No oven but it is possible to buy small Belling type table top one if we feel the need. Shower, toilet and washbasin all in a wet bathroom. Cable for TV and phone line both installed already. Rent is only just over our VSO allowance so all good and we should be in by end of March when we come back from our 2 week stay in a village. Our postal address is likely to continue to be c/o VSO Nepal, PO Box 207, Balawatar, Kathmandu, Nepal but hopefully we will have a home phone no soon. Lots of little foodshops and cafes are near and we will look forward to having visitors. The flat is really close to Roshan's work but I will have a bus journey. Yesterday we went for our first trip on buses which was OK. They have fixed fares which makes it easier but we were glad to have learnt nos 1-10 in our language class on Friday.

4.30pm As we walked up the street today small groups of children stretched out pieces of string/raffia blocking the way of bicycles and pedestrians until sweets or small coins were passed over. Presumably to do with the festival - a bit like trick or treating I suppose but all in good fun and lots of clear thank yous from even the smallest as we passed over some small boiled sweets we had bought locally.

Back to language school tomorrow. We can now ask people's names, tell them ours and ask where they live! eg soon I will say 'Mero ghar Lazimpat ho' [Ed.: My home is in Lazimpat].

Love

Sheila

More tomorrow if electricity allows.

Roshan

P.S. Thanks to all who have donated to VSO. Feel guilty and click the Fundraising site link to the right if you haven't.